Italian Obsession

Chapter 65

Danny

Tina got home, clearly frustrated. "How was your day?"

"Don't even get me started, Danny. I was in a good mood until I went shopping."

"Why? What happened?"

"I was looking for a dress to wear tonight, but they didn't have my size!"

"Tina, you have many dresses to choose from."

Rolling her eyes, she handed me her credit card. "I wanted something new, Danny."

"You have so many clothes in our closet to choose from."

"On top of that, I met some bitch who said she was your ex-wife."

"What?"

Tina shrugged. "Don't ask me. She acted like a little bitch."

"Did she say her name?"

"Why the hell would you care?"

"I was just wondering."

Tina scowled. "Valentina. Why should you care?"

"I was just wondering."

"Whatever. I'm taking a shower. I guess I'll have to find something out of the closet."

She stomped up the stairs and I leaned against the kitchen counter. Valentina. I would give just about anything to see her again.

Valentina

Once I finished getting myself ready, I took the kids to Juan's, and he looked at me skeptically. "Why are you dressed like..."

"Like what?"

"Nice. Where are you going?"

"Micah wants to go to some club downtown I guess."

"Well, have fun."

"Thank you."

An Uber pulled up next to the sidewalk and I saw Micah sitting inside. "Get in. We're late."

It was only a short drive, and I was amazed at the atmosphere. The ambiance of the lights, the music and the people felt overwhelming. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want a drink?"

"Yeah, sure."

A few drinks in, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a man approaching me. "Mind if I take a seat?"

"Sure."

"I'm Jackson."

"Valentina."

"I know. I've seen you around before."

"Where have you seen me?"

"I go to the club where you work."

"Oh."

"And I had to get your name from one of the other strippers, Shannon, I think it is."

"Yeah."

"We should go somewhere private."

"I don't know you."

"You don't know any of your clients, so what makes me any different?"

I looked at him and scowled. "Excuse me?"

Jackson cleared his throat. "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I meant..."

"I know what you meant. If you want some alone time with me, I work tomorrow night."

He smirked. "Sounds good, sweetheart."

After he left, I took one last swig of my drink. No matter how many times guys would hit on me, I was only doing my job. "Micah, I'm going to head out. It's almost 2."

She was making out with a random guy and looked at me, shrugging.

Since she wasn't leaving with me, I got an Uber and went home.

*** I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache and having my brother shouting at me didn't make things much easier. "Valentina, I've tried calling you and texting you all morning."

"And I just got them."

"Can you come get the kids? I have to go to a meeting at 9:30."

"Can't you bring them to me?"

"Valentina... I know they are my nephew and niece, and I love them to death, but you need to take a little more responsibility for them."

"Excuse me?"

"I know things are tough with Danny, and..."

"Don't talk about him."

"Can you please just get them?"

"Okay. Sorry."

I hung up and dragged myself out of bed, putting on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

Juan looked very irritated when I got to his house. "I told Natalia too, Val. She's just as angry as I."

"I'm sorry, Juan. I'm sorry I'm not the perfect sister that you wanted."

His face softened. "Val, I didn't mean that..."

"Forget it."

"Mommy!" Callie came down the stairs and wrapped her arms around my legs.

"Hi, sweetheart. We're going home now."

"Yay!"

Once the kids were in the car, I waved goodbye to my brother. I loved him, but I feel like he's trying to make it sound like I am a shitty mother.