Chapter 388 - By The River (1)

Angela didn't want their date night to end just yet. So after dessert, they left the restaurant and she asked Gael if they could take a walk. He immediately shut down the idea because it was freezing outside. However, he told Rick and Trigger to take the other car so that he could drive with Angela around for a bit.

They cruised down the park by the river. It was an empty park in front of the East River, bare trees lining the pathway with several dimmed lamp posts in between. No one wanted to be there because of the climate, but Angela found it peaceful and wanted to savor the moment with her man. It was quiet nights like this that she appreciated—where they got to be just Angela and Gael—a normal couple having a slow drive just because.

"Stop here…" she said when they approached a large, bare tree. He maneuvered the car under it and positioned it so they were facing the calm water and the New York City Skyline. The view was breathtaking, and they were the only ones around to witness it at that part of the park.

Gael checked behind them and saw that his security detail was over 150 feet away. He shot them a quick text, telling them to keep a lookout just to be safe. Then he adjusted the heater to make Angela comfortable. "Is that okay?"

"Yes, thank you." She smiled and looked out at the view once again, the song "Sweater Weather" playing softly in the car. "I like this. It's very peaceful."

"It is…"

They were quiet for a minute, just looking out the beautiful lights before them. He then glanced in her direction and examined her face. Angela was smiling, and she was so beautiful that his heart ached. 

"I'm buying out Morgan's shares from Kline and Morgan Holdings," he muttered under his breath.

She snapped her head towards him, confusion striking her face at the sudden jump in topic. "Wha…What does that mean?"

"Well… It means I won't be pursuing the new firm, and instead, I'll be taking over an existing one."

She blinked, trying to process things in her head. "Then…you won't be working with Andy? Wait… Didn't you say you don't like that Keith Perry guy? Also, what does Gio have to say about it when Lia is…somewhat involved?"

Gael shook his head and answered each of her questions one by one. "I met McCarthy this afternoon and told him about the changes. We might still work together in the future, but he won't be an investor. As for Perry, this is the only thing I could think of that could control him—business-wise at least. It benefits us despite the unwanted entanglement. Gio doesn't have the final say—my father does—and my father trusts my judgment."

"Wow…" Angela sighed. "You're handling a lot of things all at once."

"Actually… Everything is all connected," he hesitated and saw more confusion swirling on her face.

"What are you talking about?"

Gael took a deep breath and told her the connection between Keith Perry, Lia, and the Morellis. He watched as Angela's face morphed from being curious to being furious. She was mad, and he couldn't blame her, but he had to tell her these things—at least the things he was allowed to tell her.

"You let Gio touch my best friend when you knew that Nina and Lia were related?" she snapped.

His voice remained calm as he explained, "Like I told you the other day, I couldn't stop them when they were already doing it. I can't take care of both drunk girls all at once. Besides, you told me yourself… Nina's cool. What they had was nothing but a one-night stand—just as much as it was for Gio."

She folded her arms under her breasts and glared at him. "Still. If I'm Nina and I find out about it, I would be pissed."

"Thank God you're not." His lips twitched.

Angela rolled her eyes. "How did Gio and Lia end up together back then anyway? That's quite a tragic love story."

"That's all I can tell you, Angel. If you want to know what happened between them, you have to ask Gio himself."

"Ugh. I don't like him right now. He's an ass."

"Tell me about it." Gael scoffed, and then he angled his body so that he was fully facing her now. "Let's stop talking about other people. The reason I told you about taking over the firm is because I want you to know where I am at the moment. I'm doing this for my family."

The anger slowly dissipated from her face as she stared at him, trying to read whatever she could on him, and he allowed her. Tonight, he wanted to be as truthful as he could to Angela, letting her in and making her understand while hoping it would reach her heart. 

"I will be busy more than ever when it starts. I have to be here," he added.

Realization dawned on her, and she lightly ran her teeth along her bottom lip. She clenched her hands together as though she was trying to control herself. "That means you'll be in New York… While I go back to Mayne."

"For now, at least. I already have plans laid down on what to do with the business and everything else."

"What are you saying?"

Letting out a long exhale, Gael reached for her hands and held them with both of his. "I'm saying… You have completely bewitched me, Angel. I want this. You and me. I want us to work, so I will do whatever I need to do to keep you by my side. If it means tweaking my plans, so be it. I don't want distance to be an issue between us. I'm willing to sacrifice if it means I get to be where you are."

She swallowed, her heart slamming against her ribcage at the anticipation of what he was telling her. The feel of his hands holding hers was like a blanket on this cold winter night. She could see the sincerity in his eyes—she could feel it.

When she did not respond, he took her right hand and placed it on his chest—where his heart was supposed to be. He was a bit nervous, but fuck it.

"Why is your heart racing?" she probed.

"Because of you, Angel. My heart races because it always runs to you, even when we're this close. You keep me going. You keep me warm and happy and…alive. I can't explain why I'm so addicted to you, it's utterly confusing, yet it also feels so right. It's like I've finally found home. I told you I've been moving and living wherever, not really having a permanent place to live for a long time even when I have beautiful memories of those places. It wasn't until you…we happened that I realized it was never about the place. I found you, and you're the only home I want and where I want to be."

Angela didn't realize that tears came out of her eyes until Gael wiped them with his fingers. She was so happy. So completely happy to hear those words. Part of her told her to run away from the unfamiliar feeling while the other part of her held her down, forcing her to accept what he had to tell her. It was a battle of heart and mind, and she couldn't see who was winning. It was scary and beautiful at the same time.

"Gael…" was all she could say as they gazed at each other.

"You have no idea how crazy I am about you, baby. I've met many people in my life, but none of them made me feel this way. So I'm not letting you go. You're already part of my plans…my future. Stay with me." A small smile lifted on his lips, and then he placed soft kisses on the back of her hand. "Resta con me per sempre."

"What does that mean?"

"It's Italian for 'stay with me'," said Gael.

What he didn't tell her was that per sempre meant "forever".