8

Can't you see that I am not afraid?

What was that promise you made?

(Now, I'll love you

Till heaven stops the rain

Till the stars fall from the sky

For you and me

Now, touch me, baby

Can't you see I'm not afraid?

What was the promise you made?)

**

After showering, I put on a black dress with just one long sleeve, which covers my left arm. I put on cherry red high heels, the same shade as my lipstick.

I also put on a thin overcoat that reaches my knees. I leave it open so as not to cover the dress. I tie my hair into an elegant bun on top of my head.

I feel sexy in this, maybe I really do look sexy, especially because the dress is moderately short and hugs my curves very well.

-"You're beautiful," Ethan whispers behind me. He holds my waist with both hands, pinning my back to his chest.

-"You too, Mr. Donneli," I say. Ethan kisses the base of my neck and smiles against the skin.

Ethan wears a black tuxedo without a tie and with the top two buttons of his shirt undone.

-"Come on, Taylor is waiting" He mumbles.

Ethan holds my hand tightly in his and guides me out of our room.

I just grab my BlackBerry before I go. I want to have full contact with Kate, she's not in a good place, and I want to help.

●●

Taylor parks in front of a luxurious French restaurant. The entire structure is detailed in gold and the night lights make the environment seem more sophisticated.

Taylor opens Ethan's door and Ryan opens mine. I step down carefully to balance on the five-inch heels.

I wait until Ethan circles the car and comes to me. As arrogant as it may sound, I feel compatible with this place. It's not like I'll ever get used to Ethan's wealth, but I don't feel inferior to the place, and this is something unexpected.

-"Something wrong, baby?" Ethan asks when he reaches me.

-"no" I say with a convincing smile.

We walked along the marble walkway that led to the entrance door to the luxurious venue.

A very presentable photographer stands in front of the venue, taking pictures of people entering, as if at an event.

-"Mr. and Mrs. Donneli, can I take a picture?" the photographer asks politely, most of the time, they don't ask if they can or not.

-"Yeah, sure," Fifty says with an 'I hate photos' frown.

He holds my silhouette and gives the camera a passionate look. I smile reasonably and so the photographer settles for a couple of shots.

-"thank you" he says.

We enter the sophisticated space that is the restaurant. The tables are spread out in an organized and meticulous manner throughout the space, right below a huge crystal chandelier.

Wow.

-"Mr. and Mrs. Donneli, welcome," an attendant greets us.

She is tall, but she is still wearing black heels that highlight her well-defined legs.

Like the other people who work here, she is dressed in all black. Skirt, shirt and heels, all in black.

-"Follow me, please," she asks. We follow her to the other side of the room, the most private one, by the way.

She moves her waist sexily in front of us, consequently, her ponytail swings on top of her head.

On the table reserved for us, there are two medium-sized glasses and a bottle of wine that I don't recognize.

-"Thank you," Ethan says. He smiles politely, and that's enough for the blonde to bat her eyelashes at him. I roll my eyes instinctively.

We take our seats across from each other. I decide to break the silence by asking about the wine.

-"What wine is this?" I ask.

-"Saint Amour. It's a wine known to symbolize love between couples in France," he replies. I smile at the free information he offered me. It means a lot to me that he chose this wine for us.

Seconds later, the same girl comes back with an opener and opens the bottle for us. A cold breeze escapes from the bottle as soon as it is opened.

She holds the bottle and lets the extremely dark liquid slide into the glass.

-"Enjoy the wine, Mr. Donneli" the girl says before leaving, shaking her waist.

Bitch...

-"You have an irritating effect on women," I say, looking at the woman's back as she walks away.

-"annoying? To whom?" He feigns innocence. Bastard!

I roll my eyes. How could I have married such a dimwitted and extremely sexy bastard who attracts unwanted glances from countless women?

-"I don't mind putting you on my knee and spanking you right here," Ethan says. He holds his glass and brings the wine to his mouth.

Good Lord! How I envy that wine sliding across your tongue.

-"annoying to me," I reply, completely ignoring the growing heat between my legs.

-"It's annoying to me when women covet what's mine," I clarify. Ethan bites his lower lip to contain a smile.

-"I didn't know I had become your property" He mutters.

I bring the glass to my lips and let the liquid pass through my mouth. The taste is very good, and strong too. I feel like I will still be tasting it tomorrow.

