VALENTINA'S POV

I finally stopped, my hands dropped to my sides. I threw up everything bit of the drink until I was certain, nothing was left. Exhausted, I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

My eyes were red, my hair was disheveled and my makeup was smeared. A bitter smiled edged my lips.

I took a deep breath and stared back at my self in the mirror. Why exactly am I upset? The three years wasted or the illusion I was under thinking Matteo wasn't as heartless as people viewed him to be?

I looked back in the mirror. The tears I was holding back finally spilled. The pain, the humiliation of these past few days came weighing on my shoulder.

I fixed my makeup, straightened my hair and my dress, pulling myself together and walking out of the restroom. I approached a waiter and he directed me to the private room for my meeting. I pushed the door open, only to bump into a wall or rather someone.

“Miss Felucci, you're here finally! I was beginning to wonder if you canceled on me.”

“My apologies, Mr. Romano. I was held up my something on the way.” I said, smiling politely.

If it any better, I'll take care of our bills tonight.” I offered.

The man, Alexander, placed a gentle hand over mine. “Don't worry about that. Besides, we men should learn to wait for ladies.” He said with a charming smile.

“Let's talk about the project. Meet my assistant, Daniel.”

His assistant handed him a file. My father had a pending project with the Romanos. Years ago, they moved abroad, where he was handling the overseas company, and now he's finally back and as the CEO of the cooperation. I was just notified yesterday that he was back in the city. And he agreed to meet for a meeting.

“Thank you for meeting here on a short notice.”

“I should thank you, it will be my greatest honour to continue this project with you. And also for making this meeting a success.”

“If you don't mind, I'll drop you home.” He offered.

“Sure! Thank you.”

Just as we were about to leave the lounge, the door busted open. “Valentina! There you are.” Alana said, grabbing my hand.

“Where did you go? We've looking all over for you! We were getting worried!”

I pulled my hand out of her hold. “You guys enjoy yourselves, I've a lot to do, I'll take my leave now.”

“Aw, don't be such a spoil sport. We were just having fun earlier, no need to take it personal.”

“Miss,” Alexander stopped her. Pulling my hand from her hold. “Why are you insistent? It's clear she doesn't want to go with you.”

“Well, well, well, who do we have here? The almighty Alexander Romano himself.” She said her voice suddenly seductive and more polite.

“It's Mr. Romano to you miss.”

“Well, Mr. Romano, we were just having fun and Valentina here just couldn't handle it. You know, joke among friends. You know, she's very sensitive.”

Sensitive my foot. I thought.

Out of nowhere, Matteo appeared, dragging me back inside with him. Alexander tried to follow but Alana blocked him. When he left, Alana was behind us. We went to the lounge and Alana opened the door and Matteo shoved me inside, locking it.

“Matteo, let me out.” I banged on the door. The door opened and five thugs waltzed in.

“Open the door, Matteo!”

One of them whistled. “Damn, we got some motherfucking luck, aye?”

I trembled, my hands clutch my bag tightly. I didn't plan for this but clearly, nothing goes as planned. “Don't come any closer.” I said, backing away.

The men kept coming forward. I removed my heel and held it as a weapon. “Relax darling, we just want to have some fun.” One said, as they circled me.

“Wh..what do you want? Money? Name your price, I'll pay you double the amount they gave you.” I said, barely able to keep my voice grounded.

One lunged at me. I hit him in the jaw with the heel. “Damn, she hits hard.” he growled.

“Well, if they're feisty, they tasted best.” Another said. Two came up from behind me and held me tightly. One was already unbuckling his belt and the other two, trying to unbutton my shirt.

“Let me go. If my brother finds out, you all are dead.” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

“Please, don…don't do this to me. I beg you “

My blouse was removed, my bra was torn. “ Ple…please…I beg you.” But my plea fell on deaf ears.

Nobody came to my aid. Who would? It was all a plan.

My dignity was about to be ripped off me. I laid there naked, in despair.

