Valentina said thankyou to the guard who brought them to their room.
He didn't respond. He had not said a word since he escorted them from Luciano's office.
There wasn't a single expression in his blank face either.
As she watched him walk away, Valentina smiled.
For once, someone had looked at her and expressed nothing.
They were not stunned, impressed, or disgusted by her. Just genuine indifference.
"Thank you," she whispered, and went in after Natalia.
"No way, Val!" Natalia screamed the second she walked in.
"What is it?" curiosity sparked, as she drew closer to her.
"My purse! My purse has been returned!"
Valentina plopped on the bed immediately.
Reaching for the purse, she searched inside of it for her camera.
"My baby—" she brought it to her chest the moment she found it, and closed her eyes as she went through the motions. "You're here. You're here with me."
"Almost everything was returned, Val. I can't believe it," Natalia said.
Valentina opened her eyes. "And the phone?" She asked, still clinging tightly to her camera.
"It's the only thing not in here. Do you think they're still holding onto it because of something important?" Fear slipped into her voice, as her eyes widened.
"Nah," Valentina shook her head. "I doubt that. Maybe they'll return it the day we leave. And even if they don't, who cares? We'll be free! And I have my baby." She kissed the device, the glee in her heart heightening to the point of bursting all over.
"Well–" Natalia rose to her feet, and began taking off her shoes. "I think I'll have an early night tonight. Maybe if I sleep early, the days would run by quicker."
"Tell me about it. I wouldn't have to deal with that brat anymore." Valentina rolled her eyes.
"Daniela?" Natalia questioned, as she returned the shoes to the side of the room.
"Yep. She's so hateful for no reason."
Natalia moved to the closet, and began searching through the pile of clothes Sonia brought them earlier, for something lightweight to wear to bed. "I mean, you really can't blame her, can you?"
Valentina, inspecting her Camera to ensure it still had some battery life and was functioning properly, chuckled. "I can't? Why?"
"Well, it's you, Valentina."
"What are you talking about? What is me? How?" She continued to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
"I saw how that guy looked at you. It was as if he was undressing you with his eyes. And I can't blame him. I mean it's you."
Valentina paused, and her gaze shifted to Natalia as she began to feel like Natalia was actually serious.
Her brow joined together in curiosity, as it rested on Natalia's back. "What are you talking about?"
Natalia breathed out, and turned from the closet to face her.
"Don't take this the wrong way, Val. You know I love you to death. But that Luciano guy, he looks at you with lust. I noticed it at breakfast, and tonight in his office. I get it, because you're so beautiful. So I need you to understand why she might be insecure. She feels you'll easily take her man from her. Any woman would feel threatened by that. She's simply lashing out because she's scared. I can't fault her for that."
"Oh–" Valentina's voice dropped significantly. "You know I don't want her man, right? Sure he fascinates me, but that's about it. And when we leave, that will be the end. I'm not actively plotting to steal her man."
"It doesn't matter, Val. You're a gorgeous girl. Your beauty is always going to be a threat. It's what you have to deal with and not feel attacked every time someone like Daniela lashes out on you in a justifiable situation. I really don't think she has done anything wrong yet in expressing her fears. That's what I want you to understand."
Valentina nodded. "Sure, I do. It's my fault."
Her heart squeezed painfully, but she smiled visibly.
"Alright, I'll go take a shower so I can have a good night's sleep. Today drained me! Whew!" She grabbed a t-shirt, and walked into the bathroom.
Valentina sniffled, as the door to the bathroom closed.
She felt that deep sadness she hadn't felt in so long, igniting in her again.
Knowing if she allowed it to take root in her soul, she would fall into a pool of depression that would rock the entire progress she had managed to secure over the years, she sniffled it all away.
"Your face is justice, but also karma. That is the cross you'll have to carry."
The gypsy's words at an event she had once covered, trickled into her ears, and she sighed.
Even though she didn't believe in such nonsense, that one rang true sometimes.
"It's fine. It's fine," she said multiple times, as she hit her aching chest.
After a while, the pain dulled, and she rose to her feet.
Dragging the small chair to the closet, she climbed, and grabbed the box from before.
She looked inside in search of a pair of scissors, needle and a thread she swore she had seen somewhere in there before.
"Gotcha!" Her eyes lit up when she found them.
She returned the box back to its position, and opened the closet to pull out the gown she wore to Giovanni's birthday.
"What are you doing?" Natalia, who had just stepped out of the bathroom, asked Valentina who was on her knees, with the gown spread on the floor.
"I'm going to cut out this dress into a different design, and then hand sew with the thread and needle," she explained with a smile on her face.
Natalia shook her head. "I still can't believe you allowed my mum to influence you into learning how to hand sew and crochet. It doesn't fit your aesthetic at all. But do you baby."
Valentina laughed, but in the back of her mind, she wondered– what is my aesthetic?
Five hours later, when the day was just beginning to dawn, Valentina yawned and flexed her numb fingers.
She was finally done sewing.
Stretching out the exhaustion in her bones, she placed her creation on the chair, and tiptoed to the bathroom so as not to wake Natalia.
When she returned, she went straight to bed. And as soon as her back touched the bed, she fell asleep.
Valentina had barely slept for three hours, when a heavy knock sounded on the door.
"No!" She groaned in her sleep, trying to keep her eyes closed.
Knowing if she opened them even a little, she would never be able to go back to sleep.
The knock sounded again, heavier than the previous time.
Natalia quickly jumped out of bed, but it was too late, because Valentina had opened her eyes.
"I'll check it," Natalia said, as Valentina sat up.
She walked over to the door, and opened it widely.
"Good morning miss Natalia!" Sonia brightly said, and then peeked past her into the room. "Good morning, Val!" Her voice chirped even higher.
Valentina forced a smile. "Good morning, Sonia," she returned in a tired voice.
"Miss Natalia, I'm here for you," Sonia said.
"Me?" Her brow lifted. "What for?"
"Miss Daniela wants you to join her for breakfast, and act her guest the entire day."
"Really?!" Her eyes widened. "Are you sure about that?"
"Super!" She gave her a thumbs up.
A burst of joy instantly radiated in her face, and without wasting even a split second, she nodded in agreement.
"I accept her invitation!"
Valentina's head fell a little.
"Okay, I'll come for you later! Bye Val!" She hurried away.
"Oh my God, Val! Did you hear that? This is my chance to learn more about my father! Sneakily though," she added conspiratorially, and laughed.
Valetina lifted her head, a small smile on her face. "I'm happy for you, Natty. Go have fun," she said as sincerely as she could muster.
But deep down, her soul was greatly unsettled.