Chapter 1619 - Christmas 2020 (9)

People trickled out of the villa, the fireworks will start at any moment.

Melissa came out with Angelo by her side.

"I am sorry, Angelo. I was not honest with you."

Angelo didn't see this apology coming his way and he was confused. "About?"

"I am a married woman."

Angelo smiled. He found it amusing that she mentioned it after more than an hour they spent dancing while flirting openly. Was this too soon to talk about it, or too late? He was not sure about it.

"I don't remember you telling me that you are single, and I never asked you about your availability. We danced and chatted, nothing more. There is no reason for you to feel shame, Lisa."

Melissa looked at him with longing and smiled sadly. "Do you ever wish you can go back and fix some mistakes?"

Angelo glanced to the side and his sight landed on his ex-wife who is happily chatting with Jarred, her current husband. He knows that he hurt Donna by not telling her things, and then deciding to keep his distance in order to protect her. Sure, she told him to stay away, but as a man with power, he could reject her demand and make her see that under his protection they are safe… but he didn't do that. Were those mistakes? Angelo is not sure. At that time, he thought that he is doing the right thing, but now he sees that Donna is strong and can stand up for herself, and he has his doubts. How would things turn out if he told her the truth from the start and if he stayed with his family? His first mental image is a happy family of six, and a split second later, he sees himself standing in front of five graves. Which one of those would be the outcome, or it might be something in-between, Angelo does not know.

With difficulty, Angelo turned to face Melissa. "We are only humans, Lisa. Having regrets is part of our journey because we are unable to avoid reaching a fork where you need to decide on one over another. We will always wonder how life would turn out if at that specific point we made a different choice."

"Deep words." Melissa said. "Right now, I'm wondering how my life would turn out if three decades ago I met you instead of my husband."

Angelo stifled a laugh, amused by her straightforward talk. He decided to respond with honesty. "At that time, I was a different man. If we met and this attraction was present, you would not have your son, and you would not find out tonight that you will be a grandmother. I'm sure that there are many other good things you would miss."

"Why do I feel that I am saying bad things and you are trying to keep me on the right path?"

"That is not the case. I believe that everything happens for a reason. The two of us meeting tonight, happened for a reason. At this exact moment, we are standing on a fork, and we each need to decide where we are going from here."

"I am getting a divorce from my husband."

Angelo's lips curved into a smile. Her statement made it clear that she does not want their interaction to end with one hour of flirting on the dancefloor.

Melissa felt silly for saying that, but it's out and she needs to own it. "I wanted you to know that even though I'm technically married… it does not matter."

"The fact that you didn't mention him, tells me that he does not matter."

Melissa blinked. Well, he makes sense but… "Now what?"

"Now we enjoy the fireworks. Let me think of a way to invite you to meet with me tomorrow without being too obvious that I will pursue you."

Melissa burst into giggles. How can Angelo make it not obvious if he just said it? She decided not to call it out because it seems like a forever since she enjoyed someone's company like tonight.

Melissa came here so that she can be with Jasper and Ellie and because she didn't want to be alone during the holidays. She and Norman burned through their initial attraction quickly after their marriage and then she stayed married to him out of habit, and he stayed out of benefits. It was convenient for both. Norman didn't meddle in her work, and he kept busy with the company and he didn't sleep around, so she was fine with it. But the last year was different. Norman schemed to separate Jasper from Ellie and he infuriated Mathew. How can Norman be so reckless? His stunt put their whole family in danger. Also, Melissa was disgusted when she saw Norman shrinking when he found out who Mathew is, and she wondered, how can she stay married to such a weakling? If he has no guts to fight, he needs to investigate who is the person he is provoking.

Their divorce is not final, but Norman moved out of the villa three months ago. And Melissa didn't want to be alone.

She didn't plan to meet a charming man like Angelo, but she will definitely not push him away. And Melissa looks forward to tomorrow when she will get more time with him.

...

Ade and Hande walked out and as soon as the chilly breeze hit Hande's skin, Ade's suit jacket covered her up. She smiled. Having a boyfriend like Ade is wonderful. After their performance, they ate and danced and ate some more and he was telling her jokes and wiped the sauce from her chin, and he made sure that she gets seconds of the chocolate cake. He is amazing.

Ade stood behind Hande and his hands snaked around her waist.

"Lean on me…" He instructed and she obeyed.

Hande jolted at the first 'BOOM' which came unexpectedly, and a big smile bloomed on her face at the sight of the bright red peony firework which lit up the dark sky.

Hande's hands moved and landed over Ade's and the whole experience of him supporting her back, and his jacket keeping her warm, and them holding hands, and the color explosions in the sky… was fantastic.

Hande concluded that this Christmas thing is magical. It started with decorations, and presents, and a party, and a lot of time with Ade, and she is a bit sad that these magnificent fireworks mean that it's almost over, and she looks forward to the next Christmas. With Ade.

... 

Merve looked at the youngest couple with a frown, but she decided not to move toward them. She will talk with Ade and Hande tomorrow about them embracing in front of everyone which seems to be a habit now.

Merve hugged herself because her short-sleeved gown was not warm enough, and she didn't want to go and fetch the sweater because she will miss the fireworks.

Merve was startled when a jacket landed on her shoulders. She turned to see who did it and faced Corey's smile.

"You are welcome." He said and his gaze went back to the sky.

"Thanks…" Merve mumbled and pulled the jacket closer around her.

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