I Want You Back

Sofia

Andrew

This is beyond frustrating. I have so many problems, such as the presentation, work, and making some time to show Dominik around the country, and Angel just had to come and invite him to dinner. This man has the ability to ruin my day, and I can't stand him! "Uh-huh, now what am I supposed to cook?"

I already bought meat, chicken, some vegetables, flour to make some dessert, and fruit for juice. As I contemplated what to cook, Isaac called me. What does he want now? "Tell me, Isaac, what's happening now?"

I heard him chuckle on the other line. "Oh, hello to you too, boss. I was calling you to inform you that the platform in Australia has been resolved."

"I know, it was a code error. I don't understand how it happened, and I spent all night trying to figure it out. I'm glad it's working now," I told him with a relieved sigh.

"In Canada, the communication program is still down, but I think it is not the platform this time, but rather with the country's signal because I already checked and it works in other countries."

"Then we have to wait for the call from the technicians in Canada. I called them yesterday, and they told me that they would check again today. If they failed to find the error, then it is something internal and has nothing to do with us, but I don't want to lose users because of their mistake." "I am analyzing it, but like the central platform, it is sending a signal, and if it were our problem, it would be down in general, not just in Canada. The technicians will have to find the error themselves. I even checked it myself, and everything is working fine."

I nodded, even though he couldn't see it. "I checked the operations system, and that's not the problem, so let's wait and see what they'll say."

"Another topic, Sofia, the untraceable IP that you asked me for is done. I'll send it to you so you can upload what you want to disclose."

I brightened up and prevented myself from grinning from ear to ear. "Perfect."

"You know I can do it. I noticed that you're stressed lately, and you have been hostile."

"It's something I want and should do, Isaac. Thank you."

I hung up, paid for my purchases, and went home. I haven't stepped foot in it since Angel brought me from the hospital. Once there, Carmen was already waiting for me. Angel must have told her I'm coming.

"Sofia! It's nice to have you at home." She greeted me warmly and helped me with the bags. "You shouldn't have bothered. I should have done this." She made her way inside, and I followed her.

"Yes, but I wanted to go, although you can help me think about what to cook because I bought everything and I still haven't thought of anything."

"Of course, if you want, you can go rest, and I'll cook."

"No, Carmen, I told them I'd cook, so I will. I almost escaped it, but your boss came up with the brilliant idea of inviting someone to dinner," I told her while rolling my eyes.

""He told me that the guest was yours."

"Mine? Well, yes, but he invited him," I replied as we prepared. In the end, I decided to make chicken bathed in apple sauce with baked potatoes, vegetable salad, and orange juice or red wine. "Tell me, how is everything here? Has anyone come?" I asked casually. I want to know if Elisa has stepped foot in my house.

"No one, Sofia. I can tell you that not even Angel has come by often. He's often in his apartment. This big house is usually empty, and I only drop by to make sure everything is okay, then I go home."

"Mm, so no one has come that you know of?"

"No, I know that he has not brought any woman home because I have been keeping an eye on him," Carmen told me, giving me an understanding look.

I let out a smile. "Okay, I'm going to believe you because I know you love me and you wouldn't let Angel fool me."

"You know, I thought you two were going to be finally happy together. He made you a nice surprise in his apartment, and he is strict with whoever enters his house. Only Harry, his mother, and now you have visited it."

"I can't deny that Angel has changed, but after all this time, I just can't trust him, Carmen. You know better than anyone what I have been through these five years with him, but now he suddenly changes?"

"Oh, you youngsters. He loves you, but he didn't show it until now. You were silent all these years, and you finally faced him. You two refuse to meet each other halfway."

"If Angel had been sincere from the beginning, none of this would have happened, but if I had had a little more courage, we would have saved ourselves a lot of suffering. What's the use of 'what ifs' if you can't change the past anymore anyway?"

"My girl, you are the lady, and although you have a strong character, I know that you love Angel, and he feels the same way. Now, are you going to let another woman come and take away what is yours?"

