"What's wrong with you? Pull yourself together!" I slap my cheeks, staring at myself in the mirror. Such a sad reflection, slapping my cheeks in attempt to get my life together. Want to know why I'm trying to get my life together? Well, it appears I can't even say a word to Valentino without saying something crazy that makes me want to kill myself.
Nah. That isn't the reason, I haven't even seen him yet today. I just look so bad today it isn't funny, no matter how hard I try with my looks.... it ends up looking terrible. Literally. My hair is sticking up and it's all over the place, I'm having a major break out and my breath stinks! I put toothpaste on my toothbrush then wet it and stick it in my mouth. After brushing my teeth for several minutes, I spit the toothpaste out and wash my mouth and toothpaste.
I couldn't be bothered to do something all schnazy with my hair, so I decided to brush it and leave it out in its natural straight style. Because my hair is darker, I fear grey hairs will appear sooner rather than later. After rinsing my face off with some warm water, I exit the bathroom in only my pyjamas; I'm not wearing a bra either, today is the day that I need to feel comfortable. I'm apart of the itty-bitty-Titty Committee as well so it won't make that much of a big deal, hopefully....
"Morning Will!" Emberly chirps, cooking up a storm. I haven't seen Amalia and Jarrad in ages it feels like! I miss Jarrad's cooking, it felt like he was a professional chef and I can't lose such a connection.
"Good morning. Where's Valentino?" I ask, looking around for the sight of him or any of the guys in particular actually. "Where are they all?" I mutter, she sighs.
"They have gone illegal racing. They decided to go early this morning so we wouldn't beg for them to take us along. The guys hate it when we go and they have their races and there is no one there to take proper care of us, or is strong enough to hold more than three people back. It's stupid in my opinion, if they hate it so much then shouldn't they teach us lessons how to fight back and defend ourselves?" She practically says this all in one breath, obviously angry with their antics. All of the guys are very confusing, they say one thing but mean something different to what they are actually saying.
"Preach it. You know what? We should visit Amalia and Jarrad, let's not tell the guys where we are going because we are sick of their bipolar asses. At least we are 'safe' anyway, right?" A smirk forms on my lips and she smiles smugly.
"I'll text Cadence and Nova to meet us there, you get the car started and I'll be out in a few," I listen to what Emberly says and I walk to one of Val's cars. Did I tell you I got my cast off? No? Well I did, it got so itchy in that thing and I couldn't scratch it! My skin was all dry and peeling when it was off, I felt like puking. Often it's still sore but I'll live through it.
||
"Oh my gawd! He's so so adorable, I can't wait till I have kids," Nova sighs and dozes off, most likely thinking about her future children with Mike.
"He's started developing traits of me actually, he hardly looks like Jarrad. But then again, his hair hasn't grown so maybe he has black hair? But Jarrad's happy that Tyrese is safe and he looks like me cause I'm his beautiful woman apparently. He disappeared off somewhere an hour ago, claiming he was going to the shops," Amalia shrugs.
Emberly and I look at each other, panicking. Jarrad didn't tell Amalia, he is out while his wife that has recently given birth is looking after his child. Shouldn't he be here to make the moments? To make sure she's okay and nothing happens? Maybe he wanted to hang out with the boys because he hasn't seen them in ages due to just having a baby. But still, he shouldn't lie to Amalia. She's so sweet and doesn't deserve that. "Well actually, the boys went illegal street racing. So I'm not exactly too sure if he actually went shopping like he said or went with the boys cause he feels left out," Cadence explains trying not to wince at the blow.
"What!?" Amalia growls angrily. She grabs her phone and turns off the caller ID then dials Jarrad's number. It rings five times before he picks up, she puts the phone on loudspeaker. All I can hear is the shouting, screaming and roars of cars engines. "JARRAD!" She shouts before he can say anything, a gulp is heard.
"Heyyyy, baby!" He's panicking, it's so obvious. He would not be a good liar, I guess that's good in the woman's case though.
