|| LORENZO KING's POV||
Her dead silence brought me turbulence into my heart. In less than a few minutes, my emotions faced a huge chance. From being too shocked to too happy, I had to do a marathon to control these emotions. Now, I saw nothing but emptiness in those eyes for me?
For how long I waited for this moment?
Even though Luka said that I had no hope, a part of my heart was believed to meet her one day. I didn't want to spend a lifetime in regret. When meeting her was the greatest thing that ever happened here, I lost my strength when she offered me only empty glances.
Her pink lips parted to let out a low whisper,
" Yes!!! "
I swallowed hard the painful lump in my throat. I wished that I could hold her in my arms but the distance look that she gave me had destroyed all hopes in my heart. Squeezing my eyes shut, I blurted in a breath, hoping that she would forgive me today,
" I didn't mean to abandon you, Valentina. It was necessary to be there. Kylie was hurting herself.."
" BUT I WAS DYING, LORENZO!!!", she cut off in a shout, tears sprung from her eyes. She continued choking in her tears,
" I WAS DYING IN MY WEDDING DRESS!! Do you know how it feels to lose your trust from someone?I was waiting for our wedding vows. I was waiting for our family to start again but you went to another girl to abandon your future wife. Tell me, Lorenzo. How would you feel if it was me who left you to take care of another man? Tell me!!"
I clenched my fists together tightly in rage. Even the imagination was horrifying to me. I would have killed the man.
How painful was that for Valentina?
She continued, choking on her tears,
" I felt like a corpse in my wedding dress. A wedding dress is a dream for every girl but you made me feel like a funeral dress, Lorenzo. My trust for you died that day. DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW??"
I failed to give her any response. It was all my fault to leave her alone that night. I should have gone to her. How did my brain work that night?
Valentina took a step forward, her emotionless voice penetrated through my ears,
" Even though I admit it, I will never forgive you, Lorenzo. There will be no us. I just.. want to take care of my baby boy."
After that, she stormed out of the room, leaving me in guilt and self blame. She wasn't mine any longer. She hated me for leaving her that day. I didn't know how many years it would take to forgive me.
As I stayed rooted at that exact place, Nana called me on the phone. Once it was connected, she roared angrily,
" Lorenzo!! What did Kylie say to me? You are with that stripper girl again? Are you crazy? Bring back my great grandson right now. She is no longer qualified to be with you."
I figured out that some people in your life would never change. The same goes for Nana who always liked the idea of controlling me. I replied through my gritted teeth, fuming in anger,
" Let me make it clear for you, Nana. Even if Valentina doesn't want to be with me, I will never be with Kylie again after how she treated my son today. So, I am calling off the engagement. You can do whatever you want because after today, I will have no relationship with the King family."
I hung up the phone without giving her a chance to speak. On the other side, I was happy for Valentina. After that night, I ran an investigation and heard how she found her own family. She was lucky to be born in a loving family.
__________
|| VALENTINA'S POV ||
Two days later...
" Mother, I am willing to get married to Nathaniel.", I voiced my thoughts, causing all the eyes to stare at me in shock. Today was the weekend. We were having our family dinner. So, everyone was here and I figured out that it was the perfect moment to share my decision with everyone.
My younger brother Josh burst into a laughter whilst Kanan gave me a baffled look. Well, my mother..she couldn't stop smiling big. I couldn't believe that Nathaniel actually asked hands for marriage after I treated him horribly the other day. This guy definitely had something wrong with his brain.
But the decision that I took was because of Lorenzo. Since I couldn't be with him, I had to move on with my life. Right now, marriage was the only option left for me. I was already too big to date now. So, I just agreed with my mother's decision who was very fond of Nathaniel.
My mom happily slapped her hands,
" I knew it. I am telling you honey. You are making the right choice. Nathaniel is a good guy. He will definitely keep you happy or else I will kick his butt."
The table erupted into laughter that melted my heart. Lorenzo's case would finally take three more days to be resolved. After that, we would be gone in our separate ways. He promised to let me visit Elijah once a month. I could have taken his custody but I wasn't selfish to separate him from his father who raised him all alone.
Today was the day when we were going to meet the other owner in the jail. Lorenzo sent his personal car for me. Though I didn't want to use it, he called it business.
When we arrived at the police station together,the cops were already waiting to greet me. We were taken inside a private chamber to meet with the prisoner. He was only twenty-five but had several crime records already. The absence of a father in his life pushed him deeper into the world of darkness.
The young boy laughed out loud, joking with us,
" I am not selling the land. You can do whatever you want. I am already in jail. What can you do to me?"
He was already very threatening although he was behind the bars. Lorenzo stood up to say something in rage but I squeezed his hands tight, asking him to be patient so that I could handle it well. I smiled back maliciously at the prisoner, explained what I could do with him in a very calm voice,
" Well, I can't kill you since you are already in the prison. But I can do worse than death..such as you won't get food for three days yet you won't die. You won't be able to contact your gang member because I will tell them that you are dead. How does it sound?"
