"Happy birthday." Angela remembered to say just before she slurped her coffee. She was sitting at the breakfast bar, Adriano standing across from her. He stirred the spoon in his cup and grinned widely at her.

"Did you almost forget?" he joked and ran a hand through his dishevelled hair. The pair had just woken up a couple of minutes ago and done what they had done every morning since Christmas: got up, made coffee and talked over breakfast.

"So... what is this party going to be like tonight? Will there be many there?"

"If my mother's involved then yeah, there's going to be a shit load of people that I've probably only met once in my entire life." Adriano snorted and made her giggle a little.

"Don't you like parties?" she asked.

"Yeah sure, but sometimes my mother's parties can be a bit- overwhelming." He thought about his words for a moment. "She likes to plan. A lot."

"So why did you let her plan your birthday then?" Angela laughed and then covered her mouth as she yawned.

"She insisted. I couldn't do anything about it once she got hold of the idea. Nothing could stop her." He made her chuckle again and smiled back at her. She liked his smile, it was something she had only thought about recently. He had straight teeth, and when he showed them, his eyes crinkled at either side. It made him look warm and friendly which was what he was to her most of the time recently, but she knew he couldn't be like that with everyone else.

"Aren't you excited?" Angel asked between bites of her toast Adriano had put in front of her a moment ago. He just shrugged. He had been to many parties like what tonight would be like before. There would be lots of people which meant that there would be distractions, meaning there could be danger. He had always watched out for himself at events like tonight but that wasn't what had him slightly anxious, it was Angela.

She still didn't have a clue what kind of world he was slowly bringing her into, as much as Adriano didn't like to think he was doing it, he knew it was the truth. The more time he spent with her trying to keep her safe, the more danger there would be to keep her from. On Christmas night he was just about ready to crack, to let her go but he was too selfish to do so right now. He wanted her there, she was the only thing that made him happy or smile or laugh sometimes. Having her in his company, having her to come home to instead of an empty apartment was wonderful. Adriano didn't know what he wanted from her or why the thought of her leaving scared him a little, but there was this pull towards her, he needed her around.

"A little I guess. I've been to a lot of these things before." He finally said, grabbing a slice of toast from her plate and taking a bite out of it.

"What? Your own birthday parties? I should hope so Adriano." She said and sniggered. Adriano guffawed loudly for a moment, surprising her.

"You know what I meant." He rolled his eyes.

"No actually, I didn't." she smirked.

"Well, big events. The whole venue, dinner and socializing thing."

"Just exactly how big is this thing going to be? And where is it going to be? By the looks of my dress, it must be fancy." Angela really didn't know much about what was happening later tonight, Maria had just pushed her to buy a very formal and expensive dress but then again, Angela trusted that Maria knew what she was talking about it.

"Huge." He said sarcastically and smirked at her. She rolled her eyes. "It's going to be a quite big yes." He added. Angela just nodded slowly and looked at him. He checked his watch and then put Angela's empty plate and both their mugs in the kitchen sink.

"Going somewhere?" she asked, furrowing her brows in confusion.

"Yes actually, I have to get going to work soon."

"But it's your birthday? Your party is tonight, I thought you were staying here for the day." Angela's confusion was evident in her voice. She was looking forward to spending the day with him but was disappointed now.

"I know but I have to work. It's not the kind of job that I can take the day off."

"What kind of job is it then?" Angela dared ask. Adriano stiffened slightly at her question but didn't answer. He shook his head and blinked a few times at her before leaving the kitchen.

"I have to get ready." He mumbled under his breath, making Angela wonder what was wrong with him.

"Oh, okay then." Angela had stood up and held both of her hands in front of her as she watched him walk off. He took a quick shower and soon enough was looking around the living room for his car keys, wearing a dark suit and dress shoes. Angela picked up his overcoat from the hanger and stood in front of Adriano, offering it to him. In that moment, with her standing there, still in her pyjamas and messed up hair, he didn't want to leave.

"Thank you." He said, not being able to tear his eyes away from her. They were both staring at each other, rather intensely now with neither saying a word. Adriano took the coat slowly from her and stepped a little closer. He reached up and gently cupped her cheek with his rough hand. Angela was too busy in thought to pull away, she leaned in and Adriano followed. Angela placed her small hand over his, his lips a breath away from hers, his eyes still fixated with her beautiful grey ones.

