Chapter 438 - Wedding Rehearsal Dinner (M&H) (3)

Roberto cleared his throat and straightened his posture before calling: "Angela?"

Angela turned toward the voice and met Roberto's smile.

"I am Roberto, Mia's half-brother and your partner for the walk down the aisle. I thought it will be nice to introduce myself in advance."

Angela relaxed at his words. Ever since she realized that Derek is present, she was unusually tense, and she even turned away from him in order not to risk looking in his direction.

She told herself that Derek's proximity should not matter. Other than kissing and some touching here and there, nothing happened, and she needs to shake it off. Sure, she is inexperienced, but she is not a child and she needs to get a grip on herself and stop acting like a baby whose favorite toy was broken. Bad things happen and some relationships are not meant to be. Actually, she should be grateful to him because Derek stopped her from making the biggest mistake of her life. At that time, her mind was clouded by lust and the intensity of feelings she never experienced before, and if he didn't speak at that moment, they would end up having sex, and finding out that he only wanted a one-time thing after the deed was done, would be devastating... so all in all, it ended well.

Angela is aware of all that, but the knowledge that she and Derek are sharing the same space made her insides jittery and she balled her hands into fists with the hope that no one can see that she was anxious. Stupid nerves!

Angela blankly observed Roberto's hand that he offered for a handshake and it took her a few seconds to register that he introduced himself and that she should respond. "I am Angela."

Roberto's smile increased when she shook his hand. She looked sweet from the distance, but now that he can see her up close, she is smoking hot. Angela is definitely his type compared to Andrea who is observing them from the side.

Out of politeness, Roberto shook hands with Andrea as well and he was relieved when Andrea left to talk to Brianna and Quentin who just arrived, leaving Roberto and Angela behind.

"Are you related to the newlyweds?", Roberto asked Angela.

"No, I'm just a friend."

Roberto showed his charming smile. "Good. It would be a pity if we are related. Can I offer you a drink?"

Angela had nothing better to do, and Roberto seemed friendly, so she nodded and they moved toward the table where beverages were arranged.

"I don't know what drinks are available, but I would like to try that punch.", Angela said to Roberto.

"If something you want is not here, we can go to the bar and order a custom drink.", Roberto offered while gesturing toward the direction of the bar. The problem was that Derek, Hunter, and Jake were in that direction.

Angela refused. "Punch is fine. If it's not good, then I will think of other options."

"Sounds good. So… do you live in Seattle?", Roberto started small talk while pouring them a glass of punch each.

Angela confirmed. "This is my fourth month here. I grew up on my family's farm and I came here to continue my studies. Right now, I'm working to save money and preparing for entrance exams…"

Roberto paused. "Entrance exam for studies? So, how old are you, eighteen? Nineteen?"

Angela smiled and shook her head. "This is my second year of break after high school. I will be twenty-one this year."

Roberto grinned. Eighteen is not so young for him who is twenty-one years old, but he prefers that the girls he mingles with are twenty and above, just in case. He does not want to risk being with an underage girl and get in trouble.

…

The practice walk down the aisle took twenty minutes because Madeline made them start over and over again until it was perfect (in her opinion).

Everything was thoroughly recorded by the only official photographer for the wedding and the wedding rehearsal dinner: Zack. Zack became the best photographer at Reynolds Media. When Bri asked Mia what she wants as a wedding present, Mia remembered a blooming photographer who snapped some fabulous shots of them in Hawaii and she knew that he is working for Reynolds media, so she asked Bri if she can have him. After all, both Mia and Hunter are loaded, so assets or anything that can be bought with money is not very appealing. However, a professional photographer in whom they can trust not to leak the photos to the highest bidder is priceless. That is how Brianna and Quentin gifted Zack (his services) to Mia and Hunter for the wedding, the rehearsal dinner included.

Fabricio glanced at Penny who was observing from the side. Fabricio was here for security, happy that Mia accepted him and that she didn't make a fuss because he brought Penny with him.

Ever since Mia came with Hunter for the first time to introduce him as her boyfriend, Fabricio noticed that Mia disliked Penny and since then, Penny would always stay out of Mia's way when Mia visited. However, since the incident when an unknown woman (aka Irene) called to place a hit on Liz, Mia was more accepting not only toward Fabricio but toward Penny as well. Who knows, maybe they can be a family? Fabricio hoped that will be the case, soon.

Angela did her best to focus on the girls, her steps, and she didn't even look at Roberto because Derek was always close by. She was focused on her shoes like they are the most interesting thing in the world.

Angela exhaled in relief when Madeline declared that they are good and they can stop practicing, and Angela was pleased that the seating at the table was not predetermined. She made sure to walk slowly and with the corner of her eye she saw where Derek sat before picking a seat as far as possible from him.

They all chatted in a friendly mood over dinner and Angela was focused on her food. Angela was happy that Roberto sat next to her because he chatted for both of them and no one noticed that she was silent. Well, a few people noticed, but no one called her out on it.

Derek was irked that Angela is not sparing him a single glance while giving all her time to Roberto.

At some point, Angela excused herself to go to the ladies' room.

"Let me go with you!", Mia said, as she overheard Angela telling Roberto that she will be back in a minute (it can mean only one thing: restroom).

Mia and Angela did their business and walked out in the hallway that connects restrooms to the private room of the restaurant.

The cloth-covered divider separates the hallway into two, one leading toward men's and the other one toward the women's restroom. It's an artistic touch to provide an illusion of privacy that extends beyond the restrooms.

Mia glanced around and stopped Angela from walking.

"So… you and my half-brother?", Mia asked teasingly while wiggling her eyebrows.

Angela denied it. "No. There is nothing like that. He is a nice guy, but that's it."

Mia didn't believe Angela. "Really? Why did you ask to switch partners then?" Mia noticed a change in Angela's expression and connected the dots. "I thought that you fancy Roberto, and that is why you wanted to pair up with him… but now I suspect that you wanted to avoid getting close to Derek."

Angela gulped softly while cursing her luck. Why did the biggest chatterbox figure it out? And everyone knows that Mia has a mouth with no filter.

"Please, don't tell anyone.", Angela said with panic in her voice.

Mia's eyes flashed in realization that she was right. "I was wondering what happened with that flirty mood from the hospital. To be honest, when I saw that both of you are so much into each other, I thought that you were doing great and that you will start dating." Mia spotted a flash of anguish in Angela's eyes. "What happened, Angie? Did the bastard hurt you?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Next to Bri and Liz, Mia is used to sticking her nose in other's business. She is not doing it out of malicious intent, but because she knows that a good girl-to-girl talk can have healing effects. And she is aware that Angela does not have anyone with whom to talk about this because Sabrina would probably tell Ashton, and all other people who are close to Angela are in Idaho.

"You need to talk about it with someone, Angie. Don't keep it in."

"There is nothing to say."

Mia was not willing to give up. "Angie, if I noticed, others will too. I can help you."

Angela pressed her eyes shut tightly while trying to suppress tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. She knew that Mia was right. She was dying to share her grief with someone in the hope that it will help speed up mending her broken heart.

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