The Bad Boy's Angel

Chapter Eight - Damian Had Moved On

Three Years Later

Angela arrived at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, eager to be home at last. She had just graduated from her school in San Francisco, California, and taken the first flight home. Although her grandparents wanted her to stay and complete her college studies, Angela was homesick. For the last four years, she hadn’t once returned home and now that she was back; she realized just how much she had missed Austin. She collected her luggage and pushed the trolley outside to find Alex waiting for her impatiently.

“You’ve grown up, Angie,” he said with a grin. Angela grinned back and hugged him.

“So have you,” said Angela, smacking his muscular arm. Alex grinned and led her to his dark blue Honda Civic.

“Why do you need so much luggage?” he grumbled, loading four heavy suitcases onto his car. Angela chuckled at him.

“It has all my stuff. I can’t possibly go back to get them again?” she said with an eye roll.

“So many?” Alex shook his head in disbelief.

“Yeah, grandma and I used to go shopping every weekend,” she explained and Alex stared at her with more disbelief.

“Where did you get so much money from? Dad used to send you peanuts, didn’t he?” asked Alex with a surprised look on his face. Angela giggled. They all knew how stringent their dad was with pocket money.

They climbed into his car. “I worked at grandma’s cafe, after school,” she informed him and he chuckled.

“Smart girl. Well, I’m glad you’re back, little sis. We’ll now get to eat better meals,” he said, smiling indulgently at her. Angela smiled back as he started his car and drove towards home.

“So that means none of you have learned any cooking while I was away!” She concluded, and Alex laughed.

“Did you expect Dad to learn? Well, Arnold doesn’t get any time to cook. I too have been busy with my school. Yes, Adam has learned a lot, and it’s because of him we’re still alive,” chuckled Alex. Angela chuckled too. It felt so good to be home and finally be with her family.

Angela inhaled the air of her hometown. “I’m so happy to be home at last. So I guess no one’s at home right now? Dad would be at his university. Arnie at his hospital and Adam at the airport. He was busy so couldn’t come down to meet me. Right?” chirped Angela. Alex watched her radiant face. Her eyes twinkled with excitement. She had grown so vivacious, confident, very different from the unhappy, shy, uncertain little girl who had left Austin. California had done her good. It had been a sudden decision to send her away after the huge fight between their dad and Damian’s dad. Their dad had warned them not to inform Angela anything about the fight and they had stuck to their promise. It hurt all of them to see her go, but they knew their dad wouldn’t change his mind.

Angela looked out of the window to count the changes that happened in the last few years that she was away. “Everything’s just the same, Alex. It seems I had left just yesterday,” she said with a smile.

“Yes, nothing ever changes here,” he answered with a shrug.

“So, how’s your school going?” Angela wanted to know. Alex was a Special Educator and had his own educational institution for differently abled children just like he had always dreamt. While Arnold was an orthopedic surgeon, Adam was a flight engineer working at the airport. In fact, all three of them were settled down in their dream careers and Angela couldn’t be happier for them.

“School’s going great. I’m getting funds sanctioned by the state to expand,” he informed with a satisfied smile.

“Oh, that’s wonderful news,” she said excitedly.

Alex’s smile widened. “So, what are you planning to study?”

“Architecture, I’ll go for the undergraduate course at the University of Austin,” she informed him.

“Wow, you’re so focused. Good, I appreciate it, Angie,” he said.

Angela grinned. She didn’t mention that she’d suggested important renovations to the exterior of her grandma’s cafe. Her family there had appreciated her suggestions and had worked on them. That was when she discovered her natural flair for architecture.

They drove into their neighborhood and Angela felt a painful stab at her heart at seeing the familiar mansion where Damian lived. The childhood memories of Damian flooded her mind. Would she catch a glimpse of him today? She sighed at her pathetic wishes. After all these years, she couldn’t get over her love for Damian, she couldn’t move on. She remembered her friend Steffi’s comment.

True love never dies.

It was the biggest truth of her life.

As they passed Damian’s house, Angela tried to catch a glimpse of him, but to her disappointment, there was no one. Alex parked his car, and they both climbed out and went inside the house.

“I’ve got to go to my school now, Angie. Do you need anything?” asked Alex in a hurry to leave.

“No, no, I’m good. You go ahead,” answered Angela, and she went up to her old room. Alex unloaded her luggage and placed them inside before rushing off. Angela took them all up to her room to unpack.

Her room was the same just as she had left it. It was spotless and clean, to her surprise. Who cleaned her room for her? She walked up to the balcony of her room to breathe in the fresh air. Taking a deep breath, she looked around. All the sights and sounds were the same. Nothing had changed. She saw that Damian’s house was still the same as she remembered from her childhood days. She sighed and turned to go inside when a white Audi skidded to a stop right in front of Damian’s house.

