You're My Peace of Mind

Part 8

Entering the room, the smell of smoke and alcohol filled my nostrils, I began to cough instantly. "Open up a god damn window." I heard someone say but I didn't recognize him. Actually I didn't recognize anyone besides Val and Emilio. Emilio got up and walked over towards me by the door. "You look stunning Ana. Don't tell Louise I said that though." he said winking at me as he guided me to the table. He took me to the seat next to Val, whom hadn't even noticed my presence since I walked in. As I got seated I place my hands on my lap and my cast caught the attention of Emilio. "What the hell happened there?" he asked concerned pointing at my cast. I rolled my eyes and replied "It's a long story." He looked angry as he walked back to his seat on the other side of Val.

Dinner dragged on as the men talked, laughed, smoked and drank the night away. When important business came up they spoke in Italian. I was getting tired and bored just sitting around, I already stuffed my face with the unbelievable delicious dinner Claudia made. As dessert was being served, the older gentlemen to my right who early said to open the window spoke "Hello Beautiful." he said smiling at me. I smiled back and waved. "It must be boring just sitting here having all the men staring at you." he said kindly. "I have no idea what you are talking about, no one has even noticed me since I walked in" I said softly. " I beg to differ, I've caught every guy in here starring in awe of your beauty." he said as I began to blush. "The name is Mario." he said as he took my hand and placed a kiss on it. Once again I began to blush. At that very moment the table was overturned and glass, food, and wine was spilled all over the place including on my dress. Val face was bright red and his face held a scary stone face expression.

"EVERYONE OUT!" he bestowed his voice was low and very dangerous. As the men began to get up and leave, I took it as my sign to leave too. As I stood up out of my seat, Val's hand pushed me right back into the seat. "You stay right there." he said as his eyes met mine for the first time this evening. Emilio stayed in the room, trying to pick up the mess as Claudia ran in to see what all the commotion was about. "Dear God, what happened?" she said horrified at the mess in front of her. "Don't worry Ana will help you clean this up since this is her doing anyway." Val said staring at me. "How the hell is it her fault?" Emilio said challenging Val. "Is her fucking broken wrist her fault too Val? I don't know what is going on with you but you need to chill out. She's gonna end up dead. Kelly does far more worse things than she does and you never put hands on her, but constantly you are abusing and threatening Ana." Emilio said. "Mind your fucking business, you're the one that got her into this mess. She's a grown women and she can handle her own." Val finished.

I once again tried to stand up but was pushed down by Val again. "What part of stay right here don't you understand?" Val said to me annoyed. I so badly wanted to curse him out but I do value my life and my other wrist so I figured its wise enough for me to stay quiet. So I just huffed and rolled my eyes. Val pinch the bridge of his nose and exhaled loudly. He grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him as he exited the dining room, leaving Claudia and Emilio. We walked down the hallway until he opened a door and pushed me inside. It was a library with so many books. "Sit." Val said as he gesture towards the couch. I sat as I was still admiring the room, with lovely paintings on the wall. Val sat down next to me, and leaned his head back with his eyes close. He stayed that way for sometime, I stared at him taking in his features, he was a masterpiece. He looked so peaceful at this moment, I wished that I could stare at him forever but I decided to head to my room.
Quietly I walked back to my room and took a shower. After doing my nightly routine I left the bathroom and almost had a heart attack as Val was sitting on my bed no longer looking peaceful. He was staring at the floor but one could tell his thought were racing. "What's wrong?" I asked. I was genuinely asking for after seeing him look so peaceful not too long ago. He didn't answer he just coldly looked at me. So I climbed into bed and turned off the light. The light quickly came back on with Val staring at me. Truly tired of these mind games I sat up and huffed "You know..." I started to say "What do you want from me?" Val said calmly. "Huh?" I asked doubfoundly. "What do you want from me?" he repeated. Still confused by the question Val huffed and continued "I tired to take you shopping, you refuse me, I try to care about you and your feeling and you spray water on me. You constantly disrespect me but tonight you disrespected me in front of my men." he finished. "You disrespect me daily Val, you hurt me, you threaten me and make me feel lower about myself. As of tonight I don't know how I could have disrespected you. You didn't even notice that I was in the room. You hate me so much that you blame me for these things." I said trying my best not to cry. "I don't hate you. I hate the fact that you smile for everyone else but me." Val said as he got up off the bed and walked out of the room.