INSEPARABLE | 18+

S E V E N T E E N

Present time.
Rome, Italy.

-

"Nothing to see here."

Vladimir causally said, clearing his throat. He fixed the tie around his neck and resumed his position on the seat. Valerius remained unaffected, just like him, there was nothing odd between them.

"Why did you scream?" Valentina asked, she was standing near the door with Dimitri and Antonio who looked suspiciously between the two men.

Vladimir only chuckled in response, "Net pricing, solnyshko."

(No reason, sunshine)

The nickname did not go unnoticed by Valerius; he was quick to slam his hand on the table, startling everyone, except Vladimir, who had seen this coming.

"Yeshche raz poflirtuy s ney, I ya ub'yu tebya." He rumbled, his voice laced with underlying threat. Even though Vladimir kept his calm, Valentina could notice the way he gulped.

(Flirt with her again, and I will kill you)

"Dimitri!" Valerius called out to him and he immediately came forward, "Si."

"Please show our guest the way out." He said, and then turned around to walk towards the door. He grabbed Valentina's hand and left the office with her.

She remained quiet and followed him, tilting her head to see Dimitri and Antonio talking to Vladimir.

His eyes met hers.

A small smirk appeared on his lips.

This made her toes curl.

He was bad news. She knew it. But there was an eerie feeling Valentina felt around him. From the way he addressed her, the casual glances he threw her way, and now the smirk he kept on his face while staring at her.

She wanted this man out of her house.

Valerius climbed the stairs and she walked behind him. His steps slowed to match hers and this made her grin.

He always found a way to make her smile.

She heard the entrance door slam shut, and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Vladimir had left.

The door of their room opened, and Valerius let her enter first before coming in himself. Valentina went towards their bed and sat down, kicking her heels off.

Her feet hurt.

She groaned in pain and massaged her foot gently. She heard shoes of Valerius creak on the wooden floor as he came near her. Valentina felt him crouch next to her, as he took her foot in his hands.

"Allow me." He said and rubbed her foot. Valentina placed her hand on his shoulder and giggled as he tickled her lightly.

"Stop." She warned him with her eyes wide. He leaned forward and pecked her quickly, "No." He said and moved towards the other foot.

She only watched him - admiring his plump lips, his beautiful gray eyes, and the scar on the side of his face. Valentina traced it gently with her finger, it was almost invisible, but being close she could see it.

She had never brought it up all these years. She knew about his family history and thought that talking about the past would only bring him more pain.

"Glass," He spoke.

"How?" She asked in a low voice.

She felt him take a deep breath and close his eyes for a second as if remembering a horrible memory.