Love Shot

Chapter 24: The wrong words

The next day
3pm/15:00

VALENTINO'S POV

Astraea and I spent the day at the book market. She was extremely bright and starry eyed while we were there. She practically jumped around looking at books and book-related items. She got quite a lot of things. Bookmarks, reading lights, books, a safe disguised as a book (for what I don't know), keyrings, jewellery, stationary, hair accessories and the list goes on. My car boot is packed to the brim of her things. Not that I mind. I'm happy that I made her happy. I did get a few good novels for myself but it was mostly her who did shopping. We also did a lot of bonding. I told her about work and my plans after her wedding, and she told me about the dress fitting, the mission she went on yesterday, her excitement for the initiation ceremony, how she's learning to cook from her friend Alexander, and her relationship with the DeLucas. She has way more to talk about than I do, so I listened to her unpack her week. I've noticed that, other than the dress fitting, she's been avoiding any talk of Carlos and the wedding. So I avoided talking about it. Carlos also avoids talking about Astraea, at least he did when we went out for drinks that night. Carlos is serious but he's a nice guy, if you look past his reputation and the stunts he pulled on Dad's mafia. She and Carlos have been avoiding each other. I don't blame them though. I do think that they need to have a proper talk. I miss seeing them all lovesick about each other. I am still her older brother and I'm still very protective of her, but she was happy with him. She's been more...down...since that fight and I hate seeing her upset. That's why I took her to the market, to boost her mood.

I pulled up to the DeLuca Estate and parked the car. Astraea asked a few maids to help unload my car and take her things to her room.

Astraea: Thank you for today! And for buying me all that.
Valentino: You're welcome sorellina (little sister).

I hugged her tightly and she hugged back.

Valentino: I'll see you at the wedding.
Astraea: Are you bringing a plus one?
Valentino: I don't have a plus one to bring, remember?

I ruffled her hair, earning a giggle from her.

Astraea: Right, I forgot it's the youngest that find love first.
Valentino: You just got lucky and happened to be a beautiful, sweet, irresistible person.
Astraea: Thank you my sweet brother.

I laughed.

Valentino: Okay, go inside and sort out your stuff.
Astraea: Will do, be safe.
Valentino: I will.

We hugged again. She entered the house while I entered my car. She truly is lucky to have found love sooner than the rest of us.

4pm/16:00

ASTRAEA'S POV

I just finished sorting through all my new things. I packed the books and book-safe on my shelf in my closet. The jewellery and hair accessories went to the vanity. My stationary and keyrings went to the desk. My bookmarks and reading lights went to my side table. I decided to use the book-safe to store my sweet stash. It's about the size of my other books and it blends in on the bookshelf perfectly.

I slid off my shoes and flopped onto my bed with a book in my hand. I'm almost done reading this romance book named "Starry Eyes" by Jenn Bennett. The female lead, Zorie, goes on a glamping trip with her friends, crush and enemy/ex-friend named Lennon, who broke her heart by ignoring her and leaving her alone at homecoming. Both Zorie and Lennon's families are enemies. They all go glamping but they get kicked out, so they decide to camp by a waterfall. The group gets into a fight, and Lennon and Zorie get abandoned at the waterfall. They decide to hike to this star party Zorie wants to attend and A LOT happens. She finds out why Lennon left her and they just get closer. I loved reading every single scene where they were together! They eventually get to the star party where Zorie's dad is fuming mad about her being with Lennon, but Zorie is also mad that her dad has been cheating on her stepmom. In the end, Lennon ad Zorie get together and all is well. It's an amazing book!