Chapter 12

Valentino's POV

I have a few things I want to discuss with you, Myrah.

I typically dislike communicating since it leads to arguments. I do not want this tranquility to stop.

We won't fight. I want to start by telling you about Sasha.

Oh,  right!  Why is she so angry with me? She seemed to have a very strong dislike for me despite the fact that we had never met, she questioned as she dug into her cake.

Then she began, cocking her head up and leaning in.

  "The thing is, Sasha is my ex," I said.

"When my mother passed away, I was never really the kind of guy who made commitments, so I jumped into relationship after relationship in an effort to find solace and peace of mind."

It was harder than I anticipated to talk about this. My personal information was never truly disclosed to anyone.

Myrah's hand was on top of mine when I felt a light squeeze, but she swiftly removed it.

"It's alright if it brings up painful memories. Never tell me. I understand."

"No. It's alright. The last girl before Caylee was Sasha. I assumed I would never see her again after our one-night stand in Hawaii, but she kept looking for me until she did. I paused and sighed after she mentioned that she had fallen in love with me and desired a committed relationship.

Sasha was pretty sweet back then, so I figured we might try it. After a month or so of dating, I learned that she was using drugs and had far too many sexual partners. Additionally, she was a gold digger.

She didn't take my breakup with her lightly. She was forced to enter rehab as a result of horrible events. She stayed there for months, and after her release, she still desired to be with me. But she was unaware that I was now with Caylee. Don't worry; she must have been envious of you for becoming my wife. You won't hear from her again. Your safety is ensured; we talked about it, I said, and she nodded receptively.

She could listen well.

"However, I have a question. Why did you decide to keep Caylee and your relationship a secret?

"Well, to protect our anonymity as well as a two-year commitment to the project, Caylee had signed a contract with this other company. We had to assume the risk.

She said, "Okay! That's cool,  before returning to her dessert.

"I apologize."

No need to apologize, I say. She stopped me, saying, "It wasn't your fault; therefore, it's all good stuff.

Despite my remorse, she  just nodded. My main concern wasn't the Sasha situation. I had a lot of serious apologizing to do for my sins from day one, and we had to talk about us.

Myrah's constant sobbing in the restroom throughout the day had broken my heart. Her sobs disturbed me. I felt horrible for causing her to cry so much.

And to top it all off, I discovered a bottle of antidepressants in a drawer by the bed. Although I wanted to think they weren't hers, her protracted anguish made me think she was concealing something.

I was delaying my question for her until later. I had to observe her and determine whether or not she was depressed. The tablets could not have been hers after all.

"I...."

"Wow. The outside is absolutely lovely. Want to look at the stars? She broke up with me.

I had to choose something. Either we complete this now or we never will. Only God knew what my mood would be in a few seconds because I was bipolar with her and couldn't control it.

I didn't want to dampen her good mood, though. She appeared at peace and had beautiful eyes. I was worried that I would sever the tenuous connection that we had established.

Maybe we should postpone this discussion until later.

"Sure"  I said, "let's  look at the stars," and she grinned happily and stood up.

I did what she did, and once we finished clearing the plates, we went outside and laid on the sand on our backs to gaze at the sky.

The sound of the waves crashing served as background music for the lovely night.

Observing the stars made me feel close to my mother. She promised me before she died that she would smile at me from heaven whenever I looked up at the sky. That way, I could also tell her everything.

Her lovely face was seen in the sky. Deep down, I was telling her everything and requesting answers to all my questions.

It appeared as though we had been contemplating and marveling for hours.

Myrah was crying when I turned to face her. Her face was smiling, but her eyes were sorrowful.

A shooting star appeared in the sky as I turned to look back. I had a lot of things I wanted to hope for, but only one spoke the loudest.

Let everything Myrah is wanting for now come to pass.

Myrah was wiping away tears when I refocused my attention on her.

I said, "Shy and emotional? She gave a light laugh.

Just like you stated the other day, crying is a pastime. Sometimes I just can't hold back the tears.

Hey, sometimes life is a mess. Because we are humans, crying is natural.

You have Nick's voice, exactly.

I've heard him say such things before, and they really hit home.

Your pals are wonderful. She sat up and asked, "Would you mind sharing?

I made a joke, and she laughed. "Ask the girl who has already started sharing all three of them."

How is Kyle doing?

"Mexico. He traveled to see his folks. He ought to return in a week.

"Okay. It's turning chilly outside. She said, "I think it's time for us to go inside.

She got to her feet and began using her hands to brush the sand off of her legs and hair.

I stood up as well, cleaning my back of all the sand. We arrived at our villa together and went straight to our bedroom.

Myrah changed first, and then I changed into my cozy pajamas following that. As I sat on the couch and got ready for bed, Myrah slipped under the covers.

"Would you kindly join me in bed? Myrah proposed.

Okay, that certainly sounded off.

"What?" She laughed at my dramatic question and threw a soft cushion at me. I noticed it.

"You filthy-minded freak you." Of course, I mean sharing a bed.

I jokingly remarked, "The other isn't such a bad idea after all, you know," as she flung yet another pillow at me.

Your girlfriend would murder me.

Yes, she would. I'm fine here, at least.

Come on, now. Am I that repulsive? Pillows will be used.

She caught them laughing this time since I was the one who threw pillows at her.

I sternly told her, "don't ever call yourself disgusting ever again," and she gave the pillows a naive hug.

She said to me, "You make me feel that way."

You are not repulsive.

"Yes, I am."

"No, you are not."

"Yes, I am."

"No, you are not!"

"Then prove it," she firmly replied.

I was so angry that I simply stood up, made my way to the bed, and climbed under the covers on the other side of her.

"There, now satisfied?"  I questioned myself as I sat up and stared at her.

"Yes. She moved closer and gave me a stroke on the head, saying, "Good boy."

After calling me a good boy, are you seriously patting me down?

Okay! Good job, Prince Charming. I think it's time for bed now. Without even laying the pillows down, she mumbled "Good night" before her head slammed into them.

Considering how far apart we were, it didn't really matter.

I positioned my head on the pillow facing the opposite side because I was really exhausted as well.

A hand suddenly touched my back. I'll be honest; my heart jumped a beat.

I wish I could give you a quick embrace, but I know you wouldn't appreciate it. I appreciate today. One of my favorite days in years was that one. Thank you for putting up with me. I hope you'll be the same tomorrow. You're welcome, Valentino.

I sat motionless and silent for a time before hearing her reposition herself and turn to face the opposite direction.

I gave her a hand as I turned to face her.

Thanks to you, tonight was a big success. I wish you had more opportunities to laugh and grin. Until tomorrow, Princess.

What was going on with me?