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Angela's POV

*
It was a sunny day.

A new day to make amends, to do things right.

I stretched and heaved a sigh of contentment, cracking my knuckles and mentally preparing myself for the day as I looked around our room. I was now back at Eros's condo, which he got as a pre-wedding gift just after we got engaged.

It was indeed good to finally be back to my own self. The brightness peeking through sides of the curtains gave me a feeling of refreshment, a spirit of one that'd been reborn and given a chance to do things right.

And I was surely going to do things right.

I checked my purse for my phone, nodding when I found it there, along with some other random things I usually took around. But there was something else inside the other side of the twin purse and I rolled my eyes after recognizing what it was, while throwing it over the bed to the other side.

Painkillers.

He had it everywhere in this room, in my things. In this condo as well. I checked the time. Twelve forty. I'd slept a bit late and woke up early this morning to just do some cleaning in ky wardrobe before showering and going back to sleep.

Then when I woke up thirty minutes ago, I got dressed, changed my clothes and put on a light make-up to prepare to go out.

This was the same house I'd spent the night before I got kidnapped the next day by Pedro Denaro.

I rolled my eyes and brought out the white plastic container which seemed to be taunting me, throwing it on the bed. The bottles of painkillers were there in at least three sections of my lockers, on the sitting room table and in about three of my most frequently used jackets.

He did this in case I intentionally decided to forget to chew a pill every three to four hours.

Picking my phone, I went through my most recently dialed contacts and entered the name I needed to call.

"Sister in-law?"

"Geronimo. Hey." I laughed awkwardly. We didn't usually speak this often and now that we had to, I didn't even know exactly where to start from. "Uh, how are you doing?"

"Fine. Just busy with work."

An awkward silence remained between us after that and I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I heard you resumed earlier this year. Uh, how is Catalina?"

"She's fine. She's even in her second trimester already. We also got some things for our baby a while ago." He replied and I noticed there was some ease in his tone. It now sounded more fondly and softer.

"That's great. How are you coping? I mean, with her. Not just the baby."

"Well... we're getting to know each other, especially since she moved over to my condo. It's just that, she can be overbearing sometimes. She could just suddenly switch moods and turn from playful to serious or from serious to playful. Also, she's...clingy."

I laughed. "And you're not used to it?"

"No. She wants to do romantic things all the time, cuddling me when I should be working, going on dates, shopping and taking selfies with those weird facial expressions and all those girly things. I just want to shower and sleep after a long day full of meetings with men in suits and women trying to get my attention."

I strolled over to the sofa and sat, crossing my legs. "It's normal to do those things. Though, from your explanation, I can guess you don't do relationships much."

"Er...no. I went to an all boys school and started studying in a business school when I clocked nineteen. Also, things are really strict in military school...especially because of my grandmother's reputation. I can't afford to trade such time for pleasures."

"Hmm. Then how did you get to knock her up?"

"Er...this is awkward." He coughed.

"Oh come on. I'm your sister-in-law and also, it's not like I don't do the same with your brother." I blushed after saying this, knowing it was a lie since we'd never been totally intimate with each other. Just kissing and making out. Also, since I got admitted, Eros had been exceptionally careful in how he handled me, as if I'd break if we made out for more than ten minutes.

It was frustrating but I understood that he was just trying to be careful.

"Come on Angela. That makes it all the more awkward." He groaned.

"Fine. I won't mention your brother. Just take it as if you're talking to a friend." I giggled.

"Fine. She..she's pretty. And I liked her from the moment I set my eyes on her, I couldn't look away. We met at a fundraising event Giacomo dragged me to. She took my breath away the moment I first saw her...weird but true. There was this urge to...to-"

"Make her yours?"

"Kind of."

I knew he'd be rubbing the back of his neck right now. "Then does she know you like her?"

"We've fucked. Sorry, I mean we've had sex..we, almost ten times after she did the paternity test."

I chuckled. The Del Peiros sure had a way of making their women feel special even without confessing their feelings. Claiming them was one, the constant physical intimacy was another.

"But that's not enough. If you like her, you could tell her. If I understand the way a woman's brain is processed, she'd sometimes feel insecure since she's only your baby mama for now. Yes she's staying with you and carrying your baby but what if she wants attention sometimes? Especially now that she's pregnant, the insecurity will heighten based on her emotions. Doing little things like asking about her day, getting small presents for her after work, complimenting her looks would go a long way. You could also tell her you like her since you really do. What do you think?"

"I never thought about it that way. She's like this complicated course in college that you just can't understand..but now that you've explained it this way, I understand better."

"That's reasonable. Do you really like her? I mean, after the baby is born, do you intend to still be with her or she'll just have to go ahead to date someone while you both will take turns to take care of the baby?" I probed like the busybody I was.

This was all Eros's fault. With nothing to do, of course I'd make more friends and gossip. Ugh, I felt pathetic to be admitting I was a gossip but at the moment, I was.

Also, I'd actually met Catalina. She was a good girl, a Philippino who believed so much in love and happily ever after.

It was a pity she got pregnant for Geronimo, since she was innocent and didn't know much about the real world. At the same time, she was lucky. Based on what I knew about the Del Peiros, once they met the person they saw as 'the one', they'd never let that person go.

"Fuck of course she'll still be with me. Where else would she probably be? She's mine." He spoke immediately, sounding tense as if I'd asked an offensive question.

