Chapter 69 - Nicco And Kayla

Gael's lips felt cool on Angela's skin. She instinctively closed her eyes and clutched his shirt with both hands, her heart hammering in her chest and was totally out of sync with the reggae beat playing in the background.

And just as she leaned in, he pulled back, holding her hand and smiling down at her with his devilishly handsome smirk. "I thought we were dancing?"

"What—" She gasped and then giggled when Gael suddenly twirled her around. Her heart calmed down a little, but she was still somewhat on a high after his kiss. 

A few people were definitely staring at them—what with them wearing casual outfits at the wedding reception. The guests wore casual beach outfits in the wedding's color theme, mostly in white and cream. Angela and Gael looked out of place, which earned them a few glances, but neither of them cared.

Another upbeat song replaced the first one… and then another… yet the two were still on the dance floor along with the hundred guests who were in a party mood. A waiter carrying a tray of cocktails passed by, and Gael effortlessly snatched two glasses, then gave one to Angela. She received the glass with a chuckle and looked at the pretty drink. The bottom of the glass was red, the liquid fading into orange, and ended with a bright yellow top, creating an ombre effect, then garnished with a slice of orange.

He slightly leaned towards the side of her face so that she could hear when he asked, "What's so funny?"

"Sex on the Beach!" she yelled through the music.

His jaw ticked as he stared at her. She sipped the cocktail while holding his gaze, and he was floored. "What?!" He cocked a brow.

Seeing the look on his face, Angela threw her head back laughing, her hair swaying as the breeze blew past them. She looked stunning even when she was only wearing a tank top and jeans shorts with his long sleeves wrapped around her waist. Her cheeks had a hint of red in them—probably from all the dancing. He could gaze at her forever, but all he could think of now were the words she just said. 'What is with this woman?' he wondered.

Raising the glass in front of him, she pointed at it and clarified, "This cocktail. It's Sex on the Beach!"

He only realized that she was talking about the name of the cocktail. Gael chuckled, shaking his head and feeling stupid for thinking about something else. She clinked her glass with his, and they took a sip.

Just then, he noticed the newlyweds coming their way, and he was too late to warn her.

"Umm… Excuse me…" A woman in a long white flowy dress looked at them.

Angela turned around and came face to face with the bride and the groom. She involuntarily took a step back in surprise. She bumped into Gael, and he steadied her by placing a hand on her back.

The bride looked at Angela as if she was trying to figure out who they were, confusion painting her face. "I'm sorry… Do we know you?"

Gael felt Angela tense up, and he was ready to grab her and leave, but before he could even do anything, she had already moved away from him and stepped forward, giving the newlyweds a big bear hug.

"Oh, my god! Estella! You look fab in that dress! Congratulations, you guys!" Angela exclaimed, her voice high and sing-songy. She released them from her embrace and kept a huge smile on her face as she looked at the groom and told him, "Jake, you better take care of my cousin. Or the whole fam's gonna come after you!"

The bride and the groom exchanged looks; bewilderment filled their faces as they tried to recall who she was.

Reading their expressions, Angela kept up with her facade and added, "Mom apologizes that she couldn't make it because of the weather, but she sends her wishes—"

"Wait…" The bride cut her off.

Angela swallowed, and her heart began to race.

"You're Megan?" asked the bride.

Feeling as if ice-cold water ran down her back, Angela tittered, and then she nodded. "Duh!" Her shoulders shook as she laughed, slightly worried when she thought that the bride had caught on with her lie.

The bride gasped and got overly excited that she hugged Angela again. "Oh, my! It's so good to see you again! It's been years! Wait… Who is this? Is this your fiancé?" The bride gaped at Gael. "Your mom told me you just got engaged!"

Angela almost broke her neck at how fast she snapped her head towards Gael. His face was void of any emotions, and when he met her stare, she swiftly grabbed his hand and pulled him close, introducing him to the newlyweds. "Yes, his name is Nicco," she said, a wide beam brightened her face.

Gael clenched his jaw. This little liar dared to use the name of her book's male lead. He squeezed her hand as if to say: 'I will get back at you for this'.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Congratulations." Gael shook hands with the couple before he unabashedly wrapped an arm around Angela and pulled her closer to him a little roughly while keeping a smile on his face. He could feel her try to pull away, but he didn't let her.

Witnessing how affectionate 'Megan and Nicco' were, the bride gushed and clapped. "Oh… How lovely! He seems like a darling." She winked. "You guys look so cute together!"

"Ha—Ha! I know, right?! He is so cute!" replied Angela as she squeezed Gael's cheeks out of annoyance—all while keeping a charming smile on her face. He wasn't letting her go, so she was still pressed so tightly against him.

Someone called the newlyweds back to the front, so they bid each other goodbye and promised to catch up. When they were finally left alone, they slowly let go of each other.

"How did you even know their names?" Gael was curious. She was quick on her feet earlier and acted like she actually knew the bride and the groom.

"There was a signboard on the way here."

"Huh." He scoffed. Since they crashed the wedding earlier, he hadn't cared about their surroundings—which was so unlike him. 

Folding his arms in front of his chest, he turned to face her and waited until she looked at him before asking, "Do I look like a 'Nicco' to you?"

Angela chewed on her bottom lip and looked away, then drank her cocktail. She didn't think her answers through earlier, and she blurted the first thing that came to her mind—which was, of course, the male lead of her first book—Niccolo. How convenient.

"Megan…" He snorted and downed the rest of his drink, the sweet peach schnapps and vodka slid down his throat. They were quiet for a few seconds before he muttered under his breath, but enough for her to hear. "You should have at least been 'Kayla'."

She gripped the glass in her hand until her knuckles turned white. Kayla was her first book's female lead—Nicco's last and true love.