[Chapter 2]
Next Morning | The Collins Family Home
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
Val, sweetheart, are you awake?
Valentina groaned softly from under the covers. Her eyes were swollen from crying most of the night.
She had fallen asleep at some point on the floor, still in yesterday’s clothes, and had dragged herself to bed in the early hours of the morning.
Hearing her mother’s voice now, she turned away from the door, wishing she could just disappear.
Valentina Collins (FL)
Not yet, Mom.
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
I know you’re upset, but your father’s not letting this go. The Salvatore family called. They want to meet us today.
Valentina Collins (FL)
*wide-eyed* What? Why?
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
They want to... apologize.
Valentina Collins (FL)
...
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
Yes. They think it’s their responsibility to smooth things over after Alex’s... mistake.
Valentina Collins (FL)
I can’t face them, Mom. Not today.
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
I understand, honey. But your father already agreed to the meeting. It’s at noon.
Noon | The Collins Family Home
James Collins (FL Dad)
*grumbling* Typical. Making us wait when they’re the ones in the wrong.
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
James, please.
James Collins (FL Dad)
*growling* Unbelievable. That boy doesn’t even have the decency to show up and explain himself?
James Collins (FL Dad)
He calls off the wedding and sends his family instead?
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
They’re trying to make amends. Let’s just hear them out.
The doorbell rang, breaking the tense silence. Valentina’s stomach churned as her father stormed to the door and opened it.
Standing there were Alessandro Salvatore, tall and composed in a charcoal suit, and his parents, who looked equally dignified but far more anxious.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*cordially* James, Marissa. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.
James Collins (FL Dad)
*coldly* I didn’t do this for you.
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
*forcing a smile* We understand. Please, come in.
Valentina’s father stepped aside reluctantly, and the Salvatores entered.
Alessandro’s gaze briefly flicked to Valentina, his expression unreadable, before he returned his focus to her father.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*sitting down* We came here to apologize for Alex’s behavior. What he’s done is unacceptable, and as his family, we take full responsibility.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*sit beside his dad*
James Collins (FL Dad)
*sitting across from them* Responsibility?
James Collins (FL Dad)
That’s easy to say after my daughter’s reputation has been dragged through the mud.
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
*gently, trying to ease the tension* Let’s keep this civil, James.
Valentina stared at the floor, her chest tightening with every word exchanged.
She felt exposed, like the walls were closing in on her. Finally, she stood abruptly, drawing everyone’s attention.
Valentina Collins (FL)
*quietly* Excuse me.
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
Valentina—
Valentina Collins (FL)
*shaking her head* I just need a moment.
Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the room and into the hallway, needing to escape the weight of their stares.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*to Alessandro, in a quiet tone* Go talk to her.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*sharply* What?
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
You heard me.
Alessandro’s jaw tightened, but he stood, his expression stoic as he walked out of the room. He found Valentina standing near the window in the hallway, her back to him.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*coldly* Are you okay?
Valentina Collins (FL)
*startled, turning to face him* I... didn’t expect you to follow me.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*shrugs* My father insisted.
She frowned, her composure cracking for the first time since they’d arrived. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
Valentina Collins (FL)
Your brother humiliated me. He’s ruined everything—for me, for my family.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*flatly* I’m aware.
Valentina Collins (FL)
*hesitates, then blurts out* Then marry me.
Alessandro froze. For a moment, he thought he had misheard her. But the look in her eyes—a desperate mixture of anger and hurt—told him otherwise.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
What?
Valentina Collins (FL)
*desperate* Marry me. For the sake of my family’s reputation.
Valentina Collins (FL)
For my parents. They don’t deserve this humiliation.
Alessandro’s father stood in the doorway, his face unreadable.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*calmly* Interesting.
Valentina Collins (FL)
*panicking* I didn’t mean—
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*interrupting* Don’t apologize. It’s an intriguing idea.
Valentina’s heart sank as Alessandro shot her a withering glare before stepping past her back into the living room.
She followed him, her pulse pounding, only to hear the tail end of a conversation that made her stomach drop.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
I believe Alessandro would make a suitable match for your daughter.
James Collins (FL Dad)
*startled* Are you serious?
Marissa Collins (FL Mom)
What about...
Valentina Collins (FL)
*interrupting, panicked* This isn’t necessary!
All eyes turned to Alessandro, who stood rigidly by the fireplace. His voice was low, clipped, and seething with anger.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*coldly* I’m not marrying her.
James Collins (FL Dad)
Then why are we even having this conversation?
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
If this is your idea of fixing things, it’s pathetic.
Without another word, he stormed out of the room, his shoes echoing against the marble floor as he left.
Alessandro’s Girlfriend’s Apartment
Alessandro knocked on the door once before it swung open. His girlfriend, a stunning woman with sleek hair and a casual smile, leaned against the frame.
(ML Girlfriend)
Finally, you came.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*gritting his teeth* I need a drink.
(ML Girlfriend)
*poured him a whiskey without asking and handed it over* Rough day?
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
My father just tried to marry me off.
(ML Girlfriend)
Oh? To who?
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
Valentina Collins. The girl Alex dumped.
(ML Girlfriend)
*laughing lightly* So what? Go marry her.
Her casual response was like gasoline on a fire. Alessandro slammed the glass down on the counter, the sound ringing through the apartment.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*furious* That’s your reaction?
(ML Girlfriend)
*smirking* It’s just a marriage proposal, Alessandro. What’s the big deal?
Evening | The Salvatore Estate
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*parked his car in the long driveway of his father’s mansion, his mind swirling with rage*
As Alessandro stepped inside, the grandeur of the house did nothing to soothe his temper.
His father was waiting for him in the study, as though expecting him.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
I take it you’re here to discuss the proposal.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*coldly* You crossed the line, Dad.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*smirking* Did I? Or are you just afraid of doing what’s necessary for the family?
Alessandro’s fists clenched, but he didn’t respond. The storm brewing inside him was only just beginning.
She begged me to marry her, and now she wants my name. But that’s all she will ever have. If she thinks she can force her way into my life, she’s mistaken.
– Alessandro Salvatore
Stay tuned for the next chapter! 📜✨
Comments
Pookie writes 🎀
i agree with him...dude being getting dragged in forced marriage for no reason😭..like think..he was just enjoying his life.. doing is stuff and suddenly from nowhere his marriage gets fix with someone he isn't even in interested in..dude getting doomed for no reason!
2025-04-16
0
dora Capgemini
update one more episode plsssssss plsssssssssssssss plsssssss plsssssssssssssss plsssssss plsssssssssssssss plsssssss plsssssssssssssss
2025-02-09
3
Pookie writes 🎀
yeah like why does he have to take the responsibility of his brother's mistake... logically ML did nothing wrong..why does he have to marry her..
2025-04-16
0