16 years later

"My son just graduated," EJ cuffed Angel on the back of the head. "Of course we're celebrating."

"It's just secondary school," Angel modestly replied. "It's not that big."

"And how many graduate top of their class?" EJ bragged. "And how many get a scholarship to their dream university? Their father's alma mater?"

"Probably more than you think," Angel smiled, pleased.

"Hardly," EJ snorted.

"What about you?" Angel elbowed his father in the ribs. "When do I get to meet this mysterious girlfriend?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," EJ sniffed, nose in the air.

"Dad," Angel laughed. "Please, even Nonno is excited about it."

"Your grandfather talked to you about her?" EJ frowned.

"Yeah," Angel nodded. "He said you've been really happy. And that it made him happy."

EJ set his jaw. Anything that made his father happy couldn't be good for EJ.

EJ moved to Salem when his son started to study for his A-level qualifications. It took a lot of adjusting for both father and son but they adapted. Now that Angel would be advancing to university, EJ knew it was time for his son to come to Salem for the summer.

When EJ moved to Salem, his father was supportive. Almost too supportive, if EJ thought about it. The first person EJ met in his new apartment building was a melancholy woman named Samantha Brady.

EJ learned quite a lot about the woman. When she was a teenager she lost her young son. His father kidnapped him and her baby was never seen again. The poor woman never recovered.

Samantha worked as a receptionist for her father at the police station. Most of the time, Samantha was rather meek and quiet. But EJ sensed there was more to her. A hidden fire smothered by years of pain.

EJ knew his father had some sort of vendetta against the Brady family but EJ didn't know why. As a teenager, EJ wanted to impress his father. He often blindly followed any and all instructions. But, the second his little Angel called him daddy everything changed for EJ.

Sure, EJ was underhanded. Yes, he might engage in illegal activities every now and again. Maybe he never told Angel or anyone else that he wasn't the boy's biological father but who cares? Being a father changed him.

'If my father thinks my interest in Samantha is anything other than genuine he is going to be sadly mistaken,' EJ thought.

"Let's get on the plane as soon as we can," EJ suggested. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Halfway through the trip, EJ gazed at his son from across the private jet.

"So," EJ asked. "Whatever happened to that Preston bloke?"

Angel's face heated up.

"Um, nothing," Angel responded.

EJ gave his son a knowing look.

"Okay," Angel amended. "He kissed me a few times but that's it."

"Only kissed you?" EJ pressed.

When Angel was fourteen EJ caught him staring at one of the gardeners a little too long. EJ figured his son wasn't interested in the proper way to trim a rose bush.

EJ sat Angel down and let him know in explicit terms that EJ loved him no matter what. Gay, straight, bi or other, EJ would support him.

A few months later, at dinner, Angel admitted he was gay. EJ thanked Angel for trusting him. Angel grinned before asking EJ to pass the mashed potatoes.

Ever since then EJ made sure to talk to Angel about any of the boys in his life.

"Yes," Angel implored. "He wanted more than that but I wasn't ready. He got mad and we stopped seeing each other."

EJ furrowed his brow. He made a mental note to check up on that Preston boy. No one was allowed to pressure his son and get away with it.

"I don't know," Angel continued. He was oblivious to his father's inner ruminations. "I think I want to steer clear of any romantic entanglements for a while. At least until I get to university."

"You're much too responsible," EJ decided. "I don't know who you take after in that regard but it's not me."

"Aw," Stefano chuckled and held out his arms. "Il mio angioletto!"

Angel tightly grasped his grandfather. He could barely remember the last time he saw his nonno.

"I missed you," Angel declared.

"I wish I could have gone with your father," Stefano smiled. "But I've been much too busy."

"With what?" Angel asked innocently.

"I've decided to throw you a little welcome home party," Stefano explained. "I think this town will…enjoy getting to know you."

Angel stared at his grandfather oddly but brushed it off. Stefano had always said strange things around the boy.

"What's this about a party?" EJ questioned. He came into the mansion's main room after putting Angel's luggage away.

Stefano had convinced EJ they both should stay at the mansion for Angel's visit.

"Nothing," Stefano dismissed. "Tonight we're going to dinner at The Dock. I've made reservations."

"Alright," EJ glanced at his father suspiciously. EJ turned his attention on Angel. "Do you want me to show you around town?"

"No," Angel shook his head. "I want to explore myself. That's what I'll need to do when I start at Oxford."

EJ proudly smiled.

Angel walked through the town square. He read a sign that read Horton Town Square. He made a note to ask his father or grandfather why they were important.

