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Angela had a feeling that he wasn't really talking about the frog spell she cast on him earlier. But she didn't want to get ahead of herself.

Why did this man get to be so dreamy? If another man said that line, she would probably irk, but not for Gael, nope. It was as if everything he says automatically becomes brownie points for him. Wasn't she being a little too biased? She snorted in her head. It's not as if there were any other guys to compare him to at the moment.

His arm holding her in place was comfortably warm—she wished that it would continuously be there—that he'd never leave her side. That would be too selfish of her, wouldn't it?

A string of laughter from across the room caught their attention. They turned their heads and found both Samantha's brother and Daniel's brother talking about their recent trip to Barbados. They had a horrible yet entertaining experience in one of the beach bars and clubs there. Most of the guests in the party were drawn towards the chatter, making the others curious.

Gael pressed a kiss to her temple and told her, "Let's go join them. We're here for the party, after all."

The two headed towards the living room. All of the chairs and sofas had been occupied, so they chose to stand near the fireplace where it was warmer. The cliffside villa was the only house within a couple of miles and its breathtaking view from the tall glass windows even at night was the most iconic of it all—on top of its utmost privacy. The Chos valued their privacy a lot, and this was a perfect location to settle down. Gael scanned the room, and although this was a small party, it was enough. It made him wish to host one similar as this in the future—only he'd be doing it in his own house with his future family.

Angela's body shook as she laughed at something funny that Samantha's brother just said, the movement pulling Gael back to earth. He stood behind Angela with one arm around her shoulder while the other was around her waist, and she casually leaned against his chest. He didn't even realize that he was doing this until now, but he didn't hate it. Hugging her like this felt so natural.

She didn't seem to mind either as she allowed him to be this close despite having her family around. Telling her father they were dating was different from actually showing their affection in public. Just this knowledge alone encouraged Gael, so he tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her flower-scented hair. She turned to look at him and smiled, gently brushing the back of his hand as a response.

God, he wanted this. He wanted this so bad, it hurt. He couldn't explain the strange, heavy, and warm feeling in his chest—an odd combination that he didn't know how to process. Whatever this was, he decided to enjoy the moment.

Angela tilted her head up and whispered to him, "Your phone is buzzing."

Gael only realized it when she told him. He had it on silent mode but turned on the vibration for important calls. Checking his phone, the I.D. that read "Dad" flashed on the screen. His brows drew together as he planned to call his father in the morning. It was currently 9:30 p.m. in Esmea and 3:30 a.m. in Italy, so why was he calling him at this time? His father also had a weird sleeping schedule just like him, so he only hoped that it was nothing serious.

"I have to take this. I'll be right back," he told her before leaving the room to look for a quiet place to answer the call.

Their conversation only lasted for a few minutes. It turned out that his father woke up in the middle of the night and thought he'd check on Gael in case they wouldn't have the chance tomorrow. His father, Alessandro, wanted to fly here for the meeting with the Morellis, but one of his brothers was terminally ill. So they assured him they could handle the matter themselves. After all, Gael was the previous underboss, and Giovanni was the current.

After some reminders and well wishes, they ended the call. Gael didn't want to think about what they had to do tomorrow, but his father's phone call only made him dread what's going to happen. As much as possible, he wanted to forget about it for now and deal with the inevitable tomorrow. Taking a deep breath, an image of Angela flashed in his mind.

He went back to the living room and found the spot he left her empty. "She just went to the bathroom upstairs," muttered Samantha as she passed by him. He thanked her and sprinted up the flight of stairs.

Angela had just opened the bathroom door and was about to step out when Gael pulled her back inside, closing the door behind them. "What are you doing?" she chuckled.

"I've wanted to do this all night," he whispered, diving in to kiss her neck.

"Mm… We're gonna get caught," she warned but instantly looped her arms around his shoulders anyway.

"I don't really care."

He trailed kisses upward until he claimed her lips, slowly backing her against the wall. 

"Well, I do." She reluctantly pulled back, just enough to put a distance between their lips, but close enough to feel the warmth of his breath. "I actually like this family, and I want to be able to come back here without them thinking I dirtied their bathroom."

Gael pressed their foreheads together and let out a sigh. "Why do you have to be so sensible at this moment?"

Angela laughed, grazing her lips against his. "Trust me… This is not easy for me."

He kissed her again, a little deeper this time, then told her, "Let's go. I'll drive you home."

His house was closer than her place from here, but he thought that if they spent the night together again, it was better to leave her apartment the next day than drive her home from his.

They descended the stairs and bid the Cho family goodbye, then Angela told her brother and father that Gael was taking her home. Chairman Su handed a card to Gael, and she knew exactly what it was—an invitation to the Su family's party on the 23rd of December, which was two days from now. 

"Angie said she didn't need a date, but I'd like you to come this Sunday," said Chairman Su.

"Dad." Angela stared at her father for putting pressure on her and Gael. She hadn't decided whether she'd invite him yet, and she didn't want him to feel he had to. The Su clan was not an easy bunch.

"Thank you, Charlie. I'll be there," responded Gael without hesitations.

***

It was half past ten in the evening when Gael parked the car in the basement level parking of Angela's apartment building. They took the elevator going up to her floor, holding hands as they did.

Reaching their floor, they stepped out and headed to her unit while talking about what usually happens during a party with the Su Clan. She was describing a few of her aunts as they passed by the new neighbor's apartment when they heard the sound of a glass shattering and yelling inside, causing her to flinch. They looked at each other as they momentarily paused, but Gael urged her to keep walking.

"Let's not get into their business," he said as they arrived at her doorstep.

She nodded. While she punched in the code to her door lock, she suddenly realized, "Oh, I think I left my purse in your car."

"I'll go get it. Go inside and lock the door. Don't answer to anyone except me." Gael disappeared as soon as she was inside her apartment.

Angela thought she'd wait for him, but she felt sticky and wanted to freshen up. However, she had to ring him once he comes back so she had to wait. Biting her bottom lip, she decided to do something that she'd never done before with the men she'd dated in the past, causing her heart to race. After contemplating, she sent him a text message.

Just as Gael retrieved her purse from his car, his phone buzzed. He whipped it out of his pocket, and a gorgeous smile brightened his face when he read her message.

[ Angel: I need to have a quick shower. Just let yourself in when you're back. ]

The next message contained her passcode.

He had to pause for a minute just to take in what this meant. Angela was a private person, only sharing things selectively, making him think that she didn't really trust him fully—which was understandable. He liked that she was careful even though he so badly wanted her to depend on him. So her trusting him with her security meant so much.

Gael gripped the phone in his hand. He didn't know why he felt a bit nervous as he headed back to her place to see her. What should he say to her? Despite himself, he thought, 'Don't worry, Angel. I'll protect you no matter what.'