379

Both men were putting me in a tough situation. I looked at Angel and he had that look that said he needed some worthy explanation.
“We should catch up some other time if you don’t mind Thea.” Alfred’s voice came but he was only making things awkward for me. I remained silent not knowing how to respond. Angel takes my hand when he sees that I wasn’t saying anything.
“I mind, so it’s not happening.” He said in a harsh tone. I bit the corners of my lips, pinching my dress as well. Angel was a tough one especially when it came to me. He wouldn’t play around with his woman.
He was possessive.
Alfred gave me a hopeful look like he were expecting me to counter Angel.
“I’m sorry I can’t.” I answered. He looked very disappointed but gave me a slight nod.
“I’m sure our paths will cross again. I’ll find you if I have to.” He said and Angel looked pissed off but I held his hand, pleading with my expression for him not to react. He did listen and only passed a mean glare at Alfred who couldn’t spend another second with Angel. He just gave me a slight nod and took his leave.
Now I was left with Angel, struggling with the right thing to say to him. Angel stared at me in a way I never wished to see him stare at me. I felt tensed and uncomfortable. I knew he was pissed off.
“Should we go grab something or you’re just going to keep staring at me like that?” I said in the softest tone I could use. My choice of words didn’t seem right but those were the first words I could blurt out. I’d owe it to my nervousness.
“I don’t think you have the appetite though.” I said since he was yet to give me a reply.
“I have the appetite for an explanation so you should get on with it. He finally said.
“Let’s talk in the car then.” I said, that was the only private place to talk and waiting till we got home didn’t seem like a good idea.
We went back to the car and Angel rode in silence, a finger touching his lower lip slightly while his left elbow rested on the door frame then he controlled the stirring with a single hand. He finally pulls over in a more conducive area. Takes off his seat belt and tilted his head in my direction.
“What was that about?” He asked and I felt like he should try to understand me.
“I don’t like your tone Angel.” I said but I didn’t see him calming down anytime.
“You should explain now Thea.” He said despite the obvious annoyance in his voice.
“You know I had a life outside my life at the mansion.” I said in a quizzical tone.
“So? He’s one of your clients in the past?” Angel asked rather than assuming.
“I didn’t have any control of meeting him. It was a coincidence.”
“Why did he have that look in his eyes for you?” He asked seeming really curious and concerned.
“What look?” I acted ignorant despite knowing what he meant. Angel scoffs, he knew I was playing pretend.
“The way I look at you.” He was very observant. I didn’t want to add more fire to the heat so I decided to exclude the part where Alfred was in love with me.
“Don’t even think of taking any details away from it. We are supposed to be honest with each other Thea. I want you to be honest. I really wasn’t comfortable with him.” He said and I was left a little shocked. It felt like he read my mind or maybe my body language exposed me.
“You should trust me Angel.” I said touching his face. He kisses my knuckles and his eyes softened towards me.
“I’m sorry, my jealousy took over me. I trust you Thea.” I smile at him then go ahead to explain everything to him. I was completely honest.
______
Angel hated to hear that Thea was involved with someone in the past romantically. He understood it wasn’t love she felt for Alfred but the fact that their relationship was more than just business hurt him and now the fact that Alfred showed up didn’t sit right with him.
It felt like it wasn’t the last time they’d cross paths. He could feel the determination from him and it was looking like a competition.
Thea had a man that treated her right. He was in no way compared to Alfred not with everything he had done to her. He dared to admit that it made him feel insecure and like a competition was brewing.
They returned home and he went ahead with work. Thea gave him the space knowing he had a hard time processing what she had told him. She didn’t know what to think but Angel seemed to have been affected terribly by the story she told him.
At night she slept in her room but Angel sneaked in late. She noticed him and they cuddled up spending the night together.
She was the one doing the cuddle as he layed on her breast. It was as if he needed some comfort.
“I love you Angel, I’ll always love you.” She whispered and kissed his head. He didn’t say anything but the sigh he let out was of relieve. He really needed the assurance.
________
While the other couples were still away from the mansion sorting out their own issues, Angel seemed to have eased up more on the third day. He chose to believe that the chances of coming across with Alfred again were slim and even if they did, he had Thea’s heart so he had nothing to be afraid of.
