Finding out

Chapter 3

Valerie's POV

"Follow me" He says, then got up from his chair. Ignoring his unfinished food, he heads out.

I quickly got up and rushed after him, curious on what was happening. It was already really pretty late when we stepped out of the mansion.

"Where are we going?" I ask, following him as he enters one of his numerous cars.

"Just shut up and follow me, do you want to find out or not" He asks coldly.

Not wanting to annoy him any further, I keep quiet and just wait patiently till we get to the destination. 

We past through familiar streets, I've come to memorize by heart. We were heading to my grandparents house I figured. 

But why?

It hasn't been a day since I left this house. I wasn't feeling really excited to return because of how betrayed I felt towards my grandparents. Although staying with Stephano wasn't an exciting option...

Soon after we arrive and he the parks in our driveway.

"What are we doing here?" I ask in confusion.

"Again, stop with the questions." he deadpanned.

He rings the doorbell located at the doorway and wait for the reply. It doesn't take a minute before the door opens, revealing my grandma and her face morps into shock immediately she sees us.

"Wh-what" she stutters, trying to process what was happening.

"Hello ma'am, would you mind explaining the situation to Val?" He asks. He was surprisingly polite, that was the least I expected of him.

I also didn't fall to notice his nickname for me… 

"ohh… sure" my grandma smiles for the first time today.

"I'll leave you guys to it then" Stephano says then walks back inside the car, waiting for me.

"Come in darling" my grandma says softly to me.

I followed her inside without a word, still very mad at her.

I sit down directly opposite her, waiting for her explanation.

"Where do I even begin…" she muttered.

"From the start. I want to know everything" I replied.

" Well you see… Your father's business went bankrupt three months ago" she starts.

"What does that have to do with me? that man already cut off all connections with me ten years ago" I say coldly.

"It gets more complicated than that. Your father wanted to save his already sinking business, so he took a loan from Stephano. Using you as his collateral" she drops the information calmly, trying to reason with me.

"He did what?!" I screamed, immediately getting up from my sitting position. How dare he cause more trouble in my life after happily abandoning me years ago. When I was just ten for god sake! seeing me as too much of a burden.

"Calm down, I know it's hard to process. I can understand how you feel, but keep in mind that the deed has already been done" she says, maintaining her calm composure.

"What happened next?" I ask, trying to calm down my rage.

"Unfortunately, your father wasn't able to save his sinking business. He had to hand you over to Stephano since you were the collateral. Of course we refused when your father told us, but then he threatened to kill both I and your grandpa if we didn't back off. I'm so sorry Valerie, we really had no choice. I'm so sorry we couldn't protect you" She says.

By now she had lost her calm composure, her face already streaming with tears. Unlike her, all I could do was stare blankly in shock. 

How could he be so heartless? threatening their lives like it didn't matter. Where was his conscience?

I had no tears left to shed. I had cried so much already for today.

"Please forgive us Valerie, we really had no choice. I'm sorry I screamed at you earlier, I didn't mean to" I hear my grandpa say, making me look up.

"Don't apologize, I get it now. You guys really had no choice..." I whisper softly.

"Thanks for understanding," my grandma says, pulling me to her warm embrace. My grandpa will join soon.

ding ding

The sound from the doorbell makes us separate from our emotional embrace. I had already forgotten Stephano was waiting outside for me.

"Bye darling, try to visit sometime if you can" my grandma says teary eyed.

We exchanged goodbyes and left the house.

Stephano didn't utter a word throughout the ride home, allowing me to process the new information.

Damn! What a chaotic day…

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

The next morning when I woke up, I felt even more annoyed with my new situation. Stuck in this oddly quiet mansion, being the wife of a dangerous Mafia leader.

It was all too much...

I couldn't bring myself to accept this was my new life. I sit in bed trying to come up with a plan, a solution hopefully.

I just wanted a way out.

What if I went back to my mom? I know she left me too to focus on my career. But she's doing a lot better I believe. I haven't had any contact with her for ten years now, but I'm aware she sends funds to her parents so they could take care of me.

Just maybe she will be kind enough to accept me back when I explain the situation to me. I know where she lives too, I just never bothered to visit her because of the hatred I had towards her.

It was in a far away city too. Just perfect! Stephano would probably not find me there too.

With that thought in mind, I bolted out the bed and rushed to the bathroom so I could freshen up.

I sing happily in excitement of leaving this place, as I take off my nightgown.

I entered the bathroom, stepped into the shower and washed my body thoroughly with a vanilla scented body wash. 

I made use of all the fancy bathroom supplies I could find. I mean since this was my last day here, I have to make the most of it… right?

I hum a song as I dry my hair, straighten it too. I applied some make up, just for the fun of it. I was feeling really dizzy since I was getting my ass out of this place.

Throwing on some comfortable clothes, a sweatshirt and leggings. I wanted to feel at ease since I was going to be stuck in a public seat on the train for hours.

I take my phone and credit cards, deciding to carry no other extra loads so I wouldn't make my plan obvious.

With that I make my way to the front door.

"Are you going somewhere, miss?" one of the house maids asks.

"Yes. is there any problem?" I ask in annoyance.

"Umm… The Don has instructed that you shouldn't leave the house unless it's something really important and urgent" she replies timidly.

"I have to go get some tampons, mother nature showed up today and I already ran out of tampons" I lied without missing a bit.

" Ohh… I can give you my spare sanitary pads if you want. Or I could help you get the tampons" she offers, smiling brightly.

"Thanks for the offer, but I prefer tampons and don't worry I can get them myself" I say to her, trying to maintain the fake smile on my face.

"Okay sure" she replies, finally backing off.

I exhale in relief and rush out of the mansion, trying to avoid any more questions. Luckily the guards just ignored me when they saw me. Escaping Stephano's mansion was so easy.

Too easy… it almost got me worried, but I quickly trash the negative thoughts.

I called for a taxi when I was a bit far from the mansion surrounding. Five minutes later the taxi arrived. I gave the driver the location and relaxed in the back seat as we headed to the Metro.

Soon after we arrive, and excitedly skip over to the next moving train after paying the taxi.

I feel a sudden urge to pee, so I walk down the lonely hallway leading to the restroom. I still had ten minutes before the train was ready to move anyways, so I didn't have to worry. 

After doing my business in the restroom, I leave the rest room and start walking out of the lonely hallway. 

Just before I walk out, my vision is suddenly covered by a black cloth placed over my head. Strong hands circling around my waist, pulling me back with so much force.

"Hello darling" I hear an unfamiliar voice say.