(not edited, so I'm sorry for any errors)

Valentina

Thicker than blood. More precious than oil. Riverdale's big business is maple syrup. Since the town's founding, one family has controlled its lucrative syrup trade, the Blossoms. They were a part of the fabric of our daily lives Rich or poor, old or young, we consumed Blossom syrup by the bucket. That sickly, sweet smell was inescapable. The death of Jason Blossom precipitated a crisis. With the heir apparent gone, who would inherit the family business one day? Certainly not Cheryl. It was a question that brought the wolves to Riverdale. And now, the Blossoms were circling the wagons against possible attack, from within their own ranks.

ΨΨΨ

I smile as I enter the room. Archie sits there, playing his guitar and softly chuckling at the marvelous sound his hands produce. The soft sunlight hitting his hair, the faint smell of freshly cut grass coming from the opened window, and the calming aura of the room bring a sense of peace to me.

"Hey." I take a seat beside him, listening to the soft tune he's strumming on the guitar. The peace I felt as I entered the room is now embracing me like a long lost friend, ready to welcome me back home after a long journey.

"Valentina." He sits back on the chair, forgetting his beautiful guitar for a moment as he inspects my face. His eyes widen with worry, and his hands quickly fall on mine, warmth spreading around the area he is touching.

"I'm in trouble." I whisper, not caring about the consequences of my mistake, and I continue before I can close my mouth and stop the words from coming out. "I need to tell someone before I go mad."

He stares deep into my eyes, and I sigh. I'm about to confess my darkest secret, and I'm not even afraid of what may happen after this moment. All I care about it taking the uncomfortable weight off my chest, and I need to vent. I need to tell someone how I'm feeling, how this world is being cruel to me and how I snap at everyone that tries to talk to me. It's infuriating, yes. But there's a reason behind my behavior. And that reason has a name.

Viktor.

"My brother..." I start. Before I can say anything else, he hugs me to his chest and pats my head, whispering sweet words under his breath.

"I know you miss him, you'll be alright." Oh, he doesn't even know what's about to come. If he thought Jason's murder was scandalous and unexpected, what will he think of what I'm about to tell him?

"Archie, that's not it." I brush off his hands and look down at my feet. "He's-"

"Valentina, let's not go there please. I know it can be hard but you have to learn how to move on and-"

"He's alive!" I shout, covering my ears with trembling hands before I can stop myself. "He's alive, Archie."

I shake from head to toe and Archie notices it. Wrapping his arms around my shoulders, he whispers in my ear that everything is going to be okay. I know for a fact everything is going south and I can't help but hate the world around me.

I hate my parents because they were never there for me, leaving their own kids to themselves and not caring enough about them to stop and acknowledge the mistakes they've made.

I hate my brother for the pain he brought me during all those years, leaving me alone in those empty halls back at home. 

I hate my friends for only caring about parties and having fun, when I can only think about the times I wished for a different life, a life full of surprises and adventures. Oh, how I wish I could go back in time to those blissful years, playing in the snow with my friends and making cupcakes with Cheryl.

And lastly, I hate myself. I hate myself for what I've become, this monster, this shallow person.

"Archie." Cheryl barges in, not bothering to knock on the door.

Archie's arms release me and he looks at me from the corner of his eyes, shaking his head. He doesn't want me to leave him alone with Cheryl but by the look on her face, she doesn't want me here. I don't want to be here to see the aftermath of the situation.

"I better go." Standing and grabbing my bag from the floor, I send Archie a warning glance and pat Cheryl on the back, who stands quietly in front of the red-haired boy. "See you later."

I have to decide what I want to do with my life. I just told Archie about Viktor being alive, but I now realize shouldn't have. It's dangerous, I have no idea what secrets lie behind my brother's disappearing act a few years ago.

Finding my friends isn't hard. I just have to roam around the hallways for a few minutes before I hear Reggie's exquisite laugh from the hallway. They're all siting in the students' room, gathered in the sofas in a big group.

Surprisingly, Cheryl is leading the conversation, and I raise my eyebrows in shock. She was with Archie just a couple of minutes ago. I guess the conversation didn't go well.

I sit quietly with Reggie and our group of friends as the other boys joke around about last night's party. I don't remembre being invited for a party.Turning to Reggie with a questioning look on my face, I prepare myself for the worst. The worst being "my friends are no longer my friends" and all that crap. He looks down at me with his gorgeous eyes and all my worries disappear for a second.

Until Cheryl's obnoxious laugh and her joke about Reggie's "performance" the night before bring me back to the painful present. I forget about the cute and romantic moments Reggie and I spent together since the beggining of our relationship -like the stroll by the lake or the picnic in his backyard- and sport my best fake smile as I look at him with a death glare.

