Chapter 4 4

Valentina

A soft knock on the door brought me out of my reverie.

- Hey Valentina, I stole your coffee from Ella and was forced to buy another. - Italo, Benjamin Daslow's friend, walked in.

- She's usually tough when it comes to coffee," he smiles.

- Tough? - he frowned. - She looked more like a hellhound. - He laughed. - I must come here more often just to disturb her.

- I wouldn't do that.

- I'm a psychiatrist, I have plenty of arguments and patience. - He shrugged.

He put the coffee in front of me and sat down.

- Thank you," I say.

- Is there anything else I can do for you?

- I don't think so.

Italo crossed his legs after unbuttoning his suit. He had a serene look and nonchalant posture.

- Ben said your shoulder is hurt, I'm a doctor, I could take a look if you need me. - he offered.

I was tempted to accept, but quickly declined.

- Thanks, but I'm fine. - I had already taken a painkiller. - It was just a bad bruise.

- I thought I had bumped into him.

I knew that my eyes widened slightly.

- Yes, I am a bit clumsy. - I lied. - I bumped my arm and got a bad bump on my shoulder.

- If it's nothing serious, you'll be better in a couple of days. - He stood up and wrote the name of a remedy on my notebook. - If the pain is too much, take this one, it will make you feel even better.

He looked into my eyes as if he knew everything I was hiding.

- I'll let you work, if you need help, just ask Ella to call me. - He offered. - Even though she mistreats me, I know she has my number. - She smiled. - Maybe it's for a date. - He joked.

- I wouldn't kid myself that much.

He winked.

- Maybe she'll switch teams. - He laughed and left my office.

I used the next few hours to immerse myself in my work. A few times I had to get up to stretch my legs, but that was all I could manage. My ribs were swelling, my shoulder was burning, and my temples felt like they were going to explode. Until I went to the Port with Benjamin and Alex, I was tense the whole way and tried my best not to show how terrified I was. However, we got back ahead of schedule and I was able to breathe again.

I had lunch in the office with Ella and lay down on the couch to rest for a while. I ended up sleeping longer than I had planned and almost missed an important meeting with Benjamin. I found it strange that he was staring at me seriously, I could tell he was very tense and lacked the humor that usually accompanied him.

Not knowing what to do about it, I just did my work and went back to my office. Almost at the end of the workday, my heart started to become too agitated. My hands were sweaty and cold. Not to mention that I began to tremble with fear of going home.

I still hadn't figured out how Axel got into my apartment. I even asked the doorman in the morning, Mr. Pereira, if he saw him come in, but the man said he hadn't seen him for many days.

I said goodbye to Ella and walked to my car, looking everywhere, with the terrible feeling of being watched. I drove home, parked in the garage and looked for the doorman again.

- I haven't seen him today, Miss Valentina.

- Are you sure? - I asked.

- Yes, I'm sure. - He shook his head. - Is there a problem?

- Just don't let him in," I asked anxiously.

- I'll do it," he promised.

I trusted him, but I knew Axel would show up. That is, if he wasn't already inside my house. Terrified, I took the elevator to my floor, the first floor. I went downstairs and proceeded down the hallway with my heart pounding in my chest. I put the key in the lock and opened the door. I pushed slowly and sighed relieved not to see him on the couch like the day before.

I left my purse on the sideboard and closed the door without locking it, I wanted to make sure that I could escape in case Axel was hiding somewhere. I looked at the kitchen from afar and went foot by foot to the bedroom hallway. I opened the guest room, it was empty, I went back out.

- Looking for me?

I froze in place.

My heart leapt strongly in my chest, missing a few beats with the fear that coursed through my veins.

- You broke into my house again," I say as loud as I can.

- I came to see how you are doing.

I slowly turned on my feet. Axel was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a beautiful smile on his lips. His eyes looked gentle, but I was not fooled.

- I'm fine," I said.

- Good.

- Could you please leave? - I asked in a whisper.

- Why would I?

- It's my house, you shouldn't enter without my permission.

- What are you saying, Valentina? - she took a step forward. - You belong to me. Wherever you are, I have the right to be.

- I don't belong to anyone," I say as firmly as I can.

The deceptive gentleness in her eyes fades away and a fury is ignited. I take a step back, trying to protect myself from what comes next. But he was always quick in his attacks. His hand grabbed my neck and squeezed hard. I choked for air and struggled.

- You are my Valentina, why don't you understand? - he asked angrily.

- So-so-olt me.

- You're the only one to blame, you provoke my rage.

- So-o-o-oh," I whimpered, almost breathless.

My nails dug into his arm, scratching it as hard as I could.

- You damn you, look what you're doing!

His free fist was raised to hit me, but I was saved by the noise of the intercom.

- Are you expecting someone? - he asked, lowering his arm.

- No," I choked when he let go of me.

I gasped for air.

- Answer it and send him away," he ordered.

- You should go too.

- Don't tell me what to do," he slapped my face, but it wasn't as hard.

I went into the living room with him following me, my eyes filled with tears that ran silently down my face. I picked up the intercom and held it to my ear.

- Yes?

- Valentina?

I held my breath as I recognized the voice of my boss, Benjamin Daslow.

- Yes, what can I do for you Mr. Daslow?

- Are you all right? - he asked seriously. - Your voice sounds strange, are you crying?

I swallowed the tears.

- No. I don't know what's going on, but I can help you.

- I don't know what's going on, but I can help you.

My heart skipped a beat.

- It's okay," I lied. - I lied.

Tears streamed down my face.

I heard him sigh.

- I came to drop off a folder. I want you to evaluate it for me, it's from tomorrow's meeting," he informed me.

He didn't need to come in person to do this. He was a rich man, with power and renown, who could only snap his fingers and have countless people around him to help him do his bidding.

It just showed me that he was suspicious about something. I couldn't let him get involved or Axel see him, I would be the one to suffer at his cruel hands.

I closed my eyes, too tempted to ask my boss for help.

- Leave it with the doorman. - I asked. - Ask Mr. Pereira to keep it for me, I'll pick it up later.

- Valentina?

- Yes?

- Let me help her," he insisted.

I swallow the tears that rose in my throat, desperate to accept them.

- Tomorrow everything will be checked," I say and hang up the intercom.

I hiccup softly.

- Your boss? - Axel asked.

- Yes.

- What is he doing here at this hour? - he questioned seriously.

- Dropping off a folder for me to review.

He held my shoulders and turned me to face him.

- Why did he come in person? - Axel was suspicious.

- I don't know," I shrugged. - I shrugged. - It was just business.

- You are lying to me. - He squeezed my shoulders.

I cried out in pain from my right shoulder.

- Axel, please," I cried. - Don't hurt me.

- You force me into this Valentina, it's your fault.

- I didn't do anything. - I said, feeling the tears wet my face. - Please let me go.

- Don't you understand that I can't leave you?

- Please," I begged.

- No one else will want you, if I let you go, you will be alone.

- I don't care," I say.

- You are ugly," he says as if I can't see myself. - You are useless, stupid.

I accepted his insults silently, begging him to go away, but every time he opened his mouth, his anger grew. I believed everything he said, understanding that I had no choice but to accept my fate.

However, it was not only my self-esteem that found the floor, my body did too, and I didn't know how I would get up from it.