-"Yes, you're mine, all mine," I say. I raise my left hand to show my engagement ring and wedding band.

-"Yours" Ethan says. He holds my hand and kisses the spot where the ring is.

-"all yours" he completes.

●●

TWO DAYS LATER

It's been two days and I haven't heard from Kate. I call her and her phone is always off. I worry about her and her baby. Even though he's still a fetus, he needs care and support right now.

I tie the tie on my white robe and walk into the kitchen. I should call Kate later, or maybe pay her a visit.

-"Good morning, Mrs. Donneli," Gail murmurs as soon as I enter the kitchen.

-"Good morning. Where's Ethan?" I ask, since I woke up alone in bed.

It sucks not being the first to wish you 'good morning', or not waking up to your delicious attacks, which always result in sex.

-"in his office, with Taylor" she replies.

Gail serves me a cup of Twinings English Breakfast Tea.

-"thank you" I appreciate it.

-"hi" I hear a familiar voice sound from the entrance hall.

-"Elliot!" I say in surprise.

He walks up to me with a sad face. He's not the same Elliot I know. He's wearing a black jacket, dark jeans, and leather boots.

When he's close to me, he opens his arms invitingly for a hug. I hug him. It's not the most comfortable situation possible, especially since I'm wearing a robe and nothing else!

-"hey, Angelic" he murmurs and kisses the top of my head.

Elliot releases me from his embrace, but continues to keep his hands on my shoulders, analyzing me.

-"You look beautiful," he says. I smile weakly, already feeling the blush take over my cheeks. I don't look like an Aphrodite, I just brushed my hair this morning and put on one of the prettiest robes I own.

-"Can we have a moment to talk?" He asks.

The pleasant atmosphere that sets in every time we are together is replaced by tension.

-"About Kate? Of course," I say. It couldn't be any other subject.

He sits on a bench, which usually accommodates Ethan. I sit next to him.

-"Did you know about the pregnancy?" He asks. I can see the fear in his eyes, he is also afraid of fatherhood, just like Ethan.

Donneli Men.

-"I found out three days ago, when you were here," I reply.

Elliot picks up the cup of tea Gail placed for me and takes a sip of my tea.

Elliot being Elliot.

-"I don't want to sound evasive, but you have to take responsibility for this child and help Kate through this," I say. I really don't want to be evasive, but I also won't neglect their cause. I love them, in different ways, but I love them.

-"I know, Angelic. I'm just... lost," Elliot confesses. He takes another sip of tea and sighs. If the tea is helping him, I won't be the one to get in the way. I'll do like Ray and let the tea solve the problem.

"She's lost too, and what happened to Jose, well, she regrets it." I say. Elliot leaves the cup hanging in the air. He seems to miss some part of the conversation.

-"What happened to José?" He asks.

Holy crap!

-"Didn't she tell you?" I falter in my words.

Holy crap!

-"Kate cheated on me," he assumes. It's not like a question, but rather a statement.

Holy crap!

-"Answer!" He says in a louder tone.

Elliot clenches his fists and bangs them against the marble countertop.

-"damn" he hisses to himself. Single tears start to run down his face. Kate's betrayal hurt him a lot, but I shouldn't judge someone for something they did.

-"Fuck, Angelic, say it!" He yells.

I don't mean to say, your pain would be greater if I said. Assuming and hearing are two different extremes.

-"I need to listen, Angelic," Elliot says. He grabs my wrist that rests on the table and takes my attention to himself.

-"say" he shouts.

-"It wouldn't make a difference," I whisper. I try to pull my wrist away from his hand, but he's holding on tight. I can't say it and make him even more out of control.

I try to pull my wrist away, but he doesn't let go, on the contrary, he holds on tighter.

-"Elliot" I try to bring him to reason.

I see only the shadow of a male figure behind me. When the figure enters my field of vision, I realize that it is Ethan. It is like an image that passes very quickly before my eyes.

Ethan lunges at Elliot and punches him in the face twice. The impact causes Elliot to fall off the bench and his body slams audibly onto the floor.

-"There's no point in taking this anger out on anyone, it wasn't Angelic's fault!" Ethan says. He's not yelling, but his firm voice doesn't hide his anger.

Ethan turns to me and his first reaction is to grab my wrist and analyze the red mark that forms there.

-"Are you okay?" He asks. I nod. I don't think the worst damage is to the wrist, but rather Elliot's broken jaw.