With just one call, all the stress was gone. The girl who did such an shameless act was now erased from his memory and now he held the same happy face as before. That was the power of love, the magic it held was simply amazing and unbelievable. Angela...she was Ryan's happiness. He saw for who she truly was, a young girl struggling all her life to support her father more than herself, a girl who chooses to stay the same even when a very generous offer is on the line, a girl who is pure hearted, gentle, kind, respecting and one who always does mysterious acts that fill the other with happiness and satisfaction. Ryan only saw a pretty face but now he truly knew who she was. Now, he knew why he was in love.

An alarm wasn't necessary to wake the handsome guy up. Staying with that girl changed his way of everything, even his waking time. That girl seriously was going to be a nagging mom in the future.

Ryan got up and went straight to the bathroom to get ready for the meeting.

Stepping out Ryan was only wearing a towel when he heard his phone ring.

It was a message.

"Customer service?" Ryan said to himself.

Ryan opened his phone. What he saw was no message from customer care but a picture...of Angela.

Angela had sent him a selfie, she was wearing a thin white shirt, black hoodie on top. Her hair was brushed back with a few twin bundles infront. Her left hand was slightly holding a bundle, while her other hand took the picture. And that grin...that damned grin was unbelievably gorgeous, it was making her look even more beautiful.

Below that picture, she wrote a caption

'I would've given you a good luck kiss but since you're not close, do with this...'

With a love emoticon at the end.

As soon as Ryan saw this picture, he felt numb, like seeing a scary figure in the dark or something. His mouth curved into a smile, seeing that picture and reading the lovely caption, and realising that she was still thinking about him and his business meeting, it truly warmed his heart.

Ryan's eyes scanned the picture, from her raven hair to her small forehead, to her hazlenut eyes, to her attractive cheek mole, then to his main target, her pointed nose, then to her grinning pink lips. Angelic features, indeed. Whenever Ryan saw her, he thought, did God really made her? Because he couldn't believe how gorgeous this girl was.

Ryan's eyes slowly went down and down to her exposed white neck. He had, for the first time, notice that there was a thick mole there, too. To him it felt like that neck was screaming to be biten and tasted. Then his eyes slowly went down to her chest, her exposed big chest. The shirt was tight and that chest was big enough to rip it open. Ryan suddenly felt his erection.

'Jesus Christ! Really? At this time?!'

He threw his phone at his bed to vent out all the anger he was feeling for himself. Seriously, even in the morning, Ryan's soldier was giving a salute by a mere picture. And his eyes, they just kept on staring at her chest. Like, her eyes were up there but he wasn't interested in making eye contact, was he?

Ryan, after a few moments, heard a ring noise from the phone.

It might be Angela again.

Ryan slowly picked the phone up, carefully staring at the bottom to avoid looking at the picture. Hard, impossible but mostly uncontrollable.

Somehow, the horny adult managed to look at the text without looking at the sent picture just above it. The text read

'You awake, love?'

Ryan snapped out of his urge, seeing he left his beloved waiting.

Ryan's fingers started to type

'Hey, beautiful. Thanks for the good luck wish, I'm gonna ace this meeting.'

'There. Just talk. Dont spoil anything.'

'Haha. Woke up early. You got me to blame for that'

Ryan chuckled at her message. Smiling, he wrote.

'Yeah, such a nagging woman, you are. Anyways, you're ready to go somewhere?'

Angela giggled softly at his small insult.

'Its not called nagging its called caring, you dummy. And yes, I am going out with Brenda.'

'Dummy, eh? I love that nickname, Pinocchio.'

Ryan kept staring at the phone, waiting for her reply because he wanted to make her angry. His mind kept on imagining the look on her face as she reads it, it was gonna be so funny.

He bit his lips to avoid bursting into laughter.

Any second now.

Shuff

The reply came.

'Ughhhh, YOU! What is it with you and my nose?! Its pointed, sure but its normal and cute. Why do you always target it and why everyday? PINOCCHIO?! Ughghh, You're so ANNOYING!'

Ryan burst into laughter. His cackles were loud and filled with satisfaction. Whilst laughing, Ryan typed.

'Hahahahh. You know me, I'm always like this. That was just a joke, dont get offended. I love your nose, its really cute and I say it to provoke you. Teasing you is so much fun.'

Angela read the texts. Her blood was boiling already with anger and now Ryan was admitting he loves doing this to her.

'Yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses. But have you ever seen your nose? Its so sharp you can cut whole vegetables with it. And your teeth, so bright and white, nothing like your soul, you dummy.'

Ryan chuckled softly at her cute insult. He liked it.

'Hahahaha. When you are embarrassed, you cant even speak properly. And I bet 100 bucks you held your nose, when you read the nickname I gave you.'

Angela gasped. He was right. She was doing it and it was curious how he knew.

'Go get ready. Im sure your meeting will start early.'

Angela still at this moment, when she was angry at Ryan, was still worried about his meeting. How did she do it? So selfless and sensitive to her loved ones, it was astonishing.

'Youre one of a kind, truly a special one and it is to tell you that I will always cherish you forever. I'm gonna get ready now, but I ain't sorry for teasing you, thats just how I am. I love you.'

With that Ryan proceeded in wearing his suite for the meeting.

Angela smiled reading the first and the last text. She was still pissed but Ryan always said these things that melted her heart.

'Good luck, dummy. But I'm gonna hold on to this.'

The meeting went way better than Ryan expected. The foreigners had a translator with them, which made Ryan's work easy as he didn't need to repeat himself dozens of time like on the call the other day. The foreigners were quite impressed by the deal Ryan made them and found themselves interested in doing bussiness with the Reeves's company.

Charles once again observed the talent of persuasion in Ryan. His words and honest dealing is one of the attributes of the corporations success. He was genuinely impressed by his son's work. Feeling proud, Charles gave that acknowledged gesture, where he brushes the hair of the individual.

Bernard was also present there and he realised how hard working Ryan really was. The brat who gave him so much trouble when he was a kid would turn out to be a real prodigy. The scrawny kid had hidden talent, and dare he thought it, was born for this profession. Looking at him, he reminded him of his daughter, Angela. How Angela contributed in running the family, how she stopped studying and lived as a worker in various places, how she moved others and made them quite fond of her, it was like seeing a male version of his daughter.

As the three males stepped out, Charles suddenly pulled out his phone to call the U.S internationals for the booking of the tickets.

Ryan and Bernard were standing alone. Ryan kept on blabering of how the meeting went so smooth and how this was such a good idea.

Bernard stared at Ryan, looking at his gesture and way of speaking, it was so similar to Angela.

'He even talks like her when he is excited.'

Bernard then spoke.

Ryan stopped, noticing how creepy Bernard was looking at him.

"There something on my face?" Ryan chuckled.

Bernard shook his head.

"I never expected a scrawny, annoying brat like you would steal my daughter right from my arms."

Ryan just stared at Bernard with his mouth slightly open. Releasing a forced laugh, Ryan replied

"Um--I...I think...I should aplogize?"

Silence.

Akward silence.

Bernard scoffed.

"No, I'm happy she fell for you. Just surprised, is all."

"Annoying, irritating, but I am a true lover. I will always be there for her."

Bernard smiled genuinely, placing his hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"Take care of my daughter, son. She is the most hardworking and compassionate person you will ever meet."

Ryan could see that there was something lingering in the air, in his own mind that he wanted to ask.

Gesturing Bernard to sit on the public bench, Ryan was curious to ask something. Charles was busy making the call so there was some time.

Ryan bought coffee for both to get refreshed.

Ryan looked at Bernard and spoke

"Bernard, I know that Angela wasn't well off in school but why didn't she at least try? I mean, it isn't necessary that school will determine her success in college."

"My pumpkin tried really, really hard but it never paid off. You don't know how much she pushed herself but never did her academics reach as high as she wanted them. Somethings are never meant to happen is what my wife taught me." Bernard looked down.

Ryan could sense the sadness emanating from his face. Poor guy, lost his wife so early.

Ryan placed his hand on his shoulder to cheer him up.

"But why did you allow her to not attend college? I mean, if not a degree she could've had freinds, a social life, exposure to the world. But, why choose to work? What happened? Why'd you allow her?"

Bernard looked at Ryan then at the ground again. This time he felt like he was embarrased about something.

"Angela is naive, very naive. Its not that she didnt have much friends, its not difficult to make a introduction to strangers. It's that she never regarded anyone but me and her mother."

'Yeah, Angela did say that.'"As for academics, I didnt much care. I wanted my daughter to get into college even if it meant for me to drag hell on earth but I can't force. I simply don't like to have people do what they don't wanna do. Especially, if that is my own child."

Ryan was stunned to hear that. How Bernard gave so much freedom to Angela and still Angela didnt turn out like stereotypical teen's.

