The Masked Hero

Chapter 7

Valentina's POV

The rest of the drive home was smooth, except for the little thoughts involving Camilla that popped in and out of my mind. I had no idea why, but I just couldn't shake off the fact that something was wrong, or would be going wrong.

I trusted Camilla, and there was no way she would do something to hurt me, right? We'd been friends since the beginning of time and it just didn't sound like something she could do, but that wasn't even the point. Why was I suddenly feeling like this? Nothing has happened for me to start growing suspicious of Camilla, so why were thoughts like these creeping into my mind now?

I got my answer instantly, and my mind darted to the scene that has unfolded yesterday. Seeing father and uncle was definitely a surprise I didn't see coming, so I guess that's why I felt the way I did. Since they had found where I was hiding, despite all of my careful planning, I guess it was only normal for me to start feeling skeptical.

I willed the thoughts away as I shook my head. I still had a bit of a distance before we got to our destination, and the last thing I needed was any distractions.

“Is everything okay?” he muttered from beside me. For a moment there, I had actually forgotten we were in the same vehicle. “You've been quiet for a while, since the phone call in fact.”

“Oh.” I muttered underneath my breath. I had no idea he had noticed how I felt, and for some strange reason, it made my heart skip a beat. I allowed a couple of seconds pass before answering. “It's fine, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about anything.”

“Are you sure?” He asked again. He tilted his head in my direction as he muttered his next words. “Because I think you might have missed your way.”

“What?” I let out a small chuckle. “Why do you say that?”

“This isn't the same route we took when we were leaving.” He nodded slowly. “I made a mental note of the road, and this is not the part we took.”

“You're right, but at the same time, you're still wrong.” Seeing him confused made me smile. “You're right that this isn't the route we took, but I didn't miss my way. We're not heading to the villa.”

“What?” He scrunched up his eyebrows. “Why? Where are we going?”

“Somewhere else.” My face lit up immediately. When I stared ahead and realized we were already there, I beamed all the more. “We're here.”

“Where's here?”

“My house.” I nodded triumphantly, as I drove into the compound.

My house was one of the many things I was proud of in my lifetime. It was a rented villa that stood tall in an incredibly beautiful community, but there was no way I wouldn't give myself a little bit of the credit.

After I had gotten the keys to the place, I took it upon myself to make a couple of renovations, that would suit my style, and that included doing over the exterior and everything else. I prided myself in the beautiful garden I had been able to create, and the aesthetic beauty that came with the house.

All in all, it was a masterpiece.

“Wow.” The stranger nodded as he got down from the car. From his eyes, I could see he was impressed and it fllled me with some kind of warmth. “This is beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I tried my best not to be proud. “I'm glad you like it, but just wait till you see the inside.”

Without warning, I grabbed a hold of his hand and pulled him inside. The moment we got to the living room, a loud bark filled the room.

“Zoey!” I wasted no time in letting go of his hand at the sight of the canine that bundled towards me. “I missed you so much.”.

The huge dog wasted no time in running into my arms. The impact was so much, she almost knocked me down.

“Oh my.” I let out a series of giggles as she licked at my face over and over again. Zoey was a tibetan mastiff, and that was her many ways of showing that she missed me too. “You've grown so big.”

“Well, that's a very big dog.” A deep voice called from behind, and I became aware of his presence again. If there was anything, his interruption made me realize that I needed a name for him.

I snuck a glance at him and my lips lifted up when I saw him take a step back.

I wasn't the only one who had picked up on his voice, Zoey had too. Her barks grew louder as she bared her teeth at him, showing her very sharp dentition.

“Calm down Zoey.” I ran a hand through her fur. It always worked when I wanted to calm her down, but his presence has already infuriated her. “Just calm down.”

Zoey did the exact opposite. Instead, her growls grew louder, her barks echoing all around the house.

“Why do you have such a big dog?” He asked again. I wasn't sure if he was scared, but the stance he took made him look incredibly handsome, and I decided to go with that; handsome. I was going to call him Handsome from now on. “Don't you think she's a little too, big?”

“What?” I smiled. I ran my hands through Zoey's fur one more time and she let out a small bark. I smiled one more time and she stopped barking entirely. “ No, Zoey's the perfect size for me. And it's not entirely about her size.”

“Why then?” He asked, sheer curiosity shining in his eyes.

