☝️ Dean's and Sasha's Photo Above.

"We Shine Bright So That Others May Shine Brighter." – Yohancé Salimu

Angel's POV

"You have to answer it now, Angel, before he loses it. My brother is the most tenacious man I know. Trust me. He'll keep on ringing your phone until you turn deaf," Sasha laughed as she thrust the phone back to me.

"No! I'm not going to answer it." I shook my head vehemently. I turned the ringer off and let it vibrations on nonstop. My eyes rolled as I placed the phone on top of my purse, sitting on the nearby small table.

"So you wanted it full dye, you say?" the middled aged lady in the salon asked, and I met her eyes on the mirror in front of me.

"Yes," I agreed with a small smile.

"Here, give it to me, and I'll talk to him," Sasha proffered her hand, and I apologetically smiled at the lady behind me, doing her job while I moved constantly. She just sent me an understanding smile.

I reached for the phone and handed it to Sasha. Her head was covered with foils. She had her hair dyed back to her true color, which greatly surprised me.

"Hello, brother!"

I watched as Sophie, my hair stylist, started mixing chemicals but not paying attention to her. My whole senses focused on Sasha's conversation with her brother. As much as I'd like her to put the audio on speaker, Max could be talking about his fears again about those people spying on him.

"Don't worry, dear big bro. I'm not going to let her entertain these men who were right now ogling her like a fine piece of meat," Sasha giggled, and my head whipped in her direction.

I widened my eyes at her, sending her my disapproval, and she just winked at me.

I saw she grimaced like Max had said something offensive.

"Oh, please! She's not a five-year-old girl," Sasha rolled her eyes, and I bit back a chuckle. "We'll not be long. Just try to entertain yourself. I'm just borrowing her for a few hours," Sasha smiled mischievously.

"Don't be daft! Nothing will happen, okay? You are too paranoid. Just relax there, or go to the gym. We just went there and Angel. And—"

"I'm not telling you! Christ's sake, Max. Go hang out with your friends. Angel and I are fine!"

Sasha looked at me with frustration all over her beautiful face.

"I love you, dear brother, but I'm going to hang up! Ciao, frattelo maggiore!"

"Here," Sasha proffered the phone back to me, and I took it, grinning satisfactorily at her, and she chuckled.

"Right now, let's enjoy it. We'll deal with storm Max 5.0 when we get home," she laughed, and I sensed a tinge of fear laced in her deceiving calm tone.

"Your brother is too overprotective," but I love him.

"All of the Demakis'" she bit out, and I chuckled.

"Talk about family. Mine too. I'm just glad I made the right decision that I left home," I giggled, and Sasha shook her head in agreement.

"Reason I left for Italy." Sasha shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"But I felt like eyes are watching me all the time," I murmured, and then stilled when Sophie started to work on my hair.

I watched her in the mirror absentmindedly as I thought of my family back home.

I missed them, and the last time I talked to them was after Xandrous and Vicky left.

It took us at least three hours in the salon, and by the time we left the luxurious salon, Sasha and I decided to have something to bite.

We ended up at one of the celebrity's favorite restaurants, the La Bernardine, owned by Kristoff Bernardine.

A Fil/Irish restaurateur, realty developer, manufacturer of famous seasonings and bottled sauces, and one of the shareholders of Black Omega Psi Steel Corp.

I know cause my dad worked with him.

It was almost one in the afternoon, and I decided to order their best-selling New York Strip.

Sasha tried their salmon.

We were tended swiftly by one of their staff.

I'm not surprised the place was a hot spot for celebrities.

The restaurant was sitting in an elevated area with the best 360 views. The skyline views at night must be jaw-dropping from the restaurant.

It felt like you were out of the suffocating strips of New York.

Several security guards flanked the entrance and back door to secure the customers from the paparazzi, and the food was delicious.

I spotted Selena Gomez and her friends not far from our table.

Sasha was also busy perusing the luxurious interior design of the spacious restaurant.

