When they arrive at the airport, Michael and Heather are standing at the meet-up point. Angela is actually surprised that Michael arrived on time. ~Heather must be a great influence on him.~ she thinks.
Michael looks at his ex-wife. Impressed by how amazing she looks. "You look great Angela." He can't help himself.
"Yes you do Angela, you're really dressed to impress." Heather chimes in.
"Thank you Michael, Heather." She looks at her feet.
Michael follows her eyes and freely admires her legs.
"Your wife is standing next to you." Tony whispers into his ear.
"Ah yes." Michael turns ands smiles at Tony. "You can't really blame a guy." He winks.
On one hand Tony wants to beat him on the other hand, he couldn't really blame him. Her legs were phenomenal, especially in those heels.
Michael, Heather and Jonathan check in their bags and return to the family.
"What time do you have to board?" Angela asks.
"Enough to get some coffee." Michael winks at her. Tony is annoyed by his behaviour, but Mona pinches his shoulder.
"Coffee big guy?" She smiles.
Heather asks Angela what her new campaign is for. Angela explains as she puts her arm over her son's shoulder and walks towards the small deli to grab some coffee. Michael is walking behind his wife and ex-wife, he can't help but look at his ex-wife. Tony's behind him and balls his fists, but before he can do anything Mona smacks Michael at the back of his head.
"She's not yours anymore, stop checking out my daughter." She hisses then she looks at Tony with a smirk, Tony is smiling from ear to ear.
"Ouch Mona!" Michael says, but cockily says "Can you blame me? These business are getting, well.. tasty. And I've always appreciated Angela's legs."
Angela stops in her tracks, Michael nearly bumps up to her, then she turns. "Michael, really?" is all she says before continuing her way.
"I'm sorry Heather." Angela doesn't know why she is apologising, it just seems appropriate.
"Oh that's okay, that's Michael." She smiles.
Angela shivers at her response. ~Is that enough for Heather? A man that flirts and just looks at women? Would that have been enough for her? IS that enough for her?~ She thinks looking back at Tony who has an angry look on his face, but his features soften as he notices her looking at him. ~Tony is a flirt. Tony likes women. Is loving me and only me going to be enough? I don't want to share any man and especially not Tony. I need him for myself and I want him to want only me, no more other women. I don't think he can so I will settle with him begin my best friend. Because I can't lose him.~ She concludes her internal conversation.
Tony's face lights up when she looks behind at him. Not at Michael or Mona, she looks at him. His heart skips a couple of beats. He can't remember the last time a woman made his heart jump like that. He knows he felt it with Marie, but after Marie.. no one. He liked other women, but not like this. ~How can I convince her how much I love and want her? Especially after what she just saw with Jennifer. I am such a dumbass. First I push her away, then Kathleen and now this? How can I fix this? And can this be fixed? Probably not, Angela is so hurt, I caused that! I rather have her as my best friend than have her leave my life. I need her to be in my life!~ He knows she can never be his lover after everything that has happened. ~So, Micelli, I guess we have to settle for admiring her from afar and enjoying the few stolen moments. Just don't lose your best friend!~ He concludes with himself.
After drinking their coffees comes Angela's most dreaded moment. Saying goodbye to her son. Jonathan hugs his grandmother. "Behave grandma!" he chuckles.
"You know I don't make promises I can't keep." She winks before giving him a kiss on his cheek.
"Come here buddy!" Tony gives him a big bear hug. "I'm gonna miss ya, you know!" He says pulling Jonathan back. Jonathan just hugs Tony again.
"I am going to miss you to Tony." He says. "Please take care of mom while I'm gone." He whispers the last part.
"Always." Tony whispers back.
"I know."
Angela says her goodbyes to Michael and Heather, agreeing to at least call twice a week. Then she turns to Jonathan, she watches Tony and him hug. The lump in her throat is so big, she can't swallow it away. Jonathan turns to face her, he smiles. She knows he is having just a hard of time that she is having. He walks towards her and automatically she cups both his cheeks. "You are going to have such a wonderful time." She smiles. "I am going to miss you so much sweetheart." Her eyes tear filled but she doesn't allow them to flow as she kisses him.
Jonathan just lets himself fall into her arms. "I'm going to miss you so much mom."
For a moment, it's just Jonathan and she. The rest of the people and the airport fade. She tussles his hair, kisses the side of his head and then whispers. "I love you more than anything, you're going to have such a great time with Heather and your dad, you will not have time to miss anyone." When he looks up at her, she sees his tears. She smiles down, her son has grown so much, but in this moment, she is holding her young child. Just like when Michael told her he didn't want custody.
