CHAPTER 16
By Isabella.
Valentino started taking pictures and various other items from the box as he told me about each one. I felt a rush of excitement. Having so many memories of Ezekiel makes me nostalgic. I miss him so much. After a while, as we spoke more, Micaela appeared with Valentino's order. She placed it on the table roughly and then left.
"Hey... What's up with her?" I asked.
"I don't know. She's odd at times," Valentino exclaimed. "Hey, check out this photo. It was during a vacation in Italy," he said as he handed me the photo.
"He was always smiling. There wasn't a time he wasn't. Even when his world was turned upside down. Your brother was so full of life, Valentino."
"Isabella... There’s something else I haven't told you, and I... I think you need to know."
"Sure, tell me," I exclaimed.
"Do you remember Francisco Guevara? He's a friend. A lawyer and... Along with a former agent, Dante. They're investigating the accident. They run a prestigious detective agency. There’s a slight suspicion that the accident was planned and I need to get to the bottom of this. For my family, for me, and for you."
"What are you talking about, Valentino? Who would plan something like that?" I asked, frightened.
"I don't know. My father has many enemies, I mean... He’s a tycoon, but... I can't think of anyone capable of that. The truth is that up until recently, I only believed the accident was caused by a drunken, spoiled boy who, after the crash, fled the scene. But since Francisco called me up to share his suspicions, I started to believe it. Francisco and Dante were very close to my brother."
"You cared a lot for Ezekiel, right?" I asked.
Valentino nodded.
"Ezekiel was the most important thing in my life," he said.
We continued looking at some mementos in silence for a while longer. Suddenly we heard people in the courtyard. It was a commotion, as if a whirlwind were about to break in. And it was quite similar to that. Valentino frowned and moved towards the entrance to see who it was. Then he returned to where we were sitting, hurriedly gathered the items, and hid them.
"Hey, what's going on?" I asked.
However, before he could reply, a tall, slim man with gray hair and hazel eyes entered the house accompanied by a very elegant and well-dressed woman, though with terrible manners.
"Uncle Edward, Aunt Monica," Valentino said, with a serious tone.
"Nephew," the man exclaimed, laughing insincerely and embracing him.
The lady, however, remained standing in the doorway.
"How are you? I... didn't know you’d be here."
"I heard you were here and decided to come see you. We haven’t seen each other for some time… And tell me... Who’s this young lady joining you?"
"Oh, this is Liz. A friend," he responded.
"Pleased to meet you, sir," I exclaimed, extending my hand in greeting.
"Thank you," said the man with little warmth, completely ignoring my gesture. I quickly withdrew my hand, feeling quite uncomfortable in the situation.
Valentino looked nervous. I knew something strange was going on, but I didn’t dare speculate what it was. The couple called for the servants to show them to their room, as they planned to stay the night. Valentino and I remained in the living room in silence, though he seemed quite angry.
"Valentino..."
"I'm sorry, Isabella. We’ll talk later. I'm going to... put this away," he said, referring to the box. He quickly disappeared up the stairs of that beautiful house, leaving me alone in the middle of the living room.
I let out a sigh, unsure of what was happening. A few minutes later, a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed very elegantly, walked in looking at her phone. She stopped in front of me and finally looked up. She evaluated me with disdain from head to toe before asking brusquely:
"And you are?"
"Hello. I'm Isabella," I exclaimed, but this time I didn't dare extend my hand.
"Oh, you must be new. Take my luggage. Have it arranged in my room and be very careful with the clothes. You couldn't afford them even with a year's salary if you damage them."
A rage built up inside me, searing through every part of my body. Who the hell does this woman think she is to treat me this way? I was about to respond when Valentino, who had come down the stairs, interrupted.
"Martina. It’s odd to see you here."
"Valentino, it's lovely to see you," she said coyly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, serious.
"I came with my parents for the weekend," she exclaimed.
"I see we all decided to come here together," he said, annoyed. "Though I understand why I’m here; it’s my house. But you... you have no business being here."
"Aren’t you glad I'm here?" she asked. "And your damn maid, do what I told you."
"She’s not a maid. She came with me. And now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have some privacy with her," he stated, taking my hand and leading me out of the house.
Valentino was moving so fast he was almost pulling me along. We reached the vineyards a few meters from the house, and only there did Valentino let go, standing in front of me, his back towards me. He breathed deeply with one hand on his waist and the other clutching his face, seemingly trying to recompose himself.
"Valentino... Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"Can I ask who those people are?"
"They are my father’s brother, his wife, and their daughter. I don't know what they're doing here. They have no reason to be in this place."
"Why did you hide Ezekiel’s belongings when they arrived?"
"Because we do not speak of Ezekiel in front of them."
I nodded without a word. I thought it best to let Valentino cool off. I didn’t like to see him so agitated. But there would be time for conversation later. I turned on my heels to leave him alone for a while, but before I could take a step, he caught my arm.
"I think it's best we return to Chicago in the morning. I wanted to spend time with you here, show you more of California. But with them here, it's a bad idea."
"Don't worry, I understand," I said.
We spent the afternoon walking through the vineyards, where everything was going very well. Valentino is an excellent CEO and a great leader. Although many did not trust him, he is proving very capable, just like his father, of succeeding in the business world.
Still, I'm haunted by the thought of what it would all be like if Ezekiel were here. I imagine he would likely be the CEO of F&M, and my heart constricts. He had an entire life ahead of him. A life to succeed in business, which was his passion. A life by my side, with our son. If we hadn't gone out on that rainy night, everything would be different.
I shook off those memories and continued to enjoy the walk with Valentino. Later, we returned to the house amidst laughter. Without a doubt, he is a very kind and cheerful man. He is nothing like the brute I first met. I guess he just wears armor to protect himself from the outside world, but when he’s with me, he forgets it and allows me to see beyond, to see what's happening within him.
We got back... just in time for the family dinner. His family was already seated at the table, seeming to wait for us, though dinner had not yet been served. Under their gaze, we decided to take our places.
Valentino took my hand, guiding me to a seat next to him. After we sat down, Micaela approached to serve the dinner.
"Micaela, feel free to join us," Valentino said.
"I appreciate it very much, sir, but I'll dine outside," she replied.
Valentino nodded graciously.
"What’s with you, Valentino? Not only do you allow your prostitute to sit with us, but now you want to invite the servants?" his aunt said disdainfully.
"Isabella is not a prostitute. She's a friend and my executive assistant. We’re here on business, which you disrupted with your sudden appearance, the reason for which I have yet to ascertain. After all, this is my house."
"What kind of manners are those, you insolent boy? I always knew Cristina wasn't capable of raising children. Look at what happened with Ezekiel and Angeles."
"SHUT YOUR FILTHY MOUTH BEFORE SPEAKING OF THEM! DO YOU HEAR ME, WITCH?"
"ENOUGH! WATCH YOUR TONGUE, YOU STUPID BOY! I THINK I'LL HAVE TO SPEAK TO YOUR FATHER ABOUT THIS BEHAVIOR OF YOURS! HE CERTAINLY WON'T APPROVE!" Edward exclaimed, nearly losing his composure.
Before Valentino could retort, he stood up from the table in a fury, heading towards the stairs. I waited seated for a few minutes then went after him. He was too overwhelmed; I couldn’t leave him like that.
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