After cleaning up the mess and checking on Lula one last time, Valentino got in his limo and headed back to the Vee's Tower. His thoughts were consumed by Lula and what had just happened. He could tell that she was still shaken up, but she reassured him that she was alright. He made a mental note to keep a closer eye on Lula and ensure her safety, whether she liked it or not.
Valentino scrolled through his phone, mostly out of habit, looking for some demons he could enlist to watch over Lula's shop...without her knowing of course.
He needed demons that were strong enough to do the job but smart enough to stay hidden. He didn't want to alarm her with a full-blown security team.
The limo finally arrived at the Vee's tower. Valentino made his way through the halls and towards his penthouse. He wanted to avoid running into Velvette or Vox but luck was not on his side.
It didn't take long before Vox appeared next to him, zipping his way through the cameras he had set up everywhere. Valentino sighed in frustration.
"What do you want, baby? I'm kinda busy right now."
" So Val, this is the second time you've been to that shop I recommended to you," he smirked with pride, " I told you that place was legit."
Valentino rolled his eyes at Vox's comment, clearly unimpressed with his smugness, "Yeah, yeah, Voxxy, you were right. The store is legit and the owner is quite a gem. I'm very happy with her work so far. Happy now?"
" I'm rarely ever wrong, Val. Now that this whole vision thing is taken care of, I expect you to be on top of the schedule. We've already lost two days of production because of this. Which means that we've lost two days of profit."
Valentino scoffed at Vox's words, clearly annoyed. He took out a cigarette and lit it. He took a deep drag from it and blew the smoke in the air.
"Don't I always keep things running smoothly, Voxxy? I'm on top of everything, but I also have my priorities. We're not losing any more days, I'll make sure of that, so don't worry your flat little face about it." Valentino said with a dismissive tone, sidestepping Vox, " I even got the prescription added to the rest of my glasses." Valentino showed Vox the box that contained his other glasses.
Valentino kept walking down the hall, hoping Vox would leave him alone...once again luck was not on his side. Vox kept pace with Val as he walked.
" Well now that you're back, you can look over the new schedule for the month. We need some new scripts written up. There's a few ads and billboards we need to have a photo shoot for," Vox walked until he stood in front of the taller demon, forcing him to stop.
" And this time I expect you to have your shit together and get this stuff done." And with that Vox bolted off through one of his many cameras.
Valentino entered his penthouse and immediately felt the tension and agitation that had been building inside of him. As he stood in the luxurious surroundings of his home, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing since that morning.
He usually would have sought out one of his employees for release, but this time something felt different. The thought of using someone else to alleviate his frustration didn't hold the same appeal as it normally did. He sighed and tried to distract himself with other tasks, but his thoughts kept wandering back to Lula.
He wondered what she was doing and if she was safe. After witnessing the incident at her shop, it was obvious that it was a problem that she had been dealing with for a while.
Valentino continued to pace back and forth, his frustration growing as he scrolled through his contacts, looking for someone trustworthy to watch over the pretty little moth that had captured his attention.
But no matter who he considered, no one seemed good enough. In a fit of anger, he picked up the closest thing near him to hurl across the room...which just so happened to be a lamp. A grin stretched across his face as an idea struck him.
He realized that he didn't need to rely on anyone else to protect his pequeña polilla, he could be her protector. He could use the excuse of helping her design his lamp to spend more time with her and earn her trust.
"I'll be her protection," he muttered to himself, a devious smile forming on his lips.
"And I'll use this opportunity to win her over and earn her trust." With his newfound determination, Valentino began to plan his next move, eager to make progress with the pretty pequeña polilla that had him hooked.
It had been a few days since the incident. Lula would be lying if she said that she wasn't still a bit on edge from the incident at her shop. Her usual harasser had never been violent before, and it had scared her.
There was no use worrying over it now. Lula kept her mind off of it by staying busy. You'd think many demons in Hell wouldn't need care for their eyesight but you'd be wrong. She had a good bit of customers to tend to and that was just the distraction she needed.
When she wasn't dealing with customers and maintaining her shop, Lula used her free time to work on some sketches for Valentino's custom lamp. She had a vision in mind for how she wanted it to be, and the freedom she had to express it was invigorating.
As she drew, Lula couldn't help but feel excited and motivated to create something truly unique. She knew Valentino would be impressed by whatever she came up with, and the thought made her heart race with anticipation.
' Anticipation for what?' Lula paused her sketching as the thought entered her mind. Was she giddy for the moth Overlord to see her designs for his order out of creative pride or was it more?
She had to admit that Valentino's presence had been comforting and protective when the angry demon attacked her. She had felt vulnerable and frightened, but he had been there to shield her from harm.
' It's just because he helped me out, that's all. No need to overthink it.'
Pushing those thoughts aside, she meticulously poured her thoughts and creativity into each sketch, considering Valentino's preferences and the atmosphere he desired for his space.
