Chapter 11
Tony was awaken by the ringing of the phone. It was an unregistered number. He debated whether to take it or not but something inside him told him to pick it up. He was jerked awake when he heard Angela's quivering voice on the other end. "Angela? What's wrong?" he asked worriedly. Angela was incoherent and upset but he managed to make out what she was saying. "I'll be right there, right now. I knew he couldn't be trusted. Stay there. Don't go out and keep the door locked."
Angela hung up and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. She stood up from the bathroom floor as she replaced the receiver of the telephone. No real damage had been done. She managed to get away from him but she still felt a little shaken with the incident. She couldn't believe someone she trusted would try to harm her, and she was beginning to like him. She had no idea how long she had hidden in the bathroom when she suddenly heard someone ferociously pounding at the bathroom door.
Renewed fear overcame her. "Leave me alone. Please leave me alone," she cried. "Angela? It's Tony. Are you alright? Please tell me you're alright", cried Tony. Angela felt a wave of relief. "Tony? Tony!" she cried as she opened the door. Tony hugged her fiercely. "Oh god, Angela. Tell me you're okay. Where is that bastard? I'll kill him", he said. "I don't know. I sprayed pepper spray on his face then I locked myself in the bathroom. Oh Tony, he said so many awful things. He said I was a tease…"
"Ssshhh…It's okay. Forget about what he said," said Tony, running his fingers through her tousled blond hair. "Do you think it was my fault, that I gave him the wrong impression…" Before he could stop himself, he ran little kisses all over her face. "You're not a tease. Don't ever think that it was your fault." After he had held her for some time, he brought her to the bed. "Go to sleep, Angela. I'm here. No one's going to harm you." He laid her gently on the bed and covered her with the feather quilt. "Don't leave me" pleaded Angela. "I won't. I'll watch over you. I promise."
When Angela fell asleep he dialed the front desk. There's no way he was letting that bastard get away with what he did. He pounded his fist on the wall when he discovered Christopher had already checked out. He sat on the bed beside Angela. He blamed himself for what almost happened. Had he not committed indiscretion with Kathleen, Angela wouldn't have entertained suitors. She hadn't entertained anyone for the last couple of years from the time they had that unspoken understanding. It was just her luck to find a suitor who couldn't take no for an answer.
He looked at Angela's lovely face, the face he often times watch as she slumber at night. He wondered how he managed to keep his distance for long. He decided that he'll tell her once and for all how much he loves her first thing tomorrow.
Tony ordered a bouquet of flowers and room service. He would tell her his feelings over brunch. She must be awfully exhausted as she hasn't woken up yet. He decided to take a shut eye since Angela was still asleep. He never slept a wink last night, watching her, and thinking about their situation. After so much thought, he decided to move their relationship to the next level. Suddenly his cell phone rang. He picked it up before it wakes Angela. He went out the room to take his daughter's call.
Angela woke up with sunshine grazing through the thin drapes of her hotel room. She had almost forgotten the terrible ordeal she went through last night. She found a bouquet of flowers beside her and there was a beautiful brunch for two on the table but Tony was nowhere to be found. She took the card and read it.
My dearest Angela,
It's been six wonderful years since I have come to work for you, and finally after all these years I have found the courage to tell you how much you mean to me. I love you, Angela. I have loved you for a long time, and I don't want to live without you. I do not know if you still feel the same way about me after I have hurt you by going out with Kathleen. I have rectified the error of my ways by breaking up with her before anyone of us gets hurt even more. I tried to love her, but no matter what I do, you are truly the sole owner of my heart.
Love,
Tony
Angela couldn't believe the letter. She was joyous, ecstatic. She had been waiting for Tony to say those words for a long time. She eagerly waited for Tony.
"Sam! I don't believe you and Mona brought all these luggages. Just how long do you plan to stay here at Foxwood Resort?" said Tony, watching Mona and his daughter settle in their room. "Since you and Angela are both here in the resort, we decided to follow and have a vacation ourselves. We wouldn't want to miss all the fun. We'll stay here as long as you are both here. Don't worry, we won't spy on you", said Mona.
"Hey dad, guess what? That creepy guy hitting on Angela has found himself a girlfriend and you wouldn't believe who--Mrs. Wellington's sister", said Sam with a laugh. "That's good, at least Ed wouldn't be bothering Angela anymore." "And dad, the serial killer's been caught. It's in today's newspaper. Thank god, now you wouldn't be suspecting Christopher", said Sam.
"uhuh… he's not a serial killer eh, he's a first class jerk. You wouldn't want to know what he tried with Angela last night. It was a good thing I gave her that pepper spray," said Tony. "That creep! He is worse than Ed Hartwell" exclaimed Sam. "How's my mother? Is she alright?" asked Jonathan. "Where's Angela? How is she?" asked Mona. "She's still asleep. Don't worry, she's okay. I kept an eye on her last night," said Tony.
"You look terrible Tony. Perhaps you should sleep a while in my room while mom's still asleep," said Jonathan. "That would be nice, thank you Jonathan."
Angela stepped into the lobby wearing her denim designer dress and wedge sandals. She was looking for Tony. She was surprised that it was already past 3 in the afternoon but he hasn't gone back to her room yet. She wanted to walk around. Maybe she'll see him.
"Ms. Bower," called the front desk as Angela passed by the reception area. Angela approached the African American receptionist. "Oh, Miss Bower, someone left you a message. You are to meet Mr. Tony Micelli at the hikers' trail at 5pm." Angela felt excited. It was their first rendezvous. She thanked the front desk clerk and went outside to take a walk before her rendezvous with Tony at 5pm.
Tony was deeply worried. He hadn't seen Angela all day. He couldn't believe he slept till 4pm. She must think I stood her up. His plans for a romantic brunch was ruined. Now all he wanted to do was find her and invite her for a romantic dinner. Mona was at the casino all day and the kids were at the sports complex. None of them saw Angela. "Excuse me, but do you have a message for Tony Micelli?" asked Tony at the front desk.
"I'm sorry, we don't have any message for you, sir. Are you expecting a message from someone?" asked the front desk clerk. "I was hoping I have a message from Angela Bower." "Oh, don't worry, sir. I gave her your message about your rendezvous at the hikers' trail", replied the clerk. "No, I didn't send her any message", said Tony worriedly.
"Your secretary came and said her boss Tony Micelli wanted a message delivered to Angela Bower. That she was to meet him at hikers' trail by 5pm." Tony was totally concerned. Who would try to lure Angela to the woods? "Can you please tell me how to get there," asked Tony.