VALENTINA

"Where did you go, I should know, but it's cold and I don't wanna be lonely so show me the way home."

. . .

"Want a ride?"

I startle in my steps and look up at Alessandro, walking up to me.

"You're always scaring me on campus," I sigh out, placing my hand on my heart.

"You should just watch your surroundings more," he replies and raises a brow. "Now, what do you say?"

"A ride?" I ask. "To where?"

"My home," he answers as if it's obvious. "You're always there on the weekends."

"I... yeah," I begin and clear my throat, feeling strangely self-conscious underneath his gaze. I didn't bother to put in effort in how I looked this morning, and I'm regretting that decision now.

Trying to act casual, I try to readjust my hair that's been blown around by the wind and curse myself for never bothering to put on makeup in the morning.

Since when do I want to look good for him?

"Wait, a ride with your friends?" I ask and feel a sour taste already forming in my mouth at the thought of it.

"No, with me," he clarifies.

"On your bike?"

He smirks. "No, my car. If you want a ride on my bike, I can arrange that."

"No thanks," I mumble, the thought of it scaring the shit out of me. I was planning on going to the Silvestro's anyway, he'd guessed correctly.

"So... you coming with me?"

I look at him and recall the way he wished me goodnight a few nights ago. I fight a smile from appearing on my face.

"Sure," I agree, and his eyes sparkle down at me.

"Let's go, then," he says, and leads the way toward his car.

It's not his Aston Martin, which he barely uses to drive to classes with, anyway.

To my surprise, he holds the passenger door open for me when we arrive.

"Thank you," I blush, and get in. A few seconds later, he gets into the driver's seat and starts the engine.

"I'm not trusting Max anymore to drive," he says once we're on the road. "He was extremely reckless."

"Did you talk to him about it?" I ask.

"I did," he confirms. "Told him he should stop being an asshole and get his shit together."

"Good," I tell him. "By the way he drove, it seems he's got a tiny dick and needs c-compensating."

He smiles at that. "You could be right."

It falls asleep after that, and I look out of the window for a few seconds before I feel compelled to talk again.

"Does Dante know I'm coming with you?" I ask, looking at his side profile.

Men shouldn't look this hot while driving.

The way he's holding the steering wheel oozes authority, and the grip he's got on it makes the veins in his hands and arms stand out.

"I told him I could pick you up, so yeah," he shrugs.

"Why did you lie about it last time?" I ask him, and he seems caught off-guard by the question.

"I... didn't think you'd come with me if I'd told you the truth," he admits quietly and tightens his grip on the wheel for a second.

I did admit to rather wanting to walk over to Silvestro's instead of getting in a car with him, so I understand where he's coming from.

"Okay," I reply. "I get it."

On the continuation of the drive, I shamelessly look at him driving and get distracted very easily by him.

I'd never have thought that things between us could be so... civil. So exciting. So thrilling.

It's addicting.

And he's made me blush and giggle like no one ever has before. My silly crush from when I was younger has returned tenfold, and I have no idea what to do with myself.

Soon enough, we park inside the garage and get out.

"Ready for other biking lessons soon?" he asks when we walk to the elevator.

"Not a chance," I snort and press the button, waiting for a few moments before the doors open and we get in.

"We will," he says, and it sounds like an order. "You just can't go through life without knowing how to ride a bicycle."

"Watch me," I challenge him, and he narrows his eyes at me.

"We'll practice," he states and tilts his head to the side, mirroring my gaze. "Or are you too afraid to?"

"No way," I bluff and shrug, trying to act casual. "I'm not scared."

"Then we'll practice, easy," he shrugs, and then the elevator opens to their floor.

I get out, walk through the foyer, and smile when I see Dante on the living room couch, reading a book.

"Hey you," he muses when he sees me walking in. "When Alessandro told me he'd bring you again, I didn't believe him."

"He's persuasive," I shrug nonchalantly.

"Incredibly so," Alessandro hums when he passes me, and I catch an underlying tone in his voice.

Dante eyes us for a moment, but doesn't say anything and takes my hand. Alessandro's eyes drop down to it before looking elsewhere, and then he moves up the stairs and disappears.

