CHAPTER 73: LIGHT BANTER

Valentina was getting ready for bed when the door opened, and Elio walked into the room.

"Hey, you came back." She smiled, and continued brushing her hair.

"I did. And I come bearing gifts."

Her head snapped back towards him. "I like gifts," she giggled.

"I know." He stopped beside her, and stretched the note to her.

"What is this?" She asked, already opening the note even before he could answer.

"From Natalia."

Tears stung in her eyes, as she read through the note.

Hey baby, I hope you’re doing good? Every second that passes, I miss you even more. I worry so much about you. About your wellbeing, and your mental state. Please don’t give up on life. I beg you Valentina. Let’s keep fighting until we can’t fight anymore. Love you so much, my munchkin.

Valentina sniffled, as she wiped off the tears stuck at the corner of her eyes with a finger.

When she looked up at Elio, his heart clamped, because of how reddened her eyes had gotten.

"Thank you so much for bringing me this. I needed it so much. You have no idea just how much I did."

He smiled. "That’s not all. You can write back to her if you want to."

"I can?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out an empty piece of paper and a pen.

Valentina rose to her feet, and spontaneously hugged him.

Elio’s eyes widened, stunned by her way of showing gratitude.

He wasn’t complaining though. He knew that for Valentina, body contact was a huge deal, and if she was freely hugging him, then she was truly grateful.

She returned to her seat, and quickly began scribbling into the piece of paper.

When she was done writing, she folded the paper gently, placed a kiss on it, before handing it to Elio.

"I’ll make sure she gets this," he said as he inserted it into his pocket.

"I know you will. You’re the diamond in the rough."

His heart squeezed affectionately. This was the most alive he had felt in days, and it was all thanks to knowing she was out of la notte.

"How have you been, Val? Truly been."

She exhaled. "I think I’m fine, and then I get these moments when it feels like something is clawing at my chest, and holding my throat in a tight grip. I’m afraid I’m hanging by a thread. That’s why I’m grateful for the note. It has made me remember why I fight to live anyway."

"And why is that?" His piercing gaze rested intensely on her.

"It’s between me and myself. I can’t tell you that. But I’m really grateful for your help."

He nodded in understanding. "What do you think will make you feel better and lift your spirits?"

"Even more than the note already has?" She laughed playfully.

"Hell yeah!"

"Okay, let’s see—- dancing always takes my mind off things. Thankfully, I have a vinyl player here to help. So maybe—"

"A trip to the club? You can dance, and watch others dance."

She let out a small awkward laugh. "What are you talking about? I’m locked up. Surely I can’t go to a club."

"Wrong!"

"Wrong?" She lifted a brow.

"Club Neravalle will be opening tomorrow night. You can come see for yourself."

"Elio, do you really hate how pretty your head is? Your Luce will kill you if he finds out you’ve crossed him again, and brought me out."

"Who says he has to find out?"

"Have you already forgotten how the other time ended?" She shook her head. "Nope, I can’t risk you getting hurt over me. It’s just too dangerous."

"But I’m not complaining, Val. It’s my cross to carry if things go south, which it wouldn’t. I have everything planned, because drumroll—" he drummed his fingers on the table, causing Valentina to chuckle. "I’m organising the club theme tomorrow night," he announced with a puffed chest.

Valentina threw her head back in laughter as she clapped for him. "Super proud of you, Mr Elio. How do you feel about this great height you have attained?" She formed a mic with her hairbrush, and dragged it to his mouth.

"Well it’s awesome, and a dream come true. But it will even be more special if this incredibly gorgeous and intelligent woman agrees to come to the club with me."

She brought the mic to her lips. "This incredibly gorgeous and intelligent woman doesn’t want to hurt the kind and thoughtful man, but she has to decline his invitation to save his head."

He helped her push the mic back to his lips. "What if I tell this incredibly gorgeous and intelligent woman that she won’t be recognized because it’s a futuristic themed party with costumes? I’m talking, wigs, neon lights, silver, things like that."

"Hmmm, that actually kinda sounds a tad bit convincing. Say more. Maybe, just maybe I might reconsider."

"You didn’t bring the mic back to your lips."

She burst out laughing, and her laughter was so infectious, he couldn’t help but laugh with her.

However, after a while, their laughter finally subsided.

"So what’s the verdict madam?"

"If you promise me you won’t get into trouble, you’ll provide appropriate disguise for me, and I’ll have an amazing time, then I feel my adventurous side tingling."

He pumped a victorious fist in the air. "See Val, this is why I like you. You’re not boring. There is not a second of dryness around you. You have no idea how amazing you are." His eyes moistened dramatically with fake tears.

Valentina chuckled. "I’m not done making requests, Mr Santa."

"I’m listening. Bring it on."

"I want a pink wig. Although I don’t know how it will fit with all this hair on my head."

"Sonia!" He snapped a finger. "We’ll bring her in on the plan and she’ll help with your hair."

"No way! I don’t want Sonia getting involved in this. If she gets in trouble, I won’t forgive myself."

"You worry too much, Val. We’ve lived in Neravalle for a long time. We know the boss. We know how to handle problems. And most importantly, we know how to keep secrets. Plus Sonia adores you. She’ll do everything in her power to make you happy."

"Precisely. That’s why I don’t want her hurt, okay?"

"She won’t, I promise. Now what’s next?"

"It’s going to be dark in there so I need one of those illuminating goggles. Preferably in pink too."

"Damn, you like pink!"

"Everyone should. Pink, purple, red, all of the bright colours. Unfortunately, all you boys wear here in Neravalle is white or black like some occult association."

Elio burst into a fit of laughter at her description. "So you think I should wear pink?"

Her finger tapped on her chin, as she tilted her head to the side to scrutinize him with her gaze.

"You can certainly pull it off."

"So you’re saying I’m handsome?" He posed with his fist underneath his jaw.

She formed a camera with her fingers, and cracked a smile.

"Click," she said, and then spread her palms to look at the picture.

"Yes you are."

His heart fluttered as he shook his head dramatically. "Valentina, Valentina," he called her name, completely in awe of her.