Page 21

When you wake up—wait for me. I'll be there to take you home.

It was the second thing Lilith saw after she opened her eyes, the first being the quiet doctor beside her bed, informing her she could leave once she'd finished breakfast. The tray sat untouched. None of the food felt edible, none of it inviting.

The doctor had gone over a long list of prescriptions and advice: supplements she'd likely never buy, vitamin IVs she should occasionally get, reminders to monitor her exhaustion before it spiraled again.

There had been a gentleness in the warnings, but also an undertone of inevitability, as if they both knew she wouldn't follow them.

Her gaze lingered on the small folded paper on the bedside table. She recognized the handwriting instantly.

Valentina.

A smile curved across her lips as she read the note again. Maybe today would be a good day.

She sat in the hospital's main hall, her coat folded neatly over her lap, her phone resting warm in her hands.

She'd updated Oscar—his reply coming quickly, relief laced with irritation, his worry hidden behind casual reprimands.

Olivia had texted too, apologetic and guilty.

But Lilith had reassured her, fastly. None of it had been Olivia's fault.

Lilith was an adult.

Every choice she'd made had been hers. She wasn't naive. She wasn't unaware.

A message from Gabrielle had come last. She'd mentioned Valentina—how she'd been mean to her the day before. Lilith had felt her brows draw together at that, a quiet crease forming between them. She hadn't asked questions yet. But she would. She would ask both of them.

The sterile brightness of the hall softened around her, becoming something quieter, lighter. Her gaze lifted towards the entrance at the faint, familiar sound.

The clicks of heels across tile, deliberate and unhurried. A sound that belonged only to the tall brunette woman, each step a quiet declaration.

Lilith's smile returned.

Valentina greeted her with a warm smile, a softness that stretched across her face despite the subtle shadows of exhaustion beneath her eyes. And Lilith couldn't help it—she smiled back, harder, fuller, as if something inside her leapt towards that warmth instinctively.

There had always been something about people smiling at her.

Whether it was a random girl on the street, a cashier at the small shop she visited too often, or even a child glancing up from their seat on the bus—it made her feel something tender, something delicate.

It never failed to move her, the idea that she could cause someone's face to brighten, even for a moment.

It felt like a gift she hadn't earned but still received.

Valentina looked tired. But still beautiful. Still impossibly put together, as if even fatigue dared not touch her elegance.

Lilith stood up and offered a quiet, tentative "Hi."

Valentina's hand moved immediately, steady and sure, slipping around her waist as though it had always belonged there.

"I can walk," Lilith said, a giggle bubbling up without permission, light and shy.

Valentina arched an eyebrow at her, gaze steady, skeptical. "Can you?"

It wasn't really a challenge—it was concern, woven through the smooth silk of her voice.

And just to prove herself, Lilith took a small step forward, her playful impulse sparking as she half-laughed, half-declared, "Watch me," and moved as if she might run towards the car.

But just like that night—when Valentina had walked her home, when her hand had caught the collar of her coat to slow her down—Valentina's fingers found the fabric again. A quiet, firm tug. Not harsh, but resolute.

Lilith stopped, feeling the slight pressure at the back of her neck, her body yielding instinctively to it.

Valentina's expression remained unreadable, but there was something fiercely protective in the way she held on.

Lilith rolled her eyes softly, but her lips curved despite herself.

In that moment, she felt like Valentina's little pet, obediently tethered by an invisible leash. But she didn't mind.

She could be Valentina's pet. Only if Valentina wanted her to be.

The car ride home felt almost indulgent in its comfort.

The leather seat warm beneath her, the soft hum of the engine soothing, the quiet presence of Valentina beside her anchoring her in a way that felt new.

The blonde girl leaned back, letting herself sink into the peace of it, feeling like a different person entirely.

She knew, as soon as she stepped into her apartment, she'd clean everything. She'd light candles, cook something warm. She'd do her skincare slowly, intentionally. She'd step into the evening not as the fragile girl who'd left, but as someone remade.

This time, there was music playing in the car—something old, something close to jazz, the mellow notes curling softly through the air.

And then Valentina's voice, cutting gently through the melody.

"What would you like to eat?" Valentina's voice was low, almost casual.

Lilith turned her head, confused for a moment, her brows lifting in quiet surprise. "Are we going to eat?" she asked, excitement slipping into her voice without effort. The truth was—she was starving.

Valentina gave the smallest nod, her gaze flicking sideways, lingering on Lilith for a second longer than necessary. "If you tell me," she murmured, "we are."

Lilith's smile stretched wide as she sank deeper into the seat, her eyes turning upward like she was reciting a prayer. "Oh God... I would love to eat pasta," she sighed. "And I would die for a croissant."

But the list didn't end there. Her lips pressed together for a second before she added, "Or a good salad... and raspberries. Or strawberries. But covered in chocolate. Or sushi."

