The commitment that Angela had with the Love Tales project was beyond her initial expectation. At first, she thought that the work would be nothing more than just that—a work. However, things changed the moment she came home and realized what was in store for her. Getting this opportunity was definitely an achievement. She was so excited that she got to work as soon as she could.

Angela was ecstatic. For the past three years, she had accumulated different plots and had filed them to safety, which was why it wasn't hard for her to come up with the stories that she would write for the project. She had been wanting to write a book series but had always put it off. Now, she was looking forward to it.

Love Tales by Sweet Soul Studio sent the contract on the same day they met Samantha Cho at the Four Seasons Hotel. The first three days after signing the agreement were spent plotting the whole series and figuring out how she could work her schedule in the next three months to keep up with her promise. 

Samantha was kind enough not to rush her, telling her that the studio can start with her other books first, and her new ones can follow. They didn't give her a deadline, but Angela gave herself one. Because her mind was already set on finishing all three by the end of the year, she planned to stick to her schedule.

It wasn't only because she was dedicated to the project. It was also to keep herself busy. If she had things to do, she wouldn't have time to think about other things—other people.

To keep up with her writing, Angela had an agreement with her father—that she would agree to show up on the dates that he arranged as long as he doesn't force her to work in the company. Mr. Su came to terms with her request, and thus it was how she managed her schedule.

Angela would work on her book for at least six hours a day, five times a week. While on Friday and—or Saturday nights, she would go on dates. Following this routine, she actually found it fun. Going on dates and meeting new guys gave her inspiration—lots of it.

She stopped sulking about stuff that made her sad. Instead, she made the most out of her dates. It wasn't all fun dates, though… She met a couple of weirdos along the way, but she did not back out even then. 

Keeping her head held high, Angela breezed through three months without shedding a tear—even after meeting people and learning things she wished she never learned. She braved through it all and curled her mouth into a smile because she promised herself she would no longer be weak.

…

December 1—Saturday at 3 p.m.

The women's shower room in the Fit & HIIT gym was filled with steam even after all the water had been turned off. After their training thirty minutes ago, Angela and Nina hit the showers and then changed into fresh clothes. The former wore a black tank top and yoga pants. 

"Have you submitted your draft already?" Nina asked as they headed out of the gym and onto the sidewalk.

Angela shook her head, fixing the thick yoga mat that she had slung over her shoulder. She remembered that she needed to buy a new one because she accidentally tore the one she was carrying in the morning. "No, not yet. I want to go over everything first, in case I miss something. It's the last book, after all. I want to make sure the ending isn't too…"

"Rushed?"

"Yeah… I feel like something is missing. I'm just not quite sure what it is yet."

Shrugging, Nina patted her friend's back and consoled her, "Well, you have a lot of time left. They're not expecting it until Christmas anyway. So you can take your time and do what you have to do." When they reached her car, she dug her car keys from her bag.

Angela nodded and then pointed at Nina's hip where the car keys were hooked. "What's gotten you so absent-minded today?"

"Oh, thanks!" Nina unclasped the keys and opened the car's trunk, shoving all her things inside and slamming the lid close right after. "Dad's a little annoying today, I have to go meet him for dinner later."

"I see…"

"You have a date tonight, right? You think you're lucky tonight… or… do you need saving again?"

With a long sigh, Angela pursed her lips into a thin line. "I don't know what to expect tonight. Promise you'll be on standby in case I need you?"

"Ugh, hello?! That's a done deal—you don't even have to ask. I'm actually… slightly… hoping your date will flop, so you can come to rescue me instead. I really don't want to go to this dinner." Nina rolled her eyes.

Knowing how her friend's family was dysfunctional, Angela could only give Nina a rub on the arm. "If it makes you feel any better, I think tonight's date will suck."

Just then, Nina's phone rang, and she groaned. "Ugh. I have to go. I'll call you later?"

The two friends bid farewell. Angela watched as her friend drove away and joined the traffic. Because her apartment building was just a few blocks away, she walked home every time.

Seeing a cafe nearby, she decided to drop by and get herself a drink.

"One tall cappuccino, please," she ordered, leaning against the counter and casually tapping her fingers as she waited. 

Her date wasn't until seven in the evening—that's less than four hours from now. She contemplated whether she should also grab a post-workout food or just make some snacks when she gets home.

The cafe was crowded, and most of the tables were occupied. Patrons came and went, and the bell on the door rang from time to time. 

While she was busy pondering, Angela didn't notice a tall figure came to her side. The man earned several stares when he entered the establishment, but his eyes were fixed at no one else but her.

"You still haven't changed…" he muttered, his voice low and smooth and so familiar that she instantly straightened her back. The hair on her nape stood, and she refused to turn around, so she kept her gaze forward.

The female staff glanced at the man next to her before sliding the to-go cup on the counter, pushing it towards Angela as she said, "Here's your cappuccino. Thanks for dropping by! Please come again."

The warm cup hit her palm when she carefully wrapped her fingers around it. She had no choice now but to turn around. And when she did, she met his stupid handsome grin—she swore she wanted to throw the hot drink to his face to wipe that smirk off.

As if he got straight out of a magazine, he donned a three-piece navy blue pinstripe suit. He looked classy, yet a bit nonchalant for keeping the top button undone—it was so him. 

Gael seemed to be doing perfectly well—what with the way he dressed. It made her wonder what the asshole was up to the last three months when he appeared as if he could afford a thousand smartphones and even buy his own cellular network—and yet he couldn't be bothered to use.

Angela stared at him, clenching her jaw and keeping her mouth shut as she was trying so hard in controlling herself.

But did that stop him from talking? Of course not. 

Tilting his head to the side and cocking a brow, Gael glanced at the cup in her hand, and then he stared at her as he questioned, "Really? A cappuccino at three in the afternoon?"