The sky was dark and the evening was graced with the chill breeze of the night. Angel and Thea were taking a stroll along the garden till they got to the short fence were they sat together. Thea’s head rested on his shoulder and their fingers weaved together as they enjoyed the view of the stars in the sky.
Thea found this time a reasonable time to ask the questions that had been lingering in her mind.
“My love…..” She called, raising her head to look at him. Angel hummed in response as he looked at her as well with a blissful smile plastard across his face. The night was just perfect and Thea hoped she didn’t spoil it with what she was about to ask.
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you but didn’t have the courage to.” Angel looked at her wondering what could have been so difficult for her to ask him.
“I’m willing to answer your questions but why would it be hard for you to ask it?” “You seemed to avoid the topic too much even when I tried to slide it in our conversations.” She explained.
“Go ahead Thea. You don’t have to feel uncomfortable about it.” She stares at him a little longer and prys her lips to say the words.
“It’s about your mum.” She says pausing and waiting for his reaction. Angel’s expression changes instantly. A mixture of surprise and hurt in there. He hated to think about his mum’s situation. He did visit her often without having to let anyone know, Cassie did too but he was still hurt by his mother’s condition. Seeing her everytime in a vegetative state never got easier for him.
“I really need to know. Where is she? What happened to her?” She says rubbing his hand gently. He looks down on her hand and holds them warming them up up in his.
“You’re right. It’s a topic I avoid a lot.”
“I want to know.” She speaks softly hoping he didn’t back out. Angel narrates everything that happened and it just got her emotional thinking about how bad scott had been as a cheater to make Angel’s mother end up vegetative. Angel must hate his father a lot but he was so good and not letting it show. The promise he made to his mother, he must have loved her that much to keep it and not show his hate for his father no matter what the outcome might be.
Scott was enjoying his life with her mother, Louisa. It was just unfair to Angel’s mother. She could see how the hurt in Angel’s eyes increased as he narrated the story. She held his hand and hugged him. Life had been tough on him. Cassie’s father was at that point the only good thing that happened to him.
With tears glistening in her eyes she asked.
“What’s her name?”
“Roseline.” He answered.
“Such a beautiful name. I know your mum would be proud of the man you’ve become Angel and you’re so strong to not hold onto the hate you had for your father. I’m so sorry that we came into his life, that my mother makes him happy.” She expressed genuinely.
“In a way, I’m thankful to her because no matter what scott has done, he’s still my father and I hate that I love him… Very much.” Thea nodded as tears fell off her eyes. She could relate because she once felt that way about him. She once hated Angel because she loved him too much despite the things he did to her.
“Can I see her?” Angel paused, his eyes lighting up against the disapproving reaction she thought she’d get.
“You really want to?”
“I’d be honured to.” He smiles. He was really happy about the suggestion.
“Okay. Let’s not ruin this moment. I’ve answered your question. ” He said smiling. “Don’t feel sorry for me too. Promise?”
“Okay.” She says nodding and he wipes the tears off her face. He pulls her into his arms and strokes her hair soothingly.
“You know I own a ranch?” He said out of the blue.
“Yes….” Thea answered straining the word. She seemed to have an idea where this was headed.
“I’d like us to visit there soon. My uncle and his family lives there. I’d like to introduce you to them.” He says and she is taken aback.
“Your uncle?”
“Yes.” My step father had one brother. He manages the ranch on my behalf. He is a good man and wanted nothing with the mafia but he loves Cassie and I dearly.”
“That’s great, I just didn’t know you had family outside. No one ever mentions.” Thea said still in shock. There was so much she probably didn’t know.
“Well, it’s good you start getting to know these basic details. As the lady of the house you ought to know and I’ll do what I can to let you in on it.”
“Lady of the house?” She’s taken aback again with Angel’s words. “That’s not me, that’s Florentine.” She said and chuckles nervously.
“What do you mean Thea? You are the lady of the house. In future, hopefully if you’d honour me, you’d be more than that.” Thea blinks noting his suggestive tone and gulps hard. His entire statement was screaming a future proposal but she didn’t want to get faster than her shadow so she ignored putting any deep meaning to what he said but her heart betrayed her, leaping in joy at the thought.
“Okay….” She said trying hard to suppress her blush.