Angel Love

Chapter 9 - Memories

"India is an interesting country," Adam says during their dinner. He's quite happy to indulge Maree's curiosity because he can feel her hunger for information. "The culture is fascinating and rich."

But Adam finds it hard to focus on telling his story when she's staring at him with those beautiful eyes. He isn't easily attracted to women and have only been really interested in a few of them. He's not even sure if he has a specific type of woman to date.

One thing he's sure of now though; he wants to date this girl across of him, with that beautiful shy smile on her face. He admits he doesn't know much about her, but he's got time to do just that.

"Have you traveled before?" he asks. He picks up his wineglass and sips as he waits for the answer.

Maree looks downs on her plate and the smile fades. She doesn't want to answer that question, but she understands it's the natural course of the conversation. She's asking all these questions about places where Adam has been, at one point he's going to want to know where the enthusiasm is coming from. Sadly, it comes from her ignorance and her lack of opportunity to do anything else but work.

"Oh, Maree works too hard," Celeste butts in, feeling the awkwardness seeping through her companions. "One day, she's going to have the chance to see how beautiful the world is," she adds, reaching out to squeeze Maree's hand. Their eyes lock, and they smile at each other.

"I'm sure you will," Adam agrees with a smile, realizing the mistake he just made. "Are we ready for dessert?"

"I'm not sure I have space for anymore food," Maree jokes, bringing back the grin on her face as if nothing happened. She ordered steak with potatoes and asparagus, all of which she ate to the last bit.

"There's always room for dessert," Celeste says.

Adam nods at the server who quickly approaches their table.

"What do you have for dessert tonight?"

"We have our famous brioche bread pudding with a scoop of homemade praline ice cream and special sauce on top."

Adam notices Maree's face lights up as the server is talking, and he can't help but admire her pureness. She doesn't hide her excitement, her joy and even her sadness.

"We'll each have one."

The conversation from dessert to when Adam pays the bill is all laughter and pure joy. Celeste life stories and adventures are wonderful and funny. Even as they walk out of the restaurant, their bright conversations keeps going.

In the car, Celeste fall asleep at the back. Maree sits in the front with Adam.

"I'm sorry about before," Adam says. "I didn't mean to be insensitive or to offend you."

Maree looks at him and smile. "You did nothing wrong," she assures him. "I've never travelled outside of San Francisco and probably never will."

The resignation in her voice saddens Adam, and before he can stop himself, he reaches for her hand and holds it in his. "Never say never," he says softly, glancing her direction.

Maree stares at their intertwined hands then to Adam's handsome profile. His hand radiates warmth all over her body, like he's hugging her instead of just holding her hand. Physical contact is something she's not used to, and she avoids it at every opportunity. But his touch is a welcome comfort, and it makes her feel safe.

The rest of the ride is a comfortable silence between Adam and Maree. Occasionally, they end up looking at each other at the same time and they just laugh.

But beyond the solace in the vehicle, Maree's heartbeat is fast. She's never been close to any man at any level, and being in this situation, she's uncertain what or how to feel.

The only thing that's sure is her happiness that very moment.

Maree's face flashes in Lucas' mind as he drives right behind the car where Maree is. She looked even lovelier in her outfit, and he had a hard time telling himself not to stare at her in the restaurant. She smiled a lot, and though he likes to see her smile, he's not sure how to feel about her smiling at Adam.

He doesn't know why he's still following them like a stalker, but angels are creations of strong feelings. When they feel something, they have the natural urge to act on that feeling. If an angel feels like the people they are in charge of will be in danger, they do something to change their path. The only problem Lucas has is he doesn't know what feelings he's having.

After tonight, I will let her go, he promises himself.

Adam gives the key to the valet and holds his grandmother as they walk inside the building. Gerry, the security guard smiles at them as he hold the door open. They get into the elevator chatting about dinner and how much Celeste wants to do it again.

"I want to make the most out of your stay with me," she says to Adam.

"Don't worry grandma, I will take you to a lot of dinners while I'm here," he promises.

"Alberta will be jealous," Maree teases, knowing how much Alberta loves to cook for Celeste.

"Please hold the door!" Someone calls out and Maree presses the open button.

The few seconds their eyes hold each other feel like an eternity for Maree. She's seen him the other night, and it's not a pleasant memory.

"Thank you," Lucas says, smiling at everyone.

Maree pushes thirty on the elevator panel, and then press thirty eight next. She's not sure how she knows where the man's floor is, but she ignores the eyes she feels on her back.

"Do you live here?" Celeste asks kindly, breaking the silence in the small space they share.

"Yes ma'am, 38th floor," Lucas answers.

"I didn't know I have a handsome neighbor."

"And I didn't know I have a lovely lady next door," Lucas flirts back with a charming smile towards Celeste.

"This is my grandson, Adam Turner."

"Hi, nice to meet you," Lucas extends his hand to Adam. "I'm Lucas."

"Nice to meet you," Adam says.

"And this beautiful girl is Maree, a friend of mine," Celeste continues.

Maree wants to disappear because she knows her face is blushing. But it's impossible, and so she looks up to Lucas with a red face.

"I met him the other day," Maree says. "That's why I," she tries to explain, looking down on the elevator buttons. "Nevermind, nice to meet you."

"Well, nice to meet you too." Lucas continues to look at her.

"This is us," Adam injects, and the door opens.

Maree steps out as fast as she can without looking back.

"Merry Christmas," Celeste say. "Come by for tea sometime."

"Merry Christmas, and I might take you up on that."

"You do that."

"See you around, man," Adam tells Lucas.

Maree turns on the lights as they enter the house. She turns to face her companions smiling widely at them.

"I just want to say thank you for tonight," she begins to say. "I had the most wonderful time."

"It's my pleasure," Adam says, smiling back at her.

"It's a lovely night, but I'm going to bed," Celeste adds

"Do you need help to get ready?" Maree asks, and starts to follow her to the bedroom.

"No,no," Celeste shakes her head. "I'll be fine."

Maree and Adam watch the old lady make her way to her room. And when she finally close the door behind her, they face each other.

"I'll get my things and go home," Maree says.

Adam's facial expression turn into worry. "Do you really need to go home at this hour?" he asks worriedly. "Why don't you just stay the night since it's late."

"It's okay. I have an early shift tomorrow." Maree isn't really worried, it's only ten o'clock in the evening. She's gone home much later many times before.

"How about I drive you home?" Adam can't let Maree go out in the night alone. He's been to many place where he witnessed horrible things happen at night to both men and women.

"I'll be fine, Adam."

Deep inside her, Maree's heart is racing, like earlier in the car when Adam held her hand. It's a strange good feeling to have a man worry about her.

"I know you will," he replies. "Get your things, and I'll tell Grandma I'll drop you off."

Maree tries to protest but Adam is already halfway to Celeste's room.

Lucas sits at the top of the Chinese Temple, concealed by the dark, cold night. He's focus is on the car parked outside the Chinese restaurant.

Adam gets out of the car and rushes to the other side to open Maree's door. But she beats him to it which makes Lucas smile.

They're talking under the outside light of the closed restaurant. He struggles to keep himself from listening to their conversation, instead he just watch the movement of their lips and the expression of their faces.

They look happy together even though they are still shy. Maree looks flushed and there's a constant smile on her face.

It's the total opposite of his expression. His face is tensed and his fists is tight and firm.

This is not right, he scolds himself.

He looks at them one last time and fly into the night.