Chapter 106 I love to cuddle
Wade smiled, but his eyes were afar off. Delanie couldn’t understand why his smile had such a calming effect on her, but she listened attentively, preparing herself to never see Wade again after today. However, his response was not what she expected.
"I did, for the most part, trust me. Especially that Roger. But after finding out everything, I couldn’t hate them anymore. I would have done the same or even worse if I were in their shoes. Besides..." he paused, and Delanie encouraged him, her fears dissipating.
"Besides what?" she asked.
"Don Gio. I know how much he loves Roger and Molly. Even though my attempt was on Roger’s life and I ended up stabbing Molly, he gave me a chance to be a better person."
Delanie wasn’t surprised. Most people thought her parents were heartless, but only those who got to know them realized how kind-hearted they were.
However, she was interested in Wade’s perspective of her brother.
"And Roger?" she inquired.
"He is the man I always wanted to be, but he beat me in everything. He was always too fast or too smart. I was never able to catch up. I still envy him sometimes."
Delanie smiled as she could see through the pureness of his heart. Wade was nothing like the parents he talked about and nothing like what her parents and Roger wanted her to believe about him.
"You are honest," she acknowledged.
"It’s the truth. My parents, before they died, told me Don Gio and Donner Molly were evil. My grandparents did the same. But that night, after everything, I realized Don Gio was better than my parents," Wade said with a bitter smile.
"He could have allowed Roger to get his revenge. He could have killed me, but no. Don seemed to have seen something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He told me there was a place for bad kids, and if I didn’t want to go there, then I had to be good."
Wade wiped away a lone tear before Delanie could see it. He could still remember that day when Roger pressed the dagger to his neck, feeling like all hope was lost, especially when Don Gio entered the elevator.
But things took a dramatic turn that day. “I envied Roger even more for having a father like him when mine was nothing to write home about, but I took the second chance Don gave me seriously, and I’m grateful for my new parents.”
“They could cut corners, but I wasn’t allowed to do the same. I wasn’t even allowed to know much about the mafia. They raised me like a gentleman but lived like gangsters for the most part of their lives.”
“You should thank them,” Delanie smiled, her liking for him growing. All she saw was a man who was trying to be better than himself.
“I always do. They saved me over their own child, and with that, I owe them my life,” Wade revealed, and Delanie’s eyes widened. “Their own child?”
She was interested in that part too, but Wade felt that he had already said too much when he was only meeting her for the second time. “It’s a long story. Perhaps if we meet again, I will tell you more.”
Delanie had to agree with him. She had learned a lot about him in one night than she ever did in years about anyone. It was just recently she found out that Roger was not related to her by blood, so somehow, she felt like she knew Wade better. “Nice office.”
“Do you want to dance?” Wade asked out of the blue, taking the empty wine glass from her, but Delanie was hesitant.
“I…” She wanted to refuse when Wade’s comforting voice cut through. “I love to dance, Therese, will you dance with me?”
They had spent hours talking, and since not saying much about herself, this was the least she could do. “Sure.”
She expected him to play some kind of hip-hop music, but he kept it cool. Just ballroom music, as he pulled her gently into his warm arms in a way that made it easy for her to feel his heartbeat and the warmth of his breath.
They remained like that, each of them lost in thought until Delanie asked, “Why do you trust me enough to tell me so much?”
Wade pressed her closer to his chest, relishing in her warmth like he had just found his lost treasure.
If he had his way, he would never let her out of his sight, but his upbringing wouldn’t allow it.
“I don’t know either, but I won’t lie to you. I liked Karen when I saw her, but finding out she was married, everything died. And then I saw you. You stole my heart that night."
"I can’t say the same," Delanie said honestly, pulling away but still remaining in close proximity. She liked Wade at first sight but never expected anything to come of it.
Wade smiled. He wasn’t expecting much. "I know, but I can’t hide what I feel. I’m patient, and I just want to get to know you."
Delanie remembered how easy it was for people to get information about others. If Wade tried and never got anything about Therese, then she would have to find a suitable lie. "Can I use your bathroom?"
Wade pulled away and pointed at the glass door. Delanie went in and sent a message to Hector. 'I need keys to Roger’s rented apartment. Can you get them for me?'
'I’ll try, but did something happen?'
'I’ll explain later.'
Delanie returned to see that the food trolley had been moved, and the sofa had been converted to a bed. "You can rest for a while. I’ll take you home when you are ready."
"Oriana?" She asked worriedly, Wade’s brows furrowed slightly. "I’ll check on her," he said and went out. Delanie received a text. 'Roger is ready to send the keys, but you have some explaining to do.'
Delanie nodded and responded, 'Sure.'
"Your friend is still sleeping. Do you want us to wake her?" Wade asked softly, but Delanie shook her head. Oriana was exhausted after the close of work and needed all the rest in the world.
"I’ll wait until she wakes up."
Wade nodded and sat beside her on the converted bed, sensing her discomfort. "I can excuse you."
"No," Delanie refused, though nervous. "It’s your office. Just lie beside me."
"I love to cuddle," he warned. Delanie giggled. "I don’t mind."
As his arms wrapped around her, warmth filled her soul, and she drifted peacefully to sleep. When she woke up, Wade wasn’t there, but there was a dress with undies and a note. 'Please freshen up. Your friend is awake.'
By the time Delanie finished dressing, Wade had returned. "You brought a car last night, so…" Delanie froze, thinking of an explanation to match her disguise for driving that expensive car.