"He wasn't mine before, but he is now, so of course, I'm not going to let him be taken away from me, but your boss must know and learn that I'm not one of those women he can set aside and pick up when he's bored. He must value me, and most importantly, he should trust me." "Of course. You two must work on communication," she suggested while shaking her head.

I put my hands on my hips and stared at the stove while wiping my hands. "That's the complicated part of the story. Now, I'm going to take a bath and change."

I suddenly remember that I have nothing here, and Carmen realizes my dilemma.

"You can take a bath in Angel's room, and in the closet, there is a dress that you left."

"Did I leave a dress?" I asked, and she laughed mischievously. "Thank you. Don't let my food burn."

I went up to Angel's room and realized that I was only here once after we got married. I remember that he saw me here, and we argued. After that, he forbade me to enter his room, so I didn't until today, out of necessity. I went into the bathroom and prepared the jacuzzi because I needed to relax, even if it was just for a little while. I must have fallen asleep, and I woke up feeling an intense gaze on me, I saw Angel sitting at the end of the jacuzzi.

I gasped and held my chest. "You scared me! Don't you know how to knock on the door, or do you usually look at girls bathing?"

"First, this is my bathroom, and second, I'm not looking at anyone else but my wife, who looks very relaxed."

"I bathed here because there's nothing in my old room, so don't go screaming or anything like that."

"Why would I do such a thing? This is also your bathroom and your room, and you can do whatever you want."

I strangely looked at him, trying to understand his behavior. "The last time I was in this room, we had an argument, and you forbade me to enter."

He gets so close to me, and my heart pounded, realizing that I'm naked. "I know it is difficult to change what we have experienced these years, but can we forget all the bad things I have said and done to you? It was because of my pain, my anger, my disappointment, and many things I don't want to remember." He pleaded and looked at me in a way that might melt me.

I looked away, finding it hard to fight his gaze. "Can you go out? I have to change."

"I don't think you have anything new that I haven't seen," he cheekily replied, and my cheeks heated up.

"Angel, just leave, please."

He kissed me on the cheek, and I thought he was going to steal a kiss from me, so my eyes involuntarily closed, but he just laughed and left the bathroom.

When I was done, I was relieved when I didn't see him anywhere. I opened the closet to see the dress that I left. It is a pink pleat up to two centimeters below the knee; it coincidentally matches with the shoes that I brought. I prepared and climbed downstairs down to the kitchen to see that everything looked delicious. I got hungry.

"Sofia, did you cook something that smells horrible?" Angel blurted out as he entered the kitchen with a disgusted look on his face.

Carmen and I looked at him. "Repeat what you said." I frowned at him.

"It smells horrible," he repeated, and my blood boiled.

"It doesn't smell horrible; you better take it back!" I snapped at him, and he approached where the food was to look at it, and he made a gesture of vomiting.

"For God's sake, woman, what is that? It looks horrible," he commented while covering his nose.

Carmen looked at me and tried to calm me down. "Do you want to ruin the dinner or get stabbed by a knife?"

"Neither of the two, but couldn't you cook something else? That makes me nauseous."

"You'll be nauseous when I hit your head with the pot," I warned him, highly offended by his offensive comment.

"Woman, why is it my fault? You're supposed to cook something delicious, so why does that smell horrible and look horrible? Although it doesn't bother me that you want to poison that German."

"Angel," I said his name, trying to stop myself from hitting him. He acts as if he's going to vomit, and he really is pale! "My food doesn't look bad, nor does it taste bad!"

"Now, now, don't fight anymore," Carmen interrupts us.

"He started it! How dare he say that my food is bad? What he wants is to annoy me."

"That isn't my intention, but what do I do if that makes me nauseous?"

"The food is not for you, but for Dominik, so if you don't want or like it, then don't eat."

"See? And you said you're not doing this to impress him."

"I didn't say that I didn't want to impress him, and I'm not blind to not realizing that he is a charming man and he knows how to treat a lady right."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"So you prefer for me to be hungry while the charming man eats with pleasure? But with that food, I highly doubt it."

I gritted my teeth and glared at him. "Angel, get out of here if you don't want to end up in the hospital."

"I'm going to end up in the hospital, but due to food poisoning." He made a sound of vomiting before running from the kitchen.

