CHAPTER 96: THE STEP BACK

Luciano walked into Elio’s room to find him playing a game with Marcello.

Elio paused the game on feeling his presence.

He sniffed into the air. "Why do I perceive Luce’s scent?" He asked.

Marcello eyed him as if he had lost his mind. "What do you mean by why do you perceive his scent? He’s obviously not here. Are you crazy?"

Luciano chuckled, and they froze as their eyes met.

Elio gave him the I told you so look, and in return, Marcelo apologized with his gaze.

"Could you leave Elio and I alone please, Marce? I need to talk to him," Luciano said.

"Sìcarpo!"

He jumped to his feet and ran out of the room, swiftly.

Luciano replaced himself in the seat Marcello had just gotten up from, and picked up the pad.

"Welcome Luce," Elio said clownishly.

"Wager I’ll beat you?"

He chuckled. "Maybe when it comes to shooting in real life. Definitely not in the online games."

"Oh really? I’ll show you who is boss then,’ Luciano laughed.

He started the game afresh, and they began to play.

The tough battle lasted for about ten minutes, with both cursing at every turn.

After a thorough back and forth, Elio managed a breakthrough.

He jumped to his feet, completely forgetting himself. "I beat you. You suck Luce!"

Then he froze, coming back to his senses at once. "I meant in the game obviously. Not that you suck in general. You know just–"

Luciano laughed. "Sit down you fool. There’s something I want to talk to you about. And reload the game while you’re at it."

The tension in his chest released, as he smiled and returned to seating.

"Reloaded," he said, after resetting the game.

"Okay. I’m going to ask you about something, and I need you to be sincere with me."

"Sure, I can do that," he replied, trying to listen whilst also paying attention to the game.

"I didn’t think I’d find you in your room."

"Really? Why?" His eyes squeezed.

"Because I thought you’d be by Valentina’s side. I mean you two have obviously gotten closer."

The tension Elio thought had disappeared, returned in ten folds, as his chest tightened.

"I guess," he said.

"You guess?" Luciano lifted a confused brow.

"Luce, I think it’s time to take a step back from Valentina."

"Why?" His brow knitted. "Did you two have a fight?"

"Oh no. Everything is great. She’s amazing. The most amazing girl I know. But I think, no I know I’m wasting my time."

"Why would you say that?"

Elio paused the game and turned to Luciano.

"You," he said plainly.

He double blinked. "Me? What do I have to do with any of it?"

"I don’t know Luce, but there’s just something between you two. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know how to explain it. You’re drawn to her, even if you won’t admit it. And I get it. She’s stunning! Who wouldn’t be?"

Luciano’s eyes narrowed piercingly. "Is that why you did it?"

"Did what, Luce?"

"Gave her the phone she used in calling Ross to tell him she was in Neravalle?"

Elio slowly shook his head with his face contorted as he tried to understand what was being alleged.

"Luce, I never gave Val a phone. And Valentina would never have told anyone about Neravalle. Especially not Ross. She’s impulsive, not reckless," he said.

"You’re swearing to me right now you didn’t give her a phone?"

"Hell no. I would never do that. You know I wouldn’t."

He sighed with relief. "Thank you for not putting me in a tough position. The truth remains she did get a phone from someone, and she did call Ross."

"It definitely wasn’t from me. But are you sure about her calling Ross?"

Luciano didn’t reply. His eyes took a thoughtful expression for a while, before he spoke again.

"Hey, it’s fine. There was no real damage done, was there? Also I don’t think you should step back because of me. Whatever you think I feel towards Valentina, that’s over with. I’m marrying Daniela and that’s my focus henceforth."

"Are you sure about that, Luce

?" Elio’s gaze narrowed, as if he didn’t quite believe even Luciano believed what he was saying.

"I am promising you, Elio. There’s nothing between me and Valentina. And going forward, I’ll prove that to you. She does care about you though. I know that for sure. So don’t lose whatever relationship it is you too have over an illusion. Also, I think I was very harsh to her tonight, so she might need your presence."