It's like I tied a string between us that no one can see because my body almost moves along to follow him.

The bigger part of me wants to tell Dante I'm going to the restroom, just so I can be with Alessandro a bit longer, but I fight it.

I need to get a grip on myself.

Dante tugs me toward the kitchen. "I've been craving a lemon pie," he says. "You up for making one?"

I smile at his constant craving for sweet treats.

"It's like you read my mind," I respond.

"The guestroom?" Dante frowns. "But you always sleep in my mind. Usually," he adds, because it's not the first time I'd be sleeping in the guestroom.

"I just... I want some space of my own," I say, feeling guilty for even asking to sleep in another room.

Because what he's saying is true.

We've been sleeping in the same bed ever since we were little kids, and it never got weird between us as we got older.

I do sleep in the guestroom when I stay in their estate for a longer period of time because I want my own room to unwind a bit in.

But in their house in the city, I almost never do.

"Okay..." he trails off, not sounding convinced.

"And I think I'll be on my period," I lie, not wanting him to feel weird about me wanting my own space.

His shoulders relax, and an understanding expression takes place on his features. "Should've said so," he sighs and shakes his head.

"I get that, you don't need to be embarrassed," he assures me. "You want me to get some pads or tampons for you? A heating pad? Some snacks or tea?"

I smile at his gentleness.

"I'm good, I'll let you know if I need anything, though."

He nods and takes me in a hug. "Okay. I'll be just in my room if you need something, okay?"

"Okay," I repeat and return the hug.

Then, he leads me to the guestroom and leaves me there. I already have some of my toiletries here since I stay over so often, and I took them from Dante's bathroom and placed them here.

I immediately hop into the shower and relax underneath the hot water.

The reason I wanted the guestroom is pretty embarrassing, and my face heats up.

But in case I'd wanted to go downstairs to see if Alessandro was up, I didn't want to have to explain myself to Dante.

I know Alessandro wanders around sometimes whenever he can't sleep, and with everything happening lately, I foolishly wondered what'd happen if we crossed paths at night.

To see if we could have the same talks in real life as we did on the phone.

When I'm done showering, I get out and dry myself off, before washing my teeth and doing my short skincare routine.

After brushing through my hair, I get into my pajamas which is just a short and a top, before getting in bed and taking my phone.

I scroll a bit through TikTok on my phone, pretending to be interested in the videos rather than just trying to pass the time before I decide to head downstairs because I'm 'thirsty'.

However, I guess I'm getting a bit too tired because before I know it, my eyes close and I drift off into sleep against my will.

The crash is still fresh in my mind, and the fear that has wrapped itself around me like a chain has never left. And is only tightening each day that passes.

I'm running low on sleep. Because I can't fall asleep. The dark abyss that pulled me in when the accident happened haunts me.

Tortures me with its emptiness, and I'm afraid I won't wake up. Sometimes I drift off without realizing it, but I startle awake not long after.

Downstairs, Mami is screaming at Dad. It's always at him. Asking him to see us, to not ignore us because it's affected the whole family.

He's not himself anymore.

I guess I can say the same.

I feel like the previous version of me is left in that car, completely in ruins.

I wake up with a gasp, sweat coating my skin and my throat feeling tight as if I can't breathe.

I feel heavy like I can't move or get up.

But then, I realize that I actually cannot get up.

Because an arm is lying on my waist, preventing me from moving away. A hot body is pressed against me; holding me to it.

Twisting around, I blink in the darkness and make out a face I know all too well.

Alessandro.

"Go back to sleep," he whispers, giving away that he's still awake. His thumb is rubbing circles over my bare skin, given that the top I was wearing has ridden up a bit.

"Alessandro?" I ask, even though it's obvious it's him. My voice is heavy with sleep, and my mind is on the brink of falling back into a slumber and staying awake.

"You were screaming. I heard you," he explains, and if possible, pulls me closer to him.

He sounds wide awake like he hasn't slept at all.

Too tired to question it further, I snuggle into his body and instantly drift off.

This time, into a dreamless sleep.

. . .

short filler chapter.

Sorry if there are any grammar mistakes.

hope you enjoyed it!

thank you so much for reading.

I love you.