Meanwhile, Angela went to the gym where she and her best friend Nina had a Krav Maga class. Nina and the Muay Thai instructor didn't work, so she moved on and Angela convinced her to join the other class instead. Angela had always wanted to continue learning this Israeli martial art. It wasn't the first time she took this class, but they had to take a break when the instructor had an emergency leave and the gym wasn't able to find a replacement. Today, the classes resumed.

The two spent an hour learning new moves, and Angela was satisfied when she found out that her form got better even after the long break. Her brother first convinced her to take the lessons and she got interested, knowing that apart from it being a form of exercise, she could learn how to defend herself—because no matter how much Oliver would look after her, he could only do so much. She also didn't want to depend on people around her continually. Most of the time, she refused help. She wasn't as weak as she looked. At times, she gets vulnerable, but as much as she could, she'd rather depend on herself.

It was thirty minutes after ten when they got out and headed towards the parking lot. They planned to grab some food on the way to Angela's new apartment. But just as they reached Nina's car, the latter received a phone call from her father.

They sat inside the car. Angela played with her phone while her best friend was on the call. And though she wasn't intentionally eavesdropping, she could hear Nina's irritation.

"Anj… I have bad news." Nina frowned, tossing her phone in the small compartment by her hip.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't help you wrap the gifts today. My father just told me there's a screw up with the suppliers for the party this Saturday and he needs me to fix it. There are some changes in the numbers of guests and a segment that's inserted in the program and he was only told now." Nina groaned in frustration, ruffling her hair until it got messy. "I'm sorry." She pouted.

Angela gave her a small smile, patting the other on the shoulder. This Saturday was a celebration from Nina's father's side of the family—a big gathering that's also a reunion. Although it was a family event, Angela was invited every year, and she attended mostly to keep Nina company because the latter hated a lot of her cousins and didn't want to mingle with them. "It's okay. What can I do to help?"

"No, no. It's okay. I can manage. Here's what, I'll drive you home...and you can maybe start wrapping half of the stuff today, and if I finish early, I'll come by in the evening to wrap the other half and have a sleepover? If—but I'm hoping not—if it's too late for me later, then I'll come tomorrow and finish wrapping the rest then?" Nina pressed her hands together like she was praying, a broad smile brightening her face.

"Yeah, we can do that." Angela nodded, returning the smile. "Instead of driving me home, can you drop me at TJ instead?"

Nina happily drove away. The drive wasn't that long as there wasn't any heavy traffic. She left Angela by the entrance of the store and promised to call later.

Angela immediately got into shopping mode as she entered the supermarket. She decided to get some snacks for when Gael visited in the afternoon. She'd told him to bring food, but one could never get enough.

Her phone buzzed while she perused the snacks aisle, and she excitedly checked the message when she saw who it was.

[ Gael: Where are you? Are you still at the gym? ]

[ Angela: No. I'm at Trader Joe's near the apartment. Just grabbing some stuff I'm out of. ]

She picked up two cans of Planters peanuts, biting her lip as she compared Dry Roasted and Honey Roasted. She couldn't decide, so she put both in the cart. Another text came in.

[ Gael: Please tell me you're not cooking again. Your kitchen is brand new. ???? ]

Angela's jaw dropped. Not only was he making fun of her, him using emoji was just too cute that she couldn't help but giggle as she furiously typed her reply.

[ Angela: I'm not cooking. I'm just out of yogurt and milk, and I'm buying some snacks. I wanna watch something later. Even so... You're so mean. Don't come by anymore! ???? ]

A smile plastered on her lips when she faced the snacks again. She spotted Salted Caramel Planters, and she couldn't be any faster in grabbing two cans and putting them in the cart. Her phone buzzed.

[ Gael: I'm kidding, babe. I'd eat whatever you'd cook even if it's poisoned. ???? ]

A combination of knitted brows and a smile crossed her face. Why was he being so cute?

[ Gael: Are you alone? Want me to come over and help you push the cart? I'm really good at it. ]

She laughed.

[ Angela: I'm already at the counter. Then I'll head home. ]

…

Angela didn't hear from Gael until noon. She thought he was busy with something, so she didn't bother him and began to wrap the toys. She moved the coffee table to the side, making a vast floor space where she sat and had several toys and wrapping materials strewn everywhere.

There were a few people in her foundation whom she could ask to do this for her, but she personally wanted to do it like she and Nina always did every year since she started. It wasn't just the money or time spent on the toys, but also the joy in watching the kids excitedly tear the paper just to see what they get for Christmas that was fulfilling.

Angela was in comfortable pink shorts, a grey hoodie, and fuzzy socks. She had her legs crossed as she worked on the wrapping. Her phone made a long buzzing sound and she swiped the green button when she saw it was Gael.

"Hey—aww! Damn it!" she hissed as the wrapping paper sliced her fingertip, a drop of blood oozed out.

"What's going on?" Gael's voice was laced with worry.

"Papercut." She tsked, grabbing some tissues from the side and then pressing the cut. "I've been wrapping presents since I came home. Three of my fingers have cuts—well, four now. I'm never going to finish these today."

"Where's your friend?"

Angela ran to the sink to clean her finger and then wrapped it with a band-aid. "She couldn't make it."

She heard him sigh from the other line. "Have you eaten?" he asked.

"No."

"Okay. I'm bringing food. Rick just finished cooking. I'll be there soon."

Forty-five minutes later, there was a doorbell on the intercom. She scrambled up to check the panel, and when Gael told her it was him, she rang him up. A few minutes later, Angela opened the door, and to her surprise, Gael wasn't alone. Six of his men stood behind him.

Her brows knitted in confusion. She had seen the faces of his men while she stayed in his house but they were always out of her way. And even when she was with him, they weren't always visible around him. Seeing the tall men crowd up in the hallway was a little intimidating. His men were in suits—no tie, but all black suits and dark shirts.

"What's this?" she wondered.

"Mercenaries." Gael winked. "They'll be your little elves for today. Use them as you wish." He tilted his head to the side but kept his gaze at Angela's, a devilishly handsome smile forming on his lips. "Boys? Let's wrap some gifts."