Let It Burn

Chapter 27

Valeria Mendez's POV

I was staring at the ceiling with my bed sheets over me.

It's always the same thing...

You feel fine during the day but when it's night time it hits you hard like being torn apart from the inside.

Even sleeping pills can't help when it comes to that.

I can't win, it's either my overthinking or my nightmares.

I kept rethinking about what happened with Lorenzo.

Should I forgive him?

That was the question on my mind.

I don't know what we are anymore, but I miss what we were.

If only I could still go to him and say what's on my mind.

There was a time where I could've... but it got ruined.

It was ruined like everything else in my life. It's like I can't enjoy something because as soon as I do, it gets ripped away from me.

It's like the world is constantly against me, not wanting to see me happy.

As if happiness was forbidden to me.

I recalled what Lorenzo asked me : "what happened to the old you?"

If only he knew...

A part of me wants him to, but the other will never allow me to expose myself like that.

Maybe this truce was giving me the illusion that things could go back to the way they were, but I know I'm only fooling myself.

I don't talk much about how I feel, but it's like he can still understand me, even if no words escape my lips.

He can read me open like a book just by connecting with my eyes.

And I don't know if I find it relieving or scary.

Enough.

This mind torture session has lasted long enough, time for some ice cream.

If I can't sleep, I might as well occupy myself.

I smile at the thought of a Netflix and ice cream combo.

I get up and put a silk robe over my night dress.

I arrive to the kitchen after a long walk through the immense mansion.

I stare at the variety of ice creams in front of me and end up going with something basic : vanilla.

I grab a spoon and start making my way out of the kitchen.

As I am heading back to my room,a small melody makes its way to my ear.

Soft piano notes are travelling through the corridors.

Who the hell is playing piano at two in the morning.

I decide to follow the music through the hallways only to end up in front of a set of doors with one slightly cracked.

I peek through to discover who was hiding behind these doors and almost drop my ice cream pot.

I watch the last person I could ever think would be able to create such beautiful melodies gliding their fingers through the piano.

Lorenzo.

I recognize "say something" through the notes.

He was shirtless, with a pair of grey jogger shorts and some black socks being the only clothes covering his body.

I took the time to inspect him.

On the physical aspect, he was for sure drool worthy. Tattoos were covering his defined abs and his muscular arms. His veiny hands were smoothly travelling across the piano keys. I watched him play as he was lit only by the moonlight casting through the windows.

But on another aspect, he looked so human and vulnerable.

I've never seen him like this before... it almost felt comforting.

He was expressing so much through these notes...So much that he couldn't express with words.

I could see it on his face when he tilted his head to look up at the moon through the glass.

He took a breath before starting to sing. His voice was filled with sincerity and was so soothing.

As I am looking at him through the little space I have, I watch him turn his head towards me and he instantly stops.

He quickly looks away from my direction and slams the piano cover shut.

I took him by surprise.

He suddenly stands up and turns his back on me, clenching his fists.

I slowly come in and start approaching him from behind.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spy on you... I couldn't sleep and I went up to get-" I start explaining before I stop myself. This isn't it. "It was beautiful," I add.

I rarely make compliments, but to be fair, it was. I've been a bit hard on Lorenzo since he came, it's my way of protecting myself. But maybe he's hurting too...

I recall when he called me selfish, I don't think I am, but maybe I should be more considerate towards others, we all have our fights.

This world isn't fair, it taints sweet things by horror until there isn't anything sweet about it anymore .

Maybe he's a tortured soul too and I never took the time to notice it.

"So you're talking to me now?" He growls in a husky voice.

The body, the tatoos, the voice, God help me.

I hesitate to do what I'm thinking of...

Fuck it.

I slowly wrap my arms around him as my cheek presses against his warm back.

As my hands get hooked under his arms and are resting on his chest, I can feel his heart racing.

He relaxes at my touch.

"I guess you're forgiven" I whisper. "But I dare you to say something like that again, I'll go killer bitch on your ass"

He giggles and turns back around.

"And what was that about?" He continues.

"I just know when someone needs a hug"

"Who would've thought you were the type to give hugs"

"I'm not, I said I know when someone needs a hug, it doesn't mean I always fulfill their need."

"Ice cream ?" He says in confusion pointing at the pot I placed on the piano.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep... want some?"

He suddenly touches my forehead.

"Valeria is being nice? And you don't have fever, it's either you're going crazy or you're being possessed" he mocks.

"Never mind, I'll keep the ice cream to myself then"

A/N : Hey guys ! Again I'm sorry I haven't updated yesterday I've been obsessed with a story I just started reading and I couldn't let go so I didn't felt like writing. I wrote a longer chapter this time tho 😏!

I hope you enjoy!

Question of the chapter : what do you think of Valeria ?

I appreciate you all ❤️

Please vote !