Page 112 of The Veil

He smiled, “I hope he doesn't keep hiding you from us any longer.”

She smiled politely at him but spun to give me a look of sadness before she left the kitchen. I knew what he said to her impacted her because it also impacted me. We loved each other and I was trying to protect what we had. I wanted them to know her, but I had never taken anyone to meet them before. My brother spoke, interrupting my thoughts.

“You love her.”

I nodded, finishing off my whiskey.

“Are you bringing her home for Christmas?” he leaned back on the stool, sipping his drink slower this time.

I leaned my palms on the granite countertop of the island, sighing, “I hadn't thought about it because no woman has ever been worthy of that.”

“I'll have my new girlfriend there,” he shrugged, “but she's already met the fam.”

I arched a brow. “You have a girlfriend and she's met the family? Our family?”

He nodded, grinning warmly, “She's pretty fucking amazing.”

I chuckled, “You said that about the last seven.”

“This one is different,” he smirked, chugging the rest of his liquid. “She's got a job that doesn't involve getting naked.”

We shared a laugh, before he suddenly became serious again. “But you should definitely bring her home for Christmas.” He crossed his arms, “And I hope you know I was just joking when I was flirty.”

I nodded, “But I still hate when you do that shit.”

He gestured toward his glass and I poured him another.

“Sorry,” he apologized sincerely. “I’m having to get used to not being single any longer and definitely having to get used to you having a girlfriend.”

“Fine, forgiven, this time.”

As I left the kitchen, I overheard Valentino saying that he never felt any woman was worthy of taking home to meet his family for Christmas. I was fine with the fact no one from his past was worthy of meeting them, but I would hope he would feel I was different. He did not seem interested in taking me to meet them and never brought it up to me, not even around the time of the funeral.

As I slightly hobbled to the elevator, a tear rolled down my cheek, but I fought it off. I felt foolish but I was a bit hurt. Silly me for thinking that I was different from them when it came to being serious.

Once in the bedroom, I crawled into bed, rolling over to face away from the door. I stared at the wall, fighting back feelings of sadness. Unfortunately, the events of everything we had been through began to fight back, reminding me of the angst this had caused. I decided that I should just go sit in a hot bath, ignoring my emotions. In case he came up, I did not want him to know I was in the middle of having an internal meltdown. A long soak in the tub would help relax me.

I stepped into the bathroom, turning on the water as hot as my skin could stand it. While I waited for it to fill, I removed my clothes and lit all the scented candles I had put in our bathroom. I glanced at myself in the mirror, beginning to lose myself in thoughts about how our relationship got to this point.

I knew that I was more in love with this man than I thought possible. After seeing the tub was full, I turned off the bathroom lights then stepped in. Immediately I reclined back and relaxed in the hot water as the candles flickered all over the room. I closed my eyes, overthinking what I heard him tell his brother and let out a small cry.

“What's wrong?” I suddenly heard his deep voice.

Startled, I jumped, quickly opening my eyes. Valentino was leaning in the doorway of the bathroom with his hands in his pockets. His eyes sparkled in the twinkling reflection of the candles. I did not want him to see me crying so I turned my head to face the other direction. I saw him in my peripheral vision slowly creeping toward the tub.

“I asked you a question.”

I remained silent.

“Bella, why are you ignoring me?”

I did not move a muscle and in fact I began to weep, burying my face in my palms.

“Okay fine,” he shrugged.

I turned my face toward him, “What are you doing?”

He pulled off his shirt then stepped out of his shoes but left his pants on. One foot entered the tub, followed by the other.

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