Angela’s curiosity peaked, and she turned to see who came out of the car. Xavion got down and dashed inside the house. She noticed how tall and muscular he had grown. They were eighteen, and Xavion was already above six feet two inches tall. Maybe Damian was also as tall as him. She sighed and thought of going back inside and unpacking when Damian came out of the house with a girl, followed by Xavion.

The boys went to Xavion’s car, while the girl embraced Damian and kissed him full on his lips. She walked off, swaying her hips, wearing a micro mini skirt that showed her fluorescent green thongs and matching bra under a transparent top. Angela rolled her eyes at the scene.

Damian and Xavion chuckled at her as she walked off when suddenly Damian’s eyes fell upon Angela. His smile froze, and he just stared at her, as if hypnotized.

Angela just turned and went inside without a backward glance at them. She was disgusted by what she saw. Steffi was right. Damian had moved on and become a playboy and the biggest flirt around. A tear fell from her eyes and she wiped it away angrily. She would never allow Damian to hurt her. She would crush her feelings and keep them hidden in the deepest corners of her heart.

Angela quickly got ready and thought of doing something productive with her day. She wanted to go to the university and check out the undergraduate courses on architecture. Soon she took a bus to the university. The sprawling campus, with splashes of greenery everywhere, improved her mood. Since childhood, it had been her dream to study here. Angela breathed in a deep breath and smiled. It was time to turn that dream into a reality. However, she noticed the campus was emptier than it would be on a normal day. Maybe some term break was going on. She went straight to the administrative office to enquire about the program that she was interested in.

It took her an hour approximately to fill up her admission form and submit it. She was prepared with the documents she needed for admission. Relieved to have completed an important task, she called Steffi and invited her to a nearby cafe for a quick update. She was glad that despite the upheavals in her life, Steffi was the only loyal friend she had. Angela was glad to have her in her life.

Steffi came in fifteen minutes later, and they hugged each other tightly. They had always kept in touch through chat, calls, or emails. “Wow, you look like a bombshell already! In fact, you look better, far better than those sh*tty profile pictures you upload,” said Steffi excitedly.

Angela laughed. “So do you,” she said and Steffi giggled too.

“So, have you taken admission?” asked Steffi curiously.

“No, I just submitted the form. Let’s see if I get selected,” she said with a shrug.

“Oh, you will be,” encouraged Steffi.

“Have you enrolled yourself in cosmetology?” asked Angela and Steffi nodded excitedly.

“I completed the admission formalities just last week,” she informed. Steffi had always been interested in studying cosmetology at the University of Austin. When she finally got through the admission process, Angela was the first one she had informed. Angela was glad for her friend. She just hoped that she would get admitted too into her dream college.

“So how’s Harry? Is he into engineering?” she asked. Last, when she had heard, Harry was preparing for the entrance exams.

“Yeah, he’s into chemical engineering. So boring!” said Steffi, rolling her eyes. “Well, he asked me to be his girlfriend yesterday,” informed Steffi with a shy smile.

“Oh, that’s wonderful news. Treat me,” said Angela with a grin.

“Okay, sure, get whatever you want. I’ll pay,” offered Steffi. They got coffee, burgers and chips, and caramel pudding.

“So, did you meet Damian?” asked Steffi, curiously.

Angela sighed and informed her what she saw today. “Don’t ask me about him anymore, Steff. He doesn’t exist for me,” she said, her eyes full of disappointment.

“Do you know Freddie was asking Harry about you yesterday? Why don’t you give him a chance? He still likes you,” said Steffi.

“I don’t think I want a relationship right now. If he wants my friendship, I’m ready,” Angela told her frankly.

“Expect to meet him any day when he finds out you’re back,” chirped Steffi with a knowing look on her face.

“Oh, what’s he doing these days?” Angela asked her.

“Why? Are you interested in him?” she asked her, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just asking,” said Angela, rolling her eyes.

“He’s enrolled in finance at the same university as us,” informed Steffi. Angela looked at her in disbelief. It was like they were again in the same situation as they were before. Only this time, instead of school, they were all enrolled in the same university.

“Oh, I see. It’s been three years since I left. I can’t believe that I’m back, you know,” said Angela.

“Why don’t you move in with me? I’m staying at a three-bedroom apartment with another girl. We’re looking for a roomie,” said Steffi, looking at her hopefully.

“I’ll think about it. I don’t think Dad would allow it,” said Angela. She knew her family too well.

“Oh, come on. You’re an adult now,” coaxed Steffi.