"Angels have very nasty tempers. Especially when they're feeling righteous." ― Clive Barker

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Third Person POV

Inside the large dining room at the long oval dining table sat Rafael Alejandro Valiente with his wife Tatiana Markovich Valiente seated to his right, while the old grand duke, Nikolai Markovich, seventeenth duke of Russia situated at the middle, and their son Rafael Benedict, sat across the couple with Vladimir next to him.

Luke Nikolai soon joined them, he was next to Raffy with his twin Alexandria, but Alexandria was left in New York. The Valiente has six children. Rafael Benedict was the eldest, Alexandria and Luke Nikolai were next, then Matthew who was two years younger than Luke Nikolai then came Bell and the youngest, Sid Vladimir.

The room filled with tensed silence, only the constant clanking of utensils, plates, and wine glasses that could be heard inside the dining room.

Tatiana was obviously seething. Rafael could only glance at her and sighed. He wanted to cool down her temper, but he knew he would only aggravate her. There's nothing he could do to ease her fury, other than just watch and let it wither by itself.

She had been constantly nagging him to fly to Russia to frequently check on their son, when she found out about his rakish behavior, that only the family has the knowledge of it, recently. When Maye Smith called them, a few weeks ago, blackmailing them to speak to the media if Rafael won't come back to her.

Rafael Alejandro Valiente, as shrewd and heartless as he is, he had dealt with her so easily.

Unknowing to the couple, the old grand duke had managed to keep his grandson's affairs from the media and spoiled him too much that he didn't realize his behavior is getting out of control.

Tatiana often tells his husband that he was acting like him. A reborn Rafael as she always referred their son.

"Dedushka (grandpa in Russian, pronounced as day-doosh-kah), Raffy will come with us to New York for the meantime," Tatiana said glancing at her grandfather and her son who has buried his attention with his food.

The old grand Duke is already in his late eighties, though he looks strong, but only him knew that one day, he'll be gone.

Raffy's head snap in her direction frowning at her, placing his fork and knife down on either side of his plate , then he gave his full attention to his seething mother.

He shifted his gaze between his mother and his great grandfather. His great grandfather was also frowning at her and obviously, he doesn't agree. The eighty-six grand old duke stared at his granddaughter with nonchalance. Even when he gets older with lines and wrinkles on his face, he still is handsome. His hair that is now all white didn't lessen his imposing rather a stubborn aura.

The grand Duke stared at his only granddaughter. "Why honey?" grabbing his wineglass, he sips and then places it back down on the table with his eyes trained on her.

"If the paparazzi finds out that the duke was a rake, then it will be a problem!" Tatiana sighed harshly. Nikolai Dmitri knew where this going. Giving his grandson a hard stare, he glances back at his granddaughter in an attempt to get them both out away from the ruckus his grandson brought, yet again.

Raffy narrowed his eyes at his mother. Tatiana stared at her son furiously. "You spoiled him too much, dedushka!" she said with hardness in her words, her eyes pinned her son.

Raffy gulped thickly. "I'll assure you, mom, we will get back together before this weekends," Raffy tried to reason out, but he doesn't seem to believe is own words. He knew she was far to reach now. He felt it in his bones how serious she was. Moving to New York made him realized that she was deadly serious about moving on and that left him a bitterness in his heart.

The scowl on his mother's face deepened. "You don't understand what I was trying to point out here, Rafael Benedict!" she interjected grimly. "You are behaving like a dou—"

"He's not like that!" The grand old duke rebutted cutting her off.

"See? That's the point here!" Tatiana spat at her grandfather fumingly. "I'm not being disrespectful, dedushka, but you are just making it worst. Instead of disciplining him, you are covering his maddening ways!" Tatiana pointed out harshly, her tone increasing vehemently.

"Mom—"

"SHUT UP!" Tatiana cuts Raffy off as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Raffy bit his inner cheek, his jaw tightened in frustrations. His mother looks downright angry and determined and he's scared, like shit.

Rafael Alejandro has been quiet the whole time watching his wife, the old grand duke, and his son arguing. He wanted to cut the thick tension mounting up, but he'd rather not interject at his wife's fury.

The grand old duke sighed in defeat. He knew his granddaughter is right at this point. "I'll take care of this matter. I'll personally watch him and discipline him," he promised.

"I've heard that before, dedushka. Actually, a lot of times." Tatiana pointed out. "I made up my mind. He's coming with us tomorrow and he'll be back after a month. He can work while he's with us, anyway," Tatiana reprimanded and the grand duke nodded his head in resignation.

