Chapter 232: I Care About You
Chapter 232: I Care About You
Kingston
I have always been a man of few words, it is not that I don't feel things, I feel them too much, too deeply and I have learned that silence is my safest armor. Words are dangerous, they can expose too much and make you vulnerable, give people the power to hurt you. But Angelia, she was unraveling me in ways I hadn't expected. From the moment I saw her at the Pleasure Palace, she had stirred something in me, something I had long buried under the weight of control and discipline. At first, I tried to ignore it, convinced it was nothing more than a fleeting attraction but the more time I spent around her, the harder it became to deny the truth. I care about her deeply.
The night Marshall orchestrated for her was perfect as always, he had a way of making everything feel effortless, of drawing out her laughter and easing her nerves. Watching them together had been for the connection they were building but haunted by the gnawing fear that I couldn't offer her the same. Because unlike Marshall, I didn't know how to make her laugh and unlike Riccardo, I didn't have the patience or the words to make her feel at ease. All I had was the quiet unshakable pull towards her.
The next morning, I found myself standing outside her apartment. I hadn't planned on coming here but my feet seem to carry me without permission. The bottle of her favorite scotch in my hand felt like both a peace offering and an excuse. I hesitate at her door, my hand hovering over the wood. What was u even going to say? That I couldn't get her out of my head? That I had spent the entire night thinking about how her laughter sounded like music? Before I could talk myself out of it, the door opened and there she was, staring at me with those big curious eyes.
“Kingston?” She said, her surprise evident.
“Hi,” I said, my voice low.
“I hope I am not interrupting.” She smiled, stepping aside to let me in.
“You are always welcome.”
Her apartment felt warm, and lived-in, a stark contrast to the penthouse Riccardo and I called home. It was small but it was hers, cozy and filled with personal touches that told me more about her than words ever could.
“I brought this,” I said, holding up the scotch as I stepped inside, her smile widened.
“You don't have to.”
“I want to,” I replied simply.
We settled on the bed, the scotch poured into two mismatched glasses she pulled from the cabinet.
“So?” She said, turning to me.
“What brings you here?” She asked.
Her question was straightforward but her tone was soft, without a trace of judgement. I looked down at my glass, the amber liquid swirling as I gathered my thoughts.
“I needed to see you.” I admitted, my voice rougher that I intended. Her eyes softened but she didn't interrupt.
“You make me feel things I haven't felt in a long time.” I continued, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
“Things I am not sure I know how to handle.” She set her glass down and leaned in slightly.
“Kingston…”
“I am not like Riccardo or Marshall.” I said, my voice dropping.
“I don't know how to charm you or put you at ease, but I care about you, Angelia. More than I know how to say.”
Her gaze locked onto mine, searching for something. Whatever she found there must have been enough because she leaned closer, her hand reaching out to rest on my arm.
“You don't have to be like them.” She said softly.
“I don't need charm and ease, Kingston. I need you.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, the raw sincerity of them cutting through every wall I had ever built. Before I could think, before I could second guess myself, I leaned in and kissed her. The moment our lips met, everything else faded away and her lips were soft and warm, molding perfectly to mine. It wasn't a gentle kiss, not at first. It was hungry, desperate and a release of everything I had been holding back. Her hands slid up to my shoulders, pulling me closer as I deepened the kiss, my fingers tangled in her hair tilting her head to give me better access.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless and our foreheads resting against each other.
“Angelia,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes?” She replied, her voice just as unsteady.
“You mean more to me than I know how to explain.” I admitted.
“But, I am going to spend every day proving it to you.”
Her lips curved into a soft smile and she reached up to brush her fingers against my jaw.
“I believe you, Kingston. I really do.”
We spent the rest of the day wrapped up in each other, talking, laughing and stealing kisses that grew softer, sweeter as the day wore on. For the first time in years, I felt like I didn't need words to express what I felt. With her, silence wasn't a shield, it was a language we both understood. And for the first time, I didn't feel like I had to hide behind it.
Night came, it was about time for me to leave even though I didn't want to but I didn't trust myself to touch her. I stayed with this pent up feelings burning inside me. It was so difficult to leave her, I wanted to spend the night with her but I know she is not ready yet and I don't want to rush things. We promised her that we would take things at a slow pace and I don't want to go against that. She is drawing closer towards us again and I don't want to make her retrieve back to her shell.
On my way back home, I made up my mind, it was time I face the truth and stop being a coward. She deserves to know everything about me and I had made up my mind to tell her the darkest part of my life. It is time.