Post by attivalentine on Jun 24, 2020 7:29:14 GMT -6
It had been over two years since Atticus Valentine had heard from Desiree. She had helped him escape a shady situation back in Italy, one that could have seen Atti getting locked up in prison. He needed a way out and Dezzi was his ticket. She knew the back channels, the people in low places, who could help him escape. Atti slipped away from the detectives that were keeping a close eye on him and made it back home to the states. He grew his hair back out, grew a beard and reverted back to his family name, as the pseudonym he had gone under during his time in Europe was now tainted. Over the last year, Atti had gone a bit silent, traveling and exploring through the United States, as he continued to search for a place he could call, ‘home’, though he hadn’t felt that since Italy, since he was with who he thought was the one.
With the things going on in the world now, Atti decided it was time to resurface and return to the business he family so loved. Ana and Eliza, his sister and cousin, laid a path, a legacy, before him to follow. As soon as Atti showed his face on social media again though, he received a few ominous tweets from Dezzi. She needed his help but he felt hesitant. She left him over two years ago, without a trace, and now here she is, back like nothing happened. As angry as he wanted to be, Atti couldn’t ignore Dezzi. Deep down, he cared about her, he always had, ever since he met her in Italy. So, he decided to go along with this meet up with her. ‘One last chance’, is what he told himself.
Atti parked his bike on the side of the road near the address that Desiree had sent to him. He looked at his phone, double checking the location as he looked at the giant warehouse, which was clearly abandoned. Atti lit up a cigarette and took a drag from it before exhaling and shaking his head.
Atti Valentine: “Typical Dezzi, always so goddamned paranoid.”
He stood there for a moment, finishing about half of his cigarette before throwing it down on the ground and smashing it with his boot. He made his way toward the warehouse before walking around it, looking for the door that Dezzi told him to enter through. He finally found the blue door she had mentioned to him and grabbed the handle. He twisted it open and opened the door before walking in. He brushed from spider webs away from where he walked before twirling around in a circle, looking for Dezzi, though the building was dark, so it was close to impossible to see much there at this time of night. Atti threw his hands up in the air and sighed.
Atti Valentine: “Hello? This is a little ominous, you know?”
A loud sound caught his attention, like something was thrown at a wall to his left. Then more silence.
Atti Valentine: “Dezzi?”
He started to head in the direction of the sound slowly.
Atti Valentine: “Quit playing games, alright? Just show yourself, you already know it’s me. You can hear my damn voice!”
From behind, he could hear a soft chuckle. He immediately turned around and found Desiree standing there with a smirk. She looked slightly different too, her hair longer than the last time they met and she also had more tattoos. But that mischievous smirk was undeniable and so was that voice with the slight British accent.
Desiree Williams: “Always so impatient! Just checking to make sure you were alone, silly.”
She chuckled again as she took a small step forward, her eyes scanning him up and down.
Desiree Williams: “My, my… Atticus Valentine, in the flesh. Again. You look really good, Atti.”
He smiled as he looked her up and down as well, mostly noticing her hair.
Atti Valentine: “Guess you decided to grow your hair out as well, huh?”
He laughed lightly as he ran his hand through his hair.
Atti Valentine: “It’s nice to see you too but did you really have to make sure I’m alone? Who would be coming with me? You’re way too paranoid.”
She shrugged, glancing around the empty warehouse before looking back at him.
Desiree Williams: “Who knows? We haven’t spoken for years. I don’t know who your friends are anymore. And it helps being paranoid at a certain extent, you know this. It keeps you safe.”
He scoffed and shook his head.
Atti Valentine: “You don’t have to look hard for any of my friends. I haven’t tried to have any since you.”
He pointed at her.
Atti Valentine: “It seems as if I haven’t been able to trust anyone since you did what you did.”
She smirked.
Desiree Williams: “So it’s my fault you can’t have any friends? Come on, Atti. What was it that you said you were? Oh right, you called yourself a lone wolf. You’ve always been alone, haven’t you, Atti?”