"I love you mom."
"I love you too sweetheart. Listen to Heather and your father and stay safe. And call me when you arrive, I don't care what time it is."
"Mom it's about a 16 hours flight, so it'll be early tomorrow morning here. I think about 5AM." He chuckles. "I can't do that to you."
"I don't care Jonathan." Her eyes are serious now. "Please call me the first chance you get. I don't care what time it is okay?"
"Okay mom."
They fall back into their hug. Tony, Mona, Michael and Heather watch the two of them. Tony and Mona are overwhelmed by emotions for them, but being who they are, they bite their lips not to cry. Michael, for the first time, realises that they mother-son bond is tighter than he ever could imagine. Heather just cries at the sight of them.
"Hey Jonathan." Michael softly says. "We really have to go."
Angela and Jonathan pull apart, she cups his face with her right hand and smiles at him. He smiles back. No more words needed between mother and son. They both just know.
The three of them watch the other three go through customs, Jonathan smiles and waves at his family. Both Tony and Mona have their arms wrapped around Angela.
When Jonathan is out of her sight, the tears just flow. Her back still straight and her arms are just hanging to her sides.
"Oh Angela." Mona hugs her daughter tight. "He will be fine."
"I know mother." She still staring at the direction Jonathan just left in. "He will have a great time and the experience is going to be fantastic for him. I will just miss him very much, he has never been away this far and this long."
Tony places his hand on the small of her back. "You okay?" He softly asks.
She nods. "I'm fine. Thank you." She notices he has started making circles on the small of her back, somehow it comforts her so much.
"Come on. Mona has to get to the hotel and you've got your client this afternoon." Tony puts a little pressure on her back to get her to move.
She leans in to his comforting touch and looks at him with a faint smile. "Thank you."
Her smile makes the butterflies in his stomach flutter.
XXXXX
Angela and Tony decide to drop off Mona at the hotel first.
"I want to say hello to uncle Cornelius, could you wait for a second?" Angela looks at Tony.
"Oh no, both Tony and you need to say hello to Cornelius and take a look at the hotel." Mona smiles.
"I have some time, my first class is at 2. It'll be fine." Tony says.
Tony parks the car in the garage and they head inside the hotel.
"Cornelius!" Mona walks towards her younger brother.
"Mona!" he smiles, hugging his sister. "So glad you can help."
"Hello uncle Cornelius." Angela is standing behind her mother.
"Angela?" There is surprise in his voice. "Haven't seen you since.. I can't even remember! Thank you for giving your mom the time to help here."
"That's what family's for!" Angela gives him a warm smile. "I'd like you to meet Tony Micelli." She says as she points towards Tony. "He's.. my best friend, part of the family."
Tony is stunned, she didn't call him her housekeeper but her best friend. "Nice to meet you Mr.. Oh I'm sorry I don't know your last name." Tony chuckles.
"Call me Cornelius! Nice to meet you Tony." The men shake hands.
"We can't stay uncle Cornelius. I have a meeting and Tony has classes. I just wanted to come in and say hi and wish you good travels."
"Well it is so lovely to see you again, Angela!." He grabs her hand and squeezes it. "Nice to meet you again Tony."
"Mother I will check in every day. And more if I have some questions."
"Of course, dear. You can always call. If I'm not there leave a message." Mona smiles at Angela. "And I will come in from time to time. We will have to work out that schedule."
"It's fine mother." She gives Mona a hug. "I will be fine."
"I know you will, you're my strong daughter." She cups the side of her face. "Good luck with Mr. Stevens, knock 'm dead! Not literally."
"Ay Mone, good luck and behave!" Tony winks.
"Like I told Jonathan, I would make promises I probably can't keep!" she laughs.
XXXXX
When walking to the car, Angela all of a sudden realises that Tony and she would be alone in the car. That realisation makes her nervous as she fidgets with the door handle.
"You do know how to open the car door, don't you Angela?"
"Yes, yeah, of course." She says but somehow has a hard time opening the door.
Tony walks around the car, leans over her back and opens the door. "Here you go." He whispers in her ear. His hot breath on her skin makes her skin crawl.
~He is your best friend Angela, don't ruin the best friendship you have ever had.~ She thinks as she smiles at him. "Thank you Tony, always a gentleman."
