(Angel's POV)

The stinging tears brimmed under my eyelid as I stared at him incredulously. He looked so vulnerable, and my heart broke into two, seeing him in his state. I'd rather want to see him cold, than like this.

Don't forget he killed your father, Rose! A part of my brain reminded me over and over, but my heart is crying for him, wanting to be cage again in between his strong arms, aching to feel his warmth against my body.

Shaking my head, I looked away.

"Please, Angel. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I hurt you. I didn't mean it to hurt you, I was only thinking of your safety, and I never thought that pushing you away would hurt you more than anything else," Isaias pleaded in a broken voice, and all the more it's harder to turn my back on him. The sincerity in his voice, it was so overwhelming. I felt the lump in the back of my throat, my heart tightening, torn between staying or leaving. The former felt heavy in my chest, but it was the only choice. Knowing now that Isaias murdered my father, I can't betray him.

"Angel," he called out in a brittle, broken voice, my heart tightened even more.

I choked back a sob as I slowly look up at him and met his eyes. His eyes that have carried thousand of emotions but sadness overpowers them, and my heart tightened as I watched him narrowed our distance ever so slowly. He looks a little uncertain, and it just made me feel terrible, awful.

His handsome face marred with anguish. He looks miserable, and it was enough to shatter my heart into tiny million pieces. I can't bear to look at him, I had to look away.

I swallowed the thick lump in my throat, but it felt like it was still there.

Mixed emotions overwhelming me, tears brimming my eyes, threatening to fall. I choked it back. I swallowed hard as I spoke steadily, without looking at him and noticed my hands are shaking. "Did you really killed my father?" I asked, and relieved to hear my tone not quavering.

"I'm sorry, Piccola. I lied," he responded regretfully. The last words brought relief to my system. I believed he didn't, but he may be lying, too, and then again, he has reasons.

The huge boulder in my chest suddenly lifted up, and I felt a little better upon hearing the truth. I don't have to deal with my conscience all the time nagging me.

I slowly looked up and noticed how far he was to me, a good few inches apart. He looks weary and remorseful, and I searched for the sincerity in his eyes, if he was telling me the truth. "Why did you have to lie?" I asked, then swallowed hard.

His eyes glisten as he locked his gaze with mine. "I know, when you think I killed your father, you'll hate me, then it's easier for you to leave me." He swallowed hard, then stared at me wearily, slowly made a tentative step, then stopped when barely an inch gap. I could feel the warmth of his body radiating off him, softly kissing my body. I tilted my head up, to meet his eyes as he hovered over me. "I'm sorry, Piccola. I thought it was easy, but it wasn't. The moment the reality of your absence sinks into me, I slowly died inside. I was stupid to think everything will be fine, it was dreadful, awful," he lifted his hand, and slowly touch my cheek, passionately, I leaned into his hand, my eyes automatically shut closed, relishing the warmth of his rough palm against my skin. "I've never felt so empty and lost in my entire life, not even when I left my own mother."

His mother?

My eyes snapped opened and stared at his handsome face.

He still had a mother?

But they were dead? That's what he said, as far as I remember.

I held my tongue when I saw how sorrowful he is, this is not the perfect time to ask about her. "I felt dead inside. It was awful, and I don't want to feel that again," he said in a wavering voice, he sounded so broken, and I felt the pain he felt at the moment.

I felt his hot lips on my forehead and I let out a sighed. "I love you, Piccola. I need the piece of my heart, I can never be whole without it," he said in a pained, broken voice. My heart felt each ounce of pain in every word, and I slowly nodded.

My hands automatically curled around his muscled back, and his warmth embraced me. It feels home, and I don't want to let him go. He's my home. I buried my face in his broad chest and drank in his spicy scent.

Smelled of cinnamon, perhaps a tinge of musk, cedarwood, and a manly hint of tobacco, mixed with his sweat. It is intoxicating.

"Mr. Vitale!"

I quickly pulled myself and back up when I heard Mrs. Fair's enthusiastic voice. I slowly turned and fought the blush creeping up to my cheeks. She just came in from the back door and holding a stock of plastic vases, and of course, wearing her big, sweet smile.

"How lovely to see you here?" she gave me a teasing smile, and I felt my cheeks slowly burning up.

"I-I'd b-better go help Cynthia," I stuttered and quickly left them before Mrs fair sees me blushing and headed straight to where Cynthia is.

"Mrs. Fair," I heard Isaias greeted Mrs. Fair.

Their voices faded as I got closer to Cynthia. She was standing next to the working table where different hues of flowers were kept in a fresh case of water, to keep them from withering. She quickly hid her smile when she saw me approaching. She busied herself arranging a bouquet of roses in a white tall glass vase, and tried to hide her amused face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't call you back," I apologized as soon as I reached her. I took one rose from the pile next to gypsophila, then gave it to her.

