JADE
I strode determinedly towards the Valentino mansion, a look of frustration seizing my facial features.
Luciano was not aware about my coming here. How could I tell him? He would ask me a million questions and when I finally divulge it to him on why I need to be here, he would probably try to dissuade me from stepping foot in this mansion.
I made sure to leave immediately after he left for work. Fortunately for me, Luciano had gotten me a driver for my personal needs.
I just made him promise me not to relay any of this to Luciano.
After the discussion I had with Luciano yesterday about Damien’s and Valerie’s offer, I was taken by restlessness and anxiety.
I could not concentrate on anything no matter how hard I tried to do so.
I just had to do this and confront that woman. Probably she would listen to me woman to woman. Because what sort of entitlement did she have that she thought she deserved and could take away my husband from me?
Isn’t that absurd?
There was no way I was going to sit back, fold my hands and let an over pampered and spoilt young lady take Luciano away from me and away from this marriage.
Absolutely not.
I could talk real sense into her and hopefully she would see reasons with me and put off her plans.
Leila did try to talk sense into her the last time I eavesdropped on their conversation but she was not going to hear any of it.
So I guess seeing and talking to me herself should snap her out of whatever dream she has concerning my husband.
I pushed open the huge doors of the mansion and slowly made my way in.
Straightening my shoulder and clasping my hands together, I walked in with an aura of authority.
“Excuse me, do you happen to know where Miss Valerie is?” I asked a staff whom I came across.
She gave me a slight courtesy bow, “Welcome signora Greco. Valerie is in the garden with Leila. The garden is just down the hallway. Do you need me to show you the way?” She asked.
Of course. The garden. The same place I overheard her unfortunate discussion regarding her ungodly desires for my husband.
“There is no need. I know the way myself. Thank you” I replied with a smile before walking away.
My shoes were the only thing making soft sounds as I walked towards the garden.
The hallway was dark, casting eerie shadows against the walls but I could hear female chattering as I walked further.
Slowly, the lightning around seemed to increase as I neared the entrance of the garden.
Right there, sitting and laughing so innocently were Valerie and Leila.
I took in a deep breath and pushed apart the little iron metal gates of the garden which cut into whatever discussion they were having, forcing them to pivot and face me.
I took slow and precise steps into the garden, the two sisters holding my gaze with their slightly confused ones.
“Jade welcome. It is quite a surprise to have you here again. Did Luciano happen to come with you?” Valerie asked, standing to her feet and straightening her gown.
Ofcourse she would ask about Luciano. She wants him so bad that she ain’t even hiding it.
“No. I came alone. I came to discuss something quite important with you” I walked towards her as the words rolled out of my mouth.
“Me?” Valerie asked with puzzled brows, pointing at herself.
“Yes you. I came for you Valerie” I answered taking in a deep breath and sitting on one of the wooden benches deposited almost every where.
“Is there any problem Jade?” Leila intervened.
It was the fact that they were all acting dumb for me.
“Are you seriously asking that Leila?” I bolted up in anger.
“You yourselves know the reason I am here and you both are playing dumb?” I did not give her a chance to speak.
“Jade if you have something to say just go straight to the point and stop beating around the bush will you?” Valerie let down her innocent farcade mask and flashed me a saucy look.
I folded my arms across my chest and glared at her, “Valerie what is your obsession with my husband? Why have you chosen this ungodly path? To wreck my marriage? For what reason? What have I ever done to you? How have we both ever offended you that you want to do this?”
“Oh..” Valerie let out a sinister chuckle. Leila looked away, she was feeling quite nervous and confused as to how to react to my series of questions.
“I do not want to wreck your marriage Jade you are getting it all wrong” Valerie smiled maniacally.
“Oh really? Then please be my guest and prove me wrong. Lay off this obsession you have off getting Luciano because he is my husband. He wedded me dutifully and lawfully”
“Jade if you can for once put yourself in my shoes then you would understand my pain” the smile on her face vanished so quickly as it settled down replaced by a sinister look.
“I have loved Luciano Jade..” Valerie gritted her words out.
“Valerie…” Leila tried to interrupt but was shunned by her sister. “Allow me speak Leila” Valerie snapped leaving her sister speechless.
“Jade before you came into the picture, I was in the picture. I am the victim here and not you. I have loved Luciano from the first time we met years ago. His family and mine wanted to deepen and strengthen the bonds we already shared through a marriage alliance.
And everyone agreed to it. I was elated but then after almost a year of courting me, Luciano ghosted me. I thought maybe he was having issues at work or something related not knowing he was busy getting married to a different woman he barely knew from Adam.
I only got to hear of his marriage with you the day you both came to this house for breakfast. Do you know how devastated I felt? Do you currently know how I am feeling seeing that I wasted a year of my life waiting for someone who didn’t care about me?”
Her words carried grief and pain in them which I couldn’t deny but still it was selfish of her to get Luciano back in such manner at the expense of our marriage.
“I can not say I totally understand how you feel but I know you have been hurt by all that happened to you in the past but still, it is not a guarantee that you should break my marriage because of your past” I tried reasoning with her.
“Jade, I am not asking that Luciano leaves you…” Valerie said, creating such a rattling silence like wild fire which spread amongst us.
“All I want is to be his second wife. You can mantain your status as the first wife, I practically don’t care. But I need him to marry me too. I want him. He was meant for me and not you” Valerie desperately and scornfully spat at me.
My face squeezed into an angry bowl and I wagged my index finger at her, “Not on my watch. You will never have my husband. I am trying to reason with you but you still want to live in your delusional world.
Do you think using your brother to get to him will succeed? It won’t as long as I am still around” I stood my ground.
A devious smirk carved by the corners of her lips, “If you do not agree to this then Luciano is doomed. He needs our help badly for the transport and sale of his goods. He needs the security we provide more than you can imagine. If you do not yield in then I promise you, Luciano will not be saved”
I was shaken by her words but I chose not to show it.
Gulping down the clog in my throat, I gathered my raging emotions.
“We shall see who wins then” I whispered before swiftly pivoting and walking away.