Chapter 14
"Back so soon?" Marie glanced up from the sofa as Angel strolled past.
"What was the surprise?" Finn held his hand out to stop Erik in order to question him.
Erik only shook his head, "Didn't get the chance to show her."
"What happened?" Andrew was much too concerned for his health. Erik took too long to answer and in a huff, Andrew darted after Angel.
Finally, Erik answered, "I don't know what happened." He was at a complete loss for an explanation.
"Isn't it obvious what happened?" Angel had walked back into the room with Andrew in tow. He had quickly convinced her to come back into the room with the others and explain things. "Or what would have happened?"
"I'm sorry, you lost me." Tobias chirped in.
"How am I supposed to go out anywhere without fear that HE'LL be there!?" She dropped a big hint and everyone caught on.
"Reece." Andrew snarled and then sighed.
"I think I should just move out of the country. Italy sounds nice or maybe France or Japan." Angel began thinking aloud.
"But what of your movie?" Finn asked.
"Pierre won't need me for a while. Actually, I'm done unless he needs me to touch up a few scenes." Angel walked over to the sofa and sat down between Finn and Tobias. "This sucks." She meekly protested.
"I know, Angel." Tobias patted her arm to comfort her. "You still can't move out of the country."
"Why not?"
"Because A, we'd need proper clearance before such a move can be made and B, it takes time to get said clearance." Andrew logically replied, before adding, "And Reece would tear this planet apart in search of you."
Angel sighed. Erik walked over to her and quickly motioned for Finn to trade him spaces. "When is Chancellor Cheyvon arriving for dinner?"
Tobias checked his watch, "In a couple hours, right Father Keirnan?"
"I told him dinner would be at six-thirty at the latest." Andrew replied. It was four in the afternoon now.
"Marie, would you mind picking up the costume? The shop closes in an hour." Erik turned to her.
"Of course, Erik. If Reece is still there, which I highly doubt, then I have no fear coming face to face with that man." Marie nodded and then left the room.
Erik chuckled, so I had Marie pick it up after all. Then he turned to Angel, "How about we settle down with a movie?"
Angel looked up at him from her spot of resting her head on his arm, "Yes." She gave a small smile, "It would be nice to steal time and just relax for at least a couple hours."
"Well, we'll let you be." Finn suggested and led the others out of the room to give Erik and Angel much needed alone time between them. "Actually, we should pick up the Chancellor's favorite dish for dinner tonight."
"Good idea, Father Rashad." Tobias added while Andrew pondered that there was still time to buy a fresh pork roast and have it cooked in time for Araphim's arrival.
"Then it's settled." Erik rose up from his seat and quickly scanned their movie collection. "What should we watch?" He asked over his shoulder.
Angel leaned forward and touched Erik by the shoulder, stopping him in his search. She recalled one of the movies in the family collection—one in particular that was her absolute favorite. "Serendipity."
"You've seen that a million times, Angel." Erik wasn't protesting, but merely pointing out a fact.
"I know. But…" She frowned. "Please?"
"Admit it…you just like seeing Cusack's ass." He mocked her, hoping to remove the frown from her face.
It worked, but wound up producing a teasing gasp from her, "Do not! Your ass is WAY cuter." She protested.
"Only 'way cuter'?" He continued teasing her as he removed the disc from the box.
"Ok, ok…it's a downright sin for your ass to be that sexy." Angel was full smiles now.
"Just remember, you'll soon be Mrs. Sexy Ass."
Angel burst into laughter, "Oh my god, I can't believe you just said that." Erik started the movie and returned to the seat next to her on the sofa. He pulled her into a kiss as the opening credits rolled. When the movie started, Angel shifted position to lie down and rest her head on his lap in order to watch the movie. Not even five minutes into the show, Erik began absently running his hands through her long curly locks.
I did it! Meg's thoughts were nothing but extreme confidence. Rehearsals just ended and only then did she realize that she managed all three acts rather perfectly. And just in time as well.
Claire approached her, "We are so awesome!"
"Yeah, I know." Meg gushed in return. "Everyone else is great too! We've all come together."
"And now we're ready for tomorrow night!" Claire added. Yet, she had been ready for tomorrow night for ages. Master Atkins will finally get rewarded and Angel won't be subjected to anymore self-induced pain.
"OH gosh, I have to get going. We have a dinner guest tonight and Mum is waiting outside for me."
