“Well, today is bo-ring,” said Kim as she looked up at the white ceiling.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HWYwACgJb
She had just finished talking to Trina over the phone as she lay on the couch in her living room. The two were supposed to have gone out for the weekend, but Trina had other plans. Last night, she got a text from a man that she met during the week. He invited her to a boat cruise party happening this evening in Miami. Trina had just called to apologize. She was already at the airport, ready to board the plane. Kim wished Trina all the best. She felt a little disappointed, but she hoped Trina might finally be in a serious relationship, unlike her past ones that never lasted long. That was all because she somewhat had an undying love for Eric.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC1ODI6iH9
Speaking of relationships, Kim didn’t want to think about her own. After her talk with Leo at the McAlister's, Kim told herself that it was time to move on. Leo wanted nothing to do with her. What they had in the past was what it was: history. She made a mental note that she had to take a break over men for a while. Now that she thought about it, Leo was the only man she had ever known and loved.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJMGwMflWh
The two had been dating as far back as high school. Kim rejected any man who ever approached her. She had been loyal to Leo from the start, and so was he. Then everything changed on the day of the wedding. Leo’s new lover. It only took that one person to end the beautiful thing she and Leo had.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VwTngWAD6
Kim sat up straight on her couch as she wondered. Could Leo have known this woman before they got married? No, Kim would’ve known from the very start. Leo wouldn’t have gone through with the wedding. Why change his mind on that day? To top it off, that was when he got into an accident, hitting Angel with his car. Where did the accident occur? She never asked, or she may have forgotten. She remembered reaching the McDonell household, excited about getting married, when they dropped the news of Leo not being there. Moments later, news spread that he had hit someone with his car. She thought that was the reason the wedding was called off. Now that she had the time to think about it, why did Leo leave the house? How was it that Angel was also the person he hit?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMdhsqOGhX
The image of Leo wrapping Angel’s jacket around her shoulders kept playing in her mind. Kim suddenly shook her head. That can’t be right, she told herself. Angel can’t possibly be Leo’s lover. When the two women had met at the café to talk, Angel didn’t seem like the one who would hide that truth from her. Besides, when Trina told Kim months ago that she had seen Leo enter a hotel with a woman, Trina also met Angel and Oliver at a nearby café. Something didn’t feel right, she thought to herself. How is it possible Angel was close to the hotel Leo was in with his lover? Could it be a coincidence?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡineOjUAbgT
All this was confusing to Kim. In the end, she never found Leo because she forgot the room number and found another couple there instead. There is simply no way Angel could cover Leo’s tracks back then. As far as she knew, the two weren’t even that close. Or have things changed over the past few months?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo54gjOBw34
The image of seeing Angel and Leo looking at each other played in her mind. What if Leo broke up with his lover, and Angel is his new love interest instead?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3TILF5wem
Kim vigorously shook her head, telling herself that she was clearly overthinking things. There was simply no way those two could be in a relationship. She didn’t know Angel very well, but she simply couldn’t be Leo’s type. She was pretty, though, Kim noted. Angel obviously had a long line of suitors after her, but there was simply no way Leo would fall for her.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOjV3nJ8ho
Kim got up from the couch and gave herself a good stretch. She wished Trina were here. Maybe she wouldn’t have thought about these things. Well, she promised Trina that she would do her best not to think about Leo. As difficult as it was for her to do so, Angel was right about one thing. She had a life to live, and it wasn’t with Leo.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp0L9QVGz6
She walked out of the living room and went into the hall towards her bedroom. She decided that since Trina wasn’t around, it was better to keep herself occupied with shopping and whatever came to mind. She entered her room and went to her closet to find what to wear for the day.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7okcpNeA3
***
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCg8OW8iIf
“I’ll have a mango smoothie,” Angel said to the waiter, who was taking her order.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspjj3GYVUj
“Are you sure you wouldn’t want anything to eat?” Leo asked. He sat across from her on the table.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb9DtWQODL
“I already had something,” said Angel, doing her best to smile at him, but even Leo saw she was struggling. “I’ll order something when I feel hungry.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8VuXLvFQw
Leo had ordered French fries and a burger, and the waiter took off. For a moment, Angel and Leo sat there, looking at each other. It’s the first time outside work or home that they were casually together. For a moment, it felt a little awkward. Leo even looked out the huge window next to him. They sat in the restaurant's booth.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvKbdJ9p6y