So far, Angel enjoyed the town of Salem. He didn't really understand why his father or grandfather lived here though.

'It's so small,' Angel noted. 'How could Nonno's business even work here?'

Angel continued through the square when he saw a group of teenagers and young adults. They all looked to be around his age.

'I am thirsty,' Angel realized. 'Maybe they can direct me somewhere good.'

Head held high, shoulders back, Angel cantered up to the large group.

"Excuse me," Angel cleared his throat. "I'm a bit new in town. I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a tearoom?"

The entire group turned and stared at Angel.

Angel smiled as confident as he could. His father always impressed upon him how important it was to appear in control.

"Um," one girl with dark hair and brown skin blinked several times, smiling widely. "We don't really have tearooms."

"We do have coffeehouses," another girl with dark curly hair beamed. "I could show you, if you want?"

"Gabi, Kinsey," another girl with red-ish hair scolded. "Stop being desperate."

Angel glanced around helplessly.

The red-head stuck out her hand.

"I'm Melanie," she greeted. "Nice to meet you."

Angel shook her hand.

"Angel," he replied. "Pleasure."

"These are Gabi and Kinsey," Melanie gestured to the girls from earlier. "Sorry about them."

"S'alright," Angel shrugged.

"We've just never met anyone as hot as you with that accent," Kinsey nodded seriously.

"Oh my god," Gabi mumbled under her breath. "You can't just say things like that."

"Sorry about them," a boy butted in. "They're drawn to you because I've rejected them both."

"Ew, T, get real," Kinsey complained.

"See?" T joked. "Can't get over me."

"Right," Angel smiled politely.

"Anyway," Melanie loudly spoke above everyone else. "We were just on our way to this new place. It's really awesome. You should come."

"Sure," Angel responded. "Lead the way."

"Let me show you," Gabi linked her arm with Angel's. "I insist."

Melanie shoved Gabi away.

"Down girl," Melanie teased. "So, Angel. What brings you to Salem?"

Everyone walked together. Angel made sure to keep his arms at his sides. He didn't need any other female getting the wrong impression.

"I'm just visiting family for the summer," Angel explained. "Before I go to university."

"University?" T questioned in a terrible British accent.

"Yes," Angel smiled at the horrible attempt to mimic him. "I'm going to Oxford in the fall."

"Wow," Kinsey fanned herself. "Brains, beauty, and brawn. I think I hit the jackpot."

"Actually," Angel interjected. "I'm-,"

"So," Gabi interrupted. "What family are you visiting?"

"Yeah," Melanie pressed. "Everyone in Salem knows everyone. I bet we know your folks."

"It's just my father and grandfather," Angel answered. "Well, an aunt too but I've never met her before."

"Cool," T nodded. "Wait, what's your last name?"

Angel opened his mouth.

"We're here," Melanie announced.

Angel read the sign on the door- Common Grounds.

Everyone ushered Angel inside.

"Come on," Melanie steered him towards an empty table in the back. "What do you want?" she questioned.

"Um, just a spot of tea would be nice," Angel replied.

"Sure thing, Mr. Posh," Melanie laughed.

"So," Kinsey pushed Angel into the booth. She shoved in close to him, practically in his lap.

"So?" Angel queried.

"Where exactly are you from?" Gabi asked. She sat across from him and glared at Kinsey in distaste.

"I grew up in Eton," Angel responded before anyone could cut him off. At their blank looks he continued, "It's in Berkshire. That's a few kilometers from London. Miles, I mean. I spent my time there and in Oxford growing up."

"Oh," Kinsey nodded. "Cool."

"Why those places in particular?" Gabi wondered. She pushed her hair out of her face, smiling widely.

"That's where my father completed his schooling," Angel replied. "He had me quite young."

"Here," Melanie thrust a tea pot in front of Angel. She slapped a few tea bags next to it. "I didn't know what you like."

"Thank you," Angel picked through the selection. He hoped his distaste didn't show.

"So," T nudged in close to Kinsey making her frown. "What do you think of good ol Salem so far?"

"I haven't seen much," Angel truthfully stated. "It seems lovely though."

"Lovely?" a new voice questioned with a laugh. "I guess you weren't kidding about the accent, Mel."

Angel looked up to see a tall, handsome boy with dark hair and eyes.

'Oh,' Angel thought. Something began sweeping inside of his chest, fluttering.

"Told you," Melanie grabbed the boy's hand and grinned. "Angel," Melanie introduced. "This is my boyfriend, Chad."

"Hey," Chad nodded. "Chad Woods."

"Angel D-," Angel attempted to say.

"What's everyone doing over here?" another voice asked.

