chapter three

Despite meeting him twice yesterday, I still didn't know who he is and it seems like my brain couldn't recognize him at all.

I remember the pitch black and dark brownish eyes color of him looking into mine but the memory was hazy in my brain.

Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. I couldn't remember when I came up here last night and how. I remember falling asleep right on the kitchen counter but no memory of me walking up here invaded my mind.

I woke up not in my best mood this morning with a slight pain still in my stomach that makes me hiss a little in irritation.

I stayed on the bed for almost two hours straight staring at the beautiful ceiling facing me from above.

The thought of a blurry face occupied my mind as I tried hard to remember the man's face. I don't know what's wrong with me but I can't seem to let the thought of him go.

This is stupid.

Distracting myself with other thoughts, my body jolts on the bed into a seat position while glancing at the clock hanging on the light brown wall of my temporary room.

I nodded my head in acknowledgment as I read the time.

It's still early.

Discarding the sweatshirt on my body, I tossed it to the side, unknowingly letting it fall on the carpet below me but I shrugged it off.

My legs moved to walk around the bed to grab my phone, checking all the notifications that I got- in case something important that I need to know.

As I was about to get into the bathroom since it was time for me to take a warm and nice shower to start the day- my bedroom door was wide open.

"Angelaa~" here comes Rosa De Luca, the girl who likes to barge into my room whenever she feels like it. I moved my eyes from looking at her to the bathroom door and slowly made my way near it.

"You haven't taken a shower yet?" she asked the obvious question while plopping herself on the bed.

"Can you close the door please" her eyes darted toward the door and she let out a loud gasp, moving her body to close the open door quickly and a chuckle escaped her mouth.

"Oh sorry" she plopped herself again on my bed, getting comfortable on her previous seat.

"What do you think?" her hand moves to her chin and as if she was inspecting me, she looks at me from head to toe and shakes her head.

"Nah, you still look pretty" I rolled my eyes playfully at her remark and again made my way inside the bathroom.

"You should wait downstairs, I will come in a bit" and closing the door behind me, blocking the words she said to me.

• • •

After taking a warm and nice bath I proceed with choosing the clothes hanging in the closet but instead, it might be quite difficult for me.

All the clothes belong to Rosa and I might say that her choice of clothing is a bit different from mine. Nevertheless, I still love her style.

I keep choosing and choosing that I didn't notice the time ticking and by the time I am done it was already past breakfast hour.

I made my way inside the big kitchen and as I expected my mother and my stepfather had already left for work which now only left Rosa- who was still eating her food happily with a man seating opposite from her. His back was facing me and I couldn't see his face from this position.

"Oh Angela here!" once she saw me, she patted a seat beside her, stopping the conversation held between the two of them.

I made my way toward her side before grabbing a glass of water and pouring plain water into it.

I sipped on the glass of water when I finally took a seat beside Rosa who was happily eating her food.

The man who I had forgotten was also here coughing in his place and I darted my eyes to look at him properly.

My breath stuck in my throat for a moment as the same eyes color as yesterday bored into mine the same time I was looking at him.

Now I could see him clearly and he is - so good looking.

His dirty blonde hair slick back showing his forehead and the same amount of piercing hanging on his ear makes him look even more powerful.

I examine him further ignoring the stare I got back from him and of course, from the girl seated beside me and I frown when I didn't see the tattoo that I remember seeing yesterday although I couldn't quite remember the exact piece of tattoo crafted on his skin- but I know it was there.

or- am I hallucinating?

"Angela!" Rosa nudged me when I didn't respond to her and immediately I shifted my gaze away from the man and hummed as an answer to her.

"This is my uncle" she takes the initiative to introduce the man as I assume she notices us giving each other a stare but didn't say anything. She continues when I don't say anything.

"Vincenzo and Angela... Angela- Vincenzo" Rosa's head moves back and forth as she takes turns introducing me to his uncle and him to me.

Oh, so it's her uncle.

My inside moved with something I couldn't pick what was the feeling that I felt and I chose to think about it later.

He smiled in return making him look even more breathtaking and again I nodded my head in acknowledgment.

"Nice to meet you, Vincenzo," I said softly to show some manner. His smile didn't fall from his lip as he looked at me.