Leo knew he had to say something. As he looked at Angel, she noticed that she also stared out the window and was lost in thought. He didn’t know what to say to engage her in conversation. Should he think of a topic to talk about? Should he ask what’s bothering her? He shook his head, telling himself he was just going to say something, anyway.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFgHzVp6An
“Angel, are you…?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqakVMjAEi
“I’m sorry, I…,” Angel said.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQulfHDAsaW
They paused, looking at each other. It looks like they both wanted to say something. Angel’s cheeks blushed as she bit her lower lip. Her gesture made Leo blush, too. He simply couldn’t look away from her anymore.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlqUhlt9Rl
“You wanted to say something?” he asked.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9r8I3QF1f
“Yeah,” she said, putting her hands on the table and clasping them together. “I’m not usually like this, and I bet my gloomy mood is ruining things here.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwByO7eJLQ7
Leo couldn’t agree more. “You’re right,” he said. “Could Aunt Cathy have said something that has you like this? I mean, she mentioned something about putting whatever it was into consideration.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vbZdTa2ZL
“Uh…, yeah. She did.” Angel looked down at her hands, biting her lower lip again nervously. “It has something to do with my dad."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U1Gusnrbo
Leo raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had heard neither Carly nor Angel talk about their father before. He always thought the reason they never talked about him was because he had probably passed on a very long time ago. It surprised him that their father was actually alive. Then, many questions came to mind. Where the hell has he been all this time? Did he forget he had daughters to raise?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P4d01Yoiv
“You probably want to ask why Carly and I have never talked about him,” said Angel, drawing her eyes upward to look at him. “It’s a long and painful story.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfTP826AKJ
“It’s okay; I can deal with long and painful stories,” said Leo.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3bD2syJLL
Angel chuckled as she raised an eyebrow at him. “You can?” she asked. “You don’t look like the type who can sit down and listen to anyone’s stories.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0gu007Dc8
“What do you mean? I listen to Carly’s stories all the time.” Leo was getting a little pissed off.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPlfwksSxJ
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” said Angel as she tried not to laugh. She paused for a bit before becoming serious again. However, this time around, it wasn’t the gloomy kind that she had earlier.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s47lcNDnh
Angel told Leo how her father left the family just a few months before Carly was born. So technically, Carly never knew her father. She only heard stories about him, and they weren’t pretty ones. Angel was five when he left. Even when she was still little and barely knew the way of the world, she never forgot those days her father would come back home drunk every night. He was a heavy gambler too, something she realized as she got older. Her mother had been working for a clothing company alongside managing her bakery. Times were tough back then, and she never made enough. Her father never used to work. Every time he landed himself a job, in less than a week or so, the employers would’ve him fired because of his behavior and arriving drunk at work.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIDtEBltjD
Whenever he ran out of money, he would always steal from Mrs. Barclay. Once he broke open her safe and stole everything she made from the bakery. She had it all saved up to pay the bills and send Angel to school back then. Before anyone knew it, he gambled it all away. Back then, her mother couldn’t take it anymore and told him to return her money. They got into a huge fight that day, and it was in the early hours of the morning. Angel remembers blurry moments of that fight. She woke up from all the shouting and yelling downstairs. When she got out of bed to see what was going on, she found her father and mother in the living room holding some of the house appliances and threatening to throw them at each other. It took Angel’s crying for them to stop. However, more fights occurred afterwards.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRmClWuvte
On one fateful day, certain men came by the house, looking for Angel’s father. He wasn’t home, but her mother had just come back from the bakery, and they demanded to see him. Apparently, he owed them money, and he promised he would pay them back. When Mrs. Barclay told them he wasn’t around, they threatened to take any valuable items as part of the payment. Mrs. Barclay wouldn’t let them. Though she was heavily pregnant, she fended them off with a frying pan. Angel, who was playing outside the streets with her neighbors, noticed the strange men arrive and had a bad feeling about them. When she came by the door and heard her mother shouting at them to get out of the house, Angel quickly ran to Aunt Cathy’s house for help. Aunt Cathy, along with some older men and teenage boys, came by the house, and they fished out the suspicious men. They even threatened to call the police. That was the day Mrs. Barclay had had enough. She couldn’t handle the pressure any longer. Her blood pressure was so high that Aunt Cathy had to call the ambulance to take her to the hospital.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiZxxYh2pS
