Valentino noticed the growing unease in Max as he sat in the lounge, seemingly absorbed in his phone. It struck him as odd that Max's phone was blank, untouched, with no notifications or activity. Valentino knew Max was struggling with the recent death of his father and the weight of the funeral, but there was something more. Max's behavior had been off for days, and Valentino could sense that there was another layer to his distress—something deeper and more troubling.
Max had been distant, his eyes lost in thought, and his usual vibrant self seemed to be fading away. Valentino felt a pang of concern; he wanted to help but hesitated, not wanting to intrude too much on Max's personal space. It was clear that Max was carrying a heavy burden, and Valentino wanted to be supportive, but he didn't want to push too hard.
Finally, mustering up the courage, Valentino approached Max. He softened his voice to avoid startling him, "Max, hun. What's on your mind? You look like you want to get something off your chest."
Max looked up from his phone, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He swallowed hard and tried to muster a smile, but it faltered almost immediately. "Uh, uhh... it's nothing! Don't worry about me," he said, his voice wavering. He pulled his knees up to his chest, trying to shield himself from the world.
Valentino's heart ached at the sight of Max's failed attempt to smile and the tears that began to spill down his face. Without hesitation, Valentino crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Max. He held him tightly, offering what comfort he could. Max clung to him, tears soaking Valentino's shirt as he cried into his shoulder.
After a few minutes, Valentino gently whispered, "What's wrong, baby?"
Max's body shook with sobs as he struggled to speak through his tears. "I want to die. I really want to die," he finally admitted, his voice breaking with raw emotion.
The confession hit Valentino like a cold wave. He had feared that Max was struggling with dark thoughts, but hearing it spoken aloud made the reality hit hard. Valentino held Max even tighter, trying to provide as much warmth and reassurance as he could. "No, Max. Please don't say that. I'm here for you, okay? You're not alone in this."
Max shook his head, still crying. "I don't know how to fix this, Val. Everything feels so broken. I'm so tired of feeling like this."
Valentino gently stroked Max's hair, trying to soothe him. "We don't have to fix everything right now. Just take it one step at a time. I know things are overwhelming, but we can work through this together. You don't have to carry this alone."
Max looked up at Valentino, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. "But what if I'm too broken to fix?"
Valentino cupped Max's face in his hands, making sure their eyes met. "You're not broken, Max. You're hurting, and that's okay. We'll get through this together. We'll find help if we need to. Just promise me you'll hold on and let me help you."
Max nodded, his tears slowly subsiding. "I'll try, Val. I just... I don't know how to see a way out right now."
Valentino kissed Max's forehead softly. "That's all right. Just know that you're loved and that I'm not going anywhere. We'll face this together, and we'll find a way to make things better. You're stronger than you think, and I believe in you."
Max leaned into Valentino's embrace, feeling a small glimmer of hope amidst the pain. For the first time in a while, he allowed himself to believe that there might be a path forward, one that he wouldn't have to navigate alone.
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The Change|| BxB
Mistério / SuspenseREWRITTEN - 2024. Meet Max Grover, an 18-year-old who decides to step into his family's business, thinking it's the right move for his life. Little does he know, his decision thrusts him into the world of Valentino Rose, the Mafia boss who now cont...
