BAD →WORSE→ THE BEST (mxm)
Ani Dn · 32 chapters · 38,543 words
Chapter 1. It’s That Bad (Sky)
Love sucks. I hate love. Passionately. 🤢
My resentment against this wretched, uninvited, torturous feeling is stronger than any other emotion I have ever experienced… except love itself. I despise the daydreaming, the constant craving, and all the disappointment that comes with longing desperately for someone I can never have.
Love is literally the worst thing that can happen to someone like me. I had five long, miserable years to prove it and explore the very depths of hopelessness and anguish. I come from the dark side, aka WU - Vienna University of Economics and Business. I am a survivor of the greatest disaster that can happen to an innocent, young soul, sent by a demanding billionaire stepfather to study abroad. And that would be crushing on the most inappropriate person.
I spent all those years hiding in the corners of the vast lecture halls, and sneaking glances at the object of my unrequited affections - the ravishing sex god, the boy with the misty, warm, brown eyes, messy dark hair and the most disarming smile that has ever existed, everyone’s wet dream, Jason Marchetti.
Despite the fact that we had something in common - Italian fathers, married to American mothers, I knew perfectly well that I didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of attracting his attention. To be honest, it was not my goal either. I rather hoped he would never notice me, and he did not disappoint. I was no one. Jason was the crown prince. He never learned my name. We never exchanged more than a few greetings at the wild parties, which were the living hell for me, but the perfect environment to thrive for Jason. I went there only for the opportunity to stare at him from a distance. That was his little kingdom. He won all hearts at hello, always in the spotlight, dancing on a table, winning a drinking competition, or initiating a nude swim in the early morning hours. I suspect he also slept with anyone who was willing to do it, which practically meant absolutely everyone… except me. Not that I wasn’t willing. I guess I did not qualify for any of the categories he liked, which were basically all possible types of girls and some type of guys, mainly hot, cute, and cheeky. Yup, not me.
Love’s most horrifying quality, though, is that it is uncontrollable. I could do nothing to stop it. If there were anti-love pills, I would have taken a handful without a blink. The person who invents them one day will become filthy rich for sure. Unfortunately, I doubt it will happen within my lifetime. I am doomed to despair, and nothing can stop the pain. The two years I spent defending my Master’s degree in Bologna, having no clue where Jason was, did not change a thing. I can assure you with one hundred percent certainty that the expression “out of sight, out of mind” is not always true.
“Don’t be such a dramatic idiot,” I mutter under my breath and squint at my round, flushed face in the mirror.
God, I hate the blond mess of unruly strands that surrounds it. This terrible hair color makes my puffy cheeks look even redder. I look like a cherub, pulled straight out of a Leonardo Da Vinci painting, but not as sweet and innocent. Pathetic. Can a reflection be erased? I do not want one. I point a finger at the annoying image. It has the audacity to roll its cornflower blue eyes at me. If they were not that big, someone could describe them as nice. But with this size, the only association they evoke is of a wide-eyed fish. I am tempted to improve the unrepairable with just a little eyeliner, but my father will kill me, so it is out of the question. I frown. “I truly, deeply hate you, Skylar.”
I avert my gaze in utter disappointment with myself. Why am I looking at the mirror? What happened to the decision not to do it ever again? I should have also thrown the cursed object away. Mirrors are too dangerous for people with no self-esteem but possessing an abundance of extra pounds and a primal fear of fitness equipment. I can not do myself even this little favor and get rid of the most stressful item in my apartment. Looking at my luscious body is bad, but I do like my clothes. Father thinks I am obsessed with them. Maybe he is right. But what else do I have? Yeah, you got it right. I am an oddball. I wish I was not, but it can not be helped. And a total slut for Jason. But he will never know it, and we will never see each other again after the graduation, so it is fine. Let me live in my dream world.
“You…” I glare at my reflection again, but no word seems scornful enough, so I only shake my head and give up.
Having taken my morning dose of self-hatred, self-pity and self-reprimanding, I finally put my absolutely gorgeous Armani jacket on and head for the door, intending to leave the safety of my beloved penthouse. It is situated on the top, thirty first floor of the newest residential and office tower, rising in the middle of Rome’s central business district, and proudly sporting the pompous name of Palazzo De Angelis. Dad built it. He named it after the family castle in Genova, which is now my older stepbrother’s home. Luca is more than happy to have the title Conte De Angelis. It helps his great success among women, he says. I do not care about aristocratic titles and do not have one either. I am just a shy, awkward, sad boy… or rather man at twenty five.
My life is that bad.
I know what you are thinking. This brat is well-heeled and rolling in luxury, pretty spoiled too, and yet all he does is whining about not liking his hair and complexion color and being too much of a chicken to confess his feelings to the person he is madly in love with. Well, I totally agree. In fact, I am constantly repeating this same thing to myself, although, it is not exactly like that.
Let me tell you about my loving stepdad, the well-known business tycoon Conte Massimiliano De Angelis. We will talk again then. Maybe, you will feel some compassion for me. If you do not, it is ok. I totally do not deserve it anyway.
God, I wish I knew where Jason is now. He would fit so well into the nightlife of Rome. Not that I know anything about it.
Sorry, that was totally random.
Rome skyline and St. Peter’s Basilica
A/N
Hello at the end of Chapter 1.
Thank you for choosing to take on this new journey with me!
I am so excited to start this new story. 😏
I appreciate your constant support so much.
This is our lovesick, and a bit dramatic protagonist, Skylar De Angelis.
What are your first impressions?
For those who have read SAFE and the name sounds familiar - Yeah, you are right. This is Luca’s little brother. The two books are not related in any other way, though, so you can read them in any order you like, or chose whichever you want.
Our beloved couple David and Ryo may, or may not make a cameo further in the story 😉
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
Photo 60742140 / Blond Man © Mirmoor | Dreamstime.com
Photo 175238376 © Gennaro Leonardi | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 2. No, It’s Worse (Sky)
The penthouse is equipped with a private elevator, but I prefer to use the stairs. The headquarters of the family company extend five floors below me. My new workplace happens to be on the top one, where the offices of the big cheeses are, including father’s, so it is a short walk. I am not thrilled at all. Working in close proximity to a control freak can never be fun. However, no one cares about my opinion.
I am about to lock the front door and head down when my phone rings. It instantly raises goosebumps all over my skin. Please, do not be dad. Am I late? I can’t be late for my very first day at De Angelis Corporation. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I have strict orders not to reveal my identity and tell no one I am his stepson, but it does not mean he will not be duly informed if I take one wrong step.
Did I tell you my life was bad? Whatever you thought, no, it is worse.
Father said he would pay for my education only if I study at Vienna University as he also graduated there. It is not easy to pass the admission exams. You need a good school history too. I was hitting the books for years under his strict supervision. Then he announced that he would pay only the cost of attendance, which included tuition, room, and board. I was on my own for anything else. That is how I ended up working at the campus library, a café, a department store, and being a struggling student, despite my three part-time jobs. If someone tells you it is cheap to live in Austria’s primal city, do not believe them. You are probably wondering how I was able to buy my precious, branded clothes. Well, the answer is easy - no clubs, no restaurants, no car, no road trips, no nothing. Mom had no say in it either. She perceives her husband as something like God. A handsome Italian count, the head of a billions worth corporation, owner of private castles all over the world, a yacht, and even a Caribbean island. I do not blame her. I did not want to pursue a master’s degree. Nor did I want to work for him. But I am not a rebel. My biological father never cared about my existence. So, here I am.
My hand is shaking while I pull the phone out of my pocket. Phew, it is Luca. And I still have twenty minutes to nine a.m. when I am expected to appear in my new boss’s office. Jesus Christ! That was scary.
“Ciao, fratellino (Hello, little brother) !” Luca yells in my ear as usual. I suspect this is the only way he can talk. “How are you feeling on the big day? Master of Economics at last. A new job. Complimenti (Congratulations) ! Must be exciting.”
“It would have been if your father hadn’t decided I should start as a secretary to some newly promoted marketing director whose name I didn’t bother to ask about. There’s nothing to cheer about,” I grumble. “The guy is my age, also has only been with the company for two years. And yet, he has already managed to climb the corporate ladder all the way up to the thirtieth floor. You can imagine what king of a ruthless shark the bastard is. That’s the type of person I’ll be stuck with.”
