Team Richard or Team Damien?
"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
"Take care, Angel. We will be back soon," Philip said as I came to see them off. Mia and my mom, dressed in vibrant attire, stood beside him, their anticipation for the celebration evident.Mia, mom, and Philip are going to Mia's cousin's wedding. They will return late at night."I will take care of everything, Philip. Don't worry. Just enjoy yourself." He smiled at me."Call me if you need me," he added, a habitual concern that spoke volumes about the protective instincts ingrained in him."Call me when you return." I chuckled. Our doorbell is damaged and most of the time I sleep early. So it is better if they call."Aye, aye, captain," he saluted me.I laughed and waved goodbye to them. Closing the door, I walked in. As I wanted to help Mia and Mom get ready, I asked Philip to put Aiden to sleep so that we could have peace for a few minutes.He was still sleeping and without his giggles and hyperactive movements, the house felt dead. Soon it will be time for another dinner so it is
My trembling hands reached for the phone, and my fingers automatically typed his name into the contact list. Even after our separation, I couldn't muster the courage to delete his number. Perhaps it was saved for this day.I know I promised myself that I would never call him, even in the hardest times but the life of my baby was at stake, and in this moment, my ego couldn't stand taller than the potential salvation for my child.I could do anything for my baby.After a few agonizing rings, he picked up the phone. The sound of his voice on the other end sent my heart into a frenzied rhythm, each beat echoing my inner turmoil."Hello," he answeredMy breath caught in my throat when I heard his voice. I changed my phone number so I am sure that he doesn't know who has called him."Damien," his name, barely came out of my mouth "Angel?" He recognised my voice even when it was barely audibleA sob, thick with anguish, clawed its way out of my throat, stifling any attempt to form a word. Th
"Angel" He walked to me and sat in front of me, coming face-to-face. His hand reached for my face, fingers tracing the path of silent tears. I could see a small bandage on his arm for donating blood.Another sob escaped my throat even when I tried to control myself. A fresh set of tears dribbled down my eyes, drenching my cheek."The doctor said that he is still in danger." The words were broken and I thought that he wouldn't understand but he caught what I wanted to say.I don't know why I told him when neither he asked me nor he could do anything in this.The hands that were cupping my cheeks went to the back of my head as he pulled my face to his chest.My fingers curled and I tightly fisted his t-shirt when I should be pushing him away. Sobs after sobs escaped my lips, my fingers staining his T-shirt with the blood of Aiden. He caressed my head and cooed sweet words in my ear.I could feel my whole body shivering in his arms. He had not been with me for the last four years and whe
After the doctor assured us that Aiden was out of danger, I decided to leave because Philip seemed uncomfortable with my presence, and I didn't want to burden Angel further. I recognized that my being there might contribute to her distress, especially now that Philip was by her side. I wanted to be a source of relief for her, not an added tension.Realizing she had her brother and that Aiden was safe, I thought it was appropriate to give them space. Exiting the hospital, I promptly contacted the best doctor, providing him with the hospital's address and asking him to attend Aiden throughout the night. I made it clear that he should reach out to me if any assistance was required.With the assurance that Aiden was in capable hands, I headed towards my house. Upon entering, I was met with emptiness and a profound sense of loneliness. Despite it being a different residence from the one I am accustomed to, it had never felt like a home without Angel. Without her, it was merely a structure
I stayed in the hospital for the whole night and Philip stayed beside me. He told Mia that he wouldn't be able to come as he had been caught up in an emergency and asked them to return in the morning because it was not safe for them to come back alone at midnight.The doctor told us that Aiden is now safe and he will get back his consciousness in the morning and since then I have been waiting for him to gain his senses so that we could talk.We were still outside his room, where he had been shifted and was constantly under the care of doctors, when one of the nurses came out with the good news."He has gained consciousness. He is asking for you." Me and Philip shared a look with a wide smile because this was exactly what we were waiting for. Without wasting even a single second, we rushed inside, and I found my baby looking around the hospital room with so much curiosity. He must be confused about the environment."Aiden," I called out softly"Momma..." His tiny hands reached out for
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