"I was looking forward to it," Emma's soft voice filtered through the phone as Angela breathed in deeply, closing her eyes for a brief second. It was always the hardest for her to break her mother's expectations like that.
"I'm sorry, mom. I was busy with the upcoming exams."
"I know but everyone was there except you. We missed you so much. I want to hug you; you know we all love you so much."
"Of course, mom. I love you all more. Don't worry, I'll give you a surprise visit as soon as I'm done with my exams. Take care of yourself."
"You too, Angela. Come back home soon."
Angela tossed her phone on the bed beside her and sighed staring at the ceiling.
That was tough.
Angela also wanted to go back home even for a little while, but she couldn't because of someone whom she detests with all her guts.
Luca Perez.
She still remembered that night as vividly as possible despite all her efforts to forget about it. Years passed and she had successfully maintained her distance from him.
Angela only ever visited the pack house when she was sure he wasn't around and was on some mission.
The last five years were nothing less than an unprepared ride on a wild roller coaster. Many things happened five years ago that made her end up so far away from her home, but it was not like that she hated it. She always wanted to move out of the pack house and live her life freely. She loved the new life she created in the bustling city of lights and thrills in San Francisco.
Her phone went off, she answered the call.
"Wanna go for the ride tonight?" Julian asked.
"How many riders?"
"The whole club is meeting for the late-night ride."
"Count me in."
"See you tonight," Julian dropped the call.
Julian was among the two of her male friends. She made acquaintances with him through the club rides.
Angela pulled to her feet and quickly hopped into the shower. She has two classes in the afternoon today.
Angela was pursuing a business degree at a top-notch university in the USA. She was on scholarship. The girl was excellent in her studies and was passionate about self-growth and achieving great success. She didn't want to stay behind her brothers in any way.
The place she lived in was nothing less than a luxury. Her father bought this place, especially for her. It was a cozy two-story Victorian house in an elite area. She lives alone in this big place, and sometimes it gets lonely, but she spends most of her time outside so loneliness doesn't bother her that much.
She had a maid who was specially hired by Emma. The maid was a middle-aged woman named Daphne and her job was to cook healthy food for Angela and keep the house clean. She arrives in the early morning and leaves in the afternoon. Angela just has to heat the food at dinnertime while they have breakfast together.
After showering she stepped into the kitchen and Daphne had already set the table with breakfast. Angela served herself and Daphne joined her. Angela had requested the lady to have breakfast with her and ever since then she always joins her for breakfast.
"How's your son?" Angela asked.
"He's fine. Doctors said he'll be discharged tomorrow."
"That's good.”
Daphne's son was met with an accident a week ago. Ever since then, he has been admitted to the hospital. Angela was the one who helped Daphne with the medical bills and the woman was so thankful to her.
After breakfast, Angela left for university.
"Angela!" Maeve yelled from the pathway as Angela parked her car in the parking lot and stepped out.
Maeve was the first and only female friend of Angela in her class. They were project partners and eventually ended up being besties.
"Please tell me you covered the last topic of our presentation," Maeve asked expectantly.
"I did," Angela said walking down the pathway to their department when suddenly a heavy arm draped over Maeve's shoulder, and she looked behind to find Milo grinning at them.
Her first meeting with Milo was awkward. He was running like a blind bull and crashed into her. She had a mini panic attack because he grabbed her arm to save her, and they toppled down. He panicked seeing her wheezing for breath when Maeve came to Angela’s aid. Milo apologized a hundred times whenever he saw her at the university, and they somehow became friends. He was tall with a lean build, blond hair, blue eyes, and a flirtish smile. She won’t deny it. He was a funny person and her adventure partner. He was dumbstruck when he found out Angela rides a bike and since then he dived deep into the biker club and bought his first bike. The three of them even celebrated that with his first cruise down the coastal road while Maeve sat behind Angela.
"Good afternoon, my little beans," Milo grinned, earning an elbow hook from Maeve. His smile was replaced with a painful frown as he touched his chest, bending forward and groaning in pain. "F*ck that hurts! What are you? A Wonder Woman. I hate your strength." He grumbled walking after them while Maeve grinned.
Milo was in the law department. Ever since their first meeting, Milo thinks she and Meave were his little beans in need of his protection.
"Then workout," Angela tossed the remark at him earning a roll of his eyes.
"I don’t need to work out. I can easily beat anyone. So, worry about yourself. I will meet you tonight." He said disappearing down the path to his department.
Angela and Meave took their classes. While heading back home Meave talks nonstop about the guy from the arts department who was her current crush. After dropping Maeve off. Angela went back home.
Her phone screen lit up with a message. It was from Hunter.
'Are you okay?' She frowned at his text.
'I'm fantastic. Why are you asking though? Everything cool?'
'I'm coming there to take you back home. There's a situation.'
Her eyes narrowed at the text and her heart dropped a little.
'No.' Just as she sent the text, her phone blared in silence.
Inhaling sharply, she answered the call.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"I'm coming there in a few days. I want you to be careful and stay at home for a while. I'll take you back home." Hunter said, his voice was calm, but the hint of worry was evident.
