CHAPTER 97: EASY BOND

"Val, did you call Ross Voltron with a phone you got here in Neravalle?" Elio finally dropped the heavily anticipated question.

In response, Valentina rolled her eyes hard. "That’s it? Let me guess, Luciano filled your head with nonsense lies."

"I adore you, but watch your mouth please. He’s still–"

"The boss, yadayada. I get it. And yes, I did call Richard, or Ross or whatever it is you all call him. But I never told him I was in Neravalle. I wasn’t even going to, okay? But it’s fine if you believe him over me."

"Val no," his face scrunched due to the direction the conversation was moving. "I never said I believe anyone over anyone. I’m just asking. Besides, he thinks I gave you the phone, but I didn’t."

"Of course you didn’t. And I did try to tell him that, but he wasn’t going to believe me from the start anyway. Then he left me alone in that room and I—" she heaved loudly, and went quiet.

Elio studied her, and that was when he saw it.

"You’re hurt."

"No, I’m upset. There’s a difference." She folded her hands with a hmph escaping her throat.

"Sure," he nodded. "Who gave you the phone, Val?"

Her gaze snapped towards him. "What makes you think I’ll tell you? So you can go blabbing it to Luciano?"

"I’d never do something like that."

"Yes you would. Because you are loyal to him, and understandably so. He’s like family to you. I don’t want to put you in a position where you have to hide things from him. That’s me causing a strain in your relationship with him. And it’s not fair."

He wobbled his head from side to side in disagreement. "Come on Val. You’re my person too. And I don’t know the shit that went down between you two. Heck, I don’t want to know. Just tell me the truth, so I know how to navigate this situation, okay?"

Her eyes narrowed closely on him. "You’re not going to rat me out, are you?"

He chuckled. "You’re doubting me now? Is that how we are?"

"Answer the question and stop trying to wiggle your way out of it."

"Okay fine. I won’t. Now trust me."

She took a deep breath, and then she decided to trust him.

"Remember that day you brought my camera and the pictures? And I was all, thank you, Elio, you’re the best?" She questioned in a singsong tone.

He grinned. "Perfectly."

"I got another present that day. From Sonia."

He gasped. "You sly ladies! It was Sonia?!"

"Lower your voice, Elio. What if someone is listening in?"

"Trust me, they’re not. But yeah, carry on."

"Right. So I did call Richard. And when I did, my first question to him was why he omitted the fact Luciano is not Matteo’s only child."

Elio’s face contorted briefly, because he was getting lost. "Hold on," he gestured with his hand. "How did any of this even come about? How do you even know Ross?"

She bit her lips.

"No, no, no. Don’t even think about lying to me."

"I wasn’t going to lie, okay? I’m just wondering the kind of information I can give you that won’t put you in a tough spot."

"How you know him, could possibly put me on a spot where I’ll have to spill?" He lifted an inquisitory brow.

"Precisely."

"Alright, let’s skip it. Carry on."

She smiled. "Good choice. Now, do you know why I hate Luciano?"

"You hate him?"

"Yeah. I thought it’s obvious. It isn’t?"

"I mean I thought the dislike was just because of the principle, you know? He’s the son of Matteo Alvarez and you’re the daughter of Allen Wallace. I didn’t think it was that deep."

Her forehead wrinkled hesitantly. "You didn’t think it was that deep? His father killed my father!"

"Your father kinda betrayed his father so in the code of con—"

"Fuck the code of conducts, okay? I can’t believe you right now Elio."

"Okay fine–" Elio lifted his hands in surrender. "I’ll stop talking now. Go ahead."

Her lips pursed, as she stared blankly at him.

He began to gesture with his hand.

"What are you doing?"

He shook his head negatively, and continued to gesture with his hand.

Valentina burst out laughing when she realized what he was trying to communicate.

"Oh, so you’re really not going to speak?"

He nodded confidently.

"Great. Then I’ll tell you. I was never seeking revenge or anything like that. I just wanted to move on with my life in peace. Until I discovered Luciano ordered that my father’s museum be broken into, and all of his findings stolen. Those artifacts were mostly sold to cater to the family’s helpless children’s foundation. Richard was the one who told me he did it. So I asked him to get rid of him and bring me back everything that was stolen. But he failed to mention he had a sibling, because the deal was to get rid of Matteo’s offspring."

Valentina paused. Elio had still not said a word, only now he was looking at her with crazy eyes.

"What?"

He exhaled. "You really think Luce? The billionaire Luce, who owns banks across Italy, sent thugs to break into your father’s museum just to steal things?"

"Oh and let me guess? You don’t think he’s capable of doing it, do you? As if billionaires are some morally righteous people. He’s a freaking mafia lord."

"And so was your fa—" he pinned his lips shut when her fiery gaze glared at him.

"Anyway, I wanted to clarify to Richard that he can’t harm Aurora. I mean sure she’s as annoying as her friend, Daniela, but she has nothing to do with Luciano and his horrible decisions. He asked me where I was, and I was going to counter with a question of mine, when I heard footsteps at the door. Turns out it was you. That’s when I dashed into the bathroom. Remember?"

"You sneaky little thing, Val. I remember you being dodgy."

"Yep. The phone ended up going bad anyway, because in my rush to hide it from you, I soaked it in water. That’s everything that happened, okay?"

Elio sighed. "I believe you, Val. But let’s circle back for a moment. I want you to know that Luce is not a thief. He would never take anything like that from you."

She forced a smile. "You have to say that. He’s your Luce. I see things from a different perspective. And he proved everything I know about him to be true the moment he left me in that room." She shuddered at the thought of it.

Not even his decision to throw her in LaNotte had hurt her this much.

Perhaps, it had something to do with his fingers being inside her just hours ago, in contrast with the coldness he used in leaving her alone.

"The duality of man," she thought with disgust.

"There is nothing I can possibly say to convince you otherwise, is there?"

"Absolutely nothing. Henceforth, I’m not even a prisoner anymore. I’m a guest that simply has been refused permission to leave. Since he won’t let me go with my betrothed, Richard, it’s on him to take care of me now. And that’s from afar, because I don’t want to see his face anymore. Make sure you let him know that, okay?" She pouted like a little brat.

Elio couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re adorable Valentina," he said, as he stared at her with a look of pure adoration.