VALENTINA'S POV
“What's going to happen now that Alana is back?” Someone asked from the crowd.
“I don't know. But Matteo had always loved Alana. I know one thing though, their marriage won't be the same again.” Another replied.
“Tsk, tsk, it's so sad that a lady this graceful and sophisticated, cannot keep man like Matteo all to herself.”
“What's the story behind it?”
“Well, Valentina married into the Da Vinci family when they're were down after the attack on the business three years ago. So it was an arranged marriage kind of thing.”
“Now, that Alana is back, I'm sure she'll be tossed aside by Matteo.”
“Shhh, she might hear you, keep it down.”
So three good years, was just a cruel joke? I was kept on the dark all this while?..
I picked myself up, the glass shards in my palm made pain shoot through my hand.
By the time I got to the ER, it was past midnight. The shards were removed and bandaged. I stopped dead in my tracks, when I saw Alana leaning against Matteo as they came out of a room.
“What are you doing here Valentina?” Matteo froze, shielding Alana. I forced a smile, and raised my hand. “If you've forgotten, your sister pushed me.”
Alana spoke. “why are you blaming Ariana? Isn't she your sister-in-law?”
“That's none of your business.” I replied coldly.
“Valentina, I won't have you talking to Alana in that manner, apologise to her this instant.” His tone deadly.
I turned to leave when he held my hand. “Apologise to her. Now!” His grip tightened. I stared into his cold eyes. Nothing. I felt nothing. A cold smile etched on my lips.
So this was it. “You should concentrate on her.” I said coldly and walked out.
I stared at the villa in front of me. The place I called home for the past three years, my safe haven was all in my head.
The following morning a text came in from an unknown number. “It's just a matter of a few hours before you're gone from our lives forever.”
Alana. Not surprised.
I was making breakfast when Matteo walked into the kitchen. “You're up early.” He said.
He came and placed a kiss on my forehead. But what I saw was like a slap on my face. Through his opened button, a hickey sat there, clear as day.
I may have ignored Alana's message but the hickey? That send a clear message if what this whole charade was.
“Baby, I'm so sorry for running out and leaving you yesterday. I was just worried about Alana, I didn't mean to upset you.” He apologised, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.
He kissed my temple and smiled. “I have organised for us all to have dinner at a five star hotel tonight to celebrate the new alliance properly. Just us family and friends.”
His words felt sincere, I would have been filled with blushes by now but, I felt nothing.
Last night, after I left. A nurse came running, that the doctor forgot to give me some injections to prevent infections when I heard them talking again.
“What do we do? The plan failed.” Ariana said, her voice anxious.
“What are you worried about? Matteo should just talk her, he has organised a dinner to celebrate the success of his alliance, and we'll have right where we want her to be. And the plan will be carried out smoothly.” Alana said, casually.
I got the injections and left. And now, here was, the man I was so in love with, planning to ruin me, pretending as if everything was okay.
“You guys enjoy the dinner, I'm not going.” I voiced out flatly going back to my cooking.
“Come on, baby, don't be like that.” He coarsed.
“No.” I replied again, this time coldly.
Matteo's jaw tightened and his expression darkened for a moment before it was quickly replaced by the warmest smile he could muster.
“Everybody is already invited. It won't be nice not to have you there.”
“Fine. I'll be there. Send me the address.” Focusing back on my cooking.
“I'll pick you up. Wear something nice and fancy.”
I watched as his figure retreated upstairs. I felt nothing. It doesn't feel numb. I just felt cold and empty.
I was reviewing some files about a pending overseas project left by father from his legal side of the family business in my home office when I heard Matteo's car outside.
I placed the files in my bag and entered the car without a word. The car ride was silent.
“Where are we headed?” I asked, my attention on my phone.
“The B&B lounge and bar.”
I quickly typed in the name of the place and sent a message, dropping my phone back in my bag.
Matteo directed us to a private room. The loud music made me frown as we entered the room.
“Valentina.” I heard Alana yell my name. “ You are here, come, come sit here!”
She did not wait for me to respond before she grabbed my hand, dragging me to seat on one of the chairs.
“I hope you don't mind me being here?” I scanned the room quietly. Everyone here was either Alana's or Matteo's friends.
What a dinner!
Just then, Ariana came with two glasses. “Valentina, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I wasn't looking where I was going. Please forgive me, I didn't mean to push you.” she said, giving me one of the glasses.
Matteo sat at the corner, drinking silently. He made no attempt to talk and just stared. But I wasn't naive.
I smirked. “Ariana, if you really want my apology, why don't you drink it first? I need to know, if you're sincerely sorry right now.” I said smiling.
“Why are you being so difficult now Valentina. Ariana is sorry, she just apologised. What more do you want?” Alana accused.
“Then will you drink it?” I raised an eyebrow.
“You wench…”
“That enough,” Matteo's voice boomed.
“Valentina, stop being so difficult. Drink it, don't spoil the mood for everyone.”
I wasn't in the mood to keep playing along with their games. I checked the time on my watch. With another word, I turned to leave when a hand stopped me.
Matteo held my jaw tightly, forcing the drink down my throat. No one stopped him. In fact, they laughed at my misery.
Matteo left my jaw when he was sure I had swallowed the drink. My vision was blurry, pain and humiliation burned in my chest. I grabbed my bag and ran out looking for the restroom.
