Chapter Two

Philip Bottenberg as Vittorio Stanzolio

~Vittorio~

Present- December 22nd, 2035

Vittorio and I are sitting on the couch together. I am showing him some of the garbage. This is better known as the original version of this book. He keeps telling me that the original version is okay. But right now I’m going to show him the evidence. This will prove to him that it’s awful.

"Okay. So basically, you think that the book you made sixteen years ago is terrible. However, what I see right here looks fine to me. I think you’re just overreacting," Vittorio says after skimming through the third chapter. 

I look at Vittorio as if the man is blind. I know that he is not actually reading the book. It's nice that he is sparing my feelings, but he is wrong.

"Well, since you say that I am overreacting, then you must be right. But why don't I just read one of my excerpts out loud?" I propose. 

Vittorio shrugs as he allows me to read a piece of the original version of this book outloud. I clear my voice and took a deep breath as I mentally prepare myself to read this monstrosity.

’I love you. I know for a fact that I will never be able to understand why you question how much I do... But you have given me something I’ve never had. And that’s my shadow.

Love isn’t selfless, sweet, or innocent. Love is dark, selfish, and passionate. And I wouldn’t have known what love genuinely was without you. Love is a dangerous drug with intoxicating feelings as side effects.

You may think being my shadow is terrible, but what is light without its darkness? What’s a life without the inevitable death? You must realize how much you mean to me, right? I even made this sappy speech for you. But let’s be honest, you are worth it.’

When I finish, Vittorio has an unknown expression on his face. He looks at me, then at the laptop, then back at me before giving me his honest opinion.

"Wow, that was... terrible. It’s one of the most generic things you can ever have in a romantic novel. This bland excerpt is something I wouldn’t even think to read in a million years," Vittorio finally says. 

I flare my arms in victory as I proceed to rub it in his face. When it comes to disagreements, Vittorio usually wins in the argument. It's mostly because he can back up his argument with facts and doesn’t just take it personally like me.

But one thing he should know is that I know myself more than anyone does. And when it comes to something that I made, I am the expert. But his gesture to not insult my work is very admiring. That's because it's nice to be with Vittorio. It's rare for us to sit down and have conversations in general.

"Wait. You wrote this when you were sixteen, right?" Vittorio asks. 

I stopped flaring my arms and look at him. I don’t know what Vittorio was on about with what he just said.

"Yea, why?" I answer with a question. 

Vittorio stares to space out as if he was solving a puzzle before replying.

"So, from what you read out loud, it seemed as if your definition of love at the time was different as to what your definition of is right now. And since you told me that you’ve only dated one person during high school, was this said person so much to you that it influenced your writing?"

I sigh and I nod my head. Even though it was a long time ago, that relationship still changed me into what I am now. I close my eyes as I remember the last thing that happened before I broke up with him.

’You don’t deserve to live the FUCKING life that God gave you because you don’t have the right to ruin mine, you giant CUNT!!!’

I didn’t even realize that I was crying before Vittorio wipes my cheek to remove the tears. I hug him tightly as if my life depends on it. He reassures me by rubbing my back in a soothing way. 

I remember him doing this when I was pregnant. 

I’m so lucky to have someone like Vittorio. He is always helping me when I need it most. And sometimes it’s just crazy to think that two years ago, we met in a club.

"Hey Vittorio, do you remember how we first met?"

Vittorio starts laughing as if I said the funniest thing in the world. He then tucks his head between my neck and shoulder.

"How can I not remember? That night completely changed my life. Because if it weren’t for that day, I wouldn’t have met you or have our family. Just us with all the good and bad times together." He answers. I smile as more emotional tears run through my cheeks. 

Sometimes, I think that I’m dreaming because he is everything I dreamed of in a man. He is kind, humble, protective, and profoundly respects me.

Before I knew he was a Satanist, I would take him to my church sometimes. He wouldn’t look or seem uncomfortable around my church members. He doesn't mind visiting, but some of the church members (excluding the pastor) find his presence uncomfortable. 

I do not and will not regret how Vittorio and I met.

I will not betray him if he needs me to be on his side.

Everyone may not accept our love, but we have a mutual respect that no one could ever break. And I think that’s all we need.

No matter how different my beliefs are from his.

I wish that my parents can get to see the sweet, lovely, and respectable side of him. Then maybe they can see how happy we are with him. But they insist on us waiting for a wedding. But Vittorio doesn't mind. 

Because he is patient

He is kind

He does not envy

He is...

VIƬƬӨЯIӨ ƧƬΛПZӨᄂIӨ

Past- July 22nd, 2032

Johnny, Jessie, and I all entered The Blazing Lights. The Blazing Lights is one of the biggest clubs there is on the earth. So, it was going to be more fun than all the other times we went out clubbing.

The first thing I see once entering the club is the sweating bodies dancing to loud, bass-filled music. The bright, blinding, strobe lights illuminate the otherwise pitch-black club. I guess that’s why they call it The Blazing Lights.

"Okay, guys, we’re going to go to the bar, buy a few shots, and then we’ll go to the dance floor," Jessica instructs. John and I follow Jessica to the bar. Once we get there, we order four vodka shots — one for me, one for John, and two for Jessica.

We all took our shots and start catching up with what John has been up to for the last two months.

Jonathan Rabinovich has been my best friend ever since primary school when I was six years old. It all started when I was getting bullied because of my weight. He stood up for me, and we became best friends ever since.

When we were both thirteen, he came out to me as gay. At first, I was confused because I only knew that men love women. But, he was my best friend, and I knew that he would want me to be by his side.

