Science help desperate please?

So i know that 2 different atoms of 2 different elements can give each other their valence electrons. For ex) Na has 1 valence electron, while Chloride has 7 valence electrons. I know that Na can give Chloride its 1 valence electrion to make Chloride a stable element of 8 electorns. My question is that when Na gives Chloride its 1 valence electron, is Na bonded with Chloride, or do they just become two separted elements that are stable. Im not sure whether they are chemically bonded. My book doesn't clarify.