"He's very much in love," she mused giddily, causing my eyebrow to cocked at her.

"Who?" I asked, confused.

"Our new boss," she smiled at me, her chocolate eyes sparkled.

My eyebrows knitted together in sheer confusion. "New boss?" I repeated. My brain seemed dull, and slow in processing.

Cynthia slapped my shoulder playfully. "Oh, you're a lucky bitch!" she giggled. She tied up the blue and white decorative ribbons around the neck of the vase, then smiled when the beautiful roses looked exactly how she wanted it.

Beautifully arranged. The contrasting colors of the red wine roses, white wine roses with the green leaves really brought out the colors of the roses, and the scattered white gypsophila added beauty to it.

"Beautiful," I said and smiled at the beauty in front of me. Cynthia smiled with pride. "Roses never failed to bring a smile to my face," I grinned as I leaned in carefully and sniffed the natural scent of the flower.

Lovely.

"Indeed!" Cynthia agreed.

"I'm glad you showed up today. We'll be very busy today, since we have twenty centerpieces to make, and a bouquet for the bride." Cynthia was enthusiastic, and I nodded happily. I love making centerpieces, I enjoyed it a lot, it makes me feel so close to nature. Just by smelling its unique scents, it gives me positive vibes, it relaxes me. The same way Isaias makes me feel.

Unconsciously, a smile broke out on my lips. I never thought I would learn to care for him in a very short period of time, heck I fell hard.

Sure, our heart has its own mind. We can't dictate whom to pick. It was very powerful, and neither the brain could control it.

And once it beat for someone, the someone already had you in his/her palm without you knowing.

Yes, there is what we call control, but there's also what they call happiness, which everybody wants to achieve. And that's ruined everything.

Love. It sounds so simple, so easy, but it was the most complicated thing of all things. It either makes you or breaks you.

"Rose," Mrs. Fair's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I slowly turned to face her, and Isaias was behind her, his eyes were trained on me.

I could feel my heart beating again in my throat with that kind of look he sent me, like I was the only beautiful woman in his eyes. He never failed to make my knees go weak. He really knew how to melt me.

"You're off today," Mrs. Fair said, and I quickly shifted my eyes to Mrs. Fair who was smiling happily at me.

I frowned. "But Mrs. Fair, I would love to help Cynthia to make the centerpieces," Mrs. Fair averted her gaze to Isaias who was now standing next to her, with one hand in his pocket.

"Can we just talk later?" I asked Isaias before Mrs. Fair spoke, and Isaias nodded slowly.

"Sure, Piccola. I'll pick you up before five," he agreed, then stepped closer to me, and in front of Mrs. Fair and Cynthia, he leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips. I heard Cynthia gasped loudly. Too dramatic might I add. "I'll see you in a bit, Piccola," he whispered softly, causing my skin to feel tingly. His hot breath kissing my nose, and the smell of his breath intoxicated me. I held my hand back, holding the urge to cupped the back of his head, and pulled him in for a heated kiss.

When he left, Mrs. Fair and Cynthia gave me a teasing grin. I felt my cheeks heated up. "He's very gentleman!" Mrs. Fair commented enthusiastically, and Cynthia snorted loudly, causing Mrs. Fair to looked at her.

Cynthia's wide eyes shifted between me and Mrs. Fair. She smiled sweetly, "I'm sorry, I choked on my own saliva. You are right, Mrs. Fair, he's very sweet!" Cynthia grinned, and Mrs. Fair chuckled.

"You'll find yours soon," she grinned, and Cynthia chuckled at her remarks.

When Mrs. Fair turns on her back, Cynthia giggled. "Oh that, I'm not sure. I believed he's not even conceived yet," and I giggled at her quirky remarks.

Mrs. Fair seem not to hear it as she continued walking away to the storage room.

"Silly!" I chuckled, and we both laughed as we turned to the table and started working.

.........

(Isaias' POV)

Mrs. Fair smiled as soon as Angel left, her face glowing with happiness like the first time I met her. I caught Angel blushing before she turns her back on us, and I couldn't help but smile.

The heavy weight of pain in my chest had been uplifted.

Warm, beautiful feelings had replaced it, and I'm excited for us. I'm so overwhelmingly happy. Angel's acceptance of me is all that I needed, it's all that I ever want, and I don't care about anything else.

I thought she would never forgive. When she turns her back on me, determined to ignore me, I am so scared shitless.

"My sister already settled a house for us, Mr. Vitale. I'm thankful you let me work here while settling things in Australia. We will be leaving in a week. Angel can start to learn the ropes," Mrs. Fair announced excitedly, and I nodded my head.

"I have to convince her first, Mrs. Fair. I've spoiled my surprise, and I'm not sure if she's willing to run the shop. The last time we talk, she refused to." I gave Cristine a tentative smile that felt like a grimace and she chuckled sweetly.

