Chapter 17: Misunderstandings

Adam barged inside Max's room desperately. He was the only person who had the complete access to Max's house besides Max himself. His steps halted at the door of the bedroom when he saw Angela peacefully sleeping on Max's bed. He opened the curtains of the windows to allow sunlight enter the room. Apparently, disturbed by the sudden brightness, Angela snuggled herself deeply inside the duvet. At the same time, the door of the bathroom slid open revealing half-naked Max. Both Max and Adam's eyes widened on seeing each other.

"Hey Ad, what are you doing here at six in the morning?" Max blinked his eyes while drying his freshly showered hair.

Adam squinted his eyes. "I can ask the same. What is she_" he pointed at Angela "_doing here?" he scoffed.

"Shshsh_" Max shushed Adam, "let's talk outside" he mouthed to Adam, trying not to disturb Angela. Adam fussed about Max's behavior. He is such a puppy sick lover. Little did they both know that Angela was already awake, eavesdropping their conversation. Wow Adam must really hate me. She thought. I guess I deserve that.

Max ushered Adam to the living room. Adam crossed his arms across his chest and gave him a look of disbelief. Max frowned "don't give me that look"

"Seriously man! You both were like fighting yesterday and today I come to find her in your bed. I didn't expect this from you Max"

"Hey! We didn't even sleep in the same room. She came here last night and explained everything to me. We made amends and I just asked her to stay for the night. Nothing happened okay." Max defended himself.

"Like I'd buy that"

"Anyway, what made you barge at my place this time?" Max asked while wearing his sweatshirt.

Adam's expression changed, his jaw tensed. "We have a problem Max," he stated.

"Problem?"

"Yes. My spies have reported activities of Marcus's men near the downtown"

"Marcus's men!" Max baffled "but they were locked up in cell, right? We ourselves handed them over to cops after Ricochet's death".

"I don't know how but they broke up the cell. My men told me that someone powerful helped them"

"Damn it! This is not good!" Max grimaced. Meanwhile Angela discreetly listened to them. Their conversation erupted thousands of questions in her mind. Who is Marcus? And who is Ricochet? Why are they so worried? She could not discern anything from their talk.

"I've told my men to track their location. Until then you have to be careful. I've also doubled the security. I am damn sure that they will come after you." Max nodded solemnly. "What about Brian? Have you told him?"

"No, I haven't yet. But I will tell him today, so I gotta go"

"You're going already? You came just now"

"I came here because it was a crucial matter and also I don't want to watch the live telecast of you getting touchy-feely with Angela" Max rolled his eyes listening to Adam's reply on the other hand, Angela's face heated up. Gosh, does he think of me like that? Why do even Adam's opinion matter to me? She scolded her sub consciousness.

"__and beware of her" Adam gave him one last pointed look and went away. What does that even mean? Does he know something about me? I can't afford to be caught. I've to come in good books of Adam as soon as possible. Angela thought. She carefully tip toed back to the bed before she is caught eavesdropping.

After Adam left, Max didn't waste a minute to catch a glimpse of Angela sleeping peaceful. He stood near the bed, watching her keenly. The mere sight of her is enough for him to forget his tensions. He still can't understand why he felt so strongly for her. In time, Angela started waking up. She stretched her hands and ran her hands through her hair lazily while Max's intense gaze traced her every movement. When she felt his presence, she got out of the bed.

"Mornin' Max" she greeted him in a raspy voice, a lazy smile played across her lips. Max gulped involuntary taking in her appearance.

"Angela when did you_" he trailed gesturing to his shirt that she was wearing. His shirt hung loosely to her petite frame, long enough to reach her thighs but not long enough to hide her sculpted long legs.

"Oh this_" she grinned embarrassingly "um, actually I didn't have anything to wear so I took one of your shirts. I hope that's ok with you" she stuck out her tongue coyly. Max's heart skipped a beat. Damn, that was hell sexy.

"It's ok. I guess I need to take a cold shower" he decided to go quickly before he loses control over himself. Adam was right; I need to be aware of her.

"What happened Max?" she asked in a confused tone.

"You happened!" he mumbled under his breath and quickly disappeared in the bathroom. But Angela heard it clearly. She giggled silently, knowing her effect on him. Such a gentleman.

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Romeo hit the punching bag constantly, his punched getting harder with every move. He was lashing out his rage through punching. His body was pouring with sweat. That damn son of a bitch....he cursed repeatedly. He chickened out and disappeared. I swear if I lay my eyes on him again, I will beat the shit outta him."

"Will you please calm down for god's sake?" Angela watched him helplessly. Hearing this, he sharply turned towards her and threw a punch in her direction in order to test her attentiveness, which she closely blocked away. His blood shot eyes bored into her and it was getting harder for her to hold his fist longer.

"You don't even get to talk," he growled at her, pushing his fist harder. She screamed and shoved him with all her might "I sorry alright" she bent down and rested her palms on her knees to catch breath. Blocking the punches of Romeo is exhausting, especially when he is furious. She has yet not met a man as powerful as him in her whole five years of her assassin life.

"Sorry my ass, what kind of assassin you are when you can't even defend you against a drunkard?"

"Since when did he become your arch nemesis? You used to be best friends with Seth?" she tried to dodge his questions.

"Since the day he almost molested you last year" he shouted. The memories of that still sent shivers down her spine.

"You know very well that he was high on drugs that night"

"Great! You have the nerve to defend him in front of me. Are you out of your mind? And that doesn't even answer my question. Why didn't you use your moves on him? I'm so disappointed on you June. I feel like all that trainings you took and all my teachings went in vain."

She hung her head shamefully. "You know that I can't hurt him. The idea of hurting him fills me with guilt. After everything he has done for me, I can't do that to him. Not when I know that he had a dark past"

"But he forced himself on you. Is that not an appropriate reason?"

"I did try to kick him in shin and all but then again I remembered what all he had done for me. He secretly used to bear all my punishments himself just to save me from pain. I remembered when he used to take the blames of my mistakes; I remembered when he took a bullet shot on his arm, which was aimed at me. I remembered the endless nights he used to wake up, to calm me down from those horrible nightmares. No matter what he does, I can't ignore the fact that he loves me truly. He is just impulsive."

Romeo opened his mouth to protest then closed it, opened again and then closed again. The facts Angela just stated were utterly true and cannot be denied. He was also completely aware of his ex best friend's feelings towards her. He sighed deeply "you love him, don't you?"

This question totally annoyed her. Why does everyone keep asking me that? First Seth, then Max and now even he asked the same question.

"Answer me!" Romeo demanded.

She clenched her fists "yes I do".