It was out of this world, and I'd never seen this one-of-a-kind interior.

It felt like you were in the sea, eating near the shore while watching the water. The paint was fresh and calming turquoise blue.

Cozy and relaxing.

"Max will drop his jaw when he sees your hair," Sasha gushed as she picked up her red wine and gracefully sipped.

I rolled my eyes at her comment. "If your brother noticed it," I replied as I picked my wine. "Men are dumb. They will notice our little mistakes, but they won't see what little changes in our bodies," I ranted matter-of-factly, and Sasha laughed.

"That is so true," Sasha giggled.

I stared at Sasha. With her hair back to normal, she looked gorgeous. I know her mom was a well-known supermodel back in their day. And she looked a lot like her mom.

I would have mistaken her for a supermodel if I didn't know her.

She got the looks, the stature, and the height.

I was wondering if she has ever dated a man seriously before.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked before I opened my mouth,

I smiled at her. "I'm just wondering..." I paused as I gently swirled my glass and watched the red velvet liquid whirl in a sultry way. "Had you ever dated anyone, like seriously?" I asked before taking a sip of my wine.

She stilled, her cheeks burgeoning a pink hue.

She evaded my eyes as she made several sips of her wine. She had that faraway look. And that calmness on her beautiful face faded.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. Don't answer it," I apologized.

Sasha stared at me and gave me a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"The reason I came back home is that I'm running away from pain," she smiled bitterly.

I didn't say anything, and I let her talk.

"Before I left New York for Italy, I had no directions. I enjoyed my life, not caring about my future, and had no definite plans. And then I met him," she chuckled as she looked down at her empty wine glass.

"What happened?" I asked.

We were momentarily distracted as our server arrived, holding a tray filled with our food.

I smelled the mouthwatering aroma of the food, and my belly growled.

"Enjoy!" our server smiled. "Would you like some more wine, Ma'am?" she asked, gazing at Sasha.

Sasha smiled at her before nodding.

"Bring us the bottle," she replied, and the server left.

"How did you meet?" I asked as I cut my marbled meat, and cooked it as I suggested, medium well.

"I saw him at his friend's auto shop briefly. But I met him at a club. At a racing club."

I stared at her as I popped a tender steak in my mouth. Her story caught my interest. I didn't care how tasty the steak was — it melted in my mouth.

"Was he a racer?" I asked.

"No," and I looked up, and she was smiling mischievously.

I grinned. "What does that guy do?" I asked as I chewed the salad slowly, savoring the taste of salt, sourness, and herbs.

"He's a seminarian," Sasha bit her lower lip, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

My doe eyes widened as I stared at her, now realizing why she was running away from pain.

"So you ran away because he's becoming a priest, and I understand. If you fall hard for him, you'll likely get hurt," I nodded my head.

"He must be very righteous," I joked, and Sasha laughed.

"I don't know. He gives me mixed signals," Sasha replied as she diverted her attention to her salmon.

"Oh, that's hard. I hate it when men can't make up their minds," I commented.

I grabbed my water and drank. "And you fell for him?" I asked to confirm.

I saw the pain cross her eyes when she smiled.

"I'm not for him. He was trying to change me, and at some point, I owe it to him. I realized I'm not getting any younger. And my life still has no direction. I don't know what I want," she heaved a deep sigh, and I felt for her.

"I heard from your brother that you like cars. You can fix a car," I said, and her head bobbed up and down with enthusiasm.

Her eyes lit up like a bulb. Her face brightened.

"Why didn't you go to school and take automotive engineering?" I asked.

"I started but didn't finish it. When I worked with my friend, Diego, who owned a small auto shop, I enjoyed it. I spent most of my time there. And then, I raced too, but my parents had no idea. Mom will kill dad if she finds out. I'm sure dad knows it. He just hid it from mom," Sasha looked guilty.

One of the very reasons why I loved her, she's not scared of doing the things she loves, even if it's unconventional.

