Justin, following the address provided by Luccio, materialized outside Angelica's apartment building. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. Unlike his own modest quarters, Angelica resided in a sleek, modern complex nestled within a posh district of the city. Despite the high-end location, the building exuded a warm, inviting aura, mirroring the atmosphere of her bakery.
Taking a deep breath, Justin murmured Jagna's name. The AI fairy materialized beside him, a silent understanding passing between them. "Stay on standby, Jagna," he instructed. "And turn invisible." He needed to navigate this situation with a touch of human subtlety, something Jagna wouldn't exactly blend in with. For some reason he truly felt not confident at all which was rare for him. Why was he so nervous so suddenly?
The door swung open, revealing a woman with a startling resemblance to Angelica. The same striking golden eyes gazed back at him, softened by a few years of life experience. The only notable difference was their hair color – Angelica's cascading down her back in a deep blue hue, while this woman's was a rich, short brown. But the mannerisms, the smile, the way she held herself – it was Angelica's mother in every way.
"Hello?" the woman inquired, her voice warm and welcoming. "Can I help you?"
Justin cleared his throat, forcing a smile. "Um, hello. I'm Justin, a friend of Angelica's. I was worried because she hasn't been answering my calls."
The woman's smile widened."Oh my, what a handsome friend she has!" Her voice was light and melodic, echoing Angelica's own gentle tone. "Come in, come in. I'm Anya, her mother. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Justin felt a blush creep up his neck. He did not expect her mother to be that straightforward.
The apartment, while modern, boasted a distinct vintage charm. Sunlight streamed through oversized windows, illuminating a collection of antique furniture and artwork. Anya gestured him towards a cozy living room, where a tall man with Angelica's striking blue hair sat engrossed in a television program.
He had an air of quiet authority, his gaze sharp yet welcoming.
"John, honey," Anya called out, "look who's here. It's Justin, a friend of Angelica's."He seems worried he hasn't been able to reach her." She added the last part with a mischievous smile.
The man rose, his stature imposing. A confident aura emanated from him, reminding Justin of a seasoned military officer. He offered a firm handshake, his gaze tinged with curiosity.
"Justin, was it? Angelica didn't mention having a new friend." John's voice held a subtle undercurrent of skepticism.
Anya chimed in before Justin could respond. “Right? I’m also very surprised.”
John raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Dating, are we?"
Justin's face flushed a deeper shade of red. "N-no, sir! We're just…friends."
John's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course, of course. Just friends." He didn't seem entirely convinced. Anya gave him a knowing smile. Justin was not expecting that. Was Angelica adopted? She was so shy while her parents…definitely not. “We also used to be just friends, honey”
“You’re making our guest uncomfortable” Riku silently went into living room and brought snacks on the table “My apologies, Justin. We informed Angelica” she said in a cold tone.
“Thank you Riku” Anya added with a smile and invited Justin to sit. “I’d love to hear how you two met!” . John looked at him as if he was ready to pierce his soul. Justin’s business meetings were nothing compared to that.
"My apologies, Justin," she said in her characteristically monotone voice. "We informed Angelica of your arrival."
"Thank you, Rika," Anya added with a warm smile, gesturing toward the couch. "Please, do sit down. I'd love to hear how you two met!"
John continued to observe Justin with an intensity that rivaled his most important business meetings. The air crackled with unspoken questions and a protectiveness that made Justin squirm. He cleared his throat, trying to formulate a response.
"Well," he stammered, "I work near Angelica's bakery, and my coworkers recommended it. I stopped by one day, and..." He trailed off, unsure of how much to reveal.
"Still, not every customer is her friend," John interjected sharply. The warmth in the room seemed to dissipate with his words.
Justin felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple. Angelica's parents were certainly…protective. Just as he opened his mouth to explain further, the sound of footsteps on the stairs cut him off.
"Mom? Dad? What's going on?" Angelica appeared in the doorway, looking a mess in oversized jeans and a baggy shirt. Her usual bright eyes were dull, her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
Surprise flickered across her face at the sight of Justin. "Justin? Why are you here?"
Relief washed over him. "I called you, but you didn't answer. I was worried," he admitted, his voice softer than intended.
Angelica shrugged dismissively. "Just tired. Felt a little under the weather." She lied and he knew that.
Anya fussed over her daughter, leading her towards the couch. "Our little daughter, always working so much" she smiled and Angelica knew that look already. She will definitely ask about Justin. The very thought made Angelica shiver.
John's gaze softened on his daughter, the intensity directed at Justin dissolving. "Why don't you show Justin to your room, honey? Maybe catch up a bit."
Angelica hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, come on."
Following her up the stairs, Justin couldn't help but steal a glance back at John and Anya. They seemed to be having a silent conversation, their expressions unreadable.
Before the conversation could spiral further, Angelica offered Justin a tentative smile. "Would you like to come see my studio? It might be a bit messy, though."
The sudden invitation surprised Justin, but he readily accepted. Following Angelica upstairs, he found her room – a stark contrast to the rest of the house. It was a cozy haven, pastel warm colors of beiges and browns.With a ceiling filled with a huge painting of a sky. Around the room he saw multiple paintings, some of them not finished.
"You paint?" Justin asked, surprised by the artistic talent hidden within the shy baker.
Angelica blushed. "Yeah, sometimes," she mumbled, fiddling with a paintbrush.
"Really? You have talent," Justin complimented genuinely, his nerves calming slightly in the warm atmosphere of her room.
A shy smile graced Angelica's lips. "Thank you," she whispered. "And yeah, sorry about my parents. They can be… intense sometimes."
"I noticed," he blurted out. "They're so…well…"
"Different than me?" she added, a hint of amusement in her voice. He could only nod, feeling a bit sheepish.
"I guess I haven't unlocked this social skill yet," she chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I don't think you need it," he smiled softly at her. The warmth in his gaze caused a blush to creep up her cheeks, a welcome change from the previous tension.
"Uh-huh, Justin…why did you visit me?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "I doubt you came here just because you were worried about me. And I don't think I gave you my address."
Justin took a deep breath. He knew it was time to be honest. "Actually, Angelica," he began, his voice low, "that's part of it. But there's more." He reached into his pocket and retrieved his communicator, activating the holographic display. The rooftop fight flickered to life, showing the rogue angel and the mysterious Celestial.
He paused, letting the scene unfold before her. Angelica's breath hitched as she watched, her eyes widening in surprise. When the video concluded, a tense silence filled the room.
Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with a hint of awe. "It was you...that girl...that Celestial, correct?"
Angelica looked at him, her expression unreadable for a long moment. Then, with a sigh, the dam seemed to break.
"Yes, Justin," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "It was me. I'm a Celestial."
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