CHAPTER 38: JEWEL IN THE PALACE

"Good morning carpo." Sonia, who had seen Luciano before, greeted again, because she didn’t know what else to do.

It scared her that just as they were discussing him, he had shown up.

In her paranoid mind, that had to mean something ominous.

"Good morning Mr Luciano," Natalia said, and then recoiled in fear.

Luciano regarded both of them with his eyes alone, until his gaze fell on Valentina.

"How do you feel this morning?" He asked.

Valentina managed to hear him through her thumping heart that only thumped harder at his question directed at her.

"I’m fine. Thank you," she replied, still looking at her mug as if some ancient wisdom was buried in it.

"Doctor Hernandez insists a close eye must be kept on you. If you feel anything off, do not hesitate to say something."

"Alright. I will if I do," she said, failing to mention the slight headache.

Luciano felt a little frustrated. He had hoped to see her face.

Last night, she looked too pale. He needed to see she had added some colour.

Only her wrist was visible to his eyes, and he couldn’t even judge her overall state with just the wrist.

A thought crossed his mind when he did a double take on the mug.

"You do know you have to eat solid food right? I don’t see you eating," he said.

"I will eat later. I just need this for now," and as she spoke, she lifted her head so he could see the mug clearer.

In that moment, Luciano felt relief on getting a clearer view of her face.

Even the raging anger he felt earlier, completely dulled.

She definitely had some colour back. And as usual, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Sonia, you make sure she eats. And if she refuses, let me know."

"Si

carpo."

Natalia slowly lifted her hands, also having an input to give.

"Go ahead, Natalia," he said without looking at her, because all of his attention was still on Valentina.

"Can I be shown a kitchen where I can make something Valentina is sure to not resist? Her favourite food," she said.

He thought about it for only a second. "Is there really a food you can’t resist?"

Valentina shifted her gaze back to him. "Natalia knows me better than anyone. I’m certain she has whatever she thinks she knows pretty figured out. But it’s like I’ve said to everyone already. I’m not-not hungry. I just wanted a drink first."

"Alright. Sonia, take her to the kitchen and provide everything she needs."

"Carpo, you know Louisa own kitchen. She slap me if I bring someone else to cook in her kitchen."

"Well tell Louisa that I gave the order."

"Sicarpo."

"If you need anything, tell Sonia. She knows how to gain access to me, if it’s something I need to be involved with," he said to no one in particular, as he turned towards the door.

"Elio, and Marcello–" Valentina blurted before he could step out.

Luciano stopped by the door. "What about them?" He asked without turning to face her.

"I was just as complicit in going with them to the arena. They didn’t force me to go. I wanted to go. And I was also the one that wandered away carelessly. Whatever happened was completely my fault."

He battled with his emotions for a few seconds without saying a word, and then he let out a deep breath. "Why are you telling me any of this, Valentina?" He asked.

"Just wanted you to know," she replied diplomatically.

"Sure." He walked out of the room, and shut the door behind him.

"Ohhhh!" Sonia’s eyes widened.

"What is the oh for? Do you know something?" Natalia who had released the breath she was holding on Luciano’s exit, questioned Sonia.

Sonia waited for his footsteps to fade, before she began to speak.

"Maybe Luce angry because Elio and Marcello take you out? Maybe he punish them," she said.

Valentina’s heart jumped. "Surely not? Why would he do that? That’s not true right?" She asked all at once, very much afraid of the possibility her carelessness had caused the boys to be punished.

"Maybe." Sonia shrugged.

Valentina’s forehead furrowed from worry. She hoped that it wasn’t true. Never was it her intention for her to cause anyone pain due to a mistake she made.

Valentina would always choose to suffer the consequences of her actions–alone.

***

By afternoon, Sonia had returned to the room with some clothes for them, the radio from the other room, and every other important thing they needed.

"So this is our new room?" Valentina asked, as she came out from the bathroom.

It had been a battle taking a bath, so she had decided not to use the bathtub.

As much as she loved water, she could already foretell she would be wary of it for a while.

"Yes. You like old one?"

"She hated it!" Natalia laughed.

"Actually, I was starting to get used to it. It’s where I found the radio that kept me company."

"I don’t know, I prefer this one," Natalia said. "More spacious. Although we’re still captives, we’re not living in a prisoner kind of room anymore," Natalia said.

"If you say so, Natty. If you say so." She smiled as she walked into the bathroom to put on some clothes.

Valentina opted for a knitted long sleeved shirt that stopped just below her thighs. And then she put on the pop socks she found amongst the pile of clothes.

"You look winter ready," Natalia joked as she stepped out. "But in a hot way."

"Yeah, that’s the point. To wipe out the cold from my body by looking hot."

"You’re so beautiful, Val." Sonia looked at her in awe.

"In this dress? I look like a pumpkin."

They all laughed, and moments later, stepped out of the room together.

"I didn’t know you were coming along, but I get it. You don’t want to stay by yourself in the room," Natalia said.

"Yep. Plus I need to return this to Luciano. Thank you for dry cleaning it, Sonia. But why can’t you give him yourself?"

"You say you want your camera. You give him coat, he give you camera." She shrugged.

"Okay where am I supposed to even see hi-"

"Signor Salvatore!" Sonia called out, as Salvatore, who had come from a corner, chanced on them.

He stopped immediately. "Sonia? And Natalia right?"

"Good afternoon sir. And yes you’re right. It’s Natalia," she said.

"Good afternoon to you too Natalia."

Salvatore shifted his gaze to Valentina. "You must be the jewel in the palace then," he said.

The colour of his eyes struck Valentina. They were an odd shade of purplish blue.

In her head, she already began to picture a photo of just his eyes. It would explode on the aesthetic internet.

"Ma’am, is there perhaps something on my face?" His smile turned awkward when Valentina just kept looking at him without saying anything.

"Val?" Natalia brushed a finger across her arm, causing her to jerk into the present.

"I’m so sorry about that," she blinked multiple times. "I was just thinking about how beautiful your eyes are," she blurted.

"Huh?" His eyes widened.

He might have heard that the girl did have a sharp tongue, and said everything on her mind, but he didn’t expect to experience it on his very first official encounter with her.

"Yeah, you have beautiful eyes. And I’m not a jewel. I’m Valentina," she said.

"Wow Valentina. I like you," he waved a finger pointingly. "You’re not just a pretty face."

"Thank you, Salvatore, is it? As poetic as the Nobel prize winner, Salvatore?"

Salvatore, the butcher of Neravalle, blushed. "I guess. Do you ladies mind if I escort you? I’m having so much fun already. Where are you headed?"

Sonia responded to him in Italian.

"I can take you to Luce’s room to get your camera and drop his coat," Salvatore said.

"Really? That would be so nice!"

"I guess Sonia and I would continue to the kitchen then. Drop off the coat and come back to me, okay?" Natalia whispered to Valentina with pleading eyes.

"Sure, I will," she replied, noting the hidden meaning behind Natalia’s words.