|| VALENTINA'S POV ||
My breathing hitched as I tilted my head back to see Leonardo King, standing with a mysterious smile.
Was he ever in the stripper show? Was he familiar with me?
I quickly composed myself from panicking. Smiling in return, I replied with a shrug,
" No..I used to work as an intern in a company."
I lied through my gritted teeth, hoping that he would leave me alone. To my surprise, his questions weren't over yet. He continued, taking another step forward to me,
" But..I feel like..."
" Stop pressuring my girlfriend with your ridiculous questions, Leonardo. Jenny is waiting for you.", Lorenzo cut in, stepping out of the house. I breathed a sigh of relief when he came to rescue me. It was seriously getting awkward to communicate with Leonardo.
Leonardo chuckled, raising his both hands in surrender,
" Relax, Brother! I was kidding with your girlfriend. See you later, Valentina."
He departed with a smirk. I heard a low growl from Lorenzo who was next to me warning,
"Next time..Stay for away from this guy..He is harmful for our child."
My heart skipped a beat how he mentioned 'our child'. But whatever it was, the reality hit me hard. He only cared for the baby in my stomach.
How dare I could dream of his affection for me?
I hummed in response and promised heading outside together with him,
" I will be careful, Lorenzo."
______________
" Is it necessary to have so many bodyguards around me?", I tilted my head back, watching two rows of bodyguards who were sent by Lorenzo. My days in his mansion were boring. So, I decided to go shopping but obviously, he gave me freedom with 20+ bodyguards.
God..how rich fuck he is...
His assistant replied politely, pushing his glass up to his nose a little,
" Yes, Madam! Sir's order!"
I exhaled heavily and mumbled before going into the store,
" Okay! Just let them stay a few feet away from me. I don't like attention."
Thankfully, he obliged and instructed them to stay out of my sight. I entered the store and the first thing that caught my attention was baby clothes. My pregnancy hormones were surely driving me crazy. I was always choosing clothes from online.
Walking in slow and careful steps, I watched through the clothes slowly. A smile creeped on my face as I watched a pink gown with butterflies.
" Valentina....", a familiar voice drew my attention. My smile froze as I looked behind to find none other than Dylan. He was carrying some bags as he looked at me in surprise. I felt my throat burning, remembering the night when he abandoned me mercilessly. Ever since that time, I finally set my mind to move on from him but it was difficult to control emotions when the person was right in front of your eyes.
" He..Hey...", I mumbled weakly, keeping my emotions in check. Before he could ask anything, another voice rang from his back with the sound of trotting high-heels,
" Baby..where did you go? Look! I bought another one!"
A girl around my age quickly snaked an arm around Dylan's arms. She was beautiful and was wearing a channel dress. I guessed that it was his finance that he talked about the other day.
Dylan introduced her to me, putting on a casual tone as if we were nothing but just familiar,
" Ah..Diana..This is Valentina, my friend. Valentina, Diana..She is my fiancee.."
Diana's smile disappeared as soon as she laid her eyes on me. Her piercing glare was observing me from head to toe. Although I didn't know whether she knew about us or not, she showed hatred with her one single glare. She didn't say hello to me. So, I also ignored it before Dylan asked to look at the expensive clothes in my hand,
" What are you doing here?"
Diana opened her mouth, mockery dripping from her voice,
" Right! Maybe, you have come into the wrong store. This is a VIP store for renowned families only."
Dylan quickly joined in seriously,
" Ah.. Valentina..There is another store next to this one.. Maybe you can go there..."
Were they trying to belittle me?
I couldn't believe that Dylan was actually supporting me with his fiancee. Before coming here, I didn't even watch the store name. It was Lorenzo's assistant who told me to shop from this place. Hence, I had no idea how expensive these clothes were.
Tears welled up my eyes as I stayed tongue-tied from the humiliation that I faced. The staff were all giving me awkward glances which meant that they had heard her words. I bet that she was speaking out loud on purpose.
Another young staff member walked over to her, carrying a bag before shooting glare at me, asking in an impolite voice,
" Miss, these baby clothes are all the latest additions. I am afraid that it's not up to your standards."
Diana smirked at me in mockery and feigned innocence,
" Are you hurt because of my words? I was just reminding you out of gratitude."
I couldn't stand their harsh words anymore. Dropping the clothes back on the hangers, I muttered, running outside in tears,
" I..I am sorry..I have to go.."
I ran outside, keeping my head down as I didn't want anyone to see me crying. Suddenly, I was bumped into a hard chest, and stumbled on my feet. Before I could land on the floor, a pair of strong arms gripped me, putting me in a secured position.