Past. 5 years ago... "I'm so excited," Angela beamed joyously. "Me too," Ella squealed. "Me three," Emily clapped her hands. Ella and Emily were Violet's younger half-sisters. These girls were the most adorable on this planet, and their sass was out of the charts. "We'll swim in the pond," Emily said. "For sure," Angela winked at the little girl. Violet ensured they got all the stuff they needed for the picnic. "You guys are being a third wheel for no reason. I just wanted to spend some time with Violet," Lennox sulked. "You took her on a dinner date just last night. Such a simp," Ella said, earning a chortle from Angela and Lennox narrowed his eyes at the little girl. "So what? She is my wife." "And she's our sister," Ella retorted. "Okay. Okay. No fighting. Let's get in the car," Violet said and they all settled in. Angela took the back seat along with the girls as she checked the messages from her mom when Lennox pulled over to the side and stepp
Present... Angela woke up with a heavy pounding on her head. She groaned and lay on the bed, trying to recall last night. Her head felt so freaking heavy. She rarely drank but last night she wanted to feel free and enjoy herself. That was why she drank. She wondered who dropped her home. Probably Maeve and Milo. She snuggled more into the pillow feeling her body relax. Blinking her eyes, she glanced at the clock and groaned in annoyance. She had classes in the afternoon. She groggily sat up on the bed and stared at nothingness, a bit dazed. Her head was throbbing badly, she hated this pain but still, she liked to drink once in a while. Angela stared down at her clothes. "Jesus, how did I even sleep in this?" She mumbled to herself, staring down at the dress. Pulling to her feet she winced because of the headache. Angela shimmied out of the dress and laid out her clothes on the bed. She was roaming in her room butt naked. Pouring herself some water she chu
Past. 5 years ago... Angela glanced at Luca who stood a couple of feet away from her. His eyes were void and cold. Not a hint of a smile on his face. She just landed two blows on Nolan today, despite how fast the man was and yet there was little to no appreciation from Luca. Nolan appreciated her, and even Kevin gave her a thumbs up, but Luca didn't seem satisfied. He tipped his head at Nolan who walked away. Luca stepped closer to her and stared at the number of bruises on her. "Landing a punch isn't a success when you look like this. You were so into having a hit on him that you presented yourself on a silver platter for him to hurt you, if it were the enemy, you would've been dead by now," he said looking somewhat furious. "Okay," she said in a small voice, and she noticed how surprise flashed in his eyes because she never listened to him before and just now, she didn't counter back with a sassy response so of course he'll be surprised. "Are you following the die
Present... His hand reached out. Luca grabbed her throat in a tight hold and jerked her closer. Her fragile hands landed on his chest as she tried to pull back. Her eyes snapped up to meet his dark gaze as flecks of copper swirled in his grey hues. "Let go," she said. Angela grabbed his hand trying to free herself, but his hold was firm and a bit painful. "Why did you hit me?" He growled at her face causing her to flinch. Her heartbeat quickened and fear began to pool in the bottom of her belly as she tried to regulate her breathing. "Answer me," He roared when she stayed mum. Her bottom lip quivered as she looked up staring into his eyes. "B... Because you insulted me," She tried to tell him. "Am I lying?" He gritted. Tears gathered in her eyes as she tried to free herself from his hold. "D... Don't make me punch you again. Let me go-" Her lips parted, and a soundless gasp left her lips when Luca dived down and bit her neck. Hard. Her eyes widened, feelin
Past. 5 years ago... Angela ran out of the gym into the training grounds. Her heart was thumping in her ears as she tried to make a run for the palace, but luck wasn't on her side because out of nowhere Luca blocked that way causing her to stumble back. Her wide eyes gaped at him in horror. He recovered too soon. He was still at some distance from her but if she didn't make a move now, he'd catch up to her. Angela pivoted on the balls of her feet and made a blind dash into the woods. She ran with all her might. Her heartbeat skyrocketed to a reckless pace. The darkness of the night spread around her like a choking grasp. It didn't feel like a play anymore. At that moment she genuinely felt she was being chased by an enemy who was thirsty for her blood. She was scared out of her wits but adrenaline buzzing through her veins urged her to keep going. If she could escape from him and get back to the palace safe and sound maybe she'd be able to rub this fact in his face. He'd
Present... Angela sat on the window couch, hugging her knees to her chest as she gazed at the moon. She couldn't sleep. She tried to but failed miserably because her mind was occupied by the person who was turning her life upside down despite all her efforts to keep distance between them. Touching her lips she felt their swelling. It wasn't just a kiss. He was eating her alive. A shudder scraped the back of her neck recalling his rough hands, those hungry lips, his touch. Angela was scared. Kissing him in her drunk state was a completely different thing from what he had done to her earlier. Her legs were frozen, and they refused to budge from there as fear consumed her. She tried to fight him amidst the fear enveloping her heart, but it was too much. The feeling, the heat, the moment. It was difficult for her to stop herself, despite all her efforts she couldn't help but respond to the kiss. The thing she never thought she'd do in her wildest of dreams. Angela kn
Past. 5 years ago... Angela woke up fresh and energetic. She was on cloud nine because of Luca's praise last night. She freshened up and was getting ready for the training when she recalled that he had given her a day off. Angela jumped joyously while throwing punches of happiness in the air. It was weird that she was so happy about just a small recognition. It might be a small thing but for her it was humongous. She never expected that he'd ever praise her. She somehow knew no matter how hard she worked he'd only ever criticize her because of his animosity to her but it felt like that emotion was slowly fading away. The old Luca who was carefree and cool might be coming back. She was so happy that she made him smile twice that sleep abandoned her, and she kept seeing his smiling face on a loop. It was absurd but as she scrolled through her phone she would come across suits, shoes, or even the models and she compared them to Luca and even imagined Luca in those clot
Present... Harrison's eyes widened for a second as they snapped to Angela in surprise. She breathed in deeply, nodding her head. "Harrison, meet Luca. He's my bodyguard for now," she said, donning a courteous smile. Harrison walked over to Luca and held his hand out. Luca glared at his hand before meeting his gaze. He deliberately got to his feet to intimidate Harrison, but Harrison was as tall as him. Luca shook his hand firmly using strength, but Harrison didn't flinch or show any signs of pain except for his lips sealed in a thin line. "I'm Harrison Walker, thanks for protecting her. I can take care of her now, so don't worry," Harrison said calmly. Luca's eyes darkened. "I'll be right here, don't mind me," Luca said in a clipped tone not liking how Harrison gave him an innuendo to go and leave Angela with him. "Very well," Harrison said and came to sit opposite Angela. They went through the menu card as a waiter approached them to take their orders. They gave th