Chapter 13

**Angela's POV**

Paul and I drove in an envelope of drowning silence. I saw him move his shoulders and then heard him clear his throat. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I felt his gaze flicker on me and I bit my lip. Did this have to be so uncomfortable?

“So, I uh- I never asked, but are you married?” It was the worst question to ask but I was desperate to end the awkwardness. Paul shot me a confused gaze and I knew he also hadn’t expected me to ask that.

“Actually...”

Oh shit! What if he was married? How I would I take that?

“Angela?” I snapped at attention to my eyes melded with his.

“Yes.” I countered and he eyes me suspiciously.

“I was just saying that I am not married, but you already asked me that earlier, remember?”

“Oh?” Was I relieved? How did I forget I had asked him that already?

“We’re here.” He announced and I peered out the window, my heart doing summersaults.

We were at a small restaurant, the same one he and I had our first kiss in. I immediately began to panic. My breath growing labored. This was definitely NOT a good idea. There were too many memories floating between us. Too much happiness and despair.

He came around the car. I didn’t even notice when the door was pulled outwards and he held out his hand to me. I eyed it hesitantly, reflexively I swallowed hard.

“Angela, it’s alright.”

I stared up into a pair of warm honey-colored orbs and felt myself relaxing. I put my hand in his and I saw him smile.

One of those things I used to adore about him.

He led me in and we found our usual table; away from everyone.

**Brad’s POV**

“Brad!” My eyes slowly moved from its fascination on the floor to the woman standing in front of me. I hadn’t even noticed when she opened the door.

She shifted slightly and I eased past her, indoors. I shrugged off my jacket and made my way to the living room. I had been here countless times.

“I didn’t know you were coming to visit! It’s been a while.” She pouted, and I rolled my eyes.

After all this time you would think Rose would know that I pity no one, and I hated when she tried to make me feel remorse as if our relationship meant something.

“I come as I please, you know this,” I responded tightly.

She sat closer to me, her eyes expectant but I hadn’t come here for that. I needed...

What did I need? Why did I come here when all I wanted was to be at home with Angela?

“Paul. Does the name mean anything to you?” I questioned, my gaze fixed on the television. I hadn’t a clue what was showing. I didn’t indulge in such...pleasures.

From the corner of my eye, I measured her expression. She appeared quite lost and I sighed. I should have known she would be useless.

“I don’t think so. Do I know him?” She questioned as she skated closer, her hand coming to trail the outline of my face.

I grabbed hold of her hand and shot her a warning glare and her hand fell at her side.

“I can’t say but he knows Angela.” I saw her eyes light up in recognition; she stared off a smile entering her lips.

“Paul. Yes, I think I know who you mean. He was Angela's boyfriend in high school.” She answered, not at all questioning of my motives.

“Boyfriend?” My voice was a breathless growl. She went out with her high school boyfriend!

“Yeah! Paul was not very popular in high school but he was one of the most brilliant of the kids there, and very handsome too. Well if you’re into slender, sweet, glasses-wearing guys.” She chatted on and I continued to listen.

“He was the perfect gentleman and girls were crazy for him. He was a bit of a womanizer but when he met Angela he liked her.” She was blabbing. I would probably tell her to shut up but I was curious to know this.

“How did they meet?” I questioned, she appeared pensive for a second, and then her eyes lit up childishly but not in a way I would find attractive.

“Oh! I remember!” She shouted and I clenched my fists at my side.

“Angela began working at this restaurant close by here that his family owned. Incidentally, she was carrying orders over to a table he was sitting at with one of his...flings.” She rolled the word around in her head and realized it was appropriate.

“The girl, Casey I believe her name was, tripped her and she fell. The rest is history. Paul helped her, said goodbye to Casey and every other girl after he saw Angela and after a couple of months they were a couple and continued to be one all through university.”

“What happened between them?” I had to ask, what made them drift apart?

“Well, I am not sure but I do know that Paul proposed to her. The details are sketchy, but from what I heard she turned him down and married you.”

Turned him down? They were in a relationship when she agreed to marry me? Why didn’t she say something? Why did she forsake her happiness?

These thoughts raced and exploded in my brain. Despite it all. Was I angry she had deceived me? Or was I affected because he had her love? I couldn’t grasp what I felt, perhaps it was just my pride being wounded.

All the while I hadn’t noticed when Rose located at the back of me, she snaked her arms around my neck. I felt my body tense, I felt the assault of her breath at my ear and I knew what she was playing at.

“Stop.” I commanded but she proceeded to bite my ear and I growled in anger a sound I was sure she mistook for my acceptance.

“I said, stop.” My voice harsher than she expected and I felt her draw away. I lightly rose from where I was seated and rotated to face her.

“I don’t want you, Rose. I am leaving now,” I ignored her horrified expression walked to the door, and pulled it open.