Angel’s father came back home days after the incident and found Mrs. Barclay was at home, resting. She told him what had happened, and before she could give him the chance to explain, she told him to get out. She had packed his bags the previous day, and since the doctor told her to rest, Aunt Cathy and a few women from the neighborhood were there to help throw the bags out on the street. With Angel’s father outnumbered, he had no choice but to leave, and that was the last Angel ever saw of him.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR7lUln1o5
“Well, he deserved it,” said Leo after Angel had finished her story. He dipped a single fry in the small bowl of sauce in front of him and ate it. While Angel told her story, the waiter served their food and drinks. Angel barely had a sip of her mango smoothie.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIILInT25p6
“Yeah, well, that doesn’t stop him from coming back years later,” said Angel, shaking her head.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPflXLaDtpu
“I always thought the reason you never talked about him was because he was dead or something.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQibRKSGYQ
Angel sighed as she looked at Leo. “Talking about him brings bad memories. After Carly was born, the place seemed a lot brighter, and it’s been that way ever since.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCTUZP5RPk
Leo studied Angel for a moment. It could clearly show she didn’t enjoy talking about her father, and he wished he had never asked. What was the whole point in bottling up your feelings if it's only going to depress you even more? Angel knew that too, and that was she let it all out because it wasn’t worth keeping inside any longer.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJqTK650yj
“Are you going to tell Carly?” Leo asked. He lifted his burger to get a bite.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0qjCz6VrL
“Well, she deserves to know,” said Angel. “Maybe she would want to see him.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE0eYOuAbz
“Do you?” Leo asked, careful not to show the food in his mouth as he spoke.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfRbNzO7tV
“No.” Angel gave him a dull look.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtIXPWOsbM
“Wow, that was quick. You really want nothing to do with him, huh?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba13z6W0sh
“No, I don’t. I moved on, and seeing him would just rip open the scars that took so long to heal. I’m happier without him. Carly never knew him, so she might want to meet him.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtqmlmW4Kf
“Aren’t you going to consider Aunt Cathy’s advice? I thought that was the whole reason she told you he was here in New York.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMBidDeYq0
“She has a point. Maybe he has changed, and I should meet him to see it for myself.” Angel held the bottom end of the cool glass. “But a big part of me says it’s best we never meet at all.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzgrrvkFm2
“Well, I say you should trust your intuition.” Leo put his burger down on the plate. “Besides, he was a low-life drunkard, and he was selfish. If you ask me, he doesn’t deserve your sympathy, no matter how much he’s changed.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl7s8ANbHH
Angel said nothing for a while as she looked at Leo. He might seem cold-hearted to those who don’t know him, but he had a caring side that not everyone gets to see. Angel knew because of the way he treated her sister, but she didn’t know he would show much of this side to her as well. They might not get along sometimes, but when there was a need for it, they knew how to compromise. However, what was happening now was different. They were talking and getting along like close friends. Angel couldn’t help but chuckle over what Leo said.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNwtw4wHhb
“You’re right,” she said. “I shouldn’t be stressing about it. And if Carly wants to meet him, I shouldn’t stop her.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXcZlVgkHI
“I wouldn’t agree with her to meet him, but like you’ve said, it’s her choice.” Leo looked over at his plate of fries, and then he moved it towards Angel. “You really should eat something, though. You can have some of my fries.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyplPWd9PZT
“No, I’m good, thanks.” Angel tried to push back the plate of fries, but Leo’s hand stood firm on his end.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAWq5Vhg6s
“Trust me, you need something to eat. You haven’t touched your mango smoothie. I doubt the food you had was even enough to satisfy you. Eat something, at least.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoZDhwWM7
Leo wasn’t wrong there, and she didn’t want to admit it. She barely had any lunch since she was moving up and down. The thought of her father also drained her a lot. She looked at her mango smoothie, untouched, and she slowly turned to look at the fries. It was then that she heard her tummy rumble a little.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9pVxZNZOE