"You're wife and your child are at home while you go out illegal street racing! The girls are here and they are pis*** at all of you. How irresponsible could you be, Jarrad? We now have a child for crying out loud, so why would you do illegal things and go out partying or whatever you do. Do you want your kid to feel abandoned and know about your past?! You promised me, Jarrad. You promised me!" Well, I'm not really mad at all cause I need the space but they would be. Val is very clingy.
"Amalia-" she hangs up on him angrily. Tears are forming in her eyes but she blinks them back and puts on smile, rocking Tyrese in her arms.
After talking to Amalia for quite some time and making sure that she's okay, we head off and make our way back to our own homes. I park the car and take the keys out of the ignition, noticing that Valentino's car is also here now. I open he door and shut it releasing a sigh, I make my way inside making sure to lock the car. Val is sitting on the couch, a beer in his hand and watching a movie. He looks at me as I walk in and drop the keys on the counter, "you didn't tell me where you were going."
I roll my eyes, of course he'd say that straight up. "And you told me where you were going?" I raise an eyebrow, waiting for his response. He's silent, I know I've hit the nail on the head.
"I'm sorry," he says silently. I make my way over to him and sit next to him, he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer.
"For what?"
He shrugs, "being so controlling." Val's phone rings and he grabs it with a sigh then answers it, grumbling out his replies. "Yup, we can make it. Call Mike too. Bye man," he hangs up looks at me. "Wanna come to meet my friend, Claudia and you've met Isaac."
I nod, "okay! I'll get ready."
||
"Fancy seeing you here," I wink at Mike. He chuckles and looks at where Val's arm is around my waist, he nods and puts his fist out for a fist bump.
"Nice pull," Mike winks. My mouth drops open and I pull down my dress, I'm wearing a red spaghetti strapped dress that reaches mid thigh. My hair is curled so it bounces and I'm wearing diamond earrings with minimal makeup. Where is Nova? I voice my thoughts and Mike replies, "she's out to dinner with my sister."
"Let's go in now, they're waiting." Valentino grumbles, he grabs my hand and we walk inside with Mike beside us. I look around with a grin at all the people here, Val's hand tightens. I look at Val, his face is stoic and set in a hard glare. Tugging on his hand, I mutter," maybe you can imagine everyone in weird underpants and that will make you smile." He grins and chuckles at me, shaking his head then looks back up.
I see Zac, looking down at a really pretty girl with long curly hair and she has a strapless beige dress on. You can tell that Zac really loves her with the way he looks at her, anyone in the room could notice! We stand in front of them, I notice she grabs Isaac's hand as she stands in front of Valentino. Everyone is so scared of him, he better be nice tonight! "Mike, Val," Zac nods, then looks down at me, "Willow."
I grin happily, "hey Zac!" I look at Zac's partner and smile then wag my eyebrows at Zac. I'm going to taunt him, embarrass him... maybe, "is this your lovely lady that you've been telling us about?"
She looks up at Zac, confusion written over his face. "Um, yeah..." he trails off.
Making a bold movement, I pull her into a hug. That's right, her name is Claudia! It's such a pretty name, "nice to meet you I'm Willow Davids!" She hugs me back almost awkwardly, I pull away realising I'm being very strange and blunt.
"I'm-" I cut her off.
"Claudia," her mouth drops open in surprise then she snaps it closed. Oh god, I sound like a major creep at the moment. Why can't I just ever shut up?
"Yeah.... is he paying you guys to be his friends?" She asks looking at all of us. Val, Mike and I look at each other then burst out laughing a moment later. The laugh where you hold your stomachs because it hurts so much. Val isn't really laughing though, why can't he just get loose and not care? Why can't he just laugh with me? With us? He just chuckles slightly.
"Oh.... oh my god haha!" I exclaim.
"I like this girl already," says Mike. I think she finally realises that we haven't been paid and we are actually his friends, as she blushes in embarrassment. Zac chuckles and bends down to whisper something in her ear, he's too quite for us to hear. I sober up from laughing and realise Val hasn't introduced himself.