"Money wasn't the issue, you know. Charles could've easily helped me and Angela but I didn't like it. I wanted her to get education out of my own pocket but what the issue was, was not money either...it was Angela's resolve."

"Resolve?" Ryan asked curiously.

Sipping on the coffee, Bernard continued

"It was her decision that she won't go to college. I won't forget that night. It was the first and final time Angela and I had an argument... and I screamed at her. She told me that she wasnt going to get better, she knew it and said 'Its better to adopt a habit of working at this age, than to waste money on something I don't even understand.'... After that, Angela started to go out and worked almost 10 hour shifts in restaurants, cooked and cleaned the neighbours apartment, helped their kids in homework, preparing their lunch, etcetera, etcetera. Luckily, she had infinite energy, which she inherited from her mother. And within a short while, she started earning well, really well. She never kept her earning to herself, she transferred them to my bank account. My love bought gifts, presents for me, was always there for me but no father wants to see their kid work like this but it was her happiness, she was happy, truly happy with it. Then who was I to judge, it took a while but I got used to it as well. Our old father daughter love came back, with a bang and things became perfect. That was her resolve Thats why, son. Take care of her, she deserves it more than anything."

Ryan was stunned to hear that. Angela did tell the same thing before but hearing it from Bernard was completely different. His words showcased his appreciation and admiration to his daughters resolve and devotion.

"Even now, she has the chance to live a carefree life but she denies it. She knows money isnt happiness. Angela, my daughter, is happy in working all her life. Its because she makes her point clear infront of everyone that everyone acknowledges her. Now, she is in love with you and for you and herself, she is willing to work the rest of her life as a maid."

Ryan clenched his grip on Bernard's shoulder.

"I swear, I will take care of her always. I will love her, cherish her, give her the most perfect life and make sure she get every ounce of blessing she deserves for working so hard."

Bernard laughed satisfyingly. He could sense honesty in Ryan's words.

"Im sure you will." Bernard looked down for a few momets before he continued "First, tell me. How did you get acquainted with her? The first impression?"

"First impression?"

Ryan thought, thought and thought...

'Oh, the first was --Shit! It was in the kitchen...making her cry! Fuck, what should I say? No, no that wasn't it...think of something. Yes! Before the kitchen you wipped her cheek...yes...yes say that!'

"Well...Ahem...We...sat and had d-d-dinner together and I uhh wipped...her c-c-cheek..." Ryan stammered. He didn't want to lie but this was a drastic situation which called for a drastic measure.

"Oh, you cheeky brat! Couldn't wait to get your hands on her, huh?" Bernars gave a knowing look.

'What? My hands on her?! No...I mean yes but nooo...'

Ryan gulped as he slowly thought of what to reply to such a yet true accusation.

"I ugh--I ugh--Was just...being friendly..."

Ryan stammered again.

"That the reason you kissed her in the kitchen and made her cry?"

Silence.

Utter silence.

Ryan felt like his soul had left his body. His heart had stopped and mind gone blank with nothing but shock surging throughout his body. His eyes widened and mouth openedas wide as it possibly could.

'Does...what...What? When...'

Ryan started to open his mouth.

"Ugh...I...I...I'm sorry!" Ryan suddenly said it in one quick breath using every ounce of energy left in his body. "It was rude...of me..." Ryan panted even more "I was too hasty...I never wanted to hurt her, I swear to God, but it was wrong. I am sorry."

Bernard kept on staring at Ryan with the same look as before but his corner lip was slightly curved. Was he smiling?

"How did that feel? Her cries?" Bernard spoke with a serious tone.

Ryan didn't make eye contact, he looked down and took a deep breath.

"Horrible...guilty... painful... alone. I could sense all of that in her...c-c-cracking v-voice. I...spent countless hours... thinking about her and her reaction. I realised my mistake but it was too late.. I-i-i never wanted to harass her...I have no excuses."

Bernard placed his hand on Ryan's shoulder making Ryan look up.

"Angela is my little angel. She will always be. To be honest, I was pretty angry at you for doing that hasty act but because I know you and love you since your childhood and because my baby told me to forget about it...I will."

Ryan's eyes lighted up in relief. His shoulders didnt feel the same pain anymore, it was like his burden was taken out.

Bernard stood up and gestured Ryan to stand up as well. Ryan did what he was told without hesitation.

Bernard smiled but was seen vibrating...shaking...his lips were rolling over...tears were dripping.