She looked up shyly at Leo, and he had a wide grin on his face. He clearly heard her stomach rumble, and there was no denying that she was hungry. She let go of the plate of fries, took one, and ate it.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkLCUUCiBZ
“See, I wasn’t wrong, was I?” Leo asked. “Their fries are great, by the way. Let me order some more.” Leo raised his hand at the counter, where one of the waiters stood. He made his way towards the table.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xMIFT58yK
“No, Leo, I don’t need more," said Angel, shaking her head.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVy5hflQLm
"Oh, trust me, you do." The waiter soon came to their table. "Another plate of fries, please. Along with a burger."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbxexNWf1k
Angel was shocked that Leo did that. She couldn't argue with him after the waiter had gone. Leo looked back at Angel with a smirk on his face.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9HCvAx3K0
"If you think eating so much is going to make me feel better, it won't," said Angel as she raised an eyebrow at him. "And besides, I'm going to grow fat."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir1eRUxS7z
"Well, eating makes you feel better," said Leo. "But I'm around, so there won't be any need for overeating. And you're one who has self-control, so don't get worried about getting fat."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPehvevSvaQ
Angel couldn't help but laugh out loud. "I will not lie; I didn't expect you to say that."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQHRLdEWw4
"Yeah, well, you need the energy, after all. What would Carly think if she knew just talking about your father drained you like it did?"
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLme1sz5kF
Angel ended up smiling at the thought. "You have a point. But Carly wouldn't have to worry that much."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22b8VJ1TO4
"She doesn't have to because you're strong."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMWgHLn9On
Angel suddenly blushed. This was not what she was expecting at all.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtgeqa0Bj2
"What do you mean?" she asked as she ate some more fries.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFNHxb4O5U
"Well, most people who lose their loved ones because of unforeseen circumstances change a lot. And not in a good way. I might not have known you before your mother died, but I can tell from the stories that Carly has told me so far that you're still the same. Better yet, you strive to be better. Most people lose it, and they fall back a lot. But you're different. That's what I meant by being strong. You still walk around as if nothing is wrong, even when the odds are against you. And that's admirable."
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd4LIfwamn
Leo wished he could shut his mouth at that very last moment. He felt he had said too much. But after thinking about it, he realized he shouldn’t be ashamed of what he said, because it was true.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjGCmbpnjO
Angel smiled at him. No one had ever said those kinds of things to her before. She knew she had to be strong, not for her sake, but for Carly’s, too. It's hard being the older sister. It has been for a while. Many people in her old neighborhood admired Angel for her strength, but it surprised her that Leo also recognized it. As much as she didn't like to be complimented, there was something about Leo’s statement that made her smile.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMddBKjF20
"Thanks," she said. "It really hasn't been easy since Mum died. However, I'm really grateful for all that you and your family have done for me and Carly so far.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI0vhNfbid
“It’s nothing, really,” said Leo. He didn’t notice it, but the corners of his lips were raised to a smile. “Everyone enjoys being around Carly and you, so I can’t complain.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2I9sLMLTg
Angel looked on at Leo and realized how handsome he looked when he smiled. She wanted to tell him he should smile more since he always painted a serious face most of the time. Then she told herself if she did, he would stop smiling. It was good for him to have his guard down once in a while.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hDw3M3Brc
The waiter came back to serve Angel her fries, which were steaming hot, and her burger. She thanked the waiter. The waiter couldn’t help but smile at Leo and Angel as he walked away from the table.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEn4i7ydS0
“You’re right, their fries are awesome,” said Angel.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gdAiDKKpi
“Told you,” said Leo. “Eric found this place by accident, and we’ve been coming here ever since.” Leo took some of the steaming hot fries and ate.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqvQJQiphN
“Aren’t you going to call Carly to see how far she is?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZmAcescdE
Leo’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. “I almost forgot,” he said, pulling out his phone. “She said she would let me know once she’s done. But there’s no text from her.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy8c1zMCUM
“There’s still plenty of time for the two of you to meet,” said Angel as she continued to eat. This time, she ate the burger. She slowly chewed on it, taking in the flavor. “Wow, they make pretty good burgers, too.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarYBGs3gO6
