To Love A Maiden: An Enemies To Friends To Lovers Romance ✓

Chapter 5 - Broken Glasses

Before Angel could even sit on the bed in the room she shared with Melinda within the employees quarters, Melinda was already inside the room.

Angel jumped and turned around when the door behind her pushed open.

"Mel! You scared me!" She yelled, one hand placed on her chest.

"You scared me. What was that all about?" Mel asked as she came and stood in front of Angel. Her arms were now spread out, her eyes focused on the younger maid.

"What was what all about?" 

"You slapped Dayna. You stormed out of the kitchen." Mel started and sat down on the bed.

Angel released a deep sigh. "Don't tell me you don't know that Dayna had that coming. Did you hear what she said?"

Mel stared at her. "Well, I did. I also think you need to work on your anger, Angel. What if she reports you to Mrs Kingsley? Or worse, Mr. Kingsley. You know he is not as lenient as his wife."

Angel just shook her head and sat down on the bed.

"Yeah." She released another sigh. Mel then placed her hands on hers, "I'm sorry about what Dayna said to you. But you can't always let her get to you. Her or Claire or anyone for that matter. They're not worth the time."

Angel released another puff of air from her mouth and sighed heavily. But before she could say anything more, Mel spoke again. "By the way, I saw you with Cristiano when you stormed out of the kitchen. What was going on there?" 

Angel released her hands and stared at Mel with furrowed brows.

"Cristiano?"

"Yes. You were with him briefly before coming back to the room."

As soon as Mel said that, it began to dawn on Angel.

"That was Cristiano? Hano's brother?" She asked.

"Yes. You didn't know that?"

Angel swallowed. The only thing she remembered now was his gray eyes and the way he'd asked if she was okay with concern in his eyes. But then she heard Hano's voice behind her as she walked away from his brother.

The way she saw it, Cristiano was just a younger version of Hano. Who knows, he might be worse, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"No, I didn't." She finally replied. And Melinda sighed and got up. "The way he had his hands on your waist like that, one would think you two were lovers or something."

Angel made a face at the sound of that. 

And Mel shrugged. "What? I won't be surprised if that guy is having the hots for you, you know. He looked -"

Angel waited, eyes widened in curiosity and annoyance as to what Mel was about to say.

"He looked -" Mel sighed. "I don't know. But what I know is we better return to the kitchen before Claire makes a fuss."

Angel scoffed. "Oh please. You know I don't care what that girl thinks."

Mel made a face. "Yes, well I'm sure you care about your paycheck." Mel remarked before pulling on Angel's hand and dragging her up as the two made for the door.

~~

The evening seemed cold.

And aside from the occasional servings of hot Rigatoni alla Carbonara and lasagne that the maids would bring to the table every now and then, all Angel felt was cold. And she didn't even know why. It wasn't like it was cold outside. In fact, it felt like a warmer evening than most nights. Shuddering off the feeling, she continued to bring in the meals and wine bottles with her fellow maids - Melinda, Claire, and Dayna. Naomi was in the kitchen starting the clean up.