CHAPTER 103: UNLIKE NO OTHER

Aurora walked out of her room in search of the first guard in sight, but instead, she stumbled on Vittorio who was on his way to his room.

She was about to dodge into a corner when he spotted her.

"Aurora?" he called out to her.

"Ugh!" She groaned internally, as she continued forward.

"Where is Natalia?" He asked the moment she reached him.

She rolled her eyes. "Don’t worry, I was just about to send a guard to fetch her, and bring her back to her room," she replied.

"Why aren’t you going by yourself? Didn’t you take her there?"

She held her breath for about three seconds to control her reaction.

"Maybe you should go get her yourself then. You seem like you’re just waiting for the opportunity."

She turned around to walk away, but he quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her, and turned her back to him.

"What is this?" She questioned harshly.

He let go of her wrist. "You didn’t touch your food at breakfast. I just want to make sure you’re not falling into old habits."

She snorted. "I hate when you act like you care. You’re better off pretending not to notice anything."

"I do care about your health, because I’ve seen first hand what happens when you don’t take care of it. Also, I’m speaking on behalf of Luciano. He has a lot on his plate already, you don’t want to be another source of worry for him, do you?

"I don’t care. Now leave me the hell alone!"

She hurried away, hastening her steps so she didn’t have to hear any other thing from him.

Vittorio sighed. A part of him wanted to go after her and ensure she was fine, but instead, he found himself going towards the room of whispers.

He was drawing closer to the room when his ears caught the sound of someone sobbing.

His face contorted with concern immediately, and he hastened his steps.

The moment he turned the corner, he saw Natalia wandering about, her eyes heavy with tears.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, as he went straight to her.

Natalia jerked when she felt someone’s hand on her.

Turning around, she came face to face with the concerned eyes of Vittorio.

Before she could control herself, she went in for a hug.

Vittorio was taken aback, but nevertheless, he hugged her back.

She was so fragile in his arms, he couldn’t help but pull her closer until they were practically glued together.

Her tears came out even more now, and her body trembled in accord.

They were there for a while, before Natalia’s tears began to subside.

He didn’t ask any questions when their bodies separated. Quietly, he led her back to her room.

Vittorio ensured she was safely in her bed, before he turned around to leave.

"You didn’t ask me why I was crying," she said through a hoarse voice that could only be due to how intensely she had cried.

He paused midturn, and faced her. "I didn’t think it was in my place. Clearly that’s something between you and your friend, correct?"

Her eyes spread a little in awe. "You’re so emotionally intelligent."

His own eyes narrowed into a squint. "That’s what you think?"

"That’s what I’ve seen. Anyway, I think I really want to tell you about it. Could you sit with me please?"

Vittorio was torn again. It was dangerous spending alone time with Natalia.

Her innocence was something that touched him in the way not many things did.

Given the right opportunity, it could spark something dangerous.

He needed his head clear for the dangers ahead. And being around her, that certainly wasn’t going to help clear his head.

Still, his feet moved forward, and he sat at the edge of the bed.

Natalia readjusted her posture on the bed, so she was now laying on her side.

"Are you very close to Mr Luciano?" She began by asking.

The question took him by surprise, and it was evident in the brief wrinkling of his forehead.

"You can say that," he cleared his throat.

"He’s like your best friend, right?"

"Right."

"Would you say you care about him a lot?"

"I’d give my life for him to live? Why?"

A slight chill ran through her. "That’s a very deep bond. It’s something Val would say to me."

"Well that’s the point of deep friendships right?"

"I don’t know," she lowered her gaze, as guilt covered her eyes. "I’m not like Val in that sense. Or you. I love her a lot. With all my heart. But I fear death more than anything, so I could never say I’d give my life for anyone. She’s different that way. She doesn’t fear death. Do you fear death?" She looked up at him, and he saw how clouded her eyes were.

"We’re all going to die some day. It could happen any minute. You never know. Once you’ve internalised that fact, there’s really nothing to fear anymore." He shrugged.

She thought about it briefly, and he waited patiently for her to conclude her thoughts.

"Does Mr Luciano like Val?" She blurted.

Vittorio stiffened. Once again, she had caught him completely off guard.

"Like? In what aspect?"

"Is he attracted to her? Or for him, is it just the thought of conquering an attractive woman that excites him?"

"There are a plethora of attractive women in the world," he replied.

"That doesn’t answer my question," she pressed softly.

He exhaled. "I don’t know what Luciano thinks because I’m not in his mind. Why do you ask though? Does Valentina like him?"

Natalia sighed again. "I can’t quite figure it out. She has had a very abusive relationship in the past. It was the very first time she was allowed into the world, after my mum died. Her knowledge of the world despite all of the horrors my mum made sure to tell us, were all just theoretical. She viewed the world through an innocent lens, and when she met someone who swept her off her feet, she dove in head-on. It didn’t end well. She was hurt, and that singular relationship completely changed Val. I’m afraid if she does like Mr Luciano, history is bound to repeat itself."

"Well that’s not going to happen, so you have nothing to worry about."

"It isn’t? Why are you so confident about that?"

"Because Luciano is duty binded to Daniela. He will marry her very soon, and nothing he might or might not feel for Valentina will change that."

"How would you know? Have you ever really liked someone? It alters your brain chemistry. I mean I guess. Not like I’ll know."

He smiled. "I’ll see you later Natalia," and then he rose to his feet abruptly.

"Thank you for indulging me," she said even before he could take any steps away.

Vittorio fought for all but a second, and the need in him won.

Turning around, he returned to the bed, leaned in, and placed a kiss on her lips.

It was supposed to be just a soft innocent kiss. One born out of instant, uncontrollable impulse.

But the moment he touched her lips, he applied a little more pressure, and in no time, tongues were involved.