“Ma dai! Aspetta un attimo (Come on! Wait a moment), “ Luca retorts. “You are not being fair. First of all, this is not only my father we are talking about. He is your dad too, and loves you. You know it. He just has his unique ways of showing it. I’ve had my share of harsh upbringing, too. Don’t be such a baby. This company will be yours one day. The old man is just trying to guide you through the entire process so that you are prepared when the time comes.”
“He should have better put me in the courier service then.” I pout dramatically, although Luca can not see my face through the phone. “I don’t want to run for coffee and serve it to some unscrupulous social climber. The guy is surely a bootlicker as well.”
I do not really mind the job. I actually think my stepfather is right. It would be unwise to give me a managerial position right away. I neither want it nor do I have the necessary experience. It is just that I am so socially awkward and bad with new acquaintances that it gives me shivers only thinking about presenting myself to this young, new executive. He must be desperate to prove himself, and I will probably make a fool of myself as soon as I step in. He will start hating me before even learning my name, which, by the way, will not be the real one. I am instructed to use my old family name, although, count De Angelis officially adopted me at ten when he married mom.
“Basta! Per amor de cielo! (Enough! For heaven’s sake!) You always jump to conclusions too quickly.” Luca sighs deeply, as he always does before taking on the role of the big brother. “Do you remember what you thought of Ryo when you first saw him? You refused to enter the room and be introduced.”
“Yeah. What about it? I was fifteen back then. It’s normal to be shy and taciturn at that age.” Ryo Takayama, Luca’s best friend and business partner is hot like hell, but no less intimidating. I was really apprehensive about him in the beginning. He seemed like a guy who could totally screw you over if you did not live up to his expectations. Well, Ryo turned out to be awesome. If I had not met Jason, I would probably be still crushing on him, although he has a husband now.
“I am just saying that you’re so negative,” my stepbrother points. “Why always expect the worst? Most people are well-intentioned. You’re charming. Look at those cute dimples. You should show them more often. Smile! Everyone likes you. Time to grow up, Sky. You’re not fifteen anymore. Relax. Ce la fai, fratellino! Io credo in te. (You can do it, little brother. I believe in you.) Give me a call when you get home tonight, ok? All will be fine.”
“Yeah, thanks, bro! I’ll keep repeating it to myself. It was really nice of you to call.” A faint smile blooms on my lips. “Deep inside, you are a real sweetheart.”
“Shut up and go to work,” Luca snorts. “Che due coglioni (What the fuck) !”
A/N
Hello at the end of Chapter 2.
Thank you for being here!
Now that you have more insights into Sky’s life, do you think it is challenging to be a part of the De Angelis family?
Or is he just being dramatic? 😀
How do you expect his first working day to go?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
ID 24737186 © Mirmoor | Dreamstime.com
Photo 150733138 © Slavun | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 3. This Is the Worst (Sky)
I hang up and do the one thing that gives me comfort in any difficult situation without fail. I scroll to the gallery and tap on the only picture of Jason I have. Heart-rending, I know. I have not seen the guy in two years. He did not see me for five whole years before that. And yet, this is my sole source of consolation. So, if you had any doubts up until now, this should have finally convinced you that I have hit rock bottom.
I still remember it as if it happened yesterday. The last bender to celebrate graduation. It was past midnight. Everyone was roaring drunk. The party had reached its climax. I was at the end of my tether, sprawled on a chaise longue outside, breathing deeply in the cool night air in hopes to stop the sudden onset of nausea. My head was aching. I was trying to gather enough energy to get out of there, wearily watching my fellow students enthusiastically scatter around wrinkled pieces of clothing, preparing to jump into the pool among screams and deafening rock beat.
The thought that I had to be at work in four hours was not giving me peace. I must have been really stupid. Why was I depriving myself of sleep over something that gave me little to no pleasure? I rubbed my face in annoyance before casting one final glance at the euphoric crowd.
And there was the answer to my question. He was right in front of me, with his shirt unbuttoned and hands carelessly shoved in his pockets. Our eyes met. He smiled. I had no idea where that courage came from, but I hesitantly took out my phone. Jason was just standing there and gazing at me with that wide, dazzling grin on his face. He stuck his tongue out at me, and I snapped the picture a second before someone pushed him into the water.
That was it. The only time Jason Marchetti acknowledged my existence. I ran out into the street to catch a taxi and never saw him again.
The phone starts buzzing in my hand, bringing me abruptly back to the reality of the present day. My fears are justified this time. It is dad.
“Ma cosa sta succedendo (What’s going on) ? Skylar, where are you? Va tutto bene (Is everything ok
) ?“ For a brief moment, I think I hear concern in his voice. However, he is quick to prove me wrong. “You aren’t getting late, are you? What is taking you so long? I just called Giulia. She informed me you were nowhere to be seen. Why did I give you the penthouse? You literally live two flights of stairs from the office. Hurry up!”
I have no chance to say a word in response. I am not expected to do it either, so I push the phone back into my pocket and lean heavily on the reception desk where I have safely arrived just on time.
“Skyyy! I’m so happy to see you.” Giulia beams at me, instantly improving my gloomy mood. “Mamma mia! Look at you. You are all grown up. So handsome. How could you not come to see me for so long? Promise me we’ll catch up later. How was Austria? What about Bologna? Madonna santa! My lovely boy.”
The amiable woman has been working as a receptionist on the executive floor for at least twenty years. My parents often left me with her as a child during my father’s board meetings, and mom’s shopping sprees at the mall ten floors below. I did not mind. It was fun. Giulia secretly helped me with homework and always kept some maritozzi for me (cream buns, typical Roman dessert) . I love her. She looks around cautiously, as no one else should know who I am, and gives me a quick hug, winking at me.
“Mi dispiace, Giuls (I am sorry, Giuls) !” I smile apologetically, squeezing her hand. “I had a lot on my mind, but now that I’m back, things will change. How about a dinner this Friday?”
“Sure! Sure! That would be fantastic.” She leans closer to my ear and lowers her voice. “The new marketing director is quite an impressive young man. I have a feeling you two will get along pretty well. I heard he studied in Vienna, just like you.”
“Oh, really?” I feel the cold shiver running down my spine. That is all I fucking needed, be the secretary of a college mate. My self-esteem will no doubt shoot straight up to the moon. There are many specialties, I reassure myself. We probably have nothing in common and have never met at all.
“Come on!” Giulia is pushing me towards the nearest conference room. “Have a seat. They’ll be here any minute. I’ll bring coffee and water. Good luck, love!”
I flop in a huge, leather chair with my back to the half-open door and try to even my breathing. My father is obviously determined to make my life as miserable as possible. There is no way he is oblivious of all the distress he is causing me. Why? Why does he have to do this to me?
“Signor De Angelis, please reconsider. I am quite certain. I really do not need any help, sir.” It is a raspy male voice that makes all the blood drain from my face. “I am not that important to be assigned a personal assistant. I’ve got my team. It is perfectly enough. We can discuss it again when we launch the new cosmetics brand, but until then, I prefer to work alone. Have I ever disappointed you, sir?”
I am totally fucked up. That voice can never be mistaken. My new boss is Jason Marchetti. To top it all, he does not want me. I also might be having a heart attack right at this moment.
Of all the shit that has ever happened to me, this must be the worst.
Homemade MARITOZZO, Italian bread stuffed with whipped cream
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 3.
Thank you for supporting my new story!
Did you expect this turn of events? 😏
What do you think about Sky’s father?
Is he trying to make his life miserable on purpose?
Have fun, share your thoughts and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
ID 29289299 © Matusciac | Dreamstime.com
Photo 244937333 © Jittakorn Naoneaw | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 4. Impossible Escape (Sky)
Breathe, Skylar! Breathe! You are not going to faint in front of your father, and even worse, have Jason witness such humiliation. You cannot be that pathetic. There is no way he remembers you. Just hold on a few more minutes. He does not want an assistant. It will be a quick death. They will come in, dismiss you, and you can go home to lick your wounds with a bottle of wine and an extra-large bowl of Cioccolato Fondente Gelato (dark chocolate ice cream) .
Oh, God! My dearest God! I will not survive this.
The door flings open. I make a pitiful attempt to stand up. My legs feel like jelly. I grip the edge of the table to steady myself and try to contort my mouth into something like a smile. Every desperate effort fails miserably. My face is numb with shock. My lips refuse to move. I probably look like a pale statue of frozen horror and mortification.