He watches her legs and behind as she climbs into his Jeep. ~Well not always..~ he thinks. And as if she read his mind, she turns. "What are you looking at?" She grins.
"Uh.. nothin'.. just.. you know.. admiring the view." He smirks, he can't help it, she drives his Brooklyn side crazy.
When they near the Bower Agency, Tony needs to tell her that this thing with Jennifer was a misunderstanding, he can't leave it hanging between them.
"Listen Angela.." he starts "What you think you saw.. you know with Jennifer. I wasn't.. I didn't initiate anything." He has finally said it.
"Tony, like I said, it's fine. If you are happy then I am happy. Look I really don't want to do this right before my presentation. I can't." She shifts to look at him. "Can we talk about this later tonight? Because I do think we need to discuss this. Maybe over dinner?"
"Okay." He resides with what she wants. "What time do you think you'll be home?"
"Well the presentation is at 3pm, this will take at least 3 hours. So I will be leaving at 6pm. Let's say around 7:30 tonight okay?"
"7:30 okay. What would you like to eat?"
"Anything is fine, just make something easy. It will be just the two of us."
"We're here." His voice is soft.
"Okay, I will see you tonight." She opens the car door, gets her bags and gets out. "And Tony?"
"Yeah Angela?" He looks at her.
"Thank you for being there today. Somehow you always know how to make me feel better."
"Always Angela, always."
Angela closes the door and waves goodbye with a warm smile.
He drives back, heading for his classes.
XXXXX
Tony was just in time for his classes.
"Hey Tony." A sultry voice says.
"Hey Jennifer." He says as coldly as he can. It's not in his nature to treat someone coldly, but he knows it's for the best. The only way to reach her, is to be cold. He doesn't want to give her any reason to think he might be interested in her. There is only one woman he is interested in and there will never be another one for him and he knows it.
"Do you have time to go over each other's notes after class?" She touches his lower arm. He pulls arm back. "We could go back to your house." Her voice thicker than before as she puts her finger on his chest.
He feels uncomfortable, she makes him uncomfortable. "I don't think that's a good idea, but we can go to the library and check the notes. I promised my.." he sighs because he wants to say partner, girlfriend and most preferably wife. "My family to make sure there is dinner on the table on time."
"The library is just fine." She bats her eyelashes at him.
"Cool, I'll meet you there after class. Excuse me. Hey Kyle?" He takes the easiest way out.
Tony makes his way to the library, but his heart is heavy.
"Tony!" Jennifer shrieks as she waves towards him.
"Hey." He says opening the door. "Ladies first."
"Thank you."
They quietly walk towards an empty table and take their seats.
"These are my pages." Tony hands her the small stack.
"These are mine." Jennifer hands hers, trying to make contact, but Tony takes the edge of the paper. Then he immediately starts reading the notes. Scribbling some of his comments, he doesn't notice that Jennifer has taken the seat next to him. All of a sudden he feels her hand on his back. "Wow Jennifer!" He moves his chair away. "Look, we are here to do the assignment, nothing more. And I am sorry if you felt lead on, this has never been my intention.."
"Well you aren't in a relationship are you?" Her sultry voice annoys him.
"No I am not."
"Well you're a very attractive man and I am a very attractive woman.." she says.
"So?"
"So.. maybe we could make a very attractive couple. I know I'm interested."
"Well.." Tony shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "You've read the room wrongly. I am not interested in pursuing a relationship."
"But.. but.. YOU kissed me!" Her voice high pitched.
"No I didn't! And you know it Jennifer. I pushed you off of me!" He looks at the notes. "I am sorry if you thought I was interested, but I am really not."
"Oh." She says softly. "Well now I just feel silly and embarrassed for throwing myself at you."
"Don't be. I mean you did come on a bit strong, maybe change your game plan. You see but I am not the type of guy to just hook up with anyone." His eyes still on the papers before him. "Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered. But.." he stops.
"But what Tony?" All of a sudden her voice was soft and shy.
"Nothin'." He sighs. "I just want us to get a good grade on this assignment. I mean I'm hoping to not have to take this class another semester." He lies. He actually wants to tell her that she has endangered the most important relationship in his life. That she might be the reason Angela will never want to be with him. That he is so angry at her for just kissing him. ~But what's the use in giving her a guilty conscience.~ He thinks to himself.
"Why don't you like me?"
"Look Jennifer, I like you as a person, a classmate. But my heart has already been given away to somebody else. Someone who is very important to me."
"Well I guess you're not THAT important to her." She snaps.