She laughed, knowing it would offend him but she wanted to see his reaction. He stepped closer to her until he stood right in front of her, peering down right into her eyes with an unpleasant look on his face. Though she expected this, she braced herself as her instincts kicked in.
Atti Valentine: “You think it’s funny, huh? There’s a reason I trust so few people and you? You were one of them. In fact, besides my sister and cousin? You were the last one left… And what did you do, Desiree?”
He leaned closer to her, his eyes staring daggers into hers.
Atti Valentine: “You left without a single word for over two years. No texts, no calls, no letters, nothing! I opened myself up to you and you just up and abandoned me. Do you see why I might be a little mad? Or is that funny to you, too?
Without breaking eye contact, she responded stubbornly.
Desiree Williams: “Kinda funny if you think about it.”
But before he could react, she quickly continued, raising her hands in surrender.
Desiree Williams: “BUT like I said, you could take care of yourself. You didn’t need me anymore. You had a life to return to. So why should I stick around?”
Atti looked away and shook his head before taking out another cigarette and lighting it up. He took a drag from it to calm his nerves, before exhaling the smoke away from Dezzi’s face.
Atti Valentine: “You didn’t have a right to decide that. Who said…”
He paused and thought over his words before taking another hit from the cigarette. He exhaled the smoke slowly and shook his head.
Atti Valentine: “Who said I didn’t need you anymore?”
That seemed to hit her as she just stared back at him before looking away to see the smoke disappear in the air. It’s rare for her to be at a loss for words. No matter how bad or awkward a situation got, she always could somehow talk her way out. She cleared her throat, her gaze returning to him.
Desiree Williams: “The deal was that I get you home safely and I did. End of story.”
Atti chuckled as he held back the rest of his emotions, a common trait of his. He then nodded his head in agreement.
Atti Valentine: “You’re right… And I provided the financial means for you to come with me here to the states. I did my job too, if we’re going to play it like that. But here you are, looking for me to rescue you, isn’t that right?”
At this point, Desiree seemed troubled. She scoffed as she shook her head, then looked down with a sigh. She brushed her hair back from her face as she looked up again at him, her face showing the internal struggle.
Desiree Williams: “And if I was….? Would you help me, Atti?”
He threw his hands in the air, clearly frustrated by the question.
Atti Valentine: “I’m here, aren’t I? Even though in the back of my head, I know that when whatever this is, is over? You’ll be gone again. But yet, I’m here anyway. So what else do you want me to say?”
With a sigh, Desiree suddenly stood up straighter as she dropped the troubled girl act. Folding her arms over her chest, she put on a pissed off look, as if she was mad at him for being mad at her.
Desiree Williams: “Fine! Let’s just cut to the chase. The deal I made to ensure your safe escape? Something went wrong and now they’re demanding more money. And you don’t have a choice, like I said, because even though you said not to mention you, which I didn’t, they somehow found out about you. So you’re in this again, whether you like it or not. We need to pay up by the deadline or else...”
She made the cut-throat motion. She did it so nonchalantly that you almost couldn’t tell if she was joking or not, but considering the people she knew, you’d know she wasn’t. Atti’s eyes widened before he swallowed hard.
Atti Valentine: “They found out about.. Me?”
He paused for a moment and looked away, his brain scrambling all over the place. He finally took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to calm down and gather his thoughts.
Atti Valentine: “Dez… I need you to be clear with me. They found out about the fact that I wrestle or that found out about my entire life?”
He flicked the cigarette to the side and said, ‘fuck’, under his breath before he looked back up at Dezzi.
Atti Valentine: “Because finding out about me and finding out about who my family are is a big, BIG difference.”
She looked him in the eyes.
Desiree Williams: “Just the wrestling part, Atti. That’s still good, right?”
Atti let out a sigh of relief before he nodded his head slowly.
Atti Valentine: “Yeah… The wrestling part is good.”
