Unexpected Night In LA

Angel's Point Of View

Can this man stop staring at me like that? I squirmed under his intense gaze, still refusing to look directly at him.

The silence in the room felt heavy, thick with an unspoken tension that made it difficult to breathe.

"I'm sure you know why you are here, Ms..." he trailed off, prompting me to finish his sentence.

"Caribello," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Still, I kept my eyes downcast, unable to meet his penetrating stare.

His words sounded more like a statement than a question, and I nodded in reply, hoping he would sense my discomfort and let the matter rest. But that was not his style.

"I work with words, Angel.” My name, usually common, felt foreign and special coming from him.

"Ye…yes, Mr. D'Amano," I managed to stutter out.

Silence followed. Too nervous to look at him, I waited for his next words or actions.

And then, suddenly, he was closer, far closer than I ever imagined. I felt a cold yet burning sensation on my chin as he lifted my face to meet his gaze.

My voice lodged in my throat, and I stared at him in shock. Up close, his beauty was breathtaking. I was unable to process the beauty that loomed before me.

"Mr. D'Amano—" I began, but he cut me off.

"You're quite a good dancer, Angel." His face was so close to mine.

I could feel the warmth radiating off his skin, and I was acutely aware that any slight movement from either of us would join our lips.

Why was he so close? I didn't mind his intoxicating scent, the sinful brush of his hand against my skin, but wasn't he married

"Tell me, Angel, where did you learn to dance like that?" His voice was low, his lips brushing dangerously close to my ear, igniting a flurry of emotions I didn’t know I had.

All I wanted was for him to.....

But then, the image of his wife slammed into me – a cold splash of reality. He belonged to someone else, I reminded myself.

“Mr. D’Amano,” I said, placing my palm on his firm chest and pushing him back slightly as I rose to my feet.

"T-this is inappropriate." I whispered.

A sexy smirk spread across his attractive lips, and I could hardly believe the way my body reacted to him.

“What’s inappropriate, Angel? Do you mean this?" Before I could even process his words, I felt his soft lips on my cheek, and I was certain I turned redder than a strawberry.

"Relax, caramella," he whispered, the heat of his breath sending butterflies racing in my stomach.

“There's nothing inappropriate in what I'm doing, unless what is in your head is what is inappropriate."

I gulped, looking away from his darkening blue eyes that held a magnetic pull I couldn’t resist. I opened my mouth to speak, but he was quicker.

"Angel, you’re going to be playing the role of the female lead in the new movie project of this company. There are some contracts you’ll have to sign."

"But Mr. D’Amano—" I started, but he held up a hand, stopping me in my tracks.

"Don’t question me, caramella. I am fully aware you didn’t study theater arts in school, but I’m certain you’ll be able to do this," he said, his voice laced with confidence that both intimidated and inspired me.

I lowered my head, uncertainty creeping in. Why was I the chosen one for this role? I had no experience, and the thought of disappointing him, of making the movie a failure, terrified me.

"Angel, you’ll be fine. And one more thing," he said, moving even closer. I instinctively took a step back, overwhelmed by his proximity.

“You won’t just be my actress, sweetheart; you’ll be more than that."

What did he mean by that?

"Mr. D’Amano, w-what do you mean?" I stammered, confusion clouding my mind. He simply smirked, turning his back to me as if he held all the cards.

"You’ll know soon, caramella. But right now, you’ll be going back to Malibu for three days. Once you return, the scripts will be given to you. We’ll have just two months to practice the first four scenes, and then shooting will commence the following week. I’ll see you in three days, amoré."

He kissed my cheek again, and I felt heat pool between my legs, leaving me breathless.

He picked up his phone, turning his back, leaving me to admire his sexy back.

With wobbly legs, I managed to leave his office. The lingering scent of his cologne clung to the air, a potent reminder of the unsettling, intoxicating encounter.

Later that day.

We couldn't return to Malibu that day, so we found ourselves lodging in a hotel, Mr. D'Amano's hotel, to be precise.

We couldn't have a room to ourselves so we were paired up with someone. Fortunately, I didn’t end up with Cassie; if that had been the case, we’d probably have killed each other before dawn.

I unpacked my small duffel bag, pulled out a towel and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. Once I was done, I slipped into a large white shirt—one I had "borrowed" from my brother. It was oversized and comfortable, a perfect fit for a night of unwinding.

I jumped onto the fluffy hotel bed and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. It was time to call Luca.