Elio’s eyes lit up. "Really? I can really go to her?!"

He shrugged. "If you want to."

Elio sprang up, and hugged Luciano tightly. "You’re the best Luce!"

Luciano smiled. "Yeah well hurry up and get going then. Don’t worry, I’ll leave when I’m done. Send Marcello in so I can play against him."

Elio was already at the door before he replied.

"He’ll beat your ass, Luce. Because you’re actually a—"

A shoe from nowhere came flying towards him, but he ran away laughing before it could hit him.

Luciano chuckled, but then he sombered as he thought of Valentina.

The decision was final, it was time for the ties between them to be strictly about business.

His promise to Elio was the binder.

****

Valentina walked out of the bathroom fully refreshed, and feeling a lot less sorrowful.

"The pictures are great, yeah?" She asked as she stepped out.

Salvatore took a very deep breath, before he looked up at her.

A bit of relief washed through him when he saw she was dressed in a buttoned down shirt.

"They are," he smiled.

Valentina joined him on the bed.

Seated across from him, the pictures littered in their middle.

"You’ve been staring at that particular one. Let me see."

He turned the picture her way, and she sighed.

"Everyone is always so intrigued by that picture. I don’t know why." She shifted her gaze from it.

"It’s in the detailing, of course. Very detailed. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"You have to be really observant to be able to take a good picture like this right?"

"You can say that." She nodded.

"Okay."

Valentina’s forehead creased, as she stared closely at him. "There’s something else you want to know."

He smiled. "Don’t psychoanalyse me because I asked a question."

"No, tell me. Who knows. I might be able to help."

Salvatore stroked his chin, contemplating if it was right to ask her opinion or not.

"What? You don’t think I’m intelligent enough to help? Try me," she said confidently.

"Okay. But you must keep this between us."

"Are you kidding? I’m the best at keeping secrets." She gestured, zipping her mouth.

"Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. So my role in Neravalle is as an executioner, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah you kill people," she stayed plainly.

His face cracked. "You surprise me sometimes, Val."

"I guess?" She cheesed hard.

"So as I was saying. Sometimes, it does go beyond that. I also have to analyse situations to know when it’s something dangerous. Now there’s this particular guy that has been in my radar. His name is Chris. Longtime friend and informant of Luce. There’s just something about him though. Something very–very dodgy. I don’t know if I should investigate or not. What do you think?"

"At least one of you in Neravalle has a working brain," she said.

His forehead creased. "What are you saying? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you should absolutely in–"

A knock sounded once on the door, before it opened, and Elio walked in.

"Elio!" Valentina called, a little distracted.

He went to her in long strides, and hugged her into his arms.

She giggled as they hugged. "I missed you too."

Salvatore took that as his cue to leave, and began rising to his feet.

"Are you okay?" Elio questioned Valentina after they separated.

"Yeah, see–" she stretched her arms. "I’m fine," she smiled.

"See you some other time, Valentina," Salvatore said.

"Oh you’re leaving already? But we were—"

"Some other time." He cut her off, and she understood immediately.

"Okay. Bye. Thanks for staying with me."

"Anytime," he replied behind his shoulders as he walked out of the room.

"Are you sure you’re fine, Val?" Elio sat beside her on the bed, concern heavy in his voice.

"I am. Especially now that you’re here."

"Then why are your eyes so puffy?"

Confronted with the truth, the smile wiped off her face instantly.

"Yeah I cried. But I’m so glad you were not here to see me that way."

"Why?" He questioned, lifting a confused brow.

"Because our friendship is built on laughter. I don’t want you to see me at my worst. No please." She shook her head thoroughly.

Elio sighed. "I don’t care about seeing you at your worst, Valentina. Why would you even think that?"

"I just do," she muttered, but then she smiled. "At least now you’re here!"

"Not so fast. There’s something I need to ask you."

Her heart missed a beat. His tone didn’t sound the least bit pleasant.