I frowned and remained looking where he was. "What's wrong with him? I'm going to poison that man, I swear," I asked Carmen while scrunching up my face.

"He's been feeling unwell for a few days now; I think he even went to the doctor, so don't take it personally."

"He went to the doctor? Why didn't I know?" Well, it's not like we've spoken more than three words because of my limited time.

"I don't know, Sofia. You know how he is. He didn't say anything, but I've noticed."

"Well, let his holy little girlfriend go and take care of him and feed him since my food looks and smells bad." I tasted and hummed in delight. "It's delicious. That man's an idiot and has a bad taste." "Oh, that attitude," Carmen said while shaking her head.

"Carmen, don't make me transfer my anger to you because of that moron," I warned her, and I started setting the table.

How dare he say that my food is bad?!

The doorbell rings, and Carmen leaves to open the door. I walked out of the kitchen and saw Dominik inspecting the house.

"Hello, Dominik; I hope you haven't gotten lost."

His eyes turned to me, and he smiled. "No, the taxi knew where to take me. You have a big and beautiful house."

"Thank you; to be honest, I like a smaller space, but it's not bad."

"You have a good taste," he complimented. "It gives it the impression of a mysterious movie," he added, making me laugh because someone finally had the same impression as me.

"I thought I was the only one who noticed it."

He looked around again. "I imagined your house to be happier; I'm not saying it's depressing, but..." He trailed off, probably not wanting to offend me.

"This house has a lot of stories."

"I do not doubt it. You look beautiful, Sofia."

There he goes again with that captivating look. I hope he doesn't look at me like that in front of Angel, because he might just kill him.

"Thank you; you are always so gallant."

He smiled before looking around me. "Where is Angel? Don't tell me he left you alone."

"Men would like that," we heard Angel say when he entered the room. "But I'm not going to give them that pleasure. Welcome to our home, Dominik."

"Thank you, Angel. The house looks mysterious, but has that glamorous and happy touch of Sofia."

"It's a mixture of both. Picturesque, happy, and elegant like Sofia, and the mysterious, cold, and dangerous part of a horror film is mine. At least that's what Sofia says," Angel said, hinting that he heard what Dominik said and let out a mocking laugh. "I see," was Dominik's short reply.

"Please sit down. What can I offer you to drink? Whiskey, wine, vodka, rum, brandy, or beer? Although you don't look like a beer man, I can also offer you juices and cola."

"A whiskey is fine," Dominik responded, and Angel left to get it while I left to check how the table was.

"Carmen, is everything ready now?"

"Yes. By the way, the German is a handsome guy, and don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. You're trying to make the man jealous," she pointed out in a teasing manner. "What? No. I'll take more than dinner to make your master jealous, Carmen."

"Ah, but that is not what I saw; the man wants to mark his territory."

"That is not a nice way to put it. I better set the table now, or else those two will kill each other."

"Sofia, are we going to serve the same to Angel?" Carmen asked in hesitation.

"Yes, Carmen. He will eat the same; if he doesn't like it, then he should eat somewhere else."

I go back to the living room, and the couple is debating who is better than the other. Really now? Men.

"The food will be served in a moment." I interrupted them.

"Dominik, tell me what you liked about the country?" Angel asked, and Dominik automatically looked at me, and Angel realized it.

"The places that Sofia has shown me are beautiful, but the women are what fascinates me the most; I would say that they even have me captivated." He says it with her gaze fixated on me.

I looked at Angel, and anyone would think that he was calm, but I know him, and I know he's holding out not to kill him.

"I understand where you're coming from. Here, you'll see women from your dreams, and that's why I married one. Though she goes dancing with strangers from time to time."

Dominik laughed, and I didn't know whether to kill one for being cheeky and the other for being sarcastic.

"Maybe she doesn't like dancing with who she's with now." Dominik taunted Angel, and I was left speechless.

"My wife can dance with whoever she wants, and she is a very good dancer, but only I know how to keep up with her," Angel replied, not backing down.

"Okay, let's go to the table." God, these two are going to kill each other here. I gestured for Dominik to walk, and I grabbed Angel before he could leave the room. "Can you behave?"