"Ignoring you, duh," Melanie laughed.

Angel began to wonder why he even bothered to speak at this point. He glanced over to see two new faces. A pretty blonde girl and a handsome brunette with spiky, messy hair with their arms linked.

'Is everyone in this town a model?' Angel sighed.

"Ha ha," the male replied. He spotted the unfamiliar blonde squished against Kinsey and stopped.

"Oooh," the blonde woman asked. "Who is that?"

"I'm Angel," he responded.

"Yeah, I bet you are," the girl laughed. "I'm Abigail."

She promptly dropped the brunettes arm.

"This is my cousin," Abigail emphasized the word. "Sonny."

"Hi," Sonny grinned.

'He definitely looks like an angel,' Sonny thought.

"How's the tea?" Chad questioned.

"Oh," Angel bit his lip. "Um, it's fine."

"Is that polite for crap?" Chas bluntly asked.

"Um, well," Angel smiled. "Pretty much, yes."

"Come show me how to make a proper cup then," Chad requested. The poor kid looked like he could use an escape from that many people. "If I want this shop to work I need to learn."

"Yes," Angel instantly agreed. He got out from the booth and followed Chad over to the counter.

"Maybe I should go too," Sonny watched the two. His eyes glued to Angel's butt when he leaned against the counter.

"Rrrriiight," Gabi joked. "I doubt you'll get much learning done."

"Yeah," Melanie agreed. "Besides, this view ain't too shabby."

T crossed his arms and sighed loudly.

"Am I the only one not looking at Angel's ass?" T wondered.

"Yes," everyone replied at the same time.

"Taste," Angel ordered with a grin.

Chad took a swallow.

"Damn," Chad said. "You're right."

"Never question a Brit about their tea," Angel threatened. "That's serious business."

"Now I know, huh," Chad put his elbows on the counter.

Angel looked away. Their faces were so close together now.

"What brings you to Salem?" Chad asked. "Doesn't seem like a great place to get away."

"My family is here," Angel shrugged. "I haven't seen them in a long time."

"Oh," Chad winced.

"Is something wrong?" Angel wondered, instantly concerned.

"I just lost my mom not too long ago," Chad explained. "I don't know my real father but my step-father's an ass."

Angel nodded. He didn't like the stricken look on Chad's handsome face.

"I don't know my mom," Angel offered. "It's always been my father and I."

"Really?" Chad moved even closer.

"Yes," Angel admitted. "He had one serious girlfriend when he was at university but they didn't last. That's it basically."

"Huh," Chad said. "Maybe we have more in common than I thought."

Angel licked his lips seeing Chad's soft grin.

'He has a girlfriend,' Angel reminded himself. 'Stop that right now.'

"They look cozy," Kinsey noticed. She kicked at Sonny's leg under the table. "Maybe you have a shot after all."

"I'm not ready for anything serious," Sonny argued.

"He's only here for the summer," T pointed out. "If he swings that way it could be fun. Just don't tell me any details."

"Gee, thanks," Sonny rolled his eyes.

Melanie frowned at Chad and Angel. They did look a little too close for her comfort.

Clearing her face of any jealously, Melanie stood up and headed towards the counter.

"Hey," Melanie put her hand on Angel's back. "We need to get ready for tonight," Melanie reminded Chad.

"Oh, right," Chad nodded. He had forgotten. He was so caught up in talking to Angel.

"Get ready?" Angel repeated.

"Yeah, everyone's going to The Dock," Melanie explained.

"A restaurant," Chad offered seeing Angel's lost expression.

"Anyway," Melanie continued. "Every year around this time all the main families get together. Sort of a celebration."

"Not exactly," Chad amended. He gave Melanie a strange look. "Every year on today's date the whole town gets together in hopes that their lost Horton will return."

"Hortons' really," Melanie added.

"Lost Horton?" Angel shook his head.

"The Horton's are a big deal around her, founding family and all," Chad explained. "One of them, Lucas Horton, had a son. One day he kidnapped the boy when he was a toddler."

"Oh," Angel frowned.

"Yeah," Melanie nodded. "Lucas was drunk and crashed his car into a tree. By the time help came, Lucas was passed out."

"No one ever found the baby," Chad finished. "Lucas is in jail and Sami never recovered. The town gets together to remember the boy, in hopes that one day he'll return."

Everyone gathered their things to leave and said their goodbyes. Unfortunately, Angel had no idea how to get back home. He hadn't paid much attention after he met his new friends.

"Need some help?" Sonny couldn't resist asking.

"Yes, please," Angel smiled. "I need to get to Lakeview Drive."

