After a few more minutes of browsing, Lula had gathered all the essentials she needed. Valentino graciously paid for the items and made their way back towards the waiting limousine, their arms loaded with materials and supplies for the lamps.
Valentino had texted his chauffeur beforehand that he would be holding the door this time. With a flourish and a bit of chivalry, he held the backseat door open, gesturing for her to step inside.
"After you, mi amor," he said with a charming smile. Lula slid into the limousine seat, with Valentino sliding in after her. She didn't know a lot of Spanish, but she knew what that meant. She felt both flattered and perplexed.
However, before Lula could delve too deeply into her thoughts, Valentino swiftly broke the silence. "Now, mi bella polilla, we have everything we need for your creation," he said, his voice filled with a touch of excitement. "Let us return to your place and start bringing your vision to life." As he spoke, his antennae gave a slight twitch, reflecting his eagerness to see the lamp take shape.
His eagerness seemed to be contagious, her thoughts were filled with visions of the unique and stunning lamp she was about to create. This was her first real commission, and she was determined to do her best.
"I can't wait to see the lamp come together. Having you with me to help pick things out was a plus too..." Her voice trailed off as she once again felt the need to express her gratitude earlier. "Oh, and thank you for the lovely jacket,"
"Don't worry~ I told you it was a little gift.", he slid closer to her. He saw the confusion and uncertainty in her eyes when he called her ' mi amor'. He wanted to ease her nervousness but he also wanted her to know that he was serious about wanting her.
He still didn't fully understand why he felt so strongly about this. He wasn't even sure what he truly wanted from her. One thing was certain, and that was she was more than a fling, and she was never an option for his line of work.
" About me calling you 'mi amor', it seemed to make you uncomfortable," his fingers trailing gently along her antennae. " I meant no offense. He watched as she tensed up at his words. She was fully prepared to pretend like the term of endearment didn't happen. But she couldn't do that now that he brought it back up.
He continued to speak softly, his voice soothing as he attempted to ease her nerves. "You're a beautiful moth, Lula. I'm just appreciating the beauty before me."
Valentino gazed at Lula, his eyes locking onto hers with a deep, smoldering stare. He was never one for romance or commitment, but there was something about her that made him yearn for more. He leaned in closer, his words dripping with a sincerity and vulnerability he hadn't felt in years.
"Lula," he began quietly, his voice wavering just barely with an unnamed emotion. "You..."
He trailed off, his thumb gently grazing the smoothness of her hand. He hesitated, lost in his thoughts, unsure of what he wanted to say.
Valentino paused, his eyes flickering down to her hand, still resting in his grasp. His thumb absentmindedly traced small circles on her skin, almost as if he was lost in another world. "Lula..." he whispered again, her name feeling like a delicate flower on his tongue. He hesitated for a moment, as if trying to find the right words, before finally speaking.
"I don't know what this...this feeling is," he began slowly, his voice trembling with... fear? Uncertainty?
"But I-" he broke off, his voice suddenly thick with emotions. He was Valentino, an Overlord, a monster, the embodiment of lust and sin. He didn't do feelings, not in the way humans did. He was a collector of souls, a connoisseur of desires. He was not...
He swallowed hard, his eyes darting back to her face. "You...you're different from the rest. I just..."
Lula watched as he fumbled with his words, trying to express his feelings. She finally asked "Val," she asked softly, "what do you really want from me?"
She looked at Valentino intently, "Val," she repeated, her voice firm yet gentle. "I need to know what you truly want from me. Is this just a passing fancy, or are you serious about this?" Her eyes searched his face for any sign of genuine emotion or affection. She needed to know if she was simply a temporary distraction or if he truly cared for her.
She wasn't stupid. She knew about his reputation, what kind of demon he was. How he preyed on the desperate and weak, how treated the souls he owned. How he abused others...
But despite knowing all this, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. It was a confusing mix of fear, desire, and uncertainty that left her conflicted.
' Maybe I am stupid...or really desperate'
Valentino's expression softened, his eyes meeting hers in a gaze that was almost tender. He squeezed her hand gently, his thumb still tracing those small circles on her skin.
"No, my dear," he whispered, his voice dripping with sincerity. "This isn't just a passing fancy. I know I have a reputation, but... there's something different about you. I don't know quite how or why, but I want you... I want everything about you."
" My line of work involves exploiting the desires of others. And sometimes I have to keep those unruly souls in check. I offered a contract, and they signed it, it's merely business."
Valentino's expression darkened slightly, He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin, his eyes smoldering with a fire that was as intense as it was alluring. "Do you know what I do with the souls that contract with me, my sweet Lula...?"
Lula hesitated for a moment, her antennae quivering in response to Valentino's words. She knew he was a master manipulator, a demon that thrived on the manipulation of emotions. But there was a small, hopeful part of her that wanted to believe he was sincere in his feelings for her.
She swallowed hard before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. "No... what do you do with them...?"
Valentino's grin widened as he sensed her uncertainty, his eyes gleaming with a perverse delight. He leaned even closer to her, his mouth almost touching her ear as he spoke in a husky, seductive tone.
"I own them," he murmured, relishing in the feeling of power that came from making her uneasy. "I own them completely. Their souls, their bodies, their desires... all are mine to do with as I please."
Valentino caught the change in her expression, her antennae drooping slightly and her mouth curving down into a small frown. He chuckled softly, knowing he had her exactly where he wanted her - vulnerable and at his mercy.
"Oh my darling," he crooned, reaching out to brush her antennae in a vain attempt at a soothing gesture. "You need not worry. I won't claim your body and soul, as I do with all my other little toys. You're much too special for that."