Lula considered different colors and patterns she believed he would approve of. He did say that he wanted to be a part of the planning, but she hadn't seen antenna or wing of him in the last few days.
As she sat at her desk in her apartment above her shop, she couldn't help letting her mind wander back to the tall Overlord. Lula was smart enough to know what kind of demon Valentino was. He was the infamous Overlord of the adult entertainment industry in Pride City.
His reputation for abusing and exploiting those who were unfortunate enough to sign a deal with him and pleasure he seemed to get out of it. She knew that she should stay away and keep her distance, but something about him made her feel things that she didn't quite understand. Which sounded crazy in her mind.
' He really did put on the charm when we met. I bet that's how he gets other souls to be drawn into his web. With false promises and false kindness.'
She leaned back in her chair, and stared at the ceiling. Valentino's charm was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it made him captivating and alluring, but on the other, it raised questions about his intentions.
Lula wasn't sure what he truly wanted. He seemed interested in her on some level, but she wasn't sure why.
Groaning loudly, she racked her brain, trying to understand Valentino's motivations for visiting her shop and commissioning the custom lamp. Was it merely a business arrangement, or was there more to it?
Lula shut her sketch pad and put up her pencils. She couldn't concentrate on the work in front of her. Getting up, she walked over to the floor length mirror she had in the corner of her room. She stood in front of the mirror and took in her reflection. She knew she pretty, even with the adding of her mothlike features. Her antennae were fluffy just like the furry ruffle around her neck. Her skin, though a different color than when she was alive, was clear and she liked it. Lula turned around so that she could see her back in the mirror.
She fluttered her wings and allowed them to fan out. A small smile graced her lips. She adored her wings and thought they were absolutely beautiful. They resembled the luna moth on Earth. Bright green in color with hints of a magenta like color. She believed they were her best feature.
Turning back around, she got closer to the mirror to get a better look at her face. She scrutinized every detail of her face. She observed her big, bright eyes, which gleamed with a captivating glimmer. She noticed the way her glasses framed her eyes, making them look even larger and brighter.
Despite the fact that her eyesight was far from perfect, she couldn't help but appreciate how cute she looked. She wondered if Valentino found her just as adorable as she did...
Lula could almost hear the record scratch at the thought that entered her mind. She knocked her fist against her forehead, like she could beat the thought out of her head.
" What is wrong with me?! ' I wonder if he thinks I'm too?' Get it together Lula, he's the Overlord of porn for Lucifer sake!" she sighed and backed away from the mirror. Throwing her hands up in frustration, she stomped to her bathroom to get ready for bed.
Finishing up her bedtime routine, Lula turned out the lights and slid under her blankets. With her exhaustion from the day's events and the comfort of her bed, she slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep. As she closed her eyes, the memories and anxieties of the day faded away, replaced by the tranquility of restful slumber.
The following day was uneventful. Just as she was getting ready to close up shop for the day, the door swung open and Valentino, the very demon who had been haunting her thoughts, walked in. She froze, her heart racing in her chest as she braced herself for whatever he had come to say or do.
Valentino sauntered up to the counter where Lula stood, a devilish grin on his face. "Hello, babydoll," he purred in that deep voice of his, "How's my favorite glasses girl doing today?"
Lula's eyes widened as she looked up at him. She struggled to maintain her composure as she looked up at him.
"H-hello, Valentino," she replied, her nerves evident in her stutter. "I'm doing well, thank you. How can I help you today?"
Valentino leaned against the counter, studying Lula closely. Her stutter had not gone unnoticed by him, and a smug smile spread across his lips. He found her reaction to him amusing...and endearing.
"I'm here to check on that lamp you're making for me, baby doll." He said, his tone smooth and almost seductive.
Lula felt a flush of warmth spread across her cheeks against her will. She swallowed hard and replied, "Ah, the lamp. Yes, it's coming along nicely. I have a few designs ready. If you'd like, I can show it to you. I was just about to close up shop for the day."
Valentino's smirk grew wider at the sight of her flushed cheeks. He was enjoying the effect he had on her, and he couldn't help but push her further. His eyes gleamed with a knowing look.
"Oh, you're just about to close? Then perhaps you could stay open a bit longer and show me those designs you've been working on, pequeña polilla. I'd love to take a look." He reached out and lightly brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch causing her heart to skip a beat.
Lula snapped out of her nervousness at the new pet name. It sounded like Spanish but she had no idea what it meant. She decided not to question it for now, "I, um, yes, I can stay a bit longer. Let me fetch the designs from my desk."
Valentino watched as Lula quickly excused herself to fetch the designs from her desk. He couldn't help but feel satisfied with the effect his presence had on her. His pet name for her, "pequeña polilla," had definitely struck a chord with her, and he couldn't help but wonder if she understood its meaning. As he waited, he took a moment to compose himself, anticipating seeing the designs she had created.
