The Angel Trumpet

30.

Sitting across his father I see the resemblance between the two, from the style, good looks and strong willed mindsets. Reaching my hand to shake his, he keeps a straight face and adjusts his coat while grabbing the cup of tea placed in front of him. "When my son told me about you I was surprised to say the least," he says, blowing on the tea to cool it down. "The fact that we're engaged or that I'm a Rojas?" I say confidently.

His father raises an eyebrow, "Kang has never steered me wrong when he made major decisions involving our family's business."

I fold my arms, "If this arrangement makes you feel uncomfortable please let us know before we actually exchange vows in a few weeks, if not then there's no reasoning for this visit."

Kang looks to me surprised that I'm even bringing up the wedding itself.

"Even though this is a contracted marriage, I want to know you have at least some good intentions with him."

"What else would I have towards Kang."

Kang's father smugly laughs while finishing his cup of tea.

"Respect isn't your strong suit is it?" He stands wanting me to stand as well but I don't.

"Respect is earned not given, at least that's what my family taught me."

The old man nods, "A family with such mentality but ended up getting killed, interesting."

The one button that no one dares to press he just did and when my whole face changes, Kang steps in before I could say anything back.

"We all know Fernando was behind what happened to them. So don't disrespect her or her family's name like that."

His father grips onto his shoulder and leans into his ear forcefully whispering something to him making sure I couldn't hear.

Moving away he has his men walk out with him only having me and Kang in the room.

"I'm not taking shit like that from somebody like him, your father or not."

Kang sits next to leaning back looking up to the ceiling.

"Do you think I didn't know that before I asked you to marry me? He crossed the line and I'll handle how he speaks to you from today on and the rest of our lives."

Actually seeing him defend me had a small impact but not enough to sway Rayne away from my thoughts.

Comparing the two is starting to be a bad habit I'm forming that I need to see if what I'm conflicted on is worth this much mind welfare.

"I'll call when it's time to pay Fernando a visit," getting up he stops me from moving anywhere but in front of him as he holds onto my wrist.

"If you're going to see which one of us is really right for you," he looks to me, "Promise you won't do something that'll lose my trust over you."

Being the first time he's ever subtly threatened or warn me I take what he says with consideration and still leave heading to the address I found not knowing if Rayne is really there or not with a risk.

Waiting to see any sign of him I see his sister walk out with a trash bag and him telling her something for her to stick her middle finger out to him laughing. They both looked content and happy...if I get out now will that all change? I'm about to back away until he sees me lurking in the dark and walks over. I start walking off until he catches up to me by jogging and grabbing onto my arm. "Aleya." His tone is full of anticipation and longing all at the same time. Turning I looked into his eyes and quickly knew this was going to cause a bigger issue just by the way he's looking back at me. "I wanted to ask something," I managed to say while my heart jumped several times just by standing there with him still holding onto my arm.

"What's your question."

He let's go sliding his hands in his pocket while still looking at me.

"Are you at peace? Like are you happy where you are right now?"

Searching for his answer he shrugs, "Life has been hectic but not like it was back then. Stella is getting back to her normal self and I've been working with Xavier at a legit job instead of selling since the feds try to raid your old place. They were trying to find out what really happened since they got word from an informant on Fernando's side that you were into some shady business." I scoff already knowing who the informant was but not the fact that I got raided while I was in hiding.

"I see."

Chills form as a cold breeze passes by having Rayne take his hoodie off and giving it to me.

"You should head back to the man of the house before he gets the wrong idea."

Holding onto his hoodie instead of putting it on I say, "What if I want him too...to have the wrong idea?" Not looking up to his reaction he lifts my chin up and gives me direct eye contact. "I'm many things Aleya but getting involved with an almost married woman isn't one of them." Hearing some animosity in what he said I hand back his hoodie and look to him. "In another life I hope we meet on better terms then," hoping he understood what I meant I just walked off wanting to be the one to have the last word.

Experiencing something close to heartbreak was what I was feeling as I kept walking further and further away from Rayne. I couldn't love in this life but when I almost had a chance to I always found a way to ruin it like I just did now. What was I thinking going to him and spilling my guts to him while I'm engaged to someone else? Was I hoping he would stop me and say to stay? Rayne has never been the one to pull you in close even when there was fire dancing around but the one to actually start it and shield you when the flames got too big. But when I was given that said outside forces watered it down and left marks I don't think I could ever make up for.

I've learned now to have a heart even if parts of it are still cold but now have this feigning for ignorance type of feel even when it's uninviting.