INSEPARABLE | 18+

T W E N T Y - N I N E

Two days later.
Rome, Italy.

-

"I can explain!"

Valentina rushed out the words before her Boss could say anything. She returned to the gallery after three weeks. At this point, Valentina was confident that she was jobless. Her Boss would have hired someone already to fill her shoes.

"Take a seat, Valentina." Fang Chen pointed towards the chair in front of her desk. Valentina smiled at her sheepishly and sat down, placing her purse by her side.

"Now," Her Boss joined her hands on the desk, "You have been absent for three weeks without a single notice. The last time we saw you was at the exhibition by Richard Daniel. After that, you just disappeared." She waved her hands in the air for effect, "Gone."

"I can understand —"

"But then I saw the news yesterday," Fang interrupted her, "I understood it all. There have been a few situations in your..." She paused, looking for the right word, "family."

"Definitely. Too many uncalled interruptions."

Dimitri had disclosed all the news to the media last night. The betrayal of Antonio and Vladimir was brought to light, along with their removal from the family.

Nothing else was said.

Fang clicked her teeth together, "Well, Mrs. Mancini has been asking about you since the last week. I submitted your name after you pulled off the exhibition, and she was quite impressed by your work."

Valentina widened her eyes, she could not believe her ears.

"I think she has considered you for the position of director."

Valentina wanted to scream with happiness.

"Do not get your hopes up." Her Boss instructed, "You will get the final answer after you talk to her."

Valentina beamed at her, "I will arrange a meeting."

"Mrs. Mancini will be arriving in a few minutes." Fang said taking a look at her clock, "I knew you would come today, so I already called her."

Before Valentina could say anything, they heard a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Her Boss questioned the woman standing outside her office.

"Mrs. Mancini is in Valentina's office."

Valentina instantly stood up from the chair, "Thank you," She passed a smile to the woman who left after delivering the message, and then turned towards her Boss, "I have to leave."

"Go," Fang shooed her away with her hand.

Valentina was almost at the door when she heard Fang call her, "Yes?" She turned around, coming face to face with her.

Fang Chen took a deep breath, and then smiled at Valentina, "You are a great curator, Valentina," She gave her a nod, "and an even better artist."

Valentina did not know what to say. This was the first time her Boss had smiled at her, or even appreciated her. She felt like she was dreaming, but this was real.

"Thank you, Mrs. Chen." Valentina passed her a grateful smile.

_

"Are you supposed to be working?"

Dimitri looked at Valerius who sat behind his desk in the office. The doctor had advised him to bed rest for a week at least but he was not the one to listen. Valentina had strictly confided him to the room for the last two days, but the minute she left for work, he escaped as well.

"Dimitri," Valerius acknowledged him. He placed his pen down, leaned back in his seat, and pointed toward one of the chairs. Dimitri sat down and cleared his throat, "Does Valentina know that you are in the office?"

"I did not tell her, but she will know." Valerius shrugged, nothing could be kept away from Valentina, "I had to work, there are files piled up, but surprisingly not that many."

He had been absent for more than a week, and when Valerius entered his office in the morning, he had expected hundreds of files, but there were only a few documents.

"Valentina handled them," Dimitri cleared his confusion, "We all worked, but she was in charge."

Dimitri noticed as a faint smile appeared on Valerius's lips - he seemed proud of her.

Rightly so.

"Well," Dimitri trailed, this was the first time he was facing Valerius after the incident. He did not know what to say. The three of them had been together since their teenage years. Even if Valerius was hurting, he hid it well. Dimitri knew that there was only one person who could crack open his mask, but he was willing to try.

"Antonio," Valerius said what Dimitri wanted to.

He noticed as a knowing expression flashed in Dimitri's eyes, "I know that you feel betrayed. I do as well. We considered him our brother, and he.."

"Ci ha pugnalato alle spalle,"

(stabbed us in the back)

Dimitri heaved a sigh and placed his hands on the desk, "I did not expect this from him."

Valerius tilted his head to the side, "He was my Underboss. My cousin. My fratello. My blood." His voice raised, "I protected him always from Zio, Padre, Nonno..." Valerius slumped his shoulders, "from everyone."

"I can never forget how you shielded him from all the bad in the family."

Valerius had grown quiet, "What for?" His voice was just a whisper, "He was disloyal just for this position. The one I earned? It was rightfully mine, but I never made him feel any less. I supported him through his countless fuck ups, provided him a roof when Zio kicked him out, and.." He trailed off, slamming his hand against the desk in frustration.

"I know, Valerius."

Valerius thinned his lips, shaking his head in disdain, "What a fucking cunt."

Dimitri kept his head down as they sat in silence, "I do not know if this is any consolation, but I would never betray you, Valerius. You are like my brother, and this family deserves a Don like you, " To lighten the mood, he winked, "And a Consigliere like me."

Valerius chuckled, "You can never change."

"Your girlfriend is a fan," Dimitri said with a cocky smirk, which disappeared when Valerius snarled at him, he was about to defend himself when they heard a voice from behind.

"But you are still my number one," Valentina said as she entered the office and walked toward Valerius. His mood switched, and a smile appeared on his lips, "I missed you,"

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips, "More, baby."

Both of them pulled away when they heard a gag from Dimitri. Valerius passed him a glare while Valentina only giggled at him, "You will find someone too, I promise."

"I am starting to question her existence." Dimitri grumbled and then stood up from his seat, he placed the envelope he was holding on the desk, "I almost forgot this."

"What is this?" Valentina asked, peeking at it with interest.

Dimitri smirked at Valerius, "Oh I could spoil this, but I won't."

"Tell me!" Valentina said impatiently.

"Enjoy you two," Dimitri turned around to leave, "I have work to do." He bid farewell with a wave of his hand and then walked away.

"So?" Valentina looked at Valerius, wiggling her eyebrows, "What is it?"

Valerius grabbed the envelope from the desk and passed it to her, "The vacation I promised you, my darling."

-

Vacation time!