118 A Bo-tey for His Girlfriend

She turned to look at the driver just in time that he yelled at her, "Lady! I can't wait all day for you!"

"Oh, my god! Fine. Go!" she spat in frustration as she stepped back and stomped her foot. How could this driver be so mean? She was still thinking over a life or death situation!

"Wastin' ma time!" The driver sped off into the traffic.

Angela felt terrible as soon the words left her mouth. She didn't mean to throw a fit at the driver, but his nagging gave her too much pressure. He wasn't even there for longer than ten seconds, and he was already like that.

Releasing out a sigh, she shouted, "Sorry!!!"

And the taxi beeped the horn in response.

Angela went back to the sidewalk and stared at Gael's message, contemplating whether she should give it a go. That day, she didn't have to write until the late afternoon. Most of the time, she would write in the morning, but there were instances where her routine changes, and these days, she felt like writing in the late afternoons. If she were to go home now, she'd only eat and then… nothing came up to mind. 

'What's one breakfast?' she thought.

She tapped the screen of her phone and responded to his message.

…

Gael's house

In the bathroom, Gael had a white towel lowly wrapped around his waist. Small droplets of water sat atop his shoulders and a few on his bare torso. His hair was still wet from the shower, the strands falling on his forehead and nearly touching the brows. He glanced at the scar on the right of his rib area—the most recent wound that he got. Then he looked away and grabbed the toothbrush.

He stared at his phone, waiting for Angela's response while he brushed his teeth. Gael furrowed his brows when he hadn't received any. Was she dismissing him? Was he too forward?

Just as he put down the phone again, it beeped. He quickly picked it up and read her text message.

[ Angel: You know what… Sure. I could use a really good breakfast. ]

His hand halted from brushing his teeth. Leaving the toothbrush in his mouth, he held the phone with both hands and reread the text. A small smile ghosted his lips, and instead of typing his response, he called her.

"Hello?" she answered after the second ring.

"Wher—ar—yuf—"

"Uh… what?"

Realizing that the toothbrush was still in his mouth, he removed it swiftly, spat into the sink, and then quickly gargled. 

"Sorry. Where are you?" he asked again before wiping his lips dry with another clean towel and then dashed towards the walk-in closet to pick out his clothes.

"I'm still outside The Empress restaurant at Gateway and Hendrix street downtown."

"Honestly, I need to get out of here fast before they find me. I sort of escaped."

There was a loud thud when he almost slipped and fell, but he was able to lean on the wall to his left. He cursed in Italian as it hurt when his elbow hit the hard surface. 

"Are you okay?" she wondered when she heard the thud.

Setting the phone down on top of a dresser, he pressed the loudspeaker and responded, "I'm okay."

Gael checked the time on his watch as he strapped it onto his wrist. It was five minutes past nine. "Listen… Why don't you find a coffee shop near you? I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm on my way."

"Alright. Take your time. I'll probably buy some stuff around the area while you get here," Angela said when she spotted a thrift shop and a fruit stand nearby, then she started walking.

"Okay, I'll come find you."

"How will you find me?"

"I'm… really good with directions." A handsome grin broke his face as he slipped into a black leather jacket over a grey hoodie. 

…

Gael drove fast into the streets in his black BMW. It was the perfect car that camouflaged him in Esmea as it was nearly a common brand around the state. He couldn't be too flashy driving around when he's not supposed to overstay in the place. Who knows whose attention he might be catching? It was already a risk for him to come here without the Parks' permission.

Reaching the district where Angela told him where she would be waiting, he parked the car on the side of the road and got out. He spotted her right away—she was standing at a fruit stand selecting apples and was just about to pay for them.

Putting on dark sunglasses on his face with a lopsided grin, he crossed the road and went over to where she stood.

She hadn't noticed his presence yet even when he was already standing behind her. She was far too busy smelling the mangoes and deciding if she wanted it.

Inching closer until he stood right next to her, Gael slightly lowered his nose to her hair and inhaled. It was an impulse he couldn't stop the moment he entered her zone and caught a whiff of her scent. It reminded him of their time on the island. She smelled the same, and he loved the reminder—her fragrance was dangerously mysterious and mildly intoxicating.

Angela snapped her head to his direction, surprised at the sudden proximity. She realized that it was him and she was a bit relieved—at least it wasn't some stranger.

"Did you just smell my hair?"

"Mm… You smell nice."

His response was brief yet straightforward—no reason to deny the obvious.

Angela's brows knitted. She forgot how bold he was until now. "Th-thanks?"

Gael smiled as a response, and he nodded at the stuff in her hands—she bought a few pieces of fruit and some pastries. "You ready?"

"Uh. Yeah…"

"Mister!" A small little girl's voice caught their attention. They looked down to find a girl in a pink and white dress patting Gael's hand. She looked about six years old, and she smiled so prettily at him. She had on a cream-colored apron that was just right for her size with a flower design in front of it. "My mum has really good flowers! You should buy your girlfriend a rose!" She pointed at the flower shop behind her with her right hand while she pointed at Angela with the other.

Surprised at the little girl's words, Angela's eyes widened. She waved her hands in front of her. "Oh, I'm not—"

"That's a great idea!" Gael beamed. His mood instantly brightened upon hearing the word 'girlfriend'.

He took the little girl's hand, ignoring Angela's protest, and they walked towards the flower shop. "You know, I want a big one. You think your mom can make me a bouquet with lots of flowers in it?"

"Mommy! Mommy! A handsome man wants to buy his girlfriend a bo-tey!" squealed the little girl as she ran towards a woman behind a table.

The grin on his face reached his ears—it almost hurt to watch. He turned to Angela who was still standing a few feet away and called her over, "Come here, Babe. The little princess is going to make us a bouquet." He winked.

Angela was speechless. Nope. He wasn't only bold—he was utterly shameless.

Even with this thought in mind, she let out a small sigh and walked over to his side.