The Masked Hero

Chapter 8

Valentina's POV

My heart thumped rapidly in my chest as I stared at the vehicles parked outside. My window granted me the opportunity to catch a glimpse of them, but it did nothing to stall the obvious. It was already bad that I was in trouble, but the fact that I couldn't recognize the owners of the cars parked outside made it all the more worse.

Who were these people? What were they doing here?

Growing up, I had a policy that I followed. It might not necessarily make sense to anyone else,but it did to me, and that was all I needed to know I was right. Whenever I was anticipating trouble, I had one simple rule. The more expensive or luxurious the car was,the more trouble it meant.

Coincidentally, the cars outside screamed nothing less than luxury, and that was all I needed to know I was screwed.

Anxiety swirled in the pit of my stomach as I watched the next scene unfold. Almost like they were paid to be dramatic, I watched the car doors open up, just to reveal a total of six men, dressed in all black but that wasn't even the worst part.

The part that sent literal shivers down my spine was when another man stepped out of the car. Unlike the others, he was dressed in a navy blue three piece suit that hugged his body perfectly. How hair glistened under the sunlight, and bounced off the dark shades hung loosely on his nose. Even with the effort he put into concealing his identity, I recognized him the moment he stepped out of the car.

Felix.

The distance between us did nothing to nullify the amount of fear he shot up my spine. My fingers trembled, and I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

No, no, no.

I should have known. I should have known it could only be Felix. But what was he doing here? How did he even know I was here in the first place? My house had been empty for a while, so how did he know to show up the exact time I arrived?

Something rustled behind me, and I pulled my eyes in the direction it came from. Like I wasn't already going through enough trouble for the day, I just had to be reminded of another one.

Mr Handsome. He was still here, and I didn't need the highest IQ in the world to know that his presence would only bring more trouble, and if Felix saw him….

I shook my head, willing the thoughts to go away. I didn't want to think about it, this wasn't the time to think about it. I needed to act and fast too.

I glanced back to the window just in time to see Felix walking up to the house. Maybe if I could catch up to him before he got here, I would be able to avoid a scene, or worse; a bloodbath.

With so much as an explanation or another word to the man in my living room, I dashed out of the house. The sound of my heels clicking loudly against the tiles reached my ears, but I ignored it.

I let out a breath of relief when I got to the front door before Felix. However, my little bout of relief didn't last too long. I had barely gotten the chance to catch my breath, when Felix appeared in front of me.

“Felix.” I huffed. My heart fell to my feet, but a tiny part of me knew there was more to come. “What are you doing here?”

“I only came to visit.” He sneered, his voice quiet and icy. “Isn't that allowed anymore?”

“Actually…”

“Or is it because you weren't given ample time to hide it?” He continued, cutting me off immediately. “I mean, him.”

I gulped loudly. He knew, Felix knew about the man in my living room, but how? I hadn't spoken to him in a while, so how was he so up to date on the things going on in my life?

“I don't know what you heard.” I started out slowly. My voice shook with each syllable that slid past my lips, but there was nothing I could do at this point. “But they're wrong.”

“Really?” Felix raised an eyebrow. Almost like it was planned, the six men from earlier flanked themselves behind him, and I shuddered. “So you wouldn't mind me coming in, right?”

“No.” I let out, a bit too abruptly if you asked me. “You can't come in. I mean, not now. O only just arrived and my house is so dusty…..”

“I don't care.” He cut me off again. “Let me in. Now.”

“Felix, I can't.” I whispered, like it was going to change anything. “You can't.”

“Don't make me force you.” I knew better than to think Felix's words were an empty threat. He meant every single word of his, and his blazing red eyes were all the confirmation I needed. “Step aside.”

“No.” It was useless standing my ground, but I tried anyway. I spread my legs, wide enough to fit the doorframe. “You're not going in.”

“I think it's going to be embarrassing if I get one of my men to pull you out of that doorway.” He hissed. “Let me through, now.”

“Felix, no….” The rest of my words hung in my throat as he stepped forward. Felix wasn't muscular, but he didn't even have to try to much to be able to get past me.

The heat of his glare was enough to have my skin scorching, but not in the good way. He pushed me, and that was all it took to have me stumbling back. Luckily fit me, I was able to catch myself, but it was too late. The moment I had stepped inside, Felix had taken that as an opportunity to match into my living room.

“Felix!” I called after him. Knowing the man, I could bet my life that he wasn't going to stop. “Felix! Come back!”

All of my cries fell on deaf ears as he heafed deeper into the house. As fast as I could, I trailed after him, wanting nothing more than to catch him. But the moment he froze at the door to the living room, I just knew it was over.

