CHAPTER 10

VALESKA

On our way to the station, I sat in front with John, while Dante sat behind in cuffs, with a metal net separating us.

The ride was silent, yet it felt different to me because of what transpired between me and Dante at the alley.

For the first time in days, I could breathe again without having a heart attack or thinking about everything I went through.

And I know this freedom I'm feeling has something to do with that kiss.

It's actually our first kiss, and it felt...

"What is wrong with me?" I breathed out softly, as my hands slowly reached up to my chest, feeling it pounding.

Not out of fear, but something else.

I tried to compose myself and take my mind off Dante, but how can I be at peace when I can see him looking right at me from the rearview mirror?

This is the sixth time I'm catching him watching me. It's beginning to creep me out and I'm getting stuffy in my seat.

It didn't take long for us to arrive at the station, and for me to grab the opportunity to step out of the car first, taking in a deep breath, then out.

"You okay?" John asked, stepping out.

I nodded, smiling.

"Okay. Let's get 'you know who' back to his cell," John said, walking to the back, opening the door.

But a stubborn Dante refused to step out. He sat there, looking at me, making it clear who he wants.

Seeing this, I sighed and opened the door from my end. That's when he pulled himself out, standing almost close to me.

I had to move away a little, still uncomfortable being close to him.

Then with a clear to the throat, I ordered him to move, and he obeyed, walking ahead.

John came walking side by side with me, swaying his head in frustration over Dante's troubles.

He rolled his eyes and got me giggling. Only for John's face to twist into fear, as he stepped away from me, walking way behind.

I didn't know why he did that until I looked forward and saw Dante—no longer walking—glaring at John just because he was next to me!

He only became calm when John took a big step back. That's when he continued to walk ahead, leaving me and John stunned.

What the heck was that?

Getting into the station, every officer stood aside in fear when they saw the prison boss walking in, throwing cold stares at everyone that made them look away when he turned in their direction.

Even my commander didn't step out of his office, until Dante was stepping out of the building, heading for the prison block on his own.

Commander Donald came up to me and John, pleased with us for successfully bringing the troublemaker back.

"Today must have been stressful for you, Miss Cathaway. I'm so sorry you had to leave home again because of him."

"It's okay, sir. At least we found him on time before he stirred any trouble," I said, looking to the side to see Dante coming back when he realized I wasn't following.

His steps looked slow, but he was getting closer with speed, curious to know why I was being held.

I had to look away when my commander asked, sounding troubled about something, "You said you found him at a donut stand?"

"Yes. Four streets away from the very location you told me to go to, Sir. I was caught up in the rain when it started. That's when I saw him... Eating," I lied, looking my commander straight in the face with seriousness.

But deep in my heart, I was yelling at myself for lying.

Tell him about the murder!

"Okay, um... Why I asked is because the body of a well known business man's son was found in an alley, with his head stabbed and..." My commander paused when he saw Dante watching, and then gulped, looking back at me to ease his fear.

"So, you're sure you saw him four streets away when the rain started?" He asked, trying not to look at Dante.

My heart sank when he gave the few details of that tattooed neck fellow Dante killed, making me realize there's more that meets the eye.

How did he know the young man would be there?

Does he have some kind of informant in this station, giving him details of the outside?

I could tell my commander right here that Dante killed this fellow and let him get what he truly deserves but... "I'm sure, sir. He was with me during the rain," My heart shook when I lied again, not knowing why I took such a step.

Standing in as Dante's alibi, my commander ruled him out as a suspect, sending an officer to reach out to the late man's father and give him the bad news.

"A job well done, Cathaway."

"Thank you, sir," I said, saluting.

That's when I saw Dante staring with a smile, witnessing me lie on his behalf.

I felt awful, honestly.

An officer walked up to him and took off his cuffs, leading him back to the prison block without me following.

Dante didn't cause a fuss or fight with him. He just went along, looking pleased.

I felt my inside tighten, as I placed my hand over my head, grabbing a nearby seat to sit down quickly.

My commander was now talking to John, ordering him to take me back home safely.

"Yes, sir. Let's go, Val," John said, giving me a helping hand.

Together we left, hitting the road in no time.