"So this dying back your hair to its normal color..." I paused, my eyes flitting between her dark brown hair and her face, "you are slowly changing yourself?" I asked, a little cautious of her feelings. I didn't want to come out as a nosy human being about her private life.

"This changes right now is for me. It's a start to finding myself. What I truly want with my life," she replied, and I could see the honesty and determination on her face. I reached for her hand and gently squeezed. "You're doing the right thing, Sasha. I'm just here, rooting for you," I smiled at her as I pulled my hand back.

We thanked the waiter after she poured some more wine into our glasses, then left the bottle on our table.

We finished our food and then hit the mall late in the afternoon.

Max called a few times, and I ignored it.

I don't know why I am still pissed off.

When we came home that night,  as soon as we walked into the door, Max was like a mother hen fretting over us.

"What took you both so long?" Max grumbled. He didn't even notice our hair as he ranted like a worried mother to his kids.

"Hubby, we came home safe and sound," I replied in a calm, tender tone. He looked like he was going to strangle one of us.

His face was grim, and the hard lines of his jaws were too prominent as they tightened.

His sinewy build loomed over us, and I sighed.

"Okay, Mr. Bear, let us get settled before you preach," Sasha butted in, shooting him a glare.

Max grumbled in frustration, and I patted his expansive chest, causing him to shift his eyes at me, his face softening. I unconsciously stood on my tippy toes, hands leaning on his hard chest, as I gave him a peck on his lips. Then I stepped back, and whipped my hair back, hoping he'll notice it.

I walked further into the room and put down the paper bags of shoes and clothing, waiting for Max to comment on my hair. '

"Stopped doing that! It's annoying!" Max grunted and then turned on his heel.

I glared at his back. Sasha chuckled. My neck already felt like a stiff rod from constantly whipping my hair back. To my dismay, the grumpy bear didn't notice anything.

"Dinner is ready if you are both ready," he said over his shoulder.

Max acted like a petulant kid, and the whole time, he was quiet.

He just grumbled and grunted like an animal, and I ignored him.

That night, as I got ready for bed, Max was on his laptop, reading while his back was resting against the headboard of our bed.

When I climbed on our bed and crawled under the covers, I grabbed my pillow and fluffed it.

I watched him fold his laptop shut, then put it on the side table next to his side before he shifted his gaze at me, frowning.

I raised an eyebrow.

One last chance, Max, you better notice it!

"Did you have fun with my sister?" he asked. I just noticed him topless, and his muscled torso was like melting chocolate in my eyes. It made my throat dry. I want to lick it and taste him.

I know he's only wearing boxer shorts under the covers.

"I did," I answered and lie down, turning on my side, away from him.

I felt him move, then lay closer to me. His one arm curled on my waist, then he pulled me closer to him, spooning me.

"I love your hair. It looked beautiful on you," he murmured against my nape, and I stilled. My heart cartwheeled, and I smiled. A full-blown smile.

I didn't respond.

"You think I didn't notice it?" he continued as he kissed my temple, his breath fanning my cheeks.

I closed my eyes and willed myself to stay calm. My teeth sunk into my lower lip to keep the chuckle at bay as his lips teased my earlobe.

"I noticed even little things when it comes to you, wifey," he drawled huskily, then he tugged on my earlobe with his teeth, causing my body to  tremble with pleasure.

I bit back an erotic sigh.

My insides hummed with pleasure, anticipations growing in the pit of my stomach as he whispered naughty things against the back of my neck. "I missed you today. I'm not really comfortable with you being out of my sight," he growled against my skin, then nipped at my neck.

My insides turned into mush. Who would have thought that the cold, domineering cardiac surgeon in the OR, Doctor Demakis, was a sweet, romantic bear in the bedroom?

His hand started to wander and ran up and down my bare forearm. The warmth of his palm seeped through my skin, tingles deliciously zipped through my veins like wildfire, and I whimpered softly.

