Chapter 17
River’s gare is sharp, piercing right through Valentine as he locks eyes with him. His tone is steady, but there’s a warning threaded through it that makes the whole rooms feel tense. “I know a lot of things, Valentine. Especially about anyone who comes near my daughter”
1 feel my heart sink. This is exactly the kind of scene I’ve been dreading. I glance over at Emma, hoping she’s as uncomfortable as I am, but she just gives me a small, reassuring smile. Great. Not helpful.
Valentine’s jaw tightens. I can tell he’s caught off guard, but he’s keeping it together like a pro, like he’s on stage or something. “What else do you know, sir?” he asks, his voice smooth and steady.
“Things that aren’t appropriate for the dinner table,” Dad says, lifting his drink to his lips, “We’ll pick this up another time.”
Another time? I pray there isn’t going to be another time. But I already know I’m going to have to talk to Dad about this later. He has no right to embarrass Valentine like that!
I steal a glance at Valentine. He’s managing to keep his cool but I can see the tension in his jaw, the way his knuckles whiten as he grips the napkin in his lap. Dad’s behavior is completely uncalled for.
From Valentine’s point of view…
Valentine’s mind rates as he holds his composure, every muscle in his body tense under River’s scrutiny. He thought Searler’s dad was just protective, but this is beyond anything he’d expected.
River Blackwood isn’t just sizing him up like any regular father might–he’s digging. And from the look in River’s eyes, Valentine knows he must already know more than he’s letting on
Does he know everything!
Valentine’s hear pounds as his anxiety builds. It’s getting harder and harder to keep his cool, but he has to stay calm for Scarlet’s sake. He can’t let River see how much this is affecting him.
But then, he feels in–a soft hand covering his own.
Scarlet’s.
Her slender fingers entwine with his, sending a warmth through his body that momentarily eases the tension. His eyes snap to hers, and he sees the concern on her face. She gives him a small, reassuring smile.
“Are you okay?” she whispers, worry lacing her voice.
He sighs, squeezing her hand gently. He doesn’t want her to think he’s weak or easily intimidated by her father. “I’m fine,” he replies, managing a small smile in return.
Something inside his chest loosens. She does care a
care about him. Even just a little.
A woman with graying hair enters the room then, serving salad and soup to everyone. He’s grateful for the distraction, especially since his stomach has been grumbling–he hasn’t eaten since breakfast. He picks up his spoon and takes a bite, savoring the creamy richness of the soup.
Scarlet’s hand slips from his, and he mourns the loss, but he forces himself to focus on the food.
“I hope you like roasted duck, Valentine,” Emma says with a warm smile. “It’s Scarlet’s favorite. But in case that’s not to your liking, we also have chicken as a backup.”
Like he could be picky about food, he thinks bitterly, taking another spoonful of soup. The flavors are complex, a blend he can’t quite identity–is
that a hint of truffle!
As Emma mentions the duck and chicken, Valentine’s mind drifts to his usual meals. Itamen noodles, canned soup, the occasional splurge on fresh groceries if he has enough money
What would it be like to never worry about where your next meal was coming from! To have the luxury of being picky, to turn down food you didn’t care for!
He pushes the thought away and glances at Scarlet. She’s listening to something her stepmother is saying, a soft sinile playing on her lips.
She’s the most beautiful thing in this room, in any room. And though he knows he has no right to even dream of a future with her, he can’t help the way his heart swells every time he looks at ber.
1/3
Chapter 17
“This looks incredible, Mrs. Blackwood,” he says with a sincere smile as the main dish arrives. “Thank you so much for having me.”
Emma’s eyes sofien “You’re very welcome, Valentine. I’m glad you could join us tonight.”
He nods, picking up his fork and knife to start on the duck, trying not to seem too eager, though his stomach is begging him otherwise. It’s been too long since he’s had something this good–something that hasn’t come out of a microwave or a discount aisle.
But even
ven with the relaxed atmosphere, he feels like he’s walking on a tightrope. He knows River is still watching him.
