Page 18 of Stuck Behind Her

“I can’t, I’m sorry,” I repeat.

“Come on, it’s just a signature,” he presses. He sounds aggressive. Couldn’t he have just gotten a piece of paper, then attached it to the knife later? It’s really not that hard.

Although I don’t want to argue, I repeat the statement again. “I said I can’t, you have to understand that.” Suddenly, his hand smacks down at the table, stabbing the corner. I jump out of my seat, startled. What the hell?

“Sign the knife, that’s all I’m asking!” he shouts, catching Oliver’s attention.

“What the hell is wrong with you? I’m not signing anything, get out!” I yell back. He attempts to hit the table again, but Oliver shows up in front of me and gets a grip on his hand, stopping him.

“Security!” he shouts, and holds him back, waiting for the security guards to escort him out.

My heart beats rapidly as I stare at the dented table, taking deep breaths. What the hell?

“Val, are you sure you’re okay?” Oliver asks, watching as I pace through the room. I don’t know. I can’t decide whether I’m shaking or my mind is just making me feel like I am.

“I’m fine. I’m okay, I just need to calm down and act like nothing happened when I go home, which is nearly impossible,” I explain, continuing to walk back and forth. My breath is heavy, almost forced.

“It’s okay. This happens to many people.”

I know. I know that this comes with the territory for famous people. I’ve always been ready for the day I got attacked or threatened, but in that moment, it felt like a surprise. I cross my arms around my body.

“Let me call someone. Or get you something,” Oliver offers. I look down and notice my hands slightly shaking.

“I need you to distract me before I can go home. Anything. Yell at me, blame me, ask me why I shouted, and explain how it can ruin my reputation. Do anything to get it out of my mind,” I beg, tears forming in my eyes.

Oliver stands up and walks over to me. “Hey, calm down. Sit down,” he says, walking me toward a chair. I sit down, folding my legs closer to my body. “You need to rest, Valentina.”

“Where? I can’t go home right now,” I tell him. He looks at me with a sorrowful look. I take my phone out and see the notifications from my mom. I open the chat and tell her that I’ll be a back late, so she won’t worry. I need to calm down and go home as fast as possible. “You’re right. I’m going for a drive, it’ll help,” I announce, standing up and grabbing my things.

“No, there is no way you’re going to drive right now. Especially alone,” he tells me. He’s right. I can’t drive alone right now. I open my phone again and go through my contacts until I find the name I want. I press the call button and wait as it starts ringing.

“Hey Val,” Lorenzo answers through the phone.

“Hey Enzo. Look, do you think you can come to the hall?” I ask him, my voice slightly breaking.

“The hall? You’re still there?”

“Yeah. Can you come?”

“Why, what happened? Is everything okay?” he asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Everything’s fine, I just need someone to get me.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes,” he tells me, then ends the call. If there is anyone who understands me as much as my mom does, it’s Lorenzo.

Chapter 8 - Settantasette

Lorenzo

I turn off my phone and snatch my jacket and keys, running out the door. Something is definitely wrong. She’s still at the hall where the signing was taking place, even though the event should have finished almost an hour ago. Why does she need me so quickly? More importantly, why was her voice breaking? Val doesn’t get upset over anything. That means something is wrong. And if she’s calling me, she doesn’t want her mom to know. That’s never a good sign.

I get into the car and start the engine, driving out of my car’s parking spot and onto the road. I drive for a couple of minutes before arriving. Her car is parked outside and there’s no damage to it. I get out of the car and rush inside. When I get to the office, Val is sitting in a chair, in front of who I’m guessing is Oliver, her manager.

“Val?” I ask. Her head turns to me and I can see the fear all over her face, her body shaking slightly. She stands up. “I came as fast as I co—” She runs and wraps her hands around my neck tightly. I hug her back, comforting her. I look at the guy sitting in the room. “What happened?” I ask, worried.

“There was a fan attack. He didn’t injure her or anything, but he stabbed the table once and tried for a second time,which startled her,” Oliver explains. He stabbed the table with a weapon? I stroke her hair softly, leaning my head on hers.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here,” I assure her. She breathes heavily onto my neck, still trembling. She’s still shaken by the attack.

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