Chapter 102 Grocery Run-In
Chapter one hundred and two
Valenticia’s POV~
I pushed my cart through the grocery store, with the wheels squeaking on the floor. It was Saturday morning, and I needed to stock up for the week. Nana was home, feeling better but still on her meds, so I wanted to get her favorite soup ingredients and some fresh fruit. The store was busy, with people grabbing items and kids running in the aisles. I checked my list—carrots, potatoes, apples, bread and headed to the section of the store that had those, whilst humming to myself.
As I picked up a bag of apples, weighing them in my hand, I heard a familiar voice. “Valenticia? Is that you?” I turned and saw Dimitri, standing by the lettuce stand with his mother, Maria. My heart skipped. I hadn’t seen him since we bumped into each other at Willow Creek when I picked up Nana. His mother held a basket, and he pushed a cart half-full of groceries.
“Hi, Dimitri,” I said, forcing a smile. “Maria, good to see you.” My voice sounded stiff, and I gripped my cart tighter, remembering how cold Maria was when we were married. She barely spoke to me back then, as she was always judging my choices.
Maria smiled, her face softer than I remembered. “Valenticia, you look wonderful,” she said, stepping closer. “You’ve done so well for yourself, dear. I read about Clawford in the paper; it’s a big success.”
I blinked, surprised by her warmth. “Thanks,” I said. “Just keeping the business going.”
Dimitri nodded, his smile was awkward. “Yeah, you’re killing it. How’s Rosanna doing?”
“She’s home with me now,” I said, picking up a carrot to stay busy. “Getting stronger every day.”
“That’s great,” he said, shifting his weight. “Mom, you remember Val? She’s running her family’s company now.”
Maria nodded, still smiling. “I do. You were always so driven. It’s nice to see you thriving.”
Her kindness threw me off guard. During our marriage, she’d criticized everything that I did. My cooking, my long hours, even my clothes. Now she was acting like we were old friends. I wondered what had changed, but I kept my face polite. “Appreciate that,” I said. “What brings you two here?”
“Stocking up for the week,” Dimitri said, holding up a bag of onions. “Dad’s at Willow Creek now, so Mom’s staying with me for a bit.”
Maria’s cart tipped slightly, and a bag of potatoes started to fall. I reached out, catching it before it hit the floor. “Careful,” I said, handing it back. “Need a hand?”
“Oh, you’re sweet,” Maria said. “We’re fine, but… well, maybe you could help us pick some good fruit? I’m terrible at it.”
I hesitated, but then nodded. “Sure.” I moved to the apples, showing her how to check for firmness. “These are crisp,” I said, adding a few to her basket. “Good for eating or baking.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Maria said, her smile wide. “Dimitri, why didn’t we ask her for help sooner?”
He laughed, rubbing his neck. “Didn’t know she was a fruit expert.” His tone was light, but his eyes lingered on me, making the moment feel heavy. I remembered our marriage, which was filled with late nights fighting, and trying to make it work during the Golden chaos. It ended when trust broke, and seeing him now stirred those old hurts.
I helped them pick oranges and bananas, keeping the talk light. “How’s your job going?” I asked Dimitri, grabbing a bunch of grapes for myself.
“Logistics firm,” he said. “Busy, but I like it. Keeps me moving. You still at Clawford full-time?”
“Yeah,” I said, keeping it short. “Lots of projects. Keeps me busy too.”
Maria chimed in. “You must be proud, running such a big company. Your mother would be.”
Her words hit a soft spot, but I nodded. “Thanks. I try.” We moved to the bread aisle, and I helped Maria pick a loaf, suggesting one Nana liked. The whole time, I felt Dimitri watching me, his awkward smile not fading. I wondered if he was thinking about our past, too, or if this was just a normal day for him.
As we reached the checkout, Maria’s basket was full, and she struggled to lift it. I took it from her, setting it on the conveyor belt. “Let me,” I said. “It’s heavy.”
“You’re too kind,” she said, patting my arm. “We should stay in touch, Valenticia.”
I nodded, unsure of how to respond. Then, Dimitri spoke up. “Yeah, maybe we could catch up sometime? Coffee or something?”
I paused, surprised. A part of me wanted to say no, to keep the past closed, but his smile was genuine, and Maria’s kindness made me curious. “Sure,” I said, pulling out my phone. “What’s your number?”
He read it off, and I saved it, feeling a mix of nerves and wonder. “I’ll text you,” he said, helping Maria with her bags. “Good seeing you, Val.”
“You too,” I said, grabbing my groceries. We parted ways, and I headed to my car, with my mind spinning. Maria’s warmth was so different from the woman who had ignored me years ago. Had she changed, or was she just being polite? And Dimitri—why ask for my number? I didn’t know what to make of it, but it brought back memories of our marriage, the good days before it fell apart.