"Is there something you would like to tell me, Reggie?" I ask, my sweet tone masking the venom sipping from my every word.

When he doesn't utter a word, his mouth hanging open like I just caught him in the act with another girl, I pat his head and stand, clearly annoyed by the entire situation.

"Alright, then." I smile at the group and wave my hands at the girls. "I'll see you guys later, I have to go."

I hear Reggie calling my name as I swiftly walk away from the sofas occupied by my friends. Should I really consider them my friends? Is that what friends do? No, real friends invite each other for parties, even if the answer may be negative. They didn't even invite me, and then they have the audacity to joke and laugh about those events?

I'm sorry, but I'm not stupid. I've been hurt too many times already, and I've had enough.

I blink furiously as I come face to face with the three people I've been dreading to find. I leave the room and manage to send them a quick smile before disappearing among the crowd of students ready to abandon this hell. Unfortunately, it's still too early to leave.

A voice I recognize too well calls my name and I stop walking. I close my eyes and control my frantic breathing.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?"

I glance around, my eyes never landing on the mysteriously attractive boy in front of me. I didn't even realize I walked all the way to the outside entrance, as I'm now standing by the dumpsters near the parking lot.

"I didn't have classes this morning."

Silence lingers in the air as our eyes fixate on random objects around us, neither of us brave enough to stare deeply at each other's eyes and address the awful tension between us. It's interrupted by his soft whisper, and I have to lean forward to make sure I hear his words.

"I heard about the Blossom's dinner party-"

"Ceremony." I correct him, noticing the playful smile that his luscious lips. "It's a ceremony, a very strict cerenmony, might I add."

With a soft smile on his lips, he slides closer to me, now resting his hands on the wall behind my head. I stare at his chest in disconfort, waiting for his next move in anticipation.

"So, who's the unlucky date you'll bring with you to this ceremony?" He asks, his hot breath hitting the top of my head. My eyes don't leave his chest, as I'm afraid of what I'll see if I look up.

"I'm going to the ceremony by myself, Reggie is too busy with whatever party he and his friends are planning." I brush my blonde hair to the side and look at the boy in front of me, who eyes me with a worried expression on his face. "What?"

"Don't you think Reggie is a bit of a... How do I say this without being rude-"

"A manwhore?" I smile sadly, realizing I'm not the only one seeing this side of my boyfriend. "Yeah, I know. I never thought he was such a lady's man."

"Oh, you thought he was the perfect guy, didn't you?"

"Actually, he has never been rude or mean to me, unlike someone I know." I stare up at his with fire in my eyes, tears burning the back of my eyes. "He may be a little dumb every once in a while, but he shows how much he cares, he doesn't hide behind a cold facade. He lets his emotions out, there's no need to hide."

Jughead doesn't flinch, doesn't react, doesn't even move to let me know my words affected him somehow. This only tells me he is as insensitive and cold as I thought he was. Huffing and giving my back to him, I whisper under my breath these final words, hoping that the determination I'm feeling right now is enough to make me walk away from him, this time for good.

"You really has to do it, didn't you?"

"What?" He replies, and I feel his hand rubbing circles on the exposed skin of my arm.

"You had to break my heart, you idiot."

This time, praying for my own sanity, I release my arm from his enticing grip, my legs guiding me to my car, as my brain and heart are slowly battling inside of me.

Should I continue walking? One screams no, while the other screams yes.

I follow my brain, for the first time since I met this new side of Jughead. And I walk away, determined to leave him behind.

But, as fate is a little messed up, I am sure our paths will cross once again in the near future. Very very soon to be precise.

ΨΨΨ

The crowd of important members of the Council embraces the cold air of December as they walk towards the forest behind the Blossom's mansion. I've been told by Penelope that we'll be having a guest for the "festivities". I wish I knew who she was talking about, I've never liked being kept in the dark, it kills me and I'm not a very patient person.

Staring at the fallen snow beneath my feet, I finally let out the breath I've been holding since we left the comforting warmth of our house. My mother and I stand back, letting my father deal with the Blossoms and their guests. We wait for the signal to start walking towards the large field the Blossoms prepared for this sacred ceremony.

"Are you ready for this, honey?" My mother asks, grasping my hand in hers like she wants to comfort me. Like she knows something is going to happen and is trying to protect me from something.

"What are you hiding from me?" I whisper, the words barely audible, but I know she heard me.

"It's not as bad as your secret, my angel." She says back, smiling before walking to her husband, leaving me behind with my mouth wide open.

Shock fills my bones, bringing chills up and down my spine. Does she know? And what secret is she talking about? Unfortunately, I have a few secrets that must not be the discoverer. They would pretty much ruin the relationship I have with my family and friends. One of them is now being shared with Archie, as he is the only one who knows about Viktor.

