Chapter 2

Serena woke up early the next day because Eli kept jumping on the bed without stopping.

"Mommy! Wake up!"

She slightly opened her eyes.

"Eli, it's only seven."

"I know!" the boy answered happily. "But you said yesterday, our first activity is today!"

She sighed while laughing. It seems her son does not know how to get tired.

"Five more minutes, baby please."

"No!" He even pulled the blanket. "Mommy!"

Serena just shook her head before getting up. It seemed she had no choice but to follow her son.

Because he was so excited, he managed to wake her up at seven. Crazy! Her whole life, she would still be asleep at this time, and here she is, Eli is the only one who can wake her up this early.

But like she said earlier, she had no choice.

"Okay, okay. You win."

"Yay!"

After an hour, she and Eli were both ready to leave.

Serena was wearing a simple knee-length white sundress, flat sandals, and a wide straw hat. Even though her clothes were simple, you cannot deny that she is elegant. Yes, she is that beautiful.

Meanwhile, Eli could barely stay still from so much excitement. Her son was even jumping while they were walking.

"Mommy, what's our first activity?"

"Island tour, baby."

"With a boat?" His eyes even grew wide when he asked her.

"No."

"Helicopter?"

Oh, her son probably wanted to tour using a helicopter. She just laughed at his question.

"No."

"Dinosaur?"

She laughed. Oh my goodness! Where did her son get the idea that they can tour using a dinosaur.

"Definitely no."

The boy pouted. "Boring."

When they arrived at the Activity Pavilion of Isla Verde, the event coordinator immediately met them. And just like earlier, her son could barely stay still. It seemed he even wanted to be the tour guide himself so they could walk and start their activity.

"Good morning, Ms. Valencia."

"Good morning."

"We're sorry for the inconvenience, but due to the number of VIP guests today, we decided to combine two exclusive tours."

Serena's eyebrows met slightly.

"Combine?"

"Yes, ma'am." The coordinator nodded. "Only one guest will be joining your group."

She wanted to say no. She paid for a private experience. But before she could speak—

"Sir!"

The staff suddenly stood up. She looked back and her whole body went stiff. From a distance, Kael Villafuerte was walking towards them.

His executive assistant was following him. The man was not wearing a business suit today. He was simply wearing a white polo, khaki shorts, and boat shoes.

But even so, the authority he brought did not lessen. It was like people automatically made way while he walked.

"Good morning, Mr. Villafuerte," the coordinator greeted.

Kael gave a small nod. "I heard there was a change."

"Yes, sir." The coordinator smiled awkwardly. "We combined your tour with Ms. Valencia's group."

Serena blinked.

What?

It was obvious Kael also wanted to object. But before the two of them could speak—

"Wow!" Eli ran to the man. "You're the handsome Uncle from yesterday!"

Serena's eyes grew wide. "Eli!"

But it was too late. The boy stopped in front of Kael and smiled without hesitation.

"Hi, Uncle!"

Kael was slightly surprised. He was probably not used to a child just approaching him.

"You remember me?"

Eli nodded. "Of course!" He smiled even more. "My mommy always says handsome people are easy to remember."

"Eli..."

Serena almost wanted to bury herself in the ground. Kael looked at her. The corner of his lip slightly went up. It was not a smile but it was clear he was amused.

Wow, he really likes being called handsome, she said in her mind and she could not stop herself from rolling her eyes.

"Is that so?"

Eli nodded.

"Yes!" Then he offered his small hand. "I'm Eli."

Serena did not expect what happened next. Kael slowly bent down. And accepted the boy's handshake.

"I'm Kael."

"Uncle Kael!"

The man was slightly quiet. "Uncle already?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Eli shrugged. "Because I like you."

Some staff who heard the conversation laughed. Even the coordinator shook her head. Meanwhile, Serena's face almost lost all its blood.

"Eli, don't bother him."

"It's okay." They both looked at Kael. "I'm not bothered."

Serena and his eyes met. Some strange nervousness wrapped around her chest again. She could not understand why. Maybe because this is the first time in five years she saw Kael talking nicely to a child.

And that child is his very own son. Which he knows nothing about.

"Mommy!" Eli pulled her hand. "Can Uncle Kael come with us?"

