Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ZOE
I wake up to the scent of coffee and freshly baking pastries. It pulls me out of sleep gently, like a soft hand guiding me to consciousness. I stretch under the covers, soaking in this strange feeling of freedom.
I get up and head to the bathroom to freshen up. The mirror reflects my tired eyes and tangled hair, but I push those thoughts aside. A splash of cold water on my face helps to clear the lingering fog from my mind. After brushing my teeth and running a comb through my hair, I feel somewhat human again.
As I make my way downstairs, the delicious aroma grows stronger. My stomach grumbles in response, reminding me that I hadn't eaten much yesterday.
Valerie is sitting at the table, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. She looks up as I enter, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Good morning, Zoe," she says, her voice gentle and reassuring.
"Good morning," I reply, returning her smile. "Something smells amazing."
"Come and sit down. Breakfast is ready." Valerie shouts from the kitchen just a second before she comes out with plates of food—scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and warm croissants.
"Thank you," I tell her as she sets my plate down in front of me. My stomach growls again at the sight of the meal.
"I’m not the best cook, so I hope it is decent," she grins.
I look at Valerie, gratitude welling up inside me. "Thank you for letting me stay here, Valerie" I say sincerely.
"Anytime," Valerie responds with a kind smile. "I'll always be here for you."
Her words wrap around me like a comforting blanket. For the first time in what feels like ages, I allow myself to relax and enjoy the simple pleasure of breakfast with someone who truly cares about me.
Valerie watches me closely, her eyes now full of concern. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asks gently.
I hesitate, my fork paused mid-air. "I… It's a long story," I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Valerie reaches across the table and places her hand on mine. "I've got time, Zoe. And I’m a great listener."
The kindness in her voice breaks down the walls I've been holding up. I take a deep breath and start from the beginning. "I didn't know who Ettore really was at first," I continue, the memories flooding back with painful clarity. "He looked so different... scars and all. But then I found out Ettore was Virgilio, my first love."
Valerie knows this already, but she remains silent, encouraging me to continue with a gentle nod.
"As you know, when I was kidnapped," I say, the words feeling like lead on my tongue. "It was Benedetto Messina. He took me as bait to get to Virgilio."
"Dante– I mean, Cesare, came to rescue me, but Benedetto took Dante in my place, and he ordered him to kill Virgilio," I say, my voice trembling as I recall the terror of that moment. "He wanted Dante to prove his loyalty in the most twisted way possible."
Valerie nods, but she remains focused on me, waiting for more.
"The day you dropped me off at Dante's house," I say slowly, trying to steady my voice, "I made a deal with him. I agreed to stay with Dante to save Virgilio's life."
Tears blur my vision as I remember the weight of that decision. "I couldn't let him die," I whisper, my voice cracking under the emotional strain.
Valerie stands up and walks around the table to pull me into a tight embrace. Her warmth seeps into me, providing a sense of comfort I've been desperately craving.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, I know how difficult this all was" she says softly, her voice filled with genuine sorrow.
"I didn't know what else to do," I admit, burying my face in her shoulder.
"You did what you thought was right," Valerie reassures me, her hand gently stroking my hair. “That is why I helped you.”
I pull back from Valerie's comforting embrace, wiping the tears from my cheeks. "Last night, Dante let me go," I say, my voice still trembling but a bit stronger now. "He told me he couldn't keep me there any longer."
Valerie's eyes search mine, full of questions. "What happened?" she asks gently.
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Dante... he told me about Virgilio's betrayal."
Valerie's brow furrows in confusion. "Virgilio? What do you mean?"
I look down at my hands, which are clasped tightly together on the table. "Virgilio and Dante had a plan," I explain, my voice barely above a whisper. "A plan to use me as part of their scheme against Benedetto. Virgilio never told me."
Valerie gasps softly, her hand flying to her mouth. "Zoe, I'm so sorry.”
"I thought Virgilio cared for me," I continue, my voice breaking with emotion. "I thought he was protecting me because he loved me. But now... now I don't know what to believe."
Valerie reaches out and takes my hands in hers again, squeezing them reassuringly. "It's understandable that you feel betrayed," she says softly. "But maybe there's more to the story than what Dante told you."