Speaking of the devil...

"Archie!" I yelp as a pair of strong arms circle my neck in an endearing gesture, soft chuckles coming from the boy behind me.

"How are you, Valentina?" He asks, making sure no one is listening. Right now, he is the only one I trust in this place.

"Better." I smile, not sure about how to reply.

"I have to go, I'm Cheryl's date and she needs me by her side as she taps the trees." He rolls his eyes, but I see a hint of happiness in his eyes. "Who are all these people?"

"Snakes." I whisper to him, giving his hand one last squeeze before I push him towards Cheryl. "They smell blood in the water. That's why they're here."

We don't have time for questions. The Blossoms announce the start of another tapping ceremony. I lost my mother and father, but they're probably laughing with their venomous friends while criticizing everyone and everything.

I sigh. This is going to be a long day.

I manage to survive till the end of the tapping ceremony. Cheryl smiled next to Archie as the sweet liquid filled the bucket he was holding in his hands. Everyone was proud of the Blossoms' heir, all but one specific group of snakes.

The ones that have already expressed their hatred for both the Blossoms and the Adams, and how they wished they could have the influence we have on Riverdale's society.

Too bad we rule this place like kings and queens.

After taking a picture to capture the moment, we all start walking back to the house, where a delicious meal awaits us. How do I know this? It's an annual thing, and my family is always chosen to participate in these events. I know for a fact the Blossoms like their food like they like their properties: pompous and filled with all sorts of specialties.

I walk faster than anyone else, ignoring the stares of older men, the giggles or disdain from their wives as I stroll past them. When I feel a hand on my shoulder, I spin around to cuss at the person, but I find Polly's soft eyes instead.

"Polly." I whisper, circling my arms around her shoulders, careful not to hurt her. "I missed you so much, how are you?"

"I'm great, the Blossoms are like a family to me." She says, but the joy she is trying to show doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Don't forget to bring a date for tomorrow's dinner, you know how Penelope is with etiquette rules and everything." 

"Polly."

My strangled voice stops her, and she smiles sadly at me.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." She grips my hand like she knows all that's happening in my life and gives me one last smile before slowly walking away, her hands caressing her belly over the heavy coat she's wearing.

"Wait." She doesn't stop but I know she can hear me. "I feel like my entire world is about to collapse. I'm holding more secrets than the government and I can't deal with this."

Polly never stops walking. All she does is turn her head to the side and speak two words.

"Be strong."

That's all I can do for now. But I know I'll fail.

ΨΨΨ

The day after my encounter with Polly, I follow Cheryl to the gym, as we need to get ready for another cheerleader practice. Betty and Veronica are gathered by the entrance, whispering to each other. We walk past them, not even giving them the pleasure of glancing at them. I'm done with them, I'm done with everyone that doesn't respect me as a human being. I don't mind going back to the heartless cheerleader, or Cheryl's sidekick. All I want is peace in my life, and if losing some friends means I can finally rest and take a break, that's what I will do.

Practice goes by unnoticed, and when I blink my eyes I see myself standing outside the school building with Cheryl, waiting for my ride home. Reggie offered to take me home, and I hope to ask him on a date tonight. Well, it's not exactly a date, I'll try and ask him to be my date for tonight's dinner at the Blossoms mansion.

I don't want to face the disapproving looks I'm so used to alone. While we were kids, Viktor was the one I ran to when I needed help, and he held my hand during these types of events. Now that he is hiding from the outside world -for unknown and possibly terrifying reasons- I have to go for a plan b. And Reggie is my plan b right now.

"Cheryl, can we have a word?" Betty reaches us, slightly panting, and pleads at Cheryl with her eyes.

"Yes, Betty? What is it?" She sighs, flipping her hair back and she stares at the blonde girl. I notice the handsome boy behind her, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

"Polly. Look, I don't know what kind of Stockholm syndrome spell you've cast on her, but I want to talk to my sister." This time, I roll my eyes at her unmasked desperation. She sounds a bit melodramatic, but I understand why.

She has been separated from her sister during a rough period of time in her life, and now that Polly is living with the people her family hates the most is a lot for her to deal with.

"Let's not fight. Especially not when we should be celebrating." Cheryl claps her hands and I shake my head. I know exactly what she's about to say.

"Why? What happened?"

I wouldn't want to get these news this way. I would like to sit with Polly and let her be the one to share the news with her family.

"Haven't you heard? Dr. Patel just confirmed it this morning. Polly is having twins. Bless our Blossom genes!"

Betty stares at the concrete floor as Jughead places a comforting hand on her shoulder. My stomach

"And she didn't call to tell me." She whispers, and my heart breaks a little with the devastated look on her face.

"Hostages aren't normally allowed to make outgoing calls." Jughead retorts from the background and I roll my eyes.

