CHAPTER 42: TWISTED

"Princess, listen to me." Helena lifted her daughter’s head.

"Mama, what do I do?" Daniela groaned devastatingly, as she looked to her mother for advice.

"You’re going to go back to Neravalle, my love. You’ll stick by your man’s side even if he puts you at arms length. You’ll comfort him, with your words, and between your thighs. Just like I taught you. A man can never resist the sweetness of a woman’s core."

Daniela rolled her eyes. "Did you even listen to me, Mama? He doesn’t want to sleep with me."

"No, you just haven’t tried enough. I bought some expensive lingerie for you. Take them with you as you return. Bring some expensive whiskey along. You know Luciano loves a good whiskey. Talk to him sweetly. Laugh demurely. Use your feminine powers to hypnotize him. And when he is mesmerized by you, draw him to bed. Don’t use protection."

"That’s not possible," she shook her head. "Even when be doesn’t use protection, he always pulls out."

Helena sighed in frustration. "Are you even my daughter? How’s the situation in your lower area?"

"Mama!" Daniela screamed as her face flushed.

"You can’t be embarrassed okay? This is important. Don’t ever let anyone tell you sex isn’t important. It has to be so good he’s simply not able to resist. And I have a solution for it too. Before you make your move, you’ll take that thing I’ll give you. It will make you super wet–"

"Cristo." Daniela lowered her head, completely embarrassed by this conversation she was having with her mother.

"When he goes in raw, you pin your legs around him. He’ll not be able to pull out. Let us pray he is very potent. Because my dear, it is time for you to get pregnant."

Daniela’s eyes widened as she whipped her head up. "Pregnant?!"

"Yes, pregnant. That way, the marriage will be sped up. Not even that Valentina bitch would be able to tear you away from him. We all know how responsible Luciano is. Even to other children that aren’t his. Imagine his own child."

Daniela sighed in resignation. "And you’re sure this will work this time? If I’m going to ruin my figure, it better work. Pregnancy?" A shudder ran through her.

"Oh my darling girl," Helena stroked her hair. "Of course it will work. Trust Mama. I know best, okay?"

"Okay mummy," she replied.

"Say that with more conviction. Give me a smile. Come on." She encouraged her with a nudge.

Daniela forced a smile, but deep down, she was still burdened by Valentina’s presence.

"Princess, don’t think this means I won’t handle that Valentina girl. When you can, get me a picture of her. Whilst you’re working in Neravalle, I’ll be working here, okay?’

Daniela’s eyes genuinely lit up. "Now I’m truly happy! Thanks Mama! You’re the best!"

Helena laughed, as her daughter hugged her dearly.

***

Elio, holding the letter from him and Marcello in his hand, walked into Luciano’s room.

"Luce?" He called out as he walked in.

His voice penetrated Valentina who was already half awake, and her eyes fully opened.

"Lu–" he paused on seeing someone on the bed. "Daniela?" He called out.

Slowly, Valentina lifted her body into a sitting position.

"Valentina?" Elio’s eyes widened as he drew closer to the bed.

Valentina yawned, and amidst her yawning, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand to clear off the sleepiness.

It took a minute, but all her memories came rushing in.

"Luciano?" She called out.

"No, it’s me. It’s Elio," he said, stopping at the foot of the bed.

Valentina double blinked. "Elio? Oh my God Elio!" She hollered.

He smiled as he lowered himself on the bed. "This is a pleasant surprise."

"It really is. I’m so sorry Elio. I heard you and Marcello were punished. I am so sorry my stupidity caused you to suffer. Forgive me?"

"You don’t need to apologize for anything, Valentina. We were the ones that broke the boss’s orders first. It’s our consequences to bear. Besides, I’m fine. See?" He widened his arms, and Valentina caught the letter in his hand.

"What’s that?"

He chuckled, as he lowered his arms. "An apology letter."

Her head shot forward. "What?! You were punished yet you still wrote an apology letter?"

"Luce says it takes a bigger man to apologize even when they feel slighted. Although it’s different this time because we were deserving of the punishment. It’s not a big deal, truly."

"Wow! You’re a good man."

"Nah, I just owe Luce a lot. It breaks my heart whenever he is upset with me. I don’t want that to ever be the case again," he said solemnly.

Valentina’s heart went out to him, and she found herself shifting, until she was close enough to hug him.

"What’s this for?" Elio froze as soon as she hugged him.

Valentina chuckled, as she let go. "What? Gangstas can’t be comforted?" She lifted a brow.

He blinked multiple times. "You’re so strange, Valentina."

"Really?" Her brow remained lifted. "How so?"

"Any other civilian from a different country would be panicking if they were in the den of gangstas in another country," he mimicked the way she said it. "Especially against their will. How are you so chill about it? Have you ever encountered gangsters before? Are there even any in America?"

Valentina’s heart skipped a beat. Never had it occurred to her she had to act like she was so scared.

But it wasn’t a crazy observation to make. In truth, only someone who at least had knowledge of the mafia would act as nonchalant as they had acted so far.

"I’m romanticizing it," she said reflexively.

His eyes squinted narrowly on her. "You’re what?!"

"Its like a story in my mind. I’ve put myself as the lead character in this story. Kidnapped by gangster’s. In time, they’ll know they kidnapped me for something that has nothing to do with me, and then release me. Imagine meeting me for the first time and this is in my two truth and a lie. Wouldn’t it blow your mind?" She laughed.

But Elio wasn’t smiling.

"What? Why are you so blank faced?" She demonstrated with her hand.

"Because this isn’t fiction, Val. You’re really in a mafia’s den. Granted, it’s not harsh in Neravalle due to the nature of Luce, but it could have been worse. You can’t romanticise your situation, Val. If you were in any other fraction of mafia land in Italy, it would be terrible."

The smile slowly left Valentina’s face. "Do you want me to be visibly scared- then?"

"No!" he shook his head immediately. "Far from it. I just want you to see the reality of the situation. I guess it goes the same for me too. This is reality."

She nodded. "Well thanks for telling me what I already know. Where is Luciano? I need my camera so I can leave this room." She rolled out of bed, and pushed her legs into the slides.

"You’re angry."

"Damn right I am. You think I’m over the moon about being here? I have a life in the States. An actual life! Just because I choose to see the sliver lining in my situation doesn’t mean I’m basking in joy. Now where is my camera?!"

Elio breathed out, and rose to her feet. "I’ll check his closet," he said, leaving Valentina heaving in annoyance.