Forever Changed

Chapter 18: Lessons and Lies

Mattia POV

(One Months After Their Wedding) 

I didn't like the idea of Angelique spending time with Rachael. Her behaviour at the wedding showed she was a loose canon. When she'd been chosen to be her roommate for college it was because she came from a family Angelique had never crossed paths with, and was highly trained. The fact she had brothers close in age who would spend time with them without raising her suspicions sealed the deal. It was like having additional body guards that Angelique wouldn't even notice. 

I never expected them to form the kind of friendship that would have her cross every boundary and yell at me on my wedding day. Angelique considered Rachael to be her closest friend and I felt uncomfortable at the thought of her finding out Rachael had actually been hired to take care of her. I knew my wife and her soft heart would be hurt by this knowledge. 

"Nico I need a minute. Seems Rachael has asked Angelique to coffee on Friday and I need to remind her what will happen if she reveals anything."

His frown matched the one on my face. There friendship was meant to fade away once Angelique moved out of the dorm rooms, but it didn't. Then she'd surprised me by asking for Rachael to be one of her bridesmaids and I knew we had a problem. 

Nico took a seat in front of my desk as I brought up Rachael's number on my phone. 

"Why are you calling me?" Her tone was hostile and it seemed I didn't even deserve a basic greeting.

"You forget who you're speaking with Rachael. You know why I'm calling. Why are you meeting with her on Friday? You were meant to be distancing yourself from her, not planning coffee dates, so I'm confused."

I heard the noise in her background fade away, she'd obviously moved somewhere more private to continue our conversation. 

"She invited me Mattia. Not the other way around. If I simply cut contact with her she's going to be very upset. She considers me her closest friend and I know that she doesn't really have anyone else. Her role as your Chosen made it hard for her to make friends in our world growing up due to jealousies, and she's not really a party animal so college girls find her a little dull. She's a sweet girl and I actually hate that I even took this job."

She wasn't wrong. Angelique, although friendly and kind didn't seem to have a large circle of friends. Mia for example was forever having friends to the house or requesting security for trips to the mall and cafes. Over the years Angelique had always seemed to keep to herself. Yet another reason I had thought we wouldn't be a good fit. I hadn't thought about the fact that other women would be jealous of her and exclude her from their circle. 

"I know it's going to hurt her feelings when you start to distance yourself, but what else do you see happening here? You can't remain friends. I'm not he only one who knows your family's connection to us and we can't risk her being seen with you more than she already has. It's been hard enough to keep this arrangement hidden from her for the past two years. You were meant to let her know before the wedding that you had decided to drop out and that would help you fade from her life."

At my statement she sighed.

"I tried Mattia. I did. When I mentioned leaving because I was having problems with my scholarship she offered to cover my fees. She didn't hesitate. Just asked how much I'd need for next term and said she'd transfer it from her account. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't let her pay and she seemed so hurt at the thought of me leaving, I felt stuck."

"You should have spoken to me. It is not your place to try and remain in her life when the job you were hired to do is complete. You knew going in what your role was."