Staring at empty space, Valentino tried to wrap his head around what had happened a few days back. Despite everything he'd done to Alexandre, he'd been willing to forgive him without hesitation. Valentino didn't want to believe it. How could Alexandre forgive him so easily?
"I can't believe you asked your brother to whip you" Noelle said from her position on one of the couches in Corey's sitting room. Val ignored her, his gaze directed at nowhere in particular. She sighed.
"I hope you know that he means it. He forgives you. You need to forgive yourself and let go of your self hatred. It really isn't healthy" she told him.
He lowered his gaze.
She was right, but what if they were both wrong?
What if Alex actually wanted payback and would get it by pretending to forgive him. Valentino felt so confused. Noelle pinched Val on the arm and he winced, glaring at her playfully. "Ow! What was that for? You're so immature" he said and she chuckled, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Now, I'm the immature one? You've got to be kidding me" she said and he rolled his eyes, leaning back on the chair.
"Of course you are. You pinched me" he pointed out.
She laughed.
"You were lost in your own head. That was the only way to get you out" she said.
"See? Immature"
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"You're the immature one" she said and he scoffed.
"You wish"
The door opened, Corey stepped in carrying a bag of groceries.
"Hey, what did I miss? Now that I think of it, you both are a very nice couple. You two look cute together" he said, taking out a bottle of water from the fridge.
Valentino rolled his eyes and Noelle looked away in order to hide the pinkish flush on her cheeks.
"I'm serious, dude. You two look great together" Corey said, uncapping the bottle.
"When did you begin playing Cupid?" Val scoffed.
He laughed and Noelle blushed harder.
"I started playing Cupid as soon as I saw you with her" he said. "You're ridiculous, Corey"
Corey's phone rang out and he picked the call with a smile on his face. Valentino noticed that Corey's calm and relaxed expression had transformed into a shocked one. Noelle exchanged concerned gazes with Valentino.
"Corey, what's wrong?" Valentino asked after he'd hung up.
"I'll see you guys later" he said and hurried out of the house.
"What the hell was that?" Now asked, her gaze meeting Val's.
He shrugged.
"I don't know"
....
Corey returned home later that night. He was perspiring heavily and was panicking. This didn't go unnoticed by Noelle and Valentino.
"What's going on? " Val asked him.
Corey swallowed hard, pacing back and forth. "Corey...." Noelle said, stepping closer.
"Bree..." He said, a wild look in his eyes.
"Did something happened to her?" Val asked.
"She was on her way here when she got shot"
Noelle gasped.
"Oh my God. Is she okay?" She breathed.
"She will be fine. She narrowly escaped death. But, that's not what's really wrong" he said.
Valentino frowned, his brows creasing up.
"I got a threat letter. You and Noelle have to leave to tonight" he breathed.
Valentino felt like all the oxygen had suddenly left his lungs.
It was like a fatal blow to him.
'Why am I so hazardous?
Why do I bring danger to the people around me?
Bree was shot because of me' he thought.
"Bree is pregnant and I don't want her to get any more hurt than she is presently. I'm sorry, Val. You have to understand" Corey said. Valentino slowly walked out of the sitting room, his head starting to pound.
'Noelle....' he thought
'She doesn't deserve all this.
Yet, I dragged her into my meaningless life. Would we continue to run for the rest of our lives? Will the chase ever come to an end?'
Valentino suddenly felt lightheaded, his stomach churning uncomfortably. His knees buckled and he sank to the floor, dismayed.
He could hear Noelle trying to convince Corey to let them stay the night, but it was all in vain. Valentino knew he had put the both of them in this predicament and he didn't have any idea of how he was going to get them out of it. "Val?"
He froze when he heard Noelle walk in. He refused to look at her, not wanting her to see realize how miserable he was feeling.
"Oh, Val" she said, kneeling in front of him. She cupped his cheeks, gazing into his eyes.
"None of this is your fault" she whispered.
He squeezed his eyes shut, a gnawing pain consuming his heart. "That's not true"
'You're wrong. It's my fault. It's all my fault' he thought.
"I-"
She pressed her finger against his lips. "Not one more word" she said. He sighed, lowering his gaze. "We'll find a way out of all this" she assured him.
She helped him up and they began to pack up. When they were done, they left the guest room. Corey was standing in the sitting room, his eyes blood shot. "I'm sorry, Val. I'm so sorry" he croaked.
Valentino nodded stiffly, well aware that it wasn't really Corey's fault.
"It's fine, Corey. You did what you could. Thank you for having us here" he said. They shook hands and embraced.
"C'mon, let's go" Val said to Noelle and she nodded before following him out of the house.
The question was where would they go?
A gunshot suddenly went off. Noelle gasped, holding Val's hand tightly. "They're here" she whispered, panic crossing her features.
"Let's get to the car first--" Valentino said.
He'd barely finished his statement when white hot pain exploded on his torso. He groaned, doubling over. "Oh my God. You've been shot!" Noelle cried.
He gritted his teeth, his head spinning as he bled out.
Noelle quickly placed his arm around her shoulder as they stumbled towards the car which was still a little bit far from them. Val was gasping for air and his knees were growing weaker.
"You should go. I'll catch up with you" he croaked.
"There's no way I'm leaving you to walk on your own! They're going to kill you!" Noelle hissed.
He swallowed hard, his breathing strained. "I'm slowing us down. I'm getting weaker, Noelle" he groaned. "Just shut up" she ordered as they stumbled further, bullets flying around them.
"Duck!" Val wheezed, just in time for Noelle to duck, a bullet flying over her head.
As soon as they got to the car, another bullet hit his shoulder and he cried out in pain. Noelle managed to get him into the car. She tried to staunch the bleeding. "No, Noelle. Just drive. They're coming after us" he croaked, his eyes half-closed.
She swallowed hard, her shaky blood stained hands resting on the steering wheel. Trying not to panic, Noelle turned on the ignition and hit the gas.
"Where are we going?" Valentino croaked.
"You shouldn't be talking, so shut up" she said.
"We're going to your brother's house" she added.
"Are you crazy?" He wheezed, pressing harder on his bullet wound. He grunted, squeezing his eyes shut as blood and sweat soaked his shirt.
"He might have someone who can help us. Besides, those people following us might stop following us if we go there. If I have to take you to the hospital, you aren't going to make it. His house is closer" she said and he heaved a sigh.
It felt like forever until Noelle finally pulled up in front of Alex's massive gates. Val felt the last of his strength seep away.
"Don't you dare die on me" Noelle said through gritted teeth as she unbuckled her seat belt.
"Stay with me. I'm going to get help" she whispered, her voice frantic. Valentino coughed, blood staining his lips. Noelle opened the door and everything blurred.
Valentino closed his eyes, sinking into oblivion.