“Their food is great. I enjoy their fries more.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEtBVn9wX6
As the two continued to eat, they talked about many things. Most of it was just talks of funny incidences that happened at home and at work. For once, the differences they both shared seemed nonexistent. They really had a good time, and none of them realized it, for the time being.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyeCk6QEPR
***
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF1mBxH8ng
Amanda smiled as the warm sun hit her fully in the face as she had her eyes closed. It was nice to feel the warmth. It might be a hot sunny day in New York, but even then, there came a time when it felt enjoyable to soak in the sunlight. She might not be on a beach where she could’ve fully enjoyed it, but being on the patio out at the back of the house was more than enough.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfbSRC80eO
Running footsteps inside the house became louder as she turned her head to see Oliver running through the door and joining her on the patio. He had her phone in his hand.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJcSQBTFdd
“Your phone was ringing in the living room,” he said as he handed it over to her.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBNuUcBwaS
“Thank you, darling,” said Amanda, smiling at him as she took it. Oliver ran back to the living room to continue playing his video games.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIbDTWiW5e
Amanda looked at her phone that had stopped ringing by the time Oliver arrived with it. She unlocked it to see who was calling her, and she called back the number. Diana picked up the call.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dgBC8xIzt
“Hey, Mum,” said Diana. “How are things going?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2GIkBDk0k
“I can’t tell,” said Amanda. “You know how Leo can be. He didn’t sound too happy when I told him to pick Angel up.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTGbRhnaB6
“He obviously did. He knows if he doesn’t do what you tell him, you won’t give him any peace.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8VMCQvoXN
“For once, I’m glad that being stubborn is a good trait. Sad that he didn’t listen to me about Kim, though.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dCAMoRNdJ
“Well, it was your idea that you wanted those two to spend some time together.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iyota1dph
Amanda giggled as if she had done something devious. “Of course I wanted to. There’s some unexplainable tension between those two. Then, suddenly, when they get to be together, they seem like very close friends. You should’ve seen them at the McAlister’s party when Leo helped Angel put on her jacket. They looked so…”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4hwWjhrgy
“Ah, don’t say it. I know you think those two can make a good couple, but don’t you think they have to know each other better first? They might live under the same roof, but like you said, there seems to be some kind of tension between them. I can’t tell what it is, though, but I also think they need to get rid of it and become more comfortable with each other.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pyY4okuwe
Amanda gave a nod of her head. “I agree. Maybe I’m just rushing things, but it wouldn’t hurt to see those two together like a couple, you know.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v0qleJMOB
“Yeah, well, let’s not rush things. Don’t forget, Leo already has someone. At the end of it all, he might not end up with Angel. Eric also likes Angel, so I wouldn’t mind having her for a daughter-in-law.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFUcHL7DIQ
Amanda frowned at those words. Ever since Diana told her about Leo’s secret lover, it didn’t seem to sit well with her, just like when things didn’t sit well back then with Kim. It was different when she thought of Angel and Leo together. It’s why she thought today would be the perfect opportunity for the two of them to finally be alone, with no external forces like work, Eric, or Carly in the way. As much as she loved Eric and wanted him to be happy, she felt Angel was more compatible with Leo.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RYc14XZVZ
“I hope he changes his mind,” said Amanda. “I really hope for the two of them to grow closer, you know.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQj4U5w2SV
“Well, I hope so too,” said Diana. “Whatever happens, though, we just have to accept the outcome.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7GrQ5TMrE
“Okay, you go on ahead with whatever you were doing. Keep Carly with you till the day is over.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU3iihpIHm
Diana giggled. “Oh, trust me, she’s having a manicure right now, and she’s enjoying it. It’s good we got in between those two just in time, or else your plan wouldn’t have worked.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUg0gSycb
Amanda agreed. She usually never goes to the dining room early for breakfast on a Saturday morning. When she did this time around, she found Carly and Leo heading out of the dining room and talking about heading out into the city. Amanda always had a feeling that Carly was awfully close to Leo, and that made her uncomfortable. The two of them had been going out together on weekends too often. She had her phone with her, and she quickly texted Diana to keep Carly occupied, which Diana agreed to do. Luckily enough, she didn’t have to worry about Eric since he already had some errands to run with Fred.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkqYvYEjEy
“Fingers crossed,” said Amanda. “I hope those two are somewhere laughing and enjoying each other’s company.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78h3zwdXgq
“I have a feeling they are,” said Diana. “They aren’t home, are they?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee5gZsmXma
“No, not yet. What if they come in this very second?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tL6YmNkiM
Diana laughed. “You think too much. I better be going back now. Trust me, you’re going to see those two coming in laughing in the evening when they walk through that door. Bye.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MUT3V8aKW
Amanda said her goodbyes and placed her phone on the lap. She looked up at the view of the garden lawn behind the house, and she prayed that what Diana said would definitely happen.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwEowV2Odk
***
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg96EuhJY4S
Angel was singing to a pop song on the radio in Leo’s car. The car stood parked in front of the candy store, and Angel sat alone inside, with the window open and the radio on. Leo had gone into the store to get something. He soon appeared with a small paper bag, and he got into the car. Angel was still singing to the song, and he didn’t seem to mind her singing as he looked into the bag. She had been singing to most of the songs on the radio as they drove to the store. He removed her favorite chocolate bar and gave it to her.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gJZGQsPr2
“Oh, thanks,” she said as she took it from him. “You really didn’t have to. I’m surprised that you remembered the flavor.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7buuGXEMXg
“I don’t forget that easily,” he said as he stretched his hand to put the bag in the backseat.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhMmmdFDX0
“Still no word from Carly?” Angel asked as she tore the wrapper off the candy bar.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRPJRHH94H
“No. Whatever is happening with my aunt, I do not know. Shopping and taking manicures isn’t supposed to take this long.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGo5eNSypZ
“Oh, they do.” Angel gave Leo a funny look. “You men can be so clueless about these things. Here, have some.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEOu33bCx0
Angel had broken a strip of her chocolate and stretched out to give Leo some. He took it and bit into it. He slowly sucked on it, taking in the cocoa flavor and the bits of raspberry.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXJ555MTXy
“This isn’t so bad,” he commented as he looked at the chocolate.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEmyffo51T
“Raspberry is a great flavor,” said Angel. “Though it seems a little underrated.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJbkw7sCsf
“I think we better head back home now,” said Leo, throwing the last bit of chocolate into his mouth. “It might be early in the afternoon, but it’s clear to see that meeting up with Carly will not happen.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd8MS4xUWy
“Well, at least your day out in the city wasn’t such a waste.” Angel sucked on her piece of chocolate as she looked out of the window. “We had a great chat at that food joint.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk00rFqY0O
Leo smiled, not paying much attention to his emotions like he has the whole afternoon. He started the car. “Yes, we did. You’re right, my day hasn’t been so boring after all. And here I thought I would stay up in my apartment until Carly called. It looks like I was going to stay there for forever.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUvIa40IWj
"You've got an apartment?” Angel asked, looking at him.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3qAh98ccF
Dang it, Leo cursed at himself. That was such a big slip. He didn’t want anyone like Angel knowing about it. He wanted to show it to Carly one day as a surprise. He really ruined things for himself big time.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXWJH2D7V3
“Um,” Leo hesitated for a bit as he nervously turned to look at Angel. “Uh, yes. I do.” Surprisingly, he couldn’t lie to her. “Only a few people know about it. Carly doesn’t know. I wanted to surprise her one of these days.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXaIJPoPPa
“Oh, I see.” Angel continued to look at Leo. She was surprised at first, but later on, she didn’t give him a judgmental look. “I bet it’s nice.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MXpqnHnHq
“It is. I can show it to you if you want.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wo2Fu6GzC
Leo wanted to slap himself in the face. What the hell are you doing, his brain cried out to him. Are you seriously taking her to the apartment where you had a sensual dream about her? You must be crazy.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFqFIZ4leN
Leo was indeed crazy. He hadn’t thought of the dream until now. He now wished he had never offered to take her to see it. And what if she refuses?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBpoaAJjrT
“I don’t mind,” she answered.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2aTQZk4yd
A big part of him wished she had refused. This was just great! He felt like he just shot himself in the leg. How he was not losing his mind, he had no idea.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMowtEscPvf
He put the car in reverse, and backed the car onto the main road. Instead of heading in the direction out of the city, the car faced the other direction. He regretted ever talking about the apartment. How could he make such a mistake? He realized he was too relaxed then and allowed his tongue to slip like it did.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOmO5hvBpA
“May I ask something?” Angel asked as she continued to suck on her chocolate.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37KW5Do3hl
Leo cleared his throat. “Yeah, sure,” he said.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsXNSimNHk
“Is the reason you couldn’t move into your apartment because that was supposed to be your home with Kim?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RF8vYOdU5
Leo wanted the muscles around his forehead to twitch in irritation, but surprisingly, they didn’t. Such questions involving Kim often annoyed him, but it was different with Angel this time around. He couldn’t help but wonder why.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1go6Q50ti
“Not really,” Leo answered. “I would’ve moved away before I even planned to marry her. If I moved after the wedding, then Carly would visit the apartment whenever she wanted. However, many people know that place, including my mother. So, if she visits at some point and Carly is around, it will spell trouble for us.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxixK4kp3i
Angel slowly gave a nod of her head. “I get what you mean,” she said. “None of us would like that.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCZEMcEcSk
Leo felt relieved that Angel understood, and that almost sent him smiling. What the hell am I smiling about, he asked himself. He really should get his head together.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXtbM27BqM
As they drove, they soon reached the traffic lights. Leo’s car was the first in front of the lights, and he was about to make a left turn. He and Angel did not know that on the opposite side of the four-way junction, heading in the direction they were coming from, was Kim.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniK9AwW1v3
Kim was also at the front of the traffic light on her end, hitting her hands on the steering wheel as she listened to a pop song playing through the car radio. At first, her eyes remained focused on the traffic lights. Cars moved from the right to the left and some from in the opposite direction. A look further to the right made her notice a black Lamborghini. The car immediately reminded her of Leo. Memories of how they used to drive around the city on weekends together came to mind. Sometimes, they would drive out of town to someplace nice where they could just be the two of them.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVIVkEWtfZ
As cars continued to pass in front of her and her eyes fixed on the car, she suddenly saw Leo in the front seat. For a moment, she thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her. With the cars passing in front of her, she must have mistaken the driver for Leo.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqORb8FgQzF
As soon as the traffic lights turned red stopping the other cars from passing in front of her, she saw Leo with her own eyes in the driver’s seat. There was someone on the passenger side, too. It didn't take her long to realize that it was Angel.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr93wlwCIK
“What the-?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG9UBYfqct
A loud honk from a car behind her brought her back to her senses. She needed to move quickly as the lights in front of her were now green. She noticed Leo’s car making a turn to its left, going to the street down on Kim’s right side. Kim flipped the indicator, showing that she was turning to her right, which was insane for her to do. It meant she had to block the other cars going in the same direction in the lane right next to hers. She received angry honks this time around as she sped off, trying to follow Leo’s car.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmTJJCvhYR
There were a few cars up ahead, but Kim could spot Leo’s car in front of her in the other lane. She followed and kept her distance. If she caught up to them, no doubt, Leo would recognize her car. When it came to paying attention on the road, Leo was quick to look through the side and rearview mirrors when you least expected it. Kim knew that much, hence keeping her car hidden as far back as possible.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQykoaz4V9o
“If there ever came a time when you told everyone about your relationship with Carly—which you will,” Angel asked as she turned to look at Leo, “would you like to move into the apartment with her?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn7YTFtFSR
Leo never expected such a question. And just like before, he didn’t find it annoying.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtQzB0bIHx
“That’s if she wants to,” said Leo as he shrugged his shoulders. “But I prefer we move in when we get married.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0yTqZ4JSL
Angel raised an eyebrow at Leo, and the corner of her lips went up into a smile. “Do you think of marrying her, then?”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND3L80xOuJ
Leo blushed at the question, and he cleared his throat before he could give his answer. He felt uncomfortable suddenly. Before he could open his mouth to answer, Angel spoke first.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqfu7ECb9i
“Don’t answer that,” she said as she turned to look in front of her as the car slowed down. The other cars in front of them had come to a stop. “I bet marriage isn’t in your mind yet. Nor hers. Knowing that you love my sister is more than enough for me.”
