Italian Obsession

Chapter 1

Valentina

Here I am, wrapped up in the sheets with a man who was by far out of my league and forbidden, hesitantly hearing his request. "I am tired of keeping you as my dirty little secret."

"This has gone on too long as a secret, and I want to keep it that way."

"Val, listen to me. I am in love with you, and I am tired of keeping you as my secret." His eyes searched mine, desperate to make me see it as he does, but I knew deep down how wrong it was to be doing this.

Danny was absolutely everything to me, and I couldn't give this man up, even if I tried.

*** Two years earlier: Moving from Calgary, Alberta to Tampa, Florida was more than a change. Before the citizenship process took place two months ago, things were not easy. Being the youngest sibling of 3, I would say that I had a good relationship with both my sister and brother. Natalia was 5 years older than me and Jason was 3 years older than me. Our parents had split after I finished my freshman year of high school and in hopes of having my siblings to lean on, things changed.

I was a hard-working student and managed to graduate high school earlier than any of my classmates. Things seemed to be going well but after our parents split, I had assumed that Natalia would be the emotional support that I needed after Jason moved to Kissimmee to attend SFU but she left Calgary, and I had no idea where she moved.

Despite having to work two jobs to pay for my schooling at 19 years old, I graduated from Queen's College with my bachelor's degree in accounting.

Trying to countlessly contact my sister, I knew it wouldn't happen and after a year, I received a phone call from Jason, providing a once in a lifetime opportunity that I couldn't turn down and here I am now, living in my brother's condo, making dinner for us while speaking to a childhood friend. "How's Florida?"

"Warm."

"Did Jason mention the job interview?"

"Yes, he scheduled it for tomorrow morning at 8:30."

"That's awesome."

"I just feel like I am a burden staying here."

"Why?"

"Because I am old enough to have my own place."

"Come on, Val. Do you really think that Jason would object to having his little sister living with him to provide hot meals every night?"

"I suppose not, although he has Jess's help for that one." 

As if on cue, the door opened and Jessica took her shoes off. "Hey!"

"Hi, Jess."

"I'll let you go, call me tomorrow."

"Will do."

I hung up and put plates on the table. "I can do it, you've done enough. I would've made dinner, but I had to work late."

"It's okay."

Jessica was 2 years older than me, and after being around her for a few months, she's slowly became like a sister to me. "I really appreciate you setting this job interview up for me."

"Of course! My brother is one of the CEOs."

"Oh, no way."

"Yes, and with how much Jason has spoken about you, he's doing him a favor."

"I appreciate it, do tell him I said thank you."

After 8:40, Jason had gotten home. "Sorry I'm late, I barely dodged a bullet having to do a nightshift tonight."