Episode 18

CHAPTER 17

By Isabella.

Valentino strode into his room, and I followed, closing the door behind us. He paced back and forth without a word. One hand was on his waist, the other pinching the bridge of his nose. Finally, he stopped in front of me and began to speak:

"Angels... She would be 25 years old now…" Valentino edged closer and took a seat on the bed, while I pulled a chair up in front of him, listening intently to his words. "When Ezequiel passed away, Angels and I were plunged into deep depression. I was in such bad shape that my parents decided it was best to admit me to a psychiatric clinic. I spent 6 months reliant on anxiolytics and other kinds of pills just to get by until I was finally discharged. Upon leaving the clinic, I learned she hadn't been so fortunate… My little sister…" Tears began to stream down his cheeks. I knew there was an even deeper feeling he was trying to release. I decided to interrupt him as it was evident he struggled to continue his story.

"Valentino, you don’t have to tell me this," I said, taking his hand to show my support.

Nonetheless, Valentino wiped his tears, exhaled deeply, and continued.

"Angels took her own life. My little sister swallowed a whole bottle of pills and never woke up," he finally said, breaking down in tears once more.

"I'm so sorry, Valentino. If I'd known Ezequiel had more family, that Mr. Lorenzo was his father, I would have done everything I could to reach out to you. Please know that my relationship with Ezequiel was never anything but love, and the fact that I'm working in your company is purely coincidental."

"I know, Issi. You don’t have to explain anything. What I can say for certain is that my parents knew about you. I know them. In all the years my father has been running that company, I've never seen him take to an employee the way he did with you. We'll talk to them when they return. This situation needs to be clarified."

"Valentino… I’d like to ask to return to work at the company. It's been too many days away from work."

"That’s fine, Issi. We'll talk when we get back. I think it's best to return tomorrow morning. I can’t stand another day in this house."

I nodded, squeezing his hand. Valentino glanced at his watch, then lifted his gaze to meet mine.

"Damn. It's midnight, and we haven’t had dinner. Everything is probably closed here to dine out. I'm sorry; I’ve ruined it."

"I can cook something for us if you'd like."

"You… cook?" he asked.

"Absolutely. How about pizza?"

"Let's see what you can do," he said, issuing a challenging laugh.

We left his room quietly to avoid waking the others, seeking some peace in the kitchen. Once there, we set about gathering ingredients.

Valentino passed me each ingredient I needed. We made the dough, laughing together, then placed the pizza in the oven while we perched on bar stools, chatting and waiting for dinner to be ready.

Suddenly, Valentino grabbed a handful of flour and flung it at me, covering me in a dusty layer.

"Oh, you've just made an enemy," I exclaimed, chasing him in an effort to return the favor.

We sprinted around the kitchen, laughing and creating a mess. Valentino snatched my waist to prevent further flour in his meticulously styled hair. We tried to catch our breath among continuous giggles, feeling an ever-closing proximity to each other.

"You know… Now I understand why Ezequiel fell for you," he blurted out.

Our moment was interrupted by a throat-clearing sound from the kitchen door. We turned to see who it was, and the atmosphere chilled.

"Well, well," Martina declared. "Looks like the little girl is quite the flirt."

"What are you doing here?" Valentino snapped with clear annoyance.

"I heard noises and wanted to see what was going on. I wasn't expecting to find this, though. So, this little whore is the one who blinded Ezequiel… And now… You’re doing the same with you… What would Ezequiel think if he saw you?"

"You dare not invoke my brother's name with that soliciting prostitute's mouth of yours," Valentino retorted fiercely. "Leave my sight unless you wish to be strangled by my bare hands."

I saw his face contorting; red with anger, his eyes were no longer blue but pitch black. He appeared as a demon arisen from hell to earth.

"Valentino…" I reached for his arm, trying to soothe him.

Martina exited the kitchen in a silent, furious huff. Then Valentino turned back to me.

"I'm sorry, Issi," he said, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "As you see, things with my family aren't exactly pleasant."

"Don’t worry. Hey, I think the pizza's ready," I announced, retrieving it from the oven and setting it on the table.

A chuckle escaped me, realizing the state we were in. We resembled two ghosts, practically glowing white. Our eyes were barely visible.

"What's so funny?" Valentino asked, with a smile.

"It's just that we're a mess. I think after dinner, we'll need to clean up the kitchen and both take showers."

"Absolutely. Micaela and Marcela will have my head if they see the mess we made."

After we ate and cleaned the kitchen, we each headed to our bedrooms.

"There are only a few hours left until we return to Chicago, and I doubt I’ll find sleep."

"I probably won't either. I’m just going to pack my suitcase."

"How about you come to talk when you're done? I’ll be in my room finishing packing mine."

"Sure. I'll see you in a bit," I replied with a smile.

I went to my room to finish up packing. In a few hours, we would be boarding the plane and after all these events, sleep eluded me.

After I put my bags together, I took a quick shower and changed, owing to the flour. Once finished, I decided to check on Valentino. Perhaps he wanted to stroll in the garden or simply take one last look at the city before heading home.

I knocked on his door, then entered, expecting to find him ready. Instead, I was met with an unforeseen sight.

Martina was there, seated on the bed in just her underwear, while he was covered only by a towel wrapped around his waist. There was no kissing, no closeness even, but something inside me shattered.

"I'm sorry. I should not have come in," I stammered, turning to leave.

"No, Isabella, stay. I was waiting for you," he protested.

"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in being part of this show," replied Isabella.

"Well, the 'show' has been set up by dear cousin here," he declared.

"Seriously, Valentino? You'll reject me again?" Martina burst out angrily.

"Reject you? Are you insane? You're my cousin, for heaven's sake! We have the same blood! Get out of here! You're as twisted as they come!"

"We wouldn’t be the first cousins to sleep together," she persisted.

"Martina," Valentino tried to remain calm. "Please leave and don’t push me further."

Martina stormed out of the room, shoving past me in her departure. Something inside told me this conflict was far from over.

*******

By Valentino.

After I had finished packing, I stepped into the shower for a brief respite. I figured that if Isa completed her packing before me, she would just come in.

As I turned off the shower and decided to get out, I heard a noise in the room, so I assumed it was her. I wrapped a towel around myself and went to get dressed from the wardrobe, expecting her to wait there.

However, my anticipation dulled when I realized that the person in my room was not Isabella, but Martina, practically undressed.

"Damn it, what the hell are you doing here? And dressed like that?" I averted my eyes to another part of the room, exasperated.

"I just came to see if you wanted anything," she purred, stroking her body.

"What I want is for you to leave my room. What are you trying to accomplish?"

"I want you to make me yours. Right here in your bed. You know I've always fancied you."

"No. Absolutely not. I won't lay a finger on you! You're my cousin; how can you even suggest such a thing?"

"Oh come on, Valentino. Come here," she coaxed, patting the bed, beckoning me over.

"It's the same thing you did with Ezequiel. Did you think I didn’t know? How can you be so vile?"

"If you don’t make love to me this instant, everyone will learn that the whore with you is Ezequiel's slut."

"I don't care. Do what you wish. I fear no one, not even your wretched family."

Just then, a soft knock resonated at the door. It was her. Saving me once again.

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