Mrs Skavinski in name only

Valerie's POV

I've done everything within me to avoid Leonard for the last two weeks, Molly left the house that evening after causing trouble between me and Leonard. It was me, the children, Mrs Smith and Mateo. He doesn't eat breakfast or dinner with us. I guess he's avoiding me too, which is better like that.

I was lying down in my room when Monica's call came in, “Hey girl!” I answered the call with speed and screamed happily into the phone. I missed her terribly.

“Don't you dare! Don't you dare, hey girl me like you know me.” She snapped at me, making me wonder if I had done something wrong. Her voice sounded pained and strained.

“Are you okay? Is something wrong?” I asked at alert. It's rare to see Monica like this, and I was worried because we're far from each other.

“Yes, everything is wrong. Who leaves their best friend for weeks and does not text or call them? Fine, I know you are married, and you have children now, which is an additional responsibility, but I'm also your child, right? I'm all alone here, and I'm tired. I don't have anyone to talk to. I eat alone, drink alone, and now I'm crying alone. I hate you Val, I hate you so, so much. I hate your husband for taking you away, and I hate Tate more for making you leave the city”. She choked on her words.

I feel like the worst person on earth right now. Monica has always been there for me when I needed someone to talk to, even when I didn't need anyone. She'll try her best to make sure I'm fine, and now I'm nowhere near now that she needs me.

“Calm down, okay, tell me what happened, I'm here. So talk to me please”. I pleaded with her to open up to me on the phone, but she refused.

“There's no need, you're not here anyway. I'm sure you are busy and have things to do. It's nice to hear from you too” She hung up on me before I could tell her I was not busy. I couldn't help the tears flowing down my eyes.

I tried calling her back multiple times, but she switched off her phone already. I don't know who to call to get through to her. I curled up on my bed thinking about how broken and sad she sounded on the phone. I think I'm the worst of all. She won't blink twice before crossing the ocean for me and here I am crying and can't do anything.

I cried myself to sleep thinking about how I lost my freedom because I got married. I felt someone tapping me from my sleep, only to see Mateo inside my room when I opened my eyes. “What are you doing here?” I questioned, sitting up from my sleeping position.

“Nothing, I've been here for a while and didn't see you around, so I decided to check up on you,” He said sincerely, how could I not fall for someone like this? I thought to myself.

“I was just resting up before those little devils came back from school,” I said with a smile as he took his seat on my bed, but was shocked by his next question.

“Did you cry?” He touched my cheek and wiped my eyes to be sure, I couldn't help but lean into his palm on my cheek.

“No, I didn't” I lied to him, his eyes darkened at my words. “Of course you did, why are you lying? What's the matter umm?” He asked, cupping both of my cheeks in his hands. I couldn't help but feel comforted by his touch. I leaned more into his hands and closed my eyes, letting the feeling sink.

“Talk to me” he begged, and I found myself telling him everything about my friend, how I missed her and feeling bad for not being in her corner when she needed me. I was crying hard by the time I finished explaining, he hugged me tightly, allowing me to cry on his shirt.

“There are times when you feel like the worst creature, like you've betrayed your loved ones. But the truth is that we are bound by circumstances. It would have been a different story if you were living freely and not the wife of a mafia boss. But you didn't choose to ignore her, and I'm sure she's aware of that too. She's just hurt at the moment, she'll come around. Because you're not there for her right now doesn't make you a bad friend, okay?” He assured me, I raised my head from his chest as his words made me feel better.

“Thank you,” I said with gratitude. I stared directly into his eyes, to see he was staring into my soul too. I watched his eyes move from my eyes to my mouth and so did mine. I licked my lips unconsciously as I wondered how soft his lips would be, and before I knew it, his lips were already on mine.

I closed my eyes at the overwhelming taste and intoxicating smell of vanilla filling my nostrils. I kissed him back and wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him closer with butterflies running around my stomach. His hand moved down my back as he deepened the kiss. I moaned when I felt him use his tongue too. We were so deep into the kiss when we heard Leonard's voice coming up the stairs.

Our lips made a pop sound as we moved apart. Mateo stood up instantly, gripping his hair hard as he paced to and fro. “This shouldn't have happened, we shouldn't have done this”. I felt my heart sinking deep into my stomach.

“Mateo, I………..” He cut me off

“ I'm sorry, I should not have come here in the first place. Let's keep this mistake between us and I promise it won't repeat itself” He didn't even allow me to talk, he walked out when he was done talking.

“Hey, wait”, I ran after him but met Leonard almost at my doorstep. I tried to walk past him, hiding my teary eyes from him, but he pulled me back and tightened his grip on my arm. I looked up to see his bloodshot eyes, his eyes darkened and the color of his eyes changed.

I could feel his anger just by standing in front of him. I tried releasing my arm from his tight grip, but he only tightened it more. I was a crying mess already. Did he hear our conversation? Did he know that I kissed his friend? Everything I felt minutes ago has been replaced with fear.

He pulled me into my room and threw me on the bed aggressively. I knew I was finished when he said…

“Why did you do it? Have I been so easy on you that you've decided to mess with me?”