Valentina's quiet laugh threaded through the soft music, warm and amused, as if watching a child carefully build a tower of wishes. "So?" she asked gently.

Lilith's lips formed a pout, her head tilting a little towards Valentina. "So... you choose?" she offered, her voice small, teasing, entirely willing to be led.

And Valentina already knew. She knew exactly where she was taking her.

?

Maybe the way Lilith looked—and the way she was dressed—wasn't exactly appropriate for this restaurant. Her oversized jacket, her loosely tied hair, the faint traces of sleep still clinging to her face. But she was too hungry to care.

She stood close beside Valentina, a quiet presence at her side, nodding softly as Valentina exchanged a few words with another woman—a tall figure with a sharp bob and sleek blazer, who seemed both elegant and familiar. It wasn't hard to guess she was the owner.

Lilith wasn't surprised. Of course Valentina Salvatore knew the owner of an expensive restaurant. It fit perfectly, like another small, shining piece of the puzzle that was Valentina's world.

But if anything, Lilith felt thankful. Because in the end, it meant she was standing here, about to sit somewhere beautiful.

They were led to a terrace—a space not completely open, but enclosed just enough to hold warmth against the autumn chill.

String lights were woven through soft branches, and delicate fabrics hung overhead, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow.

There were tall potted plants and muted tones, a quiet elegance that didn't need to beg for attention.

Lilith didn't even have to ask. She knew Valentina had worked on this place.

As they settled into their seats, Lilith couldn't stop herself from smiling softly, her gaze drifting over the space before returning to Valentina. "Is there anything you haven't secretly designed?" she asked, her voice light, curious, almost teasing.

Valentina placed a menu in front of her, her lips curling faintly. "Your apartment?" she answered. It was kind of cute, the way the girl noticed.

Lilith stared down at the menu, a quiet grin tugging at her lips. "I wouldn't be surprised if you did," she murmured. Then, after a beat, she added, "Though...if you had, it'd probably look a lot nicer."

Valentina tilted her head, her smile deepening as her gaze settled on Lilith, steady and thoughtful. "What?" the blonde girl asked softly. "Can't I appreciate your work?" Her smile widened just a little. "Or you?"

Valentina smiled softly, brushing off Lilith's words with a casual tap on the menu. "Choose something." Her tone was warm, but there was a hint of command in it.

Lilith tilted her head, clearly not interested in doing that right now. "Does Miss Salvatore not take compliments well?"

Valentina shot back immediately, without missing a beat. "I take compliments just well. But only from professionals."

Lilith pouted, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Don't make me get certified."

Valentina raised an eyebrow, her gaze now fixed on the menu like she was silently ordering Lilith to make a decision.

Lilith giggled, the warmth of the moment settling around her. She finally looked down, though her brows furrowed at the prices. The menu was practically a foreign language to her. She could afford a meal or a drink on a casual night out—sometimes. But this...this was a whole different level.

Valentina, noticing her hesitation almost immediately, leaned forward slightly. "What's wrong?"

God, Lilith wanted to shoot herself. How the hell was she supposed to explain that this meal was going to drain her for the rest of the month? She gave a nervous laugh, trying to make light of it.

"Um... I'm not sure I can afford practically anything here," she said, glancing again at the prices. The cost of fucking water with a slice of lemon might as well have been an investment.

Valentina's brow furrowed as if Lilith had said something completely absurd. The sound of her laugh filled the air—a soft, genuine one. "Do you think you're paying?"

"Sweetheart, you're not paying for anything here," Valentina said, leaving no space for argument.

And Lilith appreciated that so much. She knew it probably meant nothing to Valentina—a casual gesture, nothing worth thinking about—but still, the simple fact that Valentina was paying for her meal made something inside her warm, made her feel taken care of in a way she wasn't used to.

"Will you want my kidney later as repayment?" she teased.

Valentina's lips curled into a small smirk. "I'm not particularly interested in kidneys, but..." she paused, her eyes holding Lilith's for a moment longer than necessary, "if you're going to offer something else, I might consider it."

Lilith's cheeks flushed immediately, heat rising to her face because her mind had gone places it absolutely shouldn't have gone. Instead of answering she pointed a slightly outgrown nail at one of the pasta names on the menu. "I want this," she said quickly.

Valentina leaned over, glancing at what she'd chosen, giving a small approving nod. "And? Nothing sweet?"

Lilith hesitated. She always felt like asking for more was impolite. But she knew Valentina wouldn't let her get away with that kind of polite refusal. Just like her mother, who didn't accept Lilith declining a second plate of pasta.

"...Do they have chocolate cake?" she asked softly, a little shyly. "It's my favorite."

Valentina flipped through the menu briefly, her gaze sharp and focused. "They'll make it for you."

Lilith's eyes widened as she immediately shook her head. "No—no, it's okay—"

"I said they'll make it, Lilith," Valentina cut her off, her voice calm but firm, her gaze steady and impossible to argue with.