Sonny whistled loudly.

"That's an expensive area," Sonny said. "Not that I have much room to say anything. My uncle lives a few streets over."

"Oh," Angel mumbled.

"So," Sonny nudged their shoulders together. "You seemed to get along with Chad."

"Yeah," Angel nodded enthusiastic. "Chad's great. He's nice and he's funny and he's hands-," Angel clamped his lips shut.

Sonny laughed.

"You can say it," Sonny encouraged. "Chad's my best friend. I know he's hot."

Sonny brushed his fingers down Angel's arm daringly.

"Besides," Sonny confessed. "I happen to be gay so it's not like I could make a big deal of it."

"You are?" Angel turned to stare at Sonny. He really was nice looking. Angel might have paid more attention to Chad but he wasn't blind. "I mean, um, I am too. Gay that is."

"I thought so," Sonny replied.

"Am I that obvious?" Angel winced. "I hope I didn't freak Chad out. I didn't mean to stare at him like that. I'm just not very subtle and I would hate for him to-,"

"Relax," Sonny squeezed Angel's hand comfortingly. "Chad isn't like that. He'd probably like that you're attracted to him. Actually," Sonny realized. "He seemed to really like you too. I'm sure you two will be fast friends."

"Good," Angel squeezed back before letting go of Sonny's hand. "I'm still new to the whole proud scene. Out, yeah, but not loudly."

"It takes time," Sonny assured the boy. "You can't be that old anyway."

"18," Angel responded.

"I'm 21," Sonny offered. 'Only a few years older.'

"Oh, do you go to university here?" Angel inquired.

"I just started this past semester," Sonny revealed. "I didn't grow up here like most of the others."

"No?" Angel hummed.

"No," Sonny revealed. "We moved around some but mostly I grew up in Dubai. After I graduated, I traveled for a while. I ended up in San Francisco for about a year. After that I came here."

"I'd like to visit San Francisco one day," Angel admitted.

"It's a nice city," Sonny quickly responded. "But I'm glad I left."

"Okay," Angel moved on. He sensed something in Sonny's tone that he rather not deal with.

Sonny's phone beeped loudly. After checking it, he sighed.

"Damn," Sonny stated. "I need to go pick up something for my father. Do you think you can make it home alright on your own?"

Angel looked around at his surroundings. He recognized the street they veered onto.

"Yes," Angel confirmed. "Thank you for taking me this far at least."

"It was no problem," Sonny flashed Angel a wide, blinding grin. "Maybe I'll see you again sometime."

"I'd like that," Angel smiled shyly back.

"Did you see the town?" EJ questioned. He came into Angel's room with a tie. "This'll look good with your eyes."

"I met some people," Angel told his father. He let EJ put the tie around him and fix it up.

"People?" EJ mused. "Or a boy?"

"There were girls and boys there, Dad," Angel huffed.

"Boys, huh?" EJ teased. "Just how many summer romances are you hoping to start?"

"None," Angel maintained, indignant. "Besides," Angel admitted with a pout. "The one I liked has a girlfriend."

"So?" EJ asked.

"I'm not getting into the habit of chasing after straight guys," Angel explained.

"Do you know if he's straight?" EJ demanded. "Or are you assuming?"

"I didn't ask him," Angel confirmed. "But he has a girlfriend. Besides, his best friend noticed I liked him. If Chad was bi he would have told me."

"He?" EJ lifted his eyebrows.

"Yeah," Angel nodded. "His friend was really nice."

"Nice and straight or nice and gay?" EJ wondered.

"Gay," Angel responded. "Why does that matter?"

"Maybe he didn't tell you this Chad person was bisexual because he wants you for himself," EJ shrugged. He stepped away from Angel. "I was right," EJ grinned. "It matches your eyes."

"Why are we going to The Dock?" Angel asked his nonno. "Is it for the lost Horton?"

Stefano froze.

"Who told you about that?" Stefano demanded harshly.

"Some kids I met today," Angel frowned at his grandfather. He hardly ever raised his voice to Angel.

Most of the time Stefano showered Angel with praise and adoration. The only time he had ever been in trouble with Stefano was when he pestered him about visiting him in Salem.

That's why this visit was so important to Angel. He had wanted to come here for so long and it was finally happening.

"I suppose that is why we're here," Stefano smiled at his little angel. "And to see your father's love."

EJ frowned. He didn't trust his father one bit.

"Leave Samantha alone, Father," EJ warned. "Tonight is hard enough on her as it is."

"Why is that?" Angel mused.

"Because," EJ patted Angel's knee. "Samantha's son is the one who is missing."