His expression went pale in no time. He thought that only death was the punishment for him. There were multiple ways to torture someone except death. He agreed quickly after my indirect threat. I was relieved to see that it finally worked. Judging by his character, it didn't seem like he would agree this fast.
As soon as we came out of the police station, reporters surrounded me from every corner. I was stupified to have these unexpected visitors all of a sudden. Only after hearing their questions, I understood what must have happened,
" Princess, are you finally getting married? Is Mr.Nathaneil your ideal man?"
" When are you going to announce your wedding date? The nation is waiting for your answer."
It was definitely announced by my mom. This woman could never keep words to herself. Waving at my guards who came here lately, I told them to clear the path for me as I wasn't ready to face these reporters at this moment. Since it revolved marriage and romantic life, they were going to ask a bunch of idiotic questions.
_________
It was Lorenzo who helped me to get rid of the reporters. He brought me back safely into his car and was now driving it towards my apartment. He blurted all of a sudden, his expression looked ugly,
" Congratulations!"
I sent him a deep glance but didn't talk about that. It wasn't comfortable to talk with your ex about your wedding and engagement. I said nothing while he drove the car pretty fast. His demeanor told me that he was struggling with his emotions to keep in control.
He stopped the car in an abrupt halt, causing the tire to make noises. After taking a gulp, he breathed through his nose heavily, his voice breaking into emotions,
" I am sorry! I know that I have made a lot of mistakes but I have never stopped loving you. All these years, I have waited for you, Valentina. I just want to tell you that you saw the mistake that I had done in the past but did you see my suffering all these years? Have you ever thought about our son? Do you know what I tell him when he asks about his mom?"
Tears blurred my eyes in pain and resentment. At that point, I was hanging between love and hate. I knew that I didn't hate Lorenzo King entirely. Though I agreed to get married, what will happen to Elijah then? Will he ever forgive me for abandoning him?
_______
" Please Aunty! Don't leave me today! I like your stories the best!", Elijah insisted after I fed him medicine and was telling bedtime stories. Within this short time, my little boy grew attached to me. He kept on smiling more and more. When I cuddled him, he used to kiss me every now and then. I couldn't believe that he would be gone in a few days.
Was I making the right choice?
I kept asking myself the questions over and over again but found no answer. Knowing that we had only a few days left with each other, I fulfilled each of his requests and smiled kissing on his head,
" Of course, baby! I will be with you when you open your eyes in the morning."
He fell asleep with a big smile on his face. I sighed at this peaceful sight. He looked exactly like his dad when he slept. Feeling heavy in my heart, I stood up to leave his side carefully. While crossing the corridor, I noticed that Lorenzo's door was still wide open.
Curiously, I tiptoed towards his door and peeped inside the room. Lorenzo was asleep on the bed. A book was opened on his chest. He looked so sober when he was sleeping. I finally had my own sweet time to check his features. Over the past five years, he changed a lot in my eyes. Those little beards on his handsome face carried an aura of maturity. He looked more like a father than the handsome CEO. I sighed heavily at the memories that we had.
His face looked exhausted. He must be having a hard time handling his business here. This country was completely new to him. Building a business wasn't that easy. I felt sympathy for him. There were days when he took care of me unconditionally.
Feeling a little afraid to be caught, I approached him slowly and put down the book from his chest. Very carefully, I put down the glass that he was wearing. Then, I went to his feet to cover him with the blanket. When I pulled his blanket to his chest, a strong pair of arms grabbed me tightly. I let out a startled gasp, widening my eyes in horror.
Lorenzo was looking up at me with a smirk. His eyes held emotions that made my heart flutter in emotions. He whispered pulling me closer to his chest,
" Why do you still care about me, Valentina? Am I not the culprit in your eyes?"
I had failed to give him any answer. Yes, he was the culprit in my eyes, a culprit whom I cared for the most. I acted stubborn, trying to break free from his grasp,
" I was just passing by.. Lorenzo..Let me go..I didn't mean anything else..Let me go.."
I said those words out loud but my heart was doing the exact opposite. The moment, Lorenzo held my hands, my heart began to flutter wildly. I still got aroused by his touch so easily.
He raised his eyebrows amusing, his eyes carrying the mischievous gleam that he had once,
" Really! Why don't I check it by myself? By the way, was it the boy whom you are going to get married to?"
I furrowed at his words, not quite understanding the meaning. Then I recalled Nathaniel who dropped me at his house today. Ever since my mother announced our engagement, Nathaniel had been coming to meet me frequently. Even today, he came to drop me at Lorenzo's mansion.
Nathaniel was a good guy but not for me. Actually it was impossible to like someone else when you have someone in your heart already. No matter how great the other person was, you will always find the man unattractive.
I let out a snort, still puffing my cheeks,
" That's none of your business, Lorenzo. Let me go.."
The more I struggled, the more he tightened his grip around me. His lips continued stretching into a playful smile. When I gave up struggling, he whispered into my ears in a husky voice,
" Do you remember our rules when you don't want to be polite? Should I try it now?"
My cheeks blushed remembering what he was implying exactly. Before I could know, he was already carrying me into the bathroom.