𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐎 𝐍 𝐄

Valentina

"What are you hiding from me Mika?" I ask once we are both in the full bath, me behind her while scrubbing her body with a soaped loofah.

Mika sighs, before speaking, "I can't tell you Valentina, I'm sorry but it's best if you don't know."

I press my lips together and grab the shampoo, tapping her shoulder. "Head back." I speak softly and she obliges, closing her eyes as I message the shampoo into her hair. I do this until I grab the mini shower head faucet and pull it to rinse it out the soap.

I grabbed the conditioner, lathering it into her scalp. Then I rinse it out the same way I did with the shampoo.

"I'm sorry."

"You keep saying that, why?" I mumble once she's all done. Mika turns around and faces me, leaning against the opposite end of the tub, raking her hand through her short hair.

"I'm sorry that I can't tell you what's going on, why the panic attacks are happening."

"I can understand if you don't want me to worry about you, but just so you know, I'm not dumb and I know there is something seriously wrong with you, that you're ill."

She begins to cry, shaking her head solemnly, opening her mouth to speak but closing it and pulling me towards her, wrapping her arms around me desperately.

I fall into the embrace, not caring about the fact, we are both very naked right now. Or that the water just sloshed over the edge and onto the tiled floor. All I care about is that she's is okay and safe.

"I don't deserve you."

My face frown into her shoulder, shaking my head and kissing the side of her neck. "You do deserve me. You deserve the whole world, sweetheart. I care about you more than you know."

Mika just nodded and slowly we get out of the tub. I pull the drain up so the water starts to go down. I head into the bedroom where Mika has dried off and gotten into a pair of fresh black Calvin Klein boxers and a white t-shirt, then crawling under my black covers without a spoken word.

"Was it a nightmare that got you like that?" I ask. Mika just nods and grips onto my comforter, eyes fluttering with exhaustion, skin around her eyes puffy from crying so much, neck a bit red from scratching the way she does.

I crawl under the white covers with her.

Almost immediately, she slide over and press her backside against me, inviting me to be the big spoon for the night. I of course accept and pull her even closer, tracing patterns on her belly until I can hear her breathing even out.

I watch her sleep, making sure that things are going well.

I can remember the ways Sienna were looking at Mika during the days of last week.

She knows something. She has to know something is up. She knows exactly what's wrong with Mika and I want to know what is it.

I sigh but snap back once I hear whimpers. My head turns to Mika, whose body started trembling as she mutters something.

"It's just a dream, baby." I try to sooth but hear her whimper out,
"Please I can't take it anymore. P-please tell me it's not true..."

My hands went to her arm and head, messaging her protectively, whispering reassurance into her ear.

"You're safe baby. It's okay."

I keep going until her body deflates and relaxes into the mattress, breathing evens out. Once I'm sure she's okay, I slip out of bed ready to call Sienna to ask her what's going on.

When I hear Mika stir, I froze, looking back at her, but only to see that she turned over into another position and are still asleep.

I grabbed my phone and walked downstairs.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly dial Sienna's number who takes a moment but answer.

"Valentina? It's almost six in the morning, what's up?"

"Can you come over." I whisper so Mika doesn't wake up.

I hear shuffling on the other side and hill deeply.

"Yeah sure, but what's going on?" She asked confused.

"I need some answers, so come to the penthouse right now." I demanded.

"Is everything okay—" "No everything is not okay Sienna." I almost screamed but quiet down once I remember about Mika sleeping.

"Just get here please. And be quiet, I don't want to wake Mika up."

"Damn woman I'm on my way."

I hang up, leaning my face on my hand. Now if Sienna wants to or not she's going to tell me what the fuck is going on because whatever it is, it's killing Mika.

And boy, will I find out.

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~ R