The two men are walking around the table to face me. Each step makes my heart skip a beat. I am not even sure if I have a pulse anymore. It should be there, though, to explain the throbbing in my temples. I break out in a cold sweat. This is not happening. It is unreal. Maybe, I am in a crazy, twisted dream. If that is the case, I need to wake up… NOW.
“Sky? Is that you?” Jason is staring at me in utter bewilderment. “Oh, wow! You look good, man. Great to see you again.”
I am staring back. He is damn handsome. Is it possible for someone to become twice as sexy in just two years? The bastard could do me a favor and get at least a tiny bit less attractive, but no. Me and my terrible luck. I can still recognize the boy I remember, but he has turned into an elegant businessman now, wearing an expensive suit and gorgeous, black, browline glasses. His thick, dark hair is styled in a textured brush up, subtly hinting at his wild side, which is not on display, but can never be fully tamed. My crush in all his glory.
I am aware that my lips are parting. I know they are moving. It looks like I am returning the greeting, but there is absolutely no sound coming out. I see Jason hold out his hand. However, I have no control over mine, so my fingers keep clinging to the edge of the table.
“Mr. Jones?” Dad raises his eyebrows questioningly. His judgmental glare is burning a hole somewhere between my glossy eyes. I am still at a loss of words. And who the hell is Mr. Jones? There is no one else in the room but the three of us. My heartless parent starts losing patience. “Skylar!”
Ohhh… It is meee… I am Mr. Jones… Oops, I totally forgot about my father’s game of undercover. The realization sobers me up and I finally put my shaking, sweaty palm in Jason’s hand.
“I… Nice to meet you… No! Ugh… I mean, it is nice, but… I knew you from before, so… I am glad we meet… again.” The effort leaves me gasping for air.
For heaven’s sake! My face is burning. This is a real disaster. Is it going to be too weird if I just run out the door and never come back? A Caribbean island seems like a great place to spend the rest of my life. I have no idea what else to say, so I try to pull out my hand. Jason instantly tightens his grip, making escape impossible. I gape at him in surprise. He smirks at me.
“Well, now that it became clear you two knew each other, I see no need to stay any longer,” father states. I immediately use the opportunity to pull my hand away and push both deep in my pockets. I can not let Jason touch me again. My poor heart will not take it. Dad turns to him. “Signor Marchetti, I think we have already established that I am not the type of employer to impose opinions, especially on the members of my high management. All I have to say is this. Mr. Jones has excellent credentials and is very qualified. I had to put in a lot of effort to have him in our company. My advice for you is to have a good talk with him. If you still insist you don’t need his help after the interview, I have a number of other responsibilities I’d be happy to assign to him.”
There is a knock at the door. Giulia comes in, carrying a tray of beverages, sandwiches and fruit. I sit back and grab a bottle of water. An interview? With Jason? What the hell? My nerves are on edge. Stuffing a sandwich in my mouth will surely ease the tension, but it would be highly inappropriate as well. I settle for only slowly drinking the water.
One sits for an interview if they want the job. I definitely do not, so I am waiting patiently for dad and Giuls to leave and give me the opportunity to inform my unwilling future boss that he is relieved of the obligation to hire me. Jason’s expressive, dark eyes are fixed on mine, but I am too distressed to read his intentions. One thing is certain, though. He was very surprised to see me. Contrary to my expectations, he also seems quite pleased with this turn of events. I can not imagine why.
“Phew, the Big A is a little overwhelming, isn’t he?” Jason grins the second my father and Giulia are gone and grabs a sandwich and a cup of steaming coffee. “Dig in. I get so hungry every time I have to spend time with him. Emotional eating, I guess. But it helps. You look pretty nervous yourself. Come on… Mmm, so good… Try the Tramezzino (triangular sandwich) with prosciutto and cheese.”
“The Big A?” I mutter.
“The CEO, Signor De Angelis,” he barely hums as his mouth if full to the brim. “But don’t tell him we call him this way. Did you know he was a count? The guy is used to bossing people around, but once you get to know him, he’s actually pretty cool.”
“Huh?” I hesitantly drag a cup of coffee across the table, but dare not take a sip. “Listen, if you do not want an assistant, it is fine to…”
“No, no, no,” he interrupts me, waving the sandwich in front of my face. “I desperately need an assistant. But I had no idea who was appointed, so I had to put up a bit of a fight. Just wanted to choose the person myself.”
“Umm…” I run my fingers through my hair. It is probably not a good idea as it is constantly disheveled anyway. “It doesn’t have to be me…”
“Of course it will be you,” he stops me mid-sentence again. “Things couldn’t have turned out any better.”
“Really?” I cannot hide my confusion. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know you.” He shrugs and grabs another sandwich. “Aren’t you going to eat? If you wait a little longer, there will be nothing left.”
“But I thought you didn’t even know my name,” I mumble.
“I have always known your name, Sky,” Jason says and gives me a meaningful wink.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 4.
Thank you for reading and all the support!
What are your first impressions of Jason?
Do you think he and Sky will get along well?
What about Jason’s last statement? What do you think he meant? 😏
Did he really need an assistant, or seeing Sky made him change his mind?
Have fun, share your thoughts and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
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Chapter 5. The Rules of The Game (Sky)
“Sorry, I didn’t have time to eat breakfast. This one is for you.”
My future boss smiles apologetically and pushes the tray towards me, after devouring five sandwiches. There is only one left, a mini portobello mushroom burger with a delicious looking toasted crust. Giulia’s food is always mouthwatering, not something one would give up easily. I cast a glance at the small culinary masterpiece but shake my head and push the tray back. There is no way I am going to put this in my mouth. My stomach is already acting up. Too much stress in one morning.
“If you insist.” Jason shrugs and snatches the food, as if being afraid that I might change my mind.
Yeah, with that hot body, what is there to worry about? His impressive pecs are clearly outlined under the tight shirt. Besides, he will always be drop dead gorgeous, regardless of his weight. Why can some people eat as much as they want with no consequences? Why am I not one of them?
Jason tilts his head curiously. “So, you are Roman? That’s awesome. I didn’t know it. I am not surprised, though. You do look a bit like Augusto di Prima Porta*”
(* Augusto di Prima Porta - a full-length, marble statue from 1st century AD, a portrait of Augustus Caesar - the first Roman Emperor. It was discovered during excavations in 1863 in the house of his third wife Livia.)
The look of utter shock and confusion on my face must be hilarious as he bursts into rapturous laughter, almost spitting out the burger, which he managed to stuff into his mouth in two large bites.
“Mi dispiace, Sky! Non avrei dovuto farlo
(
Sorry, Sky! I shouldn’t have done it) ,“ he barely rasps through coughs and cackles. “You should have seen your face. Oh, my God! I was just joking. You must admit that the guy is not bad looking at all. That was a compliment.”
“I was born in New York,” I point out, putting an end to any speculation about my connection to the Roman Empire.
“Oh, really?” Jason seems genuinely surprised. “What made you cross the Atlantic?”
“My mom married her Italian boyfriend when I was ten,” I explain. “No one asked me if I wanted to move.”
“Ah, I see.” There is sympathy in his voice. “Mine did the same. Married my dad, I mean… but I wasn’t born when it happened. She’s from Denver. I’ve never been there. My grandparents passed away and she left for Europe. There is nothing to pull us back.”
A tiny, almost invisible trace of sadness flashes in his eyes, making them look like two deep oceans of black velvet, and then disappears as suddenly as it surfaced. I gulp heavily. The butterflies in my stomach, the racing heart, everything is just like before, in Vienna. At least, he talks to me now.
Jason studies my face for a few minutes and suddenly jumps up. “Alright, Mr. Jones. You are hired. Let’s get to work.”
I can barely keep up with his pace as he strides determinedly across the vast, open space between the individual offices. We stop only after we reach the opposite side, which faces the bridges over the picturesque artificial lake outside and the lush greenery of the surrounding park area. The panoramic view of the whole EUR district with tall buildings, museums and the Square Colosseum is magnificent from this height. We are gazing through the floor to ceiling windows, standing side by side.
“I have always dreamed of working here, at a place exactly like this one, on the top floor, and see this view every day,” Jason says quietly. “But sometimes, you have to give up one thing to gain another. These are the rules of the game. You can’t have it all at once. That’s why you should choose carefully. Mistakes are very hard to fix.”