"You're welcome." She breathed out lightly but she was distracted. They were about to kiss weren't they? Why didn't she just do it then? Why didn't she just lean an inch closer and do it? That was what she wanted to do, it was what they both wanted but neither knew the other felt the same way. And so the two slowly but surely pulled away.

Adriano gulped, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. Angela noticed his unshaven jawline and how his scar on his cheek was half hidden. His chocolate eyes were searching hers, probably for an explanation, she thought. They were both wondering the same thing as they awkwardly said goodbye and Adriano shut the door behind him, were they about to kiss again? And why?

After Adriano left Angela alone in the apartment, the silence that filled it in his absence wasn't something she warmed to. She sat down with another mug of coffee and began playing the piano. Since Adriano had got the piano, she discovered the type of music he liked and disliked.

Although she hadn't been playing as much as she used it, she knew it was there when she wanted to. It was hard to begin playing after so long and she found it surprising when Adriano would encourage her to play as he went about his business in the apartment. He told her he liked it and reminded her to never give it up again; she had talent he had said.

Derek had been the complete opposite when it came to Angela's musical ability. He discouraged her, told her she was no good and to give it up while she was ahead. And in the darkest moments when she had become only a small part of herself, being lashed out at by him physically and mentally for so long had taken its toll on her self-confidence and herself all together, she had believed him.

Angela closed the lid of the piano loudly after playing for quite some time, not wanting to remember anything else from that point in her life which seemed so long ago and yet so unforgettable. She took deep breaths in and out, closing her eyes.

"Are you okay?" she heard a familiar voice call from somewhere else in the living room. Once she turned around, the sight of Maria holding a doe-eyed Michael in her arms had confirmed Angela's guess that it could be her. Amelia was holding Maria's free hand and looking shyly up at Angela through her thick lashes.

"How long have you been standing there?" Angela laughed but it came out shaky and there was a slight nervousness about it that Maria didn't know whether to question or not.

"Not long." Maria lied. There was a small silence for a moment or two, the two women trying to figure out what to say next. Maria had beaten Angela to it. "We just thought we might come over and help you out with getting ready didn't we Amelia?" she smiled at Angela. Amelia nodded enthusiastically, grinning at Angela.

"Well that's good. I was hoping Amelia could help me, I heard she's great at this kind of stuff."

"We're going to make you into a princess Angela." Clearly Amelia's shyness didn't last very long, Angela thought.

"Great!" Angela clapped her hands together and looked between Amelia and her mother. She stood up and held her hands out, silently asking could she hold Michael. Maria gave him to her and Angela began talking to him, trying to entertain him. Once he giggled a couple of times she knew it was working and turned to Maria again.

"Adriano and Franco thought it was a good idea for me to come over for a little while. Franco brought us here but he couldn't stay, I don't know what's gotten into him the past day or two, he seems so stressed." Maria sounded worried.

"I'm sure he'll talk to you when he feels the time is right." Angela tried to make her feel better. She had picked up the remote and turned on the TV for Amelia to watch. She plopped herself down on the sofa as the two women walked into the kitchen, a little away from Amelia so her small ears couldn't pick up what was being said.

"No, I'm not sure about that Angela. He doesn't usually, at least not most of the time. He says he can't discuss much with me. I wish he'd just talk to me more about what's going on with him, you know?" Maria's words had surprised Angela; they pair seemed like they got along brilliantly but then again, Angela knew every couple had their problems.

"Why can't he discuss it with you?" Angela asked quizzically. Maria knew how innocent she was, she didn't know whether Adriano had tried hard to keep her in the dark about a lot of the stuff he and his family done or whether it was easy enough because of Angela's innocence. It didn't mean she wasn't intelligent, it just meant she was completely unaware of what Adriano done for a living and what he would continue to do for the rest of his life. Either way, she was in no position to interfere, Maria knew not to give anything away, although she was never told to do so. She knew when to ask questions and when to keep her mouth closed, she had gotten used to it by now. Although in the beginning it was something Maria didn't take well to, she had learned what she had to do to stay with Franco, the man she loved too much to give up because of his status in the Mafia. It was a sacrifice of having a normal life with someone else, someone who wasn't Franco, and she never regretted it.