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc70Vv1NQrn
Leo didn’t know how to answer that, as he relaxed. Angel’s question scared him a little. It was good that she didn’t want him to answer. When he was up in his apartment earlier, he imagined Carly moving in with him and living together. However, the thought of marriage was on a completely different level. It hadn’t crossed his mind yet, and that’s why Angel didn’t want him answering to that, because she knew. He just wasn’t ready for it.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCUITeZVAQ
Suddenly, an image of Angel on his bed, her body under the white sheets, came to mind. He gulped as he realized they were nearing the apartment building. It was too late to turn back now. He couldn’t help but call himself an idiot.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPT44Z62I1
Kim soon realized the route Leo was taking as she continued to follow his car at a distance. It was the route to his apartment. Was he simply taking Angel there? No, she shook her head at the thought. Were they really going there? Kim’s thoughts played different scenarios about why they could go there. One thing came to mind as she remembered the two of them at the McAlister’s lawn together. Was Leo simply taking Angel there to be alone in that apartment? Just the two of them!
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkfjw5fZzW
She took deep breaths as the thought of them together played in her mind. She could imagine the two of them entering the apartment and Leo closing the door behind him. What were they planning to do in there? Could it be that Leo and Angel are actually together? No, she remembered thinking about that back at her apartment, and she ruled out the possibility. But what if Leo was planning to make a move on Angel instead? Could it be that he really fell for her?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03BiSyhxMn
Several possibilities came into question, and for Kim, it felt wrong that the two of them were together. If Angel and Leo had something going on between them, how would she take it?
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp9Il3pBlY
"I just have to find out for myself," said Kim.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY4cBEcBaf
Leo soon parked right in front of the apartment building downtown. Angel couldn't help but admire how well structured the white apartment building was as she looked out of the window.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGPNGJmzOd
"Wow, I can't wait to see what's inside," said Angel.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLABpkZ02wL
"Shall we?" Leo asked as he opened the car door on his side.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQoXVkkI4y
Angel, on her end, also opened the door, and they both got out at the same time.
At a good distance, Kim had also parked in the parking zone of another apartment building. She got out of the car, feeling rather disappointed that they had indeed come to Leo’s apartment. She did her best not to stand out as she got out of the car and saw Angel and Leo get out of the car. The two of them walked casually into the building, with Leo leading the way.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGtmLLk3T8
Kim stood for a while, wondering whether following them was a good idea. What if they weren't doing anything wrong, and she was the one overthinking things? A big part of her knew doing this was wrong, but she wanted to find out for herself what was going on or else she would not be at peace.
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rzsNCsimc
She took in deep breaths before locking her car and making her way towards the building. When she reached the front doors, she hesitated for a bit. Thoughts of what could go wrong if she did this played in her mind. After shaking her head to block out the thoughts, she gathered up a bit of courage before charging her way into the building.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
