Chapter 5 Can I kiss you

Angel screamed as she jolted upright from the bed, her heart pounding in her chest. Vincent and Romeo quickly rushed to her side, their faces filled with concern.

"Angel, are you okay?" Vincent asked, his voice laced with worry. Angel turned to him, tears streaming down her face, and immediately threw her arms around him, seeking comfort and safety.

"V-Vincent, please," she pleaded, her voice shaky. "He wants to rape me, don't let him take me, please."

Vincent held her tightly, his own heart racing as he tried to calm her frantic breathing. He whispered soothing words into her ear, running a gentle hand through her hair to provide a sense of security. Romeo stood nearby, his expression filled with empathy.

"We're here for you, Angel," Romeo assured her, his voice steady and reassuring. "You're not alone. We'll protect you."

Slowly, Angel's breathing began to steady as the realization sank in that it had been just a dream, a horrifying nightmare that had momentarily shattered her sense of safety. She clung to Vincent, finding solace in his embrace, grateful that he was there to support her.

Trembling, Angel managed to choke out an apology through her tears. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice filled with vulnerability. "I didn't mean to disturb you both. It was just a nightmare, but it felt so real..."

Vincent gently pulled away, cupping her tear-streaked face in his hands. He looked into her eyes, his own filled with tenderness and reassurance. "Don't apologize, Angel. We're here to support you. You're safe with us."

Romeo took a step forward, his expression resolute. "We won't let anything happen to you, Angel. We'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Angel nodded, gratitude and relief flooding through her, washing away some of the residual fear. She had never expected to find such unwavering support and care from Vincent and Romeo, and she felt a profound sense of gratitude for their presence in her life.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you both for being here for me."

°

°

°

°

Back at Angel's house, Aliyah trudged inside, exhaustion etched on her face. She had gone to search for a job earlier, but the interview had not gone as planned, leaving her disheartened. Collapsing onto the worn-out couch, she let out a deep sigh, reflecting on her frustrating day.

Just then, Anita emerged from her room, her expression filled with irritation. "Mom," Aliyah called out wearily, hoping for some empathy or support from her mother.

Anita rolled her eyes dismissively. "Did you get the job?" she asked, her voice laced with impatience. When Aliyah shook her head in response, Anita's irritation seemed to magnify. "You better get that job, or else it's over for the both of us," she snapped before storming out of the house in a huff.

Aliyah sat there, her eyes filled with confusion and hurt. She couldn't understand why her own mother seemed to harbor such resentment towards her. Thoughts of her strained relationship with Anita floated through her mind, but she pushed them aside, refusing to dwell on the negativity.

Summoning her strength, Aliyah rose from the couch, determined to stay positive despite the setbacks she had faced. She knew she had to keep trying, keep pushing forward, for her own sake and for the well-being of her family.

°

°

°

°

Meanwhile, on the island, Phoebe let out a shriek from the bathroom, clutching a bottle of shampoo she had found. Grayson, her boyfriend, rushed into the room, concern etched on his face.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice filled with alarm as he took in Phoebe's distressed expression and the shampoo she was holding up accusingly.

Phoebe's eyes narrowed, her voice filled with suspicion. "Gray, what's the meaning of this? Who came here?" she demanded, her mind jumping to conclusions.

Grayson's eyes widened, realizing the misunderstanding. He quickly moved closer, wrapping his arms around Phoebe's waist, trying to calm her down. "Babe, it's mine," he explained, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

Phoebe's eyes widened, a mix of relief and annoyance crossing her face. "Since when do you use a female shampoo?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. "Are you sure? You're not cheating on me, are you?"

Grayson let out a chuckle, playfully nuzzling her ear as he reassured her. "Nah, babe, you know I love you," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity.

Phoebe's eyes softened, trust slowly returning as she melted into his embrace. "Well, okay," she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But be careful, mister. I'm watching you."

With a smirk, Grayson swiftly lifted her into his arms, carrying her back into the bedroom. "Believe me, babe, you have my undivided attention," he said, his voice filled with desire.

Phoebe let out a playful squeal as they disappeared into the bedroom, their shared laughter echoing through the air.

°

°

°

°

Back at Vincent's mansion, night had fallen, and both Vincent and Angel had just finished dinner. With a shy smile, Angel bid Vincent goodnight, hoping for peaceful dreams that would banish the lingering fear from her nightmare.

As Vincent turned to leave, Angel's anxiety overcame her, and she called out to him from the doorway of her own room. "Vincent..." she hesitated, nervously biting her lip. "I'm scared of sleeping alone. Can I please sleep here, just for tonight? Please?"

Vincent paused, his eyes filled with concern and understanding, before giving a warm smile. "Of course, Angel," he replied gently. "You can sleep here. I'll make sure you feel safe."

Grateful, Angel's face lit up in a soft smile as she quickly hopped onto Vincent's bed, arranging a pillow to make herself comfortable. She closed her eyes, waiting for Vincent to join her, her heart pounding in anticipation.

Vincent watched her for a moment, touched by her vulnerability and her trust in him. He walked over to the bed, taking a seat beside her, leaving a small but comforting space between them. He expected her to lay down and cuddle close, but instead, she looked up at him, uncertainty in her eyes.

Taking in her pleading gaze and the weight of her fears, Vincent couldn't help but be drawn to her. He leaned closer, capturing her gaze with his own intense one. "What is it, Angel?" he asked softly.

Angel's hand trembled as it reached up, gently tracing the contours of Vincent's face, her fingers grazing over his chiseled jawline and full lips. She inhaled a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Can I...kiss?"