Lilith fell silent at once, nodding quietly because—God. This woman was so fucking attractive.

There was something about Valentina ordering for both of them that made Lilith want to absolutely scream from how attractive it felt.

It wasn't even a grand gesture—it was the smallest, simplest thing.

But it settled something deep inside her, something that had always felt restless.

For the first time in a long time, she didn't have to think.

She just had to sit there and be taken care of. And she loved it.

The man taking their order seemed to know Valentina, too.

There was a casual familiarity in the way they exchanged a few quiet words, like old acquaintances who'd long settled into unspoken understandings.

Lilith watched them, quietly chewing on the thought, wondering what it was like to have any kind of connection with Valentina Salvatore—how different it must look for everyone, even for the ones who'd been romantically involved with her.

And now they sat, their plates in front of them, steam rising gently into the autumn air. Valentina had chosen a pasta with basil and spinach. Lilith had gone for something simpler, comforting, the kind of pasta you'd make for yourself at midnigh after a long day.

"You really know everyone everywhere, don't you?" Lilith asked, her voice thoughtful, not teasing. She wasn't trying to poke fun—she genuinely wanted to know.

Valentina, perfectly aware of that, didn't shoot back with something playful. Instead, she wiped her clean hands on a napkin—just like she'd done that one time in her office, a gesture Lilith secretly found adorable—and spoke.

"I have many connections, that's right," she began. "But in this world, some things work differently." Her gaze flicked over the terrace. "It's almost never a friendly gesture. Or a polite one. If you give... you receive."

Lilith tilted her head, intrigued. "So you had to do something for them?"

"For most of them, yes." Valentina's voice softened slightly. "But just like everywhere else, there are genuine people."

"They'd hate me for my requests," Lilith murmured with a tiny grin.

Valentina raised an eyebrow, curious. "And what would be your requests?"

Lilith fought not to laugh, trying to keep a straight face as she declared, "If I designed or built this place, I'd make them deliver me a chocolate cake every day."

She paused, then added innocently, "And if they missed a day... I'd order someone to demolish this place." She gave a little shrug, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.

Valentina laughed softly, a warm sound that made Lilith's chest flutter. "Would you be that consequent?"

"Yeah," Lilith pouted. "Like—it's my chocolate cake."

"I'd be the most annoying rich person ever," the blonde girl said with a grin, her voice growing more animated. "I don't care about expensive clothes or purses. But if they messed up my chocolate cake? I'd make sure the press heard about it."

She kept talking, her words tumbling out in rapid fire, feeling more comfortable now.

She almost slipped up and said "fuck up" instead of "mess up," but stopped herself just in time.

She didn't want to see the little frown that would appear on Valentina's forehead, the one that followed any hint of a curse word.

Lilith leaned in playfully. "Are you the type to fire your personal assistant for confusing your coffee order?"

Valentina arched a brow, her voice smooth. "Are you interested because you want to be one?"

"Not really. I just make them say sorry on their knees and beg for forgiveness. I'm not that intense." she added, not serious.

If Lilith was honest with herself, though, she thought that if the punishment for messing up a coffee order with Valentina was really like that, she might just fight for the position. The thought made her laugh quietly, but she was careful with her next words. "I think they would enjoy it."

Valentina's lips curved ever so slightly at the unexpected response. She was intrigued but stayed calm.

"Would you enjoy it, Lilith?"

But before either could say anything more, their orders arrived. The warm, rich scent of Lilith's chocolate cake filled the air, and Valentina's coffee was set in front of her with a soft clink.

The moment shifted, their playful banter quietly taking a backseat for a moment as the food was placed between them.

Lilith smiled softly as she noticed the raspberry filling hidden inside the chocolate cake, the way it bled delicately into the rich, dark layers.

It must've slipped her earlier—Valentina had ordered it like that.

And honestly, Lilith didn't even catch it because she'd been too busy.

..watching Valentina. Thirsting over her, really.

"Thank you," Lilith murmured, her voice soft but certain.

Valentina tilted her head, truly curious now.

She had heard those words from Lilith's mouth so many times already, but there was something in the way she said them that made Valentina pause.

But Valentina couldn't help the small, humored smile that pulled at her lips.

"No one's ever bought you a meal before? "

"I'm just thankful, okay?" Lilith tilted her head back at her, the light above them catching in her big, shining eyes as the sky deepened into evening.

Valentina's smile softened as she leaned back in her chair. "I'm happy, then that I could feed you, okay?"

And Lilith, just at the sound of the word feed cut a small piece of the cake and held it out across the table on her tiny fork, not saying a word.

Valentina's lips curved gently as she leaned in, her hand wrapping lightly around Lilith's wrist as she took the bite straight from the fork.

Maybe from the outside, someone watching them might have thought they were having the softest, most adorable date of their lives.

And Lilith was certain that her day had been, in fact, great.