To Have and To Hold (complete)

Chapter 24

The party had already started when Angelo left the dark corner of the alcove. It had taken all of his strength to refrain from trashing everything he could get his hands on. He was burning inside; totally enraged and rocked to the core by what he’d just witnessed. It affected him so much it took him half an hour just to compose himself.

All afternoon, he had been looking for a chance to speak with Louisa. Unfortunately, she was never alone. She was always with someone, if not with Gabriel himself, and what he needed to say were for her ears only. His earlier talk with his father had given him hope and he wanted to share it with Louisa, to let her know she could still get out of her engagement to Gabriel without dishonoring her family. Time was not on his side, however, so he had to do it quickly, before the engagement was formally announced during the party.

After learning from one of the servants in which room Louisa was staying, he decided to go to the villa and see her before the party started. He had just reached the alcove when he saw his father knocking on the door beside Louisa’s. His heart fell when he saw that Gabriel had not taken his usual bedroom upstairs but had rather chosen to establish himself in the one right beside Louisa’s. He should’ve guessed it. After their brief altercation in the foyer and at the gazebo, Gabriel would be watching his betrothed like a hawk.

As he could not chance getting caught knocking on Louisa’s bedroom door (not while his father was around anyway) Angelo decided to make himself comfortable and wait for, either his father’s departure or Louisa’s appearance, whichever came first. He’d hoped, though, it would be the latter so he could immediately spirit her away and have that much-needed talk before it was too late.

Relief washed over him when he saw Gabriel’s door opening after just a few minutes. It seemed his father had only come to fetch Gabriel. Perhaps the two of them would be leaving together. He was sorely disappointed when he saw the older Montoya leave without his brother; which meant he had to wait a little bit longer. But as soon as Gabriel left, he would come knocking at Louisa’s door and demand entrance, propriety be damned.

What followed next was something he’d not anticipated nor prepared for. Angelo watched in complete astonishment as Louisa opened her door to Gabriel’s knocking with obvious delight, her eyes sparkling in pleasure as she took Gabriel’s hand. He looked on with growing dismay when Gabriel took Louisa in his arms and kissed her with the familiarity of a long-standing lover. He seethed in fury as his eyes followed the two walk out of the villa, arm in arm, their heads close together, whispering to each other.

Angelo sat in the dark, bewildered, lost, and utterly devastated. What had just happened? How could things have changed so quickly? How could Louisa accept her fate so easily? The Louie he knew would not give in that fast. She was a fighter and she always stood for what she believed in. How could she appear to be so nonchalant about something that would change her life completely?

Not unless she’d been secretly harboring feelings for Gabriel all this time.

Angelo shook his head at such an absurd thought. She couldn’t have! She’d always hated Gabriel’s arrogant ways. There had to be something more to what he’d witnessed.

But what if she really did have feelings for Gabriel? What if she really wanted to marry Gabriel?

Angelo’s heart clenched at the thought. He’d never hurt this much before and he did not know what to do about it. One thing was certain - he would not give up. He must know what Louisa was planning. He was sure the Louisa he knew was up to something. And that’s what he should strive to find out. Besides, even if she really did feel something for Gabriel, Angelo was pretty damn sure his brother would never reciprocate it. It's what he would make Louisa realize before she got in too deep.

The soft music being played by the band outside indicated the party would be starting soon. Just the idea of Louisa getting formally engaged to Gabriel twisted his guts painfully and he did not know how he would be able to survive the party. Yet, he would not be changing Louisa’s mind sitting in this darkened corner of the villa, would he? If he seriously planned on doing what he planned, he must start observing the couple a little closer than he used to. He must now use his cunning to find the tiniest c***k in their armor and use it to his full advantage. Consequently, though still simmering inside, he reluctantly left the alcove to join the festivities outside.

Most of the tables were already full. There were place cards on every table and he saw he was seated with his family. But he’d rather not join them just yet. He still wasn’t sure if he would be able to hide his true feelings from his father’s very observant eyes. So, instead of taking his place at their table he went straight to the open bar situated near the gazebo steps. One stiff drink would do well to calm his jangled nerves. A short clap on his shoulder made him turn just as he was motioning the bartender for a glass of his favored drink. His face broke into a smile after being enthusiastically hugged by his cousin, Nicolas Montoya, the eldest son of his father’s youngest brother, Francisco.

“Hey, Nick! It’s so nice to see you. Melanie with you, too?” Angelo asked.

“Yes. She’s just finishing doing the rounds. You know her, the perpetual social butterfly,” Nicolas replied with an exaggerated rolling of his eyes.

“A real asset to you, I’m sure, you being your ogrish self again.”

“Me? Ogrish? Nah! I just hate all the smoochy, girly stuff. Besides, she’s got it all covered so why should I bother, right?”

“Yeah, right. Just admit you’re getting old and gruff already,” Angelo teased, taking a sip of his drink.

“Okay, okay! Point taken. But enough about me, what’s up with you?” Nicolas asked, taking a tall glass of champagne from a passing tuxedoed waiter.

“Hmmm. Nothing much. Been quite busy with the new hotel. I want to see you there for the opening. Papa decided to move it to next month.”

“I’m glad Tio Fernando’s feeling better now. I’m sorry I was not able to visit before. We were still in Manchester during the time.”

“It’s okay. He didn’t stay long in the hospital anyway. You know, Papa. He would never be able to stay still in such a place. Hey, there’s Mel. Come on, let’s go sit with her.” Angelo waved to his cousin’s wife who was just getting seated at their assigned table.

