Dinner With Nikolai.
“Aren’t you giving me a second chance, Felicia?” Gustavo gripped her arm, his blue eyes—eyes she’d grown to love—locked on hers.
Tears streamed down her face, her voice trembling with pain.
“You hurt me, Gustavo,” she whispered, emotions swirling in her gaze.
“Not even for this?” He pulled out a single red rose, coaxing a tearful chuckle from her.
“You think a flower earns my forgiveness?” she asked, half-smiling. His smirk deepened as he stepped closer.
“It put a smile on your face, didn’t it?” Her smile lingered, but her eyes darkened again.
“You know you hurt me,” she said, her voice heavy.
“I do, amoré,” he replied, his tone brimming with sincerity. “That’s why I’m trying—to earn your forgiveness and be with you forever.”
Angel’s Pov.
Our eyes held, and we both knew those lines weren’t just for the movie. They carried a weight far beyond the script.
“Wow, that was romantic!” Jade’s dreamy exclamation snapped us out of the moment, breaking our gaze.
I forced a small smile and excused myself, unsettled by Raul’s blank, intense stare. His enigmatic gaze burned into me, stirring unease in my chest.
“Angel!” A familiar voice spun me around.
It was Nikolai.
A genuine grin spread across my face, and I threw my arms around him, craving the comfort of his presence.
“Hey, Nikolai,” I greeted with a wave, making him smile.
He pecked my cheek gently.
“Angel,” he called gently, his eyes fixed on me.
“Ready to go?”
I nodded eagerly, desperate to escape Raul’s predatory eyes and unreadable expression, which only fanned the flames in my aching heart.
“We just wrapped a scene, so I’m free all day.”
“Perfect. Let’s get out of here.” I hooked my arm through his, and we walked away.
Raul’s searing gaze bored into my back, but I forced myself to ignore it.
We reached his car, and he opened the car door for me.
“Thank you,” I murmured softly.
He shut it with a thud and slid into the driver’s seat, flashing a half-smile.
“Long, stressful day. Ice cream sounds good?”
I nodded, a small smile breaking through.
“Sure.”
“Ice cream it is.” He started the engine, and we pulled away.
After the ice cream parlor, we headed to his favorite Spanish restaurant.
Seated across from him, I stirred my drink, curiosity sparking.
“Nikolai, why’d you leave Spain?”
He leaned back, his expression softening.
“Mom wanted us to move to the States to be with Grandma before she passed. After she did, there was no reason to go back.”
“How long have you been here? And how old are you both?”
“We’re twenty-eight. I’ve been in LA for about eight years, but Raul’s been here ten.”
My eyes narrowed, intrigued. “Why the difference?”
His gaze flickered with guilt, quickly masked.
“It’s a long, sad story. Since you’re… involved with him, it’s his to tell.”
I wanted to press but respected his silence, dropping the subject.
“You moved in with him already?” His question made me pause, my fork clattering to the plate.
His unreadable stare pinned me.
“Yeah, Nick, but—” He cut me off, resting his hand on mine with a faint smile.
“You don’t need to explain, amoré.” His voice was flat, devoid of warmth.
“Do you really like Raul that much?” He asked, and I sighed, avoiding his eyes.
“Yes, Nick. I don’t know why my heart and body chose him, but I do. I’d do anything to be with him.”
My voice carried unwavering resolve, though I couldn’t meet his gaze.
“Even be his mistress if he doesn’t leave Catalina?” His gray eyes, void of emotion, forced me to look up.
“I’m not planning to stay his mistress forever,” I said sharply. He leaned forward, raising a brow.
“And if he doesn’t leave her?”
I scoffed, crossing my legs and meeting his stare.
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Maybe because he loves—”
“In the three months I’ve known Raul, I’ve learned he values two things: reputation and loyalty. If he’s risking his reputation and being disloyal, he has reasons for cheating on Catalina. If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t even consider it, no matter how rocky their marriage is.”
“So you’re saying he doesn’t love her?” Nikolai’s tone was probing.
I pursed my lips, thinking. “From what I’ve observed, Nick, I don’t think he does.” I held his gaze steadily.
A fleeting emotion crossed his face before he looked away, hiding it.
“What if it means getting rid of Catalina? Or if she gets pregnant?”
I chuckled, locking my fingers under my chin with a smirk.
“Killing Catalina? I don’t know how far I’d go, Nick, but I’d advise your sister-in-law to stay on my good side. Her carrying his child? I’d happily mother it.”
“You’re no angel,” he muttered.
I laughed softly.
“I know, Nick. My name betrays my sinful desires and dark thoughts. I wasn’t always like this, but life’s challenges change you. I’ve endured enough, and now I’m done burying my feelings for the world’s sake. I want to chase my happiness—and Raul is my happiness.”
He stared at me, silent, his expression blank.
“You love hard, amoré,” he whispered. “Just be careful with Catalina. She’s… not normal. And whatever you do, I’ll support you.”
I frowned, confused.
“Nikolai, why support me? Isn’t Catalina family? And… don’t you have feelings for me?”
He smiled, squeezing my hand.
“You’re not wrong, amorè. I do have feelings for you, and it stings that you chose my brother. But I owe Raul a lot, and this is my chance to make things right. As for Catalina… let’s just say there’s a lot you don’t know about the D’Amanos.”
Questions burned in my mind, but his guarded look told me answers wouldn’t come.
“Let’s eat,” he said with a smile, and we dug in, though our conversation lingered in my thoughts.
The rest of dinner passed in silence.
After Nickolai paid the bill, we rose to leave. He held onto my arm as we stood.
“So, where do you want to get—”
I stopped mid-sentence.
Because we froze.
My gaze collided with his Raul’s electrifying blue ones. His curly hair was tied back in a bun, revealing faded sides, a single stud glinting in his ear, and a sleek gold chain resting against his neck.
The black turtleneck and beige suit hugged his frame, making my pulse race. I fought to keep my emotions in check.
God help me—I wanted to pounce on him.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to look away. That’s when I noticed her—Catalina’s hand looped around his arm like a warning.
My jaw clenched, and I looked away.
Her green eyes shot daggers at me, mirroring my own glare. She wore a one-shoulder beige dress, cut mid-thigh, showcasing her long legs and pale skin. I had to admit, her look was striking.
“Nicko!” Catalina broke our stare, pulling him into a hug.
“What are you doing here? Join us!” Raul’s glare at her went unnoticed as she beamed.
Nickolai forced a smile, shaking his head. “No, Cat, we’ve already eaten. We’re heading out.” Her face fell into a pout.
“Promise you’ll visit tomorrow evening,” she pressed. He offered a noncommittal smile.
“You know I’m a busy man. Sorry, we’ve gotta go.”
He took my arm, and I caught Raul’s gaze flick to where Nikolai’s hand rested.
His blank expression left me grasping for clues about his feelings. I’d asked for space, not for him to shut me out completely.
Then, his voice cut through.
“Catalina,” Raul said suddenly, his tone low and edged with irritation, “if you dragged me here just to watch you flirt with my brother in the middle of a restaurant, you could’ve said so—I wouldn’t have bothered showing up.”
His tone dripped with irritation.
Her face twitched, but she plastered on another smile.
“I’m sorry,” she laughed lightly, though it landed flat. “Let’s go. See you later, Nicko!”
She waved, ignoring me entirely—a relief.
As we parted ways, I caught a charged glance between the brothers. I pretended not to notice, but curiosity gnawed at me.