“What?” He growled. “Who the hell is this?”

I knew he was talking about Mr Handsome, and it made me conflicted on who to feel afraid for; him, or me.

“Felix relax.” I was able to wiggle my way to stand in front of him. “Just relax and let me explain.’

“I wasn't talking to you.” His angry eyes never left mine as he spoke. “He's not deaf, is he?”

“No, just let me explain.” I thanked God secretly when Felix finally kept quiet, giving me a chance to explain. “ It's not what you think. I know how it might look like but he's just a mechanic suffering from amnesia.”

An awkward silence settled between us. For a moment, was tempted to believe that he hadn't heard me. Until he burst out laughing, that is.

“What?” He guffawed out loud. “What did you just say?”

“I…”

“You must be joking.” His laughter increased, and I definitely did t miss the mockery rubbing off it. “ Not only did you pick up some random stranger, he also happens to be a mechanic. Is that how poor your taste is?!”

“What's that supposed to mean?” I shot back at him, a frown making its way to my lips. “It's not like I'm married to him, so what the hell is your point?”

“I don't see a difference dear.” His signature smug grin wasted no time in showing up. “It doesn't change the fact that you're shameless.”

“I'm shameless?!” I couldn't believe my ears. “ In case you forgot, we're not married, and that means that you have no right over who I bring in here. I can even sleep with him if I want to.”

“You wouldn't dare.” Felix hissed. “If you so much as dare to pull a stunt like that, you'll regret it. I promise. I'll make sure to ruin your reputation and banish you and your family from this city.”

“You don't scare me.” I shook my head defiantly. “I don't know who the hell you think you are, but if you think you can threaten me and my family, then you're clearly mistaken. You can do whatever the hell you want, but I don't care!”

“How dare you?” Felix was quick to flare up. I knew the man had a temper but I never expected him to raise his hand towards me. “I'll teach you a lesson, you'll see.”

I watched Felix's hand inch closer towards my face and I froze, just managing to close my eyes. I counted down the seconds to when his hand would collide with my face but it never came, and after seconds of waiting, I opened my eyes and found out why.

My eyes widened at the sight in front of me. Mr Handsome stood between me and Felix, holding on to Felix outstretched hands. My eyes darted to Felix, and his face was a perfect shade of anger.

“Let me go.” Felix hissed. I watched him try to wiggle his way out of Mr Handsome’s grip, but even I knew it was too damn strong for him. “I said let me go.”

“Why?” Mr Handsome shot back. “So you can hit her? If you so much as lay a hand on her, I promise that'll be the last time you'll use it. I won't hesitate to kill you right here if you try to touch her again.”

“Was that a threat?” It was Felix's turn to be shocked. “How dare you speak to me in that manner?!”

The next couple of seconds rushed by in a blur. Before I could make out anything else, I watched Felix throw a punch towards my savior. Luckily for him, he was quick to dodge it, and retaliated almost immediately.

The didn't didn't last long as my savior beat the hell out of Felix. All it took him was a couple of minutes to drive Felix out the door, with at least a broken arm and a couple of bones.

I had barely had enough time to figure out he was okay or not, when the men in black trooped in. One after the other, they came for Mr Handsome, but he was quick to dodge each of their blows, sending them back outside, one by one.

Just like he had beat up the guards at the villa the other time, he didn't even break a sweat when it came to these ones.

Just when I thought the problem was over, or a tiny part of it at least, I watched another car stroll into the building. I recognized this one, but it still didn't bring me any peace, and before they could get out of the car, I rushed to the entrance.

I got to the entrance just in time to see Uncle Oliver and father walking towards the house. As their eyes landed on a slightly bruised Felix, I just knew things were only going to get worse.

“Felix.” Father called out to him. “What happened?”

“Why don't you ask your cheating daughter?!” Felix roared, causing my dad to flinch. “Apparently, not only is she spoilt, but she's a cheat too. How dare she get herself Involved with another man? Weren't we supposed to get married?!”

“Calm down, please.” Uncle Oliver begged. “Please just calm down so we can explain and…”

“Over my dead body.” Felix snorted. “I will ruin you, and it's a promise.”

Father stumbled back, definitely in shock, and I rushed towards him. My plan has been to steady him, but I had barely reached him when he did the unthinkable.

“Get away from me!” Father roared, each of his words sending a deep gash into my chest. “Stay away from me.”

“But Dad….”

“Since you're hellbent on always embarrassing me, I know what to do.” He was quick to cut me off. “I know just what to do.”

“From this moment forward.” My stomach churned as he spoke. “You're no longer my daughter.”

Wait, what?

“I hereby disown you as my daughter!”

No. What the hell just happened?