"Aiden" I called out softly when my baby didn't react even after knowing that I had sat into the car. My hand softly caressed his head. "Yes?" He replied but his voice came out very low which is quite opposite to his real self. "I didn't mean to hurt you. In anger, I went a bit harsh on you. Momma is sorry, Aiden." I was expecting him to look up and react, either complain to me about myself or cry but nothing like that happened. "It's ok momma, don't be sorry" he replied, still looking down.Today I have hurt him really badly. He is not ready to even look up at me. My heart clenched and I regretted treating him that way. I should have told him with love but the anger and frustration of Damien leashed out on him. "I have something for you," I said in a soft voice. His head finally lifted up. I took out the chocolate which I bought for him last night while returning home. Last night he already had a lot of sweets so I decided to give it to him today but in the morning I forgot. I
After his afternoon nap, Aiden's first request was for the chocolate I had given him in the car earlier. While he wasn't as silent as he had been earlier in the day, he still lacked his usual vigor.Determined to make up for the earlier turmoil, I stayed with him throughout the day, assisting with his homework and playing his favorite games. I could see a faint return of the spark in his eyes, but his previous words still lingered in my mind.As the evening rolled around, Aiden seemed to be gradually forgetting the events of the car ride home, but I knew this topic was far from resolved.I agree with my mother that it is not the last time he has asked for a father; he would surely ask for him again, and every time he would try to know more about it. If Damien kept on coming in front of him again and again, then it wouldn't be too late for him to identify him as his father.By 9 PM, I had managed to put Aiden to sleep. I was already running late for a party that was supposed to begin at
When I stepped into the pool area, my breaths were labored and loud, as if I had just run a marathon. I was inhaling oxygen through my open mouth, and my vision was blurred due to small tears in my eyes.I was still not over what Aiden said in the morning and now with this dance incident, I am about to get promoted, and I could see in the eyes of the colleagues how they are seeing it now.I shouldn't have lost myself in the heat of the moment.I even went so close to Richard. How am I supposed to meet my gaze with him? I know he wanted to stop me to tell me that everything is fine and that I shouldn't overthink but I can't help. He is really understanding and I know that his intentions are pure but it is just me.Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly pulled back into reality when I heard that voice—the voice of the man who had caused the storm in my life—and still I am unable to forget him."Tesoro," the voice whispered, sending a shiver down my spine.I didn't need to turn around to kn
I blinked twice to sweep in the tears that were welling my eyes, making my vision slightly blurry. Damien disappeared from my sight when I opened my eyes and in place of him, I could see a manly figure there, which was definitely not Damien.With his hands shoved in his pockets, he walked to me, a gentle smile playing on his lips. I was glad that Damien wiped my tears before he could see me."Is everything fine, Angel?" Richard asked in his soothing voice.I nodded. "I didn't mean to bother you. I apologise if, because of the dance, you""No, Richard, it is completely fine. I actually felt good while dancing. It was my passion and I always used to forget about my worries. It happened today as well. In fact, you brought back that feeling," I told him."Don't get bothered by what people might think about you," he said. "They will still talk behind your back no matter what you do." "I am not," I told him with a small smile. "I just wanted to have some fresh air." He cocked his head."I
During the dinner, Richard behaved very normally. He was having his meals, mixing with colleagues, and passing his lame jokes, over which everyone laughed because, of course, he is their boss and they didn't want to disappoint him.He maintained his normal behavior with me as well, as if he hadn't just proposed marriage a few minutes ago. Perhaps he didn't want me to feel uncomfortable, just as he had expressed when he mentioned that he wanted our friendship to remain unchanged, regardless of my decision.I have known him for the last four years; he has never tried anything, which made me uncomfortable. He is such a gentleman and I just don't want to break his heart but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't listen to my heart.I have respect for him, and I am grateful for him but I have never thought of him as my life partner. In fact, I have never imagined anyone as such except Damien and that too in my teenage years when I was a fool.I couldn't see Damien after meeting at the pool area
"Where is momma's Aiden?" I playfully called out, listening for the familiar giggle that never failed to warm my heart. I knew he was hiding behind the curtains, but I decided to pretend that I hadn't spotted him just yet. His feet were clearly visible and the soft giggles passing through his lips didn't go unheard by me. But his theory is as such that if he can't see me then I can't see him as well. That's why he kept his eyes hidden with his palms. "Oh, he is not behind the couch" I acted "Where is he?" With a mischievous glint in my eye, I gently moved the curtain aside, revealing the adorable, giggling Aiden. "Gotcha!" I exclaimed, causing another burst of infectious laughter from my little one, his eyes still hidden behind his tiny palms.I scooped him up into my arms, and with all the tenderness in my heart, I tossed him into the air, eliciting even more joyful laughter from him.The sound of his sweet giggles filled the hall. I couldn't resist the temptation of squeezing hi
