That evening on her way home,Angela forcibly removed the diamond ring given to her by Antonio and put it inside her bag.
"I can't believe I said yes''she muttered to herself disappointedly and hugged her knees.
“I said yes to that Antonio Montero monster!”
She screamed inside.
When the taxi dropped her at their place she drew a deep breath and stepped down. Everyone stayed inside the house, which was unusual,even the twins were not playing around.
She opened the door of the living room and drew the curtain.
Surprised,she found their close neighbour and late mother's friend Mrs Smith,together with her younger brother Jace and the twins, all glued to the television anxiously.
“What is going on?"
She asked in total confusion.
Only then did they notice her presence.
"It's Angela!"
The twins shouted in excitement,they ran and hugged her knee.
However her brother, Jace and Mrs Smith was looking at her like she was a whole different person.
“You were dating Antonio Montero?”
Jace asked in doubt,his eyes asking even more questions, demanding answers from her sister.
Angela throat went dry.
"I..I….”
“How…for..how long?”
His question came again.
“And he proposed to you?”
Mrs Smith added.
Angela..tried to think of a lie but it will be useless to lie.
“Look..it's not really..let me explain…I ….”
She paused and saw them patiently waiting for an explanation she doesn't have.
“Go on..tell us what happened”.
Mrs Smith inquired curiously.
Angela glanced from one anxious face to another then cursed inwardly and sighed.
“Yes …it's true..I was dating Antonio Montero and he just proposed”.
Angela replied and prayed silently,they believe and drip those questions before th
Mrs Smith's face expressed her relief at the answer.
Her younger brother jumped on her and screamed happily.
"I am so happy for you big sis,Montero this is unbelie...is this really for real?"
Angela forced a smile and nodded.
"This is huge, finally God answered my prayers for you my dearie, though it's kinda a surprise that you had a boyfriend all these while..it's unbelievable!"
Mrs Smith cuts in.
“Mrs Smith please can I talk to you alone?"Angela said and turned off the TV.
“Of course anything,you can tell me anything dearie”.
Mrs Smith replied softly.
Jace carried the twins outside the house to play.
“This engagement..”
“Yes..”
“I.I...em…it was unexpected to me”.
Angela said unsure how to put those words.
"Which makes it more exciting right? Tell me dearie will he be visiting? I am so happy, so happy honey,this is what your mother wanted for you. To find true happiness…she must be overjoyed wherever she is now,may her soul rest in peace..I don't care if you hid your relationship from us all these while or not..,she paused and whispered, "Have you guys made out yet?"
Her face flushed with embarrassment,she stood alert.
“No! Ew! I mean.No...I am still (lowers her head in shyness and whispers)..you know ..pure".
Mrs Smith gasped a hand over her wide open mouth.
"Oh dear,it must be tough to resist such a hottie,you are truly a unique young lady,at your age I had so many love interests and definitely not a virgin,these days you hardly find a teenager who is pure".
Mrs Smith whispered.
“I know…pathetic,a virgin”.
Angela murmured.
“No.. of course it's not..all you need is to clean the cobwebs around your coochie and get laid as soon as possible,you are engaged already”.
She winked at her.
“Mrs Smith!”
Angela snapped in disbelief.
“You know if your mother was alive she would be dancing joyfully getting ready to be a grandma”.
“She got the twins as her grandkids already”.
Angela opposed.
"Grandkids from you Silly!”
Mrs Smith snapped at her.
Angela smiled a little and shook her head.
“You are one insufferable woman,Mr Smith”.
“I will consider that a compliment”.
“Not a compliment!”
Angela snapped.
They both laughed.
Just then Kerry ran into the house.
The two froze at the spot seeing her enter the room in a rush
“What's this news Angela..this has to be fake..how…what…tell me I am dreaming,there is no way you were dating Antonio…gosh it sounds so stupid..to even say it out loud”.
She brought out her phone and showed Angela the live stream on a certain blog talking about Antonio Montero proposing to one Angela Jones..a school teacher.
“Tell me this is fake.. because there is no fucking way”.
“Well it's not…I am engaged to Antonio Montero..are you surprised little sister,I can get a man like Antonio Montero?”
Kerry scuffed a laugh, a glint of frustration on her eyes.
“This is crazy…I know there is a mistake somewhere..you…you.. can't even get a homeless man to yourself..you are a virgin at 25 because you lack the opportunity…to have a relationship..we both know that..so stop playing and tell me this is fake,I wanted to doubt the name but your picture…tell me this is fake.”
Angela felt a surge of embarrassment reddening her cheeks.
“Kerry you are wrong”.
Mrs Smith cuts in.
Kerry turned her red eyes at the middle aged woman standing beside her big sister.
“Sorry?”
“Your sister is engaged to Antonio Montero and that is what she gets for being a decent and hardworking young lady, go put on something you are naked."
“And who are you? You think you are my mother or what? Go get your own child, old whore”.
“Kerry!”
Angela snapped in caution, shocked at her sister's utterance.
She immediately turned to Mrs Smith.
“Please I beg you, don't listen to her”.
Mrs Smith's eyes were glistening as she tried to conceal her pain. The fifty-five years old had been barren for her twenty years of marriage.
“I..know.I am not your mother Kerry…you don't have to mock my childless condition because I am looking out for you”.
“Oh please you are not,you are just being a nosy old neighbour that's all,old women like you make me sick”.
She turned to leave.
"Kerry, Let's talk outside right now!”
Angela bellowed then she turned to the now miserable looking woman and spoke softly.
