Chapter 228: She Is Different

Chapter 228: She Is Different
Chapter 228: She Is Different 

Riccardo 

The moment Angelia stepped out of my house, I felt a strange mix of emotions. A quiet relief that she has taken this step and lingering fear that she might still wake away again. I stood by the door long after it closed, replaying the night in my head. She has been hesitant but there was a softness in her, the way she hugged me at the end, it wasn't just gratitude. It was trust, she has started to trust us again and I am happier with that. I know the stalker situation had affected her deeply, that is what we didn't object when she said wanted to go back to her apartment and gathered her own thoughts. I am so happy reach out to us sooner, we didn't have to wait for that long.

“She is going to be the death of you if you don't calm down.” Marshall's voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to find him leaning against the wall, his arms crossed and a knowing smirk on his face.

“She is worth it.” I replied.

“Yes, she is.” He agreed, his smirk fading into Something more serious.

“But we can't screw this up again, dude. She trusts us a lot and we need to tread carefully.”

“I know,” I said, running a a hand through my hair.

“I have been thinking about that nonstop.”

“What about Kingston?” He asked, nodding towards the living room where our silent friend was waiting.

Kingston wasn't the type to voice his feelings and emotions easily, he was steady, dependable but the depth of his feelings often went unspoken.

“I will talk to him.” I said.

“We need to be on the same page if this is going to work.”

I found him sitting on the couch,his broad frame taking up more space than seemed possible. He was nursing a glass of liquor, his gaze fixed on the city lights beyond the window.

“She left?” he said without looking at me.

“She will be back.” I replied, taking the seat across from him. He turned his dark eyes on me, his experience unreadable.

“You sound so sure.” 

“Yes, I am.” I said firmly.

“She wants this as much as we do, she is just figuring out how to make it work for her again.” 

He took a slow sip of his drink before setting the glass down.

“I don't want to push her.” He said finally.

“She has been through enough already.”

“We are not pushing her.” I assured him.

“We are giving her time to figure out what she wants but that doesn't mean we can't be there reminding her that she is not alone. She has gone through a lot alone already, she needs happiness” He nodded, his gaze drifting back to the window.

“She is different,” he said after a long pause.

“Yes, she is and she is strong. And that is why this matters.” I agreed with him.

Later that night, as I sat alone in my office, I found myself staring at the duplica of journal we had sent her. I had thought it would be a small gesture, something to show her we were thinking about her but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I wanted to know what she had written inside. Not to invade her privacy but to understand her better. To know what she was thinking, feeling and her fear.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. This wasn't like me, I was usually the level headed one, the one who kept things moving while Marshall and Kingston worked through their own emotions. But Angelia had me twisted up in ways I didn't fully understand.

The next day, I found myself outside her apartment. I hadn't planned to come but something pulled me here, a need to see her and to reassure her that we weren't going anywhere. I hesitated at the entrance, debating whether to text her or just leave. Before I could decide, the door opened and there she was, stepping out onto the street. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me.

“Riccardo?” 

“Hey,” I said, shoving my hands into my pockets.

“I didn't mean to ambush you, I just… I wanted to check on you.” A small smile tugged at her lips.

“You could text me , you know.”

“I know,” I admitted.

“But this felt better.” I added, she laughed softly and the sound was like a balm to my frayed nerves.

“Want to grab a coffee?” I asked, nodding towards the cafe across the street.”

“Sure,” she said, her smile widening.

We sat by the window, the sunlight streaming in as we talked. It was easy, comfortable but there was an undercurrent of tension and an awareness that we were still navigating something fragile. At one point, she reached the table and her fingers brushed against mine. The touch was light, fleeting but it sent a spark through me.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice so soft.

“For what?” I asked, tilting my head.

“For not giving up on me even when I tried to push you guys away. Thank you for being patient with me.” She said, her eyes meeting mine.

I couldn't help myself, I reached out and covered her hand with mine.

“Angelia, you worth every second of it.” She  held my gaze for a moment before looking away, her cheeks flushing. I am so happy that she is coming out of her shell and regaining herself that was lost with this whole situation of her stalker.

As we walked back to her apartment, I felt a warmth settle in my chest. It wasn't the kind of fiery passion that burned out quickly, it was steady, enduring and a promise of something worth fighting for. We reached her door, she hesitated a little before turning to face me.

“Riccardo?” She called, her voice uncertain.

“Yes?” I replied.

Instead of responding, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, her face burying itself against my chest and my arms encircling her protectively.

“You are not alone in this,” I whispered against her hair.

“I know,” she murmured.

And for the first time, I truly believe we were on the right path.