Just as I was about to succumb to darkness. A loud crash burst through the door and it opened with a bang.

VALENTINA'S POV

“Get your hands off her.”

Alexander?

“Valentina, Valentina, look at me.” He urged.

I tried to open my eyes but it was difficult. “Ale..” I succumbed to darkness.

The bright light woke me from a deep slumber. I opened my eyes, trying to adjust to the blaring light in the room. “Where am I?”

I rose from the bed and surveyed my surroundings. I was in the hospital. How did I get here?

The events of what happened to me came rushing in my mind. The betrayal, the humiliation and lastly, the pain. A drop of tear falls on my hand and they kept coming. I cried, for the pain I supressed these past few days.

Nothing hurts more than the cold betrayal from Matteo. The fact that he was willing to ruin my reputation just for a divorce.

The door opened and Alexander walked in. “You're awake! How are you? Are you in any pain?” He rushed out.

I couldn't speak, I simply nodded my head. “Thank you for saving me. If you hadn't come earlier….” The words stuck in my throat.

“But, how did you find me.” I asked.

“Something didn't quite feel right. I turned back around but the lady from earlier lied to me that you were in the restroom. I searched for you but you weren't there.”

“Then I heard you scream. She tried to stop me from going in the room but my men held her down. That was when I broke the door down.” He explained.

“And Matteo? Did you see him?” I asked. I don't know the answer I was going to get, but maybe, just maybe…

“He wasn't there, only Alana, a young lady and a man were outside.”

“I don't want to intrude but I need to know what exactly happed that led to that incident.”

“Uhmm.” I licked my lips. “It was plan.” I said finally.

“Plan? What plan?” Alex asked.

“Its a long story.” I saidz trying to avoid the conversation.

“I have time.” Alex sat down on the bed beside me. “Valentina, you can talk to me okay?” He held my hands in his, I don't know if he was trying to comfort me but it was soothing my nerves.

I took a deep breath. “Matteo, my husband and his siblings, Ariana and Damien planned to ruin my reputation inorder fronhom to get a divorce from me.” I started.

I looked at Alexander who was quiet. “Matteo loves someone else, Alana, the one who dragged me from you yesterday.” He nodded.

“They plan to get back together after removing me from the picture.”

“Three years, three years Alexander. I thought Matteo lovede but it was all a pretense. A pretense to put up with me until he's able to cast me aside.” I cried.

Alexander's hold on my hand tightened. I watched as he fumed. “That bastard. He's going to regret doing that to you.” He promised with conviction.

“I called your brother, he should be arriving anytime soon.” He said.

My eyes widened, my brother? How did you know my brother?” I asked, confused. If he knowsy brother, how come I've never met him.

“Uhh.. he's my best friend and brother.”

“I'm not getting you here. Besides, I would have known about you. You've never been around him, how come you're best friend.”

“Well, we hardly meet. And the fact that we are now both headed the family businesses both legal and illegal, we hardly have time to hangout.” He explained.

“Illegal? Which family mafia are you?” I couldn't help but ask.

“I am the head of the Greek Mafia.”

I gasped. “You..you are Alexander Volkov?” He nodded.

“But, why are you under the name Romano?”

“Romano is the legal name for the business and Volkov is for the Mafia and the real one.”

“Wow.” Then something downed on me. “Where are they? The guys who..”

“They are in my warehouse. You don't have to worry about them. They will be well taken care of.” He smirked. And it wasn't a good one.

Oh boy.

“Peanut,” I heard my brother's voice. He rushed to me and hugged me tight. “Thank goodness, you're safe.”

I hugged him tight. I've missed him. In these three years, I never visited home once and it's because Matteo doesn't allow me to.

“I missed you bro.” I cried in his arms.

“I missed you too, peanut, I thought you didn't want to see me, that's why I stopped reaching out to give you more time.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confusion manning my face.

“I reached out to you a couple of times to visit you but the letters always came back with another one stating you ‘,you were married now and you don't have time to see anymore’

“But I never got any letters.” I said.