"Um...Well, he can be a very private person sometimes you know?" Maria didn't want to lie to her but felt she had to until or if Angela was told a little more about the subject. "Does Adriano tell you things?" She gave her a side-ways glance secretly, trying to figure her and Adriano's relationship out.

"Things?" Angela wondered.

"Yeah, like open up. Franco doesn't do that much with me and all this time I thought Adriano would be the same but I figured it would be a lot different with you, since you showed up everything with him has been."

"It's different, there's no comparison between us two." Angela scoffed a little. "Franco's your husband. Adriano's not mine; he doesn't need to share anything with me."

"But you two are in some kind of relationship right?" Maria needed to know, she would love to have Angela become a part of the family. Adriano seemed happier with her around too, which was usually rare until a few months ago.

"No. Of course not." Angela shook her head quickly, making Maria chuckle.

"Whatever." She smirked, not sounding convinced. Maria done Angela's make up perfectly. Although Angela had a good idea of how to put on make-up, Maria had done a really good job, a better job than Angela would ever have done herself. After Maria had finished up, she had rushed out with Michael and Amelia, saying she had lost track of time and had to go home to get herself ready on time too. Angela had waved them off and soon enough she was getting ready in her room, wondering where Adriano was. It was almost time to go and Angela thought it was best to not get into her dress until the latest possible time, in case she ruined her dress before they even left the apartment.

She heard Adriano coming home, closing the front door and go straight into his room.

"I'm home Angela." He called as he walked briskly past her bedroom door which was closed shut. He showered quickly and got into his tuxedo. Adriano hadn't noticed how late they were going to be if they didn't hurry up until he was dressed and rushing around his apartment looking for things he needed.

She had all of her jewellery on, her hair done and was stepping into her dress when she heard Adriano's footsteps from the living room. The zip going up the back of the red satin dress was too hard for her to get. Angela heard Adriano talking as she struggled to get the zip up in time.

"Angela? We need to go are you ready- I'm sorry. I meant to knock." Adriano had opened the door and stormed in oblivious to the fact that Angela was still getting ready. She was reaching for the zip and froze as soon as she heard him come in.

"Um, can you help me with this." She turned her head slightly to see over her shoulder. Adriano walked cautiously over to her. Her porcelain skin was soft against his fingertips. He traced them over her shoulders slowly and then fixed her dress at the top before bringing his hands down to her zip and gently zipped it up. The two were silent for a moment, Adriano's rough hands placed on her waist. He had the urge to turn her around and kiss her senseless. He could hear her shaky breathing and only leaned closer to her, his now clean-shaven chin almost on her shoulder. Adriano was making her feel nervous, but she liked it. His lips touched her neck but the moment they did she spoke.

"Maybe we should get going." She pulled away quickly and tried not to face him so he couldn't see her blushing cheeks.

"Yes, let me just call the driver." He shook his head distractedly. The two went on as if he hadn't done anything. As if he hadn't made Angela want more, as if the two weren't affected greatly by each other.

"Okay." She nodded and he left the room. Angela let out a breath she had been holding for a long time. He paced back and forth in frustration waiting for a reply from his driver. Just why couldn't he get Angela out of his head? He thought back to their kiss, did she feel the same way? Did she want more like he did? He just needed to know.

Just then, Angela came out of her room and into the living room in all her red satin and silver glory. He couldn't help but let his eyes fall down her body, the dress was fitted, very fitted. It showed off her figure nicely, he licked his bottom lip and then looked up at her face again. The driver replied telling Adriano he was outside and the two left for the party.

"Why are we using a driver tonight?" Angela broke the silence between them. They had been driving for a couple of minutes and hadn't spoken since they had left the apartment.

"The same reason I won't be going to work tomorrow." Adriano tried to smile at her but was avoiding eye contact at the same time.

"Why's that?" she inquired again.

"Because I'll probably be very hungover tomorrow." The two laughed which broke the tension between them. Angela scooted a little closer to Adriano in the back of the car. He noticed but didn't say anything. She leaned her head on his shoulder. He looked very handsome she thought, and he smelled amazing too.

"Happy birthday Adriano. I hope you enjoy tonight." She smiled up at him and he could help but smile back at her. This time he showed his white teeth, his grin was boyish and warm.

"Thanks Angie."