INSEPARABLE | 18+

T E N

Present time.
Rome, Italy.

-

"Did Valerius call?"

Valentina asked Antonio as she placed her paintbrush on the table. Valerius left in the morning and had messaged her when he boarded the plane. It was afternoon currently, and Valentina thought that he must have reached Russia by now.

"Not yet. He might still have a few hours left." Antonio answered, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes followed Valentina as she stood up from her stool.

"New one?" He nodded towards one of the paintings hung on the wall.

"Si," Valentina clutched her hands together.

Antonio smiled at her, "I love it."

Valentina felt blessed to be surrounded by supportive people - Valerius, Dimitri, Antonio, and even Zara - they all praised her, and even gave her a push when she was in a slump.

"Then it's yours."

Antonio placed his hand on his heart and bowed slightly, "I am honored."

Valentina chuckled and slapped his arm jokingly as she walked past him. She went towards the living room and grabbed her handbag. Valentina placed her sunglasses on and turned to look at Antonio.

"I am leaving to shop. Care to join?" She asked him with a grin. Antonio joined his hands in front of him as if asking for forgiveness, "No, thank you."

"Mean." She muttered under her breath. Antonio only chuckled and went towards one of the bathrooms.

Valentina walked towards the entrance door and took her seat in one of the cars. Zara joined her in the backseat as the driver started the vehicle. Valentina pulled her phone out of her bag and was disappointed to see that Valerius had not messaged her yet.

Had he still not landed?

"The Don will be fine," Zara piped in when she noticed her worried expression, and Valentina passed her a grateful smile.

Valentina had warmed up to her in a day. Zara didn't speak much, but she made an effort to put in a word here and there.

"Do you need to get anything special?" Zara asked her. Valentina looked out of the window to see that they had reached the mall.

"No," She shook her head, "I just love shopping. It's the only thing that takes my mind off the stress."

The driver parked the car and got out to open the door for her. Valentina walked towards the mall with Zara following behind her. She noticed as people scurried to clear her path. She found it odd when she had started dating Valerius, but now Valentina had gotten used to it.

Sometimes, she even loved the attention.

Valentina made big purchases. She got everything she set her eyes on. It was her money, after all. She never used the cards Valerius gave her, much to his dismay. Valentina wanted to be independent. It was the least she could do for herself.

"Anything else?" Zara asked, dangling the numerous bags in her arms. Valentina chuckled and shook her head in denial, "Give me a few of them. You do not have to carry all by yourself."

Zara clutched the bags closer, "And have the Don cut my head off?"

Valentina snickered in reply.

The sun shone brightly on her face once they exited the mall. She looked around for the driver and noticed that he had a car parked on the opposite side. She gestured at him to stay there.

"We'll go to him," She said to Zara and looked left and right on the street while crossing the road. Valentina had taken just a few steps when she heard the loud voice of Zara.

"Stop!" She yelled at her but it was too long. There was a sudden roar of the engine on the quiet road.

Valentina moved her head to the side. A car was speeding towards them. Her eyes grew wide but before she could move, someone pushed her out of the way.

Her head hit the pavement as her body collided with the ground. Zara covered Valentina with her body. She shouted at their driver but Valentina couldn't make out anything. Her ears were ringing. Her breathing had gone rapid. Her hands were shaking.

What just happened, she thought.

"Signora!" Zara shook her. She helped Valentina to stand on her feet while supporting her body. She had a tense expression on her face as she pulled the phone out of her pocket.

"My head." Valentina clutched it tightly in her hands. A sharp cry left her lips. Her eyes were growing heavy as she struggled to keep them open.

They finally closed.

The last thing she heard was the voice of Zara as she called out to her.

_

"Don." The steward bowed, "We will be landing shortly."

Valerius glared at the man, "You said that an hour ago!" He fumed. The landing was taking longer than he had expected.

The steward took a step back, "I-I"

"Leave," Valerius ordered. He had no time to deal with his stuttering. He looked out of the window, taking in the city as it slowly came into his view.

The plane jolted as it met with the runway. Valerius was quick to leave when the safety signs were turned off. He walked down the steps and towards the cars waiting for him.

He turned his phone on once inside. Valerius was about to message Valentina when he noticed the numerous missed calls from Antonio. He figured that it might be something important so he called him back.

"Si?" Valerius answered when he picked it up. He observed that Antonio was panting at the other end.

"Valentina," He started.

Valerius stiffened instantly. He signaled his driver to stop the car and turn it around.

"What about her?" He asked, his hands clenched to form a fist.

The airport appeared in his view again.

Antonio took a deep breath, "There was a hit on her. Someone tried to run her over. Zara pushed her away. But,"

Valerius closed his eyes. His heart was beating faster than ever.

"She is in the hospital. Valentina fainted and suffered an injury to her head. The doctors are treating her currently."

"I am coming." Valerius shut the phone off and walked out of his car.

The crew was surprised to see him as they exited the jet.

"We are flying back to Italy," Valerius said to the pilot. "Don," He began to protest with wide eyes. "We cannot fly this sudden."

Valerius pulled the gun out of his waistband, "My woman is in a hospital." He pointed it towards him, "You have five minutes. If you are even a minute late, you will end up in one too."

The pilot nodded his head and fumbled towards the plane. He barked orders towards his crew as they rushed to prepare. They only relaxed once Valerius placed his gun away.

-

Hello everyone. Valerius is just my favorite. I love him so much. I hope you all do too.