CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII

Me and Taden were happily enjoying our ice cream while talking when suddenly someone grabbed my hand. It startled me that the ice almost fell off the tiled floor. I furiously looked at the man who grabbed me.

"Why did you left without waking me up? Aren't you supposedly can't walk because you're sore?" His face looked serious and madness was written all over her face. My face heated.

"Shut up, Avin. I'm with a kid. He might hear you," I calmly said even though my insides are already shaking. "Just eat ice cream with us." I moved my gaze at Taden who was curiously looking at us.

"Who is he, Mama? Is he your new boyfriend?" My eyes widened in shock.

Avin sat on the empty chair beside me. "Yes, kiddo. I'm Dr. Avin, your Mama Stephanie's boyfriend," he's grinning from from ear to ear.

I immediately shook my head in disagreement. "No, Den. He's just. . ." What are we? "He's just a friend. A friend," I tried hard to sound cool.

"Babe, don't lie to him. He's a smart kid and I think he'll understand us." Avin wrapped his arm around my waist. His other hand held my spoon and ate my ice cream. "You don't have a problem with that, right, kiddo?"

Taden shook his head slowly. "It's okay." He looked down his ice cream as if thinking about something. Then he looked up to me. "Does that mean you don't love daddy anymore?"

My mouth swang open but no words were coming out. I still love Jake. My love for him will never fade. Is it?

I sighed to have the confidence to speak, "Taden, even if I'm in a relationship with someone, that doesn't mean I don't love your father. He has a special place in my heart. His place here is irreplaceable." I pointed where my heart's located.

I felt Avin's arm on my waist gripping. This time, I left Taden's eyes and looked at the man beside me. His forehead was creased and he look furious again. Somehow, I'm terrified. I don't know what's on his mind. As I always say, he's hard to read. His expressionless face don't tell it all.

Fear was creeping me out as his hold on me tightened. I want to protest because he's hurting me but I'm too weak to say it. I'm having an hard time on controlling him. Because there's a possibility that anytime soon he would just burst out in so much anger.

"Finish your ice cream. We'll talk later," he whispered. "Come on. Eat it now, or else I'm gonna eat you." My face turned red as the image of him eating me down there flashed on my mind. Shit! What am I thinking?

I just ate my ice cream and so as Taden. When we finished I asked him if where he wants to go. He said he wants to go the mall. Since I have my own car, Avin just tailed us behind.

Until we arrived at the mall. His arm surrounded my waist again while I'm holding Taden's hand. We look like a happy family having a family day! What the heck?

We played at the Arcade and bought Taden some clothes and toys. Avin didn't let me pay for everything. Instead, he paid for it all like it was just a piece of cake.

"It's my time to pay for these shoes, Avin," I told Avin while we were at the counter paying for the shoes that Taden wants.

"I can pay for it. You don't need to bother." Then he took the shoes off of my hold.

"Avin," I angrily called him. "If you won't let me pay for these shoes, I won't let you tag along with us." I'm trying to control my voice because Taden was just beside me.

His lips formed into a devilish smile, "As if I would let that happen. I'm not your slave, Steph, who will just follow you all the time. You still have a debt on me. You left me and you stole my. . . Attention."

I rolled my eyes at him. "You're pestering my life. Stop ruining it, it's already ruined."

In the end, he still paid for the shoes. After that, we went to the nearest restaurant and ate. It was dinner time already and Taden was also starving. And even on what we ate, he still paid for it. He didn't let me pay for anything. Not even a single centavo!

I'm losing my sanity on this man. He was so persistent that I can't stopped him to do what he wants.

We went back to my condo. Taden almost fell asleep while on our way. Luckily, he was able to fought the sleepiness. And of course, Avin was still with us, bugging the shit out of me. I don't know if what was his plan. If he'll sleep here, I won't let him in.

Taden was taking a bath when I felt someone hugged me from behind and kissed my nape. I closed my eyes because of the sensation. He moved closer to me until I felt something poking my butt. What the fuck?

I hurriedly turned to him. I was preparing Taden's clothes since he don't me to help him take a bath. He said he can manage. When I turned around I pushed Avin. He moved backwards but that was only a step.

"Stop it, Avin. We are with a kid, in case you forgot. We can't just do it," I pointed out so that he won't bother me. "What time will you gonna go home? We will now sleep. Taden looks tired already. Also, it's already late."

"I'll sleep here tonight. I wanna be with you," he said with his raspy voice. "I want you, babe. Right now, right here. You are giving me a hard on even though you're not doing anything." His voice sent shiver down my spine.

"Stop it, Avin. I hate you," I said weakly. "Get out of here. Or I'll call the security."

"Yeah? I don't think you can do that," he said with a grin. We were staring at each other when the door from the bathroom got opened. I looked that way because I feel like I was melting because of his intimidating eyes.

I saw Taden, a towel was wrapped around him. "Mama, where are my clothes?" I hand him his clothes that I prepared. "Thank you," he said while smiling.

"Are you sure you don't want me to help you?" I asked.

He only shook his head. "No, Mama. I'm fine. I can manage." Then he entered the bathroom to wear his clothes.

I stared again at the man in front of me. "Get out, Avin. You can now go. You don't have clothes here. So you don't have a choice but to go back in your penthouse."

He grinned, "I have a choice, Steph. And that is to stay with you tonight. I am not your slave. I already told you that, didn't I?"