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Word count: 2537

Angela's POV

*

The first thing my eyes settled on immediately I stepped into the large house was the large bookshelf placed on the right side of the room, with several books already neatly arranged inside it.

On my left was the sitting room and then a staircase that led to the first floor if you walked straight ahead. Then by the far end of the same right part of the living room was a door, which I guessed led to the kitchen.

The design was similar to ours, with the exemption of the large shelf and also the theme which was green and cream. Ours was red and cream, matching the cushion and the carpet at the center of the living room.

"You have a nice place." I smiled and finally faced the man who'd been silent since we stepped into his home.

He was looking around the house himself, probably just seeing it in a new light considering I hadn't noticed him leave the house from the time the movers left when I was baking.

There was an open space out of our own sitting room on the left and one could sit there and get a nice view of the sky and its beauty.

A glass door separated it from the outside world, so whenever we felt like it, we would just open the glass doors to get a whiff of the amazing flower beds decorating our own home.

"Well, I guess it isn't too early to say 'welcome to my humble abode' then. Please have your seat, what can I offer my visitor?" He asked me with a smile.

A charming smile that slowly turned my heart to mush.

I looked away slowly, grudgingly. So I wouldn't allow myself get lost in his captivating eyes again.

"Oh don't bother." I gave a wave of dismissal, mentally cursing myself for acting like a hormonal teenager around her first crush.

"I want to. It's the little I can do to show appreciation to you for coming."

I gave him a pointed stare instead. "Uh, I live like, in the house next door. It's nothing, really."

He chuckled and folded his arms over his chest and dare I say, he looked even yummier with the stance.

I quickly tucked my tongue into one side of my cheek.

"If you insist then."

I almost forgot for a split second, how good looking the man I was talking to actually was. My confidence was firmer than when we were outside though, but that didn't mean I would be getting used to his good looking self anytime soon.

"So, you read books?" I cleared my throat and moved closer to the stack of books on the shelf. One glass door was open, and I absentmindedly traced my fingers over the books on that side of the shelf.

There were different books there, and also some that I guessed were play scripts or movie scripts. Some had torn and tattered covers while others had new covers.

The great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, To kill a mocking bird, There's a hippie on the highway, The Wicked Marquis, Mario Puzo's the God father and many more books were arranged according to their authors.

"Yes..."

I turned around. "Wow."

"Is it that shocking that I could be a reader?"

I couldn't trace any hint of offence in his tone so I just kept the neutral tone.

"Kind of. I mean, you don't even strike me as someone who would...I don't know, read books?" I chuckled. "Or have these much books in their library. Come on."

"Well I am deeply wounded, because I do read." His gaze was once again intense as he stared at me. It felt more as if he was trying to observe me or find out something.

"My apologies." I stated genuinely. "I just didn't think a man who'd have no single trace of being a book nerd would take interest in reading so many books. I mean, there are some mystery books here, then Shakespeare... and more shocking, Pride and Prejudice?"

I raised a brow and observed him while he carried the cookies and took them out of the tray.

A part of me knew I should probably help him take out the plate of chocolate cookies but I was busy ogling him. He sounded real.

Wow, he really was a reader!

"Apology accepted." He replied and then went towards where I guessed his kitchen was.

I was still staring at the entrance where he had disappeared into while tracing my fingers through the paperbacks and hardcovers on the shelf.

Surprisingly enough, I found myself warming up to him. Or to the thought of him, considering we hadn't done so much talking but I had got to know he was a reader.

That sparkled curiosity in me as I realized I wanted to know more about this man.

He didn't look much like a nerd.
No. He looked like a mess.

A hot mess who probably worked all day and didn't have time for sitting to go through novels.

His tousled hair and penetrating hazel eyes hadn't left my mind for even a second.

He had to be someone who read books a lot, for him to have that much book in his wardrobe.

The books were up to twenty something on each row and there were about six rows here. The only exception would be if he had someone who moved here with him and the person was an avid book reader. There were so many books I got from Stephano and Natalia years ago and they were all present here.

So many books and more.

Different names I'd heard about and sometimes I had read. I read novels a lot.

It was a habit I learnt from my brother, Stephano while we were growing up.

Our nanny, Natalia would often read us stories whenever our parents were away for their usual trips. She taught us most of the values we knew today.

Unlike I and Stephano though, my other brother Giuliano didn't have any interest in reading books, or mostly novels.

He just genuinely got bored before reading a few lines and would toss the book somewhere.

"He really does love reading." I whispered in awe and finally accepted that the man who had just moved in this house was indeed a bookworm.

A nerd.

It was only that, he didn't look like it.

"Yes I do. I love reading." He stated behind me and I turned around to see two cups now in his hands.

I did the mistake of looking deep into his eyes, instantly regretting my decision. Our eyes locked and my lips parted though the words I'd initially planned to speak got lost somewhere in my throat.

There was something in those eyes, a flicker of emotion I couldn't place. But maybe I was only seeing things because as soon as it came, it disappeared.

I left the shelf and moved into the large sitting room to take a look. I actually loved the interiors. The couches and the glass green table with the curtains and white tiled walls.

Everything had a touch of homeliness to it.

Also, green was my favorite color.

Surprising enough, I was more comfortable with him now. Comfortable enough to ask questions, and this was a first. I would've found everything awkward, considering I wasn't all that good at keeping conversations.

"I told you you didn't have to bother." I told him when he walked my way with the cups, no doubt one of them belonging to me.