He placed his hands on Desiree’s shoulders and peered down into her eyes and she could tell that he was scared, as she hadn’t seen that look since the incident in Italy.
Atti Valentine: “My family can’t be involved. As far as these people are concerned? Ana and Eliza are simply former wrestlers who are now starting a family. In fact, if at all possible? Don’t ever mention them unless they do, do you understand, Dezzi?”
She nodded as the memories came flooding in.
Desiree Williams: “I understand. Of course.”
And just like before, she gave him an assuring hug.
Desiree Williams: “Don’t worry, Atti. I got you. And to prove it, I already have an idea on how we can get that money.”
Atti settled into the hug as he wrapped his arms around her and a lot of the stress he was feeling washed away. He knew that she was really on his side. As she mentioned an idea on how to get the money, Atti’s brow furrowed as he looked at her.
Atti Valentine: “Oh really? Do tell.”
A smile slowly crept on her face.
Desiree Williams: “How much does this wrestling thing pay exactly? I don’t know much about that world but if wrestlers are all over the internet these days, you guys gotta be paid a lot, no? And it’s perfect too. You get to do what you like while paying these guys off till it’s done.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
Atti Valentine: “It depends on the company, to be honest. I already have something lined up in the six figures range though, alright? I already have a contract, I just have to sign it and fax it in. Thank God.”
He paused before he tilted his head.
Atti Valentine: “How much money do they want exactly, Dez?”
She gave him a careful smile, silently praying for it to soften the blow.
Desiree Williams: “A million dollars.”
Atti’s eyes widened as he looked down and mouthed the words, ‘what the fuck?’ His foot started to bounce up and down nervously as he thought it all over. Financially? His family had the money. They were Valentine's, afterall. But these people? They didn’t know all of that extensively, they just knew about Atti as a wrestler. He knew what he had to do to protect his family from this, from bribery. He had to work his ass off and earn the money himself. Luckily, he was in negotiations with Millennium, the company Eliza helped build. Atti ran his hands over his face and then through his hair before he exhaled and nodded.
Atti Valentine: “Alright, I can manage that… I think. Just let me make some phone calls with Millennium.”
Desiree reached out for an affectionate squeeze on his arm.
Desiree Williams: “Are you sure? And is Millennium the company you mentioned? Where’s that?”
He nodded.
Atti Valentine: “It is the company I mentioned. Eliza was the top champ there quite a few times. She really led the charge there and if there was ever a place for me to return? It’s there. I’ll carry on her legacy and earn that money to get those fucks out of our hair.”
Reaching forward, Atti grabbed Desiree’s hand in his.
Atti Valentine: “And it’s in Chicago. Will you come with me? Because if I’m not able to keep an eye on you while this is going on, then I’m going to be a nervous wreck. Please, don’t disappear on me again.”
Atti kept his eyes on Desiree’s and she could see the emotion in his eyes and that he truly meant what he said. He truly wanted her to be in Chicago with him. She smiled back at him.
Desiree Williams: “Well I’ve never been to Chicago and I’ve heard good things about it. So let’s do it. And don’t worry, Atti. I’ll be right by your side, just like before. We’ll see this through together.”
He smiled.
Atti Valentine: “Good.”
Atticus pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her, giving her another hug.
Atti Valentine: “Despite the circumstances, I’m glad you’re here. I’m just happy to see you.”
He leaned back and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Atti Valentine: You’re lucky you make it incredibly hard to stay mad at you. The moment I saw your face, that shit all washed away. Me acting mad earlier was mostly an act.”
This surprised her but she didn’t move away as she let him brush off her hair like that.
Desiree Williams: “Why an act? I already knew you’re a softie inside.”
She teased, something she always did to make light of a situation she wasn’t too prepared for. Atti laughed and rolled his eyes.
Atti Valentine: “You’re one of the only ones who could always see that.”
He chuckled again before nodding towards the door.
