The next chapter is the Epilogue.
"You look stunning," Emma said. Her eyes were glassy as she got emotional looking at her baby dressed in a wedding gown ready to enter her new life. "Mom," the girl hugged her mom lovingly as Emma smiled sadly. She was happy but sad at the same time because Angela and Luca would be living in San Francisco rather than in the packhouse with them. Angela has dreams to fulfill and Luca would support her through thick and thin. Emma said she needed to see the arrangements as she left her room. Everyone was busy with the work which left her alone. Angela stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was donning a beautiful white gown, just like that of a princess. Her hair was in a neat bun, elegant makeup, and she looked extremely beautiful. She wondered if Luca would like it or not. The girl was still admiring her reflection when she heard a heavy thud and her eyes snapped on the window. Angela's jaw slacked, finding Luca dressed in his perfect black tux standing near the window immo
10 years later. "Mom, I can't find my cap," Levi yelled from his room. "It's in the second drawer on the left," Angela clamored from the kitchen. "I can't hear you, Mom," He screamed from his room. "You're done for if I find it for you!" She hollered back kneading the dough. "Go, help him. I'll look after this," Daphne said as Angela passed her a thankful smile, washed her hands, and hurried to her son's room. Angela stepped inside only to gasp when she found his room turned upside down. He didn't just do that. "Levi, what have you done?" She was on the edge as the little devil shrugged his shoulders. "I told you I couldn't find it," he said with a pout staring up at his mom. "How old are you?" she asked, tapping her foot patiently on the floor with her arms crossed over her chest. "Eight." "Why does your room look like a five-year-old kid's?" "Are you indirectly insulting me, mom?" She narrowed her eyes at him. Angela stomped over the cupboard, she retrieved the c
"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
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