"Who's the guest?" Claire asked curiously.
"Some chancellor guy." Meg shrugged and walked out.
Claire was startled and quickly phoned Reece. He answered on the third ring. "Sir, I just got some interesting news!"
"Yes, Claire, go ahead." He replied.
"Apparently Angel will be dining with the Chancellor tonight."
The sound she heard from his end suggested that he was drinking something. "What? Araphim?"
"Yes, Sir."
"That is interesting. But yet, it's a pity…since you clearly won't be able to join in the occasion to report to me later." She felt saddened then. "But don't worry, my dear, I can't count it against your performance. This is out of our hands…but only for tonight!"
She smiled again; he always did know how to make her feel better. "You are absolutely right, Sir. I shall return soon." She hung up and went out to her car.
By the time they were a bit over an hour into the movie, Erik and Angel realized they were home alone. Neither of them verbally declared it as they gradually became more focused on each other than in the movie. Within moments, Angel had straddled him and removed his mask. Slowly she kissed his deformity before moving to the normal side. "Am I to think I'm an appetizer before dinner? Or maybe dessert?" Erik teased her, recalling their 'dinner' joke from the other night.
She chuckled but answered seriously, "No. I want you to think that you are Erik, the man who TRULY stole my heart four years ago."
Erik pulled back from her, looking into her eyes. "I know you've said that many, many times, Angel…but I still can't believe it!"
She placed her palms on each side of his face, "Believe it love. Or will I have to MAKE you believe it?" There was a hint of a smile on her face.
He briefly frowned, realizing that she had the audacity to tease about using her power on him. "Angel…"
"I know. I'm sorry." She quickly apologized. "Can I just get back to making out with you?" She whined.
His answer was to pull her hands away from his face, making it easier for their lips to meet. "Oh gross. Get a room you two!" Meg teasingly called out as she walked into the room.
"What's wrong with me publicly making out with my fiancée?" Angel slyly shot back to her friend while she reluctantly slid off Erik.
Meg just shook her head at them and noticed that Erik hastily slipped his mask back on before turning around. "Well, at least you aren't sleeping nude under the table again."
Angel heavily blushed, "MEG!"
"Perhaps, Little Megan should tell us how her day went." Erik spoke up, slipping in a little revenge on using the nickname she hated.
Meg glared at Erik, knowing what he was trying to do. She purposely ignored him, "C'mon upstairs with me, Angel. We can chat while I change." Angel shot a mournful look towards Erik as she was tugged upstairs. Erik had no chance to rescue her since the others arrived home as well.
"Ah, Erik…would you mind grabbing the wine bottle from the backseat. I'm going to start the pig roast." Andrew called out. Erik saw that everyone, sans Finn and Andrew, had their hands full. Marie had the dress from the shop, and Tobias had some of the bags from the market. Finn and Andrew had gone off to the kitchen to begin cooking to be ready in time. Erik eagerly set out to fulfill the request.
"Everything is going smoothly!" Reece announced after he sat down to dinner with Claire. "The trucks arrived earlier today, and the men are now setting everything up. You've become such great friends with Megan."
"That I have, Sir. But I find I do enjoy her company." Claire timidly added.
"Well good. That only helps to make the friendship more believable." Reece confirmed. He began to dig into his dinner then and Claire followed suit.
Claire nodded, "I've instructed Father Bennett in his role."
"Ah, good! And you've told him the basics?"
"Yes. I told him no more than what he only needs to know." Claire answered.
"Excellent." There was a pause in the conversation as they both took the moment to eat a bit more. After a while, the conversation picked up again. "Oh, I've seen Angel's dress."
"How did you manage that? Did you visit her?"
Reece chuckled, "NO, that would have only put EVERYONE in a tizzy. Actually, she had ordered hers from the same shop."
"That gives you the upper hand yet again, Sir." Claire was astonished at how well things were faring for him.
"Which is a great thing." He sat back for a moment. "The special room is done; everyone on my team knows their roles…"
"And Angel will be yours, Sir." Claire interrupted.
"I like your way of thinking, Claire!" Reece grinned. She smiled back.
Araphim exited his ride and gazed at the house. Such a lovely home. He briskly walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell once.
Inside the house, Meg helped Finn and Tobias set the table. They all heard the doorbell, but Andrew announced that he would answer it. "Chancellor Cheyvon, you're early. It's only six."
