𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭

Chapter 15

When I looked at my mother, who stood across from me in the ballroom, I couldn't believe what my eyes were depicting.

Is it possible Adrian put a drug into the champagne that is making me dizzy all of a sudden?

She didn't glance away from my gaze as I started to lose it. The thing I was most curious about was what my mother was doing at this freaking mob event. Did she run away to join the goddam mafia?

Despite being absorbed in my own thoughts, I realized Adrian hasn't spoken a single word. When I turned to face him, he looked distracted. His gaze fell on the man next to my mother. The man was speaking to someone else while my mother's scorching gaze still burned through me. Looking at her, she seemed angry, but I couldn't quite figure out what she was feeling. Was it anger?

As if she had the right to be mad at me, did she fail to remember what she had done?

I wanted to know why she was here.

The gold shimmery gown she wore paired with her dark hair in a bun complemented her tanned skin. Her appearance looked exceptionally different, especially given the fact that I have not seen her in years.

As my eyes started watering, I swiftly wiped them and was able to contain the tears that threatened to fall. I wasn't going to waste my time crying over that heartless woman that I sadly call my mother. My mind drifted to my father, I haven't visited him in days. I missed him so much.

Then she leaned into the guy next to her and whispered something in his ear before excusing herself.

The instant I saw she was about to leave, I bolted. I ran outside the ballroom, chasing her. She didn't deserve my time, but I needed answers.

"Valentina!" I heard Adrian call my name.

It didn't matter what I was doing. I ran after her. When Adrian finally caught up to me, he grabbed my arm. I was frightened, his anger clearly visible on his face as he turned me to face him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he roared. There were veins in his neck popping out. But damn that was hot.

No, not now Valentina.

"Let me go!" I searched for a way to regain control of my arm, but it wouldn't budge. A heavy sigh escapes me as I turn around to find no one. She's gone.

"Oh Valentina..." I saw a menacing smile across his face as he chuckled.

"Please, I have to talk to her," I pleaded. Adrian must know her. When he asked me what my parents' names were, I remembered.

"Are you fucking stupid? Did you really have to start chasing her out of the ballroom like that? Especially when people were staring," he tightened his grip around my arm, his eyes burned into mine.

"You knew who my mother is! Why is she here Adrian?" I asked. Questions were flooding my mind. I was beyond raging.

He gritted his teeth, "I don't fucking care who she is or what she's doing here, you don't get to fucking run off like that."

I couldn't contain my emotions any longer and broke down in front of him. As I pushed him away, tears started flowing down my face.

"You don't understand why this is so important to me! Let me speak to her!" I screamed. I deserved answers. I deserved to know why she hurt my father, why she had to leave me at my lowest. Aren't mothers supposed to be there for you?

He softened a little and let my arm go. But I didn't run away. I just stood there in front of him completely breaking down.

"Fuck Valentina," he cursed. His hands went up to push his hair back.

"Leave her alone," a voice ordered.

I glanced to the side and saw my mother, who gave Adrian a glare.

Taking slow, deliberate steps towards him, she asked, "Was it not enough that you destroyed my life? Did you really have to go after my daughter?!"

Shocked by the fact she even knew who Adrian was, I stared at both of them in silence.

"Your fucking daughter ran into me," he simply told her.

"Valentina, what are you doing here, honey?" she asked me, and I almost burst into laughter.

A chuckle came from my lips as I approached her. Honey?

"The real question is, what were you doing during all those years?"

Her face dropped as she shook her head in sadness. "I can explain, Valentina. But first, you have to get away from this man. He's not a good guy, you don't know what he's capable of Val, did he kidnap yo-" somebody cut her off.

"Maria? What are you doing?" the man who Adrian was glaring at earlier came and stood beside my mother.

She panicked when he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. So this is the fucker she ran away with. I looked up at Adrian and saw him smiling?

Why was he smiling? Did he find this funny?

Adrian smiled menacingly at the man. "Good to see you, Giavanni," he said.

"Whore for the night?" Giavanni turned his attention to me. I looked at him, disgusted. After Adrian mentioned his name, something clicked in my head. Adrian asked me about him when he held me in the interrogation room.

"Whore?" I asked with a scowl.

"It's a little rude of you to call your stepdaughter a whore, hm?" Adrian replied, chuckling. I heard my neck crack as my head shot up so rapidly. I looked up to Adrian, giving him a questioning look. Stepdaughter?

My mother stood frozen in her place. My frustration was growing as no one answered my question. I'm so confused.

A snort of laughter escaped Giavanni. "Adrian, little boy, are you mad?" he asked. His accent made it apparent he was Italian.

Adrian didn't say anything, instead, he turned to my mom. "Why don't you tell your dearest husband who Valentina is?"

She looked nervous before shaking her head, "You've done enough damage Adrian, please for the love of God leave my daughter alone!" she yelled. My mind couldn't help but wonder what damage my mother was talking about.

With wide eyes, Giavanni became furious. I decided I no longer wanted to stay silent.

"You left us for someone in the mafia?" The more enraged I became. Memories of her leaving never left my mind.

"We'll leave you two alone, I'm sure there's something you guys need to talk to each other about," and with that Adrian grabbed my hand and led me outside the estate. Everything was happening so fast, I couldn't think straight.

What about my answers? I stopped before Adrian had the chance to push me in, causing my anger to get out of control.

"Are you fucking serious? What are you hiding from me?!" I demanded.

"Tell me, Adrian!"

As he pushed me into the car while his men circled us, he said nothing, his face showed no emotion.

"You, Valentina are nothing to me. If you don't shut up I won't hesitate to pull my gun out and blow your brains right here, right now," he growled at me.

His words caused my eyes to widen. Well, that would certainly make his day.

I remained silent throughout the car ride.