Atti Valentine: “So, let’s get out of here, yeah? I’ll get us some food and we can catch up on some other shit… And I’m also tired of feeling creeped out in this warehouse!”
Desiree Williams: “Scaredy cat! And sure, as long as you’re paying for the food.”
She laughed and grabbed his arm as they made their way out of there, with her already excitedly talking about some of her adventures being in the States for the first time for the past two years.
With the things going on in the world now, Atti decided it was time to resurface and return to the business he family so loved. Ana and Eliza, his sister and cousin, laid a path, a legacy, before him to follow. As soon as Atti showed his face on social media again though, he received a few ominous tweets from Dezzi. She needed his help but he felt hesitant. She left him over two years ago, without a trace, and now here she is, back like nothing happened. As angry as he wanted to be, Atti couldn’t ignore Dezzi. Deep down, he cared about her, he always had, ever since he met her in Italy. So, he decided to go along with this meet up with her. ‘One last chance’, is what he told himself.
Atti parked his bike on the side of the road near the address that Desiree had sent to him. He looked at his phone, double checking the location as he looked at the giant warehouse, which was clearly abandoned. Atti lit up a cigarette and took a drag from it before exhaling and shaking his head.
Atti Valentine: “Typical Dezzi, always so goddamned paranoid.”
He stood there for a moment, finishing about half of his cigarette before throwing it down on the ground and smashing it with his boot. He made his way toward the warehouse before walking around it, looking for the door that Dezzi told him to enter through. He finally found the blue door she had mentioned to him and grabbed the handle. He twisted it open and opened the door before walking in. He brushed from spider webs away from where he walked before twirling around in a circle, looking for Dezzi, though the building was dark, so it was close to impossible to see much there at this time of night. Atti threw his hands up in the air and sighed.
Atti Valentine: “Hello? This is a little ominous, you know?”
A loud sound caught his attention, like something was thrown at a wall to his left. Then more silence.
Atti Valentine: “Dezzi?”
He started to head in the direction of the sound slowly.
Atti Valentine: “Quit playing games, alright? Just show yourself, you already know it’s me. You can hear my damn voice!”
From behind, he could hear a soft chuckle. He immediately turned around and found Desiree standing there with a smirk. She looked slightly different too, her hair longer than the last time they met and she also had more tattoos. But that mischievous smirk was undeniable and so was that voice with the slight British accent.
Desiree Williams: “Always so impatient! Just checking to make sure you were alone, silly.”
She chuckled again as she took a small step forward, her eyes scanning him up and down.
Desiree Williams: “My, my… Atticus Valentine, in the flesh. Again. You look really good, Atti.”
He smiled as he looked her up and down as well, mostly noticing her hair.
Atti Valentine: “Guess you decided to grow your hair out as well, huh?”
He laughed lightly as he ran his hand through his hair.
Atti Valentine: “It’s nice to see you too but did you really have to make sure I’m alone? Who would be coming with me? You’re way too paranoid.”
She shrugged, glancing around the empty warehouse before looking back at him.
Desiree Williams: “Who knows? We haven’t spoken for years. I don’t know who your friends are anymore. And it helps being paranoid at a certain extent, you know this. It keeps you safe.”
He scoffed and shook his head.
Atti Valentine: “You don’t have to look hard for any of my friends. I haven’t tried to have any since you.”
He pointed at her.
Atti Valentine: “It seems as if I haven’t been able to trust anyone since you did what you did.”
She smirked.
Desiree Williams: “So it’s my fault you can’t have any friends? Come on, Atti. What was it that you said you were? Oh right, you called yourself a lone wolf. You’ve always been alone, haven’t you, Atti?”
She laughed, knowing it would offend him but she wanted to see his reaction. He stepped closer to her until he stood right in front of her, peering down right into her eyes with an unpleasant look on his face. Though she expected this, she braced herself as her instincts kicked in.