“Because.” I paused, before letting out a small sigh. “Zoey isn't just a pet, she gives me comfort in the midst of all my troubles. When I have to think about how isolated I am and the marriage I'm being forced into, Zoey's presence helps me feel relaxed.”

The silence that settled between us was loud enough to drown out everything else besides me, except the sound of Zoey's tail swishing from side to side.

I snuck a glance at Mr Handsome, and my heart fell to my feet. Had I just made a fool of myself? Not a lot of people understood the comfort and how important Zoey was to me, was he going to be a part of them too? Had I embarrassed myself in front of him?

“It's fine if you think it doesn't make sense.” I muttered underneath my breath. “I'm probably saying rubbish and….”

“No, not at all.” He shook his head slowly, causing me to pause. Something glistened in his eyes, and it made me feel warm from the inside. “In a way, I kinda understand.”

“You do?” I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding. I always thought it didn't make any sense, because no one really understood me. No one except him.

“Yes.” He nodded, as a lopsided grin made its way to his face. “I have no idea why, but something's coming to mind. The memory is hazy, but I can recall someone keeping a tiger.”

“A tiger?” My eyes widened. “Like a wife animal?”

“Yes.” Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “But whenever I was around, the tiger usually became docile. Almost like a kitten.”

“Wow.” I shook my head. “If that's the case then, why hasn't Zoey warmed up to you yet?”

I had meant that as a joke, but I guess he took it seriously. His eyes darted to Zoey again, and I just knew a plan was cooking in his head.

He took slow and gentle steps towards my dog, and I held my breath in my throat. Tinee slowly ticked into a halt as he raised his hand to Zoey's head. Like she was in a trance, Zoey stayed still, slowly waiting for Mr Handsome’s hand. Only when he was finally able to stroke Zoey, did I release a breath I had no idea I was holding.

“See.” He grinned, running his hands through her hair. “What did I tell you?”

I couldn't believe my eyes. Wasn't it the same Zoey who would have ripped his head off if I had let her? How was she now letting him pet her?

“Why don't I take her for a walk?” Zoey seemed to love the idea, and I same to that conclusion as I watched her wag her tail in excitement.

Without waiting for my permission or anything, Mr Handsome led my precious Zoey out of the door.

I shook my head slowly, before walking back into my room. It had been a while since I was here, and as expected, a little cleanup needed to be done. Thanks to Zoey patrolling the garden and the compound, it gave me ample time to focus on cleaning and freshening up.

By the time I was done, I walked out into the living room, at the exact time, Zoey and Mr Handsome were walking back inside the house, but something caught my eye.

Zoey was still at his side, and in fact, she looked even happier than when she left.

I thought it was pure luck that he was able to pet her the first time,but getting her to go on a walk without any stress was a near impossible feat. Even for me, it took me six months before I could get a hold of her, even when she was just a little pup, and he had nist done it in a couple of minutes. Like that wasn't enough, he had ever gotten her to warm up to him.

“What have you done?” I lashed out immediately. Even my loud tone seemed to scare poor Zoey, but I didn't care. “What did you do to Zoey?”

“I don't understand.” He looked genuinely confused. “What's wrong? Did something happen?”

“Yes.” I nodded once. “Zoey was out with you for like thirty minutes, and she didn't make a sound. I'm sure you must have done something to her. You literally took her to wander around the house and I'm sure you must have provoked her too.”

“No I didn't.” He shook his head. “I wouldn't do such a thing even if I wanted to. She's warmed up to me now, and I assure you she won't harm me.”

“We'll see about that.” I huffed. “Zoey, come here.”

The period between her coming towards me had to be the longest one of my life. Zoey stood beside him, her tail wagging behind her. She glanced at Mr Handsome for a moment, before hanging out her tongue again.

“Zoey!” I called out again, but it was still futile. “Zoey, I said come here. What have you done to my previous baby?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “I swear, I haven't done anything to her.”

Frustration nipped at my skin at Zoey's refusal. With my cheeks burning in anger and embarrassment, I marched towards Zoey's side. I reached down and grabbed her by the collar before tugging her inside.

Maybe I shouldn't have done that, because the moment she was in her room, something else happened.

If I counted correctly, I could make out six luxury cars pulling up in front of my house. From my spot over here, it made it hard for me to see the drivers, but the eerie feeling that washed over me could only mean one thing; trouble.

I was in trouble.

Shit, what was I going to do now?