"Cristine," she reminded me.

"I'm glad everything works out in Australia, I hope you'll have a pleasant living there, Cristine," I said, and she beamed at me, her eyes twinkled with renewed joy.

"Oh yes, Mr. Vitale! I can't wait. It's hard when the only family you have is a thousand miles away," she nodded her head as she spoke. My eyes lingered on the stacks of plastic glass against her chest, she was holding it like a baby with both hands.

"Would you need a hand on that?" I asked, pointing the vase with my eyes, and she quickly declined it.

"Oh, I'm alright. This is so light, I can handle it, but thank you. Angel doesn't need to work if you need her today," Cristine said, and I agreed.

"Yes, if you don't mind. We just need to talk about things, we need to clear it out," I explained briefly, and she nodded her head. She walked to the flower stands on her right, and place the emerald green plastic vase in between the flowering plant.

She headed towards the girls who was busy arranging the vase, and I followed her quietly. My eyes automatically searched for her, to the only woman who can make me smile even without trying, who can make me feel the worst, and who can also make me feel such overwhelming happiness.

"Rose," Cristine called when we are about several inches apart. My eyes trained on her, she looks so beautiful, and my heart just as always, beating so loudly in my ears. I couldn't believe such emotion exists, it was too powerful to control. Now I realized why Gio had gone to that extent because, at this very moment, I'm ready to go through hell just to be with her.

She brought hope to me I lost many years ago. I thought I would never experience happiness, I would never experience love, I only heard from my friends.

I stared at her beautiful eyes, it was bright and soulful, and knowing that she's mine, I felt my heart swelled with pride, with happiness. My dark life lightened on her arrival, like a sunshine to a gloomy day, like a moon at night. She's my moon, my sunshine.

She's my life.

She held my gaze for several seconds that felt hours, and I itched to pull her into my arms, but I held the urged. All I want is to cuddle her, hold her in my arms, feel her soft, warm body against my hard ones, get lost in her intoxicating feminine scent.

"You're off today," Cristine informed her, and she tore her eyes away from mine, and frowned at the old lady. Hesitance etched all over her beautiful face, and I knew I had to collect her after her work, or I'm dealing a cranky Angel.

"But Mrs. Fair, I would love to help Cynthia to make the centerpieces," there's an underlying irritation in her soft tone as she spoke calmly to Cristine, and then she darted her eyes at me, there's a little warning in it.

"Can we talk later?" she said, she may seem casual, but the bossiness in her tone is very evident, and I love it. I love it when she's all in control, I suppressed the chuckle bubbling up in my throat.

I nodded my head, trying to conceal my amusement. "Sure, Piccola. I'll pick you up before five," I agreed, stepping closer to her, I don't care if the two woman is watching. I had to kiss her. Leaning in, I controlled the urged not to give her a heated kiss, instead, a peck on her lips, but it was enough to send me to the edge. I could feel all my blood rushing down to my lower region. "I'll see you in a bit, Piccola," I whispered and silently groaned in disappointment when her sweet scent faded as I stepped back.

I left the shop feeling a tad of discomfort, my crotch is so tight, and my fucking hard cock is rubbing against the fabric.

Can he fucking learn when to get attentive? I'm just glad the three women didn't notice it, I had to leave right away.

On my way to the hotel, I called Vito. "Martino is here in New York!" Vito began as soon as the call connected. He sounded apprehensive. "And Angel had a lunch with him, together with Dante Torrini," he informed, causing my muscles to tense up.

Why would she meet him?

It doesn't add up.

"I met with Angel. She's at the flower shop. She didn't mention anything," I said mindlessly, confused.

"Stefan Viggorino is one of the shareholders of the Constantini's glasswork. Perhaps, the percent share of her father was transferred to her." Vito remarks confidently. "Now, we have a problem. We should dig more, but we are not taking our eyes off of Martino. Someone was targeting you, using Martino's name to conceal his identity," Vito added, and there's only one person I could think of.

Luigi D'Antonio.

"The President," I said, my eyes hard on the road. I wasn't aware, I was driving over the maximum speed.

"I was thinking the same, too."

"He's been bugging me to come home, maybe it's time to agreed, and then I could watch him closer," I said. I pulled the car into the hotel's driveway, then parked in front. Turning the engine off, I slid out of the car and tossed the key to the valet.

"Good idea!" he agreed. "Martino is very close to him. Every weekend, they play cards in his estate." Vito informed and I nodded. "Keep your enemies closer," Vito remarked and I agreed.

The guard greeted me as he held the door for me, I just nod my head in acknowledgment, and headed straight to the elevator.

"I'll have to talk to Angel about this meeting with Martino, I'll call you later," I said.

"I'm glad you did the right thing, Sai." With that, the line went dead.

............