As Lula reached her desk, she rummaged through her papers and retrieved the lamp design she had come up with. Lula ran her hand carefully over the cover of her sketchbook before returning to Valentino. "Here you are," she said, placing the design on the counter for him to examine.
The Overlord's eyes lit up in curiosity. He picked up the book and examined it closely, his fingers gliding over the pages in a reverent manner.
"Mmm, not bad, not bad at all." His words were filled with genuine appreciation for her artistry. "You have a real talent for this, pequeña polilla."
"Thank you, Valentino," she replied, with a shy smile. "I put a lot of thought into it, hoping it would meet your standards." He was known all over the Pentagram for his flashy style and opulent tastes, " And since you're my first official client, I wanted to bring my best ideas to the table."
Valentino nodded, a small smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. "Ahh, your first client, is that so?" He raised a non-existent eyebrow and leaned in closer, "Well, I'm flattered to be your first," his voice dropped to a sultry whisper, "I wonder what other ' firsts' we can have together."
Valentino knew he was pushing her boundaries. He could sense her discomfort as he continued with his flirting, but he didn't care. It was too fun getting under her skin and seeing her all flustered.
He couldn't remember the last time he had interest in anyone without the intent of chaining their soul to him, to use them for his own twisted desires.
Lula's breath hitched at Valentino's words, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. She tried to keep her composure, "I-I'm not sure what you mean," she murmured, her cheeks flushing as his suggestion hung heavily in the air.
Valentino raised an eyebrow, well the area where an eyebrow would have been, in feigned innocence. "Oh, come on, baby doll. You know exactly what I mean." His voice was a low purr, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint.
"I can see it in your eyes. The way they sparkle when I look at you." He leaned in even closer, closing the gap between him and Lula, their faces inches away.
Lula remembered her thoughts from the previous night. ' He's an Overlord. The Overlord of porn. A sick twisted demon that enjoyed abusing others.'
Shesteeled herself and tried to remain composed and maintain a professional demeanor. She cleared her throat and managed to calm her racing heart, reminding herself that this was a business relationship. It had to be just that.
"I apologize, Mr. Valentino," she began, her voice gaining some strength, "I lost myself for a moment there. Of course, this is strictly business. You'll have the completed lamp as soon as possible."
Valentino's smirk widened as he watched her compose herself. He liked her spirit. It was endearing, but he couldn't help but push her further, to see how much of that business demeanor was façade.
He took a step back, putting a small distance between them once more. "Of course, of course. As you wish, pequeña polilla ." He said, his voice laced with a playful teasing tone. " And as your client, I think I would like to be more involved in the creation of my lamp."
He closed the sketchbook and slid it across the counter, back to Lula. " I remember that we agreed that I would be a part of the designing process. Not that I don't appreciate your ideas, but I was looking forward to it."
" But you could make it up to me, the client, by allowing me to help you shop around for the materials you'll need. Does that sound fair?"
Lula hesitated for a moment, still trying to maintain a professional distance. Valentino helping to pick out materials? That was definitely an intimate way to work together. But the more she thought about it, the more appealing the idea became. She could use his wealth to access materials she'd never be able to afford otherwise. And working so closely with him... ' Nope Nope, stopping that train of thought right now.'
So she simply nodded, a small smile creeping across her lips. "Of course Mr. Valentino," she finally said, " If you'd like to participate in the materials shopping process, I gladly welcome your involvement. You can accompany me tomorrow. My shop will be closed for the day anyway," she shrugged, " You can meet me at a craft store I frequent. I'll write down the address for you and then we can agree on a time." Lula rummaged behind the counter, looking for a pen and a loose sheet of paper.
Valentino quickly interjected. "Actually," he said, " I'll be picking you up. It'll be more efficient that way. And as for time, let's say...late morning?"
He insisted on having her ride with him in his limo. After all, it was a privilege and a luxury that he was happy to offer the small business owner.
Lula looked up from rummaging under the counter, her eyes meeting Valentino's as he insisted on picking her up and riding with him in his luxurious limo. She couldn't help but feel caution at the thought of such an extravagant gesture.
The offer was unexpected and enticing, yet she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Valentino's intentions than mere convenience. She needed to be careful and remain professional. Nevertheless, she found herself intrigued by the idea of riding in a limousine. She agreed to his offer.
Valentino caught her gaze, a smug look on his face. He could sense her hesitation. He leaned in closer, his voice a low purr.
"Don't worry, I promise not to bite. Not unless you ask me to."
Straightening up to his full height, he made his way to the front door. Placing one of his hands on the door, he pushed open the door. He turned back to Lula as he walked out.
" And please, pequeña polilla call me Val. I insisted."
Her gaze lingered on him as he walked out, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within her.