I laughed out. That was the response I was expecting. "I was just thinking out loud, since you said you don't really get along..."

"We'll sort it out, that's what relationships are about. I just don't understand her sometimes. Whenever I ask her what's wrong she just glares and says nothing. Then she'll sleep in a separate room and act as if I wronged her, to the extent that she once cried herself to sleep. Man, women are complicated." He chuckled. "But we'll sort out out."

I giggled again. "Yes we are complicated."

"Haha. Let's leave that topic already. How's, you know, how's your health now? And how are things between you and my brother?"

"Everything is just great, and I'm perfectly okay now! Anyway, I'm sure I have taken so much of your time. Let's talk later. Enjoy the rest of your day."

"Sure sister-in-law. You do the same. I'll tell Cat you asked after her."

Cat? My eyes widened and I beamed. They sure didn't get along, yet he already gave her a nickname. "Sure."

I ended the call and dropped my phone.

I was supposed to have headed out since I planned to visit some people today but decided to stall for a little more while and poke my nose into other people's relationships. At least, I could provide some help of some sort.

Feeling pressed, I went to the restroom to ease myself and washed my hands.

My phone was ringing when I got back out and the caller was none other than my darling financé.

"Well hello there baby." I crooned giddily.

"I see you have lots of time on your hands and I am no longer running relay race on your mind twenty four seven." He stated cockily, like I should actually spend a whole day thinking about him.

"What does that even mean?" I walked to the dressing mirror and batted my eyelashes at my image.

"If it weren't my brother that you called and kept hinting such things about him either confessing his feelings to his girlfriend or letting her find someone that'll make her happy, I'd have thought you were trying to make me jealous."

I looked around, at the ceiling and other spots, hoping I'd spot a camera or whatever but I didn't find any.

"Are you stalking me again?" I whisper yelled.

"No, my love. But imagine my surprise when I received a call from Sunny Rise diner stating I took a reservation...or rather, someone took a reservation under my name but seemed to have forget to use my VIP card."

I gritted my teeth. Those darn people! They weren't supposed to call him. I vividly instructed the receptionist not to. It was all my fault. I couldn't find my card so I had to use his to make a reservation for myself with the intention that I'd tell him later.

"Oh! Well I wonder what could have happened?" I blinked my lashes. "Anyway, that isn't enough reason for you to get any info on what I'm doing in our room again. I told you I can take care of myself."

"Yet you contacted someone from Pedro's organization."

I gasped. "Stop all these, Eros! It's frustrating. Okay? Just let me make my own decisions. You're not my dad."

"I'm your man, your fiance who cares about you and your safety."

"I just wanted to-"

"It's not important anymore. Drop it."

I was appalled at how he just shushed me. "No Eros. It's important and I'm going to talk about it. We need to, I need this. It's a kind of closure I need to get. I went through a lot there Eros and we won't sweep it under the damn carpet!"

"I have a surprise for you baby. Let's discard this nonsensical talk about Pedro already. I'm getting off work at four, then I'll come home ASAP and take you out. I love you." He told me as if I didn't even say anything at all.

I sucked a deep breath in. We couldn't continue like this. Since he didn't want to be reasonable, I'd have to handle things on my own.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, Eros. Also, I'll just go out on my own to take care of some things. I need to...to think."

"Fuck..." He kept silent for a while then spoke again. "You know what, I respect your decision. Go do your thing like my queen and make yourself proud. Come back home early baby so you can rest well, I should've made something by then. I'll also tell Martie to retire early and I'll have prepared something by the time you get home." He told me sweetly.

I stuttered over my next words. This wasn't the response I was expecting. I wanted to argue with him, I wanted to shout and just vent. He'd ruined my mood with his nonchalance and overprotective attitude and now he was sounding like the perfect gentle man.

"Whatever Eros, I might go to my moms but if I decide to come back home, I'll let you know. You really turned my mood upside-down."

"I'm so sorry baby. I never meant to hurt your feelings. I'll try not to do so next time, my love." He apologized smoothly, his tone soft and extremely seductive as they caressed my ears.

I rolled my eyes but still flushed. This man was too good with being so cunning. My resolve was crumbling. "Alright. Fine. Bye."

"Bye love."

I checked myself for the umpteenth time through the mirror. I was wearing maroon knee-length dress with make-up done by yours truly and tiny studs of earrings. Nothing too flashy. My hair was combed and put in a firm bun to complement my dressing.

To match it all was my three inch black stilettoes and the silver wristwatch my dad gave me as a Christmas present a year ago. After spraying my two colognes, I knew I was good to go.

I left our condo and headed for the Sunny Rise diner.

On getting there, I was directed to a seat and I ordered a nice bottle of champagne to start with. With that sorted, I brought out my jotter and planned my plans for the incoming months.

The wedding
My career
Having a talk with the girls/Brandon and getting an infill on all that's been happening so far with their relationships and what not
Visiting my family/Stephano and Kara
Visiting my in-laws
Getting back to work
And lastly, thinking about my future touring plans. I still have lots of places to visit.

Writing all these down with dates and setting reminder on my phone, I was startled by the presence of someone looming over me.

I looked up and got the shock of my life, my eyes widening.

"S-sandler?"

*

Who's Sandler? Does anyone remember him?