Chapter 2123 - Christmas Party 2023 (10)

Donnie was sitting on one of the sofas that were arranged along the wall and she accepted the cocktail that Jarred brought to her with an absentminded 'thanks'.

Jarred noticed that she was gazing toward the dancefloor, or to be more precise, toward Angelo and Melissa.

"Do you want to dance?", Jarred asked.

Donnie peeled her gaze away from the dancefloor and shook her head, rejecting his offer. "Maybe later."

Jarred looked at Donnie as she took a sip of her drink and he didn't ask more questions.

His Donnie never liked talking about her past, and he never understood what exactly happened between her and Angelo two decades ago and how they ended up alienating from each other. Of course, Jarred heard the official version but more than once, when Donnie thought that no one was watching, Jarred caught Donnie's gaze with a hint of longing directed in Angelo's direction.

Did she still have feelings for Angelo? Angelo was the father of her four children and there is history between them; Jarred knows that and he accepts it. But part of him fears that Donnie is going through what-if scenarios, wondering how her life would be if Angelo stayed in her life and that she has regrets for divorcing Angelo and marrying Jarred.

In a way, Jarred is not wrong. Donnie is aware that with Angelo's reappearance, Emma, Mike, Sean, and Ryan, distanced themselves from her. If Angelo and Donnie are on good terms, their four children wouldn't cut their time with Donnie in order to accommodate Angelo. If she and Angelo are not acting like strangers, Angelo would be an addition to their lives… maybe a welcome one.

When Donnie sees Angelo smiling and chatting happily with Melissa, she can't help but wonder if that smile would be directed at her if they stayed together and if their kids would like them equally. She is aware that because of her anger, two decades ago, she denied Angelo to be close to his children, and she also denied to their four children a father. Due to that, everyone suffered hardships, one way or another.

Donnie is happy with Jarred and her heart is full to see her kids grown up into fine people, but she still sometimes wonders how things would be if Angelo stayed, or if she went with him to Italy… after all, people regret missed opportunities and Angelo was Donnie's chance for happiness which she willingly let go.

Donnie snapped out of her thoughts of what might have been, and she smiled as she saw Sean and Ryan taking their girlfriends to the dancefloor.

"I think we will get two weddings to attend soon…", Donnie said to Jarred while gesturing with her chin toward her twin sons.

"They only started dating recently.", Jarred stated the fact. Sean and Harini are a couple for just over three months, and the same is valid for Ryan and Panya. That, combined with the fact that they are barely over twenty years old was a signal for Jarred that the weddings are still far away.

"Maybe. But Sean and Ryan know those girls for a while, and they are not playing. I can see how they are looking at each other."

Jarred crooked an eyebrow. "And how is that?"

Donnie looked at him and her smile reflected in her eyes. "The way I'm looking at you."

Jarred's lips stretched into a smile in slow motion. He leaned closer and gave her a light kiss on the lips. Those few words dispelled all his worries. Donnie never told Jarred that she loves him, but she had her ways of letting Jarred know that he has a spot in her heart.

Bo, Francisca, Wing, Azra, Souta, and Camilla were seated at one table and they chatted in a good mood while discussing their presents with the Blanc logo on them. They still didn't figure out if they will stay at the Cliffside Villa or at the main base of the Voronin family, but they also understood that maybe they don't need to pick one place over another.

For now, they decided to take turns between two locations, and when their schedules collide, they will stay apart. If their relationships are solid as they believe, the occasional distance will not impact them and in time they will come to the right solution. At least that is what they think now.

Chloe was sitting on the sofa chair, engulfed in Noah's arms who squeezed next to her and she couldn't be happier. She met all the people from the Cliffside Villa and interacted with them at the base of the Army of Chaos and at the Boyle Heights Youth Center, but this was her first party with a dress code at the Cliffside Villa, and she thought how everything was fantastic. Food, decorations, entertainment, mood, the people, and her husband… Noah Bennet. Everything was amazing.

"Are you doing OK?", Noah's voice sounded close to her ear.

She nodded vigorously in response. "I attended many formal parties, and there was always a stiff atmosphere where the main focus was to act prim and proper and leave a good impression and this… it's loud and crazy and very relaxing."

Noah smiled and kissed her neck, just below her ear, sending shivers down her body.

"We can leave anytime…", Noah murmured.

"I heard there will be fireworks.", Chloe reminded him. Oni and Nala said how there is a majestic firework show at the end of the party, and Chloe was looking forward to it.

Noah chuckled. "Oh, there will be fireworks, alright…"

Chloe felt heat seeping into her cheeks when she realized that Noah was naughty. He was talking about the wireworks AFTER the party, when they return to her apartment… and she didn't mind it, not even a little bit.

Chloe squirmed in the seat.

"Behave…", she told Noah in a whisper.

"Aren't I behaving? What did I say?", Noah asked innocently.

Chloe was speechless. Well, he didn't say anything wrong, but the tone he used was definitely suggestive and he knew it! But if she brings that up, he will only tease her more. Ah, that is her husband.

At another table…

Corey, Charlie, Mike, and Steve were chatting when Gabriel approached them.

"You finally let go of your fiancée…", Mike said to Gabriel. He wouldn't mention it, but Gabriel was pouting.

Gabriel snorted. "Becca wanted some girl time, so…" Gabriel spread his hands, indicating that he is helpless.

Steve stifled a laugh. "It's nice to know that we are your second choice."

Gabriel shot a glare at Corey. "It's because of you. If you are with Merve, Becca would not leave my side."

Gabriel gestured toward the table where Merve and Becca were chatting excitedly with Tiffany, Emma, Ellie, and Bridgette.

Corey could not believe this. He was the youngest one in the group, but that didn't mean that he will let Gabriel's accusation pass. "There is nothing wrong with some girl time. As a man, you should not allow your insecurities to guide you."

Charlie, Steve, and Mike snickered, and Gabriel looked at Corey in disbelief.

"Who is insecure? I only prefer to have Becca by my side.", Gabriel defended himself. "Why are you acting like you don't care if Merve is with you or not?"

Charlie lifted his hand, preventing Corey from responding. He knew that it's a friendly spat, but Corey and Gabriel tend to escalate, so Charlie had to speak up, "We all prefer our ladies by our sides, and whoever says it otherwise is either lying or not in love."

No one had objections to Charlie's words.

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