Mrs Valentino ✅

Blast from the past

(Trigger warning for mentions of domestic abuse, drug addiction and attempted murder.)

Everything is seemingly back to normal in the next few days. Aaron goes back to his cold self and it leaves me wondering if it was the same man who comforted me when I had a nightmare and complimented me at the boutique.

I don't have too much time to dwell on it when I'm brought along to greet someone from his family.

Aaron's grandmother decides to make a surprise visit to our hotel and she was nearly escorted out of the building when Aaron found her, but he assured the staff that it was fine and they let her go.

Nearly tackling him she gives him a hug and a kiss and speaks to him in a language I don't understand.

Spotting me she out stretches her arms and kisses both my cheeks, before gripping my shoulders.

"You are so beautiful dear. Its good to see you." she says to me with a sincere smile before turning around and scolding Aaron in what I assume is Italian.

He answers her in Italian as well and my eyes widen not knowing he could speak the language. She huffs and we make our way outside near the front of the Lake.

"I'm so glad to meet you again my dear." she says to me as is three stroll along the path near the lake.

"We've meet before Mrs Valentino?" I say confused.

"Yes of course, but you were so young then. The last I saw you it was your father's funeral... may he rest in peace." she says sincerely.

I don't recall much from that time so it's very likely I forgot anyone I saw at the time.

"I remembered Aaron and you sat next to each other after the funeral. Aaron always was such a sweet boy. Always took care of everyone...look at you both now, how wonderfully how things work out." she says and smiles  to herself.

My eyes widen in surprise and I almost stop in my tracks.

I knew Aaron before?

Looking over at him he's facing straight ahead not contributing to the conversation. It doesn't even look like listening and I almost roll my eyes at him.

"Aaron my boy, bring around that blonde friend of yours I want to see how he's doing." she says.

"Yes, Nana." he says and walks off leaving only the two of us.

We walk in silence before his grandmother speaks again.

"Aaron was a very sweet boy when he was younger... it's a shame that his father had to push him over the edge." she says and grimaces at a memory.

"What happened?" I ask curiously.

"He hasn't told you? Well I suppose I can see why not... but you should know." she says nodding at herself before continuing we sit down on a nearby bench and she starts telling me about what happened.

She goes onto explain when Aaron was younger his father was abusive to his mother, older brother and then later...him.

Aaron's brother was much older than him and was born before his parents got married. His brother later went onto become a drug addict to cope with his home life. Only in recent years has he overcome addiction.

His mother was beaten almost daily and the rest of the family knew nothing about it because his father threatened his mother into silence for years.

Along with only hitting her where it wouldn't show or if he did beat her up particularly badly, he would hide her away until she healed.