Meanwhile, the girls in the kitchen bonded over coffee.
Katherine and Amelia didn't ask Angela why they were there. Angela wondered if they must have thought she didn't know anything and was just Gael's arm candy or something. Or perhaps they were tiptoeing around her, too, since they weren't close. However, Katherine and Amelia were kind to her since the men disappeared into the office.
Angela appreciated that the two didn't try to prod her. She wasn't sure if Gael would be okay if she divulged information to them if they ever asked her why the men had to meet today. So Angela was glad they didn't ask.
The three only talked about random stuff—menial things like the cabin, Katherine's wedding plans, Angela's foundation, and Amelia's interest in backpacking somewhere in Europe one day. Angela learned that Amelia was in her 50s, and her jaw dropped; she thought the other was joking because Amelia didn't look her age at all. She seemed like she was in her late 20s or early 30s. Nevertheless, the conversation flowed easily as if they all had been friends for a long time.
She walked towards the sink to rinse her cup when she heard Katherine ask, "Does that hurt?"
Angela looked at her over her shoulder, and that's when she realized the loose neckline of her sweatshirt fell to her shoulder. She couldn't see it from their view, but she was sure that they saw the bruise on her back, causing her to stiffen, not knowing how to answer. Clearing her throat, she turned around as she dried her hands and said, "Not so much anymore."
"I don't want to overstep… But may I ask what happened?" Katherine probed, her next words laced with a bit of caution, though her voice was clear. "De Luca… He didn't do this to you, did he?"
Amelia shifted her weight and added, "You can tell us if he did. We can help you."
Angela's brow twitched, and she glanced between the two of them. The thought of Gael hurting her made her feel sick. She shook her head indignantly as if she was offended. "What? No… No… God, no. He'd never hurt me."
Katherine and Amelia's brows drew together as they regarded her seriously. They didn't say anything else, but they looked at her as if they didn't believe her or that they waited for her to explain. If she didn't, they would probably continue to think it was Gael who did this.
Sighing, Angela leaned against the counter. She had no choice. "It happened last Saturday."
"I met your father and brother last Saturday during our engagement dinner. I didn't see you there," said Katherine.
Angela told her why she didn't go and began to tell them what had happened that day. She told them how Evan beat up Gael and used the chain on him. That he hurt him to get to her. Katherine and Amelia's faces twisted in both pain and anger on her behalf, but they remained quiet as she recalled the incident.
She didn't know why but she also told them about four years ago when Evan assaulted her live on the dark web, telling them she couldn't even remember what happened no matter how hard she tried to. All she knew was that she felt filthy all over, feeling the need to wash herself in hot, scalding water whenever that incident crossed her mind.
"Trust me; you're better off not knowing. It's worse when you remember being tortured," Katherine muttered in almost a whisper, averting her eyes and then squeezing them shut as if she remembered something and didn't want to.
Angela believed Katherine. Sometimes, when you tell people your sufferings, and they console you by saying they understand and they hurt for you too, Angela thought that was bullshit. Not everyone would understand what she went through. When Evan hurt her for the first time years ago, many tried to comfort her, but they were just empty words. However… Somehow, she believed Katherine, and she didn't even know her that much. Katherine's words weren't that of comfort, but Angela still felt better all the same.
A tear fell down Angela's cheek, and she quickly wiped it, chuckling. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm telling you this. Only a few people know."
"Does he know?"
Even though Katherine didn't specify, Angela knew she was referring to Gael. "He knew that's why he came to Mayne. He wanted to protect me, but he didn't know the whole story."
Katherine's brows were knitted. She was about to say something when the four men came out of the office and strolled into the kitchen.
Gael immediately strode towards Angela, cupping her face in his hands, his eyes narrowing at her. "What's wrong?" He always knew there was something off.
She smiled, shaking her head. "I'm fine. We were just talking, and I got carried away. How did it go?"
He searched her face like he wanted to make sure she really was okay. He must've found something because he nodded and his hands fell to her arms, kneading them. "It went well."
Gael's phone buzzed, and he excused himself after pressing a kiss on the corner of her mouth and then walked towards the window to take the call.
William and Damien were huddled by the sink while Katherine brewed another batch of coffee, occasionally joining in their conversation.
A hand rested on her shoulder, and then she was pressed to a man's hard side. Katherine's brow arched as she looked at Angela and the man next to her as if she was waiting for a signal or something. Angela immediately knew he wasn't Gael, and she confirmed it when she peered up and saw Giovanni.
He casually sipped a shot of whiskey in one hand while his other gripped her shoulder. He didn't say anything, but the hug felt different. Giovanni wasn't feeling her up—rather, his arm around her felt like he was comforting her. Then he laid a kiss on top of her head and whispered, "We'll make sure he'll pay."
Angela's eyes widened. "What…" Then she realized Giovanni was talking about Evan. He must be. There was no other reason. She wasn't mad because Gael had already told her he might need to tell them about it. If it were in the past, she would've probably minded. Right now, she didn't care much about it anymore. She wouldn't go around announcing it to the whole world, but after Gael learned the truth, it didn't seem to hurt as much as it did in the past.
She glanced at Gael, who was still by the window, and he was staring at them with a questioning gaze, wondering what Giovanni was doing. But Gael remained in place, talking on the phone but his eyes never left them.
Angela patted Giovanni's hand on her shoulder and smiled at him. Her heart warmed up, knowing that he cared for her. She could admit that she loved him like family too. Who would ever think?
Then Giovanni's eyes raked down her body, landing on her feet. A smirk ghosted his lips before he took another sip of his drink. "Nice slippers. I find that a bit childish… But you still look hot in them. It's probably only because you're the one wearing it. That or I might be developing a new kink. Not sure I'm into being a furry. But I'll dig it if you keep wearing them."
She burst out laughing and slapped his shoulder, pushing him away. There goes her affection for him—it went out of the window. She shook her head.
"You do look cute in them, Su," William added with a sly wink. Then he and Giovanni exchanged a knowing smile that only the two of them understood.
Men.
Katherine lightly bumped her shoulder, lowering her voice when she said, "Don't mind them. I have a similar pair, but mine is a cat in pink. Damien bought it for me, and I secretly love them." She revealed a charming smile that nearly knocked Angela off balance. The latter thought Katherine was too beautiful.
"I heard my name, Kitten." Damien pulled Katherine against him, his arms wrapping around her midsection. He glanced down at her, his eyes full of heat as his hand dipped lower towards her ass.
Watching them caused Angela's neck to flush, but she couldn't look away. She suddenly wanted to be touched just like that. And as if he heard her thoughts, Gael's hands slid around her waist. Then she felt his lips on her neck and heard him say, "You're blushing. What's on your mind?"
She wanted to tell him that watching another couple just turned her on.
"Excuse me… Angela?" Katherine came up to her with a tablet in her hand, and her phone pressed to her ear. She glanced between Angela and Gael.
"Yeah?"
"My friend is on the phone. I think he can help you with something."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Help me with what?"
With a bit of hesitation, Katherine told them, "That…video. He might be able to delete it."
Angela caught Gael exchanging a look with Damien, and then Gael questioned Katherine, "How? My guy tried, but…" He shook his head.
That charming smile on Katherine appeared once again. "My friend isn't just any guy. Trust me.. He can do it."
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