Chapter 31

"Girlfriend"

Valeria's POV

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The car ride started like every other time Enzo dragged me somewhere mysterious—annoying as hell, and with him being infuriatingly vague.

"Why isn't Dante or anyone else coming with us?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously from the passenger seat. He was focused on the road, one hand lazily resting on the steering wheel, the other occasionally shifting gears.

"They're not needed," he said smoothly, not even glancing my way.

"That's not an answer, Enzo," I grumbled, crossing my arms. "What are we doing, and why am I alone with you? Not that I mind the scenery or anything," I teased, gesturing toward him with a dramatic flair, "but this feels like you're planning something."

His lips twitched into a smirk. "You'll find out soon enough, Ria."

Ugh. That stupid nickname. I pretended to hate it, but every time he said it, my stomach did this stupid, fluttery thing that made me want to punch myself.

"Fine," I muttered, slumping back into the seat. "But if this is another one of your schemes to make me cry or something, I swear I'll—"

"Relax, princess." He winked, and I wanted to throw something at him. "Just enjoy the ride."

I grumbled incoherently, mostly about how smug he was, but eventually, the soothing hum of the car and the gentle warmth of the sun streaming through the windows got to me. Before I knew it, I was out like a light.

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"Ria. Wake up."

Enzo's voice was soft, tugging me out of the best nap I'd had in weeks. I blinked groggily, stretching as the world came back into focus.

"We're here," he said, his smirk firmly in place as he opened the car door for me.

I squinted at him, still half-asleep. "Where's 'here'?"

"You'll see," he said cryptically, holding out his hand. "Come on."

I took it begrudgingly, letting him guide me out of the car. The moment I stepped onto the pavement, my head tilted in confusion. Trees. Benches. A playground in the distance. It was... a park. But not just any park.

"Wait," I whispered, my voice shaky as the realization hit me. "No way."

He didn't say anything, just led me further into the park until we reached a familiar old swing set. My heart stopped.

"It's the park," I breathed, tears stinging my eyes. "The one I told you about."

The one from my childhood. The one where I used to sit for hours, dreaming of a life I thought I'd never have.

He remembered.

Before I could say anything else, Enzo gently sat me on one of the swings, his hands warm and steady as he started to push me. The tears spilled over as I laughed and cried, the weight of everything lifting for just a moment.

"Why are you crying, darling?" he teased, his voice soft but full of warmth.

"Shut up, Enzo," I sniffed, gripping the chains tightly as the swing soared higher. "You know exactly why."

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Later, when I'd finally stopped crying like a fool, Enzo took my hand and led me to an ice cream cart near the edge of the park. My chest tightened as I recognized the old man behind the counter, though he didn't seem to recognize me.

"Two, please," Enzo said, handing over some cash.

I stared at the man, willing myself to speak. "Do you... remember me?" I asked hesitantly. "Piccola?"

His brow furrowed, and then his eyes lit up with recognition. "Piccola!" he exclaimed, his voice full of warmth. "It's been so long!"

I couldn't stop the tears from falling again as we talked. He remembered. He told me how he'd always wondered what happened to the little girl who used to visit him every week. I told him about the years in between—well, the PG version—and he beamed at me like I was his own granddaughter.

Enzo stood beside me the whole time, quiet but present, his hand never leaving mine.

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The evening found us sitting under a massive oak tree in the middle of the park, a picnic blanket spread out beneath us. Enzo had packed everything—cheese, crackers, fruit, wine. He'd thought of everything, as usual.

"You're too much, you know that?" I said, popping a grape into my mouth.

He just smiled, leaning back on his elbows. "You deserve it, Ria."

God, he was infuriating. And perfect. And infuriatingly perfect.

We sat there for a while, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of pink and orange. I was completely content, for once not thinking about revenge or Raymond or anything else that usually consumed me. Just him. Just us.

"Ria," he said suddenly, sitting up straight. "I need to tell you something."

I turned to him, my brows furrowing as he got on both knees in front of me. My heart skipped a beat.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took my hands in his, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that stole my breath. "Valeria Kane, my Ria, you are the most frustrating, infuriating, incredible woman I've ever met. You drive me insane in the best possible way, and I don't want to spend another day without you knowing how much you mean to me."

I blinked, my throat tight as the tears threatened to fall again. "Enzo..."

"Be mine," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "Be my girlfriend. Please."

I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

He laughed, his grin wide and genuine. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes, you idiot," I said, throwing my arms around his neck. "It's a yes."

He pulled me close, his lips finding mine in a kiss that was soft and sweet and perfect.

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When we got back to the penthouse, the moment we walked through the door, something shifted. The air between us crackled with tension, and before I could think, Enzo had me pinned against the wall, his lips claiming mine in a kiss that was anything but soft.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as his hands roamed over my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

"Ria," he murmured against my lips, his voice low and hoarse. "Are you sure?"

I cupped his face, looking him straight in the eye. "I've never been surer about anything in my life."

He didn't need to be told twice. In one swift motion, he scooped me into his arms and carried me to his room.

And that night, for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself be completely vulnerable.

 Completely his. 

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˗ˏˋ Author's note ˎˊ˗

Heyy (✿◡‿◡)

I'm crying for real. This was so emotional to write. *sigh*

Please Vote and comment to make another insignificant human happy (^◕.◕^)

Question of chapter:

Villains or heroes?

Villains ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I love you <3

Byeeee

Izel

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