Ryan looked nervous upon seeing him like this. He was about to open his mouth when Bernard advanced and hugged Ryan tightly.

He was still shocked, not understanding why.

"Thank you..." Bernard sobbed.

Huh?

"Thank you, for saving my daughter that night. Thank you so much, Son! You dont know how much relieved I am..."

Ryan remembered what he was talking about. That night, that rapist...it seemes Angela told her dad everything, her whole story of how she fell in love with Ryan.

Ryan could only feel glad that someone got to know about it and didn't react very aggressively. His hands embraced Bernard's back with his heart feeling light and relief.

"I told you, I will always be there for her, always. And I swear to protect and love her for the rest of my life." Ryan consoled.

Bernard hugged even tighter. He even chuckled with satisfaction.

"My daughter is lucky to have you. I am lucky to have you as my daughter's partner. You have my blessings, Ryan. Get her, tiger."

Ryan smiled wholeheartedly. He didnt expect that wanted to hear it so bad. To him it was like a push, an encouragement but that was just a blessing wasn't it? Was Ryan taking it the intimate way? Oh, No!

"Thats enough, thats enough, Bernard."

Bernard let go and wipped his tears. Laughing again with satifaction after a few moments.

"So, Angela told you everything?" Ryan asked.

Bernard nodded.

"The very next day. She also told me of how you annoy her all the time."

Ryan laughed.

The two chatted even more until Charles came in a few moments, telling them to pack their things and prepare for the flight.

The flight was comforting for Ryan, he found himself in a completely calm and exciting mood. Probably, because of that pep talk with Bernard and that he was about to see his beloved again. But no thoughts about Brenda, eh, Ryan?

Ryan reached outside the door with his gift and briefcase on the same hand. Sighing, he opened the door and went striaght to the guest room to see Brenda on the phone.

Brenda looked up to see her son standing there prettt excited. Quickly, she hung up the caller and stood up giving Ryan a bear hug, as a sign of satisfaction.

"Hey, momma. Havent see you for so long." Ryan joked.

"Oh, shut your face. Its been so alone without you guys. So good to see you, baby." Brenda hugged tighter.

Ryan laughed.

"I missed you, too. Stupid foreigners. We could've come back yesterday but they decided to delay the meeting."

Brenda chuckled

"Patience is a virtue, honey." Brenda let go and looked Ryan in the eye. She winked and gestured with her eye upwards, mentioning Angela.

Ryan immediately blushed and felt his heart throb.

'Tell me youre kidding, mom?!'

"Oh, Charles you're here." Brenda patted on Ryan's shoulder and advanced to hug her husband.

Ryan looked back to notice his parents love. Smiling, he imagined himself and Angela to be like that in the future.

Standing outside his room door, Ryan stared deeply at the door, hoping to look what's behind it without opening it.

Sighing slowly, Ryan placed his bag and briefcase on the floor and started to open the door.

Clap

Ryan's vision was blocked. Someone from behind placed their hands on his eyes, preventing him from looking. The hands were soft and he could hear a slight giggle. He knew who it was. Angela Doss.

Laughing, Ryan placed his hand on her hand and tried to loosen her grip when Angela stopped him.

"Uh, uh, uh, nope. I have to show you something. Open the door." Angela whispered near Ryan's ear.

Shrugging his shoulder, Ryan decided to listen to his beloved.

"Open the door."

Ryan opened the door and stepped in for a few seconds and was then stopped by Angela.

"Voila! Surprise, you dummy!" Angela let go allowing Ryan to look at the large frame above his T.V

It was a picture of both of them. Ryan was munching on his ice cream with his nose covered in cream while Angela looked at him with a genuine smile, laughing at his cute reaction. It was from their first date. When they reached that park Angela was talking about, when that mexican kid took their photo.

Ryan's eyes widened in awe as he couldn't believe what he was seeing. His eyes were focused solely on the picture and the beautiful gesture behind it. Did Angela do this? Did Angela think of doing this? Ryan thought continuously.

"Did...did...what..." Ryan was lost for words.

"Thats not all, look here." Angela grabbed Ryan's arm and rotated him to his study table.

There was a frame there as well, where Angela and Ryan are making eye contact and talking.

Ryan again felt the same shock surging through his body.

'This one too?'

Angela then grabbed Ryan's arm and dragged his to their bed, to the side tables. On the left table was another small frame of Angela laughing whilst Ryan was talking and another frame where both of them are holding hands with the picture taken from their back.

