Chapter 33: Reluctant Rendezvous

Livia's heart was in her throat.

She didn't want to pry into Angelo's private life, but knowing his reasons for not wanting to marry would offer her at least some solace.

"Luke!"

Just as Luke was about to reveal his insights, Angelo stormed in, his expression a mask of hardened irritation.

The diner fell silent at Angelo's entrance.

A group of young girls became visibly excited at the sight of him, evidently swooning over his good looks.

Luke rolled his eyes in resignation and apologized to Livia, "Can't talk about it today."

Livia nodded in understanding.

"Your flight's at six and you haven’t packed. I'll take you to the airport," Angelo said firmly, leaving no room for Luke to argue.

Luke was speechless and opened his mouth to say something but ended up just laughing.

He puffed out his cheeks and nodded at Angelo.

Angelo regarded him coolly. "Want me to change that to a three o'clock flight?"

Luke was tempted to throw his unfinished drink in Angelo's face.

"I'm out," Luke said his reluctant goodbyes to Livia. "See you in September."

Livia didn't want to meddle in their personal affairs and nodded. "While you're enjoying your break, make sure to spend some time with a book, too."

"Yeah, I know," Luke replied, his spirits low and his voice listless.

With an assertive look, Angelo ushered Luke into the car. He didn't drive off immediately, though, waiting instead for Livia.

Livia stood her ground, making no move forward.

Their gazes locked until Angelo eventually took a few more steps towards her.

Every step he took still managed to unsettle her steady heart.

After all, he was the man she deeply loved, and even now, she hadn't let go of her feelings for him.

Her heart raced, and her breathing became erratic until he stopped in front of her.

"There's no need to keep tabs on me now that it's over," Angelo said with his usual cool detachment.

At that moment, Livia's restless heart finally stilled.

Squeezing her hands together, she summoned a tone of feigned indifference. "You're overthinking it. Your life doesn't matter to me anymore."

With a forced laugh, Livia hid her shattered poise and quickly turned to walk away.

The moment she turned, tears began to fill her eyes.

Livia and Florence went on a trip together.

She felt the need to clear her head, to shed the messy emotions that were tangling within.

"Why aren't you traveling with your boyfriend?" Florence began to gossip soon after they had settled into their seats on the plane.

"We broke up," Livia responded.

Florence glanced at her neck. "But you're still wearing the necklace."

Touching the necklace, Livia recalled how she'd pulled open her drawer that morning, had seen it lying there, and felt an inexplicable urge to put it on. She figured since hardly anyone knew the necklace's origins, it wouldn't matter if she wore it out.

'As long as Valentia and Angelo don't see it, it's fine.'

"I can wear it because I'm completely over him," she said, though her voice betrayed a hint of guilt.

Florence Burke chose not to press further, instead sincerely pulling up her blanket and saying, "It's good, really. This trip might just be what we need to find a little romance. I'm definitely ready for some lovin'."

The plane smoothly taxied out, and as Livia watched the runway and other planes take off, she felt her spirits lift, and her mind broaden alongside the expansive sky.

Upon arriving in Averlake, a hotel shuttle was there to pick them up. After checking in, Livia changed into a pink V-neck sleeveless top and a pair of relaxed-fit straight-leg jeans. With her long hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked lively and playful, her striking figure both sensual and scorching.

She grabbed a sun hat, donned sunglasses and slipped on a pair of comfy white sneakers before heading out.

Upon seeing her, Florence's eyes gleamed with admiration. "You look incredible. I've never seen you dress like this before."

Livia glanced at her. "I've never seen you wear that before."

Florence was wearing a strappy polka-dot dress in yellow and white, her chestnut hair piled into a stylish bun, and she sported oversized sunglasses, looking overly seductive.

"I'm here for a fling, so of course, I've got to look the part," said Florence cheerfully. She was always such a blast to hang out with.

They headed to a restaurant first for a bite to eat, then strolled around the area.

"Do you recognize that woman?" Florence whispered, sliding her sunglasses down, eyeing a woman striking poses among the palm trees ahead, where someone was taking photos.

It took Livia no time to realize it was Valentia.

"Valentia!" Florence also recognized her.

Livia looked up at the sky, wondering what the universe was up to. She had come out to clear her head only to run into the very person who troubled her.

"You wanna go over there?" asked Livia, keeping her composure.

"Let's not. She's working," Florence replied, pulling out her phone to sneak a quick photo. "How lucky are we to bump into her?"

Livia felt a weight settle on her heart. She could only hope their paths wouldn't cross with Valentia's for the remaining five days of the trip.

Clearly, the universe had other plans.

Later that afternoon, as she and Florence were sunbathing on the beach, they saw Valentia approaching, surrounded by a crowd.

"Excuse me, we'd like to take some photos here, can you please move?" one of the crew approached them.

Livia and Florence were taken aback.

'Out of all the spots on this beach, she had to want this one?'

Valentia stood behind the crew, smirking. It was clear she did this on purpose.

Everyone expected Livia to move, but she held her ground. "Sorry, but the sunset is about to come, and I specifically chose this spot for the view."

No one expected Livia to refuse to budge.

The crew member looked back at Valentia, who just then received a call and lit up with an even brighter smile, "Angelo, you're here? I see you. Over here!"

Valentia waved towards someone in the distance.

Hearing the name Angelo, Livia felt her inner defenses crumble.

She picked up her hat, stood up, and said to Florence, "Let's go."

Florence hadn't anticipated Livia would actually leave right away and quickly followed. Livia, sporting her shades, strode swiftly along, her mind elsewhere and blind to her immediate surroundings.

She hadn't planned on bumping into Angelo, but as luck would have it, a wrong turn found her on a collision course with him.

Angelo's attire was spot on for a day of leisure: a white tee under a light blue button-up shirt paired with black shorts and flip-flops, the epitome of casual beachwear.

He seemed completely at ease, embracing the laid-back vibe of the place.

From behind her sunglasses, Livia stole a glance at Angelo, her focus not on the path ahead. Suddenly, her foot caught in a stealthily dug sandpit, sending her off balance and tumbling forward.

Her descent was abruptly halted by a sturdy grasp just before she would have face-planted into the sand.

Flustered, her hat took flight, her locks in disarray, yet her sunglasses remained faithfully in place, just managing to conceal the blush creeping across her cheeks.

"Can't you watch where you're going?" Angelo's cool voice floated down to her.