Chapter 14

**Angela’s POV**

“What will you guys have?” the middle-aged waitress chimed as soon as we took our seats. Service here was always excellent. Paul and I exchanged looks and he replied.

“Can you give us five more minutes?”

The woman smiled politely and was quickly out of sight. We found ourselves gazing at each other once again; I gave him a tight-lipped smile and was gifted with one of his own.

This was going to be an awkward night.

My mind ran on Brad. Would he be alone? My stomach churned and a bitter taste overwhelmed my mouth. I hope he was. Sigh! Why did I even care who he was with?

“Angela?”

I snapped to attention. Paul eyed me suspiciously. How long was he trying to gain my attention? I suddenly became aware of the heat engulfing my hand. I glanced at the table; my hand was covered-with his.

It was an innocent enough touch but when I shot my attention to his face all I could see was images, old and now foreign. Things I thought my mind relinquished. It brought all the emotions of that night back. The night I rejected his proposal, the night I forsook him and any chance of our live together. I felt the tears pricking my eyes.

“I am so sorry, but this was not such a good idea.” I stammered through heavy breaths, I saw his features morph into pain...much like that night. I pulled my hand from under his and I was instantly on autopilot. My body moved faster than my mind and within seconds I was out the side door that led to an alley.

An alley that also held memories for Paul and I. As soon as the door closed behind me I slumped against the restaurant’s wall and attempted regulating my breath.

“Angela?”

The voice was far, muffled almost, nothing else was as loud as the beating of my own heart.

“Angela?” I gasped and averted my attention to Paul, his hand resting on my shoulder. His face a canvas of worry and hurt.

“I just...” I sniffed back the tears. “I-I”

My vision clouded and the river erupted. I felt myself being yanked and I collided in his chest. His arms encircling me in an embrace of pure comfort.

“It’s alright.” He soothed and the tears threatened to last forever. I knew he felt my body shaking but he held me closer, his fingers running through my hair.

“It’s alright.” He sounded and I took the chance to reduce all the emotions I bottled up. I cried for us and the life we were never allowed and then I cried for the non-life I had with Brad. A man who would never accept me, a man I could never please.



*********

My view was obstructed by the goliath that was my home—house. Darkness shrouded the insides, mimicking the reality. I grew tense. Foreboding gripped me. Was I scared to see Brad? Or was I terrified that he wouldn’t be at home?

I inhaled deeply, momentarily forgetting that Paul was sitting in the driver’s seat of his car. He was staring at my reaction, a reaction I let run freely. I immediately attempted to mold my expression, to cover up the way I felt.

“Are you alright?” He cooed and I snapped out of my reverie. Our eyes connected and I smiled lightly. One thing was for sure; I no longer loved Paul and he no longer cared for me with such intensity. Perhaps time really does heal all.

“I am. Thank you for tonight.” I was truly thankful. I needed time away from Brad and the thought of him not wanting me. I still hadn’t a clue why I cared. Perhaps my pride was the true victim here.

“Anytime. I hope we can do this again and perhaps by that time your husband may consider joining us.” What was that I saw? A glimmer in his eyes?

My eyebrows shot upwards impulsively. “What?” I hadn’t intended for my voice to reflect such harshness.

An amused sound reverberated from him and I grew annoyed. “You either don’t see it or perhaps it’s your pride clouding your judgment but I think you do care for your husband, subconsciously at least.”

It was my turn to laugh, but for some reason, I found no humor in it. “Are you insane? Our marriage was a forced and unwanted arrangement. Adoration was never part of the deal,” I stared at him squarely and he attempted to conceal his amusement.

“Maybe not, but it’s there nevertheless.”

I was transfixed. Did I care for Brad? No! That’s impossible. No one would care for someone who—who. Damn! I couldn’t even think of his offenses.

Were they offenses? We weren’t a couple, not in the conventional sense so was it wrong if he found his pleasures elsewhere?

I felt the sting of fire and my eyes flashed red. Of course, it was offensive! Why in God’s name was I trying to defend his actions? He hadn’t the right!

“Hey!”

I was interrupted by Paul once again. He raised a quizzical brow at me and I looked at him with mock anger. “I do not care for Brad, nor does he care for me.” I adopted my most convincing tone. But who was I really trying to convince? Paul? Myself?

“Well, if you say so.” He conceded but I knew he hadn’t swayed from his initial observation. I rolled my eyes at him and gripped the door handle. “Good night Paul and thank you.”

He smiled in response and soon enough I was at my front door. I slid inside and my feet guided me to the kitchen, in the darkness my eyes still hadn’t adjusted so I used my hands to guide me through. Entering the kitchen I searched the wall for the light switch.

My hand came to rest on something I was unfamiliar with, it felt like...hard muscle? My eyes widened. I gasped and I recoiled, a hand enveloped mine and held it securely. My eyes blurred and adjusted as the room filled with light.

I became absorbed by two familiar orbs. I swallowed hard. Damn he was so beautiful! I felt my heart beating against my chest, the intensity so profound I was worried it would rip a way out.

It dawned on me, he was holding my hand securely against his chest. I never thought it possible but my heart accelerated even more! This was too intimate a moment for us.