"I will not come back, and you know this."
"Don't argue, Angela. It's a serious matter-"
"Tell me what it is?"
"Stay at home and be careful. We’ll talk once I get there."
"Hunter-" He dropped the call as she scowled at her phone.
Changing her clothes she jogged to her gym. She still trains every day to stay strong. After the gym, she headed back home.
Stepping out of the shower she saw her bike suit on the bed when her phone lit up again. It was a text from Milo. 'Meet me at the bridge.'
Hunter didn't have to worry about her. She can protect herself. She wasn't a kid anymore. A trained fighter, she may be nineteen, but she was stronger than humans.
Angela put on her bike suit. Grabbed her helmet and phone and stepped into her garage where her black beast stood waiting for her.
A smile tugged on her lips as she donned her helmet and got on her bike. The roaring engine had the thrill of adrenaline flowing through her body. The excitement bubbled in.
Angela headed to the bridge where Milo was waiting and they both headed to the meet-up spot where all the riders were waiting for them.
She greeted everyone with a smile. She was one of the youngest riders in the club and they all adored her. Julian was the head of the club.
They all got on their bikes after a little meet and greet and next, they were all dashing down the road passing by the cars in a flash, Julian was in the lead.
Angela was grinning inside her helmet. Moments like these were the ones where she felt so free and happy.
Soon they were speeding down the road. Two members of their club did daily vlogging and their channels were all about bikers. So, they often did the wheelie and other stunts while the others recorded them. It was always fun. Angela had also started her channel recently and it was thriving beautifully. She didn’t reveal her face and still her followers were increasing. She even started generating income. Milo was her cameraman, and he was amazing at it.
She passed by a McLaren and within seconds McLaren overtook her. She faintly noticed the guy in the car. It was obvious he wanted a race. Angela never backs down from a challenge so she gave him what he desired.
She leaned forward, bracing herself as she increased the speed and zoomed past the car. She was grinning like a fool. But she noticed a girl sitting in the passenger seat of that car, so she slowed down and let that dude win. Julian zoomed past her touching the top of his helmet and she slowed down. That was their code which meant cops ahead. The last thing she wanted was to be pulled over by cops.
They rode for an hour before they decided to head back. They were cruising down the road near the coast. The place she loved the most. She had removed her helmet, her hair was up in a ponytail. Milo and Julian were talking and goofing around behind her when suddenly a sleek black car stopped right in front of her out of nowhere.
She didn't have enough time to pull the brakes as her bike struck the front of that car and she came crashing down.
Angela grunted in pain as all the bikes pulled over behind, Milo coming to her aid but she was already on her feet. Thanks to the suit she wasn't bleeding except for the small cut on her forehead as a few droplets of blood trailed down her eyebrow and temple.
Angela glanced at her bike which was now spotting great injuries that struck straight to her heart. Her eyes darted to the car, and she stormed over to it, Milo right behind her. Angela banged on the window of the driver.
"Are you f*cking blind?" She roared and when the person made no move to step out, she punched the side mirror of the car breaking it.
A fleeting second passed and the door opened. She stepped back ready to throw a verbal fight when her voice got caught in her throat.
Her eyes met with those familiar cold steel grey hues and for a second, she was blank and clueless as she gaped at him.
Her lips parted on their own accord. "Luca."
Past. 5 years ago... "I'm tired. Let me breathe for God's sake." Angela sprawled down on the ground staring at the sky that was dousing in an orange hue of glorious sunset. "You're slacking off," Kevin said, his hands resting on his hips while he glared down at her. "Get lost!" She growled, turning around so her face was buried in her arms while her back was to him. "You're all bruised up and you haven't landed a single punch on Nolan." Kevin pointed out. Angela sat up straight as she glared at him. "Look at him and then me. He's a freaking Gorilla who is ridiculously fast. I'm only training for three weeks. What do you expect from me? I swear to God you make my blood boil." She gritted, pissed at him. Her whole body ached, and she felt like she'd die any second. "You should take a break for today," Nolan said. Kevin disapproved. Angela kicked the back of his leg causing him to fall on his knee as he pinned her with a murderous glare. "You, little devil. Be nice to
Present... "Get in the car," his voice had a raspy blunt quality, an authoritativeness that bleeds out with every word. "W... What?" She stammered, dumbfounded. Angela didn't know how to function. This was the last thing she expected to happen after how hard she was trying never to see him again. "Have you lost your hearing?" Surprise slowly dwindled, and her eyes narrowed at him. His tone was the same as usual, ticking her off. "Not yet but you're making my ears bleed," She retorted sharply. It was subtle but his eyes darkened, there was a slight tick in his jaw other than that he seemed unfazed. She wondered how he knew she was there but recalled how easy it was for him to track her down. Luca took a step forward when a hand grabbed her jacket, and she was pulled behind Milo who now stood between Angela and Luca. Julian came to her aid as well. "You deliberately hit her with your car." Milo rumbled. Luca wasn't even looking at Milo. It was absurd how tall and h
