Build And Break novel Chapter 31

It seemed that since she had witnessed Steven holding her sleeping son last night, Angela couldn't stop imagining her son with his father. Yet that morning when she thought Daniel meant 'daddy' for Steven, she was utterly shocked. She still wasn't ready to let Steven be his father.

"Am I coming with you to your daddy's house?" Daniel muttered.

Should she take him with her? Was she willing to let her father met her son? "You'll stay in the car with John."

The boy nodded without argument. He was too innocent to understand. "I thought you didn't have a daddy just like me." He was innocent and smart.

Oh, dear. How was she to respond to that? "He, um... He just came back in town."

"He must love you then." Daniel stopped playing his truck. His mouth pouted in apparent sadness. "I don't know if my daddy loves me."

Angela put down her coffee mug and went to her son. Her hands brushed his blonde hair so similar to his father he didn't know existed. "I'm sure your daddy loves you more. You're a good boy and much, much cuter than me." The boy laughed as Angela tickled him playfully. His laugh was melody to her ears. It took away her worries for a moment. She knew her 'mood' would soon change when she would meet her own father.

"You're late." Her father grumbled without flickering his attention from the papers on the desk before him as Angela took a step into his office. She remained close to the door.

"I didn't know I had a scheduled appointment." Angela uttered.

Jack Marshall refrained from replying back. He didn't have time to lose. The paper he was reading was more important.

It was a minute or so later that Marshall peered at Angela from above his reading glasses. "Are you going to stand there? Come and sit."

It was an order, Angela realized. She learned from a young age that she shouldn't think for a second and just obey his order. As she sat on the chair opposite him, Jack Marshall stood up from his own seat, buttoned his blazer as if he was to address a business meeting.

Angela could only nod. She didn't want him to start listing the repercussions of what would happen if she don't comply.

"And don't take long. You don't have much time... I don't have time." He rounded his desk and sat at his executive chair. "I'm sick."

As he intended with his words, Angela met his gaze instantly. His face was calm then. But Angela wasn't. She was the one angered. "If you think you're saying that to persuade me in helping you, you're wrong." She stood up, made her way to the door.

"Stop. I didn't dismiss you." The authoritative voice caused Angela to stop but not to look back. Marshall went halfway to her.

"I don't know whether what you said is true or whether you're lying to make me obey your order but rest assured nothing you say will ever make me forgive you for shunning me out."

"Look at me, Angela." Jack ordered. Angela persisted against. "I said look at me."