Gael came tonight, hoping that their meeting with the Morellis was just for the sake of appearances. They couldn't afford to make them think that they weren't on board with the elders' order. This time was crucial because the more the Morellis believe that the marriage would happen, the more laid back and vulnerable they would be.

He briefly closed his eyes, several images flashing in his head that served as a reminder of how they came to this point. If it weren't for what J did, this could've been done more manageably. Not only did they have to pretend, but he also ended up hurting Angela—and now she would no longer believe him. Great.

No matter what he did—bold, careful, careless—everything somehow managed to fûck up things between him and Angela. He had always been sure about whatever he needed to do in the past—always been a man of his words—always been someone somebody could trust. But for some reason, when it came to her, he's a mess. It was as though he was programmed to hurt her even though it's the last thing he would ever want to do.

He never wanted to hurt her. But he still did.

'This is why you don't deserve her, asshole. For all the wrong things you did in the world, Angela Su is your karma,' he told himself. And just as he thought of this, his heart broke once again.

"You okay?" Giovanni wondered.

Gael shook his head. There was no reason to lie to the other. "I fûcked it up. Just like how you said would happen."

"This is my fault."

Gael cocked a brow at Giovanni. His uncle rarely became sentimental, but he never blamed him for anything.

Giovanni retrieved a pack of cigarettes and proceeded to light up a black stick. The cold air smelled of chocolate and cinnamon as he blew out a cloud of smoke. "We all know why they don't want me to marry into their family—not that I fûcking care. It'll be a bloody bath before we even get to what we're supposed to do. But we'll get there. I'll avenge my father just how I envision it."

More than anyone, Giovanni had the right to get his revenge. After all, they killed his father.

"Shît. I completely forgot." Gael faced his uncle when he remembered something from earlier. They saw the woman from Giovanni's past, and yet the latter seemed to be nonchalant about it. "What happened? Did you talk to her?"

"Why the hell should I?" Giovanni drew his brows together, his expression devoid of any apparent emotions—it was hard to tell if he was angry or in pain. "There's nothing to talk about. Besides, she knows the next time I see her... I'd end her. She's just lucky we're in public."

He's still bitter—which was perfectly understandable, considering what happened between them. "It's been what? Seven? Eight years?"

"That doesn't mean anything. It could be decades, and I'd still feel the same. Are you going to talk to your girl?" he asked, wanting to change the subject.

"I tried… But she's too emotional right now to listen. I'll keep trying. I'll have to tell her everything, Gio. I just don't know how she'll handle it when her best friend is related to the Morellis."

Giovanni nodded. "Do you trust her enough? What if she tells her friend?"

Letting out an exhausted sigh, Gael rubbed his nape and rolled his neck from side to side. He trusted Angela. But everything about this was hard. "Tonight is the worst."

"Tell me about it. Come on. Let's go let Park know we're leaving. We can't stay long here when we're outnumbered. I have to leave this place." Giovanni patted Gael's shoulder and urged him to go back inside.

***

Meanwhile, Angela and Nina were talking by the bar. She was just telling her best friend that she spoke to Gael outside the balcony. However, when Nina asked her if Gael really was marrying Lauretta, she stopped herself from telling her best friend what he told her.

She wanted so badly to say that he didn't want to marry that woman—that they had a plan. But Nina had Morelli blood in her veins. Despite what her best friend told her that she and her father had nothing to do with that crime family, they were still blood-related. Angela was torn, especially that it was hard to believe what Gael was trying to tell her. She was too muddle-headed at the moment.

"I'm sorry, Anj. I can drive you home if you want. You must be too bummed to be here," Nina offered.

"Angela, I'm surprised to see you here." A man came up next to them.

They turned to see William Park, enjoying a glass of champagne in hand. He wore a black tuxedo, looking debonair like he always did. She hadn't seen him in a long time, but there was something about him and the other Parks that always leave an impression wherever they went.

"William," Angela returned the greeting. She introduced Nina to him and told him she was there for her best friend. "What are you doing here? As far as I know, you aren't related to the Lopez family." She saw him with the Morellis and De Luca when they entered, but she didn't tell him that.

William chuckled, a gorgeous smile forming on his face. "No, we aren't. I'm here for business. We were invited last minute, actually, but we won't stay long. I still have someplace I need to be. I hope you don't mind me crashing your party, Ms. Lopez."

"Not at all. There's plenty of food and drinks for everyone," Nina replied.

He smiled. "I saw your father and brother in Harbor City not long ago, Angela. I didn't see you there. He did, however, say that he'll give you the first prize he won from that raffle."

"Wait—dad never told me he won anything. What are you talking about?" Angela questioned.

Just then, two more dashing young men in tuxedos headed their way. The two De Lucas looked like they were walking on a runway. Gael glanced between Angela and William standing next to each other, and his brows slightly twitched as he observed the two talk. He didn't know they even knew each other. And he definitely didn't like that William Park was showing his charms.

"Mr. Park," Giovanni called as they approached.

Angela tried not to meet Gael's gaze, but it was as if his presence was a magnet. She just couldn't help but be pulled in. His hair looked as if he had run his fingers through it countless times. His face was hard, yet his eyes were melancholic as he stared at her. Her body involuntarily shifted as if she wanted to run into his arms. But the sane side of her stopped her from making a fool of herself. She had to stop longing for him. How was this possible when this man had hurt her, yet she still wanted so badly to be held by him? She must have gone crazy.

William lifted his gaze, took a sip from his flute, and asked, "You ready to leave? I'll have my men escort you to your car downstairs after we inform the others of our leave."

"William!" Nina boldly pulled on his sleeve. "Actually, Angela needs to go home. But I'm needed here. So if you don't mind, can you drive her?"

"Nina," Angela warned. She knew exactly what her friend was doing, saying this while Gael was around.

Before William could say anything, Gael had already spoken, "I'll drive you home."

She met his intense gaze, and it was all she could do not to say yes. Instead, she responded, "I don't think so."

William, who wasn't aware of what's going on or that the two knew each other, darted his stare between them. He wasn't a psychic, but it was pretty evident that there was something there—what with how tense the air was.

Ignoring William's presence, Gael stepped closer. "Angel. I know I'm the last person you want to talk to right now, but at least let me drive you home. I want to make sure you're safe."

Averting her gaze, she swallowed and clenched her hand on the side. She couldn't let him see her cry again. 'Gael doesn't get to be nice and gentle,' she told herself.

Facing William, she gathered the courage to ask, "Will, do you mind? I'm tired, and I just want to go home."

"Of course not." William was unsure of what he just stepped into. But a woman needed his help, and he couldn't refuse. "Would you mind waiting for me in the lobby? I just need to say goodbye to some people."

"Sure. I need to go to the restroom first. I'll meet you downstairs." Angela slightly smiled at him before hugging her best friend and promising to let her know when she reached home.

Gael watched her pass by. He wanted to stop her, but if he continued to insist, he might just be pushing her further away. It hurt to see her leave with another man—especially with someone like William Park. But he just had to let her go for now and give her time to breathe.