At exactly six in the evening, Gael walked into his apartment already dressed in a navy blue suit that he changed into before leaving SVR Corp, looking spruced and dapper. Small pawsteps dashed towards him at the foyer, and Honey jumped onto his legs, wagging her tail fast. A smile broke into his face as he picked her up and scratched her behind the ear.

Honey had been staying with Gael's sister since he came back to New York due to him being busy, and he thought it would help Gabriella cope with her current situation. So he was surprised to see Honey in his place, not to mention, the furbaby was wearing a cute pink tutu dress with rhinestones and pearls—she even had a tiny tiara clipped on her head, and she yapped excitedly as if to tell him: 'Look at me, Daddy! I'm a princess!'

"Hey, princess. I missed you. You look beautiful in your dress. Who got you this?" he cooed.

"She looks pretty, doesn't she?" Angela's voice came from somewhere in the apartment. "I bought it just around the block this afternoon when I took her out for a walk. Gabby came by to drop her off at three."

Gael walked deeper into the place and set Honey down to look for Angela. "Where is Gabby?" he asked as he headed towards the bedroom.

"She said something about staying at the hospital so Mika isn't alone while waiting for her brother?"

He shook his head, already aware that Gabby was there to wait for J herself instead of keeping Mika company.

Just as Gael was about to step into the bedroom, Angela came out of the closet and walked towards him, donning a light, satiny fabric in white that clung to her sexy figure like a second skin. Her dress was long-sleeved and stopped just below her knees. She looked breath-taking that he had to swallow what he was about to reply just a second ago.

"What do you think?" She smiled, giving him a slow turn and showcasing the open-back design of her lovely dress.

His cock gave a glorious salute as his eyes wandered down to the V bottom of the cut that sat above her hip; the end of the cut was like the apex of the heart shape—it was stylish, and she looked desirable as hell, letting her hair cascade down like a waterfall with soft big curls on the tips. Her back was undeniably one of the sexiest parts of her body.

With his heated gaze raking down her physique, he muttered, "Oh, fuck me. I don't wanna go out anymore. I think we should just stay in."

Angela beamed, and she giggled as she sauntered towards him. "But I spent a long time preparing to look like this, and I'm looking forward to dinner."

When she slid her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on the lips, his hands immediately found her waist, stroking her bare skin on the back. "And I'm looking forward to taking that dress off of you."

"That can wait. I'm actually starving."

He smiled. "Very well. But first… I got you something." He took out a long red velvet box with "M Collier" written on top in a fancy font and opened it. Inside laid a dainty gold chain, set with a small brilliant-cut diamond that sparkled under the light. He removed it from the case and clasped it around her right wrist. "I know you're still considering the necklace I gave you last month. But I wanted you to wear something from me. It's a piece of simple jewelry that I thought would look great on you," he told her as he stepped back and allowed her to study the bracelet.

The gold jewelry matched her purse and heels, and she smiled ever so sweetly as she brushed her fingers on it. "It's so dainty and elegant. I love it. Thank you, Gael."

He kissed her cheek and offered his arm to her. "Shall we?"

"One moment. I also have something for you." She disappeared into the closet, and when she came back, she held out a black leather box. "I got you this for Christmas and forgot I was supposed to give it to you when I came here. Will you wear it tonight?" She bit her bottom lip.

"What is it?" Gael asked as he carefully opened the box and found a pair of exquisite cufflinks. In the center was a dark blue gemstone that's nearly black, and around it was a white gold band with a panther's head at the tip with a red eye. It was a lavish design that he thought was something he would definitely pick for himself.

"A panther?" he probed.

Angela nodded. "I read once in one of Dad's books in our library that panthers are born leaders, visionaries, and they look at the big picture. A panther also represents beauty, grace, and valor. Apart from instilling fear, it said in the book that the panther as a totem animal encourages understanding and acknowledging the power within the shadows to help eliminate our fear of the dark and the unknown. It reminded me of you when I was looking for a gift to give you—which I have to say is not very easy when you have everything already."

A gush of warmth spread in his chest because of her thoughtfulness. Whenever she gave him something or did something for him, it was always carefully thought out, like she found meaning to everything, just like the cufflinks that he received. She said it reminded her of him, and that was such a fantastic feeling.

He was speechless that she grew nervous from not hearing any response from him. "Do you not like it?" she hesitantly asked.

"Sorry." He chuckled. "I was just admiring the piece. It's perfect, Angel. Thank you." Gael pulled her to him for a lingering kiss before replacing his cufflinks with the ones she gave him, a smile plastered on his face as his outfit just leveled up because of the best pieces of jewelry he wore that night—his mother's ring, the watch, and the cufflinks Angela gifted him.

"Come on." Gael tucked her hand around his arm and walked her out of the apartment with Honey trailing behind them. "I have to feed my woman. My dessert will have to wait."