~Alessia~
The morning after New York, I sat across from Lorenzo at the penthouse's dining table, sunlight glinting off the glass.
He sipped his coffee, but his movements were slow, his face paler than usual. Last night's chest pain flashed in my mind, a nagging worry I couldn't shake.
"Ren, are you sure you're okay?" I asked, cutting my toast. "You seemed really off last night."
He glanced up, his eyes sharp but tired. "Just jet lag, Alessia, long trip. You worry too much."
"You sure? That looked like more than jet lag." I frowned, poking at my plate.
"Drop it," he commanded but with a soft tone. "We've got a big day, so pay attention to the client meeting at ten."
I nodded, biting back more questions, but my gut twisted--he wasn't telling me something. I pushed the thought aside, grabbing my bag for work.
Arriving at the company, the office hummed with Monday energy. I sorted through emails and schedules, my fingers flying over the keyboard.
During a break, I overheard Sarah and another colleague whispering near the coffee machine.
"Heard there's a glitch in the marketing budget," Sarah said, stirring her latte. "Something about untracked expenses."
My ears perked up. The audit Lorenzo mentioned in New York? I filed papers nearby, pretending not to listen.
"They're saying it's small, but enough to cause a stir," the other added. My stomach sank... this could be big trouble for the company.
Later, I walked into Lorenzo's office with a stack of reports. He was on the phone, his tone clipped. I waited, then spoke as he hung up.
"Mr Morano, I heard people talking about the audit. What's going on with the budget?"
He leaned back, rubbing his neck. "It's minor, Alessia. A few misplaced numbers but we're handling it."
"Minor?" I pressed, setting the reports down. "It sounded like it could hurt the company."
"You're my assistant, not my CFO. Let me worry about it, okay?"
I bristled but nodded, stepping back. "Fine, just… don't keep me in the dark. I really want to help in my own little way."
He softened slightly. "I won't. Now, prep the conference room, clients are coming."
"Ok sir." I immediately left...
By past 3 P.M., the meeting was intense, Lorenzo commanding the room as he pitched to investors.
"Our projections show a twenty percent growth," he said, pointing to charts. I took notes, my pen scratching fast.
A client, Mr. Reynolds, leaned forward. "What about these audit rumors? Any truth to financial issues?"
Lorenzo's eyes flicked to me briefly, then back. "Routine checks, nothing more. We're transparent here."
I admired his calmness, but my mind raced. Was he hiding the truth from everyone? I had no idea.
The meeting finally wrapped positively, and I gathered my notes, staying behind as the clients left. Suddenly, Lorenzo caught my arm.
"You did good in there," he said, his voice low, almost intimate.
"Thanks," I replied, my cheeks warming. "But, Ren, if the audit's a problem, I want to help."
He sighed, stepping closer. "You're helping by doing your job. Trust me, it's under control."
I wanted to believe him, but doubts won't let me.
We headed back to his office, and I handed him a revised schedule. Our fingers brushed, sending a spark through me but I pushed it down... work first, feelings later.
That evening, we attended a department briefing. Lorenzo outlined next steps for the audit.
"We'll review all transactions by Friday," he said, addressing the team. "No mistakes."
I scribbled notes, but my focus wavered when his phone rang mid-meeting. He stepped aside behind me, answering in a hushed tone.
I caught fragments... "reschedule… hospital urgent"...and my heart skipped. Was it his doctor?
He ended the call quickly, his face went cold, but I saw a flicker of strain in his eyes, something he wasn't sharing...
★★★
~Lorenzo~
The call from my doctor stayed in my mind, that I needed surgery as soon as possible but with a low chance of success.
The company needs me more now... so I can't afford to have any surgery.
Alessia's curious eyes followed me as I ended it, but I mask my turmoil with a cold face and dismissed everyone from the meeting.
Getting back to the office, I deflected, piling reports on her desk.
"Focus on these," my tone came out more annoying than intended. "We need them sorted by tomorrow."
She frowned, her lips parting like she wanted to push back, but she nodded.
"Fine, I'll get it done." Her tone was agitated as well, and I hated how it made my chest tighten... not just from stress, but from her.
I retreated to my office, Morano Holdings' reputation heavy on my shoulder. The audit wasn't just numbers; a single leak could tank investor trust.
My fingers grazed my chest, the faint ache from last night a warning I ignored. Alessia couldn't know yet about my illness...
Later that night, I locked myself in my study at the penthouse. Spreadsheets littered my desk, each line a potential landmine.
The discrepancy... small but deliberate, hinted at someone inside playing dirty and I will definitely find out who is behind sabotaging my company.
Instead of finding a solution right now, my mind drifted to Alessia... her laughter in New York, and her body under mine. Our no-strings deal was supposed to be simple, but every touch pulled me deeper, threatening my control of not falling in love with her.
A knock broke my thoughts. Alessia stood in the doorway, her white silk robe barely hiding her curves.
"You're still working?" she asked, stepping inside, her voice filled with worry. "Ren, you look exhausted."
"I'm fine," I said, closing a file. "Just tying up loose ends."
She crossed her arms, unconvinced. "You've been off since New York. And that call today... what was it?"
I leaned back, forcing a smirk. "You're nosy tonight."
"Ren, I'm serious," she said, stepping closer. "If something's wrong, tell me."
Her concern hit harder than I expected. I stood, pulling her against me, needing to silence the worry... for both of us.
"You want to help?" I murmured, my hands sliding under her robe, finding bare skin. "Then distract me."
Her breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. "This isn't fair," she whispered, her hands on my chest. "You're dodging my questions."
"Maybe," I said, kissing her neck, my fingers tracing her spine. I guided her to the leather chair, lowering my voice, "Sit, hands on the arms."
Her eyes widened, a mix of nerves and excitement. "What are you planning?"
"Trust me," I said, grabbing a white silk tie from my desk. I bound her wrists to the chair, loose enough to be safe. "Safe word's 'stop.' Say it, and I stop."
"I trust you," her voice trembled with anticipation.
I knelt, parting her thighs, her robe falling open. She wore nothing underneath, her skin flushed.
I kissed her inner thigh, teasing her with slow licks. Her moans filled the room as I used my fingers, circling her clit, then dipping inside, deliberate and deep.
"Feel that?" I asked, watching her squirm, the tie holding her in place.
"Yes... Ren… yes," she gasped, her hips straining.
I fastened my fingers, bringing her close, then slowed, drawing it out. Her whimpers were intoxicating, but I stopped short, kissing her on the forehead.
"More later," I promised, untying her. She panted, frustrated but smiling.
"You're evil," she said, adjusting her robe.
"But you love this evil's touch," I shot back with a laugh, returning to my desk.
As she left, I opened the audit file again, the numbers glaring. A name caught my eye.... Jake, the intern Alessia liked as a colleague because he's smart.
His signature was on questionable transactions... Could he be the spy?