"He has to come for the opening of the new high school building in a week," the grand old duke reminded, but he was looking at Raffy.

"That's fine, then he comes back after," Mrs. Valiente glared at the two.

Raffy and Nikolai Dmitri didn't say anything, just nodding their head. Tatiana is a one of a hell-bent if she's provoked.

Rafael leaned in forward and whispered to his wife proudly. "Now, I'm aroused. I like it when you're too fiery," then place a lingering kiss on her cheeks with passion.

Tatiana stared at him with the same intense gaze, love radiating from their eyes, and gave him a sweet smile, it seems that the heated argument didn't happen.

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Natalia's POV

"Did someone in the hospital upset you that you decided to resign?" dad was looking intently at me as I kept on packing my stuff, ready to leave for tomorrow to New York. I got the job at the hospital where Angelik was working. She and Max were my references that's why it didn't take long to get the job, plus my name helped me a lot.

"Dad, nobody upsets me. I just want a new environment," I reasoned out. They didn't know about our break-up yet and Raffy and I have no intention to let them learned about it.

"But honey, we will miss you. And I'm not used to your absence," dad cajoled too sweetly. He was pacing across the room.

I stop midway of stuffing the clothes inside the big pink luggage. My bed is filled with my clothes. I face my dad and he was now standing with both hands in his pockets, his eyes were full of dread and sadness.

I smiled and walked towards him. I encircled my hands around his waist and hug him tight. "Dad, I'm a big girl now, and I promise, I will be fine on my own. Besides, Angelik and Max are there." I cajoled sweetly. He hugs me back and he kissed my head tenderly. I was so lucky to have a father like him. He is the best father anyone would ask for.

"Is there anything I could do to stop you?" dad asks solemnly.

I pulled myself away and look at him. He gave me this adoring look that always made me feel happy and grateful for having a father like him. "No," I shook my head with determination.

He sighed. "Your brother left us and never called, now, you are leaving us, too," dad whined and I chuckled. He looks so dangerously and stubborn to act like this. Well, he does look intimidating, hard, and intense, but with us, he is like a teddy bear, especially to our war freak of a mother.

"Dad, Nico is here, plus Nixon is here for you to fret. I'm sure, you and mom will not even remember you have a daughter." I chuckled and dad just shook his head. Dad hasn't recovered yet that two years Nico cuts us out of his life, but now he's back and married my best friend Elle. And they just had an adorable baby, Nixon ace. Mom and dad, together with our grandparents, were too ecstatic for the new life added to our family.

"We still miss you," dad sighed.

"I know. You'll be fine. I'll come home once in a while," I said to pacify him.

"I'll look forward to that," dad nodded, crestfallen.

"Come on, cheer up, dad. I don't want to leave when you're looking like that," I snap at him playfully and he forced a smile.

"I know this day would come, but it still surprised me," dad sighed again. His words have a lot of meaning to it.

"Please, dad. Don't start with that marriage thing. It won't happen," I turned around and I just realized I spared an information I shouldn't spill.

"Why? Is that duke has no plans of marrying you?" dad asked incredulously. I stop as soon as I stood at the edge of the bed. Reaching some of the dress and folded it neatly, I slid it in the luggage. "Dad, I'm still young. I don't want to think about it yet," sounding bored I tried to sound convincing.

"He's a loser if he will not marry you." Dad's eyes held pride as he said it. He looks so pleased as punch as he stared at me.

"Dad, every parent said that to their child," I let out a low chuckle and shook my head. Continuing to pack my luggage, dad walks to my bed and perched on the edge.

"Seriously, is he serious to you?" Dad sounded so serious. I stop from what I'm doing and stood upright as I stared at him. "I have this feeling he is the reason why you're leaving to New York," dad commented and I suddenly felt unarmed. He was eyeing me intently and I squirmed under his gaze.

God, I hope he doesn't know. He's gonna fly right at this moment to Russia and beat the cheating Duke's ass.

"Dad, we are still young, and of course, he is," I lied. "He doesn't even have any idea that I'm moving to New York," I said and continued packing. Too intent this time.

"He better be serious," I felt the bed shifted up and dad walk towards the door. "You might want to go check your mom in our room after you pack." Dad reprimanded and I nodded.

After I told them about my plan, everyone agreed except mom, though she didn't voice out her disapproval. But as my flight is approaching, she became more emotional. And this morning, she didn't eat breakfast, mopping in their room.

"Sure, dad." With that, dad walks out of my room.

I continued packing making sure I've got all that I needed and my favorite stuff.

.

.