“Wow!” I peek at him in astonishment. “When did you become a philosopher? What happened to the good-time boy, the life and soul of the party? I think spending too much time with my fathe… Cough!… The Big A might have damaged you.”
“Naaah! What are you talking about?” He gives me such a strong back pat that my face almost sticks to the glass. “I’ve grown up and changed a little, but old Jace, the party animal is still right here. I’ll prove it to you. If you make it to Friday in one piece, I’m taking you clubbing.”
“No! Out of the question,” I shriek, before even considering his proposal. I am not a fan of crowded spaces where strangers squeeze you between their sweaty bodies and call it dancing. Also, I am not ready to watch the love of my life ditch me for a random hot person he has just met in a smoky nightclub. I have been in this hell too many times. I do not need a broken heart again.
“Why not? Actually, you can’t say no,” Jason states triumphantly. “I am your boss. You must do as I say. I am ordering you to hit the clubs with me.”
“You can’t order me.” I glare at him. What an audacity! Does he really expect me to do whatever he wants? “Boss does not mean master. You can only give me tasks during working hours. And by saying tasks I refer to typing, sorting documents, preparing coffee… the latter only as a last resort, when there is no other way.”
“Fine,” he sighs. “You’ve always been a tough nut to crack, haven’t you? How about asking as an old college friend?”
“I am sorry, but I can’t. I promised Giulia to take her to dinner.”
What the fuck is going on? Is my years long crush trying to convince me to spend Friday night with him, while I am doing my best to decline the invitation? I must have gone insane. But I did promise her. Oh, shit! I shouldn’t have told him that Giulia and I are close. This is what happens when I am around Jason. My common sense is completely gone.
“Whoa! Good job, tiger!” he grins. “Five minutes in the office and you already nailed the receptionist. I didn’t expect it from you. Respect!”
My eyes go wide. For a brief moment I thought he had changed, but no. He is as unbearable as I remember him, all about partying and sex. Me and Giulia! Outrageous!
“She’s my mom’s friend,” I bellow.
Fuuuck! Things are spiraling down with the speed of light. He is provoking me on purpose. It will get worse. I know the smirk on his face so well. He will make me dig my own grave if I do not brace myself.
“Is she? I am so sorry! My bad,” Jason says innocently. It seems like a genuine apology. I wave my hand dismissively without having a clue what I want to express with the vague gesture. He flings an arm over my shoulders and almost presses his lips to my ear. “You are a good boy, Sky. Too good, if you ask me. I wouldn’t be so virtuous if I were you. Admit that she’s sexy. There is nothing wrong with that. Your mother does not have to know if you two decide to have some fun…”
“I am gay, idiot!” I hiss and push him away.
No, I am the fool here. How could it even cross my mind that Jason Marchetti has changed? How could I believe, even for a second, that he saw me, and might have started to like me for who I am? Bastard!
We stare at each other for a long, hot, agonizing minute.
“I knew it,” he finally says.
“Very well then.” I straighten my shoulders and look him in the eye. “With that out of the way, can we cut the crap? If we are going to work together, let me tell you my rules of the game. From this point on, our relationship will be purely professional. Forget about old college buddies. We have never been friends anyway. I am not going to hang out with you… ever. And the moment you mention Giulia in a disrespectful way again, I’ll quit. Can we start my training now, please?”
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 5.
Thank you for reading and supporting!
Do you think Jason deliberately provoked Sky, or was he just being a jerk?
If it was a deliberate provocation, why did he do it?
Will Sky be able to stick to his intentions of only being professional with Jason?
Have fun, share your thoughts and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
Photo 24737218 / Man © Mirmoor | Dreamstime.com
Photo 191910254 © Dan Grytsku | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 6. Don’t Be Such A Baby (Sky)
This was a crazy day. I can safely call it one of the weirdest in my life, and it is not over yet. At least I am finally done with work for today and slowly dragging my feet up the stairs to my penthouse. I somehow survived Jason Marchetti… again.
“Hey, baby.” Mom’s voice is cheerful and enthusiastic. “How was your first day? Was daddy good?”
She is always like that. Nothing can ruin her sunny disposition. The woman has achieved everything she dreamed of, and while some people tend to find problems in any situation however favorable, she is of the kind who sees only the positive. In the case of her marriage, the benefits are more than obvious. Happiness is oozing from her. I sit on a step and adjust the phone to my ear. Conversations with my mother usually last for half an hour at best. That is when she is not very talkative. My stomach is rumbling, but the takeaway will not arrive for forty more minutes, so I’ve got plenty of time. I loosen my tie and prepare for a detailed interrogation and the inevitable subsequent psychoanalysis.
“It depends on what you mean by saying ‘good’,” I answer tentatively. Mom finds no flaws in her husband, so it is useless to point out any. “He was civil. Actually, he stood up for me to my new boss who didn’t want to hire me at first. I mean, the guy didn’t want an assistant at all, but after we talked, he changed his mind.”
“But of course!” Mom yells. “Who wouldn’t want to work with a sunshine like you. He would be crazy not to hire you. I’m so proud of you, baby. What is he like?”
“Umm… He is one of my fellow colleagues from Vienna,” I mutter, hoping she won’t ask for further details. “It turned out we knew each other.”
“How wonderful,” she exclaims. “Were you friends?”
“Nope.” I roll my eyes. Mom knows very well that I had no close friends there. “He’s a jerk.”
“Nooo. I’m sure you are exaggerating.” She sounds sincerely convinced that I cannot be right. “He is no doubt a smart, young man. Your father wouldn’t have promoted him to marketing manager otherwise. Massimo values him, and he does not readily give his approval. I’ve heard a lot of praise for the boy. You have a habit of perceiving people in a negative way simply because you are too shy. Open up a bit, Sky.”
“I’ll try, mom,” I instantly agree. There is no point in arguing. “We had a slight difference of opinions, but everything was very professional afterwards.”
“Glad to hear it.” She sighs. My mother and my stepbrother always give me that deep sigh at least once when they talk to me. It seems they both think I am a hopeless case. “No more disagreements, Skylar. You might be the next CEO, but not before your father decides you are ready. Until then, that marketing manager is your superior. Be respectful.”
“I’ll take Giulia out for dinner on Friday,” I inform her just to change the subject.
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you, baby. My wonderful boy. She’s been so sad since the divorce. I wish I was there to join you.” Mom’s enthusiasm is never-ending.
I hardly believe she is so willing to cut her vacation in Mallorca short. She has been there with two of her closest friends for at least a month now, leaving no doubt in the local shop assistants that she has money to burn. My mother often travels around the world, with or without dad, and is equally satisfied in both cases. I am not saying she is a spendthrift. Amelia De Angelis is actually quite a reasonable person. But if you are married to a billionaire, why not enjoy it? Being the child of a billionaire, however, is an entirely different kettle of fish…
Her lively voice interrupts the unhealthy course my thoughts are trying to take. “I’ll call Giuls later to see how she’s doing. Oh, I have a splendid idea. There is a brand new, very cozy restaurant on Via Ostilia. Take her there. You will love it. The food is superb. By all means try their Cacio e Pepe.* The best I’ve ever had. You know the place. It’s right next to that lovely gelateria we found the day before you left for Austria. The one that offered the most scrumptious Cioccolato All’Arancia**, remember? A bit too much for me, but you loved it.”
*Cacio e Pepe - traditional Roman dish of long egg pasta, prepared with Pecorino Romano (cheese, made from sheep’s milk) and freshly ground black pepper
**Cioccolato All’Arancia - Orange Chocolate gelato flavor of 70% dark chocolate with Grand Marnier orange-flavored liqueur
“But mom, that’s all the way to the Colosseum. I’ll have to cross half the city and drive twenty minutes in the rush hour.” She never drives so she wouldn’t know. It gives me a headache only thinking about it.
Who knows what will happen by Friday. Jason seemed a little taken aback when I snapped at him this morning. We entirely focused on work from that moment on. But he was also in meetings out of the office most of the time, so I was mainly trained by the members of his team, two women and a guy, all very agreeable. For some reason, I have the suspicion things won’t stay the same for the rest of the week. I don’t remember Jason putting up with a refusal during our college years. Eventually, he always got what he wanted, whether it was a date, help with a project, or convincing someone to turn their house into the venue for the next party. I expect challenging times ahead, and will hardly be in shape to push my way through the impossible traffic on the last day of work.
