CHAPTER 70: HAUGHTY ENCHANTRESS

Valentina, whilst waiting for Sonia to return with whatever she could find, filled out the time by first taking a bath, and then changing into fresh new clothes Sonia had gotten her.

She stood in front of the mirror, and breathed deeply at her reflection staring back at her.

Her hands felt the dress on her skin. Silky, short and clung to the body.

This would have been the day she took a walk to the park if she was in the states. Simply because she loved and felt comfortable in the dress.

However, here in Neravalle, she felt like she was wearing a costume.

The light dress that could very well be blown off by light breeze, felt like a metallic amour on her.

Her hand ran through her hair. It was the one part of her body she was most grateful for.

Although it was long, and thick, it never really gave her trouble brushing through it.

Then she looked into her eyes. The one part she was avoiding, simply because she knew the light was gone from it.

"How much longer?" She whispered.

Sadness began to rise inside of her. It was the wave before the depression fully kicked in.

Valentina could not afford to be depressed in her already sorry state.

She swiftly moved away from the mirror, and went to the vinyl player.

Beside it was a drawer that contained different records.

One after the other, she went through them. Until finally, one caught her attention.

It was supposed to be upbeat, and funky. She hoped it was.

The moment she spun the vinyl in the vinyl player, a sound heavy with drums and saxophone began to play.

First her shoulders moved, and in a twinkle, she began to twirl with her hands over her head, completely lost in the music.

Valentina danced until her feet hurt, and even then, she didn’t stop. She welcomed the distraction wholeheartedly.

Even when the door opened, she didn’t hear. Her eyes were closed, and her laughter synced with the music as she danced carefreely.

Luciano, standing with his back resting on the door, watched Valentina dance.

His eyes scanned through every inch of her body as it moved with enchanting rhythm. His gaze was heavy and unbreaking.

When she burst out randomly with an exhilarating laughter, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

When she slowed it down and began rolling her waist, his breath deepened, and his chest rose and fell heavily.

He completely forgot he had only come into the room to see if she felt better. Or was it because he wanted to let her know that she would continue being under his mercy even though she had managed to be free from la notte?

Luciano couldn’t remember anymore. The witch has stolen his memory.

Valentina began to slow down when the record neared its end.

Finally, she felt lightweight. Nothing mattered. Nothing but the drumming of her heart, and the sizzling of her blood.

Her eyes flew open as she did a spin.

It widened, as something clicked in her head. Slowly, she turned again, but one-eighty instead.

Valentina’s heart surged, when it fell on Luciano who was looking pointedly at her.

The music stopped in that moment, as if fully aware of the tension that had formed.

"Why are you here?" She asked as her hands covered her body.

Valentina wasn’t naked. But with the way his darkened eyes scrutinized her, she might as well be.

He was also so huge, she felt she needed to protect herself in some way.

"To check if you were better than last night. Clearly you are," he said, not bothering to clear his throat even though his voice came out raspy.

"And how is that any concern of yours if I’m better or not?"

"It really isn’t," he replied nonchalantly, the raspiness in his voice gone.

Valentina blinked multiple times, as his words punched her straight in the guts. Still, she retained her haughtiness.

It was the only way she could protect herself.

"So why bother?"

"Because I can. Because you’re in my home, and in my home, I’m boss. I can do whatever the hell I want to do."

"Then let me go. Clearly, you don’t care about me and I share the same sentiments. Why won’t you let me go?"

He chortled dryly. "Oh I wish I could. It’s not of my own doing that you’re still here, trust me. For some reason, I have been tasked with ensuring you remain here, because you are not safe back in the States."

"Oh please!" She sniggered dismissively. "You’re keeping me here to help you redeem your father’s name, whatever that means."

His eyes darkened, but it wasn’t from desire. It was imminent danger. Approaching slowly but surely.

"If you think that I want you to help clear the name of the man you clearly hate so much, then you’re not as intelligent as I might have concluded you were."

Valentina’s head doubled back, but before she could retort, he continued.

"Make no mistake, Valentina. Vittorio is the one who thinks you are of use to me. Heck, even if I wanted anything from you, trust me, it is nothing about my father."

A small smug smile formed on her face, as her chin jutted. "So you do want something from me. What is it? Who knows, I might be able to help you." Her eyes glowed with mischief.

He saw it, understood what it was, but still went ahead to test the waters. "Where is the map?"

Valentina burst into a fit of laughter.

His fist balled as he listened to her laugh at him, as if anything was funny.

She was playing with him. Messing and toying with him, because she knew she could easily get away with it.

Because he let her get away with it.

"Why does everyone keep talking about some silly map? What do I look like? The creator of geography? Jesus Christ!" She hissed.

Luciano went from glaring at her, to eyeing her suspiciously. "You’re pretending right? You do know about the map. And who is this everybody you speak about?"

She pouted mockingly. "Wouldn’t you want to know? Maybe ask the man you locked up for about five years now. I mean what kind of monster are you? I’d say I was surprised, but knowing who your father is now, it’s clear to see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Poor Aurora. Poor Daniela too. They can’t see that the man they’ve put on a pedestal is nothing but a blood sucking menace!"

Luciano sucked in his teeth, as her jab hit him where it hurt the most. His heart.

But he fought for composure. He couldn’t let her know how hard her words had affected him.

A big smile covered his face, causing Valentina to squint curiously.

"Your friend Natalia is allergic to peanuts right?"

Valentina’s heart leaped. "How do you know that?"

He smiled. "Wouldn’t you want to know?" He mimicked her, as he walked out of the room.

"Luciano!" She dashed for the door, but before she could open it, the key clinked, locking her inside the room.