CHAPTER 69: NO PROMISES IN THE WILD

Valentina laid flat on her back on the floor, her hair spilling all over the pillow her head was resting on, with wraps of opened chocolate bars littered all around her.

The white night dress she was still putting on although it was morning already, rolled up to her thighs, baring her legs that went on forever.

In that position, she listened to the records coming from the vinyl player, whilst devouring the wraps of chocolate.

She didn’t say it quite often, because most times she even forgot about it.

But at 8am in the morning, Valentina was starving.

After Sonia had stayed with her all through the night, she left in the early hours of the morning when she awoke.

Since then, no one had checked up on her. There was no one she could tell how hungry she was.

So she laid on the ground, listening to the songs playing, staring at the ceiling, and eating through a whole box of chocolates.

Valentina was in that position for another hour, when the door finally opened.

Sonia’s heart dropped on seeing Valentina on the floor, but as she made to dash forward, Aurora’s hands stopped her.

"I’ll handle it," she said, and went to sit on the bed so she was directly facing Valentina.

"You seem comfy," she began.

Valentina recognized the voice as belonging to Aurora, which sucked for her because she was not in a talking mood.

All she wanted was some food. Some fried chicken with spicy sauce and maybe even fried rice.

Her mouth watered as she thought of the food combination. And then her chest swelled.

She missed the states. She missed the simplicity of her life. She missed her freedom. And above all, she missed her prolonged stretch of sanity.

Twice already she had experienced an attack in Neravalle. Something told her a third time was coming soon.

"Valentina?"

"Can I get some fried chicken and fried rice here? Milkshake too. But I can do coke if that’s not available—" she paused first, then her eyes widened. "Coca-Cola I meant. The drink," she corrected whatever notion that might have sprung up in their minds.

What she couldn’t see was Aurora’s face contorted in shock at her brazen dismissal of her presence, just to request for food.

"I can pre–"

"There will be no preparation for anything until you give me something to work with, Valentina," Aurora interrupted Sonia.

Valentina breathed out, causing her shoulders to rise and fall.

Slowly, she lifted her body up, until she was seated, and fully facing Aurora.

"What do you want to know?"

Aurora’s heart jumped, and her eyes widened.

"You really are going to tell me what I want to know? You’re not messing with me, are you?"

"So little trust." Valentina pouted.

Aurora shifted uncomfortably. She didn’t know if she could trust Valentina or not. And judging by how nonchalant Valentina was acting, it made the decision even more difficult.

"I’ll just ask the question I have always wanted to know then."

"Go ahead." She nudged.

Aurora cleared her throat. "Did my father kill your mother?"

Valentina remained straight faced, as she responded in a heartbeat. "What would that change? He killed my father."

"Your father deserved it. He shot my father, and left him for dead. It was by a stroke of luck he survived."

"Oh really?" Valentina’s heart twisted painfully, but she managed to keep her composure. "And how do you know that? We’re about the same age. So someone had to have told you that story. Did you ever wonder if they were telling the truth?"

"My father was a good man!" Aurora lost it.

"Debatable," Valentina replied unflinchingly.

She seethed. "You are trying to paint my father as the villain even though I let you out of that dungeon? Perhaps you should return. Maybe you would think twice before you respond to me."

"Then it’s not the truth you’re seeking for. You want to be right."

"Because I am right, okay?! Because the man that kissed me goodnight every night would never have killed your mother. He would never have killed your father if it wasn’t for a reason. And the fact that you can look me in the eyes and say otherwise, tells me everything I need to know!" She jumped to her feet. "Valentina Wallace, you are every bit your father’s daughter. And that is not a compliment." She marched to the door.

"See you soon, Aurora," Valentina said at the top of her voice.

Aurora huffed angrily, as she walked away before she could do something unladylike.

Valentina released a deep breath as Aurora’s footsteps faded away.

"Val?"

She jolted a little on the inside on hearing her name. For a moment there, she had completely forgotten about Sonia’s presence.

"Hey, what is it?" She looked up to see Sonia staring at her.

Sonia sighed as she lowered her body to the ground.

"Your mother—-" she paused, her forehead twitching as she contemplated if it was best to say what she was about to say or not.

"What about my mother?" The faux nonchalance abruptly thrown to the bin, as her eyes widened with curiosity.

Sonia saw the desperation in her eyes and immense pity welled up inside of her.

"Val, your mother very popular in Italy. Everyone know of her, but no one know how she looks. Only elders. But they say she very beautiful. She touch heart of people. Like you."

Valentina forced an exhilarating laughter through her clogged throat.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. You have family here. Barone family."

Her eyes squinted narrowly. "Do you know them?" she questioned.

"I hear their name. But I live in Neravalle. I no—"

"I understand. I assume there’s friction between Luciano and the people on my mother’s family’s side. I understand that. Thank you for telling me about my mother though. All I know about her, I heard from Natalia’s mother," as she spoke, a smile formed on her face. "I miss Nana so much. She was the closest thing to a mother I had. If she was alive, I would never be in this position. She wouldn’t have even allowed me to step foot in Italy."

"I’m sorry, Val. I know it really difficult for you."

Valentina smiled through the pain. "It’s fine. I’ll be fine. Can I ask you for a favour though?"

"No need to ask. I make sure you get fried chicken, and fried rice." She bobbed her head enthusiastically.

"Oh no," Valentina laughed. "It’s not about that, Sonia. Although I would love that too. But there’s something else I want. Something you might not be too eager to grant me."

"Tell me." Her forehead furrowed attentively.

"Alright. I need to make just one call. It’s not something that’ll put you in trouble, I promise. Can you get me a phone?"

Silence stretched. A little too long.

Valentina was certain this was the one request Sonia could definitely not grant her, but she hung on to hope.

Just one call.

"Val?" Her silence was broken by a whisper.

"I get it. You can’t take that risk. It’s fine."

"No I help you."

"You will?!" Her eyes widened.

"Yes, but promise you no harm carpo. Promise."

Valentina held Sonia’s pleading gaze, just as silence held her tongue.

Because in truth, she couldn’t decide if that was a promise she could keep, if she was going to gain her freedom from Neravalle.