Chapter 45

A clatter resounded as she dropped a fork on a plate.

He burst out laughing. "You don't actually…"

She grabbed a piece of pineapple and shoved it into his mouth. "Why don't you sit down and eat? You talk too much."

Having dodged the bullet, he sat down and acted as though that conversation had not happened. He knew to remain silent and eat his food.

As soon as Angel finished his food, he jumped off the table to avoid having to eat the vegetables he had evaded. Avery knew what he was doing but she let him off.

He grabbed Damon's hand and pointed upstairs. He let his son lead him away and was at a loss when he pushed open the door to Avery's room and walked in. Would it be safe to enter her room, or would he leave his legs behind if Avery found out?

Glancing back to make sure she was not in the hallway, he quickly got in after his son and was confused when the boy pointed at the black computer screen.

"Angel, do you need something?" He asked, unable to figure out what he was trying to communicate.

He gritted his teeth and turned on the computer, feeling like he was hacking into Fort Knox. Avery would kill him if she caught him so he had to be fast.

The screen came on in a few seconds but he still couldn't understand what he wanted.

"Do you want to play a game?" He tried asking.

"He wants you to come with us to our vacation." Her voice caught him off guard. He had not heard her come in.

He clenched his fists as he wondered how to explain his presence in her room. However, she didn't seem to mind.

"I already told him you will be busy." She added.

"Oh."

He was deflated but he picked his son up to explain. "Angel, mommy is right. I will be very busy tomorrow and will not be able to come with you. But don't worry, we can video chat and see each other when you come back, then we will play many fun games together. Alright?"

The boy looked like he wanted to cry. He looked up at Avery but she didn't flinch, so he didn't push it.

"I'll be on my way." He excused himself before he lost it. Avery took Angel in her arms to soothe him.

"Aren't you going to see me off?" He asked.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you, eight?"

"Maybe." He grinned and kissed Angel on the cheeks. "It's okay, buddy. When you and mommy come back, we can go out for fun together." He was relieved when Angel looked slightly happier and nodded, so he turned to Avery.

"Can I kiss you?"

She recoiled away from him. "You are courting death, Damon." She snapped.

"I'll take that as a no. See you soon." He winked. Something about his wink felt odd but she didn't know what it was yet.

However, never in her dreams would she expect that she would see him again much sooner than she wanted.

____

The following day.

Clauhan Island was less populated at this time of the year so she didn't go for a private beach. Besides, she wanted Angel to experience his first vacation like any other kid, and to make friends.

At first, he was sorrounded by innumerable kids, especially little girls. However, they were upset when he didn't respond to whatever they said to him so they got bored and left.

So she sat down on the sand with him to build a castle.

"Let's try again, shall we?" She laughed at their collapsed castle. "We will move farther away from the water."

They got busy building their new castle and it looked much better than the first. She caught sight of a bigger castle, taller than her, which made theirs look miniscule in comparison and she was baffled. Who had such skill?

"Nice castle, right?" A sudden voice behind her made her jump and knock their castle over.

"You!" She wanted to rage at the rude man and was even more infuriated when she saw him. "What the hell? Damon?"

"What a freaking coincidence." He wiggled his brows. "The two of you just happened to come on a vacation on the same day as me, at the same time and in the same place."

She took deep breaths to stop herself from exploding, and forcefully tore her gaze away from his torso. He was wearing nothing but trunks, leaving his ripped abs on display.

"Are you addicted to stalking?"

"It's called spending time with my son." He retorted. "Besides, he's happy that I'm here."

She looked at her son who had run over to Damon and was hugging his legs excitedly.

Her expression fell. "I want you to leave. I didn't come to this island so I have to deal with you."

He held Angel's hand and stood before her so they were face to face—although he was much taller than her. "Actually, you have to deal with me much more than you realize. In case you didn't know, Angel is my son too and I have the right to spend time with him."

"I'm not going to start this argument with you, Damon!" She gritted her teeth. "You lost that right five years ago."

"I was out of Angel's life five years ago because I didn't fucking know he existed! You hid him from me for years." He countered, relaxing his hand when he realized he was holding Angel's a little too tight.

"Because you were a scumbag and I didn't want you anywhere near my son. You don't even deserve to spend any time with him, I'm only letting you because it makes my son happy." She bit out.

His lips twitched. "Do you want the court to decide that?"

Her jaw dropped. "The court? Don't you fucking threaten me with the court!"

He let go of Angel for him to go back to her. "Now that I think about it, that's a good idea. Let the court decide whether or not I get to spend time with my son."

"Don't you dare!" She grabbed his hand, which he flung away.

"Why? Are you scared of the inevitable? That the judge will rule in my favor?" He taunted.

"I'm only scared I will have no choice but to stab you to death because you pushed my hand." She threatened, her chest heaving in anger. "I don't care what twisted imagination you have, of a complete family that you didn't take part in creating, but I promise you, Damon D'aboville."

"A family I didn't take part in creating? Are you even listening to yourself?" He interrupted.

Her entire body trembled in rage the more she listened to him. If only she could make him disappear…

"If I were you, I would…"

"How about the two of you stop?" Mabella interrupted.

"Of course the overprotective sister would be here too." She rolled her eyes with her arms crossed.

Mabella wanted to rip her hair off in frustration. "You can fight with my brother and me later. Angel ran away!"