"Yes, Andrew, I know. But I thought to come early and perhaps get a meeting beforehand with Angel." Araphim walked through the doorway and handed his jacket to Andrew.
"Of course." Andrew nodded. "Would you like to meet the others first?"
"Oh, certainly." Araphim followed Andrew into the kitchen.
"Your Grace!" Finn caught sight of Araphim entering the kitchen. Tobias stopped and greeted him as well.
Andrew then motioned to Meg, "Your Grace, this is Megan Giry."
Meg smiled politely and bowed to Araphim. "Nice to meet you, Chancellor Cheyvon."
Andrew then continued, "And this is her mother, Marie."
"Pleasure to meet both of you." Araphim smiled at them. "I take it you are the owners of this fine establishment?"
"That we are, Your Grace." Marie replied. The buzzer on the oven rang. "Oh, please excuse us. Dinner shall be ready shortly."
"Yes, yes of course." Araphim exited the kitchen the same way he was led in. Just as he was about to ask for Angel's whereabouts, she casually descended the stairs—with Erik right behind her.
"Chancellor." Angel simply spoke, catching his attention. Erik remained quiet. "Thank you for joining us for dinner tonight."
Araphim could tell her manners were strained, but he understood. Then he noticed Erik. "Erik, how nice to see you again." Erik just simply nodded his head at him.
During this time, Angel had led both men to one of the back rooms for privacy. "We can talk in here." Then she turned exclusively to Erik, "I hope you don't mind if I take this meeting alone."
"No problem, Angel." Erik gently kissed her forehead and left the room. He also sensed that she was emitting superficial politeness. Erik walked into the kitchen to check the status of dinner.
"Angel kicked you out, huh?" Tobias nodded at Erik.
"That's putting it harshly." Erik retorted. "No, I figured she'd want to talk to him alone."
"Just hope that we don't hear any shouting." Finn absently commented.
Back in the private sitting room, Angel quietly eyed Araphim—watching as he calmly sat down. "This is a cozy little place you've been staying at, Angel." He commented as if she even needed his approval.
"I like it here." She replied.
"Because of that Erik fellow?" Araphim glanced at her over the rim of his glasses.
"Yes, because of Erik—as well as Meg and Marie." Angel folded her arms. "They all have treated me as practically their own flesh and blood." She looked off at the door, "Marie's been a better mother than my own."
Araphim sighed. "Jeannette just didn't understand."
"She understood more than you know. But I understand her now." Angel shot back.
"What do you mean?"
"I thought it was because of that damned Prophecy that she hated me." By this time she had unfolded her arms and clenched her fists. "She hated me because I had gotten her husband—my real father—killed!"
That's when Araphim blinked in shock. "How did you…"
"Father Keirnan told me." She watched him clench his jaw.
"I figured you'd find out sooner or later. I had hoped it was later—much later." Araphim sighed and leaned back in his chair. "At least you have managed to surround yourself with good people."
"They are more than good people."
"And this Erik fellow…he will make a good husband."
Angel suddenly bowed her head and the room grew silent. Finally she spoke, "But I'll never find out will I?"
"Of course you will. I plan to personally…"
She quickly cut him off, "Cut the delusion, Your Grace…" She momentarily slipped out of her strained politeness as anger overcame her, causing her to mockingly use his title. "…we both know that your only reason for coming to dinner tonight of all nights is because things are going to end…badly." Finally, she had spoken the words that she'd been dreading since getting the news of Araphim joining them for dinner. Still, it didn't make her feel any better.
"Angel, we can't be sure of how things will go." Araphim countered. "And my presence tonight has no bearings of foreboding." He was on his feet now, to show seriousness, "I only thought that visiting you was long overdue."
She was about to argue more, but a timid knock on the door interrupted them. Araphim moved over to answer it. "Excuse me, Your Grace…I was sent to inform you that dinner is ready."
"Thank you, Father Rashad." Angel replied haughtily and without another word she stormed from the room, leaving Araphim and Finn to scuttle behind her. When she entered the kitchen, Erik attempted to take her by the hand and escort her to their seats. She only tore her hand from his and huffed angrily into her chair. The others glanced worriedly to Araphim, who was no help in offering a reason—as he too was a bit subdued briefly. This caused everyone to begin dinner in strained silence.
Next Chapter Soon...