Just as Damon predicted, they worked smoothly together. It was as though they complemented each other as soon as they got into work mode.
Their task was to talk a tycoon into attending the charity banquet that would be held by the university in favor of children with leukemia. However, he hated everything to do with charity banquets and would end the meeting at the mention of anything along the lines.
As if magically, they managed to talk him into attending the banquet as well as donating a painting, and Avery had scored herself a chance to be an intern at his company while at it.
However, Damon looked like he had swallowed a fly when they left the building.
She took one glance at him and burst into laughter. "What the hell is wrong with you? We should be drinking wine and celebrating. Are you upset because I got an internship before you did? Are you jealous?"
She sounded like a girlfriend taunting her jealous boyfriend for taking to heart her platonic relationship with another man and that made him feel worse.
"Why would he let you intern at his company after meeting you only once?" He asked, not bothering to conceal the displeasure in his voice.
"Obviously, because of your charm. You have one convincing tongue." She punched his shoulder excitedly. He was such a convincing talker.
His eyes flared. "If I'm so good with my words, how haven't you recognized my feelings for you yet?" He mumbled.
"What?" Her eyes widened.
"He didn't hear a word I was saying. His eyes were glued onto your legs." He spat. Her eyes widened for a moment before she frowned and thought deeply.
He sighed. "You are qualified to intern at his company and even better places. You have enough skill and brains but I'd still hate it as long as your future boss has the slightest perverted thoughts."
"I didn't notice that." She snapped.
"Because you didn't expect it and your mind was focused on matters related to business." He explained.
"Well, whatever. As long as we don't cross paths, what's the worst that could happen?" She shrugged.
"Are you kidding me?" He stopped walking and glared at her. "Are you still going to work for him?!"
She massaged her temples. "This is my only chance, Damon. No one is going to help me get another chance and if he gives me a negative review, my family will make me drop out of school."
"Then screw them! You cannot work in such an environment." He raised his voice.
"You don't have any right to tell me what to do!" She snapped. "I'm tired of this, okay? I hate it enough that I'm being controlled by my parents and Gabe. I don't need a second Gabe in my life, Damon D'aboville."
"That's not what I meant. I'm only looking out for you." He explained.
"Then don't look out for me." She glared at him and sauntered away.
It was not surprising that she accepted the internship—not because she needed it but because she wanted to prove a point. How rash.
____
The present.
"She's always doing crazy things to prove a point." Damon whispered to his son who had just woken up as she watched Avery and Mabella discuss at one end of the living room.
Avery had just fired Chris for commenting that she had fallen in love blindly, causing her to have to handle such sticky situations, and was now considering hiring Mabella as Angel's new pediatrician.
"I'm not complaining." He laughed when Angel glared at him. He didn't comprehend most of the things his father had just said but since it seemed to be something against his mother, he was on the verge of declaring war.
When Avery was done discussing with Mabella, she picked her son up from Damon with a dismissive smile. "I'm going to make lunch for Angel. He is coming to the kitchen with me."
She meant for him to leave but he pretended not to understand her.
"I'll join you. Coincidentally, I have a fun game in mind that I'm certain Angel will enjoy playing." He flashed a smile.
She mumbled something about Chris being right about her blindness and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Do you need me to help with anything?" He asked as she wrapped a miniature apron around Angel.
"Yes. You can disappear for starters, or combust." She rolled her eyes and went ahead to pick the ingredients she needed.
He smirked and looked at the excited boy. "Angel, do you want me to teach you a really fun game?"
He nodded, and Damon smiled in triumph. "It's called baby washes, daddy chops and mommy cooks.
The rules are pretty much described in the name. You have to wash the veggies as fast as possible and I have to chop them faster than mommy can cook them. The winner gets to pick their own gun when we play Angels vs Devil.``
Angel's eyes lit up in disbelief and he looked at Avery for confirmation.
She smiled at what he was doing, agreeing with him for the first time. "Papa is right. The winner also gets to eat the largest portion of veggies."
She held her breath as the words sank in. This was usually the part where Angel would burst out of the kitchen and throw a tantrum if she got close to him.