"I'm behaving; he's the one who's being too shameless, and if I haven't broken his face, it's out of respect for you. What kind of business did you do with him anyway? Because he doesn't look fashionable at all." "Angel, behave and leave this whole alpha male thing outside; it doesn't suit you." With that, I left him and joined Dominik on the table.

Carmen served the food, and I saw how Angel paled while Dominik looked delighted.

"Chicken with apple sauce and steamed potatoes, my favorite dish. Wow, Sofia, what a surprise that you remember."

I forced out a smile. "I don't forget anything people say or do to me, so I remembered what you liked." I saw Angel faking a smile, but I knew he wanted to choke me. Deal with it, Leffman. "I hope you will like it."

"Of course, I'm going to like it; something tells me that you know how to do everything extremely well." He said it with a double meaning in his words that made me uncomfortable, but at least it would make Angel's liver burst.

"I can agree with that, Dominik. She does everything extremely exquisitely and up to par like a queen," Angel said with the glass of wine as if he were making a toast and with sarcasm, so he earned a kick from me. He flinched and sent me a glare before continuing. "So enjoy the food so you can experience the delicacies my wife makes."

And Dominik did just that. Unlike Angel, who vomited, he ate the food with gusto. "Sofia, this is exquisite! No one had ever cooked it at my mother's level. I'm ecstatic."

"I told you she knows how to cook divinely. So, what do you do, Dominik?" Angel asked, and I panicked.

"Civil engineering," Dominik replied before I could intervene.

Angel looked at me as if analyzing what he had said. "Civil Engineering? That's strange; what could an engineer look for with a..." He didn't get to finish what he was saying because I purposely knocked the glass over on Angel.

I'd rather him be angry because I ruined a suit than have Dominik say something to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Angel. I just... your suit."

"It's okay, love; it's just a suit," he calmly told me. Is that it?

"Yes, Sofi, I don't think Angel will be bothered by a few stains on his clothes; he doesn't seem that frivolous."

"Sofia, Dominik, her name is Sofia, and I'm not going to bother about such small matters, but my wife is very delicate and careful with things, especially if it's clothes. Nothing can be out of place for her; a stain stresses her out more than it does me." How the hell does she know that?

""Well, Sofi..."

"Sofia," Angel interrupted him with a more abrupt tone, but without leaving his diplomacy and superiority.

"Sofia, you shouldn't give so much importance to clothes. After all, you can buy new ones, or it's nothing that a washing machine can't solve," he advised, and that irked me; that's not something you say to a fashion designer. Although he doesn't know that I'm one, Angel let out a laugh. "You can't say that to my wife, Dominik. That's a great offense. Clothes for my wife are part of her essence."

"My beauty should know that I don't mean it in a bad way." Dominik teased me, and Angel took a deep breath.

"Excuse me while I change before my beloved's head explodes, knowing that I have a stain on my suit." He gets up and goes to the kitchen.

"Sofia, I didn't mean to offend you because of the clothes."

"You didn't, but Angel is right; I am very delicate with clothes; it stresses me out to see them in the wrong way, so to speak."

"The food is honestly delicious, but I don't think your husband likes it very much; he barely ate a bite."

"It's not that; it's just that he hasn't felt very well lately." I defended Angel, and I saw Carmen arrive, serve more wine, and organize the table. I know that Angel sent her so that we aren't alone.

"It's okay; your food was exquisite anyway; it was a nice thought that you would cook this for me."

I just gave him a small smile. I actually remembered it at the last moment, and I knew that Angel would be upset knowing that I cooked another man's favorite food.

"It was nothing; what else could I cook for you other than what you like?"

"I hope I didn't take too long," Angel says, sitting back down at the table, and I almost face-palmed. I forgot to tell Dominik not to mention anything about the business we have. "Where were we? Ah, Dominik, and what business are you doing here in the country?"

"We are working on the hotel project, and I came to close a contract."

"I'm glad to hear that. We are a country for tourists, and a hotel would be nice. Don't you think so, Sofia?"