"Oh shit- you two can talk first, I'm going to wash my hand and grab my phone" and just like that she disappeared into the big kitchen to the closed door and leaving us alone.

And his smile falls replaced by a smirk. His back was leaning on the chair behind him and one hand was placed on the table. He raised his eyebrows and I stayed unbothered in my spot as I went to grab a bundle of fruit placed on the plate.

"Angela" my name came out strong from his mouth and I stopped whatever I was doing. His eyes gleamed with something I couldn't quite identify what but a shiver runs down my spines at the moment.

"How are you feeling?" I raise my eyebrows in confusion and he smiled.

"How is your fever? still not feeling good?" oh. I shake my head before answering him, "I'm feeling better now..... thank you for yesterday" He didn't say anything afterward as he kept looking at me which left me uncomfortable under his gaze.

• • •

Finally stepping into my small apartment after a short trip to the pharmacy to grab a few thing. A feeling of relief when through my whole body when the scent of vanilla invaded my nostril.

my comfort place.

I smiled as I make my way inside and change into more comfortable clothes before plopping myself on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate in my hand.

I ignore the mail that I got from my boss even knowing the consequences I might get later on.

It's okay if it's that urgent he might call me or something.

Relaxing on the couch, I scrolled through my television, looking for something to watch but instead boredom took over me.

My stomach grumbles and I realized that it was almost dinner time and I haven't prepared anything for dinner yet.

ting!

Rosa:

Aren't you coming for dinner tonight?

Angela:

No, It's okay

Rosa:

You promised :(

and you left early this morning!

I sighed as I read her messages, I feel guilty that I left shortly after, claiming that I got work to do.

Angela:

Okay, send the location later

Rosa:

Yay! by the way, It's at my uncle house

Angela:

Sent me the location.

Switching off my phone, I get off of my couch to start getting ready. Not wanting to be late again.

• • •

Upon arriving at the destination. I struck toward the door while looking around the unfamiliar place.

The sun had set not long ago and now I was surrounded with a night atmosphere and of course in the cold too.

I notice that there are no cars around the area and I immediately get my phone out to text Rosa when the door behind me wide open.

"Angela" that voice again went through my ear and I tilted my head back to stand in front of his well-dressed form. He's dressed in a simple white button-up shirt paired with a black pair of trousers.

"Come in," he said as he noticed my stiffness and with a slow step, I walked inside his house.

"The others did not arrive yet, you can make yourself at home" his hand gestures toward the big couch in the living room and I obey as I follow his step to take a seat on the comfortable couch.

"Do you want anything to drink?" he asked me and I shook my head politely, declining his offer and get comfortable on the couch awkwardly and he made his way back to I don't know where.

Minutes later he comes back with two glasses in his hand and his other hand holding a bottle of red wine.

"Here" he put the glass right in front of me before pouring the wine into it and did the same to his glass before taking a seat facing me.

The atmosphere turns quiet as we both waiting patiently for the other to arrive and right now I am cursing the others silently for being late.

"So" my eyes shift to look at him when he voices up and I clear my throat at the sudden awkward feeling that I got.

"Yes?"

"Angela De Luca?" for some reason he keeps calling my name and I feel the sudden shiver running down my whole body every time my name forms on his mouth. I stayed quiet for a few seconds, silently cringing at the surname mention.

"Angela Wilson" correcting him and a smirk yet again appeared on his lips as amusement gleamed in his eyes.

"I see" and again, silent accompany us. He crossed his legs as his eyes keep looking at me every once in a while. Hand holding the glass filled with red wine, twirling it playfully.

"Do you know me?" I shook my head at his sudden question and he hummed as an answer of understanding while sipping his drink.

"Do.. do you know me?" this time I ask him the same question he asked me earlier and a chuckle escape his lips.

"Of course- you are popular around this family" and I frown at his answer, not liking one bit of his saying.

____

Dinner was surprisingly quite nice today, having a normal chat with everyone here and there as the look of happiness contorted both my mother and my stepfather's face.

That night I went home, I kept tossing and turns in my bed as my mind was playing with the thought of him

And despite knowing him today I still find him a little odd and- mysterious.