Valentino's voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned in to speak into her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "No," he breathed, his words barely more than a seductive purr. "With you, I want something else entirely. Something far more...permanent..."
The sinister implications of his possession of others sent a chill down her spine. "Val," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of fear and uncertainty. "How can you speak of others, of owning them, in such a cold and ruthless way? Don't you care about their autonomy or feelings?" Her eyes locked onto his, searching for any sign of empathy or humanity within him.
Valentino chuckled softly, his eyes shining with a cold, calculating gleam. "Care?" he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I don't 'care' about anyone or anything. This is Hell, my dear," he purred, his words dripping with a malicious glee. "And all souls who end up here are nothing but worthless, expendable toys for me to own and use as I see fit to."
His grip on her hand tightened just slightly. "And that includes you," he added softly, his voice a dark, seductive murmur.
Lula's antennae trembled visibly, her fear and unease mounting with each word he spoke. She couldn't help but feel a pang of vulnerability in his possessive grip. But still, she mustered up the courage to press on.
"But... what if I don't want to be a toy?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance and determination. "What if I want something different, Val? A partnership built on mutual trust, respect, and equal footing?"
Valentino's cold, calculating expression darkened slightly at Lula's words. "Sweet, naive Lula," he murmured, his voice a seductive whisper. "True love is a myth, a lie we tell ourselves to make sense of the chaos around us.. And trust and respect are for the weak. Here, in this dark, twisted world of ours, power is what truly matters. Power and control. And there's nothing sexier than domination."
However, after a moment, his expression softened, his eyes taking on an almost tender glint. "Ah, my dear Lula..." he purred, his voice soft and persuasive. "I apologize for my harsh words. It seems I've overstepped a boundary. Please, listen."
He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands, his touch tender and almost caring. "I may not understand your ideals of love and partnership, but I can see the fire in your eyes," he murmured, his fingers tracing gently along her cheek. "And I find that absolutely enticing."
He leaned in closer, his lips barely grazing her ear as he continued to speak in a seductive whisper. "Perhaps we could explore this newfound...understanding of each other, mmm? I'm curious to see where this journey takes us. Let me show you the pleasures and riches that only I can provide."
Lula's attempt to maintain a professional attitude was quickly crumbling. Even as she attempted to hold onto a facade of composure, her body betrayed her. Despite her misgivings and reservations, she found herself drawn to his charisma and confidence, a moth drawn to a beautiful, dancing flame.
Her mind raced, contemplating the possibility of introducing Valentino to the concept of partnership and affection. Perhaps she could reach that small corner of his heart shrouded in darkness and give him a glimpse of true connection. Despite the risks and his intimidating nature, she found herself compelled to try.
Valentino could sense the struggle in her, the conflict brewing within her as she wrestled with her resolve to resist his advances and her desire to show him another way.
"Mmm," he purred, his eyes gleaming with subtle amusement. "You have a little fire in you, don't you, my sweet Lula? A stubborn, rebellious flame that refuses to be extinguished. I can admire that. But I promise you, my darling, there is no resisting what I have in store for you."
Taking a deep breath, she leveled him with a look."Val... I understand your perspective and the nature of your work," she began cautiously, "and I know that this is Hell. The things you do are normal here. I don't know if I'll ever be able to make peace with that. But I believe there could be room for something more between us. What if... what if we explored this connection together?"
She placed her hand on top of his, " Only if you'd be willing to try and treat the souls you own a bit better."
Valentino's eyes flashed as she spoke, a flicker of surprise and curiosity sparking within them. No one had ever spoken to him like this before, with such a mixture of understanding and courage.
After a moment, he responded, his voice low and measured. "Treat my souls better, you say? Well, that is a rather bold request, my dear." He paused, seeming to consider her words. The concept of a true partnership was foreign to him... but also intriguing. His mind raced, considering her offer.
"I suppose there might be some merit to your proposal. After all," he continued, "an empire built solely on fear and intimidation can only last for so long. Perhaps a touch of kindness may indeed yield longer-lasting results." He lifted his hand to gently caress her cheek, his touch tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "For you, I suppose I can at least attempt to make an effort."
" Now about this partnership thing. What exactly do you propose, my sweet Lula?" he purred, the slightest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "That we... explore this connection between us? And what form would that take, mmm?"
Lula took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "In a partnership," she began, her voice gaining confidence, "we would make decisions together. Your business deals wouldn't just concern you, they would concern us both. We would... share our lives, share our desires and... love freely. And in turn, I would share mine with you."
She met his gaze, her eyes shining with earnest determination. "But it would require trust and compromise. Can you be vulnerable enough to be an equal, Val?"
Valentino's eyes widened slightly as he listened to her, his smirk growing into a devilish grin. "Ah, my darling Lula," he purred, his voice dripping with a seductive undertone. "You speak such... interesting things. A partnership, you say? Sharing our lives, our desires, not just physically but emotionally as well. Can I be... vulnerable?" He chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving her. "For you, my dear, I am willing to try. Let us see where this unusual arrangement takes us."
The touch of her soft cheek under his hand sent a wave of electricity through Valentino's entire being, a foreign yet not entirely unpleasant sensation. His heart pulsed wildly in his chest, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through his veins.
He had never felt this way before, so vulnerable and open. The idea of kindness and care being the foundation of his empire was both repulsive and oddly enticing.
He leaned in closer, his voice filled with a mixture of desire and determination. "For you, my pequeña polilla, I'll try my very best."