She gasped. "Eli..."

"What?"

"It's a private tour."

"But they're joining us already."

She could not answer because her son was right.

"Looks like we don't have a choice," Kael said calmly. "Shall we?"

Serena bit her lip. She did not know how she would get through the whole day... With the man she had been hiding from for five years.

While her own son seemed to easily bring down the wall between the two of them. And he did not know why, but for the first time in five years, Kael found a strange happiness every time he heard the small voice of the boy repeatedly calling him.

"Uncle Kael!"

"Alright, everyone. Welcome to the Isla Verde Heritage Tour."

The tour guide smiled while letting their small group inside an open-air electric tram.

"Our first stop is the Founders' Garden, where you will see the history of the five founding families of Isla Verde."

Serena quietly sat on the right side. Eli was beside her. On the other side, Kael sat with no emotion.

Good thing.

They did not have to sit next to each other. She quietly let out the breath she had been holding.

"Mommy!" Eli whispered.

"Yes, baby?"

"I'm thirsty."

"Just a minute. Mommy has bottled water in her bag."

She opened her tote bag but before she could get the water, a cold bottle was suddenly handed in front of them.

She looked. It was Kael.

"I have an extra one."

They looked at each other for a moment.

"No, thank you. We brought our own."

The man just nodded and did not insist. But Eli took the bottle.

"Thank you, Uncle Kael!"

Serena's eyes grew wide.

"Eli—"

"It's okay." Kael smiled weakly. "Let him be."

Eli scratched his head. "My mommy always says we should say thank you."

"She's right."

The boy smiled. "I like you, Uncle."

The tour guide could not stop laughing.

"The little boy gets close so fast."

Serena cleared her throat. "He likes talking to strangers."

"I'm not a stranger anymore."

The three of them looked at Eli. "Uncle and I are friends now."

Some tourists behind them laughed. Meanwhile, Serena wanted to melt in embarrassment.

The tram stopped in the middle of a very wide botanical garden.

"Please watch your step."

The guests stepped down one by one. Eli could barely stay still.

"Mommy! Butterfly!"

He immediately ran towards the colorful flowers.

"Eli!" Serena touched her forehead. "Don't run!"

"I'm okay!"

The boy ran while following a yellow butterfly. But he did not notice the small rock sticking out of the road.

"Ah!"

He tripped and Serena quickly approached him.

"Eli!"

But someone was faster. A strong hand immediately caught the boy before he completely fell to the ground.

Serena's eyes grew wide. It was Kael again. She immediately cursed in her mind. It is always Kael! Kael! Kael!

He easily lifted the boy as if doing that was very natural to him.

"You okay, buddy?"

Eli nodded. "I'm okay!"

"Sure?"

"Yes!"

Kael dusted off the little dirt on Eli's shorts. "Next time, watch where you're going."

"Sorry..."

"It's okay, accidents happen."

Serena did not know why but it felt like something pinched her heart while watching the scene. If Kael only knew... If he only knew that he is currently carrying his own son...

Maybe his stares would be different. Maybe his hug would be tighter.

"Thank you." Serena said weakly when Kael put Eli down.

"It's nothing."

They looked at each other for a moment. Serena's chest beat fast again. Shocks! So many what ifs were already flying in her mind along with the regret of why they decided to have a vacation here. She would not be in this situation otherwise.

My goodness, Serena!

She immediately looked away.

"Mommy!" Eli held Kael's hand. "Let's go!"

The man looked at the small hand tightly holding him. He did not know why but instead of removing it, he just let it be. It felt like a strange warmth was flowing in his chest.

It has also been a long time since a child willingly held his hand.

While the three of them walked in the middle of the garden, Serena did not notice some resort employees secretly looking at them.

"Wow..." One whispered weakly. "I thought they were a family."

"Yeah. The three of them look good together."

Serena did not hear the conversation. But Kael heard every word. He briefly looked at the woman walking beside him.

Then at the boy happily telling stories about the butterflies while still holding his hand.

One thing suddenly crossed his mind. A feeling he has not felt for a long time.

Peace.

And he could not understand why... in just a few hours of being with this mother and son, he felt like a missing part of his life was slowly coming back to him.