Chapter 16
The night was deep and still, casting a quiet calm over the villa Roy pushed open the bedroom door, rubbing his temples in exhaustion, ready to unwind But as he pulled back the covers, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Angela was sprawled naked on the bed, her skin glowing softly in the gentle lamplight Her eyes flickered with a seductive glint, and her voice was smooth as silk, “Roy, you’re finally back…”
Roy felt his throat tighten, and he instinctively took a step back. “Angela, what’s going on?“#
Angela sat up, reaching for his wrist with a playful pout, “Roy, we’re a thing now Why do you keep avoiding me? Don’t you like me?”
His mind was a whirlwind, but his body moved on its own, drawn to her. Angela leaned into him, tilting her face up to softly meet his lips
Her kiss was gentle, lingering, filled with curiosity and temptation
It was like some invisible force had taken over, and Roy found himself kissing her back. “Emma..” he murmured without thinking.
Angela stiffened instantly. She pulled away, tears brimming, “Who were you just calling?”
Roy snapped back to reality, seeing Angela’s tear streaked face, and panic rushed through him.
He realized, as he kissed Angela, his mind was flooded with memories of Emma–the sweetness and passion of those moments overwhelming him like a tidal wave
He was flustered, his voice barely a whisper, “It’s nothing, just get some sleep.“N
Angela wouldn’t let it go, gripping his arm, her voice shaky, “Do you… do you think I’m awful? Do you believe those photos and think less of me?”
Roy paused, then gently wiped her tears, his tone steady. “No, it’s not that. I’m just not ready.”
“Not ready?” Angela’s voice was a mix of hurt and confusion, “When you like someone, don’t you want to be with them? Why do you like me?“:
Roy looked at her, his gaze distant, “Because… you saved that cat stuck in the tree.“N
Angela’s expression changed instantly. Her eyes flickered with guilt, “That cat… actually… I…“N
She hadn’t saved it out of kindness. The cat had scratched her, and she’d wanted to throw it away!
Before she could finish, the doorbell rang.N
Roy frowned, getting up to answer it. A delivery guy stood there, holding a big box. “Mr. Roy, this is from Ms. Emma. Please sign here.” Roy’s heart skipped a beat, his hands trembling slightly.
He took the box, signed, and closed the door, eagerly opening it.
Inside were all his things from the apartment–his razor, clothes, books, even photos with Emma. Each item held traces of her, stirring something indescribably bittersweet in his heart.N
He sorted through them until he found a voice recorder at the bottom. Hesitating, he pressed play.
Emma and Angela’s voices filled the room.
Angela: “Now that Roy’s not around, stop with the victim act. I came to tell you he’s liked me for years, since high school. You’ll never win him, so stop trying!”
Emma: “I know what you said. I never planned to compete with you.“N
Angela: “Not planning to? Then why won’t you just leave? Do you really think Roy could fall for you? I’ve seen plenty of gold–diggers who use their looks. He must be bored of you by now!”
Emma: “And you, playing the saint after your escapades in Europe? Are you really that innocent or just pretending?“N
Angela. “What does it matter to you?”
Emma: “So it’s true then?”
Angela “So what if it is? It’s none of your business. You should find someone decent to marry before it’s too late, so you don’t end up alone!”
Angela: “Even if he knows, so what? He likes me and will accept everything. If he’s angry, he should be with me, not running to you. Emma, don’t think you can take him away. He’ll always be mine!”
The voices on the recorder were sharp and cold, cutting into Roy’s heart. His hands shook, and his face went pale.
Angela stood behind him, her face ashen. Her voice trembled as she tried to explain, “Roy, this isn’t true… it’s all a setup…”
Roy spun around, throwing the recorder at her, his voice simmering with suppressed fury, “Angela, stop lying! Do you think I’m that easy