Atti Valentine: “You think it’s funny, huh? There’s a reason I trust so few people and you? You were one of them. In fact, besides my sister and cousin? You were the last one left… And what did you do, Desiree?”
He leaned closer to her, his eyes staring daggers into hers.
Atti Valentine: “You left without a single word for over two years. No texts, no calls, no letters, nothing! I opened myself up to you and you just up and abandoned me. Do you see why I might be a little mad? Or is that funny to you, too?
Without breaking eye contact, she responded stubbornly.
Desiree Williams: “Kinda funny if you think about it.”
But before he could react, she quickly continued, raising her hands in surrender.
Desiree Williams: “BUT like I said, you could take care of yourself. You didn’t need me anymore. You had a life to return to. So why should I stick around?”
Atti looked away and shook his head before taking out another cigarette and lighting it up. He took a drag from it to calm his nerves, before exhaling the smoke away from Dezzi’s face.
Atti Valentine: “You didn’t have a right to decide that. Who said…”
He paused and thought over his words before taking another hit from the cigarette. He exhaled the smoke slowly and shook his head.
Atti Valentine: “Who said I didn’t need you anymore?”
That seemed to hit her as she just stared back at him before looking away to see the smoke disappear in the air. It’s rare for her to be at a loss for words. No matter how bad or awkward a situation got, she always could somehow talk her way out. She cleared her throat, her gaze returning to him.
Desiree Williams: “The deal was that I get you home safely and I did. End of story.”
Atti chuckled as he held back the rest of his emotions, a common trait of his. He then nodded his head in agreement.
Atti Valentine: “You’re right… And I provided the financial means for you to come with me here to the states. I did my job too, if we’re going to play it like that. But here you are, looking for me to rescue you, isn’t that right?”
At this point, Desiree seemed troubled. She scoffed as she shook her head, then looked down with a sigh. She brushed her hair back from her face as she looked up again at him, her face showing the internal struggle.
Desiree Williams: “And if I was….? Would you help me, Atti?”
He threw his hands in the air, clearly frustrated by the question.
Atti Valentine: “I’m here, aren’t I? Even though in the back of my head, I know that when whatever this is, is over? You’ll be gone again. But yet, I’m here anyway. So what else do you want me to say?”
With a sigh, Desiree suddenly stood up straighter as she dropped the troubled girl act. Folding her arms over her chest, she put on a pissed off look, as if she was mad at him for being mad at her.
Desiree Williams: “Fine! Let’s just cut to the chase. The deal I made to ensure your safe escape? Something went wrong and now they’re demanding more money. And you don’t have a choice, like I said, because even though you said not to mention you, which I didn’t, they somehow found out about you. So you’re in this again, whether you like it or not. We need to pay up by the deadline or else...”
She made the cut-throat motion. She did it so nonchalantly that you almost couldn’t tell if she was joking or not, but considering the people she knew, you’d know she wasn’t. Atti’s eyes widened before he swallowed hard.
Atti Valentine: “They found out about.. Me?”
He paused for a moment and looked away, his brain scrambling all over the place. He finally took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to calm down and gather his thoughts.
Atti Valentine: “Dez… I need you to be clear with me. They found out about the fact that I wrestle or that found out about my entire life?”
He flicked the cigarette to the side and said, ‘fuck’, under his breath before he looked back up at Dezzi.
Atti Valentine: “Because finding out about me and finding out about who my family are is a big, BIG difference.”
She looked him in the eyes.
Desiree Williams: “Just the wrestling part, Atti. That’s still good, right?”
Atti let out a sigh of relief before he nodded his head slowly.
Atti Valentine: “Yeah… The wrestling part is good.”
He placed his hands on Desiree’s shoulders and peered down into her eyes and she could tell that he was scared, as she hadn’t seen that look since the incident in Italy.
Atti Valentine: “My family can’t be involved. As far as these people are concerned? Ana and Eliza are simply former wrestlers who are now starting a family. In fact, if at all possible? Don’t ever mention them unless they do, do you understand, Dezzi?”