Ryan picked up the frame and brushed his hands slowly across. He could feel it. The feelings welling up inside him. The sensation when you witness someone's kindness, someone's gesture of pure love. His heart was getting warmed up. A smile was curving across his face.

Ryan turned around to see his beloved smiling warmly at him. Raising her brows seductively but unconsciously.

Ryan ran and emabraced Angela's back burrying his face at her neck making her giggle.

Ryan never thought that she had prepared such aa gift for him. In fact, he never thought she had thought of giving him a gift. It was so surprising yet so beautiful. He LOVED IT!!!

"I FUCKING LOVE YOU, PINOCCHIO!!!"

Angela giggles for a few seconds before realising what Ryan said.

"Hahah, yeah--wait, WHAT?!"

Angela's face turned red instantly. Her hands forced Ryan to break the hug. She was angry. Ryan looked in her eyes and shrugged his shoulder, giggling nervously.

"Ughh. You're such an asshole, Ryan!" Angela rolled her arms and turned around in anger.

"Hahahah, sorry. Hahahahah, baby, listen. I seriously love this. This is the best gift ever i swear. I never knew you would give me this of all things. Thank you so much, Angela. Im glad I have you to love."

Angela looked at Ryan as he continued his speech. His words were genuine and pure, making her move by each and every syllable. Her mood was again becoming normal as her smile came back.

Looking down she opened her mouth

"Do you really like it?"

Ryan stepped forward, kissing Angela's forehead and then looking at her again.

"I have a knack for ruining moments. Sorry, love."

Angela looked up at him, smiling, seeing Ryan was able to make that up.

Duk

Angela punched Ryan's chest, suddenly.

Ryan groaned in pain.

"Owww, that hurt!"

Angela smiled sarcastically

"Nice to know you feel something. I planned this present with so much love and you had to ruin that up, huh? Pinocchio? PINOCCHIO?! Are You kidding me?!" Angela looked angry.

"Present? Ah, wait..." Ryan while still holding his chest, went toward the door to pick something up.

Angela looked at him curiously and the bag he carried.

'The 8 palms? What is that?'

Ryan handed the bag to Angela.

Angela took it hesitantly and looked at Ryan in disbelief.

Ryan gestured to open the bag.

Angela shoved her hand inside the bag, touching a soft cloth. Strange, what could it be?

Her hand took the entire thing out. It was a thick, short, black dress with white shade and a thin red belt across its waiste. Angela's jaw literally dropped at the floor as her eyes scanned the whole dress. It was lovely. Her eyes widened in awe and mouth curved into a smile. Her eyes then looked at Ryan.

Ryan smiled genuinely at her reaction. He expected that look of satisfaction on her face and it was SERIOUSLY worth it. Angela the looked down to see that there was a small box inside it, too. With haste, her hands reached to take the box and look whats inside. What she saw made her gasp. Her hands slowly picked them up to take a better view and to clear her doubts.

They were brown long shoes with a flower pattern on the sides. The shoes and the dress went together.

The excitement and astonishment could be seen across her face. She kept on looking at the gift and then at Ryan, confirming that he bought all of this for her to which Ryan nodded diligently.

Angela squealed and jumped to cover herself on Ryan. She lunged so quick that Ryan was caught off balance, he almost tumbled down.

Angela let go of the hug and with sprakling eyes, made eye contact with Ryan. Fireworks were exploding in her heart with joy surging across her face. Ryan could see it, he could see what he was craving for so long : That look of happiness on his beloved's face.

Cup

Angela tiptoed to give a passionate and everlasting kiss on Ryan's lips. To which Ryan kissed back and embraced her back.

"Thank you, Ryan, I love it! But you didn't have to buy that for me."

"I know. I bought it because I wanted to. And also I wanted to see this look that your giving me right now. You don't know how much I waited to see this."

Both had prepared presents for one another and both were amazed to see how much they love each other. It was truly a perfect moment.

'He was thinking about me all the time. I think I've fallen in love again!'

Angela thought as she wrapped her arms around Ryan and kissed his cheek before burying her face on his neck.

Ryan placed on hand on her hip and other embracing her back head as his nose started to sniff off that soothing, blossoming scent from her hair.

'I swear to God, I will always be there for you. I love you!'

Letting go of the hug, Ryan spoke

"Lets meet up with our parents and then, lets get out. I have to take you somewhere."

Angela smiled excitedly and accepted Ryan's hand.