Page 67 of Frayed Bonds

Her joyful expression quickly turns to worry as she takes in my tear-soaked appearance, and then her eyes drop to the flowers surrounding her feet, and even I can’t help her comprehend what is happening right now because I’m clueless.

I wipe my face and walk up to the door, barely managing to lift all the flowers as I squeeze in through my doorway that’s already filled with my best friend.

“I didn't know you still had your set of keys,” I say breathlessly as I put the flowers down in the kitchen and turn to head upstairs.

“Valerie,” Natalia says, but I ignore her and rush up the stairs.

Footsteps behind me let me know that she, unfortunately, didn’t decide to stay downstairs or better yet leave altogether.

I need to start on the piece, I only have a few more things to research before I can head out to get supplies. I stop in my room and sigh. I don't have money to get the supplies.

“Fuck,” I cry out and throw my jacket at my bed.

“Val,” Natalia whispers from behind me.

I can’t turn to face her. I know if I turn to face her, I’ll end up crying again, and right now that’s the last thing I want to do.

“Nat, I’m fine, I need to change so I can go work on the piece I’m busy with.”

I start reaching to take my shoes off when her soft hand touches my shoulder.

“Valerie, what’s going on?”

“Nothing. I told you I have a piece to work on.”

This time she forces me to look up at her, and her glossy brown eyes set me off completely and before I know it, I’m collapsing into her and crying tears I didn't even know I had left.

“It’s okay, Vee. I’m here for you.”

I don't know how long I cried. I don't know when I stop either. All I do know is that I never felt alone for a second. She made sure I knew she was there for me, now and forever going forward, and I can’t even believe that for a second I thought I was alone to begin with.

Eventually, we make our way to the living room and when I’ve calmed down enough, I tell her the truth.

Why I’m home, why I started working at Vitale Holdings, and everything surrounding the Vitales as a whole.

“I knew Antonio had a crush on you, but you always refused to believe it,” Nat says.

“I love how I told you that entire story and that’s the only point you're stuck on.”

“You know I love a good I told you so moment,” she shrugs, “but I am more concerned about why there’s a table full of your favourite flowers in the kitchen right now.”

“I was hoping you'd forget about that. I know that I’m trying to.” I lay down on the couch.

Natalia moves closer and pokes me in the thigh. “Why didn't you tell me things were this bad with Papá? I would have done more to help.”

“Nat, it isn’t your responsibility.”

“Yes, it is, he and Mamá were as much parents to me as they were to you. It already killed me that I couldn’t be here for Mamá.”

“Nat, you literally couldn't get back into the country in time, she doesn't blame you.”

A tear runs down her face and she quickly reaches up to wipe it away.

“I’ve got it under control, I promise.”

“Promise me you'll tell me if you don’t?”

“Pinky promise,” I say, extending my pinky towards her. She interlocks our pinkies before jumping up.

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