Infernal Rivalry - The Clash Of Vox And Alastor

Chapter 41: Time To Do It

(Vox's POV)

As I stepped into Valentino's domain, a wave of discomfort washed over me, my guilt festering like a festering wound beneath the surface. I forced a smile, attempting to mask my inner turmoil as Valentino greeted me with his trademark charm. "Ah, Vox" he purred, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "How was your evening with Bambi? Did you two have a good time?". His words cut through me like a knife, the reminder of our shared indiscretion only serving to amplify my sense of shame. I forced a nonchalant shrug, attempting to deflect Valentino's probing gaze. "It was fine" I replied tersely, my voice betraying the turmoil swirling within. "Just a typical night, you know". But Valentino was not so easily deterred, his gaze lingering on me with unnerving intensity. "Oh, come now" he chided, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I can tell there's more to the story than that. Did something interesting happen between you and Alastor?". I bristled at his insinuation, the weight of my guilt pressing down upon me like a leaden weight. "It's none of your business, Val" I retorted, my tone sharper than intended. "Just focus on your own affairs, if you please". His smirk only widened at my response, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, but Voxxy" he replied coyly, "your affairs are my affairs. After all, we're partners in more ways than one, aren't we?". I swallowed hard, the truth of his words hitting me like a sledgehammer. Despite my attempts to bury the memory of that fateful night, it seemed that Valentino was intent on dragging it back to the surface, forcing me to confront the consequences of my actions. With a heavy sigh, I resigned myself to the inevitable interrogation that awaited, knowing that there was no escaping the truth, no matter how much I wished otherwise. For better or for worse, the events of that night had set into motion a chain of events that would forever alter the course of our intertwined destinies.

"So, did you manage to sleep with Bambi?" He asks, smirking at me. My screen glitches in annoyance, "Of course not! Did you see the state of him, the way that smoke left him!" I retort, insulted by his suggestion.  His words cut through the air like a whip, his tone dripping with sarcasm and disdain. "Oh, of course not" he scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "You're far too noble for that, aren't you, Vox? Too virtuous to take advantage of poor, unsuspecting Alastor". I bristled at his insinuation, my fists clenching at my sides as anger surged through me. "That's not what I meant, Val" I shot back, my voice strained with frustration. "I would never do anything to hurt Alastor. You know that". But Valentino was relentless, his taunts coming fast and furious. "Oh, spare me the righteous indignation, Vox" he retorted, his tone laced with contempt. "We both know what you're capable of when you set your mind to it. Don't pretend to be something you're not". I gritted my teeth, struggling to keep my temper in check as Valentino continued to push my buttons. "I'm not pretending anything" I snapped, my voice tinged with bitterness. "I care about Alastor, and I would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship". His laughter rang out like a cruel echo in the dimly lit room, his amusement bordering on sadistic. "Friendship, huh?" he mused, his gaze boring into mine with unsettling intensity. "Is that what you call it now, Vox? Just two pals sharing a friendly kiss?".

My frustration reached a boiling point as Valentino continued to needle me, his words slicing through the air like a sharpened blade. "This is all so rich coming from you" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're the one who's always flirty and touchy with everyone". But he simply shrugged off my accusation with a dismissive wave of his hand. "That may be true, but at least I own up to it, I embrace it even" he retorted, his tone dripping with disdain. "Unlike you, Vox, who's too busy playing the martyr to admit when he's crossed a line".  His words struck a nerve, the truth of his accusation hitting me like a punch to the gut. "I'm not like you" I snapped, my voice tinged with bitterness. "I would never intentionally hurt someone, especially not Alastor".  But Valentino wasn't finished, his gaze boring into mine with unnerving intensity. "Oh, spare me the excuses, Vox" he scoffed, his tone laced with contempt. "You had the perfect opportunity to warn Alastor about the effects of the smoke, but instead, you let him smoke and took advantage of him the first chance you got".  His words hung in the air like a dark cloud, the weight of his accusation heavy on my shoulders. In that moment, I realized the extent of my culpability, the guilt gnawing at me from the inside out. "I know" I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I hate myself for it".