"Which case?" I asked, and my heart was thumping loudly in my chest.I assumed that he was talking about the same case, the custody of my son. In the last few meetings, the way Damien reacted, I thought that he just wanted to warn me that he could do such a thing if I didn't listen to him but it seems like he was serious about it."It is a case of drugs." I released a deep breath of relief upon hearing that he wasn't talking about that. Damien just said that to scare me."I fought a few of his father's cases, and now Damien is here. His father's case helped me grow my career quickly. Now I want you to fight from his side." He said..."But it is illegal," I protested He chuckled"The man in himself is illegal," he stated. "We shouldn't be taking his case when we know that it is wrong," I argued "Angel, if you want to grow in your career, you need not think about what's right and wrong. I know it's unethical, but as long as it's not causing harm to someone else or punishing an innoce
"Mr. Mean, Mr. Mean," Aiden jumped in excitementI am sure he must have sensed mean vibes from Damien; that's why he called him Mr. Mean from the start.But the question was, What was he doing here? Was he following us all this time?Damien smiled, looking down at Aiden when he came out. My eyes moved to Aiden; he was also smiling back at him but he curled his lips inward when he saw me staring at him.He still remembers the incident when I threw away the chocolates given by Damien. He doesn't want me to get mad at him for smiling at Damien."You need help?" he asked."No," I said "Yes," Aiden said at the same time.My eyes again flicked to Aiden and he looked down, biting his lips as he said the opposite to me. He thought that I would get angry with him but I didn't. He could have his own will as well."We don't need your help. We are fine." I would prefer standing here and calling someone from the team for help than going with him.He brought out his phone and typed something on hi
One year later Third Person's POV Aiden was telling the story of his day to his father while returning home from school. Damien was listening to his story intently when he saw something and abruptly applied the break. "What happened, Daddy?" Aiden asked curiously Damien looked at the flower shop at the side of the street and Aiden understood it. He giggled, his tiny eyes sparkling with excitement, as Damien came out of the car and helped Aiden out. Damien held the finger of his little son, whom he knew was super excited and could hurt himself if not kept an eye on. Aiden jumped in his way as they reached the flower shop. "How may I help you, sir?" the girl selling flowers asked Damien. Damien and Aiden shared a look before both of them said it at the same time. "A bouquet of lavender" The girl's eyes moved at both of them one by one as she chuckled at the bond of father and son. Angel used to think that Aiden was a junior version of Damien but as they started livin
After dance, dinner, and cake cutting, Damien brought me and Aiden to his house.Aiden was half asleep by the time we reached here because he danced like crazy, gaining the attention of everyone. He is surely going to have more pictures than us.Daisy took on the responsibility of keeping him to herself for the night. Looking at the cuteness and innocence of our baby, everyone thinks that he is easy to handle but in reality, the case is just the opposite."Momma," I heard Aiden's voice, which stopped me in my tracks.As I turned around to look at him, I found him rubbing his eyes with one hand while the other one was reaching out for me, his tiny fist opening and closing in rhythm, asking me to take him in my arms.I knew that he would wake up and then he would surely ask for me. At the moment, if I don't take him and put him to sleep, he will cry so badly that it will become impossible for even me to calm him down.Daisy patted his back, trying to put him to sleep again but I knew th
All of us came back to the venue and Damien didn't leave my hand, even for a second.It felt like he was afraid that I would run away from him but now that I have accepted him, I have done that with an open and clean heart. I have decided not to think about that bitter past and to start a new life with him on a happy note.As we entered the venue, we met with the most unexpected guest. Damien looked down at me, asking if I had any clue about them but I was equally clueless. I am sure Philip and Richard must have arranged it.Suddenly, Damien was hugged tightly. It was his mother. She hugged him tightly."I missed you," she mumbled.Damien hugged him back. She pulled away and engulfed me in her arms as well. I felt her warmth and love through that hug.Daisy was standing at a hand distance from us, looking at her brother with small tears in her eyes. Two months ago, I came to know that Damien has cut all the ties with his sister and they haven't met in the last four years.I could see
