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“Yes, I am. Why?” he replies.
“I need to talk to you.”
Chapter 16 – Sessantenove
Lorenzo
I look back at our exchange in the text messaging app.Read five minutes ago.She said she was coming five minutes ago. Where is she? Why does she suddenly need to come and talk? What do we need to talk about? Why this late? All these questions pop up in my head, making me feel anxious as I stand outside my house waiting for her. The breeze is strong, and it’s completely dark right now. I was originally sitting on the stairs to the entrance, but my concern is too much for me to remain sitting down.
She was with Ellie. They were out. They were probably having fun and talking about all the things siblings talk about. Why would she need to see me right after? Did something happen? Is Ellie okay? Is she okay? No, they’re fine. She said she had to take Ellie back home first, so they’re both probably fine.
Suddenly, a small white car pulls up to the house and parks. Valentina gets out of the car, slamming the door shut and locking it before walking toward me. She has a weird but concerned look on her face, and fear enters my body.
“Hey,” She vaguely greets.
“Hey. How was your night with Ellie?” I ask her, acting casual. She looks stressed. Her jaw is clenched, and her brows are slightly downward.
“It was good,” she answers, her voice low and soft. She doesn’t say anything after that. I look down to see her fiddling with her ring.
“So, why did you call me? What do you want to talk about?”
She startles back to reality, letting her arms drop to her sides. Her silence worries me more and more.
“Uh, I wanted to ask you . . . about something. I just want you to promise you’ll answer truthfully.” She hesitates with her words.Promise you’ll answer truthfully.That doesn’t seem good. Something inside my stomach hints that something’s wrong.
“Okay. I will,” I promise her, taking a step closer.
“Are you keeping any secrets from me?”
I go still, confused. But I’m also worried. Why is she asking me that? She wouldn’t ask that unless she was suspicious. Of what though?
“Val, you know I wouldn’t—”
“I know. I know you wouldn’t keep anything away from me to hurt me. That’s why I won’t jump to any conclusions, but I need the truth,” she interrupts, looking down at the ground as she speaks.
“No. No, I wouldn’t keep anything from you, why would you—”
“Do you like me?” she utters, interrupting me again. A sudden shot of panic runs through me, and I forget how to speak. How did she—?
“I-I . . .” I stutter, lost for words. What am I supposed to say?
“Tell me the truth,” she demands, meeting my eyes. I stand there, trying to say something. I need to say something. I need to explain. My hesitation obviously gives her a sign. She takes a step back, crossing her arms around her stomach. No.
“Violet, I swear I never meant to—” I say, trying to step closer to her.
“I’m fine. I know, I know why you did it. I—” she chokes on words. “I get it. You don’t need to explain.” She hesitates. Her breathing becomes deeper. She’s already thought about this, I can tell. She’s already thought about everything to do with it, with us. This is why I didn’t want her to know. This is why she didn’t have to know.
“Violet, please. I never meant for you to know. I knew it would make you uncomfortable. I knew this would happen. I kept it from you because I didn’t want to hurt you, I didn’t want it to hurt you. I—” I freeze, looking at her. I’ve already messed up. She already knows. “I’m sorry,” I apologize, desperate.
“I—I need to go,” she says, tiptoeing backward before turning around and walking toward her car.
“Violet!” I try to call her but she either can’t hear me or she chooses to ignore me. No. No, this isn’t happening. This can’t be happening. Don’t let this be happening. She can’t know. She doesn’t need to know. Not now. Especially not now.
I stand still, unable to move as her car drives off. I cover my face with both my hands. What have I done? How did I let it slip out? How could I be so stupid? I swore it wouldn’t get to her. I swore because I knew what it might do to her. To us. I can’t lose her. I can’t lose her now. The thought comes to me, and my eyes begin to burn slightly.
Shit.
Chapter 17 – Sessantotto
