~Alessia~
The file on Lorenzo's desk marked with Jake's initials, gnawed at me as I set the table for dinner.
Lorenzo was in the kitchen, tossing a salad, his sleeves rolled up, looking too good for my focus. I wanted to trust him about the audit, but his vague answers and that doctor's call kept me uneasy.
"Ren, that file I saw earlier," I started, placing the forks down. "It's about Jake, right? Why didn't you tell me?"
He glanced over, "It's just numbers, Alessia. Routine stuff and Jake's work needs checking, that's all."
"Routine?" I pressed, crossing my arms. "Nothing more?"
"You're overthinking it." He set the bowl down, stepping closer. "It's my job to handle, not yours."
I frowned, hurt by his tone. "I'm not just your assistant, Ren. I care about you... and the company."
His eyes softened, and he sighed.
"I know you do but look, it's under control. Let's eat and talk about something else, please. Your thesis... how's it going?"
I let it drop, at least for now. We ate, chatting about my research on international trade, his questions sharp and engaged, pulling me out of my worry.
"You're killing it," he said, smiling faintly. "You'll ace that degree."
"Thanks," I said, my cheeks warming. His praise meant too much, and I hated how it made my heart thud...
---
The next day at Morano Holdings, I threw myself into work, organizing client files. At the coffee station, I overheard Sarah and Jake whispering.
"It's not just a glitch," Sarah said in a low voice. "They think someone's fudging numbers on purpose."
Jake paled, shaking his head. "No way it's me. I just file what I'm given."
My stomach twisted. Was Jake involved, or was he a scapegoat? I glanced at Lorenzo's office, his silhouette pacing behind the glass.
I wanted to ask, but his warning to stay out of it stopped me. Instead, I mingled during a team lunch, probing subtly.
"Heard anything about the audit?" I asked Sarah casually, grabbing a sandwich. She shrugged, but her eyes darted.
"Just rumors. Someone in marketing might've slipped up... or worse."
"Worse?" I asked, keeping my tone light.
"Like, on purpose," she whispered. "But no one's pointing fingers yet."
I nodded, my mind racing. If someone was sabotaging the company, it could hurt Lorenzo's reputation. I needed to help, even if he didn't want me to.
That afternoon, a strategy meeting dragged on. Lorenzo stood at the head of the table, commanding as ever.
"We're auditing every department," he said, his voice firm. "No exceptions. I want updates by the end of the week."
A manager, Clara, spoke up. "Mr. Morano, some teams feel targeted and it's causing a frenzy."
"Then tell them to do their jobs right," he shot back, his eyes scanning the room. "We can't afford mistakes!"
I scribbled notes, but my focus slipped when I saw him wince slightly, his hand brushing his chest. No one else noticed, but my heart skipped.
Was he okay? I pushed the thought down, focusing on Clara's next question about budget reallocations.
After the meeting, I stayed, handing Lorenzo a revised schedule. "You pushed hard in there, sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," he said, but his voice was tight. "Just get those updates for me."
I nodded, stepping away. Our deal was supposed to be simple... pleasure, no strings but my feelings were a mess, and his secrecy wasn't helping.
I headed to my desk, sorting emails, when the office phone rang. I answered, expecting a client.
Instead, a woman's voice purred, "Is Lorenzo in? It's Veronica. I need to see him... privately for business."
My blood ran cold. Veronica, his ex?
★★★
~Lorenzo~
Veronica's call had set Alessia off, and her sharp tone when she relayed the message still echoed in my head as I headed to the lobby to meet my ex.
Veronica stood by the reception desk, her black dress clinging to her curves, her smile too calculated and really annoying.
"Lorenzo, you look good," she said, stepping close, her hand brushing my arm.
I stepped back, keeping my distance. "What's this about, Veronica? You said it was business."
"It is," she purred, holding up a folder. "Merger details... My firm's interested in a partnership, but I wanted to discuss… privately."
Her tone screamed ulterior motives. "Make it quick," I said, guiding her to a corner table. "I've got meetings."
She pushed forward, her perfume heavy. "We could be great together again, Ren. Business and… more."
I clenched my jaw. What an audacity after what she had done to me five years ago. She's truly shameless!
"Not interested! Send the proposal to my team if the business is serious."
I stood, cutting it off, her eyes filled with astonishment as I walked away. She was trouble, always had been.
Getting back to the office, Alessia had already left and I could tell why she didn't wait for me. Veronica, of course.
I took my stuff and immediately left the company as well...
Back at the penthouse that evening, Alessia was waiting, her arms crossed, her eyes blazing.
"So, how was Veronica?" she asked, her voice sharp as she poured wine.
I set my briefcase down, loosening my tie. "It was nothing, Alessia. Business talk that went nowhere."
"Nowhere?" She scoffed, sipping her drink. "She didn't sound like she wanted business on the phone, it seems she wanted you."
"You're jealous over nothing, Veronica's in the past." I sighed, moving closer.
"Then why meet her?" she snapped, her cheeks flushing. "I'm not stupid, Ren. I know how women look at you."
I grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her close. "This is our deal, remember? No feelings, no drama."
Her eyes flashed, hurt mixing with anger. "Maybe I don't want it to be just a deal anymore."
Her words hit hard, stirring feelings I wasn't ready to face. I kissed her, desperate to drown the tension, my hands sliding under her blouse.
"You want more?" I murmured, pressing her against the counter. "Let's focus on this."
She moaned softly but pulled back. "Ren, stop it. I need to know where we stand."
I hesitated, my chest tight... not from pain this time, but from her words. Instead of answering, I tugged her toward the bedroom.
"Let me show you," I said, but she yanked her arm away when we got to the door.
"Go meet your Veronica!" Then she turned and left...