I still tried to ignore what he was doing to my body, but when he thrust his bulging crotch, my eyes snapped wide open. I turned my head to look at him.

A fire of passion danced in those dark, smoldering blue eyes and greedily met mine, promising a lot of sinful yet delicious erotic thoughts.

The way he stared at me as he burned for me, he ached for me, was like an aphrodisiac, coursing through my bones in waves.

I turned and lay flat on my back.

Max hovered over me and looked like a satisfied dog, panting as he eyed his master. He's staring at me like I'm sweets, ready to devour me.

I love him so much that it really hurt my ego to let him get his way... all the time. And I get nothing.

I'm still stewing over the thought of hiding our status.

I don't know why Am I so riled up.

I understand where was his fear coming from, but it's been ten years, and that person may be dead by now.

And remembering Doctor Ernestine only made my blood boil. My eagerness to let that doctor knows that Max is mine grew tenfolds.

I saw a glint of hope in Doctor Ernestine's eyes when she stared at Max.

She was drawn to him like the others in the hospital, like a moth to a flame.

Like the others, she was waiting for that day when finally, Max noticed her.

And it's pissing me off.

If she could cozen my husband with her deceiving calmness and feigned innocence, not me! I am not going to be hornswoggled by her!

I've been there, done that. That's why I won over Max. And my too naive husband, though genius when in the OR, too innocent in the ways of a desperate woman.

"Angel, when you look like that, I know you are stewing over something," Max dropped himself next to me. I stared at the ceiling absentmindedly.

"Max, I hate hiding our relationship," I sighed.

I glanced at him briefly before staring back at the ceiling. Hy hands clasped over my belly.

I heard him sigh.

"Ten years. I don't want to ris—"

"Max, if that man was still alive, still plotting against you, then he could have done something in that ten years." I turned on my side, facing him. He was on his back and staring into oblivion. But I'm sure he's listening to me. "And besides? Are we going to be like this forever? If we don't show up, Max, we will never know who's behind it!" I ground out.

Max slowly turned his head to me and gently and playfully tapped my nose with his index finger.

"Very persistent, stubborn little hottie wifey," then he gently pinched my cheek, and I could tell behind those calm eyes hid a storm inside of him.

"I love you," he said, and I was even more incense when he just kissed me on the forehead before spooning me against his hard body. "Goodnight, wifey. We have to be at work early," he murmured against my skin, and I grumbled frustratedly.

"HMPP!" I hissed, pulling myself away, and Max just chuckled.

When I woke up the next day, I got a note from Max that he had an early surgery. I was still upset, and I didn't sleep well last night.

And my husband was sleeping with a smile on his lips, and I stared at him, offended.

He's sleeping peacefully, to my chagrin. And I'm still broiling with vexation. Frustrations swirled in my veins like coils wrapped around me.

I had to drag my exhausted ass to the washroom, forced to move and get ready to work. "Morning!" Sasha greeted me as she put back the juice bottle in the fridge.

She's still in her pair of blue mickey mouse pajamas. And her hair was tousled, and I concluded Sasha rolled out of her bed.

She didn't bother brushing it and just tied it in a bun.

"Morning," I murmured and eyed the food on the table.

"Max left us some breakfast," Sasha informed, and I nodded.

Now, I feel guilty.

He wanted me last night, and I acted like a brat, but he was still very gentlemanly and just went to bed and slept like a baby.

"I'm driving you to work. Max asked me," Sasha sat on the chair across from me. She placed her glass filled with orange juice on the table next to her plate filled with food.

"I can drive to work, Sash. I have a car if he had forgotten," I muttered, unable to hide the vexation in my tone.

I filled my plate with cheese and mushroom omellete and started digging. I let off steam on the food and ate as though I hadn't eaten in years.

"You look like you want to kill someone," Sasha commented and let out a soft chuckle.

I looked up and stared at her, frowning.

Sasha stared at me, gauging.

"Did you fight last night?" she probed.