I shake my head, the confusion and hurt swirling inside me like a storm. "I don't know if I can trust anyone anymore," I admit, my voice cracking.
Valerie leans forward, her voice soft yet firm. “Would you have rather been locked up at Virgilio’s estate, or did you appreciate the freedom to make your own choices? Because Virgilio didn’t come to get you when you decided to leave.”
Her question catches me off guard. I stare at her. The image of being confined, even in the luxurious comfort of Virgilio's estate, sends a shiver down my spine. I think about the freedom Dante gave me, despite the twisted circumstances. The chance to negotiate my own terms, even if it was a fa?ade of choice.
"I... I don't know," I stammer, but Valerie's gaze tells me she won't let me off that easily.
"Think about it, Zoe," she urges gently. "You had a choice with Dante. You had some semblance of control over your own life. "
I bite my lip, the realization slowly sinking in.
Valerie nods encouragingly. “Virgilio could have insisted on taking you back. So maybe he wasn’t entirely wrong in his actions. Maybe he wanted to give you the freedom to choose for yourself.”
Her words make sense, though they don't entirely ease the turmoil inside me. I take a deep breath, trying to process everything. "I guess you're right," I say reluctantly. "Both Dante and Virgilio did give me a choice. It's more than anyone else has done for me in a long time."
Valerie smiles softly, her eyes reflecting understanding and warmth. "You see? Sometimes it's not about what someone does, but why they do it."
"But..." I start, my voice wavering as the anger resurfaces. "I'm still mad at him for not fighting for me when I asked him to take me away."
Valerie's expression turns serious again. "And that's valid too," she acknowledges. "It's okay to feel hurt and betrayed by his actions. But understanding his reasons can help you see the complexity of the situation. He left you there so you could continue to make your own decisions and follow through with the deal you had struck with his brother."
I nod slowly.
"Virgilio treated you like a human capable of free will," Valerie continues gently. "That’s significant."
I swallow hard, realizing how true that is. In all the chaos and manipulation I'd endured, Virgilio was the first person who saw me as someone who could make her own choices.
"But why didn't he fight for me?" I whisper, more to myself than to Valerie.
"Maybe he thought it was the best way to protect you," Valerie suggests softly.
I look up at her, tears welling up in my eyes again. The realization doesn't erase my pain or anger completely, but it helps me understand Virgilio’s actions better.
"I still don't know if I can forgive him," I admit.
Valerie squeezes my hands reassuringly. "That's something only time can tell."
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "I think I need to focus on my project for now," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "The day is getting closer, and I'd prefer not to think about Virgilio or Dante or anyone else."
Valerie's expression softens, and she nods understandingly. "That's a good choice, Zoe," she says gently. "Let's put our energy into your work."
We finish our breakfast in companionable silence. The food tastes good, but my mind is already shifting gears, thinking about fabrics, designs, and the upcoming challenge with Sabine. It feels like a lifeline, something tangible I can hold onto.
Once we clear the table, Valerie grabs her keys from the counter. "Come on," she says with a reassuring smile. "Let's head to the studio."
I follow her out to the car, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. The drive to Valerie's studio is peaceful; the familiar streets pass by in a blur as I lose myself in thoughts of colors and patterns. Valerie hums softly along with the radio, creating a comforting background noise that helps me push aside my worries.
When we arrive at the studio, Valerie parks the car and turns to me with a determined look in her eyes. "Let's make some magic happen," she says with a smile.
I can't help but smile back at her enthusiasm. As we step inside the studio, the sight of fabric rolls, sewing machines, and design sketches instantly lifts my spirits. This place feels like home—a sanctuary where I can lose myself in creativity.
Valerie leads me to a large table in the back room already covered with my fabric and sketches. "Here we are," she says, spreading her arms wide as if presenting a treasure trove.
My eyes widen with excitement as I take in the fabrics. They're just as I envisioned—soft silks, vibrant satins, and textured linens, all laid out in a beautiful array of colors. I can't help myself; I turn and hug Valerie tightly.
"Thank you, Valerie! These are perfect!" I say, my voice brimming with joy.
Valerie laughs softly and returns my hug. "I'm glad you like them. It is worth it to see you so happy."
I pull back and look at her with gratitude shining in my eyes. "You always go above and beyond. Thank you for believing in me."
