"Why do you want me to meet your father?" Angela probed, her eyes unwavering. It shouldn't be a question as Gael had already met her father and some of the Sus. But his family was different. Imagining meeting the man was unnerving for her. According to what Nina told her back then—if Gael was ruthless, that's because he got it from his father.

"Honestly… I should have done that earlier. Is that too much for you?" he probed.

He didn't exactly answer her question, and that bugged her. "I mean, it's too sudden that you asked. Did you just think about it now? Does your father know about me?"

Angela's question made sense to him, and he couldn't be mad about it when he'd never really brought it up in the past. He squeezed her shoulder as if to give her comfort. "It came to mind yesterday… And he's heard, I'm sure—especially since I brought you to New York with me last week. But we haven't talked about you directly."

She could only imagine his father's face as she'd seen a photo of him back at Nonna Flavia's house, but that photo was taken a long time ago. Even so, the resemblance between Gael and his father was uncanny that she thought he'd probably look similar when he'd grow older. Angela could definitely sense the dangerous vibes just by looking at his father's photo. And now that Gael wanted her to meet his father, a thousand things ran in her head.

Would the man even like her? Did that matter? For all she knew, he was in on this whole arranged marriage thing.

She let out a soft sigh, looking away and shifting in her seat so that she was no longer leaning against him. "We both know that me meeting your father is not the same as you meeting mine—to some degree."

The caddie came to a stop, and Gael was hesitant to leave their conversation just like that. He clenched and unclenched his hand, slightly regretting bringing it up when they couldn't talk properly yet with all these distractions. But he had to at least put it out there so she could have some time to think. "I know. And you don't have to if you don't want to. I'd understand."

Angela's cousin called Gael over, and he nodded to say he's coming. He turned to her again. "But think about it. Okay?"

He caressed her head for a brief second before getting off the cart and joining the others. Watching his back as he walked away was her least favorite thing because it felt as if it'd be the last time that she'd see him. But at the same time, she couldn't tear her gaze away.

She wanted to be stronger, but being strong didn't mean she'd be happy. There were no guarantees in whatever decision she'd make, and she already knew that, but Angela hoped for a path that would give her minimal heartache.

Because whether she liked it or not, she was painfully aware that everything about Gael might leave a deep scar that's impossible to cover.

***

Angela already expected that Gael and her father would win the game. She'd only gotten the privilege to see the last few holes they've played, but even so, it was enough for her to determine they'd slay. Her father and his brother had always been competitive when it came to golf; hence they started the tradition to end the year. Being teamed up with Gael, Charlie Su became even more motivated to defeat his brother. His smile was so wide like that of a child who got the top score in class as they walked towards the rest of the family.

"Normally, I don't like losing a game," Wilfred Su began, putting the club into a bag that's attached to the golf cart. He shook his head, but there was a hint of a smile slowly growing on his face despite having just lost the game. "But that was a good one. Charlie, we have to keep playing more often on weekends. I can't let this boy beat me again next year!"

Gael chuckled, removing the gloves from his hand and then twisting a water bottle's cap. He looked at it before facing Angela's uncle and saying, "That was just a lucky shot, Wil."

'Wil?' She arched a brow. Gael was definitely getting chummy with her uncle. If she remembered correctly, her uncle had a totally different attitude last night regarding Gael. But the look on the older man's face right now was a stark contrast from last night. It was as if he'd found a new best friend. Uncle Wilfred had even probably thought of legal ways of adopting Gael into the family before the sun goes down. She mentally shook her head.

"Oh, don't you go humble on me now, boy. You have control like a sniper in the middle of a war." Wilfred patted Gael's shoulder, the weight of his hand emphasizing his compliment.

The corner of Gael's lips slanted into a crooked smile. The innocent comment was oddly accurate of his marksmanship skills. He'd receive a similar compliment from his father when he learned the different kinds of guns they owned.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Angela in the cart. He caught her looking at him, and he held her gaze from a distance. Her lips parted before they formed a radiant smile on her face, clapping her hands and mouthing, "Congrats." He smiled back, lightly tilting the bottle towards her and then tipping it back, the cool water sloshing inside his mouth.

Her halfway cheerful expression was enough for him to know that she was okay after his proposal earlier. He could only hope that she'd agree.

A hand landed on his shoulder, interrupting his uncharted thoughts. He turned his head to see Charlie announcing to the group, "This is the best game I've had this year. Today's lunch is my treat."

***

Most of the men went to freshen up or change their shirts. Gael, on the other hand, stayed with Angela by the tables. He'd noticed her by herself whenever he'd check on her, only occasionally talking to Aunt Colette and not much with the others. It bothered him a little that the other women in her family didn't give her much attention, and he itched to ask her about it.

She was checking her phone when he approached, and she put it away as he arrived. "You probably want to change. Here, take your jacket." She attempted to untie the knot, but he stopped her.

"It's okay. Keep it."

She lowered her hands, looking around the clubhouse. There were no other patrons except for her family. After all, it was Christmas eve—everyone else must be so busy with their home preparations. Not for the Sus, though. They had servants to do dinner preparations for them.

"I have to admit… You did look like you were having a good time playing with them," she remarked.

"I did, actually. I'm not particularly fond of golf, and my family has a different mindset when it comes to bonding… But this is nice."

"Yeah…" Angela glanced at her aunts and cousins, chatting over overpriced wines and subtly boasting about their subsequent expensive purchases. "Mine's a little extra with everything. I've gotten used to it, but I'd still much rather prefer a quiet morning where I don't have to pretend that I've gotten a hold of my life in front of them."

"Angel… Know that you don't have to pretend around me." Gael stared at her, taking in the hidden annoyance in her eyes when she and Lyra caught glances. She did a double-take as if she didn't expect what he just told her.

Then he felt her hand sliding into his not a moment later. He quickly looked down just to be sure that it was indeed her hand, and it was. When he looked up, he met her soft gaze.

Angela swallowed, finding the courage to speak. "Gael…" She bit her bottom lip. "I like you. I do. I don't think I've said that out loud..."

Call him cheesy, but this was fûcking beautiful. Angela caught him off guard, but he'd never want to hear that any differently—out of nowhere but definitely hit home.

Gael was nearly swallowed by the urge to claim her lips right at this moment. She paused, probably thinking through what she wanted to say next, and he was a stunned homeless man who just won the lottery from a ticket he bought with the last two dollars he had.

Just as he was about to ask her what she was trying to say, someone called for a family picture. Aunt Colette waved them over. And before he knew it, Angela was already pulling him towards the group. Lyra asked a server to take a photo, giving her phone to be used while the others took their places. Most of the women were in front while the men were at the back. Angela stood on the rightmost side.

While everyone got ready to pose, Gael shifted behind Angela, his chest pressing against her back as he slipped his hand around her waist and the other held her free hand. He felt her stiffen when he whispered to her ear, "Me too, Angel. I like you. More than you'll ever know."