Chapter 48

"You seem good- better even." Nathan voiced out the moment the waitress left for our order. I glanced at him shyly. Yes, I know. The word shy doesn’t really describes me but with the past that we had... "T-thanks." I responded. "I’m sorry." I suddenly blurted out. Being shy right now doesn’t seem to cut whatever I’m feeling in front of him. When I saw him in the classroom, I thought it’s fine now- I’m fine. But then he came to me and I realized, it’s not. His face reminded me of how much of a fool I was. "If I said it’s fine, that it’s not your fault, will you stop feeling guilty?" He stared at me and continued. "I have enough of looking at that defeated face, Miss White... Avery." He added my first name with unclear emotion. My eyebrows rose and my eyes widened. I have never expected an answer like that. "If it makes you any better, I chose to retire. I told them the truth. They believed me. I thought it was an opportunity to quit though. My mom wanted me to stop anyways. I didn’t want her to always worry all the time." I looked at him bemused. "What?" He asked cheekily. "I... I-I don’t know what to say. You were always in my mind you know. I could never forget what happened that day." Sadness and guilt swayed in my voice. He smirked playfully. "I’m flattered. You were always in my mind too you know." He said jokingly. Though I didn’t know how to react with that. I’m still kind of anxious. His face then shifted to seriousness. "But it help you, didn’t it?" My brow lifted in confusion. My head tilted to the side. He noticed I was confused. He then smiled. One that was friendly and relaxed. "I know you had internal battles, Avery. It didn’t help that people there looked down on you. They hurt you both physically and mentally. The other officers turned a blind eye on this. Helping you might be the reason I was scolded but hell I was glad I was out of there. You thought of it. Felt guilty about it but it helped you stood up for yourself. I heard the news, Avery. You were at the top. Man, Briggs is even dying to recruit you." "You heard of it?" I asked with a surprised look. "How could I not? I still have friends there you know. I would ask how you were whenever I got the chance. I wanted to visit you and see for myself. Perry advise me not to. He said it would do no good for you." "So Captain Perry was like your newspaper, huh?" I said jokingly. He laughed. "Yes, he was." His laugh sounded like an angel. It was hot. He was hot. Then an image of certain someone who always wear a straight face crossed my mind. I shook my head to shoo him away. "What’s wrong?" Concern etched in his voice. "N-nothing." As I recovered my thoughts. "I hope it really is nothing. I don’t blame you, Avery. Like I said I was glad I was out of there. So you don’t have to be sulky about it." I frowned ticked from his term. "I am not sulky." He then laugh. Yes, that angelic laugh. "Yes, you are." --- Today, I plan to go to the mall. I haven’t been buying stuff for myself like shoes and clothing for a long time. I was busy trying to save money for NYU. Now, I suddenly have extra amount of cash in my account which I wasn’t really expecting. My dad told me to keep the money. He wanted to pay for my university. Scratch that, he wanted to pay for everything. Though I refused, he insisted. Now that I have extremely large amount of cash in my account, I planned to buy things for me and for the sweet grand couple who have been so kind to me. I stroll around the mall looking for a really great gift for Nancy and Henry. Something that’s memorable and useful. Hmmn... My train of thoughts stopped when I noticed a familiar figure a few feet from me. She was holding a lot of shopping bags in her hands. One of it fell. She squatted down to reach it despite her difficult situation. I then hurried towards her and helped her with the bags. "Oh, thank you, dear." She said in her familiar motherly soft voice. When she looked up, she realized it was me. She gasped with a surprised face. "Oh my. Avery it’s you." She exclaimed with a hint of excitement in her voice. "Hey, Angela. It’s good to see you." I smiled widely happy to see her. I then frowned when I noticed she was the only one here. "Why are you alone? Where are your bodyguards?" I looked anywhere looking for them. I grabbed the other bags from her hands and helped her. "Thank you, dear. You know I don’t like them following around." I gave her a small smile. "Mr. Ranallo isn’t here again, is he? I know you like to be alone when he’s not around." It was funny to see her pouting when I realised that I was right. The silence gave it away. "Wanna have me as your bodyguard? I would be more than happy to help you with your shopping spree." Angela’s features lightened from my suggestion. "Yes, yes. Of course! I wouldn’t have it any other away, my sweet Avery." She said with excitement. "Let’s go." She dragged me away. I almost trip from my own foot. I was extremely surprised with her contagious excitement. In the end, my money was completely untouched. She was the one who bought me everything I needed. I was speechless during the whole trip. She dragged me in every branded store. I couldn’t refuse when she kept insisting and nagging at me. I was a submissive dog the whole time. After our little- I mean extreme shopping spree, she wanted to cook dinner for me as she promised the last time I was in the hospital. I pretty much agree to everything she wishes. I could sense she was a bit lonely. His husband and her son were out of the country. She was alone in their mansion. I didn’t have the heart to leave her. We dropped by in my apartment and left the stuff she bought for me. She requested that I wear what she bought for me today. I let her choose freely and she picked the baby blue skater dress that reached mid thigh paired with nude heels. "You looked really good with anything, dear. No wonder Sierra can’t get her hands off of you. Your figure is perfect. Women would die to have a body like you." She said in awe as she circled around me while studying me. Women in my life really like to doll me up. I can’t even refuse because they’re all scary. "Thanks, Angela." I smiled. She narrowed her eyes at me. "You’re not flattered. You must be used to this compliment, aren’t you?" She smirked knowingly. "Well..." I smiled shyly. --- "The dinner’s really delicious, Angela. Mr. Ranallo is lucky to have a wife who’s a really really good cook." Angela and I spent our dinner with lots of conversation. She wasn’t pouting anymore. I was happy that she enjoyed herself. Unfortunately I have to go. It was already late at night. We were caught up with our random talks that we forgot the time. Angela walked me to their front door. As I looked at her, I knew she was feeling sad that I was going. Aside from the maids, she was the only one left in the house. "Thank you, dear. Marco says the same thing every time." She chuckled but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. Would it be awkward if I asked to have a tea with her? I mean this isn’t really my house to invite her. "Would you like me to stay for a little longer, Angela? I mean... I just- I don’t want you to be alone... in this..." big big mansion. This place reminds me of... him. " Oh, yes, dear." I looked up and saw her happy. Her eyes twinkled again. She grabbed my wrist and dragged me back inside. "I wanted you to stay longer but I didn’t want to inconvenience you." "It’s okay, Angela. I don’t have anything to do. I’m just worried you’re all alone here." "Would you like some tea? I could prepare one." She was so excited that it was making me feel the same way. "Yes, Angela. I would like some tea." I giggled remembering what I have thought a moment ago. Angela’s phone suddenly rang in the quiet living room. She frowned when she took her phone. She then smiled seeing the name of the screen. She looked at me and smiled. It’s probably her husband. She’s always beaming when it comes to Mr. Ranallo. Her face becomes ten years younger and she acts like a teenager. "It’s Marco. I’m going to take this call. Please feel free at home, Avery." "Okay." I smiled at her. She waved her hand and left. I sat at the couch beside me. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I sighed. Now I’m getting sleepy with all that food I devoured. The sound of the door closing woke me up. I opened my eyes expecting to see Angela done with her phone call. Boy I was wrong. I immediately got up feeling awkward and embarrassed when I met his eyes. I thought he was outside the country. I stood up frozen not knowing what to do. My mouth closes and opens like a fish. I decided to shut up instead not to fully embarrassed myself. Of course, like the man he is, he glowered at me. I pretty much expected that.