Chapter 27: I Love You, Angela

Angela combed her fingers through her dark tresses nervously, *he definitely figured out something. And what was talking about with Max so secretly in his room? Did he tell Max something about me?* It wasn’t just the fear of her plans spilling out in front of everyone, it was also the fear of seeing hatred for in Max’s eyes, the eyes that always looked at her with love……. Love. The L word made her body quiver with unknown butterflies mixed with a giddiness of fear and uneasiness.

*I don’t love him but I certainly don’t hate him either. In fact ……. I think I actually like him.* Her eyes involuntarily widened in surprise. *When did this happen? The time when he kissed me under the rain….. or when he took me on a dinner date? When we kissed in the alley or played games today or when he risked his own life to save mine? I don’t know about this……. but one thing is sure……. The feelings I’m developing for him is not good for me and my mission. I have to go and make sure that Max isn’t suspicious of me. I can’t risk to delay this mission anymore.*

She got up from the couch, making her way cautiously towards Max’s room. Max’s cavernous mansion had been so quite that she can even hear her heart beating wildly beneath her chest. She wondered if Max lived in this hauntingly beautiful mansion all alone. The interior and the furnishings were simple yet classic, something she would think about if Max’s name popped up in her mind.

Angela pushed the one-sided glass door of Max’s room gently, evaluating the depth of the situation. The room felt awkwardly silent as if it was almost empty. But then she spotted Max’s sturdy back, his well-defined muscles highlighted under his fresh white shirt. His hands were stuffed inside the pockets of his pants, and even from behind she could tell that he was brooding over something important. She silently tip-toed behind him, hesitating a bit before landing her palm on his shoulder. He didn’t turn around, if he knew it was her.

“Are you still thinking about the attack?” her whisper echoed in the silent room.

Max let out a heavy sigh, “yeah…something like that.”

“Did you and Adam fought over something?” she asked after a short pregnant pause.

Max turned around this time, his eyebrow raised in question, “Did he say something to you?” he asked.

She shook her head debating whether to tell him about Adam’s threat or not. “No, he didn’t. He just……. seemed pretty worked up, that’s all.”

She watched a wave of relief passing over Max’s seemingly tensed features. *They were definitely fighting over me,* she concluded.

“Well….” He opened his mouth to explain, “……it’s just complicated.” He pushed his fingers back and forth inside his hair, trying to ease his headache. “I think I need a drink.”

“Huh?” Angela frowned, quite surprised by his sudden craving for a drink.

Her eyes watched Max walking towards his study, where he rotated a small globe with his fingers. In no time, she heard something opening behind her. She turned around to find the large, empty wall of the room slide to reveal a extravagant and flashy mini-bar. She resisted her jaw from almost dropping down at the sight of the collections of exclusive drinks and alcohols kept in front of flashing led-lights. She saw every type and shape of martini and liquor glasses arranged precisely over the counter top.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” she couldn’t help but to awe at the sight in front of her eyes.

Max made his way towards the counter, a soft chuckle escaping from his lips, “what would you like to drink, my beautiful lady?”

“Huh?” Angela was dazed for a moment.

“I’m making myself a glass of dry martini, do you mind having a drink with me?” he asked, his fingers already skimming through his favorite alcohol bottles.

*A drink….? Sounds like a good idea*. She leaned across the fancy platform of his mini bar, her dark tresses falling down like a black cascade, “since I don’t have much idea about drinks, how about you make a drink suitable for me?”

Max grinned from ear to ear, “I think I know what will suit your taste,” he mused, his hand already picking up two cocktail glasses from the counter.

“Really?” her voice was laced with a hint of amusement and surprise, “what will suit my taste?”

“Pink lady,” he answered, juggling a bottle of gin and grenadine like two balls in between his hands. Angela gawked at him in awe as he mixed the two drinks along with egg white with great expertise. In the shine of the sparkling wine bottles and a classy small chandelier just above his mini bar, he looked nothing less than a handsome, skilful bartender.

“Don’t tell me you used to work as a bartender in your early days,” she bemused, still fascinated by his expertise.

“What if I tell you I was?” he shot a wink at her, shaking the jar smoothly. The sound of the drinks churning along with the ice cubes and egg white resonated in his suite, making her thirsty all of the sudden.

“Here you go,” he slid the cocktail glass half filled with a light pink color liquid and a sweet smell brushed her nostrils as he topped the drink with a red cherry.

“Mmm,” Angela moaned, letting the taste of the cocktail linger in her mouth for a while. “Its…. its fruity…. sweet at the same time its tart flavour balances the sweet perfectly…...its really refreshing,” she swirled her tongue inside her lips, “you never fail to amaze me Mr. Harrison,”

Max sauntered out of the bar, with a glass of martini and a bottle of bourbon in his hands, he settled himself on the plush sofa, “It’s my pleasure Ms Velazquez,”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I think we should stop now, Max” Angela giggled, snatching the bourbon bottle for him, “I can’t believe it’s your second bottle,”

“Ow come on, can’t a man enjoy for just a day?” he wrapped his fingers around her hand that gripped the bottle, trying to tug it free from her but it only made her grip the bottle tighter.

“You can, but there’s a limit to everything. Besides,” she freed the bottle from his loose fingers, “….I want to drink it too…” she giggled again, chugging few gulps of the bourbon down her throat, “….I won’t let you enjoy all alone,” her wild dark hairs bounced glamorously as she tittered at her own words.

Max suddenly leaned forward, staring at her with dilated, intoxicated eyes, “is there any limit to your charms, Angel? Why can’t I see it…. Why can’t I cease myself from getting mesmerized by you? Hmm?” his finger trailed the outline of the bottle, coming to rest atop of her thumb.

Angela blinked at him to confirm his words. *Am I wasted right now or I really heard him saying those words to me?* Her lips felt dry because of his intense gaze and she licked her lips to let the words come out of her mouth, “I…. I dunno what you’re talking about. When did I ever do something to you?”

He let out a low, deep chuckle at her question, “right…. You’re completely unaware of the effect you have on me. It’s so unfair that I’m the one to suffer in between all of these. Adam says that you’ve changed me completely…. He says that I’ve become quite reckless since I met you. He told me to stay away from you because you’re a dangerous woman…”

His words made the breath knock out of her lungs and she found herself sobered up instantly. *Adam said that? He certainly found something about me…... I*...

“But…” his voice drew her attention back to his face, “…. I can’t listen to him… I just can’t, you know… I can’t stop myself from looking at your beautiful face,” his finger traced the outline of her cheeks, “… can’t stop myself from listening to your melodious voice,” brushing her lower lip with the pad of her finger, he tugged at her chin to open her mouth a little, “… I really, really want you Angela… I love you”

Angela felt like heart stopped beating the moment she heard the word love escaped from his mouth. A wave of passion, that she had been restraining till now broke down upon her like an avalanche. *Am I dreaming… is it true……?*

“I think…… I need another gulp of bourbon,” she spoke with a heavy voice.

“You want another sip?” he took her hand holding the bourbon bottle and guided the bottle near his own mouth. Taking a sip from it, he dipped his head while his other hand tipped her chin down, claiming her lips passionately.