Dan walked slowly towards Angel, his footsteps deliberate and gentle. As he approached, his expression softened, and he looked at her with a mix of concern and curiosity. His voice was low and soothing as he tried to console her. "I didn't know Angels cried."
He walked closer, his footsteps deliberate and slow "You okay?" he asked, his voice stiff and controlled.
Angel looked up, surprised to see Dan standing in front of her. She quickly wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dan's expression didn't change, but his eyes lingered on hers for a moment longer than necessary. "Good," he said finally, his voice still stiff.
Angel looked away, feeling a mix of emotions. She didn't know what to make of Dan's sudden interest in her well-being.
Dan shifted his weight, his eyes fixed on the floor. "You shouldn't let people get to you like that," he said, his voice still controlled.
Angel looked up at him, surprised by his words. "I... I'll try not to," she said.
Dan nodded, his expression unchanging. "Good," he said again.
There was an awkward silence between them, and for a moment, it seemed like Dan might say something more. But he turned to leave, his movements fluid and controlled. "I'll walk you out," he said.
As they walked out of the empty classroom, Angel couldn't help but notice the contrast between Dan's stiff demeanor and the gentle way he had approached her earlier. She wondered what lay beneath his reserved exterior.
Dan, on the other hand, was fighting to maintain his composure. He felt a pang of concern for Angel, and it was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. He didn't know how to react, so he fell back on his usual stiffness, trying to hide the way he felt.
Mr Gabriel decided to tell Angel the truth but didn't want to in such a situation. The ride home was quiet as they arrived home, Mr. Gabriel led Angel to the living room. "Let's sit down, sweetheart. We need to talk."
Angel's heart was racing with anticipation and anxiety. She sat down beside her father, her eyes fixed on his.
Mr. Gabriel took a deep breath. "Angel, I'm sorry. I should have told you the truth a long time ago."
Angel's eyes widened. "The truth about what?"
Mr. Gabriel's voice was filled with emotion. "About my cousin, your dad, Angel. Your uncle David, my cousin, he was your biological father. He and your mom passed away in a tragic accident when you were just three. You were all I had left as a family so I decided to adopt you legally"
Angel felt like her world had been turned upside down. She had so many questions, but she didn't know where to start.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Angel asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Gabriel's eyes filled with tears. "I wanted to protect you, Angel. You were so young, and I didn't want you to feel like you didn't belong. I wanted you to feel loved and secure."
Angel's mind was racing. "What was my mom like.. and my dad?"
Mr. Gabriel smiled sadly. "She was a wonderful person, Angel. You have her smile, her laughter and you look so much like your dad... They're in you, in every way."
Angel felt a mix of emotions: shock, sadness, and curiosity. She had so many questions about her biological parents and her family's past.
Dan's past
Dan's life had been a series of calculated moves, each one designed to please his family. As the second child of a wealthy and influential family, he had grown up in the shadow of his elder brother, Edward. Everyone's attention seemed to revolve around Edward, the future heir to the family business.
Dan's parents were always busy, attending high-society events and making deals. They would occasionally visit their children, but their interactions were always formal and lacking in warmth. Dan's nannies and tutors had been his primary caregivers, providing for his physical needs but not much else.
As a result, Dan had learned to suppress his emotions and desires. He became cold and stiff, always trying to do what was expected of him. He excelled in school, joined the right clubs, and participated in the right activities. But deep down, he felt empty and unfulfilled.
One particular incident stood out in his mind. He had been training for months to participate in a prestigious sports tournament. He had made it to the finals and was determined to win. However, on the day of the final match, his parents canceled their plans to attend, citing Edward's need for them to attend a family business dinner.
Dan felt frustrated and disappointed. He had been counting on his parents' support, and their absence made him feel like they didn't care about his achievements. He began to wonder if he was just an afterthought to his parents, always coming second to Edward's needs.
Dan's family rarely praised him or showed him affection. They were always critical, always pushing him to be better. He began to feel like he was invisible, like he didn't matter.
One day, Dan realized that he was tired of trying to please his family. He was tired of being ignored and unappreciated. He decided that he would no longer seek their approval or love. He would do what he wanted, and he wouldn't let anyone else define his worth.
From that day on, Dan's demeanor changed. He became more distant, more aloof. He stopped trying to please his family and started doing things for himself. It was liberating, but it also made him realize how much he had been hurt by his family's neglect.
Dan's past experiences had shaped him into the person he was today. He was guarded and reserved, always protecting himself from getting hurt, never truly connecting with anyone around him. But from the first time he met Angel, something changed. He felt a connection with her that he couldn't explain.