“Don’t be such a baby.” Mom is unimpressed by my concerns. “Your father didn’t buy you a car so you could reject all other forms of transportation. It was just a graduation present. Take a taxi. Have a few glasses of that wonderful Pinot Grigio wine that goes so well with the pasta. You need to cut loose sometimes. Enjoy yourself.”
“This is great,” I grumble. “I’ve been called a baby for a second time in the same day. My family thinks highly of me. By the way, I didn’t ask for a car.”
To be precise, I asked for absolutely nothing. I have dreamed of becoming an artist since I was a child. I wanted to study at the Fine Art Academy in Milan and was actually accepted thanks to the secret, online drawing lessons I have been taking for years. No one listened to me as usual.
“Aaah, you talked to Luca,” My mother starts to giggle. “Well, you are our babyyy. We love you, Sky. But you have to admit that you need a little push from time to time. Do as I say and you won’t regret it.”
“Ok, I will,” I quickly answer, feeling my anger rise. I do not like to fight with my mother. It really upsets her. I know everyone is well-intentioned, and the last thing I want is to be ungrateful. It is just that our ideas about what is good for me are quite different. I feel as if I am not a part of this family but some kind of a charity object who has no say in what is given to them. An argument over the phone will not change it, though. “Thanks, mom! Enjoy your vacation. Bye!”
“Sky, wait!” She is not ready to give up yet. “Why don’t you call Andrea? He’ll be thrilled to see you.”
Why does she always bring up my ex at the most inopportune times? What was so wonderful about him that no one seems to get over him years after we broke up? I surely did.
“Sorry, mom!” It is about time to end this conversation. “My food is here. I have to run.”
Roman pasta Cacio e pepe
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 6.
Thank you for reading and supporting the story!
What do you think of signora De Angelis?
Is she unsupportive, or Sky is right that everyone is well-intentioned, but imperceptive of his interests?
Will he take his mom’s advice and have a blast? 😀
Have fun, share your thoughts and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
Photo 212023799 / Cacio E © Vladislav Chusov | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 7. The Sketchbook (Sky)
I am finally home, curled up on the couch in the safe space of my cozy living room. The view through the panoramic glass wall is stunning. My penthouse is on the roof of the highest building in the area. Rome is like a sea of moving lights at my feet. The Eternal City never sleeps. It is comforting to know it. Life goes on. Everything constantly changes, and suddenly, here I am, on the top of the world. I love this place, mostly because it is only mine, but also because it gives me the right perspective. One has to get over things, even if only occasionally and purely in terms of location.
What a contrast to the shared, humble apartment on campus. I really should stop complaining about every tiny drawback in my life and be more grateful. Maybe dad is not so bad after all. I wish I was more like mom and always saw the glass as half full. Unfortunately, my brain is prone to the pessimistic point of view and takes it as half empty in ninety-nine percent of the cases. Quite an inconvenient habit, which never allows me to be fully contented with the circumstances and makes it almost impossible to be happy. Why am I like this? I have been asking this question for the last fifteen years and still have not found an answer. Perhaps there is none. Some people are extroverted and buoyant, and others are simply not capable of enjoying life as it is. We want more and spend our time waiting for our delusions to become a reality. However, I have lived long enough to know that perfection does not exist, and human beings are the least likely place to find it.
Talking about moodiness, the two things I love most, besides drawing, are Chinese food and soulful, old pop songs. You know those irresistible tendencies of a pessimistic person to intensify the feeling of melancholy instead of trying to get rid of it. Well, that is me. Not all the time, but often enough to call it a character trait. I do not like it, but I can’t help doing it either.
Letting out a deep sigh, I stuff a pan-fried pork dumpling in my mouth and play Hurt’s ‘Wonderful life’ with the volume turned up to max. It is great to have your house on the roof of a building with corporate offices five floors below. You can practically throw a rave party after 5 p.m., and no one will give a shit about it. Black’s track of the same title is next on my playlist, followed by Mike&The Mechanics’ ‘Another cup of coffee’ , Duran Duran’s ‘Come undone’ , Savage Garden’s ‘To the Moon and Back’ and a bunch of others like that. As strange as it may seem, this type of music cheers me up. It somehow makes me believe it is ok to be down sometimes, and things will change for better eventually. You just have to hold on.
My brother Luca calls my music preferences the epitome of gayness. Considering how he is a total ass, we should definitely pay no attention to him. Also, I call him the epitome of dickheadness, so you could say we are even.
Aaah, this is much better. Food and emotional tunes. To make it perfect, l take out my sketchbook and grab a pencil. The pad is thick. There are hundreds of drawings in it. The funny part is they all depict one and the same thing, or rather one and the same person. You will not be surprised to learn who the man is. I have drawn numerous portraits of the object of my unrequited love. It was my main occupation apart from studying and working during the years in Vienna. As soon as I got back to the dormitory, I was hurrying to save the memory of any random or not-so-random encounter on paper. I guess if Jason knew about it, he would have thought I was completely crazy. And maybe I am. He is my addiction. I doubt there is a cure for that.
It is a bittersweet experience to go through all these memories, chronologically detailing every single time I watched him secretly. It is a whole ass romantic novel, a love story which never happened.
Here is a sketch from the day I saw him for the first time. It was at the end of my second week in Austria. I knew literally no one, and there was no prospect of making new friends anytime soon. Maybe it would have been different if I had the courage to talk to my roommates instead of only nodding or shaking my head when they asked me a question. However, I had not yet reached that level of comfort around them, so I kept quiet and existed in solitude.
I was sitting in the farthest corner of the university cafeteria that day, hiding behind my open laptop and doing the most pitiful thing ever. I was stalking my ex-boyfriend’s Facebook profile. I know. You do not even have to say it. Pathetic. Not that I was missing him. It was because of pure, unhealthy curiosity. It can be quite fascinating to observe the lengths a gold-digger, disguised as an influencer, is ready to go in his attempts to attract the attention of any heir of a rich Roman family. I was off the hook at that time, so he was in search of fresh meat. I will tell you about dear Andrea some other time. Beware, though. Everyone likes him. You can easily fall a victim of his dashing smile and unadulterated charm. The guy is a master of seduction and always succeeds in becoming the parents’ favorite. Before you know it, you may find yourself with an engagement ring on your finger. That is only if you are filthy rich. I am not. Unsurprisingly, his affection plummeted when he realized that my means were strictly limited and I was of no aristocratic descent.
Anyway, my situation in the café was getting quite unpleasant. I was the first visitor when I came early in the morning. It was empty. An hour later, there were no free seats left, and the students kept arriving in merry, chattering groups. They did not mind squeezing at one small table, even if the party was much bigger. All they needed were extra chairs. Gradually, I ended up all alone at a table for four, with no chairs around it except mine while the room was crowded. People were practically sitting on top of each other everywhere else. To say I felt embarrassed would be an understatement. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. It felt like I had the plague, and all my fellow collegians knew about it. There was still half an hour to the beginning of the lecture. It was pouring with rain outside. I was also too uncomfortable to stand up and leave. It would have been the most awful walk of shame. In general, I had no other choice but to stay where I was and feel smaller with each passing second.
“Siete degli stronzi! Mi chiedo perché finora ho sopportato tutti voi. Ma che cazzo! (You are assholes! I wonder why I’ve put up with all of you so long. What the fuck!) The guy was yelling, but I could tell he was not really angry. It sounded more like friendly banter. His deep, slightly raspy voice instantly captivated my attention.
I peeked out carefully from behind the laptop only to see the most gorgeous boy dragging a chair across the room to my table. Before I could realize what was happening, he had already mumbled, ‘Do you mind?’ without even glancing at my direction, and was comfortably settled next to me. I made some indistinct sound that was supposed to mean, ‘No. It’s fine.’ The guy paid no attention to that either. He just pulled out his phone and started scrolling.
I did not dare to look at him again, but… Oh, my God! He was my knight in shining armor. I could finally breathe. Not only was I not completely alone and isolated anymore, but an incredibly attractive and confident guy was sitting right next to me.
There was no way I had the plague if he was not afraid to be so close, right?
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 7.
Thank you for reading and supporting my newest story!
Do you think Jason decided to make this act of kindness seeing Sky’s discomfort?