After nudging him slightly, he looks at me with his eyebrows raised. "Introduce yourself, be nice Valentino," he sighs and I try not to glare. He looks at Claudia and thrusts his hand forward, she shakes it tentatively. "Now you say your name Val," I speak to him as if he's a child.
He looks at me, "I know that Willow, I'm not dumb." I shrug, he should be appreciative for the amazing advice I'm giving him. "I'm Valentino Lacuna," he grumbles, she raises an eyebrow.
"Are you Latin or something?" He groans and I laugh at a memory. I thought he was too! At least I'm not the only one that knows meanings of last names.
"No, my great great grandfather was so I barley have any Latin in me," he grumbles and she nods.
"Willow wanna go and dance, I'll introduce you to my other friends!" Claudia exclaims, making me grin at her and nod at her. "Hey guys this is our new friend- Willow Davids!" All of them grin at me, a guy hugs me straight away and my heart beats faster. Oh no, Val would have seen and been so mad!
"He's gay!" Claudia shouts, I turn my head spotting Val. He got to me quicker than expected. Valentino looks at Claudia then nods and backs away slowly, his eyes move to me and I stare at him then look at them again.
"Wow, who was that hottie? I'm Carter by the way," I look back at Valentino in hurt. Why does he never trust me? He always think I'm going to get with another guy, I shake my head and turn back around.
"My boyfriend, he's really protective." Oh my god, I just said that! Why did I say that? What if he finds out? He can't know my feelings.
"I'm Joey!" Another guy introduces himself.
"And I'm Aaliyah," Aaliyah grins and wraps her arms around me. We pull apart and I grin. "I've never really had much girlfriends," it's kinda true. All throughout high school and primary school it was Nova, she was the best friend that I was always with and I wouldn't really give that up. But I met the other girls for the wrong reason, I was kidnapped.... stolen from my home because a man named Valentino wanted me.
"Well now you have sisters," I smile at at Claudia.We soon begin dancing, I make sure no guy touches me on purpose or accidentally. Valentino would most likely turn him into a pulp. "Is Mike married?" Claudia asks in surprise, I look over at him and grin.
"Yeah! She couldn't make it, she's having dinner with her sister. How old are you two?" I suddenly ask, we all stop dancing and walk over to where the guys are sitting. I sit next to Valentino and Aaliyah sits next to a guy, Claudia sits next to Zac and Joey and Carter sit together holding hands.
"We're seventeen, how old are you?" She asks.
"21," I answer. "Val is 23, Mike is 23 as well," they both nod.
"Wanna stay over tonight?" Claudia shouts over the loud music. This never really happens to m, meeting someone in one night and already wanting a sleepover. Yolo! I grin and nod, turning to Val and tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention.
He looks down at me,"I'm staying at Claudia's and Zac's tonight with Aaliyah as well," I inform him leaving no room for questions, he raises an eyebrow.
"Okay well then us guys might as well stay," Val replies with a shrug. Mike looks at his phone then looks back up shaking his head.
"Can't sorry guys, I gotta get back to the misses something's happened." Quickly he stands up, waves and rushes out. We look at his retreating figure in confusion then turn back to each other.
"We'll ask him tomorrow," Zac shrugs.
~~
"You're so handsome," I slur running my finger down Val's jaw. Handsome boyfriend. "The rest of you are ugly! Why are you so handsome?" I mutter, his lips quirk up and he smiles happily. He has a nice soil. BIGGGGG MUSCLESSSSS!!! Should I squeeze them? I discretely squeeze one and smile like a creep.
"Well that's good, princess." He chuckles moving my hair away from my face.
Valentino's pov
"How long have you be dating?" Claudia whispers. Everyone has passed out onto the floor, my little angel will pass out soon most likely. She's going to have a killer hangover tomorrow.
"She said we were dating?" I whisper, looking at her in surprise and running my thumb across her cheek. Does this mean she likes me? My heart does a stupid flip at the thought. It's possible she could.