Past. 5 years ago... Angela's whole body ached as she stood alone in the chilly weather on the training grounds. The sky was still dark. She couldn't even get proper sleep because of that damned man. She used to take a day off from training if her body hurt this much because of the last sparring but today she couldn't do that because of her jerk of a trainer. What did he think of himself? Just because he was huge and had colossal strength, he expected her to be the same as him. She was young and still trying her best. What did he expect? Angela shifted her weight from one foot to another. The cool breeze swept past her hair as she breathed slowly rubbing her arms. Thank God, she was wearing a hoodie otherwise she would've frozen to death by now. She glanced at the time, and it was 5:15. He was late. His audacity to command her to be on time and didn't even bother to show up on time. Last night after tending to her wounds she called Hunter and fought with him. She co
Present... "So, you're her bodyguard?" Angela heard Daphne's voice as she was walking down the stairs. "Sort of. I'd rather not call myself her bodyguard but unfortunately, I am for now." His deep voice sounded gruff and thick as if he had just woken up. Angela slowed down her flight down the stairs so she could eavesdrop more on the conversation. "Are you, her family?" Daphne asked. It wasn't Daphne's fault that she was asking so many questions. That woman has an inquisitive nature and she always interviewed all of Angela's friends to make sure the girl was surrounded by good people. And Daphne has excellent observing skills. She often reads people like an open book. "Not blood related but we grew up together at the same place." "How old are you, young man?" "I'll be turning 30 in about two months." "Oh, you must think of Angela like your little sister." Daphne smiled. Angela poked her head inside and watched how Luca frowned. Even Angela was scowling. From w
Past. 5 years ago... "You don't have to be so rude." She countered glaring up at him as her eyes turned misty. How dare he yell at her like that? Her father and brothers never scolded her. Who did he think he was? "Your non-serious attitude is pissing me off," He gritted lowly. He was standing in her personal space. But she didn't care, Angela leaned forward glaring up at him. "Don't yell at me." They both maintained eye contact and the way he glared at her with that ruthless look had her taking an involuntary step back. "D... Don't scare me like that." She said in a small voice blinking desperately so as not to cry and show him that he scares the living daylight out of her. Luca closed his eyes for a brief second and stepped back. Giving his back to her he raked his fingers through his hair and inhaled deeply to control his temper. "You're done for the day. Leave. Be on the training grounds at 5 tomorrow." He said in his rough voice. Angela didn't wait a s
Present... Angela gaped at his massive shoulders as he dragged her from there. Her eyes narrowed and she tried to free her wrist. Angela didn't think of the consequences at all. This was Luca she was dealing with. She should've thought about the aftermath, but she didn't. It completely slipped her mind. But it wasn't like he could hurt her or anything. She didn't understand the fear that began to coil in the bottom of her belly. "Let go of me," She demanded tugging at her hand, but his hold was ferocious to the point she was sure he would bruise her skin. If Angela weren't drunk, she would've fought him tooth and nail but at that moment she couldn't fight him. "You're hurting me," She clawed at his hand and his hold on her loosened. Angela didn't wait a second before she freed her hand and dashed in the opposite direction. She hurried to the back door and stepped out, inhaling the cool air deeply. A loud gasp left her lips when a hand appeared behind her and cla
Past. 5 years ago... Her brows scrunched in her sleep as she slowly blinked her eyes open. A groan left her lips feeling the wild pounding in her head. She rubbed her temples to ease the pain as she closed her eyes. "Ugh, what the hell?" She groaned. Angela had never felt such an immense headache in her life. Her head felt so heavy. Angela turned to the side and placed the other pillow on her head. If only she had more time, she would've slept the whole day, but Luca would kill her for being late for training. With much difficulty, she sat up straight and rubbed her temples. Angela blinked her eyes open to look at the clock and her eyes almost popped out of her sockets in shock. It was 11 in the morning. How did she sleep all this time? Her alarm didn't go off. What in the world was happening? Angela stepped out of bed in a hurry only to wince as she closed her eyes tightly and paused. Luca was going to kill her. She was sure of it. He'd made her train for 24
Present... Just as their lips touched, she pulled back, dropping to the balls of her feet. Angela blinked at him muddled. "I think I've kissed you before. It feels like Deja vu," She mumbled, touching her lips. "So, you remembered," He rasped. Eyes darker than ever and jaw clenched. He looked mad. "Remember what?" She slurred, cluelessly. "That you kissed me 5 years ago when you were drunk. It was your dare," He breathed. Her eyes lit up and she blushed, pressing her fingers on her lips and looking up at him with those big sparkling eyes. "Of course, I remember it but you don't need to know that. It was so embarrassing. I still couldn't believe I wasted my first precious kiss on a cold emotionless jerk like you," She grumbled huffing in annoyance. The muscles in his jaw feathered as he glared at her. "Jerk?" His deep voice sounded clipped, icy. "Yeah, of course, you're a jerk. Listen Luca and listen well," she said, stepping closer to him as s