Chapter 4

Romeo POV

We reached the hospital, storming out of the car without caring a bit about the reporter who was standing in front of the hospital gate eager to publish the spicy news about Valentino's family. I shove them aside while trying to walk inside, and some of the reporters fell back because of my pushing them away. I didn’t look back to see if Luca was following me or not. I have only one thing on my mind, and that is whether she is really okay or not. On the way here, I was on the edge of losing my sanity. If Luca was not there, it would be over for me. I saw the main bodyguard of my grandmother standing in front of the room, which I assume she must be in.

As soon as he saw me, he looked scared, and he knew that he would be in big trouble if he didn’t give me appropriate answers to my question, and that is how the hell this happened. I grabbed his collar, pushing him to the nearest white wall of the hospital. There was no one in the lobby except the men who served me and me.

“How the hell did this happen?” I roared at him, rage filling every nerve in my body and making me burn with anger. I can’t lose her. No, not her. If anything happened to her, who would save me from my darkness? I was afraid of losing my mind. I don’t want to get into that darkness again from which I’m trying so hard to run away.

“I’m sorry, boss; it was a mistake. We left only for a few minutes as we had to change duties, but when I reached there, it was already done.” He said he was looking down, not meeting my eyes. His forehead was covered with beads of sweat, and he looked so scared for his life. My holds on his collar tighten, ceasing every bit of air inside of him.

I asked, looking at him as he thrashed around in my hold, “And this is your answer for not saving the person from whom you had taken oath to protect with your life?” My hand curled into a tight fist without thinking of anything. My fisted hand swung out and connected to his stomach. He moaned in pain, but I didn’t care. My mind was conquered by my demons, who enchained themselves. I continuously landed punches on him, and the last one was enough to knock him out. I stared at him as his body slid down, using the wall as support. No one, absolutely no one, tries to stop us. But to my misery, I’m not as strong as I look. A hand dropped on my shoulder, and the next moment I saw myself on the floor. The man pushed me away from the guard with a great deal of force, staggering me and making me fall to the floor.

I looked up only to find my uncle looking at me with a pathetic look, more similar to being disgusted at my behavior. He helped the guard stand up and told one of his loyal guards to take care of the wounded man. Neglecting his own blood on the floor The one who needed more of his attention than the man I punched. A strong hand around my shoulder pulled me up, making me stand and giving me the support that I needed at that time, as I don’t have any left in me.

“Is this how you treat your family member, Romeo? Are you out of your mind or what? You seriously need to look at your anger, or else it will only consume you.” My uncle's deep voice resonated in the silence of the lobby. I stared at the face of the man who looked so much like my father, a splitting image of him, but to my bad luck, he is not the one who ever saved me or supported me. He always stands by the side, seeing everything that happens in front of him.

“And Luca, you just stand there watching everything right in front of your eyes? If you can’t hold him back, just tell me so I can change you and put the one who can tie up this monster.” He snarled at Luca, who didn’t say anything, and bowed his head down. My anger is boiling me from within, but I can’t say anything to the man in front of me. The most feared man of the Valentino family is more like a coward in front of his uncle and her...

His eyes roamed around my body. I knew I looked pathetic and messy, as we just ran here. I didn’t have the time to put on the image that I had to carry on my shoulder: that I’m the chairman of the most respected Valentino family. But the fear of losing the shield that I had is more important than this. He frowned at me.

“Look at yourself. You look so pathetic. The reporters are outside, and this is the way you showed them running like a madman, pushing the reporters. In this way, you’re only tarnishing Valentino's name,” he said while cornering me against the nearest wall. I was panting because my breath was coming in puffs. I know that I can’t win against this man; my hands are bound by my past, and fighting alone to survive in this harsh world is quite tiring. So I just stood there, looking equally into his eyes letting him know that he can do whatever he wants but I’m still going to stand up even if he breaks me many times. And moreover I knew he would not do anything when the reporters were outside, he had more to lose than me.

“You know she did this. You are aware of everything, so why are you still protecting her? How come you can't take action against her?” I inquired, and he raised an eyebrow at my bravery because it was the first time I had asked him something I had wished to know since I was a kid. He made fun of me. His derisive chuckle made me feel foolish for expecting him to respond.

“Would you dare to ask her this if she were here? Why don't you question her about the reasons why she keeps on pushing you to the edge of the cliff? Why is she so persistent to hurt you when you found a little happiness for yourself?” Antonio said this while wrapping his arms around his puffed out chest. Taking my silence as his win he laughed again.

“I bet you can't, so why don’t you keep your mouth shut and be a good puppet you are for us. Go to the reporters and apologize for your overwhelming behavior.” he ordered as he left me alone there. I stared at his back, looking at him, until I didn't see him anymore.

I was standing there staring at the nothingness, my mind was occupied by the thing he said. He ridiculed my bravery, knowing how weak I am in front of her. Luca grabbed my arm and drew me to the other room. I just let him do this, as I felt like there was a knot in my throat stopping me from voicing my thoughts. The nurse whipped my hands, which were cut, but that was nothing compared to the agony I was experiencing right now.

“I had talked to the doctor, and he told me that godmother is going to be okay. But they had to admit her under supervision to see her improving condition. And the reporters are waiting for you outside,” said Luca, coming into the room. I didn’t know how much time had passed sitting here looking outside the window. The smell of antiseptic and white walls brought many unwanted memories which I wanted to put in the box and never look into again. I nodded as I went inside the bathroom and fixed myself.

I came out of the bathroom and started walking towards the reporters as their camera shutters blinded my eyes. I take a deep breath and put on a facade to mask my vulnerability as I stand in front of them.

“Mr. Valentino, how is the condition of the president now?”

“Mr. Valentino, how did this happen and where were you when this happened?”

“Mr. Valentino, is it true that your mother tried to kill the president just to take her seat?” the last question shuddered me from within.

“I’m sorry for my indecent behavior a few hours ago. As you know, Mrs. Rusella Valentino is so close to me, and after listening to her accident, I wasn't able to keep my composure. The doctor informed us that she is fine, and we are patiently waiting for her to regain consciousness, so until then, I expect that you too will wait patiently. Thank you.” Ignoring the question they asked me, I replied with the thing I have been told to do. A puppet that’s what I am. Turning around and walking to the room where she is. Slowly dragging the chair near her bed, I sit there like I have always done since my childhood, waiting for her to wake up and listen to me.