I noticed that Jade, my roommate for the night, wasn't in the room, which made me curious about her whereabouts.

"Sis,” his voice rang out smoothly, as if he had been waiting for my call.

“Angel, are you okay?” I couldn't help but laugh lightly, shaking my head as if he could see me.

"I’m perfectly fine, Luca. How’s Mom?”

“She’s fine, but she asked me to find out when you’ll be back.” I raised my brow, amused.

“She asked? Or you can’t stand being away from me and want to know when I’ll be back?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, sis. Just tell me when you’ll be back.”

“Hmmm, maybe next year,” I teased.

“Next year? That’s too long! Or are you joking?” His disbelief was clear through his tone, and I laughed hard.

“Yeah, I’m kidding, silly. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Well, that’s good. So what’s the reason you went to LA?”

“I’ll tell you when I get back. I have to go now; take care of yourself and Mom—” The opening sound of the door interrupted me.

Jade walked in, holding a glass of orange juice. Our eyes met, and we exchanged smiles.

“Okay, goodnight sis. I love you,” he said, wrapping up our call.

“I love you too, Luca.” I hung up and set the phone back on the nightstand.

“Who was that? Your boyfriend?” She asked teasingly, climbing onto the bed beside me.

"No, that’s my brother,” I replied, smiling. Her lips formed an ‘o’.

“I know someone named Luca…” A blush crept onto her cheeks as she stared at the blank wall in thoughts.

“Well, it’s quite a common name.” I shrugged, pulling the duvet up to my chin, ready to sleep, but she stopped me.

"Angel,” she said, her tone serious. I looked up, intrigued.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your last name?”

“Caribello. Why?” I replied, a hint of curiosity in my voice.

Her eyes widened in realization. “Luca Caribello’s sister?”

Her reaction piqued my interest, so I focused on her intently.

"What do you know about my brother?”

A flicker of sadness flashed across her face, but she quickly masked it with a smile.

"Your brother was my senior in high school before he graduated. I’ve always had a crush on him. If you don’t mind me saying, I’ve been stalking him since he left.” She mumbled the last part, but I heard it clearly.

“How old are you, Jade?” Luca was nineteen, already in his second year of college, and if she was his senior, that meant she was quite a bit younger.

“Yes, Angel, I’m seventeen and a stripper,” she said sadly, revealing the shocking truth.

“T-that’s—”

“I know, Angel, but my family needs the money,” she cut in, her voice trembling.

"Are they aware of what you do?” I asked, concern filling my heart. She shook her head.

“None of my siblings know, except my older sister who found out recently.” She confessed.

“If my brother finds out, he’ll be so mad at me, but Angel, I had no choice. I can’t watch my father die when I can do something with my body. He has been there for us since my mom left. My sister and brother are really trying their best, and I’ve seen my brother come home every time disappointed.”

The tears she’d been holding back finally fell. My heart ached for her; I knew what it felt like to be in her situation.

“Jade, are you still a virgin—”

“Yes, Angel, I am, but it’s hard. It’s hard to fight against those lustful and vile men in the club.”

No teenage girl should have to endure this, and I felt a knot form in my throat. I pulled her into my embrace.

“It’s okay. Everything will be fine, Jade.” I whispered, reassuringly.

“I can ask Mr. D’Amano to switch—” she stopped me before I got to finish.

“No….no….no, Angel. This is your golden opportunity. Please do not give it up for anyone.” She pulled away, forcing a smile through her tears.

“But Jade, you’re still young and—”

She shook her head firmly. “No, Angel, I’ll be fine.”

I took her hands in mine. “Promise me you’ll quit this job.”

She looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “N-no, Angel. That’s the only surviving job a—”

“I’m ready to help you out, Jade. Just listen to me and quit this job.”

“B-but, Angel—”

“Please, Jade. I can’t leave the club knowing that some days you’ll have to struggle with molesters.”

She sighed sadly, and after a long pause, reluctantly agreed.

“O..o..okay.” She mumbled. I smiled in victory, feeling a glimmer of hope for her future.

“But, Angel, how will I get another—”

“Leave it to me, Jade. I’ll help you. Come on, let’s go to sleep.”

I switched off the lights, and as sleep enveloped us, I felt a bond had been forged in the unlikeliest of places and situations.

This night was unexpected, yes, but it was also a reminder of the resilience we carried within us and the connections we could make in times of adversity.