Chapter 35 DATE GONE WRONG
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ADELINE
“ hurry up Adeline. Valentino is waiting “
I heard Bianca’s voice from outside my bedroom. A deep sigh of nervousness and frustration escaped my lips. Valentino was here to take me on a ‘ lunch date ‘ specifically arranged by my mother but what they did not know was, I had only agreed to go with him to tell him that I was not going to marry him.
I quickly adjusted my hair more like trying to calm myself down before grabbing my handbag and walked out of the bedroom.
I climbed down the stairs only to see …… Valentino sitting on the couch in the living room with everyone and ……… he was there too.
His legs crossed and arms spread on the couch head staring at me with his fierce look. I literally missed a step because of his glare but composed myself.
My heart pounded in my chest but I remained calm and put on a smile before greeting.
“ good afternoon, everyone “
Hearing my voice, Valentino turned to me and I passed him a polite smile to which he returned with a grin before standing up.
“ you look beautiful “
My heart raced at his comment. Not because I was flustered or anything but because of the glare the man was giving me from behind him.
“ you both look so good together “
Aurora chirped making me look at her with wide eyes before I looked at Luciano. He was glaring at aurora who was pulling his leg. I knew it but maybe Luciano did not like it.
Jealous?
A small smile appeared on my lips thinking he might be jealous but he looks cute though.
“ lets go then ? “
I looked at Valentino again as he had extended his hand out for me to take and I inhaled sharply before putting my hand in his.
“ see you at night “
Aurora waved from behind as me and Valentino walked out. The image of Luciano being jealous still lingering in my mind making it hard for me to hold back my smile.
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The car drive was quiet. Valentino did try to start a conversation but me being a stupid lover, avoided him and his polite gesture of making me comfortable. How unkind of me but I could not help it.
We both walked into a restaurant and were escorted to our table that he registered for today. I felt so bad looking at him because only I knew why I was here. I was here to break his heart.
We settled down and he looked at me wanting me to order the food first but My heart did not allow me to take advantage of his kindness.
I took a deep breath, my chest tightening as I sighed.
“ I need to tell you something first “
I looked at Valentino, whose calm and hopeful expression made my heart ache. Finally, I broke the silence.
“I can’t marry you,”
I said it, my voice trembling. My fingers tightened their grip around each other as I dug my nails in my own palms.
Valentino froze, his brow furrowing slightly, but he remained composed.
“Why?”
he asked quietly, his eyes searching mine. The happiness on his face suddenly vanished leaving him with a confused look.
I hesitated, nervously twisting my hands.
“I… I like someone else,”
I admitted, my words coming out in a rushed whisper. I did not want to hold back in anymore.
Valentino’s expression grew still, his calm exterior masking any pain that might be brewing beneath.
“I’m sorry,”
I continued, my voice cracking.
“I just… I can’t go through with it.”
He inhaled deeply, his gaze steady but filled with unspoken questions.
“Why did you agree in the first place?”
he asked, his tone measured.
“If you loved someone else?”
I bit my lip, tears welling in my eyes.
“I thought I could move on. I wanted to. But… it’s too deep. I can’t let him go.”
Another pause stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions.
“I’m sorry,”
I said again, my voice barely audible.
Valentino nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Then we can still have dinner,”
he said, his voice warm but distant.
“As friends.”
I blinked, surprised by his grace. He smiled trying to not make me feel bad about my own self. I nodded, a small, grateful smile forming on my lips.
“I’d like that,”
I whispered.
“ may I ask who that lucky person is ? “
I looked up from the menu card and my heart skipped a beat at his question. I wanted to shout and tell the whole world and him that I was in love with Luciano but I also knew the consequences it came along.
“ its me “
My eyes widened at his words and my head snapped at the owner of the voice and I saw …… Asher-
What was he doing here? How come he- ?
He walked over to me as I nervously shifted in my chair. He stopped just right next to me as I looked up at him. His eyes never leaving mine as I opened my mouth to ask him.
“ what are you doing here? “
All of a sudden, he grabbed my wrist making me look at him with fear in eyes. What was going on in his mind?
“ Asher. I’m having lunch- “
“ it was supposed to be a date but he’s not your date so no point of having lunch…. “
“ Asher- “
I called his name one again and this time, sternly so he would understand to let me go but he refused to back down.
“ we need to talk “
He warned and his voice sounded destructive. Valentino stood up and before he could intervene, I looked at him and shook my head stopping him because if he had interfered, this would have had become a big scandal and I was not ready to face any of it.
“ Adeline. Come “
Asher again warned and I Gave in before he could create a scene. I quickly stood up and grabbed my bag before looking at Valentino apologetically but even before I could say anything, Asher dragged me out of there not giving me a chance.
Well, everything had gone wrong.
I did not expect my day to go like this but I had to deal with it before my family knew about it.