I let out a forced nod. "It's a good plan, especially in the south, where there are still no hotels."

"I would invite you to see the land, but I know that you are a busy man, but I hope Sofia can tell me more about it."

"That's where you're wrong, Dominik, but right now I think it's the other way around. Sofia is busy with a presentation at the company and has already left all that to show you the city. She has to even work at night to have everything perfect, so I can gladly accompany you while we let her do what she needs to do."

I kicked Angel again, not liking how rude he sounded to the visitor.

"Oh, have you left your job to show me the city? I'm flattered to know."

"It's the least I can do when you stop doing your things to show me around Germany."

"For me, it was a pleasure, and I would do it again with all the pleasure in the world. There is nothing better than being next to a brilliant, charismatic, and seductive woman."

Oh, he did not just say what I thought he said.

"What did you say?" Angel asked him, and I think his patience is reaching its limit.

Dominik only smiled at Angel, as if he did not just offend him. "Don't you agree that Sofia is a woman with many qualities?"

"Of course, if she weren't full of qualities, I wouldn't have married her."

"Thank you, Dominik; it's nice to know that someone sees my qualities and admires my attributes," I found myself saying, and I know I'm going to pay dearly for having said that, just by seeing Angel's face. "Besides my husband, that is, being married and all."

"Only a blind man would not know how to appreciate the beauty or quality of a lady like you. I realized it before I knew you."

"Sofia has never gone unnoticed, and it is normal for men like you to be behind her, but none of them can have her because she is already reserved with papers and everything. So you're going to have to look the other way, Dominik." This time, Angel said it seriously, without sarcasm or humor.

"This dinner isn't about my qualities, Dominik," I said to change the conversation.

"It doesn't bother me to talk about your qualities, and I'm sure Angel doesn't either."

"My wife is my favorite subject."

"But it does bother me; they make me blush," I joked and forced out a laugh. "This dinner was for you, so let's just focus on you."

"I agree with Sofia; how come a man like you doesn't have a girlfriend or is married?" Angel intervened.

God, this man is annoying. I wanted to change the subject, and he just had to interrupt.

"I had not found the woman of my dreams, the one, as they say, until a few weeks ago, that is." Yet another man who doesn't know how to choose his words right.

"What a coincidence. It's a shame for you that the woman is married, and I asked because we wouldn't be talking about my wife's qualities but about your girlfriend." Someone help me out of here!

"Yes, she is committed, but you don't know what destiny can bring you, Angel. And the truth is, when I have something I want, I won't easily let go."

What did he say? I looked at him, and it was obvious that he was challenging Angel; he was either brave or stupid.

"Mm, I understand because I am not a man who allows anyone to take what is his, and it will not end well for those who will try to."

Great. It seems like the house will become a boxing ring, which is wonderful.

"Carmen!" I called before they could hurt each other. "Bring the dessert now, please." I looked at them to see that they were glaring at each other. "Say, what do you think about going to the living room?" I offered, and they both ignored me. Carmen brought out the coconut flan I made for dessert. Angel tried it, and I ignored him because I knew he hated coconut, but Dominik liked it.

"Mm, coconut, you also remembered that it's my favorite dessert," he boasted, and I could feel Angel's eyes on me.

"I hope you liked everything and made up for Germany."

"Hmm, for that, I think we would have to go dancing."

"Not going to happen anytime soon," Angel intervenes. "Just settle for dinner, which is more than enough for you." He says in a tone that he is at his limit.

"You can come too; Angel, Amelia, and Isaac can accompany us," Dominik suggested, and I paled a little. No, no, no, don't mention them!

"Ah, I see that you also know them; that's interesting, but I'm not saying this because she can't go, but because Sofia is not healthy yet; she left the hospital recently."

Dominik looked concerned and looked at me. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"You didn't have to; you're a client. We don't go around telling all our clients our issues."

"I'm fine; it was nothing, really."

Angel barely mentioned a word after that, and if he did, it was very monotonous. We said goodbye to Dominik, and we stood in an awkward silence.

I looked at him when he ran to the bathroom to vomit. He really hated my food, but for me, everything was delicious, and I was still hungry.