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Gael was pulled from his train of thoughts when Angela placed her hand on his thigh, stopping his movement. He met her eyes, and that's when he realized that Chairman Su had called his attention. "...I hope it's okay, we already ordered before coming to the restaurant. They have excellent food here, so anything you'd pick would be worth the experience," said the older man.

Ah. The menu. Gael received it from the staff and smiled at her father. "So I've heard." Then he slightly turned his head to her. "Angel. What do you suggest?" His voice softened.

She leaned towards him, her hand still on his thigh as her eyes perused the menu. He liked her hand there. It was warm... If she could just move it upward just a little—that would be great. 

"Hmmm… Spice flank steak with creamy gin sauce and watercress is Dad's favorite." Looking up to him, she curled her lips into a charming smile. "I think you will like it too."

Gael couldn't help but smile back. He closed the menu and told the waiter his order. "Then I'll take it."

"Ah." Vincent chuckled, a glass of red wine in his hand. "That night you set up three months ago, Charlie. I ordered the same dish for Angela, assuming it was her favorite. Turns out it was yours and I was mistaken. She didn't let go of it, thinking I was a know-it-all and decided to hate me since then."

"I don't hate you," Angela countered. "You were just...such a perfectionist. That's all. It's annoying, Vincent."

Chairman Su observed the banter. "Is that why you didn't want to agree on a second date with him?"

Vincent clicked his tongue. "Now, now, Charlie. We're not here to interrogate. But I must say...you raised a smart daughter for not putting up with me. I'd drink to that."

They chuckled as they drank their wine except for Gael who just learned about the date she had with Vincent three months ago. Tonight just kept sucking.

Angela must have sensed what he felt because she gave his thigh a gentle squeeze. They exchanged looks and smiles.

"Why are you so tense?" she whispered to him.

"I don't like that he's here," he muttered under his breath so that only she could hear his response.

She knew who he was referring to. Gently stroking his thigh, she told him, "Just ignore him. You're doing okay." 

Then Angela surprised him by pressing a kiss to his cheek. She probably thought it would help calm his nerves, but the feel of her lips on his skin just ignited something in him that he had to push down. 'It's not the place, nor the time. Down, boy,' he thought.

Chairman Su had been talking to Oliver and Vincent for a while. When dinner was served, he looked to Gael and commenced his questions. "So, Gael. What's your last name?"

"De Luca, Sir." Gael looked more confident with Angela being so good to him just now. Her kiss was like fuel to his body. 

Chairman Su nodded and spoke as he sliced the steak on his plate. "I think I've seen you somewhere, but I don't remember where. I don't think we have met before, though. You're not from around here, are you?"

"No, Sir. I was born in New York and then moved to Italy. It's only in recent years that I've visited Esmea."

"And your parents?"

Gael kept his stare leveled and neutral, answering Angela's father's questions as naturally as he could like he always did whenever he had to face people who didn't know about his real identity. Over the years, he had developed a close-to-the-truth story, so detailing his background became more manageable for him. 

"My parents were together for a while, but they weren't married when I was born, and my father had to leave. He wasn't in the picture while I lived with my mother and grandmother half of my life in New York. My mom was a nurse. She died of cancer when I was sixteen, and my father came to take care of me since my grandmother was elderly. Since then, I've been staying with him and his family in Italy."

"I'm sorry about your mother. Mine died of cancer too when I was a young boy." 

"Thank you, Sir. I'm sorry about yours."

They had something in common, and the way Chairman Su gave him that small smile told him that the other knew how difficult it was to lose a mother—they shared the feeling. 

"What does your father do?" Chairman Su asked, wanting to move on to his next questions.

"Our family is in the oil industry, and also real estates—mostly in New York, so I've been traveling back and forth over the years."

"Impressive. Are you following your father's footsteps? Going with the family business is quite a safe choice and also a feat."

Gael glanced at Angela when he felt her hand tighten ever so slightly. He placed it over hers as if to let her know that he was okay, and there was nothing to worry about. They laced their fingers together under the table and he turned his head to Chairman Su once again. 

"I'm currently working in the family business. I have been for a while, but I'm actually venturing towards another business of my own. I love my family, but I want to do something else." He wasn't lying...not really.

A look of fascination crossed Chairman Su as he put down his utensils and gave his attention to Gael. "What kind of business?"

"Well, I'm definitely still into real estate. Back in New York, I've spent a few years investing and reselling properties. Apart from that, I want to do something else. I haven't made huge steps yet, but I'm currently leaning towards maybe opening a restaurant somewhere."

He noticed Angela slightly leaning back, surprised by this revelation. He never mentioned it to her. 

Chairman Su wondered, "Are you a great cook?"

"I can't say I'm great. I'm definitely not a five-star chef, but I can whip up a good meal or two."

"Then why a restaurant?" Chairman Su looked at him curiously.

Gael smiled. "Angela told me your company is a real estate and a construction business, Chairman Su. She also mentioned your field is marketing. I don't think you need to personally be a carpenter or a construction worker to be successful, isn't that right? You already proved that yourself with your reputable company. I'm a finance graduate, and I know a lot of people who can make my plans happen. Does that answer your question, Chairman?"

There was silence at the table for a few beats before Chairman Su threw his head back laughing.

Angela and Oliver did not know what to expect from their father after what Gael just said. That was undoubtedly…something. 

After Chairman Su calmed down from his fit of laughter, he raised his glass of wine towards Gael and said, "I like you, Son. You're definitely smart and gutsy. Please, call me Charlie."

Gael took a deep breath as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He raised his glass and clinked it with Charlie's. 

After taking a sip of his wine, Angela whispered to his ear, "Oh, my god, my heart was about to leap out of my chest."

"Don't worry, Angel, I got you." He winked.