Holding back

Friends?

"Vilu, I know I have no right to ask you, but please, why was Angie planning something for me?" I had been repeatedly trying to get information out of Vilu for the last half an hour.

"Look, I already told you. I don't know why! She didn't say why, she just asked for my help! You will have to ask her yourself." Vilu jumped off the stool and grabbed her bag. "I'm going to be late for the studio, Angie's already there. See you later."

"Have a good day" I sighed as she left for the studio.

I had a lot of making up to do. I was home alone with lots of time on my hands. Perfect time to think of something.

Angie never struck me as the posh elegant type, she's more relaxed and into small gestures than really big gestures, I think. That's what makes her so special, so different to Jade. So nothing too expensive. Besides, I don't want it to look like I'm trying to buy back her trust. Perhaps a gift isn't a good idea. I should take her out. Not a date. Unless she wanted it to be a date, which I highly doubt she will. I think Angie would like somewhere that had great food, but not somewhere expensive with a menu impossible to read. I know just the place.

To Vilu,
I have a plan. I'm taking Angie out tonight, but it has to be a surprise. So could you pretend to be taking her out and get her ready for 5 o'clock please? When she's ready, send me a text and I will take it from there. Please, Vilu, do this for me.
Love Dad. x

A few hours later, after a lot of persuading and bribing, Vilu agreed to do as I asked and the girls were upstairs getting ready. I don't know how Angie will react when she realises it's me taking her to dinner, the man she hates, and not her niece, the person she loves most in the world. She might even refuse to go. As I got deep into thought, the sound of high heels clashing against the wooden stairs pulled me out of my pool of thoughts and I snapped back into reality. Angie spotted me in the living room when she got to the bottom step. Immediately, she turned to face Vilu.

"What's he doing here?" Whispered Angie, although I could still hear her. "He's not coming too is he?" I wanted to tell her that my name isn't 'he' it's German, but I didn't want to push my luck and make her any angrier than she already was.

"Actually..." Violetta started, "actually... it's a funny story actually..." Violetta faked a laugh before continuing. "You see, I'm not actually taking you out, he is."

"Did you lie to me?" Angie asked Violetta, sounding shocked.

"It was his idea!" Oh great, drop me in it why don't you? And does nobody around here know my name?! "But don't get mad at him, please. I want this, Angie. I want the two people I love more than anything in the world to get along. I hate it when you argue. I don't want to take sides. I hate it when you make each other sad, because when you're sad, I'm sad." A rush of guilt came over my body and I could also see the guilt all over Angie's face. I had no idea Vilu felt like that.

"Alright..." Angie sighed. "I'll do it for you Vilu."

"Thank you." She smiled at Angie. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a party to get to and don't forget dad, I'm sleeping at Cami's!" Violetta kissed Angie on the cheek, then me, before running out the door. I had to bribe Violetta into helping me, which means she gets to go to a party all night and I am not allowed to call her at all. But as a compromise, she must text me every two hours so I know she's okay.

"Look... Angie... we don't have to go if you really don't want to..."

"Why would I waste a perfectly good outfit?" She questioned before jumping off the bottom step and twirling around. Her outfit was beautiful. She was dressed in bright colours, I prefer bright colours to the dark colours jade used to wear. "Anyway, it's what Vilu wants. We have to get along for her sake."

I smile and nodded in agreement. Angie walked over to me and put out her hand for me to shake. "Friends?" She asked.

"Always." I replied, as I touched her hand I could feel the electricity. Although hopefully in the future we will be a little bit more than friends...