Philip and Richard stepped towards us as we moved away and stood side by side.Unable to meet my gaze with Richard's, my eyes moved down on their own.For the first time, I couldn't understand what's going on in Philip's head from his body language. I know he would not be happy with this decision of mine.Damien was still having eye contact with them, ready to face whatever they had to say, while my eyes were still low. My heart was beating fast in my chest and my body was frozen in the arms of Damien.I was stuck in the situation of choosing my family's will over my love, and this time I decided to go with my heart, because if I had gone with the first, it would have ruined three lives.Suddenly, Damien moved his arm away from my waist. My eyes snapped up in surprise as I thought that Philip must have pulled Damien away but I was completely surprised when both of them hugged.What? Philip is hugging Damien. From what I felt, it was Damien who hugged him first because his hands were
"Damien," I called out while turning around but there was no response.How could he disappear in a blink of an eye?Was it just a dream?No! The familiar sensation on my forehead, at the place where he kissed me, was still there. I am sure he was here."Damien!" I called out again.When no response came and I was sure that he was not in the room, I ran to the window and looked down to find a man walking towards the exit with his head hanging low.It was Damien"DAMIEN!" I called out with all the energy inside me.He turned around. His eyes were brimming with tears, and his lips curled into a small smile. He waved his hand to me and walked away."Damien!" I again called out my hand, reaching out for him but he was gone.I blinked and focused but he was already out of my sight. I turned around and ran to the door. At the same time, Philip came inside."Angel," his eyebrows drew in confusion as he looked down at me. "What happened?" "Damien," I cried "What happened?" His eyebrows drew
As I entered the house, I found it dark and silent.Where is everyone?Aiden was waiting for me at home. I bought him chocolates as well. Where is he? Where is Mom?I flinched at my place and my soul almost left my body when a party popper burst near my ear. Suddenly, the room was filled with lights and when I moved around my eyes, I found all my family members surrounding me. They were waiting for me to give me a surprise but I am not sure what it is because there is still time for my birthday."Congratulations!!!!" Mia came to me excitedly and hugged me tightly.My hands hesitantly wrapped around him. But why is she congratulating me?"Congratulations, Angel," Mumma and Philip squealed at the same time."Congchachulason, momma," Aiden said in his baby voice.My squinted eyebrows and confused eyes moved at each one of them. I know I was expected to say thank you but I was utterly confused."We are so happy that you said yes for the wedding," Mia said.Ohh! Now it settled in. But how
Richard was completely shocked to know about my past. He was left speechless when I told him everything about my first meeting with Damien, Philip's fake death rumor, my auction, Damien's treatment, the truth and me leaving him at the end. He just listened to me intently without questioning anything but he was all ears to me. I felt relieved to tell him all this because it was like a burden on my heart especially when he was thinking about his life with me. Along with a mentor, he is my good friend as well and I could share things with him without the fear of getting judged. "Since then I have shut the doors to my heart, not allowing anyone to make its way inside." A long silence followed my words. He seems lost in my story, his mind replaying things I said. "Do you still love Damien?" He asked finally breaking his silence. He was silent while I was telling him the whole story of my life but his one question was enough to make me go silent. Drawing a deep breath, I gulped down.
As I stepped out of the car my phone started ringing. When I took it out of the clutch, I found that the call was from mother. I am sure Aiden must be calling me. Today is Sunday, and I had some work, Aiden wanted to come along with me but I brought him with me because I needed to talk to Richard. This is why I am here! I have called him in a cafe to have a conversation and I know no matter how much Aiden is involved with his own things, he keeps an eye and ear on me. He always hears what his mommy has to say whether it is meant for him or not and he understands it or not. And then I have plenty of questions waiting for me before going to bed. "Hello" "Hello momma" came his chirpy voice from the other side of the call "Aiden misses you" I am sure he is pouting. "Come back soon" As during the weekdays, I stay busy with courts and cases, he gets only one day with me and he doesn't want to stay even a second away that day. I am sure he must be cutting the time by looking at the c
It's been two weeks since that incident and I am still not over it. I still have the guilt that, because of me, my baby suffered. Aiden has now fully recovered, and he has also started going to school. The doctor asked me not to give him too much stress so I applied for one week of medical leave for him. He was happy about missing school and enjoyed the leaves as if they were holidays.Today I took a day off because I wasn't feeling well. I wanted to pick up Aiden today but Philip wouldn't let me go. He asked me to take a rest, and this is why I took the leave.I was going through my phone while waiting for my baby when the door opened. As usual, I expected him to barge inside the home and shout, telling each and every corner of the house that he had returned from school but instead, he came inside silent with his lips tightly pressed together. His eyes were low and the energy in him was missing.My eyebrows drew in confusion as my eyes flicked up at Philip, asking what was wrong with