Love’s Healing Redemption

Chapter 2 The Ride

Downstairs, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom idled at the curb, tinted windows, luxury spelled out in every way. Val stood beside it, checking his phone. He looked up and smiled.

When he saw her emerge, bag slung over her shoulder, suitcase at her feet, and the small French Bulldog behind her, his expression shifted. Softened.

"Ready to go? Need any help?"

"As I'll ever be, I suppose, and no, I've got it, thanks."

She replied apprehensively as she gestured for Enzo to jump into the car.

Val's gaze dropped to the dog-small, loyal, at odds with the world he inhabited, much like Val himself. He crouched slightly, extended his hand without pressure. Enzo sniffed; his head rubbed against Val's hand.

She moved to put her things in the back along with Enzo's bed, but Val took it from her,

"Don't worry, I don't mind helping. Let's put the bigger stuff in the trunk, hand it over."

Zora was surprised by his gentlemanly way. She was not expecting him to be kind.

The leather was soft, expensive. Everything about this screamed money and power-but his eyes stayed on her, watching to see if she'd truly be ready to cross this threshold.

He stepped aside, gestured for her to settle into the back seat. She looked up at him and slid over with Enzo on her lap.

"I won't leave him behind. We're a package deal, even if this is only a trial period."

She looked down, looking a little defeated, nervous that he might not want to let her take her dog. Val looked at her kindly.

"Of course, he comes too. My place has a courtyard. He'll be fine, better than fine. I know what loyalty looks like. I respect it. Don't worry, he's welcome. I can relate to him; he's cool, and I like dogs. I actually like all animals. They have a genuineness that people don't normally have. They are real, no hidden agendas."

He glanced at Zora, reading the worry etched in her face.

She looked over at him, saw the truth in his statement, and agreed with it but said nothing. Val slid in beside her; the door closed with a soft, expensive click. The car pulled smoothly into traffic.

He repeated:

"A packaged deal, good. I like that about you-you don't abandon things that matter. Enzo stays. No trial period changes that, and neither do you, Zora. Not unless you choose to."

He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

His hand settled near hers on the seat, not touching but present. The magnetic attraction was palpable… The city blurred past the windows.

His voice dropped lower.

"And stop looking like you're heading to an execution. You're not."

She stuttered,

"...I…I… I'm sorry; I just don't know you or what to expect. I'm nervous. I suppose this is happening so fast I can't think straight. I just don't know how to process all of this. It's such a strange situation."

He chuckled,

"Nervous is smart; you should be nervous around me. We don't know each other. I hope that will change in time, that you will learn to trust me, and it won't seem so crazy, but Zora, fast doesn't mean reckless. I've had three months to think about this; you've had two hours. So we go at your pace now, no pressure. No expectations beyond tonight being… comfortable. Ask me anything. I'll answer truthfully, no secrets."

He reached over, took her hand. His palm was warm, calloused in places that spoke of a life lived harder than she expected. He didn't squeeze- just held it in his. Enzo shifted on her lap, sensing the tension. Val's thumb traced her knuckles slowly. He glanced out the window as the car climbed toward the penthouse district.

"Very well, where are we going exactly? I know we are going uptown, but where, and what are your plans? What is expected of me?"

She asked in all earnestness, genuinely curious about what his plans were. As the car drove through the city, glass towers reflected neon against the darkened sky. Val's penthouse overlooked everything-a kingdom of concrete and ambition. He kept her hand in his as he answered her questions.

"The Residences at Rainier Square, the 58th floor, the penthouse. My place has a view that'll make you forget why you were ever nervous. Plans? Umm, I suppose we start with dinner, conversation. A guest room is being prepared for you. Where you and Enzo sleep tonight, if that's what you want. Tomorrow, we figure out what comes next. Together. No ambush, no games, just… us learning about each other. I truly am interested in you, Zora. I want to know more if you'll let me."

She looked over at him, genuinely confused.

"But I thought I was supposed to be payment for my father's debt. How can that be if we're in separate rooms? Is there something I'm missing? Is there some kind of job I'm supposed to do?"

She said it sincerely and without judgment.

He stilled; her question, innocent and logical, cut through every carefully constructed boundary he'd built. He turned to face her fully, Enzo warm between them. His voice was rough as he swallowed hard to answer her.

"The debt clears regardless. That was never conditional on...this. I lied to myself about why I needed you close. Told myself it was business. But separate rooms-that's me trying to prove I'm better than the man who stalked you for three months. You're not payment, Zora. You never were. The debt was just… permission to want you without it being insane."

She looked away from him and said quietly,

"So this was just a ploy to get me here."