Was it just a coincidence, or maybe Jason had other reasons, too?
What about Andrea? Is Sky right to think his ex was with him only because of the money?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny ❤️❤️❤️
Photo 248737284 | Attractive Man © Wernerimages | Dreamstime.com
Photo 91682785 | Attractive Man © Djem82 | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 8. A Nice Surprise (Sky)
I am convinced that a wicked man invented phones as a means of torture for all the unfortunate people who consider communicating with the outer world a pretty disturbing activity and have no conversational skills on top of that. They are especially hazardous for those of us who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis. This is the ultimate punishment for staying up late. Why else on earth would the horrible thing be ringing from early morning?
Who is so eager to talk to me? I spoke with my mother for nearly forty minutes last evening and saw my father at work. It is true that it was a brief encounter, but he would not want to deal with me longer than that anyway. Luca already called yesterday… Shit! Luca! I promised to call him back and totally forgot about it. Ugh, my stubborn stepbrother can never leave me alone. Why does he always have to focus so adamantly on my well-being? It is nice of him, but also annoying as hell. I do not need a nanny. His fratellino (little brother) is all grown up. It is not his responsibility to make up for our father’s complete lack of understanding.
The irritating beep seems to be coming from somewhere under my head. I start digging around the pillow in hopes of finding the wretched device without having to open my eyes. I achieve no success with the phone but manage to dip my fingers into a spoonful of melted ice cream, most of which is smeared all over my face. The spoon itself is stuck to the middle of my forehead. A good portion of the gooey mess is in my hair, of course. Any lover of alternative looks would surely be damn jealous of the punk dreads I am sporting.
My next startling discovery is a perfectly sharpened pencil within the dangerous proximity of my right eye. I should be really grateful for deciding to roll onto my left side first. When it becomes clear that there is a neat pile of spring rolls on my crotch, I finally realize the pitiful state I am in. Apparently, I have fallen asleep on the sofa, fully clothed and with a tray of food on my lap. It is not my first time. It is unlikely to be the last one either.
“Why?” I sourly groan after managing to sit up, spot the phone under the table and answer it. “I could sleep for another hour before having to face the harsh reality. What’s wrong with you? It’s seven a. m. Who the hell likes to chat at seven? Certainly not Luca De Angelis. Did something happen? Are you all right?”
“Wow! You’re quite talkative for someone who just woke up.” He cackles. I see nothing funny. “Buongiorno, fratellino (Good morning, little brother) ! Are you alone? I mean, you are not hiding some hot guy under the sheets, are you?”
“What?” I furrow my brows in confusion. Why would he ask me such a question? Not that there is even the slightest possibility of his crazy assumption proving true. He is up to something, and I bet my bottom dollar that I am not going to like it. My suspicions grow even stronger at hearing a distinct ding on the other side of the line. I cautiously ask, trying to sound casual, “Luca, where are you?”
“In an elevator,” he apologetically answers. “Cough! Umm…with dad.”
“Fuck!” I rub my aching forehead. This is not good. I smelled trouble the moment he started coughing. “Which elevator?”
“Yours,” he remorsefully mumbles.
“Did you really drive for six hours from Genova to Rome just because it slipped my mind to brief you on my first day at work? This is insane. And why is dad… Ohh, never mind…” I honestly feel like crying. How they got together only to ruin my whole day from early morning is beyond me. I look around and shriek in horror, “What floor?”
“Just passed eighteen,” my brother cheerfully informs me. “I don’t drive, silly. I have a chauffeur. I also have a pilot, so I actually landed last night after quite an enjoyable one hour flight. Couldn’t even finish a bottle of Prosecco. Dad urgently wanted to discuss a business deal. However, it got too late for visits. We thought it would be a nice surprise to come by and have breakfast together instead.”
“Well, it is not,” I hiss. “Next time, hit me with a rock. The surprise will be nicer.”
What shall I do? There is no way I am going to clean up this mess before they pop right in the middle of my living room, much less shower and change. Why didn’t I change the elevator password when I first moved in? The sketchbook! I can somehow survive Count de Angelis’ disapproving glare at the sight of all the food on the floor and the ice cream stains on my face, but I will die on the spot if he even glimpses Jason’s portraits, which are still scattered across the table. The thought finally makes me move. I rush to collect the drawings and manage to shove them into a drawer a second before the familiar ding announces my guests’ arrival.
“Mamma mia! Madonna Santa!” Father’s eyes go wide upon stepping into the room.
Count Massimiliano de Angelis is no doubt shocked to the core. To speak frankly, so am I. For some reason, his eyes are pinned to the huge grease splotch on the front of my pants. I can’t blame him. If I were in his place, I would be gazing at precisely the same spot and jumping to exactly the same conclusions. However, I do not have the strength and determination to explain that it is not what he thinks.
My brother’s classy cream suit and father’s snow-white shirt clearly do not suggest any affectionate family hugs in my current state. We all stare at each other in silence. I feel like a smelly stray cat that some wealthy gentleman has just pulled out of the ditch in a fit of unexpected kindness and is now wondering exactly where to put it so it does not stain his expensive branded carpet. Luca is smirking. He is completely devoid of the ability to experience second hand embarrassment. My brother is enjoying this.
“If I did not know you well, I would say that there was a wild party here last night, followed by food fight and kinky sex,” he smugly says. “Unfortunately, you most likely fell asleep while drawing, with Chinese takeout on your lap. Too bad those tailored trousers are ruined in vain.”
“Luca!” Dad sternly interrupts him. “Smettila (Cut it out) ! Skylar, off to the bathroom.”
My brother rolls his eyes behind his back and perches on a tall bar stool. Father carefully takes off his jacket, puts it on the coat hanger and slowly removes the diamond cufflinks from his silk shirt’s sleeves. I am still frozen.
He cocks an eyebrow. “Svegliati! Che aspetti? Su! (Hurry up! What are you waiting for? Move!) You boys are going to give me a heart attack one of these days. Sky, look at your hair! I don’t even want to know what is smeared on your face. Santo Cielo (For heaven’s sake) ! Your pencils are mixed with noodles. Your shirt… Have you ever seen me in dirty clothes? When are you two doing to grow up?”
Luca snorts, apparently trying not to laugh out. I am ashamed. My dad can make anyone feel guilty. A tiny part of me still rebels. It whispers in my ear that I am in my own home. This is the place where I can do whatever I like, including not open the door to unexpected visitors. But it is soon silenced.
“I’ll make breakfast,” father goes on. “I want you both at the table in thirty minutes, clean, fresh, and well mannered. Don’t make me repeat.”
“Figo (Cool) !” Luca grins. “I want scrambled eggs with crispy Prosciutto di Parma, ricotta pancakes and espresso.”
“Don’t hurry to cheer,” dad grumbles. “You better start tidying up. This room needs to be polished before Sky is back. It won’t hurt to help your brother.”
I sneer at Luca’s reluctant expression, but one look from the head of house De Angelis sends me running to the bathroom.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 8.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Have you had a similar experience when someone paid a visit at the most inappropriate time?
Are you annoyed when people come uninvited?
Do you think Sky is right to be frustrated with his father’s behavior?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Photo by Pinkypills from istockphoto.com
Photo by iiievgeniy from istockphoto.com
Chapter 9. Family Breakfast (Sky)
I used to love breakfast as a child. It was my favorite meal of the day. The main reason was that I always found the food we usually ate for breakfast the most delicious and appealing of all the other meals. What kid would not prefer pancakes topped with chocolate, whipped cream, or strawberry jam over steak? It is true that Romans rarely stray from the typical espresso and cornetti.* However, I was not exactly one of them, was I?
*Cornetto - literally “a little horn”, Italian pastry resembling the French croissant, but usually sweeter and filled with crema pasticcera (custard) or jam and powdered with sugar and nuts
The appetizing smell of scrambled eggs, fried bacon, and toast makes me cease all fruitless attempts to tame my blow-dried, frizzy hair. I know from experience that any styling product will only make things worse, so I sigh in resignation and leave myself to the mercy of my nasty brother. He will surely make the most out of this welcome chance to taunt me.
Luca wastes no time in proving me right. The moment I step into the kitchen, he yells, “Guarda questo angioletto (Look at this little angel) ! He must have flown here straight from wild hair heaven.
I glare at him and give him the finger.
