Chapter 14 Just the two of us.
Serena POV
I got up, feeling slightly pushed around. Everything seemed to be happening too quickly around here, or maybe there's something they aren't telling me, as usual.
Valentina walked straight over to Nico, leaning in close and muttering something low, too low for me to hear a word.
I got up and tried reaching closer to hear at least part of what they kept saying among themselves and still couldn't catch a word.
Their heads were leaning forward and practically side by side as they walked out. I followed them slowly, noticing how much they looked to be plotting something together.
I kept my eyes fixed on them, that strange feeling in my yummy tightening with every forceful sway of Nico's hand.
What the hell were they saying? And why hand me off to these two for the day? I know Dante trusts Nico, but he must have noticed how I felt around Nico. And Valentina... she always gave me that side-eye look, like I was some filth on her path.
Worry washed over me quickly. Nico had warned me, and I didn't listen, could they be planning to hand me over? I couldn't tell, what I did know is that if they were really scheming something, then I would be screwed.
We stepped out of the living room and strolled into the elevator, heading down to the garage. They kept their distance from me, talking among themselves at the corner while I stood alone.
I cleared my throat loudly before raising my voice. “Hey!”
They kept whispering, ignoring me completely.
“Hey!” I tried again, careful not to yell though. I kept my voice sharp enough to break through their conversation.
Nico shot me a frustrated look over Valentina's shoulder. He whispered one more thing to Valentina, then turned fully to me with that bored expression he wore all the time. “What exactly is your problem?”
I stuttered, not exactly knowing what I should say at the moment. “Where… where’s Dante?”
“Okay. That's none of your business.”
“But—”
“Let it go and let's go,” he snapped as the elevator came to a stop and the doors pushed open. “We’re already late," he added, walking out and followed closely by Valentina.
I stepped out after waiting too long, having to rush out before the doors closed on me. I skipped slightly to catch up with them. They strolled together, completely ignoring my presence like I wasn't there at all.
They stalked out towards the black SUV, stopping just by it to talk more. I opened my mouth again when I got closer. “You guys shouldn’t hide stuff from me.”
Valentina turned around slowly, narrowing her eyes at me. “You haven’t earned anyone’s respect here," she snarled before giving me another hard stare. "Over here, you get what you deserve.”
Ouch. That stung a bit, another painful reminder that I was just an outsider, the killer bride Dante dragged home.
I bit my bottom lip, lowering my head as the painful feeling hung over me. I slowly walked around them and climbed into the back seat without another word.
Valentina slid into the front passenger side, opposite where I sat. Nico stepped in by her side and fired up the engine, peeling out fast.
The drive to the mall majorly went on in silence. I leaned against the door, staring out at the city as we passed by it. I watched the tall buildings flash by, the cars moving by in small traffics and the people going about their normal lives.
I wished I could be one of them. Sometimes, I wished my life could be more, 'normal' and not what I am going through. Sadly, I've never known a normal life, my life has been characterized by chaos from the beginning, and it hasn't gotten any better since.
I took a long breath and pulled away, glancing up at them to distract me from my thoughts. Nico’s eyes flicked to the rearview, then the side mirrors. Over and over. Like he was watching for something, or someone.
I twisted around, peering out the back window. I searched but couldn't find anything out of place. The cars around looked normal, the only things that looked out of place were two black cars which seemed to be following us from far off.
It could be nothing. But I was too paranoid. “Where are we going?” I asked, leaning forward.
"The mall," Valentina deadpanned.
“Where exactly are we heading?” I asked again.
Nico grunted. “Just keep quiet till we get there.”
I felt offended. I looked between them—Valentina stared straight ahead while Nico gripped the wheel tightly.
Fine. I crossed my arms and slumped back into my seat.
A few minutes later, Nico slowed into a massive parking lot outside a high-end mall. He scanned the mirrors one last time before turning to us. “Be quick.”
He stepped out and I followed, reluctantly. Nico followed me from behind me with a hand on my back, guiding me through.
Valentina walked ahead of us the way, leading us inside. Inside, the beauty of the place got to me.
It was huge with marble floors that looked spotless. The chandeliers hung high with crystals around them and mini shops were littered around with names I’d ever seen in movies.
People strolled in with designer clothes and even the workers looked highly fancy in their blue and white uniforms, they all carried a welcoming smile.
Even the air around smelled expensive. I gawked for a second, feeling out of place in my basic outfit.
"Rule number one," Nico whispered into my ears, "never allow yourself to look out of place," he added.
I shivered, arranging myself and keeping a straight face.
“Follow me,” Valentina called out from a few feet away. She already turned and headed for a boutique with glass doors and spotlights on mannequins.
I followed slowly, turning around when I didn't feel his overbearing presence again, only to not see him. I looked around for him, but he had apparently vanished into the crowd.
Great. Just me and her. What's the worst that could happen?