The Change|| BxB

26. Struggles In The Spotlight

"Are you ready to go shopping, bub?" Valentino's voice rang out with excitement, far too enthusiastic for Max's current state. Max groaned and rolled over, pulling the blanket up to his chin. It wasn't that he was asleep—he just didn't want Valentino shouting in his ear.

"Do we have to?" Max mumbled, his voice muffled by the pillow. "I'm comfy here."

Valentino wasn't having any of it. With a grin, he scooped Max up in his arms and carried him down the stairs, Max too lazy to protest. Despite his initial reluctance, the warmth of Valentino's embrace was comforting. Max resigned himself to the day ahead, his mood slightly lifted by the gentle care Valentino showed him.

When they arrived at the massive shopping center, Max's anxiety spiked. The sheer scale of the place combined with the presence of Valentino—a well-known figure in the criminal underworld—created a potent mix of fear and unease. As they approached the main doors, heads turned, and whispers and gasps spread through the crowd. Max could feel the weight of their stares like a tangible force pressing down on him.

Valentino noticed Max's growing discomfort and quickly wrapped an arm around his waist, guiding him through the crowd. "You okay?" Val asked softly, his concern evident.

Max couldn't find the words. His mind was overwhelmed with thoughts of "criminal," "mafia," "murder," "dead dad," "drugs and alcohol." Each thought seemed to magnify his anxiety, causing his vision to blur and his hands to tremble uncontrollably.

"Max—earth to Max? You there?" Valentino's voice cut through the fog in Max's mind. He looked up, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and sadness.

"I don't deserve you," Max muttered, his voice barely audible. "You deserve the world. I'm a waste of time."

Valentino's face softened, but his worry grew. "I'm here for you. What's going on?" His tone was louder than he intended, and he could see Max flinch slightly at the sudden intensity.

"This feels worse than dying," Max said, grabbing Valentino's hand again, the regret of letting go evident in his eyes.

Valentino tightened his grip, pulling Max closer. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll get through this together."

As they walked further into the mall, the crowd seemed to thin out, but the tension remained. Valentino had promised Max a day of distraction and relief, but the presence of rival mafia members loomed over them, making the outing anything but ordinary.

Suddenly, a group of well-dressed men approached them, their demeanor unmistakably menacing. Valentino's expression darkened as he recognized them—rivals from a different faction of the mafia. The leader of the group, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, locked eyes with Valentino.

"Valentino Khan Rose," the man said with a sneer, his voice dripping with disdain. "What a surprise to see you here."

Max clung to Valentino's side, his anxiety reaching new heights. Valentino put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, though he kept his gaze fixed on the rival gang leader.

"What do you want, Roger?" Valentino's voice was icy, his eyes narrowing in challenge. The tension was palpable, and the shoppers around them began to edge away, sensing the brewing conflict.

Roger smirked, stepping closer. "Just a friendly reminder. You owe us a lot more than you're currently giving. And it seems like your little outing has put us in the mood for some entertainment."

Max's heart raced as he looked around, trying to gauge the situation. The crowd had scattered, leaving them in an uneasy silence. Valentino's hand tightened around Max's, offering what comfort he could amidst the danger.

"Let's keep this civilized," Valentino said, his voice low but firm. "I'm here with someone important to me. I don't have time for your games."

Roger's smile didn't waver. "Oh, I'm sure you don't. But consider this a friendly warning. You don't want us to get involved with your personal life. We can make things very uncomfortable for you."

Max could feel the cold sweat forming on his brow as the situation continued to escalate. Valentino, however, remained composed, his eyes never leaving Roger's.

"Consider this my response," Valentino said, pulling out a small envelope from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Roger, who took it with a curious glance. Inside were documents that would settle the debt Valentino owed.

Roger's eyes flickered with surprise, but his smirk remained. "Well, well. Seems like you're not just a pretty face after all. We'll be watching."

With a final nod, Roger and his men turned and walked away, their presence fading into the crowd. Valentino released a sigh of relief and turned to Max, who was still visibly shaken.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Valentino said softly, pulling Max into a tight embrace. "Are you okay?"

Max nodded, though his hands still trembled. "I—I think so. Just a bit overwhelmed."

Valentino kissed his forehead gently. "Let's get out of here. We'll go home and just be together, okay?"

Max nodded again, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion. As they left the mall, Valentino kept a protective arm around him, guiding him safely through the aftermath of the encounter. In the face of such challenges, Max found solace in Valentino's unwavering support, knowing that despite the chaos and danger, their bond remained unbreakable.

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