“What? Leave that, well discuss some other time. Tell me what happened.”

I recounted the event to Dante and by the time I was done, he was fuming.

“Matteo will pay for what he's done.”

Suddenly, Alexander's assistant rushed in. “Boss we have a problem. Miss Valentina is all over the news.”

VALENTINA'S POV

“Miss Valentina is all over the news.” Was the only thing I heard before everything faded away. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I just cried.

I knew what Daniel meant, by I was on the news. They succeeded.

“What do you mean by Valentina is on the news.” I could hear Alexander ask his assistant.

“Here, sir,” Daniel replied, handing Alex his tab. Through blurry eyes, I could see the strong hold Alex had on the tab.

“Let me see.” My brother said, collecting the tab from him.

“That bastard!!” Dante seethed, throwing the laptop across the room.

“After everything our family did for that bastard, this is how he repays us?! Dante yelled, fury dripping from every one of his words.

“Dante, calm down, what's done is done, now we need to focus on damage control before dealing with them.” Alex reasoned, calmly.

I sat there, the pain and betrayal sliced through my soul. I wiped my tears, it wasn't worth it. I looked towards Dante who was still seething. Given his over protective nature, I wasn't surprised. I glanced at Alexander, his hands in his pockets. But I could see through the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

I took a deep breath before speaking. “I already had my lawyer draw up divorce papers.” I said breaking the silence.

Two heads turned to me, their eyes filled with questions. “I’m supposed to meet up with my lawyer today to pick up the divorce papers.” I explained.

“We can start from there,” Alex said. “Can you give Daniel your lawyer’s contact so he can pick them up?”

“Yes,” I reached for bag and pulled out my lawyer's card.

“I’ll get to it now.” Daniel said, walking out of the room. Leaving me with two angry mafia heads.

“Dante?” I called my brother in a small voice. He rushed to my side in an instant.

“I'm sorry,” I sobbed. “You warned me but I was too in love to listen. I'm sorry.” I cried harder this time.

“Why are you sorry peanut, it's not your fault. You just fell in love and nothing is wrong with that. You fell for the wrong man. Don't blame yourself for something you have no control over.” He cooed, his arms wrapped me in a comforting hug.

Dante wiped my tears, just as Alex spoke. His voice was calm, calculated and edged with a restrained fury. I could tell he was still enraged and he was doing a damn good job at keeping it cool.

“We need to get Valentina out of this place. The reporters are already in front of the hospital. I'll have my men control the situation and get us an exit.” He said, as he was already dialing on his phone

Dante walked over to the window and peered out. “Damn it”. He muttered.

“Control the situation at the front and get me an exit.” Alex ordered whoever was on the other end of the phone.

Dante pulled out his phone also. I rolled my eyes. No wonder they were best friends. “Get the jet on standby.”

I said nothing. Just watched the two men bark orders to their men. I picked the remote and tuned on the TV in the room, curious to see what was being said.

“Italian heiress, Valentina Rossi cheats on husband, Matteo Da Vinci with five men at the B&B lounge.” The headlines read.

They even had a blurry, obviously photoshopped image of me on the floor, with a man on top of me. The comments were vile My character and upbringing were questioned on the internet.

“My grip on the remote tightened. Matteo and his siblings would live to regret what they did to me. Alana included.” I promised as fresh tears ran down my cheeks

Alex's phone rang. “ I need the hospital staffs cleared out until Valentina leaves the hospital. Send out the best guards to room 409.” He ordered.

“Get dressed Valentina.” Dante said as he grabbed my bag.

“What about the divorce papers?” I asked. Weren't we supposed to wait for Daniel?

“Daniel knows where to meet us with them.” Alex answered.

A knock sounded on the door before it opened. “Boss.” A man said, walking in.

“Valentina meet Micheal, my right hand man.”

Alex introduced.

“What's the situation out front?” Alex asked.

“Worse.”

“What about the exit?”

“We have it under control.” Micheal assured.

“Let's move.”