Italian Obsession

Chapter 35

Valentina

I noticed that Zayne looked at Micah and she nodded. He looked back at me and smiled. "I knew the moment that I saw you at the club that I had to talk to you. You were too damn gorgeous to not get my attention. I know we haven't known each other for very long, but there's something about you that's special. I know you're scared that I'll leave because you have two kids but to be honest, it does not bother me one bit. I also know that you're scared of having another man in your life because of..."

"Zayne..."

He looked at Micah and shook his head. "Sorry. But Val, you really are special to me so having said that..." He grabbed a small box out of his jacket

pocket and got down on one knee.

"Oh my god."

"Val, will you marry me?"

"Umm... we barely even know each other."

Zayne scowled. "And?"

I knew this moment was clearly important to Zayne, but he was a one-night stand and it really needed to stay that way.

"Zayne, I..."

I could sense the anger in his eyes. "Are you planning on embarrassing me right now? In front of everyone?"

"I am sorry. I just... I don't really know you well enough to do something like this."

"Do you have any idea how bad you just embarrassed me?"

I stood up and left, knowing that they would all be pissed but I didn't care. I had no reason to explain myself.

When I got home, I saw Juan sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand while Callie was asleep on the floor with her blanket and a pillow. "Why is she not sleeping in her bed?"

He shrugged. "She likes to sleep anywhere."

I laughed. "Wouldn't be the first time. So, Zayne proposed tonight."

"I know. We talked about it a few days ago."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. You deserve happiness, Val."

"Well, I didn't say yes."

"Oh, so you said no?"

"I couldn't do it. After finding out what Danny's been up to behind my back, I just couldn't."

"What'd he do?"

"He's been seeing Katy."

"The girl you work with?"

"Yep."

"And he's still living here, why?"

"He won't be soon."

Suddenly, Danny came inside, and I noticed how wrinkly his dress shirt looked. He looked at me and I could tell he was completely shocked.

"Umm..."

"Danny, can I speak to you for a moment? Alone?"

"Sure." I went outside and Danny followed behind me. "What's wrong?"

"You know exactly what's wrong. How's Katy?"

"Val..."

"Danny, I trusted you."

"Please, it was a mistake."

"Was it? I can smell the putrid perfume and how noticeable your wrinkly shirt is. I knew that I shouldn't have married you."

"Val, please give me a chance."

"No. Do me a favor and move in with Katy. I refuse to have my kids around you."

"They're mine too."

"Not anymore, Danny."

He scowled. "Fine. If you want to be that way, I'll grab my shit and you won't see my face again."

"Sounds perfect, thank you."

Scowling, he went inside, and I could hear voices raising in the living room. "How the hell would you think that it's okay to cheat on my sister, Danny?"

"Juan, I can explain."

I went inside and picked Callie up. "I'm taking her to her bedroom."

Thankfully, Callie fell back to sleep fairly quickly once I got her in bed. Tears slid down my face and the bedroom door opened, Danny's face full of pure anger. "You hurt me, Danny. You hurt us. You get the kids on the weekends whether you like it or not."

He scowled. "You're such a selfish bitch."

"Fuck you, Danny." I took his clothes and shoes and threw them at him. "Get the fuck out of my house."

His face softened. "Val, I'm sorry. I just..."

"Go. Now."

I grabbed a bag out of the closet and handed it to him. "Enjoy your life with Katy."

"Fuck you."

After Danny left, I grabbed my phone and called Tom. "Val?"

"Hey."

"Are you okay?"

"N-no."

"What's going on?"

"Can you come to my house?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

"Yes, because we do need to talk."

I hung up and told Juan about Tom. "So, let me get this straight. You just found out about Danny and Katy, and you slept with her husband?"

"He's a pretty sweet guy, Juan. You'll like him."

By the time Tom got to the house, I waited for him to come upstairs.

He came upstairs and entered my bedroom, and I couldn't control my tears.

He sat on my bed and placed his hand on my face. "Hey, don't cry. What's going on?"

"Danny, I... kicked him out."

"Well, good."

"It just hurts."

"Trust me, I get it. I am going to talk to Katy about it tomorrow."

"Can you please stay tonight?"

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Of course."

As I got ready for bed, I got a notification of a new email: KatyWilson@Esposito & Burnside Advertising.rr.com

RSVP:

Please respond by March 20th, 2024

Name(s):

Katy Wilson & Danny Esposito

Location: Huntington Beach

Date: May 13th, 2023

Time: 6:30 p.m.

"What is it?"

Scowling, I handed my phone to Tom. "Read this."

He looked at my screen and raised his eyebrows. "What the fuck?"

"She seriously has the audacity to do this shit. And they're engaged? When the fuck did that shit happen?"

"Well, I now have a true reason to speak to Katy."

"I'm sorry."

Tom rolled his eyes. "She's a bitch and a whore, fuck her."

"Well, we need to talk about your daughter, Tom."

Tom nodded. "Yes, of course."