"Welcome to New York," Angelik giggled as she pulled me for a hug. I am so exhausted. I didn't sleep on the plane, so I felt restless. Mom was so sad when I left and she was so emotional. Coaxing her sweetly that night didn't help either. She was an emotionally wrecked that dad doesn't even know what to do with her.

"Thanks!" I smiled.

"Come on, Max is waiting inside his pick-up truck," she excitedly exclaimed and help me pulled the other luggage.

So he drives a pick-up truck?

No, I don't want to go in that truck.

Where I'm gonna seat?

I curled my lips in annoyance. Why would she put up with his arrogance? He's always the high and mighty kind of guy. He thinks he's above everyone else. And who else is acting like that too? My forehead furrowed for a second, then I remembered his eldest brother, Alexander James Demakis.

Of course, the Demakis. He carries a Demakis' blood. They thought they are the Gods. To be served.

Poor Angelik!

"He knew I'm going to have two big luggage," I whined and Angelik chuckled.

"That's why he brought his pick-up truck. We thought you're going to have more than two." Angelik giggled like a school girl, so carefree.

I looked where she came from, at the picked-up truck. "He's on the phone, trying to help out another intern doctor." She explained and smiled at me. She always finds a reason for his action. It's frustrating.

"Let's go," she said and then we walk side by side to the waiting car in the middle of the runway, a few meters away where dad's private plane was.

As soon as we got close, he slides out of the driver's seat and walks towards us with the phone still close to his ear.

The last time I saw him, he was a Greek God. Tall, dark, and handsome. He was wearing a three-piece suit, looking so imposing. Now, the Michael Maximilian in front of me was wearing only a gray shirt, black jeans, and a black leather jacket. He looks ruggedly handsome. He doesn't look a bit like a doctor with his attire. The way Angelik stared at him with awe, I can't fathom why. He's dangerous and I'm sure, that kind of looks just like Raffy, all they are good at, was breaking hearts.

Angelik's rich brown eyes burning in his sculpted face. His strong jaw tightens as he clenched it, impatiently, showing his irritation. His gray eyes pierced into oblivion. The way his forehead scrunched up and formed creases as he scowls, I could imagine smokes flares arose up his nostrils. His aquiline nose puffing out some air.

"Let me know if it was successful. I'll call you later," he said grimly before hanging up. The way his sensuous lips moves, I understand why Angelik is head over heels over him. The way I was with Raffy.

"Hey, Nat," he gave me a nonchalant nod and then picks up my luggage and tossed it into the back of the truck. "Get in and I'll take care of this," he said as he fixed the two luggage.

There were only two seats in front.

"Where am I going to seat?" I asked Angelik, wide-eyed.

"In front. I'm sure, we'll fit," she shrugs and I rolled my eyes. I should have agreed to dad when he said he will arrange a driver for me.

"Why would you let him bring a truck?" I whisper-yells, unable to hide my irritation.

Angelik just brushes my temper off. "Most of his cars I'm sure wouldn't fit your two luggage," she explained, bored.

"I'm sure they have a van," I said sarcastically.

"Truck is cool, and beside the back will fit even ten luggage. I was surprised though that you only brought two. I was expecting like four, knowing you?" Angelik grinned teasingly at me and I groaned.

"Are you ladies going to get in?" just when we realized Max is already sitting in the driver seat while Angelik and I were arguing on the side of the passenger seat.

Angelik opened the passenger door and she got in first. She was so close to Max and to the gearstick.

I reluctantly hope in and squeezed inside, then closing the door.

Max's steely gaze hard on the road. He looks pissed.

I wonder why?

.

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"So, how are you and the Duke?" Angelik asked as soon as I got settled in my new room in Max's condo.

I heaved a frustrated sighed. "I'm tired, Angelik. Can we talk about this some other time?" I gave her a bored and tired look. She quickly apologizes and hopped out of my bed, then promised to come back when I'm up.

I didn't look forward to that. Angelik is very hyper and a chatterbox.

I know I can't hide it from her the reason of moving here, but tonight, I'm not in the mood to talk about him. It still pained me, and always left a stinging pain in my heart whenever I thought of our break up.

I missed her to be honest. Everything about him, and it sucks that even after what he did, I still love him.

Argh... Forget about him, Iya. He doesn't deserve you. He doesn't deserve any affection, he's a user and an asshole.

I'm in New York. A new place, a new job, and I will start my life here. A new chapter wherein he's not included. It will be fun and someday, I will find my new prince charming.

I smiled and decided to sleep while I can before I'll start in a few days.

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A/N: Thanks for waiting patiently. Hope you enjoy reading it.