She must be crazy to even consider this. However, Angelica was not going to lie, her heart missed a beat when Daniel said those words to her. He was a straightforward man and she was a sucker for men who fought for what they liked. A man who would fight for her unlike Benjamin, the bastard.
“I-I don’t think that this is a good idea,” Angelica stuttered.
After her first encounter with Daniel that day, she did a bit of research about him and the testimonies about the man were nothing to write home about. The man was danger personified, and if she had enough brain cells left, she would stay away from him.
“Why?” Daniel asked, his gaze boring into hers,” Are you still in a relationship with Adele’s father?”
“W-what?! Benjamin?!” She shouted in shock, nearly spitting out blood.
It was funny because even her daughter, Adele, doesn’t believe she has ended things with her father, Benjamin. Angelica couldn’t blame her daughter either way, after all, she had loved the man blindly. Her whole life revolved around Benjamin until two years ago when she decided that she has had enough. But Adele wouldn’t know that since it has been years since they communicated with each other.
While Benjamin put up the image of a faithful and responsible father to his family, he would come to her in secret, afraid to incur his wife’s wraith if she found out they were having an affair again. However, Angelica suspected his wife knew about their rendezvous over the years and intentionally kept mute. The woman had a son while Adele was a woman, she didn’t fear Angelica would come to steal her position as his wife.
But not anymore.
Angelica was a fool because it took her years to know that she deserved better. Years after years of receiving less was over and right now she was engrossed more with self-love. However, another man was standing right in front of her and proposing relationship to her and she didn’t know how to feel about that.
.....
She was thrilled of course, it has been a while since a man made her feel desired again – Benjamin did numbers on her self-esteem. But not him, not Daniel, even if he exuded sex appeal and aged handsomely. Don’t go there, Angelica.
Taking a deep breath, she said to him, “I’ve broken things up with Benjamin for a while now, actually, he’s the one chasing after me. But I refuse to crawl back into his web full of lies and deceit. As you said, I’m a beautiful woman and I deserve a better man. I refuse to let some bastard make me second place in his life. ”
At this point, a slow smile tugged Daniel’s lips to the side knowing that she was going to accept him. He won. He always wins.
She continued, “And the same goes for you, Daniel. I’m not dating you.”
The smug expression on Daniel’s face fell at once. What the hell was she talking about? He couldn’t believe it. She didn’t just reject him, right? This must be a joke.
Daniel frowned, scratching the side of his face. He asked, “Why? I don’t understand. I’m not Benjamin. If you were my woman, I would not hide you away.”
Angelica smiled, “That’s where you got it all, I was not comparing you to Benjamin.”
“Then what….” He trailed off as it dawned on him, “You don’t like me?”
“You’re a dangerous man, Daniel and I’m sensible enough not to play with burning flames. Moreover, the first day we met, you threatened me with my daughter. What woman in her right mind would date a man who threatens her child’s life?”
“I wouldn’t lay a hand on your daughter, I give you my word,” Daniel promised her. Shit, why was he even begging her? It’s not like he was desperate for a partner or something.
But even with the promise, Angelica shook her head, “It’s still not going to work Daniel.”
“What then do you want?” Daniel honestly had no idea anymore. He thought that he knew women, but this one was a blank page. No, a roller coaster ride. He wasn’t prepared for this and yet he couldn’t leave her.
“Someone told you that you wouldn’t be able to find happiness, I think I’m going to trust that judgment. Such words cannot be given without experience. You see, I have enough self-preservation and I don’t want to mingle with danger.” Angelica said firmly, hoping he would give her the chance to leave now that she has made her stand clear.
Instead, Daniel stepped closer till they were so close that their bodies were touching and she was acutely aware of the heat of his body.
“So…. ” Daniel said with a sudden threatening tone that made the hairs on her body stand on edge, ” Are you not scared that I would your life for rejecting my advances?”
Angelica didn’t answer right away, rather she lifted her face to look Daniel in the eyes and said to him, “You wouldn’t.”
“How are you so sure?”
“It would be a waste.” She added with details, “Perhaps in your prime, it would stroke your ego dealing with the girl who looked down on you, in your perception. However, you’re older and your priorities have changed and so have your taste. It wouldn’t satisfy you to end my life and bring about unnecessary troubles. Benjamin wouldn’t let it be. Even cowards show unexpected bravery in dire times. ”
Daniel was dumbfounded. It was almost as if she could see through him and she left him bare which Daniel didn’t like. He thought that she was merely a pretty, dumb woman but Anglica was too perceptive for her own good.
Before the shock could wear off, Angelica pushed him away and turned to her car, grabbing the cars handle only to hear,
“Go on a date with me.”
Her pulse quickened.
Fuck, what has he said?! Daniel wished that he could kick himself in the feet. He doesn’t do dates, not after Natalie. Moreover, the woman already rejected him, why was he still simping after her? But when she turned to him with that huge surprised brown eyes that looked like melted coffee, he knew there was no going back.
“Go on a date with me. You only heard people’s vision of me but you haven’t given your review of me yet. I might be a monster, but I still have a soft spot inside of me. Aren’t you curious at all to see that version of me?”
Angelica folded her arms across her chest. She said,” So in one word, you are going to give me a filtered version of yourself. ” She smiled sweetly, ” No thanks. ”
She turned again only for Daniel to reach out and grab her, “Please?” He didn’t even know when the words left his mouth.
Dear God, this is the lowest that he has ever gone. Thankfully, neither his son, Marcel nor any of the Luciano family was here to view this moment. He wouldn’t have the courage to go through with it if they were present – he had a reputation to preserve.
“Fine, a date then,” Angelica agreed after a moment of hesitation. But she said immediately, “However, I’ll be the one picking up the location.”
Don’t trust her, this is a trap, his instinct warned him but Daniel said to her, “Deal.” He was not used to trusting people, especially women. This was the first time that Daniel was working on his love life after the challenge from Natalie. Yes, he took her words as a challenge. He would prove to his first love that she was completely wrong.
“See you then, Angelica,” Daniel pressed a kiss to her cheeks surprising her. She thought he would aim for the lips – which was a bit disappointing. Oh, stop it, she chided her inner chatter. At least, he was trying to be a gentleman.
Daniel made sure that Angelica drove off before him. He was merely keeping out an eye since he could never be too careful. There were always enemies hiding in the shadows and with his long list, he was even beginning to wonder if it was wise to chase the woman.
Daniel has done well over the years because he had nothing to lose. Marcel was the only person he cared about aside from his sister, Carmine, and his enemies couldn’t touch them because they could take care of themselves. But Angelica was too weak.
Jesus Christ, what has he gotten himself into? He shouldn’t have considered this, but then, he was no bastard either that would go back on his words. He was not Benjamin. Daniel battled inwardly.
Fine, he would keep an eye on her. No one under his watch would get hurt and he was going on that date. To be honest, he was excited, no, more than excited to know what she had in store for him. No woman had intrigued him like this after Natalie, until her.