CHAPTER 74: CONCURRENT PLANS

Natalia, singing off key, walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, with water dripping down her body.

She made it into the room when her eyes caught a presence that silenced her voice.

Paralyzed from shock, she stared wide-eyed at Vittorio.

Vittorio returned her gaze with one of perusal.

There was no shift in his usually straight face, but deep within, he was a little unprepared for her current state. But it was good enough for him to almost crack a pleasant smile.

Instead, he cleared his throat. "I see you’re doing better."

Natalia’s rapidly thumping heart sped up even more as she tried to think of what to say in response.

It was a simple statement that demanded a simple response, but she just couldn’t push out whatever was at the tip of her tongue.

Not only was she standing with just her towel wrapped around her after the marvelous morning shower she had indulged herself in, she was also pretty sure her voice had hit one too many sorry pitchy notes.

"How embarrassing!" She screamed internally, praying for the ground to open and swallow her.

Or more realistically, the chandelier to fall on her and knock her out.

"I didn’t mean to barge in. If now is not a good time—"

"I just came out of the shower. Of course it’s not a good time," she blurted, but then clamped her lips tightly on realising she had basically implied he was a creep.

"Right," he bobbed his head slowly. "I’ll leave now."

"Wait! She called out before he could fully turn around.

Vittorio paused, and took a deep breath. "What is it Natalia?"

"I’m sorry for the implications of my words. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m also very glad you came to check up on me," she said, and even added a big smile afterwards.

"You’re welcome. I still need to give you some privacy."

"Wait!" She stopped him one more time.

Vittorio sighed. "Do you need something?" As he questioned, his traitorous eyes went to her chest, and his breath caught.

He quickly pulled them away and brought them to her face, before he could get caught, and deemed more creepy.

"Yeah. A favour please."

"What do you want?" His brow joined together, causing his gaze to narrow curiously.

"I want to see Valentina. And before you say no, it is urgent please," she begged, thinking of the note Valentina sent her through Elio.

"I’m glad you know it’s impossible. But maybe I could reconsider if you tell me why you need to see her?"

"Uhmmm," she fiddled with her fingers. "Uhmmm–It’s– I can’t actually tell you."

"Really?" His lips pursed.

"Yeah, but I really need to see her. Like really, really need to see her. It’s urgent."

He almost smiled. "I get it from how much you’ve repeated really. But like I said, I don’t have that power."

"Can I see Mr Luciano then? Maybe I can beg him to let me see her?"

"Natalia, do you think that’s a good idea?" He lifted a quizzical brow.

Her shoulders slouched, as she let out a heavy breath. "I guess it isn’t. They hate each other. He’ll never let me see her. But I don’t understand why. Their parents were the ones who had the problems right? Why are they inheriting it?" She shook her head, as her face wore a troubled expression.

The innocence in her question was so cute, Vittorio’s mask slipped, and he actually smiled.

"Because there are things called justice, pride, and resentment. They play a huge factor in all of this. You wouldn’t understand. You’re totally good."

Her head shot up. "You think I’m a super good person?"

"You don’t think you are?"

"I don’t know. I’m just as good as the next person. Nothing special."

"If you say so Natalia." He opened the door, and didn’t stop walking even when she called out to him.

Natalia sighed again. "Hang on Valentina," she muttered under her breath.

****

Evening came, and Valentina heard a knock on the door for the third time that day.

She swore under her breath.

Since dawn, Sonia had made it her personal mission to bombard her with food.

A girl asked for chicken and fried rice once, and now she couldn’t catch any breaks.

The door opened, without her asking who it was.

She could care less at this point, as long as it had nothing to do with food.

"Val baby?"

She whipped her head towards the door, and a sigh of relief swiftly escaped her throat when her eyes fell on Elio.

However when the person behind him moved out of his shadows, her breath hammered.

"You again, Sonia," she forced a smile, while praying to whatever God existed for the big bag Sonia was holding not to contain food.

"Hello Val," Sonia said jestfully, knowing deep down that Valentina was tired of eating, but still trying to be polite with her about it.

It tickled her beyond words, but she kept the knowledge to herself, waiting for Valentina to say something.

"I’m sorry I have been missing all day. I had to ensure everything was ready at the club."

Her eyes snapped. "The club!"

"You forgot?" He chuckled.

"Yeah between stuffing my face with—" she caught Sonia’s innocent gaze. "Sweet, delicious food from my dearest Sonia, and spinning a record over and over again so I can learn the lyrics, I have been quite occupied," she said.

Sonia cracked with laughter deep inside of her.

"Okay. We’re here now though. Sonia is going to transform you with our disguise for the night. I’ll be back in two hours to pick you up, okay?"

"Okay Elio. Bye!"

"Bye baby," he said as he walked out of the room.

"Val, you like some piz—"

"No I don’t, Sonia. I adore you but I can’t stand to eat something else, have mercy on me, perfavore!"

Sonia held her belly as she burst into a fit of heavy laughter. "You even speak Italian."

"Oh so you’ve been intentionally messing with me?" Valentina chuckled.

She nodded, and Valentina jumped to her feet and began chasing her around the large room.

****

Tucked in bed, Natalia opened the first page of the novel Sonia had brought alongside dinner.

"Finally, something to take my mind off things," she muttered.

Her eyes were already drinking in the first sentence when a rapt on her door caught her attention.

She looked over the book towards the door through squinted eyes. "Come in," she called out, wondering who it was.

The door opened, and Vittorio walked into the room.

Her heart thundered on seeing him dressed up in his usual vintage style.

"Twice in a day? It must be Christmas," she said.

"Christmas?"

A gasp escaped her throat when she realized she had said that out loud.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t—"

"You explain a little too much, Natalia. It’s okay. I stopped by to tell you I thought of your request, and I’ll help you. But not without conditions."

She flung the covers away from her body, and sat up. "Anything at all. I swear I’ll do it." She nodded confidently.

"You’re to be back in your room by the time club activities are over so the boss doesn’t suspect anything."

"I swear on my life, I’ll be back." She raised a hand in an oath gesture.

"Great, then I’ll be back to fetch you." He turned to leave.

"Mr Vittorio?"

He stopped.

"Call me Vittorio," he said with his back turned to her.

"Thank you Vittorio."

He smiled, and walked out of the room.