He fakes a startled expression and covers his mouth with a hand. “Mi dispiace, Sky (I’m so sorry, Sky) ! I shouldn’t have used the word “straight” when it comes to you. How inconsiderate of me.“
“Ha - ha - ha! Sei un coglione (You’re such an idiot) !” I hiss. “If you want to tease someone, at least come up with jokes that are actually funny.”
“Boys!” Father’s voice booms in the huge room, instantly drowning out our not-so-friendly banter. “Listening to this, one would never believe they are dealing with grown men. I feel like I am still talking to the immature brats I had at home fifteen years ago. You were two little devils alright. Nothing much has changed.”
His face lights up. His lips curve in a smile, which reminds me of my first year in Italy. Although I am constantly torn between love and admiration and the burning desire to strangle him, I can not help but admit that count Massimo de Angelis did his best to make me feel at home. Breakfast was his way of showing me that I was a part of the family. He changed his schedule and started going to work later just so he could spend more time with us every morning. Now that I know what a workaholic he is, I can properly appreciate the gesture. He always cooked whatever we wanted and made sure I did not miss out on anything I used to eat back in the US.
It is hilarious to remember. Before I met my stepfather for the first time, I thought of aristocrats as some kind of mythical creatures that only existed in the movies. I imagined them living in gloomy haunted castles. There was no way they would not grow horns at night, or wings, or at the very least long fangs, and suck the blood out of any innocent victim who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can imagine what you are thinking. I agree. It sounds so silly. In my defense, I was only ten and loved to binge watch vampire movies on Halloween.
What was my surprise when a well-mannered, very good-looking and quite friendly man met us at Rome Fiumicino Airport. He was an ordinary person. I mean that, of course, in the broadest sense of the word as he had no item worth less than five thousand dollars on him, except maybe the huge bouquet of red roses he gave to my mother. But I can not be completely sure about that either. The thing was monstrous. Mom was barely able to hold it with both hands.
The count never allowed anyone in his Roman house or Palazzo di Angelis in Genova to say a single word of Italian without immediately translating it to me until he was sure I knew the language well enough to understand and communicate freely. Both family estates, by the way, were anything but grim or haunted. I was captivated by the exquisite works of art on the walls, the perfectly kept gardens with stone benches under orange trees and winding vines above cozy sheds where we drank caffe macchiato caldo* and aperitivo** with bruschetta alla romana*** every warm summer afternoon.
*caffe macchiato caldo - espresso with a drop of cold milk
**aperitivo - afternoon light drink with snacks
***Bruschetta alla romana - toasted bread topped with olive oil, chopped tomatoes, capers and pepper
I got to love Italian dolce vita (sweet life), and even acknowledged that the idea of mom marrying the count was not the worst. I did not have close friends in New York to miss, but I found some new ones here instead. Life was good.
That was until I started school and felt my stepfather’s iron hand for the first time. Massimo can be a loving and attentive parent, but he never lets things go unchecked. The man is all about control, long-term plans and objectives. You do what is necessary to achieve them and run with the ball. Otherwise, he will push you until you start running regardless of your wishes. No one can rule an entire empire by showing mercy.
He never treated me and Luca differently, but my brother, who was twenty at that time, was a hard nut to crack. The constant arguments in no way could stop him from doing what he wanted, and also the fact that he could move in with his mother whenever they got too heated. That fearsome woman, no less rich and influential than count Massimo, would allow and even encourage her son’s every reckless endeavor, especially if it would anger her ex-husband. I was taken aback or rather insecure, so I did not have the courage to rebel. Maybe if I had been more like Luca, I would have become an artist instead of the secretary to the obnoxious marketing director I had a crush on for years. I am not even sure if my current situation is good or bad. Che sarà sarà (What will be will be). It is no use crying over spilled milk . At least I get the chance to be close to Jason, although that is hardly beneficial for my mental health.
“Sky? Why aren’t you eating?” Dad snaps his fingers in front of my face to catch my attention. “We must be at the office in twenty minutes, and I need to talk to you about something important before that. You better hurry. Now is not the time for daydreaming.”
“Important?” I try to show interest and stuff my mouth with eggs.
“Yes.” He nods. “You must have noticed that your boss, signor Marchetti, is somewhat impulsive. You probably knew this from the time you studied together in Austria. He is very good in some aspects of his profession, but his lack of restraint can cause a disaster in others.”
“Wait? Who?” Luka suddenly pricks up his ears.
“The marketing manager I told you about,” father answers. “Jason Marchetti. He will lead the promotional campaign for the new skincare brand for men. It is the one for which you will sign an exclusive distribution contract with the largest European cruise line.”
“Oh, I see. And he studied in Vienna?” Luca flashes a wide grin. “It is an unusual name, isn’t it? I wonder if there are many people named like that. It’s highly unlikely.”
“And why does this even matter?” Dad asks, groaning in annoyance. I sigh in relief. My brother, who is obviously a total ass, smugly winks at me. Father impatiently cuts his stunts, “Luca, I really do not understand you sometimes. Focus. Let’s not get off the point.”
“Which is?” I barely breathe out. My internal alarm indicator is glowing in bright red. The disaster is coming. I have absolutely no doubt about it.
“I have a task for you,” count Massimo announces. “A particularly sensitive one. I expect full confidentiality.”
Bruschetta alla Romana
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 9.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
What do you think the task will be?
Is Sky going to get into more trouble?
And did his brother guess who his new boss actually is?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Photo 220341416 © Olena Siemer | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 10. Pushed Against the Wall (Sky)
“Elvis has left the building,” Luca triumphantly announces, grinning like a Hallowing pumpkin. He instantly fishes out an outrageously big cigar out of his pocket and adds, “Well, in our case, The Big A has left the penthouse. Thank God for that! The guy can cook like a pro, but he is also totally capable of driving me nuts in less than five minutes.”
“Don’t you dare!” I yell, but it is too late.
My brother has already managed to light the cigar before I could even try to snatch it out of his hand. He puffs a cloud of smoke in my face and smugly points the smelly thing at me. “Let me see if I got this most extraordinary situation right. Jason Marchetti, huh? I kind of feel I have heard the name before… Hmm, I can’t quite remember. Why does it sound so familiar?”
I ignore his manipulative questions and open wide the sliding doors to the vast pool terrace. “Out!”
“Va bene, fai con calma, fratellino. ( Fine. Take it easy, bro. )” Luca lazily drags his feet towards the nearest lounger and blissfully stretches out under the warm autumn sun. “Honestly, I do not understand you, people. Missing out on the best things in life just in the hopes of extending your existence by a few more years. To tell you the truth, I don’t give a shit if I live to be a hundred years old since it will be no fun after ninety.”
“I am not in the least concerned about your health right now. This thing stinks to high heaven. I do not want it in my house,” I retort.
Luca indignantly snorts. “You have no taste, my dear. Fifteen years, and you obviously learned nothing from your big brother.”
“I guess I am not a very good student.” I shrug. “But I am glad you don’t plan on stopping the party until you become ninety. This means I have plenty of time to improve.”
We look at each other and burst into laughter.
“All right, all right, you win. I will smoke only outside. I promise,” Luka generously agrees. He glances at me cheekily and holds out his open palm. “Keys.”
“What keys?” I ask, gazing at him in bewilderment.
“All of them,” he answers with annoyance in his voice, as if it is unimaginable that I could not get it the first time. “Dad needs me for a few more days until we sign all the contracts. You know I do not like staying in hotels. I hate using taxi services either. So, I am crushing at your place for a couple of nights. I will also need your car.”
“And what is wrong with the family estate in San Pietro*?” I bellow.
*San Pietro/Vaticani district - one of the most beautiful and historically significant residential areas in Rome neighboring Vatican City.
“Nah, too close to the Pope,” he cuts me. “Have you ever noticed that the most indecent thoughts start to pop into your mind just when you should be behaving properly? I can’t control it. It sucks the life out of me. I am religious and do not want to make a bad impression.”
“You are crazy.” I start to giggle. “Believe me, the Pope does not care about what is going on in your head. I haven’t heard of him being a telepath either. As long as you don’t break any laws, you are perfectly safe.”
“Yeah, but dad does,” Luca retorts, letting out an exhausted sigh. “He is worse than the Pope.”
“Ugh, don’t get me started.” I flop on a lounger next to my brother and bury my fingers in my unruly hair. “What am I going to do? How could he give me such a task.”