I shook my head and finished my food. Sasha didn't pursue the topic.

"Max wants to bring you out for dinner after work. And before I forget, bring some nice clothes."

My hands hung in the air, grabbing the water to drink, completely forgotten as I stared at Sasha bug-eyed.

Sasha laughed.

"You seemed surprised?" she mused, her eyes twinkling with amusement... and a tinge of wonder.

"Nothing. We never went out for a date," my nose corrugated as it dawned on me that we had never gone out for a proper date, except for those charity galas we attended.

Sasha stared at me with a puzzled look.

"Really?"

"I think we were both busy. And Max was too focused on his work."

I gave Sasha a reassuring smile, and she nodded her head.

I grabbed the water and drank it straight.

That frustration vanished, and my body suddenly rejuvenated.

My feet were like spring as I took the path to our bedroom, almost bouncing.

I brought a dress and my pair of black stilettos from Christian Louboutin with all smiles plastered on my face. I felt giddy. The same feelings, like a kaleidoscope of butterflies, were set free in my gut when I saw Max for the first time in his lab coat, looking high and mighty and sinfully delicious.

Sasha was rambling the whole way to the hospital, and I was just smiling and nodding whatever she says, but my mind was wandering far away.

I was thinking where is he taking me for dinner.

And as I pondered about it, I'm actually excited at the thought that he's ready to be open about us. As soon as I swiped in, I strode straight to the nurse's den and placed my stuff in one of the lockers. I met Jo in the hallway with Doctor Noah.

"Morning, Ms. Mailov," he greeted, and I smiled back.

"Morning, Doc."

I ignored the stare Doctor Noah gave me and went to work.

After reading my patient's charts, I did my rounds on the wing assigned to me, monitoring their VS, administering their meds, and changing dressings. Generally, just provide health care assistance to all the patients on my wing.

Doctor Noah walked in on me while I was tending to one of my patients.

I felt his presence while taking off the cuff on Mr. Digby's arm. I briefly glanced at him and saw him leaning against the doorframe, his hands deep in his lab pockets while watching me with admiration.

I smiled at the 40-year-old man and tried to ignore Doctor Noah's unwelcome presence.

Mr. Digby looked grumpily at me.

"I said I'm okay. Why are you still keeping me here?" Mr. Digby hissed.

I chuckled. I'm already used to his quick temper.

"We have to ask the doctor behind me. Why would they keep someone as strong as you longer here?" I muttered with mock disbelief.

He squinted at Doctor Noah.

He frowned as he shifted his hazel gaze back at me. "He looked like a love-struck fool!" he grimaced, and I chuckled.

"Probably the reason you need to stay here, Mr. Digby," I murmured almost in a whisper, and he widened his eyes at me. "You are seeing things that are not quite right," I joked, and he cocked an eyebrow, but his lips twitched with amusement.

"Nurse, I can see pretty well. Don't fall on those devilish grins," he made a face, and I laughed softly before bidding goodbye.

I left Doctor Noah when he talked briefly with Mr. Digby. I pushed my medicine trolley and greeted a few on my way back to the nurse's station on my wing. I spent the rest of my time documenting.

The morning just went by like a blur.

When lunch break came, I chatted with a few nurses while waiting for Joe as she went to get her wallet. We decided to eat together at the canteen.

"I think there will be another voting coming for a new partner of this hospital," Travis randomly said.

"I have a feeling it was Doctor Noah that will take that position—"

All of a sudden, the speaker went off, cutting Lizzy midsentence.

"ATTENTION, EVERYONE! IF YOU SEE RN ANGELIK MAILOV DEMAKIS, PLEASE SEND HER TO HER HUSBAND'S OFFICE, DOCTOR MAX DEMAKIS, STAT!"

His baritone voice echoed on all the corners of the second floor, the whole building rather. And I felt all the eyes directed at me, questioning looks burning holes on my face, as well as embarrassment burned my whole body.

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

And the cat is out!