Chapter 19: She Wants to Talk to You

The conversation with Valentia was less than pleasant. Even though Livia regained some ground in the end, it made her realize just how vulnerable a relationship without commitment can be.

Moreover, Valentia's words stuck with her: "You're in his bed only because I wasn't around. Now that I'm back, do you think you'll still matter?"

Others may not know how Livia turned Angelo into her man, but she was well aware that she had seized an opportunity that may not have been hers to start with.

In the evening, after self-study period, Livia noticed more young people in black clothing hanging around the school. Middle school is a time of strong rebellion, and many kids make significant life choices during this period.

Teaching middle schoolers was something Livia actually dreaded. The pressure of education was much lighter than the responsibility of shaping young minds.

At this age, children are heavily influenced by family, school, and society.

The security guards at the school's entrance kept an eye out to ensure the students weren't led astray by the young troublemakers outside.

As Livia walked on the path flanked by trees with thick trunks and dense leaves, a few youths stood behind the trees smoking and cursing, occasionally glancing at her.

Livia was always modestly dressed for her classes and commonly wore T-shirts and jeans outside of school, though sometimes she opted for dresses.

Her natural beauty, combined with the scholarly aura she carried, made her all the more elegant and captivating.

A young punk was catcalling at her while smoking a cigarette, but Livia ignored it.

As she neared her apartment, Livia heard faint footsteps behind her. The tension set in.

Without daring to look back, she picked up her pace towards her building.

The footsteps behind her hastened. With the last hundred meters to go, Livia broke into a sprint, and the footsteps quickened to match her speed.

Reaching the door, she said to the doorman, "Someone's following me!"

The doorman quickly grabbed his stun baton and went to look, then turned to a panting Livia and said, "Miss Ashcroft, isn't that your boyfriend?"

Stunned, Livia turned around to see Angelo in workout gear with a bottle of mineral water in his hand, gazing at her intently.

Angelo walked up, unscrewed the bottle cap, and handed her the water. "Why are you running? Was a lion chasing you?"

Livia looked past him, took the water, and asked, "Were you the one following me?"

"Who else would it be?" Angelo said in an irked tone.

Livia took a sip, regaining her composure. She handed back the bottle as she walked inside. "You didn't call out to me. How was I supposed to know who was behind me?"

Angelo took a few gulps and followed her. "I was about to call you when you suddenly ran."

In the elevator, feeling the fatigue from the run, she leaned against Angelo without a word.

He didn't push her away, letting her lean in.

"Did Valentia come looking for you?"

Livia's eyes dimmed. "How did you know?"

"What did she say to you?"

"She said she wanted to talk to you."

Once the elevator stopped, Livia stood straight and moved ahead.

At the door, she hesitated to open it and turned to ask him, "Was all your heartache because of her?"

Angelo frowned slightly. "I have a dinner engagement later."

Livia's heart sank. She silently opened the door.

Angelo went straight to the shower, and Livia boiled some spaghetti in the kitchen.

When the spaghetti was ready, Angelo came out. Dressed in a black shirt and black pants, he took his car keys and left.

"Will you be back?" Livia asked as the door was closing.

"Not tonight," Angelo said indifferently.

"Fine."

After the door closed, Livia still finished her spaghetti.

She washed the dishes and glanced at the clock: it was already ten o'clock.

Her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number—a photo.

In the picture were Angelo and Valentia.

Valentia was in a white dress, sitting close to Angelo, with her hand up as if whispering something to him. They were seemingly in an intimate conversation.

Livia had a hunch, but she hadn't expected Valentia to make her move so swiftly, nor that Angelo would comply so readily.

Insomnia gripped Livia, compelling her to bathe and slip into a stunning evening gown before stepping out into the night.

With the weekend upon her and no need for an early night in or early morning out, she ventured solo to a nearby bar. There, she ordered a slightly alcoholic beverage and found solace in the resident singer's love songs that struck chords with everyone present.

Captivated by the moment, Livia asked a server to snap a photo of her. She smiled coyly at the camera, her beauty ethereal in the dim bar lighting. Her eyes, alluring stares, gave her a languid expression akin to that of a regal Persian cat.

She uploaded the photo to Facebook without a caption, tagged her location, set the audience to Angelo's eyes only, and then turned her phone to silent.

Soon, her phone buzzed and buzzed. Angelo was calling, yet she did not pick up.

Letting her phone vibrate as if frenzied, she sipped her drink at leisure and applauded the singer's performance.

After about four songs and eight missed calls, Livia leaned against the bar, flipping her long hair, her striking red gown standing out as she rested her chin on her hand. She was a living masterpiece, oozing charm and painted with grace.

Upon his arrival, Angelo caught sight of Livia. She was admiringly fixated on a male vocalist who crooned, "I gave my heart to you, I am your heaviest luggage."

Her tempting bare shoulders shimmered pale under the soft lighting, with her delicate jawline and meticulously made-up features exuding a bewitching beauty. With every pursing of her red lips, a smile or frown, she oozed allure.

A stoic Angelo draped his jacket over her shoulders without a word. She turned, confusion in her eyes. "Why are you here?"

"Time to go home." Angelo seized her wrist, pulling her to her feet.

Livia snatched her phone. "I haven't paid yet."

Without a word, Angelo fished a handful of cash from his pocket, scattered it on the bar, and dragged her out.

Following behind him, Livia felt a rush of mischievous satisfaction amidst his palpable irritation.

Once Angelo bundled her into his car, she pursed her lips and watched the world outside her window, itching to send a photo to Valentia.

Angelo drove with his long, elegant fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, even his hands a sight to behold.

"Are you done with your work?" Livia asked nonchalantly. "If you're not finished, don't worry about me."

Remembering the way her eyes had clung to the singer, a surge of anger flashed through Angelo. He abruptly pulled over, his gaze icy as he turned to her, his tone edged with annoyance. "What? Am I interrupting your good time?"

With an innocent face, Livia shook her head. "No, not at all. You said you wouldn't be back tonight, so I thought you'd be busy. I didn't want to hold you up."

"Is this is how you act when I’m not home?" Angelo's anger hadn't subsided as he questioned her.

"Do I not have the right to act this way?" Livia countered with a cool retort.