Chapter 159 - Texting Mr. Prick (2)

Angela's new apartment was indeed closer to Oliver's apartment building at only ten minutes on foot. It was a two-bedroom luxury apartment in Parklane Shores, Mayne City. The master bedroom had an overlooking city view, while the other bedroom that she converted into her office overlooked the ocean. She didn't know how her brother found this place, but it was almost the same as her old apartment when it came to the rooms' views. 

"How did you find this place?" she asked while she was slowly setting up some of her stuff in the living room of her new space.

Oliver was casually lying down on the modern sofa, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows with the top button undone, and his hair was slightly disheveled from the constant raking of his fingers. He helped move stuff around earlier, and he was taking a break. According to him earlier, this wasn't what he planned on a Sunday, but it had to be done, or he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight worrying about his little sister.

She took a break and slumped in the comfy armchair that's facing the sofa diagonally. He looked up from his phone and told her, "I found it two months ago while they were still working on the interior. I put a downpayment on the day to call dibs on it."

Her brows knitted upon the revelation. "Did you plan to move here yourself?"

"The location is great, and the view is awesome. But I got this for you just in case. I could always sell it if I wanted to."

"What do you mean 'just in case'? Did you anticipate that I'd need to move?"

"I heard about your old building's new owner. I'm not familiar, and no one knows who that person might be. I didn't like the secrecy. It seemed like they weren't locals, and from what I heard from the grapevine, there was a drastic change in the staff. I wasn't comfortable with that. Big changes make me itch. At least I know who owns this building."

Angela didn't mind what her brother did. It actually made her feel safe, and she was thankful that he was looking out for her. She knew that he was always busy, so it meant a lot to her that he took the time to take care of her. 

Wanting to wash up, she headed to the bathroom and noticed her phone on the dresser in her bedroom blinking. 

[ Gael: I deserve that. I'm really sorry, Angel. Please know... what I said...it may not be what you're thinking. ]

She knew he was talking about what he said last night. She tapped out.

[ Angela: How would you know what I'm thinking? ]

[ Gael: You're clearly upset. ]

Damn right, she was. That didn't feel good at all. Sitting on the floor, she leaned against her bed and typed her response.

[ Angela: Well you were being a dick. ]

[ Gael: I am a huge dick. You're right. ]

She chuckled, her heart fluttering at his attempt. He was really trying.

[ Gael: Where are you? ]

Another text came when she didn't text back and she contemplated what she should tell him.

[ Angela: I'm at home. ]

[ Gael: You went back to your old apartment? Are you staying there tonight? Isn't your bathroom still being repaired? ]

She swallowed at his questions, her heart racing as her thumbs hovered over the inbox.

[ Angela: No, I'm in my new place. ]

[ Gael: You moved?! Where? ]

Though she couldn't hear his voice, she imagined his shock. He must have not anticipated that she'd be so quick to leave her old apartment.

[ Angela: I'm not telling you. ]

She wanted to tell him. She missed him. But maybe the distance would do them good.

Gael did not respond for a full five minutes. She saw the little dots moving on the chat window but he didn't send anything whatever he was trying to say.

Pulling her knees up, she rested her chin on them and sighed, suddenly feeling the urge to tell him about the stupid thing she did over breakfast.

[ Angela: I told my dad I was seeing someone. ]

[ Gael: Who? Is it that Rock? Is that why you said you were happy last night? Are you together now? ]

Angela was still mulling over his text when his caller I.D. flashed on her screen. Her phone kept ringing but she only stared at it. The ringing ended and another text came in.

[ Gael: Why aren't you answering? ]

[ Angela: I'm not actually seeing anyone. I just said that so he'd stop setting up dates for me. And then I told him I'm going to bring that man I'm supposedly dating to dinner. I just kept shooting myself on the foot. ]

[ Gael: I can help you with that. =) ]

Her brows furrowed deeply at the change of his mood. There was even a smiley in his text!

[ Angela: With what? ]

[ Gael: I can be your man. ]

[ Gael: or at least pretend. ]

She scoffed at his proposal. How could he say that so suddenly over text...even if it's just 'pretend'? She patted her chest, telling her heart to calm down when it did an awkward backflip.

[ Angela: No. He'll do a background check on you. ]

[ Gael: So? ]

[ Angela: What do you mean so? You're not exactly...a regular person. ]

[ Gael: My record is clean. You can't see a speck of dirt on me. You can even investigate yourself. Gael De Luca is a normal person who once lived in New York with his mother and grandmother until he moved to Italy to live with his businessman father and finished a degree in finance at NYU. ]

Angela's brows raised. She wasn't aware he graduated from NYU. Gael's smart. And his record was...clean? That's possible?

[ Angela: Still no. I'm just going to tell my father 'he's' not available to have dinner with us tonight. ]

She watched the little dots waving.

[ Gael: Where are you having dinner anyway? ]

[ Angela: Same place we have brunch every week. ]

[ Gael: Can I see you this afternoon? I don't like how I ended things last night. I want to apologize face to face. ]

She took a deep breath. The reminder about last night made her chest feel tight. She wasn't ready to see Gael yet—despite the undeniable fact that she missed him. What he did and said to her last night kept replaying in her head. The way he left...caused her heart to violently kick her ribcage. 

It hurt more than it should have because after so many hours of thinking about what happened, she realized it wasn't just physical. He was there with her. She was willing. And yet he left after starting something. Again.

She wanted to keep herself intact. Even though she regretted writing some of the notes knowing that he'd find them all eventually, she was true to what she wrote—at least that's what she felt right at that moment.

Whatever. She couldn't dwell on what had been done anymore. But for now, keep still, Heart. 'If he ever finds it, he'll know.'

[ Angela: I'm busy this afternoon. I need to buy presents for the kids at the orphanage. ]

[ Gael: Do you need help? ]

'No. But I miss you. Come see me?' She sighed.

[ Angela: I'll let you know if I do. ]

After ten minutes of waiting for his response but nothing came, she got up and padded to the bathroom. She had just stripped off her clothes when her phone buzzed again. Butterflies—maybe dragons were moving about her stomach when she read his text.

[ Gael: I won't let this day end without seeing you again. I will find a way. I'll see you tonight. ]