Delicate Beauty (Mateo love story)

Chapter Ten *Edited*

Angelica was still completely exhausted when she awoke the next day, yesterday really had taken its toll. She smiles to herself upon hearing her father humming to himself in the kitchen. He had insisted that she spend the night with him after being questioned by the police, she didn't feel it was necessary but felt it was best for her father's peace of mind.

"Morning pet, you hungry?" Angelica shakes her head as she pours herself some coffee and seats herself at his kitchen table. He watches her with a smile, "how you feeling?" he asks with his eyes holding pure sympathy, something Angelica didn't want from anyone.

"I'm okay. To be honest dad, I just want to put it behind me and move on" she sips at her coffee, her eyes glancing to the clock on the wall to her right. She had to get going soon for her shift at the salon, although she had a feeling, they would try to talk her into taking the day off. "Ok pet, but remember, I'm always here." Angelica nods, leaving a kiss on his cheek as she heads for a shower.

"I'm going to go for a shower before my shift" Les frowns but doesn't have the time to object before the bathroom door is shut and locked behind her.

She glances in the mirror, a frown plagues her face as she eyes the fresh bruise that decorates her right cheek, it wasn't huge but was still definitely noticeable. She hisses as she pokes the bruise, a sharp pain shooting through her right cheek. She sighs, and shakes her head at the damn thing, she turns the shower on before undressing. A moment of relaxation was exactly what she needed before facing everyone at the Solana. She couldn't bear the thought of seeing Liam after the state he was in yesterday; he had been so heartbroken over the day's events and Angelica utterly blamed herself.

She hadn't seen Mateo since his heroic moment, she had been taken for questioning and then brought to her father's flat before she had the chance to speak with him. She had a lot to thank them all for, and equally as much to feel guilty for.

Angelica finally arrives at the Solana a couple of hours later, Leslie was already behind the front desk explaining the previous day's events to Miss Temple Savage. Angelica sighs as Miss Temple Savage eyes her with complete sympathy, a frown remaining on her aged features. Angelica didn't want their sympathy; it was making her furious that they saw her as a victim.

She holds her head high as she walks confidently into the salon, Kenneth and Liam go silent as she shuts the door behind herself. "You don't have to be quiet on my account" she mutters.

Kenneth glances to Liam, "how you feeling, love?" he asks with a sad smile.

Angelica smiles and takes a seat beside Liam "I'm fine, I just want to move on" she smiles brightly in an attempt to change the subject but Liam remains quiet, avoiding making eye contact with her. Her smile falters as she takes Liam's hand, "Liam, please talk to me, I can't bear the thought of you mad at me." her heart drops at the sad look Liam shoots towards her.

He shrugs, "I just don't understand why you didn't tell us; we could have helped you."

Angelica knew that they would have a hard time understanding her reasons, Mateo had informed them both of everything he knew about Darren and Angelica. A soft sigh leaves her lips as she thinks for a moment, "I was trying to protect you, you would have done the same thing if you had been in my position." she meets his soft gaze with a look of desperation, she needed him to understand and forgive her.

He smiles softly, "I'm just glad you're okay." he hugs her with his infamous Liam smile.

She grins, feeling relieved that her father and brother had forgiven her for yesterday's events. Kenneth smiles at the two, "we're taking the day off, I think we could all use the break. Liam you go get three sunbeds; I'll get the drinks." Angelica smiles, she felt a little gutted that she wasn't working today but also was grateful to have the day to recover.