HER LIFE

The Talk

Valentina's POV

The words "It's good to have you back, princess" reverberated in my mind like a haunting melody. I couldn't shake off the mystery of who had come into my room that night. Was it a ghost of my past, or merely a figment of my imagination? As I prepared for the day, questions danced in my mind, but I pushed them aside. Today was significant: Massimo, Marcella, and Antonio were arriving, having bought the mansion just three houses away.

After taking a shower, I stood in front of my closet, rifling through my outfits. I chose something simple yet elegant, a dress that allowed me to feel both confident and comfortable. I slipped into my shoes, grabbed my phone, and headed downstairs, steeling myself for whatever awaited me.

As I entered the dining room, the atmosphere shifted. The room fell silent, all eyes turning toward me. It was unnerving.

"Good morning, Val," Victor said, breaking the stillness.

"Hm," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

"So, how was your sleep?" Savio asked, his voice laced with a false cheeriness.

"Good," I responded, offering as little as possible.

"Did you like your room?" Ace chimed in, his question feeling intrusive.

"Who designed it?" I countered, deflecting.

"I did," Elijah replied, his pride evident in his tone.

A flicker of warmth crossed my heart at the compliment, but I quickly suppressed it. "It was beautiful, thank you."

As we finished breakfast, I stood to leave, my mind already racing ahead to my plans for the day. But Isabella called out just as I turned away. "Val, we need to talk. Let's head to the meeting."

Oh, right. I had almost forgotten. They were my family now, or so they claimed. I waited for everyone to get up and reluctantly followed them to the meeting room.

Settling into my chair, I felt the tension in the air as Victor prepared to speak. He cleared his throat, and the room quieted. "We just want to discuss some basic rules for living here," he began, his tone authoritative.

"Great, because I love rules," I muttered under my breath.

"First," he continued, ignoring my sarcasm, "do not interrupt anyone while they are speaking."

I rolled my eyes.

"Second, no cursing," Savio added, as if he had just read off a list.

"Third, dress appropriately," Ace chimed in, glancing at me as if gauging my outfit.

"Fourth, avoid the fourth floor and the basement," Victor concluded, his gaze fixed firmly on me.

I raised an eyebrow, my patience waning. "I appreciate the guidelines, but let me make this clear: I won't be controlled by people I don't even know. You cannot dictate my actions."

The room fell silent, and I could feel their surprise. I wasn't going to play along with their little game of authority.

"Are you done?" I asked, the irritation bubbling to the surface. "Good. I'm leaving now and will come back later." With that, I stormed out of the room, my heart racing.

Outside, the air felt fresher, the sunlight more welcoming. I needed to gather my thoughts and prepare for the arrival of my new family members. I walked around the mansion's expansive grounds, trying to escape the suffocating atmosphere of expectations inside.

I had barely taken a few steps when I overheard Andrew speaking with his family. "I think Valentina doesn't remember her past. It's as if she's forgotten us entirely," he said, concern etched across his features.

I entered my car and started driving, I soon reached the airport, where I spotted them waiting anxiously. My heart raced as I got out of the car, nearly tripping over my own feet when I heard an explosive voice.

"YOU MOTHERFUCKING BITCH! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG WE'VE BEEN WAITING? YOU HADN'T EVEN CONTACTED US FOR THE LAST FUCKING WEE—"

Marcella's words were a whirlwind of frustration, but before she could finish, Massimo swiftly covered her mouth. Thank goodness.

"I know, I know! I'm so sorry," I said, trying to diffuse the situation. "But seriously, why are you shouting? I'm here now, so let's just get in the car and stop creating a scene."

With a collective sigh, we walked toward my car, where Massimo and Antonio loaded their luggage into another vehicle, flanked by their guards. The air felt heavy with anticipation, and I couldn't shake the feeling of impending chaos.

As we drove back to the mansion, I mentally prepared myself for what lay ahead. The house they had bought was undergoing renovations, so they would be staying with me until it was ready. Part of me felt grateful for their company, but another part was apprehensive about how it would all play out.

Upon entering the mansion, I was met by Victor, who was standing there with an unmistakable scowl. The moment he heard us, his expression darkened further. He marched toward me and pulled me aside, gripping my wrist tightly.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY HOUSE?" he screamed, his voice reverberating through the grand foyer.

"Dad, what happened?" My brothers rushed in, their faces a mix of confusion and concern.

They froze when they saw Marcella, Massimo, and Antonio standing nearby, and it felt like the tension in the room could be cut with a knife. It was as if a silent standoff had begun, each side sizing up the other.

"STOP THIS INSTANT! LEAVE MY HAND!" I shouted, yanking my arm back, the fire of indignation fueling my voice.

"Now listen," I continued, my tone unwavering, "these people are my brothers and sister—Antonio Ivano, Massimo Ivano, and Marcella Ivano. They've just moved back from America, and they'll be staying with us while their house is under renovation."

Victor's face contorted in anger. "No, they will not stay in my house! These people are not your family! You will stay away from them!"

The frustration boiled within me. "Okay, now listen, you motherfucking retard. First of all, you don't get to order us around. Second, these people are the closest thing I have to family, and they will stay here. If you have a problem with that, it won't take me long to book a hotel for them."

The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. I could see my brothers flinch at my tone, and a pang of guilt washed over me. But I steeled myself; this was a matter of principle.

Victor stormed off, his frustration palpable.

Elijah stepped forward, extending a hand to Antonio. "Hi, I'm Elijah, Val's older brother. I'm really sorry about what just happened. Please, come with me; I'll show you to your rooms, and you can stay as long as you need."

Antonio blushed slightly, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

As Elijah and I helped them with their luggage, we ascended the grand staircase toward the guest rooms. "I hope you like the place," Elijah said, his demeanor warm and inviting. "If you have any issues at all, you can call me anytime."

"Thank you so much! We are really grateful," Marcella replied, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

"There's no need to thank me. You're like Val's siblings now, so you're welcome here anytime," Elijah said, his eyes lingering on Antonio.

I noticed the subtle chemistry between them, and a knowing grin crept onto my face. It seemed something was brewing beneath the surface.

"The dinner will be at eight. I hope to see you all there," Elijah added, shooting another glance at Antonio, who was trying to hide a shy smile.

After showing them to their rooms, I bid them goodnight, urging them to rest after their long journey. As I walked back down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and dread about the dinner ahead.

Today had been a whirlwind, and I knew that the evening would only add to the emotional rollercoaster. A dinner with my new family—new dynamics, lingering tensions, and unspoken words lay ahead.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever was to come. God, today was going to be some dinner.