Chapter 3: Testing the Hot Aunt

Alex had taken his time settling into his new room, enjoying a refreshing shower and even squeezing in a brief nap. When he finally emerged from his temporary retreat, he donned a comfortable pair of shorts and a t-shirt from his luggage. His curiosity about his aunt and the mysteries that surrounded her had only grown during his solitude.

He found Isabella in the living room, where she was engrossed in the glow of the television screen. She had changed into a casual yet alluring white dress, its neckline hinting at her captivating cleavage. He suspected that beneath her friendly and accommodating demeanor lay layers of complexity and desire, and he was determined to uncover them.

As Alex approached Aunt Isabella, a polite smile on his face, he asked, “Aunt Isabella, is it okay if I join you on the couch?”

Aunt Isabella looked at him with her characteristic warmth, but there was a hint of playful exasperation in her voice as she responded, “Alex, you don’t have to ask for permission to do anything in this house. Remember, this is your home now too.” Her eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief, emphasizing her point.

With a nod of understanding, Alex took a seat on the couch, recognizing once again that he was in a unique and welcoming environment, one that seemed to encourage him to explore without restraint.

With a casual smile, Alex inquired, “What are we watching?”

Isabella turned to him with an animated expression, clearly amused by the reality show she had been engrossed in. “Oh, it’s just some silly reality show,” she replied, her voice tinged with amusement. “I find it entertaining.”

However, Alex’s reaction was less enthusiastic. He shrugged and gave a nonchalant response, indicating that he didn’t share her enthusiasm for the program. The hint of boredom was evident in his expression.

Isabella, ever the accommodating host, quickly picked up on Alex’s lack of interest. She reached for the remote and swiftly changed the channel to ESPN, as though she had mentally reconsidered the merits of the reality show. “How about this?” she asked with a grin. “Is sports more to your liking?” With a warm smile, Alex responded, “You know, you don’t have to change the channel just because of me. But yeah, I do prefer watching sports.”

Isabella’s smile remained, mirroring his warmth. She nodded in agreement and decided, “Well, if you prefer sports, then sports it is.” She settled into her own seat, allowing the TV to stay on ESPN. Isabella’s willingness to adapt to Alex’s preferences only added to the layers of complexity that intrigued him.

A minute or so passed in comfortable silence as they both settled into the sports program playing on the TV. Isabella eventually turned her gaze toward Alex, her eyes reflecting a question as she asked, “What would you like for dinner, Alex? Is there something specific you’re craving?”

Without missing a beat, Alex responded, “How about pizza? You mentioned it earlier, and I think it’s a great idea.” His eyes remained fixed on the television, his tone casual.

Isabella’s warm smile returned as she agreed, “Pizza sounds perfect. How about a pepperoni pizza? Is that your favorite?”

Alex nodded, still focused on the TV. “Yeah, pepperoni is great. And don’t forget to order some Coke.”

With a gracious and welcoming smile, Isabella reached for her phone and dialed the number of a pizzeria she was already familiar with. She engaged in a polite and amicable conversation with the attendant, placing the order for a pepperoni pizza and providing their address. Her demeanor was warm and courteous throughout the call.

While Isabella was on the phone, Alex’s impatience showed as he interjected, his tone slightly more abrupt. “Don’t forget the Coke,” he reminded her, a hint of irritation in his voice as he reiterated the request he had made earlier.

Isabella, realizing her oversight, flushed slightly with embarrassment. She quickly apologized to the attendant, adding the Coke to the order with a gracious, “I’m so sorry about that.” Her graceful response maintained the overall harmony of the interaction.

As she ended the call, Isabella turned to Alex with a smile and said, “The pizza and Coke will be here shortly. Thanks for the reminder, Alex.”

Alex leaned back into the couch, his attention fully absorbed by the sports program on TV. He briefly and nonchalantly remarked, “Don’t worry about it, Auntie.”

As they waited for the pizza to arrive, a few more minutes passed in comfortable silence, broken only by the sounds of the television. Alex, now looking directly at Isabella, initiated a conversation with curiosity in his eyes. “Aunt Isabella, how long have you been living here alone in this house?”

Isabella met his gaze with a contemplative expression, reflecting on the passage of time. “It’s been a little over two years now,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. “It’s been quite the experience, I must say.”

Her response hinted at a depth of experience and emotions that Alex was eager to explore further, as he continued to uncover the layers of his aunt’s character.

Intrigued by his aunt’s experiences, Alex continued to explore her life, asking, “Have you had any boyfriends since your divorce, Aunt Isabella?”

Isabella’s gaze softened as she considered the question. “Not really,” she replied with a thoughtful expression. “After the divorce, I found myself focusing more on the house, my health, and my career. I guess I’ve been quite a homebody.” Her words carried a touch of nostalgia, hinting at a period of self-discovery and personal growth.

Intrigued by the enigmatic figure of his aunt, Alex continued the conversation, this time delving into her personal life. “Have you had any boyfriends since the divorce with your husband?”

Isabella considered his question, her expression thoughtful. “After the divorce, I haven’t really ventured out much,” she began to explain. “I’ve been focused on the house, my health, and building my career. Relationships have taken a back seat for a while.”

Alex’s curiosity continued to drive the conversation as he asked another question, “Aunt Isabella, what did you do for a career before all of this?”

Isabella leaned back, reflecting on her past. “Well,” she began, “I used to work as my ex-husband’s secretary before we got married. But after the wedding, I stepped away from that role. I’ve always had a passion for painting, and now I want to give it a serious shot. I’ve been focusing on my art, honing my skills, and trying to establish myself in that field.”

Her revelation added another layer of complexity to the woman before him, and Alex’s interest in unraveling the mystery that was his aunt only grew stronger.

With growing fascination, Alex ventured further into understanding his aunt’s life. “So, if I understand correctly, your current source of income comes from your painting?”

Isabella chuckled softly, her laughter warm and genuine. “Oh, not at all,” she replied with a hint of amusement. “I haven’t sold a single painting yet, Alex.”

The revelation left Alex slightly surprised, but he was eager to learn more. “Then, where does all your money come from? The house, your personal assets, everything?”

Isabella leaned in, her expression serious. “All of that comes from the divorce settlement with my ex-husband,” she explained. “It was a substantial agreement, and it set me up quite comfortably. I’m using this opportunity to focus on my passion for painting and explore other interests.”

Alex’s curiosity led him to ask another question. “Is it alimony from the divorce that provides for all this, or is there something else?”