Chapter 3: Friendship bloom
1350 Words
Alessandro POV
As Valentina urged me to act as if I hadn't witnessed anything, I couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and guilt. I handed her my jacket, understanding that she needed it to cover the makeshift bandage she had fashioned from her shirt. It was a small gesture, but it felt like the least I could do to support her in that moment.
I implored her to seek medical attention at the hospital, worried about the potential complications that could arise from her gunshot wound. However, her response left me with a heavy heart. "I can't trust anyone," she said, her voice filled with a deep sense of vulnerability and fear. It was a statement that resonated with the pain she had endured throughout her life, a reminder of the walls she had built to protect herself from further harm.
Reluctantly, Valentina called her driver to pick her up even the class wasn't ended yet. It was clear that she wanted to retreat to the safety of her own home, away from prying eyes and potential threats. As she left, a sense of helplessness washed over me, knowing that I couldn't fully comprehend the weight of her experiences or the reasons behind her reluctance to seek help. We're the same... We both can't go to the hospital if we're hurt, we can't roam around without being warry about dying at any moment.... We just have to live this way because we were born this way.
As I entered my penthouse, I noticed Luca engrossed in playing arcade games in my personal space.
"Drei, when will you gonna kill her?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the screen, his tone filled with anticipation.
"Not yet," I replied, my voice tinged with hesitation. "I still need to gather more information."
Luca chuckled. "Come on, Alessandro! What's the need for more information? Just kill her and let's just have some fun abroad!" His words reflected our initial plans to live in Madrid. However, my father had entrusted me with the task of dealing with her, while Luca was assigned to support me.
"I know, but I want to ensure I make an informed decision," I explained, my frustration growing. But Luca's interruption only fueled my internal conflict.
"It's already decided, Alessandro. We have to kill her, regardless of her innocence. If you're unsure, I can handle it myself," he declared, his urgency catching me off guard.
A surge of conflicting emotions washed over me as I confronted him. "Was it you who shot her earlier?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. Luca's smirk confirmed my suspicions, and a mix of anger, and a sense of exclusion swirled within me.
"She's our enemy, the first person we need to deal with. Don't be too soft Drei, that's not you," he asserted, his tone is firm yet friendly.
Before leaving, Luca handed me a small bottle, a sense of urgency evident in his actions. "Use this to expedite the mission. We don't have want to waste time anymore. But remember, this is an order from your father Alessandro" he said, his words carrying a friendly reminder of our shared purpose. With that, he hurriedly left.
The next morning, as I arrived at school, I unexpectedly crossed paths with Valentina in the bustling hallway.
"Good morning, Sandro!" she greeted me with her usual energy. Although she appeared fine on the surface, I knew she was still recovering.
"Morning, how are you?" I inquired, noticing her struggle with her backpack. Without hesitation, I reached out and offered to carry it for her. Her surprise was evident in her expression.
"I'll carry it for you," I offered, a small smile forming on my lips.
"How romantic of you!" she exclaimed, a playful tone in her voice. Her smile widened, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in her presence.
"By the way, have you read the GC last night?" she suddenly asked, her expression turning slightly disappointed.
"No, I haven't. Why?" I replied, curious about her reaction. She pouted, a gesture that seemed out of place for a mafia heiress like her.
"Ah, Janice is having a birthday party tomorrow night, and we're all invited. But I'm too shy to go alone... If you're going, then I'll come too," she explained, her voice filled with hesitation.
"Do you really want to go?" I asked, wanting to ensure her comfort. She nodded eagerly, her excitement palpable.
"It's a swimming pool party! I've always wanted to experience swimming with my classmates!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm shining through like that of a child.
"Alright then, let's go together," I agreed, a smile forming on my face. Suddenly, she embraced me tightly, leaving me stunned and speechless.
"Thank you, Sandro! You're the best!" she exclaimed, finally releasing me from her grasp. A tingling sensation coursed through me, a feeling I couldn't quite decipher, but it was undeniably pleasant.
"Sandro, are you feeling sick? Your face is all red," she worriedly remarked, reaching out to check my forehead for any signs of fever.
"I'm fine, hahaha. Don't worry," I reassured her, quickly averting my gaze. Was I feeling embarrassed?
"Sandro," she called out, causing me to turn back towards her.
"What is it?" I asked, curious about her mischievous smile.
"It's a secret, hehehe. You'll have to find out for yourself," she teased, playfully walking into the classroom. What could she be up to this time? I followed her lead and took a seat next to her.
"Come on, tell me what it is," I insisted, eager to uncover her secret. But she simply shook her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Nope, I find you adorable when you're blushing," she playfully remarked, causing me to be taken aback.
"Since when did I? Hahaha, you're kidding me, right?" I responded, leaning closer to her. Unexpectedly, she became flustered and turned her gaze away. A warm sensation spread across my face as I realized the effect I had on her.
"Don't surprise me like that," she stuttered, her voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. I couldn't help but smirk secretly, enjoying the playful banter between us.
"Did I really surprise you?" I teased, and she retaliated by poking my ribs.
"You definitely did! Stop teasing me, or else I'll pull out all of your ribs," she threatened, but I couldn't help but burst into laughter. As if she could actually do that.
"Hahaha, whatever, Valentina," I replied, still chuckling. She glared at me, but I found it incredibly cute.
"You think I can't?" she challenged, spinning her ballpen in her fingers. However, it slipped from her grasp and flew away, leaving her flustered with embarrassment.
"Try if you can," I playfully taunted, and she pouted like a defeated cat. It was moments like these that made me realize how unlikely it was for her to be a threat to me in the future. She was just a normal college student, after all.
The class began, and as usual, she was completely focused on her studies, which only fueled my desire to playfully disrupt her.
I grabbed my notebook and scribbled a message on it. "You look like a librarian with your glasses on," I wrote, accompanied by a happy emoji. I showed it to her, expecting a reaction. And boy, did I get one. She promptly stepped on my foot, but I couldn't help but stifle my laughter because her kick was so weak.
"Stop admiring my beautiful face," she wrote in response. Admire her face? Since when did I do that?
Curiosity got the better of me, so I leaned closer to her, causing her to freeze up. With a mischievous grin, I whispered, "You're indeed beautiful," just to tease her. However, I couldn't help but feel secondhand embarrassment when I saw her blush.
She didn't say anything, but she retaliated by stabbing her notebook with her pen, which only made me smile like I had won . Oh, the playful dynamics between us never failed to entertain me.
To be continued...
- Writer
