The smile that's growing on Angela brightened her face. She turned towards the railing of the balcony and leaned against it, looking over the view of the Mayne City below her. Nina's apartnt was on the sixteenth floor.
"You didn't have to call. You must be so busy," she said.
"Not too busy for you. I'll always have ti."
"Are you…working?"
"Yeah… Sort of."
A soft knock could be heard from the other line and so shuffling. She couldn't tell where he was at the mont. Her best guess was that he was still in the car. "Sorry for disturbing you, I should let you go now."
"It's okay. Giovanni's outside the car. I have a minute to talk. Where are you?"
"At Nina's. You?"
"I'm a…out of town."
Angela could sense that he must be doing sothing he couldn't talk about, so she didn't ask any further questions. "Okay…"
"What did your friend say?" asked Gael.
She'd told him last night that she would talk to Nina today, so he was aware why she was here. "She's cool about it." She chuckled, glancing at the two won inside through the glass sliding door behind her that separated the balcony and the living room. "She said that you'll be dodging a bullet by not marrying her cousin."
"I would never. Even if she's the last woman on earth."
"Then she'll be disappointed. She said she'll be in New York tomorrow for her wedding dress."
"What?"
The surprise in his tone was evident. It was clear to Angela that Gael wasn't aware of this. Was Lauretta just making stuff up? Or did the De Lucas not know that she would go there?
"She said that? When did you talk to her?" he questioned.
"She's here." Angela cleared her throat and told Gael what happened before he called, including the phone call the woman received.
"Obviously, that isn't she's talking to. Oh, for the love of—" The sound of leather squeaking was heard from the other end of the line. His voice softened. "I'm sorry you had to see her."
She was quiet for a few beats as she mulled over what Lauretta said earlier. Her heart drumd in her chest when she contemplated whether to ask him or not. Cold wind blew against her and she shivered. "Is… Is it true?" she asked hesitantly.
"What is?"
"She said the wedding is in a month."
Gael didn't answer right away. It was as though he was being careful about what he was supposed to say. "They're trying to pressure us into doing it in a month. It's not what we agreed, but we couldn't be too lax either. It's why I've been busy these days. We're…doing the best we can, Angel. You still believe , don't you?"
Angela swallowed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she muttered, "Yes."
He exhaled a sigh of relief. "Then, that's all I need to know." Another knock sounded through the receiver and Giovanni's voice telling Gael to hurry up ca in. "You should go back inside. It's cold out there. I'll call you again tonight. "
"Okay. Take care, Gael."
"You too, babe."
When Angela stepped back inside the living room, Nina and Lauretta were arguing. Apparently, Nina snatched Lauretta's phone and spoke to the caller. It turned out that it was a woman on the other line—Lauretta's friend and Lauretta just wanted to show off. Angela caught them exchanging profanities at each other.
"So what? It's not like I'm the only one pretending around here. Right, Angela?" Lauretta asked, throwing Angela a mischievous look.
Angela returned Lauretta's stare, but instead of responding, she just looked at her.
Walking towards Angela, Lauretta kept a haughty smile on her face. "You don't strike as soone sly… But then again, I don't know you that well. Tell . How do you know Gael? Better yet—what's your relationship with him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Angela replied while keeping a straight face despite the raging blood inside her. How the heck did Lauretta know?
"Oh, cut the crap, Angie. I saw you two that night at the balcony."
Chill ran down Angela's spine, yet she tried to keep her expression looking unbothered. She didn't think Lauretta saw them that night. However, she didn't let it get to her. Slightly lifting her chin up, she wondered, "Oh, yeah? And what did you see?"
Lauretta shrugged. "You look so confident. Aren't you afraid of what I found out?"
"Why should I be afraid? I have nothing to hide."
"Oh, I don't know… Coveting soone else's fiancé doesn't look good on the young madam of Su Corporation. I wonder what your family would say if they learned that you're stealing my man."
"Stealing…" Angela repeated as if she's testing the word on her tongue. "Stealing ans you own… Are you telling you own him? Does he know that?" She chuckled. "As far as I rember, he clearly told you there's nothing romantic between you two. Or have you deluded yourself into thinking that you're living in so kind of fantasy?"
Lauretta cleared her throat, raising her chin and looking arrogant. "Nothing is impossible. Royalties get arranged marriages too and they fall in love. Doesn't matter. There's nothing you can do anyway. Our wedding has been set in stone. So if I were you, Angie… I'd stay the fuck away. You don't want to get in the way…"
Folding her arms under her chest, Angela stepped closer until they were face to face. Then a killer smile plastered on her face. "Is that a threat?"
"Maybe." Lauretta lifted a shoulder. "Just one word from and my family can—"
"Lauretta!" Nina warned.
Lauretta glared at her cousin and then turned to face Angela again, her voice hard and cold when she said, "Stay away from Gael."
Not backing down, Angela arched a brow as she gave Lauretta a once-over, the smile on her face widening. "Or what? Hm, Karen? "
Angela looked amused and it only angered Lauretta even more. Red colored the latter's face. She looked so pissed, it seed as though the vein in her neck would pop. "I swear, you—"
"Hey! Back off!" Nina stepped between the two won and placed her hands on her cousin's chest, stopping Lauretta from getting closer to Angela.
anwhile, Honey began barking at the woman who's being rude to her momma.
Lauretta's nose flared, her chest rising and falling as she breathed harshly. "You better watch your back, Angie… I've got my eyes on you."
"I'm flattered." Angela placed a hand on her chest. "I haven't had a female stalker before."
"Get off !" Glaring at Nina and Angela, Lauretta turned around and left the apartnt, slamming the door shut on the way out.
"Didn't she complain at the party when her father was setting her up? Look at how obsessed she is now. What if she tells them whatever she saw on the balcony?" Nina probed. She and Angela stared at the door with their brows knitted deeply.
Angela's mood got spoiled after her exchange with Lauretta. She didn't feel threatened, but she sure was pissed at the other. Part of her was worried that this might put Gael and his family in jeopardy. She decided to tell him about this later. "I don't think she has it in her. Besides, she would have already done that if she thought it would help her get what she wants. It's been days since the party… Sothing must be stopping her."
Nina let out a long sigh. "Let's just hope she wouldn't give you any trouble. We may be related, but I'm definitely on your side."
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