We finally got down for dinner. Everyone was seated already and we joined them. At first, I was nervous about the kind of thing we’d talk about during dinner. They’d like to ask about me right? Did they know how I got to live with Angel? How I even became his girlfriend? I was really nervous but to my surprise they questions were far from it. I had the feeling that Raymond knew some things maybe more than his wife Lea but they were all nice to me especially with their questions. They spoke about Angel as a kid and his experiences whenever he came there and I could see that his life was beautiful when he visited the ranch. I was happy that he had here as a place to escape his harsh reality.
While I was lost in admiration of Angle, I felt his hand touch mine below the table. He looked at me and our eyes spoke unsaid words between us. We smiled and joined the conversation again not until Jack who proved that kids were indeed curious beings blurt a question no one expected him to.
“So when will you bring my cousin Lucian?” I was taken aback at first, the table went silent before they let out nervous laughs. Angel simply chuckled.
“Whose Lucian?” I asked.
“Don’t mind him Thea.” Lea said. “It’s just the name he has for Angel’s future child.”
I blinked feeling tensed. So he was expecting a baby from us in other words.
“There’s no Lucian for now Jack.” Lea whispered to him even though we could all hear it.
“Why though?” He asked. The little kid wasn’t giving up. I looked at Angel
and he looked at me in such a way that suggested he wished he could put a Lucian inside me. I looked away feeling shy instantly.
My goodness! The tension was increasing.
“Because your uncle isn’t married yet.” Raymond said. I let out a breath through my mouth. Just when I thought dinner wasn’t going to be any more uncomfortable.
“When are you getting married to Aunt Thea?”
Oh Jack please…. I begged within me.
Angel erupted in laughter. This was fun to him but I did want to hear what he had to say.
” It all depends on your aunt Thea.” He said looking at me. I rub the back of my neck as I saw everyone watching me with hopeful eyes. The couple wanted a marriage between Angel and I as bad as Jack did.
“That’s enough questions for tonight jack. Enjoy your food.” Lea said trying not to make me feel more uncomfortable.
I survived dinner hoping Jack wouldn’t ask another question. Angel seemed to have even more interest in my face or something on my face because he wouldn’t just look away.
After dinner Angel took me for a stroll in the compound. It was a little weird after Jack’s question during dinner. I waited for him to say something but he wouldn’t say anything. He seemed to just enjoy being with me.
I rubbed my shoulders feeling a little cold that was when Angel spoke.
“You seem cold?” He said touching my sweater. “This isn’t thick enough.” He said looking at me with concern.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“No, I’ll go get you something thicker okay? Just wait here for me.” He said and left. I felt lonely instantly, I should have insisted he stayed but then Angel suddenly came back and I looked at him curiously. He pulled me in and kissed me unexpectedly. I blinked without saying anything. That was random but then I leaned forward, wrapped my hand around his neck and kissed him even more.
“I love you Thea.” He said and smiled at me. I smiled back then he tried to let go of my hand to return to get the sweater but I held on longer.
He finally left and I sat at one of the blocks in the field. I thought about what Jack said at the dinner and remembered how Angel was with the little boy. It made me love him even more, he looked so good with Jack and I could just tell how he would have been with our child. The thought made my heart leap for joy but when I thought on the side of reality my smile died down a little.
My mum would never forgive me for falling in love with Angel. She’d never approve of my relationship with him. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him but with everything that had happened recently and the unresolved case with Sparrow, I just didn’t think it was the right time for us to settle down.
I wanted to be happy and not have to worry about anything when the time came.
While I was in my thoughts, I noticed for the first time that someone was yelling in the distance. I stood up and moved closer that was when I saw an older man yelling at a teenage girl whom I believed should be his daughter or not. He pushes the girl such that she almost fell and I startled. I got alert but still watched from a distance to figure out the situation. I wanted to go to them but the girl suddenly looked in my direction. I wasn’t sure but her eyes looked teary making me disturbed. She shook her head as if asking me not to intervene then she left.
Angel came just right after and I missed the first time he called my name.
“Thea.” He called again startling me. He walked in front of me glancing behind to see what I was looking at.
“Are you okay? What are you looking at?” He asked and I withdrew my gaze to look at him. I shook my head and forced a smile.
“Nothing.” I said and took the sweater from him to wear. I couldn’t help but think, maybe I should have known what was going on because the interaction I witnessed earlier was quite disturbing.