Chapter 3

"Our next stop is Emerald Cove!" the tour guide announced happily while the group rode the tram again. "This is one of the proudest places of Isla Verde. The water here is crystal-clear and there are many activities to try."

Eli could barely sit still. "Mommy! Mommy! Can we swim?"

"Later."

"Snorkeling?"

"You're too young."

"Kayaking?"

"We'll see."

The boy pouted. "You're always saying 'we'll see.'"

Kael, who was in the seat opposite them, laughed.

"Your mommy is smart."

Eli looked at him. "Why?"

"Because that's what adults say when they don't want to promise yet."

"Ah..." The boy nodded as if he had a big realization. "So, it's a mommy technique?"

Serena could not stop herself from shaking her head.

"Yes. A mommy technique." Kael laughed. A short laugh. But it was enough to make all the staff look.

It is very rare for them to see the CEO of the Villafuerte Group smile.

When they arrived at Emerald Cove, Eli was immediately amazed.

"Whoa!"

His eyes almost sparkled while looking at the water.

"It's so pretty!"

"Told you," Serena said smiling.

The boy suddenly ran towards the beach.

"Eli!" Serena and Kael called at the same time.

He stopped and scratched his head. "Oops."

"Walk."

"Okay." He just walked while laughing.

Serena sighed. "I'm sorry."

Kael glanced at her. "For what?"

"He's very energetic."

The corner of the man's lip went up slightly. "That's not a bad thing."

"He can be too much."

"I don't think so."

Serena did not answer anymore. Come to think of it, this is the first time a man became that patient with Eli. Because usually, when her son is too talkative, people get tired of him.

But Kael did not. It seemed natural for him to listen to every story of the boy.

While they were walking along the beach, Eli stopped in front of a small souvenir stall.

"Mommy!"

"What is it?"

"Look!" He pointed at a small wooden keychain shaped like a turtle. "It's cute!"

Serena smiled. "You like it?"

He nodded quickly. "Very much!"

"Then let's buy it."

But before she could get her wallet—

"I'll take it."

She looked at Kael. He was already facing the seller and took out his card.

"Sir, no—"

"It's just a keychain."

Serena immediately objected. "You don't have to."

"I know."

"Then why?"

The man did not answer right away. He just briefly looked at the boy who could barely take his eyes off the keychain.

"Because I want to."

Serena became quiet. A few seconds passed. The seller handed the small paper bag to Kael. It did not go straight to Serena. Instead, he kneeled in front of Eli.

"This one's for you."

The boy's eyes grew wide. "For me?"

Kael nodded.

"But..." Eli pointed at himself. "Mommy said I shouldn't accept gifts from strangers."

The man laughed slightly.

"Good." Serena also smiled. "At least you are listening."

"I do!" Eli thought for a moment. Then he suddenly smiled widely. "But Uncle Kael isn't a stranger anymore." He looked at Kael. "Right, Uncle?"

The man was quiet for a moment. Then he gently nodded.

"Right."

Eli happily accepted the small paper bag. "Thank you!"

And when the two did not expect it, he suddenly hugged Kael.

A fast, tight, and innocent hug.

The man's body went stiff. It was as if he did not know what to do. He slowly looked down at the boy tightly holding him.

Some strange emotion crossed his chest. A feeling he could not explain. It felt like he wanted to experience that simple hug for a long time.

He did not notice that his hand was also slowly lifting. He gently patted the boy's back.

"You're welcome."

A few meters away from them, Serena was just quietly watching the scene. She did not know why but she suddenly felt nervous.

Not because Kael might recognize them, but because Eli is too comfortable with his own father.

And what is scarier is that it seems Kael is not distancing himself from him either.

She does not know until when she can hide the truth. Especially if Isla Verde continues to cross their paths.

"Alright, everyone!" The tour guide clapped to get the group's attention. "Our next activity is one of the most popular experiences here in Emerald Cove."

He pointed at the long part of the beach where there were tables full of different materials.

"You'll be building your own sandcastle."

Some children clapped. Meanwhile, Eli almost jumped from so much happiness.

"Mommy! Mommy! Can we make the biggest castle?"

Serena smiled. "We'll try."

"No!" The boy nodded firmly. "We'll win!"

The tour guide laughed. "I like your confidence, little guy."

"I'm always confident."

Serena cleared her throat.

"I wonder where he got that." Kael could not stop himself from smiling. "I think, from his mom."

The two of them looked at each other. Serena also immediately looked away.

"Participants will be divided into pairs."

Serena stopped.

Pairs?

"We'll draw names."

Her eyes grew wide.

Please, anyone. Just not him, her brain whispered.

But it seems heaven did not hear her quiet prayer.

"And..." The coordinator opened the small paper. "Ms. Serena Valencia..." He stopped for a moment before smiling again. "...paired with Mr. Kael Villafuerte."

Serena closed her eyes. Seriously?

Meanwhile, Eli was very happy.

"Yay!" He even jumped for joy. "I knew it!"

Serena looked at him. "You knew what?"

"That Uncle Kael would be on our team!"

She touched her forehead. "This child..."

They approached their spot. There was a big box of sand, buckets, shovels, molds, and different decorations. Eli immediately sat down.

"Mommy, you make the castle."

"Okay."

"Uncle Kael..."

The man looked at his son and one of his eyebrows was even raised.

"You make the moat."

"The what?"

"The water around the castle."

Kael laughed slightly. "I know what a moat is."

"Oh." Eli nodded. "I thought billionaires don't play with sand."

Even the tour guide laughed. Even Serena just shook her head. She could not do anything if her son is really that talkative. She would probably wonder more if her son did not speak.

"Where did you hear that?"

"YouTube."

"Ah..." Kael cleared his throat. "I did play with sand when I was little."

"Really?"

The man nodded.

"So you're normal."

Kael could not stop himself from laughing. "I guess I am."

While they were busy making the sandcastle, Serena did not notice that her son was slowly getting comfortable with Kael.

"Uncle. Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you have a son?"

Kael stopped. "No."

"Daughter?"

"No."

"Why?"

The man was quiet for a few seconds. "I've never had a family."

Serena looked down. It felt like something pinched her heart. If he only knew that he has.

He has a family. He has a son. He just does not know it.

"Aww..." Eli pouted. "That's sad."

Kael laughed slightly. "Is it?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because having a mommy is fun." He nodded to himself. "And having me is even more fun."

Kael laughed. "I'm sure."

"So..." Eli came a little closer. "You can borrow me."

Serena's eyes grew wide. "Eli!"

"What?"

The boy looked at Kael. "If you're lonely, you can borrow me."

Some staff watching them laughed. Even the tour guide shook his head.

"That boy is very sweet."

Kael was just quiet. He did not know why but something tightened in his chest.

He is not used to it. He is not used to a child saying he can be borrowed. He is not used to a child trusting him that easily.

He gently messed up Eli's hair. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The boy smiled. "I'll even call you every day."

"Really?"

"Yep!"

"So I won't be lonely."

At that moment, Kael could no longer stop himself from smiling for real. Not his formal smile. But a smile that reached his eyes.

And that was the exact moment Serena saw him. Her eyes grew wide. During their two years together before, she rarely saw that kind of smile from her husband.

But now, it was only an innocent child who could soften a heart that had been cold for a long time. And that child is his very own son.

Serena did not know if she should be happy or more scared. Because as the connection deepens between the father and son who do not know their true relationship...

The possibility grows that one day, Kael will discover the truth she hid for five years.