loveable one

Chapter 9

Victoria's Pov:

„Shouldn't I be going to school soon?" I ask Valentino at the breakfast table the next day. The others have all gone to work or school.

„It's just two weeks until the summer starts so we want you to stay at home and take a rest. You will start fresh with the next schoolyear. We talked to your old teachers and your grades are good enough to skip the two weeks."

„Oh, okey." That's considerate. A normal teenager would be happy with skipping school. I just really like school. I know, weird but school always felt like a little freedom to me. I know with homework and classes and stuff one wouldn't think of being free but my so called home was terrible. Well, the last 5 years were. School was the place I could eat whatever I want and see my friends without sneaking out. I miss it already.

„I would like to show you around town today, if that's alright with you." Valentino tells me.

„I would love to." I answer and smile at him.

I get up to my room and change my clothes. Maybe I should ask Valentino if we could buy me new clothes. The clothes I brought with me don't fit into this room or my new life. The clothes are old, mostly Maria's old clothes. I always got her leftovers. The clothes are way to big for me as Maria was. They hang loose on me and I look terrible in them.

I walk downstairs and when I see Valentino I feel even worse. I feel ugly. I feel like I don't belong here even more. He's just in a basic linen set but it looks elegant. I believe he and the other brothers will look good no matter what they wear. I'm not like that. I look down on my shoes and they look so old.

„Let's go." He says and walks me outside where an expensive car already waits.

Valentino's Pov:

I won rock-paper-scissor against the others. Everyone of us wanted to spent the day with Victoria. I really am a lucky guy. I extra dressed non-threatening and not in business attire to make her relax but when I see the look on her face when she comes downstairs I think it didn't really worked.

On the drive into the city I try to hold smalltalk but she only gives me one-word answers so I stop and we drive in silence. From the corner of my eye I see her fidgeting with her way too long sleeves. The clothes are terrible. They look so used and disgusting. Not at all our standard.

„Do you have some stores you want to shop in?"
I ask her because I should buy her new clothes she can wear immediately so I can burn those rags.

„I-I don't know. I have never shopped clothes." She turns her head toward the window like she didn't want to see my face. They never took her shopping? They never took a 15 year old girl shopping? I'm shocked and thankful that she can't see my face right now. The anger I feel toward those fucked-up kidnappers is indescribable.

I manage to bring my facial expression to look calm before I say: „ That's okey. I'll take you to some of my favorite stores before we look around the city."

„Thanks"

I park in front of a mall and when I go to open Victorias door for her she already got out.

„What?" She asks me with a puzzled expression toward my outstretched arm on the door handle.

„Nothing." I say with a smile on my face. One day, she will be used to princess treatment and expect others to open her doors for her.

I take her arm in mine and we walk from one store into the next.

Victoria's Pov:

Whatever I touch, Valentino urges me to try one and buy. I lost count in how many stores we've been and how many things I've already tried on.

„I think that's enough for me." I don't want to spent more of their money. How could he just buy me everything without even looking at the price?

„Just one more store, sis. We have to buy you a few evening dresses. Our family hosts banquets for work and we get invited to important events often so we should buy you a few dresses for now and come back later for more." Valentino tells me and my heart starts pounding in my ears.

I have to go to banquets and other important events.

I never could have imagined something like that. Maria and Stefan always looked me away when they had visitors well most of the time. The times I had to participate were... I shake my head to get the images out.

This new family of mine wants me to participate. Valentino makes it sound like they want me there. Like I'm totally one of them.

We get into a store full of beautiful gowns that princesses could've worn.

„Hello, can I help you?" A salesperson walks up to me. She looks me up and down and her look tells me she's gonna kick me out. I haven't changed into new clothes like Valentino asked me to. I heard you have to wash new clothes if you don't want to get some illness from Anastasia. So I'm still in my old clothes.

„Yes. We would like to try on some of the dresses here. Victoria's please look around first." Valentino answers instead of me and the woman's whole attitude changed.

I chose some of the dresses and the women helped me get them on. The whole time she was talking about how handsome Valentino is and if I can help introduce them better.

As if he would spare a saleswoman a second glance.

Everything about the Mercelo brothers screams they are playboys. So even if she got him wrapped somehow, I can't believe it would be for long.

I walk out of the changing room in the first dress and when I look into the mirror I see a princess. I mean I see myself but I don't look like myself at all. I thought that about every other clothing I tried on today but this, this dress, makes me look like royalty. When I spot Valentino coming up toward me with a huge grin I can't breathe.

This isn't me. I feel like an imposter.

I run back into the changing room before he has a chance to tell me how pretty I look, again. I'm get the dress off without help somehow and put on my old clothes. I try to run out of the store to get some air but I'm not paying attention to my surroundings and suddenly I collide with a strong chest.