During college,  I invited John to hang out with me and Jessica. At first, it was awkward. But they were able to bond. After that, we became an inseparable trio. Six years later, we are still united as we were when we first got together. 

"So, apparently there is a new psychiatrist that’s transferring into the hospital. He was one of the best in Japan before he got transferred here. I hope that he wouldn’t be uncomfortable being around a workmate who is gay. Also, two patients starting dating. Somehow, they were able to hide the relationship for about three years." Jessica and I listen as john tells us more stories. 

John is a counselor in a psychiatric ward. So, every time we ever hang out together, he’ll always have stories about some of the patients. I’ve heard of patients breaking things, hurting other patients and some guards, and I even heard of some of them smearing poop on the walls of their bedroom.

However, I’ve never heard of two patients being in a relationship before. So, listening to this was quite interesting.

"So, I was going into the main room where all the patients can do things to pass the time. But when I got there, I saw both of them on the couch, cuddling and kissing. And the weirdest part was that they were both the most feared male and female by the staff. So it’s nice to know that even though society deems them to be unfixable, they are still able to find their happiness,"

The type of passion John has when he is working makes him so admirable. He is very empathetic and will feel his patients' pain when he sees them in their worst state. He only wants the best for them, and to find their happiness.

We start talking for twenty more minutes. In those times, we are laughing, drinking, and having a good time. 

But soon John looks uncomfortable as if he was in pain. His face is red from the alcohol in his system, but he is pretending that his uncomfortableness isn't there. 

"Johnny, are you okay?" Jessica questions. He shakes his in response and stands up. 

"No, I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be back. And if I’m not then, I’ll text you to let you know," Once he finishes his sentence, he rushes through the crowd to go to the bathroom.

Jessica and I keep on talking for another ten minutes about the book that I was trying to write.

"I don’t know what to do. Every time I try to write anything, the romance will sound bland and emotionless. The deadline is in two months. Should I give up and write another book? Because it makes me upset that I can’t be able to write anything I like anymore," I complain. 

This book is bumming me out. It feels like I lost the inspiration even to want to write books in the first place. 

"Well, that’s why we’re here. You need to be able to let loose and live life to the fullest to have these authentic feelings. So just let go and relax. I’m going to be by your side-" Jessica's reassurance is interrupted by a text. She takes out her phone to see what the text was about. She looks up and has a face full of guilt. 

"I’m sorry, Christine, but I have to get something. I’ll be right back, and if I’m not, then I’ll text you," Jessica stood and leaves me by myself.

I’m not a patient person. So I’m getting a little restless when people leave me behind for an extended period. But since it's Jessie and John, I’m pretty sure that they will come in the next ten minutes.

However, that doesn't happen. Two minutes after Jessica left me, I received a text from John.

’Hey Christine and Jessica, I’ve decided to leave the club because I bumped into an old friend. Sorry guys.’

Okay, Johnny isn’t going to come back. But at least Jessica is coming back with something. I hope that she does come.

Just as I was getting my hopes up, I received a text from Jessica.

Great.

’Christine. I’m with this charming guy and leaving with him. I guess you can say that this is revenge for making me walk to your house. Good luck with your book, and see you later.’

At this point, I am kind of pissed off at them. Both Jessica and Johnathan just left me and ditched me in this club. First, I have a massive case of writer’s block, then John goes and doesn't come back, and just when I am able to get my hopes up, Jessica leaves me for some guy and calls it revenge.

To be honest. I don’t care anymore. Jessica told me to live my life to the fullest, and that’s what I'll do. I’ll start with drinking vodka mixers.

"Excuse me, can I have ten shots of the vodka bombshells?" I ask the bartender. 

"They cost eight dollars each,"

"Just put it on Jessica's tab please," He shrugs and gives me ten shots. I should tell him that Jessica is already gone, but that isn't my problem. 

As I am starting drinking the shots, I start wallowing in my defeat. How am I supposed to write something that not only grabs the audience’s attention but can also make them remember this book for years? Thinking of years, dread starts to hit in. Am I going to die alone? I'm in my late twenties, and I haven't been in a relationship in YEARS. Will I become an old lady with ten cats as a company? Is this my punishment from God?

But I shake out of it. I shouldn’t put myself in such a mopey mood right now. I should dance and have a good time. I have to stop holding myself back. This isn't how Jessica will act in the club. 

I am going to the dance floor. As I got off the stool, I almost lost my balance; luckily, I was able to balance myself. I stumble in the dancefloor and squeeze through. 

However, even with so many people surrounding me, I felt like someone is watching me like I am prey. I am pretty sure that it is just paranoia. So I am going to ignore it. But, the feeling of someone watching me is getting worse. But I continue to ignore it. 

The crowded dance floor is hot with the sweaty bodies rubbing upon one another. And now I feel as if someone is breathing down my neck.

That is the last straw. I stop ignoring the feeling. I’m going to give this creep who is following me a piece of my mind. But when I turn around what I see is shocking.

The ’creep’ is a handsome man that is about six feet tall. He has long hair that was tied to a bun. He gets closer to me that our noses are almost touching. His irises were burning with lust or some other drug. Usually, I will slap him in the face and proceed to leave.

However, I feel stuck as I didn’t know what to do. By just looking at the stranger, he's stirring up something inside me that I’ve never felt before. One moment we were looking at each other eyes — the next moment, we were sharing a deep kiss full of lust and passion.

The rest was just a blur, but the last thing I remember was him asking if I wanted to leave with him and me agreeing.