Valerie smiles warmly and pats my shoulder. "You have incredible talent, Zoe. It's easy to believe in someone like you."
She turns and calls out to a woman working at another table. "Emma, could you bring the other fabrics once they're ready?"
Emma nods and gives us a thumbs-up before returning to her work.
I turn back to the fabrics, my fingers itching to start creating. The mannequin stands waiting, an empty canvas for my vision. I begin by draping a piece of vibrant silk over its shoulders, pinning it in place with precision.
"Thank you so much for your help, Valerie," I say without looking up, already lost in the world of design.
Valerie's phone buzzes on the table, and she glances at the screen. "I have to take this call," she says apologetically. "But I'll be back soon."
"Take your time," I reply absently, already engrossed in adjusting the fabric on the mannequin.
I walk around the mannequin, scrutinizing every fold and drape of the fabric. Something doesn't sit right. The line of the silk seems off, disrupting the flow I envisioned. "Okay, Zoe," I mutter to myself, "let's fix this."
I carefully unpin the fabric, letting it fall gracefully to the floor. Picking it up, I shake it out and drape it again, this time adjusting the shoulder seams. Stepping back, I tilt my head to one side, analyzing the new arrangement. It's better, but still not quite there.
"Maybe if I change the neckline," I ponder aloud. My hands move instinctively, folding and pinning until a new neckline takes shape. This time, a small smile creeps onto my face as I see the improvement. The lines are cleaner now, more elegant.
But then my eyes catch another flaw—the waistline seems too loose. Frustration bubbles up inside me as I unpin and adjust once more. "Come on," I whisper, my fingers working faster now. After several tries, I finally get it right. The waist cinches in just the way I want, accentuating the silhouette beautifully.
Time flies by as I make more tweaks and adjustments. Each change brings me closer to the vision in my mind's eye. Before long, I'm completely lost in my creative process—cutting fabric here, sewing seams there, and adding intricate details that make each piece unique.
Hours pass in a blur of activity until finally, I step back from the mannequin and take a deep breath. The finished design stands before me like a work of art come to life. My heart swells with pride as I realize just how much I've poured into this creation.
"I love it," I whisper softly to myself, feeling an overwhelming sense of satisfaction wash over me.
The door creaks open behind me and Valerie steps into the room with a smile on her face. "Zoe! You've been busy," she says warmly.
I turn to her with a beaming smile. "Valerie! Look at this!" I exclaim, gesturing toward the mannequin.
Valerie's eyes light up as she takes in the sight of my finished design. "Zoe, this is absolutely stunning!" she exclaims, walking around the mannequin to get a closer look.
I can't help but beam with pride. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely," Valerie says with a confident nod. "You're sure to win with this one." She winks at me, and we both smile.
"Well, let's hope the judges think so too," I say, still chuckling. "Otherwise, I'm going to have to bribe them with cupcakes or something."
Valerie grins. "Now there's an idea! Who could resist a cupcake bribe?"
We share a laugh, and for a moment, it feels like everything is going to be okay.
Valerie steps closer to the mannequin and examines it more closely. Her fingers gently touch the fabric, her eyes scrutinizing every detail. She points to the upper part of the design. There's a spot here that seems a bit... bare."
I nod enthusiastically, already anticipating her observation. "Yeah, I’m thinking of adding some beading there to give it a bit more sparkle and dimension."
Valerie’s face lights up with approval. "That's a great idea, it'll add just the right touch of elegance."
"Thank you," I reply, feeling a rush of excitement at her validation.
Valerie takes a step back and crosses her arms, studying the design with pride. "You know," she says softly, "I'm so happy to be part of your journey. Seeing you grow and create like this... it's truly inspiring."
Her words touch me deeply, and I feel a lump forming in my throat. "I couldn't have done it without you," I say sincerely.
Valerie shakes her head with a warm smile. "You've always had this talent inside you, Zoe. All I've done is help you bring it out." She places a hand on my shoulder and looks me straight in the eye. "Mark my words: you're going to become one of the most famous designers in the world."
My heart swells with gratitude and determination. Hearing those words from someone I admire so much feels like a dream come true.
"Thank you, Valerie," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
She squeezes my shoulder before stepping back to give me space to work again.