"If I'm a princess does that mean you're my prince?" She interrupts us. I turn back to her and grin at her cuteness, I'm soo happy at the moment.
"Of course I'm your prince," she giggles and lays back on my lap onto my chest and yawns tiredly.
"Goodnight Tino," she mutters her eyes drooping.
I hold her protectively and looks at Claudia, "yeah, she said that when Carter asked who you were. She said 'my boyfriend, he's really protective!'" Willow said that? She actually said that!? What does this mean for us? There's so many outcomes. "Are you dating?" She asks me.
"No actually," I mutter then smile brightly. "She likes me," I smile.
"Why wouldn't she?" I feel the happiness fade away in remembrance. I killed someone she loves and took another person away from her, how could I think that she actually would like me? I'm just assuming things and I got my hopes up.
"I'm a bad person, Claudia. I'm in a-" she cuts me off, at her response I'm surprised.
"A gang? Let me guess, you're the leader?" I clear my throat, am I that obvious?
"How did you know?"
"Well it's pretty obvious dude. You have tattoos everywhere let's not forget to mention you're massive! You have a dangerous vibe and that cold look on your face that has no emotion. You obviously love her though, you like only smile at her," She says in a 'duh' tone.
"Wow, well since you've got me all figured out, what about you? You have more than you let on," there's something about everyone that they don't show. Pain. Sorrow. Regret. Anger. And in my case.... happiness and pain.
She exhales knowing that I've caught on, "what do you mean?" She shouldn't give a gang leader such bullsh**.
"Don't lie and say that you're so happy. I know people like you, the happy ones. They're the broken ones," I mutter.
She doesn't respond for quite some time, "tell me something first, why don't you ever smile? Like being in a gang is no excuse."
"Well for starters I don't like people to know how I'm feeling, they can use it against me. It's just easier to hide everything from the world. I'm a monster Claudia, a complete monster. I kill innocent people and the thing is I enjoy doing it, what kind of person am I?" I spit, I'm disgusted in myself. I look down at my precious angel, "but when I'm with Willow I don't feel like the monster I am. She knows what I've done but she treats me like I'm an innocent person. When I'm with her it's like all my demons go away and I can finally see the light. All because of one girl. It's hard to be away from her, I finally see the good when I'm with her. Wanna know how we met?" I don't wait for a reply, "I killed her brother, that bastard. Then I just claimed her as mine, she hated me- probably still does but I can never let her know that I killed her brother for a good reason because then she will just feel guilty for hating me and causing so much trouble and everything she knew would have been a lie. Everything would come crashing down and I don't think I can handle handle seeing my princess- my light in so much pain. I don't know why I'm telling you this."
Her eyes are wide as she tries to process things and I honestly have no clue why I told a girl whom I've known for one day, my issues. "Wow, that's a lot. You love her though am I right?"
Do I love Willow? She makes me so happy, I never want to be away from her and I would kill anyone who'd take her away from me. She's so special to me and I care about her a lot, she's the prettiest girl I've seen. I nod slowly, "I do." I look at Zac wanting to change the subject,"you love him right? You're married and all. He obviously loves you."
"No, I don't love him and he doesn't love me," wait what? Aren't they married? This is all so confusing. I cock and eyebrow waiting for her to elaborate.
"That's a lie, right? It looks like you two love each other."
"He forced me to marry him! He threatened to kill my family and take their money leaving us poor, my dad sent me off willingly and I hate him for that. But it kills me that even though Zac forced me into this I could never really hate him. So yes, I totally love him after everything he's done." She snaps at me. My arms tighten around my Willow and I stare in shock and surprise. Zac and Claudia have an arranged marriage?!
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Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter because it took forever for me to write!
3324 words not including the a/n! That's a lot!! By the way, most of the characters in this chapter are from my multibillionaire husband- Claudia, Isaac, Aaliyah, Matt, Joey, Carter and I think that's it
Please comment your thoughts, vote, follow and share.