She nodded as the memories came flooding in.
Desiree Williams: “I understand. Of course.”
And just like before, she gave him an assuring hug.
Desiree Williams: “Don’t worry, Atti. I got you. And to prove it, I already have an idea on how we can get that money.”
Atti settled into the hug as he wrapped his arms around her and a lot of the stress he was feeling washed away. He knew that she was really on his side. As she mentioned an idea on how to get the money, Atti’s brow furrowed as he looked at her.
Atti Valentine: “Oh really? Do tell.”
A smile slowly crept on her face.
Desiree Williams: “How much does this wrestling thing pay exactly? I don’t know much about that world but if wrestlers are all over the internet these days, you guys gotta be paid a lot, no? And it’s perfect too. You get to do what you like while paying these guys off till it’s done.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
Atti Valentine: “It depends on the company, to be honest. I already have something lined up in the six figures range though, alright? I already have a contract, I just have to sign it and fax it in. Thank God.”
He paused before he tilted his head.
Atti Valentine: “How much money do they want exactly, Dez?”
She gave him a careful smile, silently praying for it to soften the blow.
Desiree Williams: “A million dollars.”
Atti’s eyes widened as he looked down and mouthed the words, ‘what the fuck?’ His foot started to bounce up and down nervously as he thought it all over. Financially? His family had the money. They were Valentine's, afterall. But these people? They didn’t know all of that extensively, they just knew about Atti as a wrestler. He knew what he had to do to protect his family from this, from bribery. He had to work his ass off and earn the money himself. Luckily, he was in negotiations with Millennium, the company Eliza helped build. Atti ran his hands over his face and then through his hair before he exhaled and nodded.
Atti Valentine: “Alright, I can manage that… I think. Just let me make some phone calls with Millennium.”
Desiree reached out for an affectionate squeeze on his arm.
Desiree Williams: “Are you sure? And is Millennium the company you mentioned? Where’s that?”
He nodded.
Atti Valentine: “It is the company I mentioned. Eliza was the top champ there quite a few times. She really led the charge there and if there was ever a place for me to return? It’s there. I’ll carry on her legacy and earn that money to get those fucks out of our hair.”
Reaching forward, Atti grabbed Desiree’s hand in his.
Atti Valentine: “And it’s in Chicago. Will you come with me? Because if I’m not able to keep an eye on you while this is going on, then I’m going to be a nervous wreck. Please, don’t disappear on me again.”
Atti kept his eyes on Desiree’s and she could see the emotion in his eyes and that he truly meant what he said. He truly wanted her to be in Chicago with him. She smiled back at him.
Desiree Williams: “Well I’ve never been to Chicago and I’ve heard good things about it. So let’s do it. And don’t worry, Atti. I’ll be right by your side, just like before. We’ll see this through together.”
He smiled.
Atti Valentine: “Good.”
Atticus pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her, giving her another hug.
Atti Valentine: “Despite the circumstances, I’m glad you’re here. I’m just happy to see you.”
He leaned back and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Atti Valentine: You’re lucky you make it incredibly hard to stay mad at you. The moment I saw your face, that shit all washed away. Me acting mad earlier was mostly an act.”
This surprised her but she didn’t move away as she let him brush off her hair like that.
Desiree Williams: “Why an act? I already knew you’re a softie inside.”
She teased, something she always did to make light of a situation she wasn’t too prepared for. Atti laughed and rolled his eyes.
Atti Valentine: “You’re one of the only ones who could always see that.”
He chuckled again before nodding towards the door.
Atti Valentine: “So, let’s get out of here, yeah? I’ll get us some food and we can catch up on some other shit… And I’m also tired of feeling creeped out in this warehouse!”
Desiree Williams: “Scaredy cat! And sure, as long as you’re paying for the food.”
She laughed and grabbed his arm as they made their way out of there, with her already excitedly talking about some of her adventures being in the States for the first time for the past two years.