"Can you please just give her a message for me?" Betty ignores the comment and Cheryl's sting eye, continuing the conversation.

"As long as it doesn't upset her." Cheryl straightens her back and stares at the girl.

"Tell her she should call our mom. She's trying really hard to hide it, but I can tell she's really, really hurt and upset."

"I'll pass your message along-"

"Thank you." Betty smiles and sighs in relief, before hearing Cheryl's next sentence.

"If I remember."

"Cheryl." Jughead steps forward and threatens my best friend.

Me being me -very impulsive and immature- I cross my arms over my chest and shield Cheryl's body with mine, keeping her away from the nervous boy.

"That was a joke, you hobo. Of course I'll give her your message, Betty. But no promises that she'll care or respond." Cheryl smirks, her hand on my shoulder.

A honk comes from behind us and I excuse myself, hurrying away from the trio as I enter Reggie's black sports car. Looks like he has a new toy.

"Hey." I kiss his cheek as I enter the car, and I feel him a bit distant.

His eyes are glued to the road, and he doesn't turn his face to me when I talk to him. The entire ride home is filled with an uncomfortable silence and I bite my nails in fear. What's happening? Did I do something to upset him?

"Reggie." I try one last time as he parks the car. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." His hands grip the steering wheel, white knuckles meeting my eyes. He's lying. "Don't you have a dinner to get ready to?"

He's telling me to go. I stare at the view outside, the snow-covered fields bringing old memories to my head. I shake the nostalgic feelings away, bringing myself back to the present.

"Want to be my date?" I ask in a light tone, trying to make the situation less awkward.

Reggie doesn't react, only nods his head and taps his fingers along the steering wheel, like he's slowly losing his patience.

"I'll be there. Tell me the time and dress code."

"Formal. Eight thirty." I reply shortly, excited that he accepted my invitation.

"See you, I have to go now." He waves his hands in the air and I quickly leave the warmth of his car, standing outside the gates as I watch him speed away from me.

What is wrong with him?

ΨΨΨ

I figure out the answer to my own question a few hours later. I receive a text message from Reggie as I walk past the flower beds outside the Blossoms gates. He won't be able to come as my date. I sigh, already expecting this from the way he acted back in his car.

I feel like this relationship isn't going anywhere.

The tight black dress I'm wearing suddenly feels too tight, and it's getting harder to breathe. At the entrance of the haunting house stand my parents and the Blossoms, all of them staring at me with cold eyes. Even my mother, the only one that usually tries to show some emotion besides hatred. I don't focus on their stares, I continue walking towards the doors and past them, only caring about one thing.

Getting to the dinning room and surviving this event.

Gathered in the dinning room, each of us occupying our designated seats, I notice a small piece of paper near the empty seat my by left. The seat separates me from my parents, and a lot of people stare at the empty spot with raised eyebrows.

Before Clifford can begin his speech, my parents stand and urge me to stand as well. Clueless, I straighten my dress and focus on the pair by my left, their eyes shining with excitement and malice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, members of this lovely group." My father starts, his eyes roaming the room as everyone feeds off his words. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, Blossom, but I have a big announcement to make."

My mother claps her hands together and pulls me to her side, her hands on my shoulders like she's showing me off on a fair.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I now introduce you the new heir of the Adams family." My eyes wide in shock when I realize what he's doing. Why is he nominating me the new heir? I'm incompetent in his eyes. Why?

My question is answered right away, and tears burn the back of my eyes. There, at the entrance of the room, stands my brother. The one and only Viktor Adams, sporting a malicious smile and a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Viktor. The one who begged me to keep his existence a secret. Viktor. The one I trusted with my life is now ignoring my presence, standing by my parents side as our father claps his back.

I'm tired.

I'm done with this.

I do what I do best. I don't even react to Archie's shout, or even Cheryl's hands on my arms. I shake them off, leaving everyone behind as I run.

I run far away from everyone.

Until I'm on the lake where it all started.

ΨΨΨ

Winter had come early to Riverdale. Brutal and unforgiving. But it would be nothing compared to the storm that was gathering.

Viktor Adams.

ΨΨΨ

Heyyyy! I'm back with a new chapter! We have a new cover as you guys can see, and I have to thank my AMAZING SON once again, go check his work out, his account is -lightless !! Sorry for the long wait, I've been missing for a couple of months because of college. But I promise I'll try to write as much as I can during my free time so I can publish at least one chapter every two weeks. This story won another award! This time, I have to thank LM_Awards for being amazing, and to everyone who voted for my stories. Hope you guys liked this, and don't forget to comment and vote to share your support! Also, season 2 is here and I haven't watched it yet, I'm waiting and writing this, so I'll watch it when I finish this book. Damn.
Byeeeee.