Sed de sangre {manxman}

24

Chapter 24 - When two worlds collide.

Jax's POV:

It's been months since that whole storming out situation and things have changed, for the better. I sold the bakery and moved into my own place, it's bigger and better than the apartment and I couldn't be happier. I still bake but now I do it all from home, I even hired Juan to do deliveries so that he could send more money back home.

He's become something like a little brother to me and I've grown very fond of him. Valentino didn't and hasn't bothered contacting me since I ran out and ever since I've been doing fine. But today I would have to be facing him for the first time in ages as Alejandro has invited me to Valentino and Valeria's engagement party. Of course I tried to decline but then Alejandro offered me a ridiculous amount to cover the sweet treats so I couldn't say no.

Liam was back in town and when I told him everything he took it upon himself to be my date, not romantically as he now has a boyfriend but just for the support. But no one needs to know, unless they ask. I do wonder how Valentino's doing, although he's been horrible to me I've seen how loving he can be to those he cares about.

"Hey you ready to go?" I take one more look in the mirror before following Liam's voice downstairs to my living room. "Yeah sorry just got lost in thought, let's go," he glanced at me slightly worried and I assured him it was nothing whilst locking up.

The drive to the clubhouse didn't take long as I remembered where it was and it was busy alright. Speakers pumping and people were dancing from what I could hear whilst walking up the driveway. Liam held my hand in his and gave it a tight squeeze as if to relax me. I didn't realise how stiff I'd become.

It wasn't long after we rang the bell that the front door swung open to reveal Alejandro. "Jax! Oh how I've missed this face," I hadn't seen Ale since that night either, none of Vale's men actually. "Is this your date?" He asks whilst glancing over Liam almost amused. Before I can say no, Liam's answered yes whilst placing a soft kiss on my cheek making me blush at the suddenness.

With both of their help, I unload all the baked goodies from the car and set it up, the guests did make it easier by taking trays off my hand whilst going on about how amazing everything looked, making me beam with pride.

It's been awhile since I've been a party setting but everyone was so lovely I felt myself relax. The sweetest old lady and I were in the middle of a conversation about recipes when I heard his voice for the first time in ages. "Abuela, I see you've met Jax, bit too young for you no?" He jokes whilst kissing her cheek.

"The younger the better, isn't that right Jax?" I couldn't help but laugh whilst agreeing. Valentino was staring at me during the whole exchange, looking at me from head to toe. I'd changed a bit, I put on some weight, to quote Schmidt I had 'thickened up', I let my curls grow out and they are currently at shoulders length. I looked a bit more feminine I'm sure than what he remembered me to look like.

"Hey Valentino, congratulations to you and Valeria," he thanked me before excusing himself and his grandmother. I wandered around until I found Adam with Alejandro, knowing he was in good hands I went to search for Valeria to give her their gift.

I couldn't help but gasp when I finally found her, she looked stunning. So stunning for a moment I felt stupid for ever thinking Valentino could ever want me, when he has this standing right there.

"Jax is that you! Oh it's been forever," she cheered whilst running to hug me. Wasn't expecting that. "Hey," I breathed with a fake chuckle. "Good to see you too and congrats to you and Valentino," she thanked me before taking me to the side for a catch up.

"Your hair, I love what you've done, you look beautiful," I couldn't help but blush over her compliments, it's been awhile since I've had someone say something nice to me. We continued to talk for awhile before I noticed Adam wondering over. "There you are babe," I felt bad for completely forgetting I had left him with a bunch strangers.

"Sorry I got caught up, Valeria this is Adam, Adam this is Valeria," the two of them hit it off and were talking for the whole of England as I sat there and enjoyed the feeling of Adam rubbing circles into my back to calm me down. I smelt his familiar cologne before I saw and heard him. Valentino came to join us. He didn't say much just sat and ran his hand over Valeria whilst staring at me intensely.

I wanted to ask what his problem was but I didn't want to be rude or spoil the moment. I kept my gaze fixed on the floor but I still could feel his gaze piercing through me. So much so that I had to excuse myself.

Taking the stairs I wandered into one of the rooms I realised it was the one we had sex in and the memories came rushing back. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed and gather my breathing. What is wrong with me. Hearing the doorknob twist I fly off the bed in anticipation to see Valentino enter the room.

"Is there a reason I've found you snooping around here?" That voice still makes me feel certain things till this day and it worries me. "Just needed a moment, don't think I'm feeling very well, I think I'm going to have to leave actually," I reply making my way for the door. He grabs my wrist and slams me against the door.

"You just got here, I wonder what the cause could be?" he asks in a hushed tone whilst he fixes his nose in the crook of my neck almost as if he's drinking in my scent. My body heats up at how close he is to me and I have to squeeze my eyes shut to stop myself from reacting to him. "I-i've been a bit under the weather lately," which wasn't a lie, I'd been overworking myself lately and today was the first day I hadn't needed to wake up at the crack of dawn to get through orders.

"Why haven't you been taking care of yourself?" Valentino asked whilst taking a step back to look me over. I swear all he's done since I've arrived is look me up and down. "I've been busy," was my short reply. "Busy with Lewis I see," Lewis? Who the hell...oh not this again.

"His name is Liam and no, he's actually-," he cut me off before I could explain that Liam wasn't my boyfriend. "You don't have to explain yourself to me, I'm engaged remember?" he teases whilst flashing the ring at me. I force myself to let out a chuckle even though I'm not sure what there is to laugh about in the situation.

"Well I'll leave you to continue whatever it is you were doing, I do hope you stay for cake. I hear the baker is meant to be out of this world," this time I didn't have to force the chuckle knowing he was referring to me.

Sitting on the bed, I let out a breath of air and run my hands through my hair trying to understand the emotions I was currently feeling. I'm attracted to Valentino physically sure, I mean who wouldn't be? He's somehow managed to grow even more handsome since I had last seen him but to have feelings for him was another thing. I couldn't possibly like him, he's engaged for goodness sake!

Heading back to the living room I look for Liam to tell him that I need to leave, it wasn't right for me to be here when I clearly still had some type of feelings for Valentino. Before I finally found Liam, I ran into several of Vale's men who I'm surprised still remembered me. They one by one expressed how much they had missed me and my baking which ended with me inviting them all over tomorrow night for baked goods and a movie night. Don't ask how the words ended up leaving my mouth, for some strange reason I had such a soft spot for them all.

I found Liam who was sitting next to Alejandro and a few others. "Hey Jax there you are, speaking of the devil, this is Jax, he's the one behind all these amazing treats you're all currently eating," I gave them all a little wave and pleasant smile.

"This is Valentino's mum and dad," I could see where he gets his looks from, they are both beautiful. Introducing myself to them properly, I then decided to take a seat knowing that a conversation was going to follow, meaning I wouldn't be leaving as early as I had hoped. "You are just the most precious thing," Vale's mother cooed whilst pulling on my cheeks. I couldn't help but flush bright red in reaction, this seemed to make everyone laugh.

His parents were lovely and we all ended up having a lovely conversation which again, somehow ended up with me agreeing to join them for dinner next week. I really need to stop getting myself into these situations.

-

hey guys so sorry it's been so long but life has been hectic and I felt an urge to get back on here so here I am! hope you are all doing well, lots of love.