“I am so sorry for this.. Mrs smith...please wait right here".
Mrs Smith forced a smile and nodded.
"I appreciate your understanding".
Angela said softly and walked out of the room angrily,Kerry hesitated but followed her.
Just then a convoy of 4 Ferrari 250 GTO drove towards them.
"Holy shit! these babies are real,so sick!"
Jace exclaimed.
He was quick to recognize the car and it's worth.
"Who could that be?"
She turned to Antonio, who was still smiling softly, watching her with Junior in his arms. "Did you... did you know?" she asked, her voice still shaky.Antonio stepped forward, gently taking her hand."Found out only weeks ago. It was Leonardo," he explained, nodding toward his best man. "He planned the fake death. Took care of him. Kept Jace safe and hidden, when he was under Damon's control. We all thought it was best to surprise you today. All Leonardo."Angela's wet eyes gazed towards Leonardo.She ran and hugged him."Thank you," she cried. "Thank you for saving him. You don't know what you did for us....thank you. How will I ever pay you back!"Leonardo was unsure if it's okay to hug her back, but the look in Antonio's eyes warned him. Antonio gently pulled her away from Leonard's to his chest."You can cry on my chest instead".He whispered, then turned to his best man."Thank you, Leonardo".Leonardo, still flushed from Courtney's earlier kiss, simply nodded. "It was the l
The guests, still applauding and cheering for them.Antonio's Mexican parents, the fisherman, and his wife, were clapping and cheering proudly while his wife dabbed at her eyes, overwhelmed with joy.Even Hinata, who had been watching quietly, joined the applause, her smile bittersweet but genuinely happy for the lovebirds.Grateful to Angela for her life.******The joyous wedding celebration reached its peak as Angela prepared to toss her bouquet. Laughter and chatter filled the air, the guests eager to see who would catch the symbol of future love. Angela turned her back to the crowd, lifted the bouquet high, and with a quick glance over her shoulder, threw it into the air.The bouquet arced beautifully, and with a soft thud, it landed right in Courtney's hands without her trying.Gasps and cheers erupted from the onlookers. Courtney, with a mischievous smile, turned and walked toward Antonio's best man, Leonardo, who had been watching the scene. Not actually the scene but Court
She nodded and smiled back at them before heading out of the room.As she waited to be walked down the aisle, a guard approached wearing dark sunglasses. He looked very young too."A guard?"Angela asked Doris."He's Antonio's most trusted person to walk you down the aisle. Let him take you". Doris whispered reassuringly.*How come I haven't seen him before, maybe the shades*Angela thought.Reluctantly, and with a deep breath, she finally agreed, allowing the guard to step in and take her father's place.As Angela made her way outside, the female guests were already waiting with anticipation to see the wedding gown. When she finally appeared, gasps filled the air. Eyes widened, and phones came out immediately."She's stunning!" One woman whispered, as several others frantically snapped pictures of her gown, each trying to capture every detail of the intricate design.Many women exchanged envious glances, their smiles genuine but tinged with the smallest hint of jealousy."I need t
*****MONTHS LATER***“It's the long-awaited wedding of the year! Today, ladies will be heartbroken because many women around the world lost the game to beautiful Angela! The young lady who has captured his heart. Our award-winning idol. Sexiest Man of the year! Mr. Antonio Montero will share his wedding vow just a few minutes from now!Stay tuned and please console any Antonio's fangirl around you”.A female newscaster announced.“Are you not one of the fan girls? Don't cry yet, we are live”.Her male partner teased her.“I am happy for Angela. In fact, I shipped them”.She replied confidently.“Ladies and Gentlemen today. We bring you live coverage of what promises to be the wedding of the year! Happening live on Montero's island in Hawaii, trending at no 1 in the United States and 8 other countries around the globe.” The male newscaster announced.The camera panned to Antonio, dressed impeccably in his suit, waiting patiently for his bride. The royal Montero's guards were chosen
"I love you, Antonio...and I am lucky...to have met you accidentally. It was a disappointment at first, but it's a blessing. You are not a Monster, you are ANTONIO MONTERO incredibly handsome playful caring and sweet in bed...my man".Antonio scoffed and looked away from her."He blushes a lot too".She smiled back at him.Antonio's face turned more red."Stop, Angel, I get it".He looked away then slowly back to her.Angela tilted her head, her heart full of compassion. "You deserve to heal," she replied, her voice firm yet tender. "We both do. And we can't do that if you keep punishing yourself for the past."Antonio exhaled deeply, still maintaining her eye contact.Her forgiveness was more than he felt he deserved, but it was also the lifeline he didn't know he needed. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.Angela hugged him back, resting her head against his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart."I love you, Angela...more than you can
"You know Angela, you have a nice voice, the problem is we, the singles, don't want to hear it sweetie!"Courtney's voice came from outside the door."I should have lodged in a suite or something. I just thought maybe Antonio is a changed man now, proved me wrong! Silly fox!"She stormed away.Antonio and Angela looked at each other shocked at what just happened, then they laughed at themselves quietly."I love you".Angela kissed him."I love you more".Antonio replied and held her tightly."About Hinata....can we visit her tomorrow?"Angela spoke against his skin, sandwiched by his chest and arms."Of course....we will talk to my Mexican family too, they are worried about her and dying to meet you".Angela smiled back.****Antonio stirred awake in the middle of the night, his mind spinning some memories he hadn't been able to access for years.The dream he had just awoken from was vivid, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. He lay still for a moment, his body tense, and his h