Chapter 496 - Coffee Has Spilled

Sunday — March 17

It was sunny outside today. Angela wished she could go out and enjoy the weather, but because of what had been happening lately—the threats and all that—she didn't even try to ask Gael if she could. Perhaps she could get some sun on the rooftop garden in a bit. Maybe he would be okay with that. It looked like Gael needed some air too.

Last night, after they put Giovanni to bed, Gael was sullen. He cleaned up his desk in the office and went to bed with her, trying to cool himself down from the frustration he'd had against his uncle. Angela didn't want to put any more stress on him, so she just lay with him in bed and hugged his side as they slept.

His mood seemed better in the morning. They showered together and made breakfast in the kitchen. Angela only observed Gael, thinking what she could do for him.

Then Giovanni came out of the guestroom. His face looked clean, and his hair was slightly damp and swept back as if he had washed up and then ran his fingers through his hair. He strolled out of the room with his coat in his hand, and the sleeves of his white dress shirt rolled to his elbows, a couple of top buttons undone, allowing some ink from his chest to peek out.

"Do you want some coffee?" Angela asked.

"Thanks. That would be nice," he answered in a hoarse voice as he took a seat on the stool at the breakfast bar.

She made him black coffee, knowing he preferred that, and set it in front of him.

Gael hadn't spoken a word since his uncle came out. He just leaned against the counter and folded his arms across his chest.

The air was thick in the kitchen, making Angela feel suffocated. She didn't want to be in the middle between the two men at that moment.

Not wanting to just stand there and do nothing, she plated a few bacon strips, then gave it to Giovanni who was holding his coffee mug in one hand and nursing his head in the other. She bet the hangover was probably kicking his ass right now.

"Do you want some aspirin?" she offered.

Before Giovanni could answer, Gael spoke, "He'll get some aspirin later."

Angela glanced between the two men, wetting her lips before swallowing.

Giovanni dragged his gaze to his nephew with knitted brows. "You holding medicine hostage?"

Gael lifted his chin, looking down at the other. "I want you to suffer that headache first. Maybe you'll understand how much you've been giving me those recently."

"Screw you." Giovanni looked away, still sulking as he took a sip of his coffee, grimacing at the pain in his head.

"Um…" Angela gulped and began to retreat to the side. "I'm just gonna leave you guys to talk."

Just as she stepped back, Gael shot her a look. His tone was stern, but he wasn't directing his anger at her. "Don't leave, baby. I need a witness if I have to kill someone today out of 'self-defense'."

Left with no choice, she stood there as an audience, her heart slightly racing as she watched.

"Don't be so dramatic, Gael." Giovanni shook his head. "What did I do that made you so cranky this morning?"

"You were drunk off your ass last night and many times the past few weeks."

Angela knew that Gael was really just pissed about Giovanni spiraling down lately. Giovanni kissing her last night was the last thing on Gael's mind. In fact, Gael hadn't talked about that. It definitely surprised Angela, but she was more worried about the reason for Giovanni's excessive drinking.

A chuckle escaped Giovanni's lips. "Oh, shut up. Like you weren't a fucking mess when she left you a couple months ago!" He nodded towards Angela and then looked at her straight in the eyes, the playfulness in them gone. "Did you know he crossed the road and nearly got hit by a truck because he was too drunk to care one night? Yeah, you didn't, did you? If I hadn't gotten to him in time, his brain would've been all over Williamsburg."

She blinked, her gaze shifting to Gael and wondering if that was true. Her fiance wasn't looking at her, though. 

Gael scowled at Giovanni. He pushed off the counter, leaning over the breakfast bar across from his uncle, and spat, "My girlfriend left me after telling me she loved me. Jino died a few hours later. And my sister got fucking married to a prick—all in two days. Fucking less than forty-eight hours, all shit happened to me. So I apologize if I wanted to drink to forget, even just for a night!"

Angela's chin trembled, and a tear threatened to spill. Her chest ached at the reminder of her leaving him that day. A lot happened to Gael that week, and she wasn't even aware until later. She felt so guilty even if he didn't resent her for it. If only she could turn back time…

Giovanni closed his eyes, his hand gripping around the mug so hard it could break any second.

"You…" Gael continued. "You slept with her, she broke your heart, and now she's getting married to the enemy. It's been fucking years, Gio. You had every chance to get back at her, and I'd told you I got your back no matter what you planned to do. But now you're playing with her, and I can see history repeating itself. You can't have it both ways, man. Either get her back to you or back the hell off her as you get your revenge. She broke you. How do you know she's not doing it again?"

Giovanni pushed off the stool and threw the mug to the wall, the ceramic shattering everywhere and the coffee spilling down the wall. He rounded the bar and stood toe to toe with his nephew. "You're not the only one who lost people. Gabby's my niece. I'm mad that shit happened to her. And Jino… I may not be as close to him as you are, but he was my family too!"

Both of them were right. But it wasn't lost on Angela that Giovanni didn't address Lia's matter that they all knew was the reason for his recent behavior. The room became silent as the two men stared each other down, neither of them backing away. Angela forgot how to breathe with the tension shooting through the roof. She wanted to hug them and make them stop shouting at each other.

Giovanni scoffed. Then he stepped back and turned around, grabbing his coat as he headed out of the kitchen.

"I'm not losing you too… It hurts too much to see you like this again," Gael muttered, his voice almost pained, making Giovanni halt in his steps, but he didn't turn around. "Trouble's just around the corner. I need you, man."

A few moments passed before Giovanni began walking again, leaving the kitchen. Angela followed after him to see him to the door. As they reached the foyer, he looked down at her, his eyes apologetic, but he didn't say anything as he lightly brushed the side of her head affectionately.

Angela stepped forward, reached up, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, rubbing his back. "You know he only means well," she whispered.

Giovanni squeezed her body once and kissed her head. "I'll see you soon," he said before pulling away and walking out of the door.

She locked the door and turned around to see Gael standing near the couch and staring at her, his hands hidden in his dark grey sweatpants.

Walking towards him, she brushed her knuckles on his cheek, giving him a small smile that he didn't reciprocate. He looked tired, as if he needed a long break away from all of this mess. She wished she could steal him away from here.

Angela slid her arms around his torso, pressed her body against his tightly, and laid her head on his chest. "Babe… Gio will come around. He'll pull himself out of it, you'll see…"

Gael was quiet for a few beats before his strong arms went around her, and he exhaled a long sigh. "I don't know, baby. The last time he was like this was years ago after…Lia. He'd been in so much trouble he nearly died. Now that she's back, I just can't watch him go through the same motions again. She's bad for him."

Squeezing him more, she reassured Gael, "I'm sure you got through him today. Just give him time… And whatever happens, we'll be there for him.. And he'll be there for us."