"I know you said so, but I'd made it earlier and mistakenly put in some extra which I realized I couldn't finish. It feels like you were sent here to join me in taking it." He chuckled and I rolled my eyes, smiling.

"That was really smooth. Thanks anyway."

He stretched out what I discovered was a hot cup of chocolate and I quickly accepted it. I loved chocolate and I wasn't going to pretend like I hadn't been craving one.

"Thanks." I said again as I took a sip and relished in the feeling of the liquid gliding down my throat.

"You're welcome. I apologize for any inconvenience. This place might look a bit out of place, I'm not through with moving my-"

"Oh, of course not. I was the one who intruded in your business while you were doing your thing." I chuckled and took another sip of the hot chocolate drink.

"It's no problem. I needed the distraction there."

His eyes discretely skimmed my form again as his Adams apple bob repeatedly. This time I didn't look away.

If he wanted to shamelessly ogle me, then why wouldn't I stare at him while he had his fill of ogling?

"So, you're newly wedded." I asked to break the silence she he still didn't stop staring at me.

"What?" He blinked.

"You're newly wedded. Right?" I asked again, this time slowly and unsurely.

He chuckled and a small smile traced one side of his lips. It made him look more attractive. "No, you're mistaken."

"Oh." I rubbed my left thigh.

"So what do you do, Angela?"

I blinked so fast I felt my eyelashes would fall off. He just used my name, and I'd be a great liar if I didn't love how my name sounded coming from him.

My name rolled off his tongue in that way had never felt so right.

"I uh...I'm a tourist. I am also a professional photographer so I take pictures here and there when I am one of my usual trips. Also, I'm a part-time model though that's more of a hobby than a real job."

"That's impressive. What's your motivation? What motivates you when you your and take pictures? What's your muse?"

I shook my head. "Nature. There are so many things to observe. Trees, natural life habitats and so many tourist centers. My mood and the song I'm listening to also inspires me." I smiled.

"Oh. Is there something in particular you go there for?"

He passed me the plate of cookie with his outstretched hand and I thanked him and took a bite out of one.

Then before I could say anything further, he got up and decided to sit beside me on the couch. Not too close, but there wasn't up to six inches space between us.
And that didn't sit well with me.

"Uh-"

"It's better if we sit closer to each other. We're only two in this whole house." He gave me a genuine smile.

"Well, okay." I matched his gaze as the silence stretched between us.

"I asked if there was something in particular you go there for? I mean you travel a lot. And that must cost a fortune, except you're working for some big company as a freelance photographer?"

I watched him quirk a brow, looking casual while I was almost freaking out due to the close proximity between us.

I took a deep, calm breath.

This was nothing. I didn't have to react so much to the little distance between us because thinking too much into it meant I was bothered.

And I wasn't.

Even though his musky cologne was all up in my nose. Even though my eyes were on his hand as he picked the teacup, the light veins in the back of his hand acting as an evidence of his maleness.

The way he sounded so interested in my passions and my hobby.

No. I shouldn't think too much about it. With that, I cleared my throat.

"I do it because it gives me a sense of freedom from the chaos in the world. And it inspires me to come up with fresh ideas for my part-time job. Lastly, I just love touring because it feels good to be able to travel all over the world."

"That sounds interesting. So what about the modeling you mentioned?"

"Oh, yeah that too. I sometimes model for my brother's company, he's partly into production of household furnitures, wears and partly into fashion designing. I've been involved in several businesses here and there since I was in high school and while in university. My parents kind of made sure all their children were involved in business one way or the other and modeling was the job I chose."

He hummed in understanding and nodded.

"That's what I call parental goals." He smiled and took another cookie.

I did the same and we ate in what felt like an awkward silence but was a comfortable one. I still. couldn't believe that about an hour ago, I had no idea who this man was.

And then all of a sudden, I was having a smooth conversation with him and we're talking over warm chocolate and cookies.

"So, I still didn't get your name." I told him.

"You didn't ask." He stated bluntly without missing a beat.

Red tinted my cheeks at his accusing tone and penetrating stare.

"Well that's not entirely my fault. You would have told me if you really wanted me to know after I told you mine."

He heaved a sigh. "Okay, that's right. I'm Don. Donovan." He smiled. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he nodded and got up. "I am a book reader and I make money by reading books."

"That's good business." I nodded quickly. He was a book reader but could afford this house. How convenient. "Well, as much as I would love to continue this discussion with you, I have to leave." I spoke up while he was opening his mouth to say something else.

"Oh." His face fell.

What was up with that? "Yeah. Thanks for the drink."

He nodded and went to the kitchen.

"You're welcome!" I heard him shout as I got up as well. Just then, he came out with my basket and the empty plate which was now washed.

I smiled and collected the basket, walking towards the entrance.
Donovan opened the door for me but held my hand as I was about to step out.

"Thank you for the amazing cookie. I should check in on you soon and have another round of the sweetness. You're a great chef."

My eyes widened at the compliment. It was just cookies.

"Thanks." I replied softly.

He raised a hand and my breath hitched.

What was he going to do?

What was I going to allow him do?

"See you around, Angela."

He dropped his hand and flashed me a heart stopping smile that had me holding onto the door for support so I wouldn't fall on my knees. Needless to say, my legs had successfully turned to mush.

"See you around, Donovan." I breathed, giving him one last look.

And with that, I stepped out.

Why did my heart just stutter a thousand times?

*
Another update, fellas! I couldn't update earlier so it's here now.

There's an obvious tension between Donovan and Angela. And she's yet to meet Eros.

What sort of a person will he be?
Lol. You'll know soon. ;-)