Chapter 144
Thea
The red dress it was, my bare neck adorned with a fine diamond necklace, the perfect shades to my face, I must confess Cassie was a brilliant make up artist. My heels clicked as I walked side to side with Angel through the hall. Arms in arms, a racing breath, a brave smile to my lips and a sinfully handsome man as my date.
I had imagined this day countless times in my head, meeting Lola, running into Sparrow and a number of new faces sorrounded by dangerous aura’s. It was a bit overwhelming now being here in present.
The party hosted by Don Ricardo and here I was presumably his daughters rival for a man’s attention tonight.
Bright lights illuminated the vast hall, the smell of rich cologne filled the air making me understand what Calibre of people I was in their midst. Not very new but definitely different because they were all members of the mafia.
“Angel!”
We both turned towards the direction of the caller, I knew him, this man was Don Antonio from the night at the Casino. He had an ingenuine look on his face even though he tried to mask it up with a smile.
I could see him trying hard not to notice me but his reflexes betrayed as he couldn’t stop himself from taking a glance at me.
“Your whore, if I recall correctly.”
“Your tongue if it pleases you to lose.” Angel said and I squeezed his hand in mine pleading with him not to make trouble.
Antonio scoffed and a flash of anger appeared on his face. He cheered his drink to us and sipped from it. “You appear too quick to anger when it comes to her. Don’t forget you owe me a tooth for the last time.”
“I’d love to take the rest … some other time maybe.” Angel said sternly and my heart was racing in fear. Couldn’t he just let the comments slide? I knew he was standing up for me but today was not the day I got to enjoy it.
“Angel please….” I whispered.
“You should listen to her, it’s a bygone on my end. I forgive you for knocking off my tooth but Sparrow is here and he claims you stole his whore.” Antonio laughed irritably and gulped his entire drink before leaving.
I quickly came in front of Angel and held his hands.
“Please Angel don’t start a fight here. Let’s just enjoy tonight.” I begged and he carresed my cheek before kissing my forehead.
“I would love to, for you Thea, it’s just hard to do nothing when someone tries to run their mouth about you.”
“Just try… I beg you.”
“Okay.” He said and took my hands again. Soon we started to blend in with the rest of the crowd, people greeting Angel from every corner, I didn’t know he had such popularity amongst them. There were such person’s with higher infuluences as we would go up to meet them. I could see that they all respected Angel and boasted on his behalf how he got his stepfathers empire running even though he became the heir at quite a young Age. One even joked about Angel being Don Ricardo’s son because he was as capable as the man.
They would have gone further but I understood the message they were trying to pass but didn’t say because Angel had to my surprise declared me his woman before them.
They were shipping his union with Lola due to the benefits it would bring both families. They referred to Sparrow as a bastard son and unfortunately for Don Ricardo, he was the only son of Don Ricardo from an illegal affair.
Lola and her two sisters were born from his wife and apparently he named her his heir.
As much as I hated to admit it but Angel was to him the right Candidate to marry his heir.
“Angelo!” An excited voice called from behind us.
“Don Ricardo….” Angel called greeting him with a smile of acknowledgement. Don Ricardo looked his seventies but still good looking and fit enough. She spread his arms welcoming Angel for a hug. The familiarity I witnessed between the both of them seemed like a father and son but of course Angel’s stepfather was his friend.
Don Ricardo took a glance at me and he didn’t look pleased.
“And she is?” He asked Angel.
“This is Thea… My woman.” Angel said boldly taking my hand in his. I didn’t miss the frown that settled on Don Ricardo’s face. He without a doubt dissaproved of us when he already had plans for Angel and his daughter. He scrutinized me from head to toe quickly, making me nervous while Angel squeezed my hand reassuringly.
He grunted and took his focus back to Angel.
“Have you met with Lola yet?” He said and my heart leaped. Angel and I looked at each other before taking our gaze back to him. He observed the two of us and his face was full of shit which he quickly adjusted.
“Not yet.”
“Come I’ll take you to her.” He said trying to corner Angel to himself but Angel dragged me along with him. He leaned beside my ear and whispered.
“He is not as bad as you are thinking right now so don’t be scared.” Angel said, assuring me. I hoped his definition of bad was same as mine.
Don Ricardo led us through the hall till we got to a gathering of four men, a pretty lady who I already assumed was Lola.
She wore a black dress with bright make-up that highlighted her facial features more. She looked bold like a true mafia heir and I must say, she frightened me at least.
The men around her consisted of two aged men and young looking men just around Angel’s age.
I swallowed hard feeling so nervous while Angel gripped my hand more firmly. With a first glance I saw the resemblence with the aged men and the young men that stood beside them.
Reading the situation they looked like potential suitors.
The moment Lola sighted us I noticed the obvious quiver of her body. Wide eyes that were quickly adjusted, she must have been shocked to see the man she liked holding hands with another woman.
She looked visibly hurt but tried to mask it.
“Angel….” She called his name stepping forward and ignoring everyone around including me.
I got worried instantly with the way she looked at Angel. There was so much affection in those eyes to be something I’d tag off as just a mere attraction.
“Lola.” Angel called as well. Lola swallowed her hurt, it appeared on her face as she gulped down fluid almost like she was finding it hard to breath.
She looked at me and down on our entangled hands.
I was surprised to see her eyes water so I looked away.
“I’m glad you came, please enjoy yourself. I’ll be right back.” She said and left at once.
This whole thing was getting weird and uncomfortable. Don Ricardo had asked us to enjoy the party as well and I was informed by Angel that soon I’ll have to be alone so that he could join in the mafia meeting that would be held while the party was on.
I knew this already, I was to be with Knight till Angel returned.
I had questions torturing my peace, I needed answers to relieve yet I had to be patient. I couldn’t afford to spoil my mood for the night.
“Take care of her while I’m gone.” Angel said to Knight once it was time. “He leaned towards me and kissed me, not minding the people around. I was taken by surprise at the act. He probably forgot we were keeping things away from the men and Knight had just witnessed this. Angel rubbed my lips with his thumb, dropped a kiss on my forehead and left.
I looked behind me to see Knight smiling at the display of affection.
How do I explain this to him?Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“What is it Thea?” Knight asked teasingly. At first I felt nervous but then a thought flashed through my mind. What if Knight knew about Angel and I already? What if they all knew?
I turned to look at Angel trying to guess a truth but my eyes swayed off into the elevation up the floor and there I saw Lola, eyes keen on me and pain written over her face.
She had just witnessed Angel kissing me and the Mafia’s heir wasn’t pleased about it. Her father may not be as bad as I thought but Angel didn’t say the same thing about her.