He takes another bite, savoring the tenderness of the duck, then risks a glance at River. The older man is cutting into his food with precision, his eyes flicking back to Valentine now and then, as if waiting for an opening,
River’s sharp gaze locks onto him again. “So, Valentine,” he begins, his voice smooth as silk. “I didn’t mean to be ride about your mother earlier. Sorry if that offended you.”
Valentine feels a flush creep up his neck, surprised by the apology. “Ul.it’s okay, sir”
“Hmm,” River hums, taking a bite of his chicken. “How is she doing?”
Something in his tone sends a shiver down Valentine’s spine. Does Scarlet’s dad know his mother?
He swallows, his throat suddenly dry despite the richness of the meal in front of him. He forces himself to meet River’s incense gaze. “She’s doing Jine, sir,” he says, keeping his voice steady. “She works a lot these days, but she’s managing”
River nods slowly, his gaze never breaking. “That’s good to hear.”
“Do you know Valentine’s mother, River!” Emma asks, amused. “Or did you stalk Valentine’s family to find out who our daughter is dating?”
“Oh my god, Dad!” Scarlet exclaims, horrified.
River shrugs. “What! Don’t just assume I stalked his family.”
“Then why are you acting like you know his entire family history!” Scarlet accuses
River leans back in his chair, unfazed by her accusation, taking a long sip from his glass before setting it down. His eyes stay on Valentine. Tm familiar with your mother, Shelly, Valentine,” he says. “But don’t worry; it’s nothing strange or inappropriate. Our paths simply crossed, as they sometimes do.”
Valentine relaxes a little. “Oh,” he says, trying to
to sound casual.
“I crossed paths with her during one of her worst times. Glad to hear she’s doing better now,” River adds, almost absentmindedly
Valentine’s fork freezes halfway to his mouth. His mother’s worst times. She’s had plenty of those. Just the thought of Scarlet’s father witnessing one of them makes his skin crawl.
He nods slowly, processing River’s words, though he doesn’t ask more. Not now, He glances at Scarlet, who’s watching him with concern, sensing his discomfort.
“Well,” River says, leaning forward, “now that we’ve covered that–what do you intend to do with my daughter at prom?”
Valentine nearly chokes on his food at the blunt question.
He looks at Scarlet, her cheeks bright pink as she stares at him, wide–eyed. Her expression mirrors his own horror.
“Uh… sir,” Valentine stammers, scrambling for the right words. “I intend to have a good time with Scarlet Just dance, enjoy the evening.”
River’s expression is unreadable as he studies Valentine, like he’s cr
́’s cross–examining him in court. The air around the table thickens with tension, everyone waiting for River’s next move.
“Dance, huh?” River raises an eyebrow, his voice low and pointed. “Nothing else!”
“Nothing else.“Valentine replies firmly. “I respect your daughter. I would never do anything to hurt her.”
Scarlet buries her face in her hands, clearly mortified. “Dud, stop!” she protests, her voice muffled. “You can’t just ask stuff like that!”
But River ignores her, leaning forward as if to emphasize his next words. “I am not some simple–minded fool, bay. You expect nie to believe that a hot–blooded teenage boy like you only wants to ‘dance‘?”
“DAD!” Scarlet squeal.
2/3
2:37 PM
Chapter 17
The tension is suffocating, and Valentine feels every eye on him, waiting for his response. He glances at Scarlet again, noting her flushed cheeks.
“Yes, dance,” he says, his tone neutral I am a damn good dancer”
River’s eyes narrow, but before he can respond. Emma chuckles, breaking the tension. “River, enough with the interrogation,” she says, placing a calming hand on his arm. “Let the boy breathe.
Scarlet peeks through her fingers, visibly relieved at Emma’s intervention. “Thank you,” she mumbles, Enally dropping her hands and giving Valentine an apologetic look.
River leans back, his gaze still fixed on Valentine but softened slightly. “Fint,” he grumbles. “But remember, Valentine–I’m watching you.”
AD