He nodded slowly,

"Yeah, you're right, it was a ploy, but somewhere between the first time I saw you and now, the ploys stopped mattering. All that mattered was getting to be able to spend time with you and for you to be here, for you to see me…to know me...maybe learn about each other, I don't know… I just wanted a chance for us. There's no special job. I don't expect you to sleep with me, although I really want you to... eventually that is…”

Embarrassed, a slight blush crept onto his face. She turned and looked out the window, as she thought to herself for a long-while. As the silence stretched on, he got nervous and asked,

"Are you ok?... I know that this is very strange and not what most sane people would do to start something with someone. I… I just didn't know how else to start this conversation with you after watching you. I just couldn't stop watching, and then your dad-it allowed me to talk to you."

She looked deep into his eyes and understood the fears and insecurities behind the man of power, but...

"Why threats at all? It's just what you're used to, using power plays to get your way? Val, you're right; this is weird, and I am a bit frightened, to tell the truth. We are going into the city, and I hate the city. It's a place to go for the day, not to stay, and I know nothing about who you really are, and what's going to happen. Plus, I have a job back home in a few days. If you don't bring me back, what then?"

Val saw he had f****d up, and he didn't want it to get worse, so he knew honesty was his only choice.

"OK, your dad was drunk. He didn't really make a sound choice. It was easy to push him. I knew who he was. It was just a way for me to get to you, nothing more- so there really isn't a debt; it was just a way for me to start a conversation. I'm sorry; I see that I f****d up. But I know I was just grasping at straws. I knew I couldn't continue just watching. I had to actually meet you and have you meet me to see if maybe, just maybe, this could go someplace. I knew if it stayed that way, it never would. Please forgive me. Can we just start fresh?"

She looked at him again as they started to pull off I-5 and enter the city. She stuttered,

"... I... I don't know what I'm supposed to say or what to do. Can we just start with dinner and see what happens with that?"…

Val sighed and nodded.

"Yes, yes, of course. I can do that for sure...”

“I can cook pasta. You do like pasta, right?”

He asked, full of hope.

She tilted her head to the side in a mock gesture and said jokingly,

"Well, who doesn't like pasta, I mean, really."

The city lights shone brightly as the car moved through the city's streets, rolling hills, and crowded sidewalks. The drive into the city's neighborhood, Rainier Square, was bustling with activity. With the mall nearby, the square was full of tourists looking at the affluent buildings, shopping and whatnot. Rainier Square Residencies were a sight to behold, a wonder in their elegant architecture.

Zora had been to the mall, but never inside the buildings. As they pulled up, her heart started to pound. Feeling out of place and under-dressed, she looked down at herself and sighed. As they arrived at the Residences at Rainier Square, the concierge opened the door, and she stepped out into the evening air, looking up at the towering building in awe.

She felt small in comparison. The building was a shimmering spectacle with a wavering line, like it was designed after a wave. Its wall of glass rose above her, the wave-like design making the entire building seem as though it were moving.

The concierge smiled warmly at Zora, but the moment Val stepped from the car, his demeanor shifted. His posture straightened, the easy smile disappearing into something more formal.

“Mr. Ricci,” he greeted respectfully.

Val gave him a slight nod, nothing more, yet the man immediately moved to assist. Zora noticed the difference. Val hadn't asked him to do anything. He hadn't needed to.

Val and his man grabbed her and Enzo's things. She thanked them, then attempted to help, but was shooed away by the concierge with a smile. They headed towards the elevator in tandem. The lobby shone in glass and marble with a water-like textured floor, blue and white waved marbled tiles. The elevator ascended in silence, mirrored walls multiplying them endlessly.

Val met her eyes in the reflection, his nervousness still visible. The doors opened to an open floor plan of marble and floor-to-ceiling windows. A sheepskin rug lay before a pristine white sofa and a fireplace that seemed like it could swallow you. The city sprawled below, tiny, like something he owned—and apparently, he owned most of it. Which made her even more nervous.

He moved to the window, hands in his pockets, looking more boyish than ever before. As the city glittered below like scattered diamonds, he looked around, then settled his gaze upon her.

"What do you think?"

Zora looked out the window and back to him again.

"Wow, it's overwhelming. Beautiful in an overpriced exotic way. I love the view."

She set her coat on the back of the couch, and Enzo came running over to the windows. He chuckled and nodded in understanding, then led her through the penthouse. The city framed nearly every room. Modern furniture, expensive art, everything was sterile and unfeeling... until they reached the kitchen. It was warmer here—lived in. A copper kettle sat on the stove. Fresh herbs grew in a window box.

“Would you like something to drink? The restroom is down that hall. It was a long drive, if you need to use it, and the kitchen is right here, as you can see. I'll get started with dinner; make yourself at home.”

He gestured with his arms wide open, welcoming her with a large smile on his face. Zora shook her head and walked back over to the window to take in the view as he walked into the kitchen.

"You spend a lot of time in here, don't you? It feels different from the rest of the place, warmer, more lived in. Do you enjoy cooking?"

She asked, curious to know more about him. He smiled, a genuine laugh escaping him.

“Very much,” he admitted, almost reluctantly.

“Though that's not something I generally advertise. Men in my position aren't exactly expected to enjoy spending their evenings cooking.

"But this kitchen... it's the one place in this penthouse where I can just be me."