And on the way, John broke the silence, saying, "You saw what happened back there, right?"

"What?" I answered, looking at him.

John glanced at me then at the road, saying, "Dante Cross. You saw what he did back there when I walked next to you."

"Yeah, he was acting all bossy. Not a new thing to us officers," I answered with no care, looking out the window, watching the buildings.

"I mean... Didn't you read his body language? The way he acted?" John went on, waiting for my response.

But I sighed and said, "What's there to read from a criminal? There's nothing."

John chuckled, sighing out calmly.

"I actually thought you got the message. But I know what I saw. Now it makes more sense why he chooses to comply with us whenever he sees you. Val... That man likes you."

The moment he said that, my heart skipped a beat, as flashes from the alley came back, making my insides hot.

"Not just a simple like, but... Like like likes you, if you understand what I mean," He added, being more clear.

I didn't know what to say, but only turned to face John, who mistook my facial expression for anger, and began apologizing.

"I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just telling you the truth. Look, I'm a guy myself. I know when a fellow dude has deep feelings for a girl. I know it feels weird, but Dante Cross has feelings for you."

"I'm sure he's faking it to make me think he's a changed man so he can get back to bullying everyone. Have you forgotten he's Dante Cross? That man hates women. I don't believe that theory," I said with seriousness, looking back at the window.

But deep inside, John's words were beginning to bug me.

"John doesn't know what he's saying. That man is a fake. I know the kind of monster he is. He's devilish," I vented within, sighing.

.

The following day, I woke up feeling a bit light from my troubles, no longer having suicidal thoughts but hopes in getting transferred to a branch far away from here.

My commander had called me earlier, telling me that he's looking into my request and he will put things into motion once he gets Dante out of Solace Bay too.

As it turns out, he also sent an appeal to the higher ups to transfer him to a different prison, stating all the stress he's been giving everyone.

He also assured me that I won't be going to the same station as Dante, since I have no interest in handling him anymore.

As long as he's out of Solace Bay, he doesn't care.

I was fine with that and couldn't wait for my transfer to come soon. But I've been told I have to be present throughout, before this can take effect.

Aside from my reports on handling a notorious man like Dante, I need to cover up other tasks, so the next branch won't think I'm only good at one thing and nothing else.

So, I've been given three days from my remaining leave to stay home and then get back to work.

By then... I'd be better.

I came across my letter to my uncle and immediately tore it apart, imagining how hurt he'd have felt if I actually took my own life because of something I couldn't share with him.

Missing my uncle, I placed a call through to him and happily chatted with him.

He has no clue what I went through this week. He only knows that I'm happy to hear his voice.

After using that day to get most of my strength back, cook, go on jogs without getting scared of whoever comes behind me, I was ready to have a goodnight sleep tonight, and maybe watch a late night movie to make the atmosphere more lively.

But someone decided to call me that night, while I was getting ready to head to bed early, ruining my mood.

It was my captain, Scarlet.

She wants me down at the station urgently.

"It's your boyfriend, again," She groaned, annoying me with that word she used.

"We found an injury on his shoulder and tried to clean it up for him. But he refused us and said he wants you to do it. So now I'm calling her Majesty to come work her magic like she always does," She spoke with pure jealousy and detest, probably rolling her eyes as she speaks.

I sighed at this and told her I can't come in because I was heading to bed. But Scarlet angrily said, "You think I enjoy this, your Majesty? I have better things to do but you and that man won't let me work in peace without me running around like your servant, calling on you when the king wants you, blah blah!"

I rolled my eyes at her tantrum, dragging myself out from the bed to get ready.

She was still talking and expressing her hate, wishing I never got a job at our station in the first place.

"Maybe Dante wouldn't need Miss Hero to come wash his body or threaten me whenever I come near. Gosh!"

"Are you done?" I asked, putting on my shoes, and grabbing my house key.

Scarlet went silent. But I could still hear her heavy breathing.

"You don't need to cry, Captain. I'm on my way."

"Fuck you," She ended the call angrily while I laughed, preparing to leave.

But I wasn't okay with this night call.

"Going to attend to that man at this hour? I don't like this." I wrapped my arms across my chest, looking over at the table in my kitchen, staring at a knife.