CHAPTER 106: PROOF SAYS

The bed smoothened, as Valentina’s magic hands made sure to tuck in every crease.

She straightened up right after, and a huge smile formed on her face when she saw the result of her flawless bedmaking.

Another round of gunshot began to blast, and her smile turned into a small frown.

"What exactly is going on in this place?" She shook her head.

Just as she took a step towards the vinyl player to get some music playing that would hopefully drown out the gunshots, the door opened.

"I bring solid breakfast, and you no say no this time!" Sonia announced, carrying a heavy tray in her hand.

Valentina chuckled as she turned around to get a clearer view of Sonia’s face, knowing it would be hilarious to see.

However, it was Sonia who froze on seeing her.

"You get out of bed?"

"Yep."

"You finish period?"

"Oh I’ve been done since yesterday. I just had the burst of energy that broke me out of bed today. So I showered, changed into this cute dress," she showed off with a little twirl. "And then I arranged the room. Did I do good?"

"You do very good. You look beautiful. No swell like three days—"

"Ago?"

She bobbed her head. "Ago."

Valentina chuckled, and then sniffed into the air. "I smell bacon and eggs?"

Sonia’s smile returned. "Waffle, bacon, egg, fries. Plenty things. You no reject any, okay?"

"Okay!"

Valentina skipped over to her, as she placed the food on the table.

A little while later, Valentina walked out of the bathroom to see Sonia had cleared up, and was now cleaning the table.

"Sonia, can I ask you a question that has been bothering me?"

"Yes Val." She stopped what she was doing to look at Valentina.

"Before I ask, can you take me to Salvatore?"

"Signor Salvatore? He leave Neravalle for mission."

"Damn, he did? Wow, so that’s out of the equation."

"Tell me your question Val."

"Yeah, sure. For example, if you know something that could possibly hurt someone, but you don’t really like the person, so it doesn’t matter if they’re hurt. But there are other people that could also be hurt. Would you tell the person what you know? Assuming they’re the only one that can do something about it, of course."

Sonia’s forehead creased, as she tried to keep up with everything Valentina just said.

"Oh, do you want me to go over it again?" She asked when she saw the look of confusion on her face.

"Wait, I know."

"You do?" her brow furrowed.

"You know info to hurt carpo but you no really like carpo so you want to shut up."

Valentina scoffed in disbelief. "Wow! I didn’t even mention names. How do you know who I’m talking about, Sonia?"

"Oh Val. I know cus you say all the time. But I know you feel bad, so you know you no right. Carpo good man. He care about you too. And if you no tell him because of him, tell him because of other people."

Valentina sighed. "I guess you’re right. I should tell him the truth about the person he considers his friend. I just hope he listens. He’s a very stubborn man, don’t you think?"

"You too Val. You stubborn too."

Valentina cracked up. "You’re supposed to be on my side, Sonia."

"I always on your side."

"Fine, take me to Luciano. There is something he needs to know."

Valentina felt bubbly on the inside walking along the halls of Neravalle.

It felt really good not being cooped up inside a room.

A bonus was the fact the gunshots had stopped.

There were no unnecessary noises to overstimulate her.

That thought didn’t last long, as screaming voices gripped both hers and Sonia’s attention.

She followed Sonia who switched directions, and soon they were at the doors of a big room.

"You’re really my father. I swear to you. I have proof. Tell him please, Daniela. I have proof."

Valentina paused at the door, as her eyes took in the scene before her.

Natalia was in tears. The man she recognized as Giovanni Ferrari was standing between his wife, Helena, and Daniela.

Vittorio was on the other side of the room together with Elio.

She moved her gaze again, and then she saw Luciano.

Standing aside. White crisp shirt glued to his perfect frame. Hair tied in a bun. Silent brooding expression on his face, as he observed the scene too.

And as if he felt her presence, he turned towards the door.

Luciano stiffened when he saw Valentina.

She didn’t look like the woman that had been crying her eyes out four days ago when he last saw her.

But his gaze didn’t linger. Elio was in the room, and from his eye movement, it was obvious he had seen her too.

"You don’t understand what you’re saying, miss. You can’t be my daughter. I don’t know what your mother told you but she lied to you. She told me twenty six years ago that I wasn’t the one who impregnated her. She called me impotent and a failure. And named another as your father. How can I be your father, lady?" Giovanni questioned in a voice filled with frustration.

"But I have proof!" Natalia cried out. "She wrote it in her letters. How she loved you with all her heart. She spoke about you all the time. If Val was here, she would confirm!"

"Well I am, and I can confirm."

Everyone who hadn’t seen her before, including Aurora who was in another far end of the room, saw her now as she walked further into the room.

Giovanni, and even Helena visibly reacted on seeing Valentina.

She was so much like her mother, it was unbelievable.

"Natalia isn’t lying. Nana spoke about you all the time," she continued.

"Look, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it isn’t true," Giovanni insisted.

"Let’s bring the letters then. You said the proof is in the letters? Let’s see your proof," Daniela spoke up.

"Yes! Thank you Daniela. The letters are in the other room. Inside the box," Natalia said as hope sparked up inside of her.

"You said so already. I’ve sent a maid to fetch them. They should be here at any—" footsteps echoed, and Daniela turned towards the door. "Great! She’s here. Did you find the letters?"

"Sìsignora," the maid said as she arrived before them.

"Give them to my father," she ordered.

The maid swiftly obeyed.

Everyone watched in silence as Giovanni read through the letters.

He shook his head after the first three, and tossed the rest to the ground.

"Your mother confirmed it here. I’m not your father. Now please stop with the delusion!"

Natalia screamed. "That’s not true. What have you just read? She spoke about you with such beautiful poetry. It’s all in there," she cried out.

"Stop it, Natalia. You’re a liar! I can’t believe I believed you. This is so disgusting! How could you lie this way?" Daniela hollered venomously.

"Luce, I’m sorry but I have to leave. I have an important meeting to attend. I’ll wait for you in the car, honey," Giovanni said behind his shoulders, as he started to walk towards the door.

"No! Don’t go. You’re my father!" Natalia made a dash for him, but Daniela jumped in front of her.

"You’re still lying. Stop it, and leave my father alone!" She screamed at her.

Giovanni had barely taken three steps, when Valentina blocked his way.

He came to an abrupt halt, and when he looked up into her eyes, they were raging.