"What?"
"If she would be interested in you, she would have made a move."
Tony smiles at the thought of Angela making a move, but knows that after Kathleen, she would never. "It's not that simple." He rubs the back of his neck. "I kinda screwed up that possibility. She will not initiate anything."
"Why not?"
"Because I hurt her immensely.." He swallows.
"I can't imagine you hurting anyone." She puts her hand over his.
"Well I did, I hurt her so bad and I don't know if I can come back from that." Now he looks her in the eyes. "And that scares me more than anything."
Jennifer sits back in her seat. "You really love her don't you."
"More than anything." He confesses.
"Than do something about it." She smiles. "I am not sorry I made a move, I am not sorry for shooting my shot. I do think you're an attractive man. But I am sorry if in any way I stood in your way of true love."
"True love?" he is confused.
"Anyone speaking about another person the way you just did, is in love. And the way your face lights up when you think about her and how hurt you look when you said you messed it up.. that's true love. And true love is worth fighting for."
"You think so?"
"I've never had a man look at me the way you look when you think about her. If that isn't true love. I'm quitting." She laughs.
"So you're not mad at me?" he asks.
"No I'm not, I shoot my shot, I got shot down. It comes with the territory." She chuckles. "I am sorry you don't feel the same way."
"Look I don't want this to interfere with our work. I need to know you're okay with us working together. Or else I will ask the professor to find us new partners." Tony was being honest.
"No I am fine if you are fine. No pressure and I promise I will not make a move again. Deal?" she extends her hand to him.
"Deal." He smiles and shakes her hand.
The rest of their afternoon in spend on their assignment. First checking each other's work, then dividing more work among them.
When the clock hits 6PM they part ways both content with the work that has been done.
XXXXX
Angela, Jack and Neill give the presentation. Angela and Jack had done most of the work, but Neill was a brilliant graphic designer who has added his own ideas to the campaign. Angela is extremely happy with her choices both in employment and in her campaign.
Mr. Stevens is very impressed. "So if I understand this correctly. With your campaign, the profits will raise increasingly."
"Yes." Jack answers. "We've had a test group try out the product without showing the brand. And the responses were very positive, both in taste, freshness and our campaign idea."
"And this test group, what kind of people did the group consist of?" Mr. Stevens asks.
"I can tell you that it consisted of all types of people, from different ages to different cultural backgrounds. At the Bower agency we take our clients, their products and our research very serious." Angela gets up, walks around, then she turns and smiles. "It's now up to you Mr. Stevens. You have a tough decision to make which agency to choose. I know there are many great agencies out there, I just hope we made your decision even tougher." She concludes.
"No actually, you've made it easier." Cal got up and extends his hand to her. "I'd like to go into business with the Bower agency."
Angela's look of worry turns into a big smile. "Welcome to the Bower Agency. You won't regret it."
"There is just one problem." Cal says.
"Oh which is what?" Angela feels her nerves growing.
"I am leaving for my home state in the morning. I'd like to get our business done tonight."
Angela smiles. "That will not be a problem for me, Mr. Stevens. Jack I'd like you to stay for a little while if that is possible." Neill knew this was just drawing papers, dotting I's and crossing T's, not his line of work.
"Sure, just let me call Carol to give her a heads up." Jack smiles. "I will be right back."
"Would you mind if I just make a quick phone call? So my.. uhm.. my family knows I will be home later."
"Of course." Cal smiles.
"I will make my call after Jack comes back." Angela grabs the first draft of the contract she had already made up. "Of course we already have a draft of the contract." She hands him the draft. "Please feel free to read through and respond."
Cal accepts the draft and starts reading. Jack comes in and puts his thumb up.
"Jack I just handed Mr. Stevens our draft, could you please see to him if he has any questions. I will inform the family I will be later."
Angela dials her home number and listens to it ringing. She looks at her watch, it is 5:15pm so she expects Tony to be home, as his class ended at 4. When the answering machine answers, an image of Tony and Jennifer washes over her, she quickly hangs up. She shakes her head and dials again. When the machine answers again, she leaves her message. "Hi Tony. I uh I will be later tonight, probably not in time for dinner. Jack and I are negotiating with Mr. Stevens. He likes the campaign and signed on to the bower agency. He is leaving tomorrow so the contract must be drawn up tonight. We might just order food. I am sorry for this late message. Bye." She hangs up the phone.
Her heart hung low at the thought of Tony and Jennifer, making out.