“Are you sure you’d like to join us? You know Mel, she tends to dominate the conversation with all her gossip,” Nicolas asked, looking askance at his cousin.

“It doesn’t bother me, Nick. I’m used to it. I’ve been with girls before, in case you’ve forgotten.” Angelo replied while propelling his cousin towards his wife. He almost told him he needed the distraction more than ever tonight. Thankfully, they’d reached Melanie before he could say more.

“Hey, beautiful! Nice to see you, again. Too bad you haven’t come to your senses and ditched this brute here,” Angelo said, bending to kiss Melanie’s upturned cheek.

“If only I could. But you know me, I do have a soft spot for brutes,” Melanie flippantly said as she took her husband’s hand and rubbed it against her cheek. Nicolas smiled down lovingly at his wife before taking the seat beside her.

Angelo looked on with longing at the obvious devotion the two have for each other. He wondered if Louisa would ever look at him that way, too.

“This is quite a shindig you’ve got here, cuz. What’s it all about, eh? I’m sure it’s not just to celebrate Tio Fernando’s amazing recovery,” Nicolas asked.

“I heard Tio Fernando’s announcing his retirement and Gabriel’s taking over the reins of the Montoya Group of Companies,” Melanie said as she sipped at her wine.

“Yes, that’s true. Papa would be staying on until the end of the year but Gabriel would formally be the head by the start of next month,” Angelo replied.

Melanie smiled smugly at her husband, an ‘I told you so’ expression written all over her lovely face. “But it's not all I’ve heard,” Melanie said, smiling mischievously. Angelo braced himself for the incoming hardball.

“I heard that the young, beautiful lady who seemed to have captured Gabriel’s full attention tonight is actually her fiancée and Tio Fernando will be announcing their engagement before the end of the party. That’s the big surprise,” Melanie said, winking wickedly at them.

“Oh, come on, honey! Where did you get to hear such a thing,” Nicolas groaned, seemingly embarrassed by his wife’s gossipy chatter.

“Well, if that’s the case, I’d better not ruin the surprise then,” Angelo replied in clipped tones It wasn't a subject he wished to discuss.

“Hmm, if it’s true, I wonder what Isabella would say about it. The last time I saw her in Manchester, she was quite upset about how Gabriel left without saying goodbye,” Melanie said, absently picking at the assorted hors d’oeuvre a waiter placed on the table.

Angelo’s interest instantly perked at the mention of Gabriel’s implied attachment to Isabella, the socialite, half-British, half-Spanish daughter of one of his father’s fiercest real-estate development competitors. He’d met her before and she came across as snobbish, spoiled, and cold. But of course, she would’ve presented a different side of herself to Gabriel if she’d been able to capture his older brother’s roving eye.

“Isabella Castillejos? Why was she upset by it?” Angelo asked, trying hard to keep his voice from betraying his acute interest in this news tidbit.

“Well, why shouldn’t she? She and Gabriel had been quite an item in London for more than two years. True, it’s been an on and off thing between them, but still, it’s been rumored Gabriel once proposed marriage to Isabella. It’s probably true since I’ve not heard of Gabriel going out with anyone else ever since he’d started seeing Isabella.”

“Now, enough of that, honey or Angel will think you’re working for the local tabloids,” Nicolas said, playfully tweaking his wife’s chin as he nervously glanced at Angelo. The Montoya brothers were known for their fierce loyalty to each other and Nico had, more than once, been witness to their volatile tempers when pushed too far. Angelo would never do anything to embarrass his wife but Nico obviously didn't want to test his cousin’s limits.

“No, no. It’s okay. It’s really quite interesting since Gab never mentioned Isabella to us before,” Angelo replied, his calm face masking the excitement now coursing through his veins.

A c***k in Gabriel’s armor! A very big c***k!

“It’s not really public knowledge, you know. They never flaunted it and they’d been quite discreet. Only Isabella’s and Gabriel’s inner circle knew about their affair. They often went out on group dates just to throw the hounds off the scent. I only learned about it when my sister let it slip one time. She used to be Isabella’s roommate in boarding school. They’ve been close since.”

“Still, Gabriel would’ve told us. Or at least one of us,” Angelo said, thinking of Miguel.

Did Miguel know about Isabella?

“Well, are you sure he didn’t tell at least one of your brothers? Or maybe he didn’t want your father getting wind of it. Isabella’s father, Don Joaquin, is your father’s so-called nemesis, right? He definitely won't be happy about Gabriel’s involvement with Isabella,” Melanie said.

Especially since Gabriel was already betrothed to his best friend’s daughter at the age of twelve, Angelo thought, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Now, this was something he needed to explore further. If the fates were good, Isabella would solve his problem for him. With his mood definitely lightened by what he’d learned, Angelo excused himself from his two companions and walked towards his own seat at his family’s table.

His face lit up when he saw Louisa waving at him, her smiling eyes making his heart skip a beat. She looked especially enchanting tonight; so sophisticated and painfully seductive.

I’m not giving up on you that easily, my sweet, Angelo thought as he took the seat to Louisa’s left.

“You look very lovely tonight, Señorita Almendrez,” he said, brushing Louisa’s cheek with a feather-soft kiss. Louisa flashed him a dimpled smile, her cheeks coloring a sweet, delicious pink at his compliment.

“And you look dashing tonight, Señorito Montoya. I’m sure the girls will soon be swooning at your feet.”

Angelo leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, “Too bad I only have eyes for one.” 

Louisa blushed anew and smiled shyly at him.

Angelo gave her a lopsided grin, his heart swelling at having an effect on her. And I swear by all that is holy – I will have you yet, my dearest Señorita Louisa Almendrez.