“That sucks, man,” Luca agrees. “Hiding your true identity is one thing, but doing it while snitching on your employer is a whole other level of shittiness.”
“No. If dad had asked me to report to him on Jason’s decisions, it wouldn’t have been so bad.” I start to scratch my head in worry. My heart sinks only talking about it. “Can you imagine? He wants me to make sure that the advertising campaign will be successful and take all the necessary actions to stop any reckless choices my boss might make. What the fuck? Have you ever heard of a secretary controlling a marketing director. How the hell am I supposed to do it? You know nothing about Jason, but I am going to tell you. He is uncontrollable.”
“Hey, calm down.” My brother puts his hand on my shoulder and slightly shakes me to stop the growing panic. “If dad thinks you can, then you are surely capable of influencing the development of this project. It is a big compliment. He believes in you. I will not comment on his methods, which are pretty questionable as always. Running multi-billion companies is sometimes a dirty business. But have in mind that this deal is huge. Father obviously trusts you and Jason immensely to let you run it.”
“I thought I was going to type and make coffee,” I mutter. “Luca, I really do not want to do this. It is not in my nature to be a businessman.”
“But you will anyway, so there is no point in sulking,” he concludes. “Speaking about your boss… You are still in love with him, aren’t you? How often does fate do us favors? This is your second chance. Don’t miss it.”
“My second chance for what?” I stubbornly ask. “He did not notice me for five years. Why would he pay any attention to me now? Have you seen him by the way? It’s like pairing a wolf and a lamb.”
“Yeah, I saw him.” Luca smirks, totally unimpressed by my rant. “Seems perfect for you. You do need a bad boy to rock your world.”
“Mind your own business,” I grumble. “If you do not want to sleep a few blocks away from the Pope and a few doors down from his scarier counterpart aka signor De Angelis.”
“Ah, you have learned something from me after all.” He grins and starts clapping his hands in an exaggerated applause. “If you feel pushed against the wall, bite. Good job, fratellino. I said what I had to say. The rest is up to you. Now, where are the keys?”
“Over there, in the wicker bowl next to the clock… Oh, my God!” My eyes go wide upon seeing what time it is. I jump up and rush to the door. “Dad will kill me. It’s five past nine. See you later.”
“Si, si! Ti sento. Non c’è bisogno di urlare (Yes, yes! I hear you. There is no need to scream.) You are a bundle of nerves. When was the last time you had sex?”
My brother got the finger for a second time in an hour. My father is probably mad. I myself am officially late for work on my second day.
Vatican San Pietro Rome panorama
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 10.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Will Sky succeed with his father’s challenge?
And will Jason do something that requires his assistant’s intervention?
Do you think Sky is in trouble for being late for work?
Here is today’s surprise. The POV will change every ten chapters in this book.
So get ready to see what is in Jason’s mind. 😉
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Photo by FXQuadro from istockphoto.com
Photo 49227035 © Fallostupido | Dreamstime.com
Special 1. Meet the Family
La famiglia De Angelis
Genoa has always been renowned as one of the greatest Mediterranean ports, a bustling center of trade, wealth and fine arts. It has continued to be among the most vibrant and magnificent cities in Europe since the eleventh century, when the strongest naval power on the continent, the Republic of Genoa, ruled the seas.
Its unique spirit and unforgettable atmosphere is alive to this day. Millions of tourists visit the historical center to admire the beauty of Le Strade Nuove e il sistema dei palazzi dei Rolli di Genova* which are part of the world’s cultural heritage.
*The New Streets and the system of Palaces of the Lists- a group of streets and one hundred and sixty three unique, Renaissance and Baroque private palaces, which were built
by the aristocracy in 16th and 17th centuries.
Piazza De Ferrari main square in Genoa Italy
This was the environment, which helped the aristocratic family De Angelis thrive for hundreds of years and take full advantage of the opportunities that Italian province of Liguria’s capital offered.
I am pleased to introduce you to some of the older and other, brand new members of this noble family who are also the main characters in our story.
◈◈◈
Skylar de Angelis
Sky is a talented artist in secret. Painting is his love and passion. He is smart, shy, kind hearted, and often quite anxious in public. Despite his interest in arts, he is a Vienna University of Economics graduate who received his Master’s degree in business management in Bologna. Sky moved to Italy with his mother at the age of ten to live with his Italian aristocratic stepfather, who adopted him into De Angelis family.
Birthplace – New York, USA
Residence – Rome, Italy
Occupation - he just started a job at De Angelis Corporation as a personal assistant to the marketing director
Age – 25
Tidbits – craving to escape from his stepfather’s control, desperately in love with his boss, too hesitant to do something about either of those problems
◈◈◈
Conte Massimiliano de Angelis
Massimo is a hereditary Italian count, billionaire, Luca’s biological father, and Skylar’s stepfather. The count is a loving parent, but also a demanding and controlling person. Since Luca has his own business and does not like to be told what to do, the head of the family is determined to train Sky to be the future CEO.
Birthplace – Genova, Italy
Residence – Rome, Italy
Occupation – Owner and CEO of De Angelis Corporation
Age – 60
Tidbits - His employees call him The Big A. He is a total workaholic. Massimo is also a big admirer of female wit and beauty.
◈◈◈
Amelia de Angelis
Amelia is an emancipated New York woman, a loving mother, and an avid tourist. She is Count de Angelis’ second wife and Sky’s mother. This energetic lady genuinely loves her husband, although, it does not stop her from traveling around the world most of the time.
Birthplace – New York, USA
Residence – Rome, Italy
Occupation - former New York real estate agent, currently the manager of De Angelis Charitable Foundation
Age – 50
Tidbits – She fell in love and married the Italian count to whom she sold a luxurious apartment in the Billionaires’ Row* at the southern end of Central Park in Manhattan, New York City.
*Billionaires’ Row – a group of residential skyscrapers on New York 57th street, some of which are among the tallest buildings in the world, containing super expensive
accommodations.
Famous public figures have bought property there at astronomical prices.
◈◈◈
Conte Luca de Angelis
Luca is a hereditary Italian count, billionaire, Count Massimo’s biological son, and Skylar’s stepbrother.
Birthplace – Genova, Italy
Residence – Palazzo di Angelis, the family estate in Genova, Italy
Occupation – co-owner of a successful independent society, working in the field of cruise ships safety. He established the company together with his best friend and associate Ryo Takayama. With their personal dedication and full commitment, they succeeded in becoming the most sought-after security experts in Europe.
Age – 35
Tidbits – Luca is a bohemian and a former playboy. He is well known in business circles for his reckless decisions, which always turn out tremendously successful. However, those times are gone as he is now madly in love with his girlfriend Sarah, who is the only woman who rejects him at first.
◈◈◈
Viscontessa Giovanna Altamura
Giovanna is a hereditary Italian viscountess. She is Massimo de Angelis’ ex-wife and Luca’s mother.
Birthplace – Genova, Italy
Residence – Palazzo di Altamura, Genova, Italy
Occupation – Philanthropist, a large landowner and rentier, the head of several private charitable foundations
Age – 65
Tidbits – The viscountess adores both her son and his stepbrother. Sky is her soft spot because of his gentle nature. She is also good friends with Amelia. But she hates count Massimo’s guts. The main reason is that their characters are too similar to work together. They still have a deep mutual respect.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Special Chapter 1.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
As you have probably guessed, there will be special chapters from time to time. I love to use them for offering some more visuals and put more focus on the beautiful places and the characters’ background and environment. I hope this will also make it easier to remember who is who as the story unfolds.
As promised, the POV will change every ten chapters, so we will have more details about Jason’s lifestyle and thoughts in the next one.
Who is your favorite de Angelis?
Who are you curious to find out more about?
Is Sky too different from his family?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
in order of appearance:
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Chapter 11. Dress to Impress (Jason)
[xxx - mature content warning]
“Oh, my God! Look at those eyes. How can you have such a pure shade of blue in your eyes? Pretty. Just like the summer sky.” I reach out to touch his lips. They always look a little pouty and so soft…
“Who is Sky?” Someone mercilessly shakes my relaxed body by he shoulder, sits on my chest, and starts slapping my cheeks too roughly to qualify as playful. The annoyed female voice commands, “Come on, rise and shine! I am bored. I hate it when you sleep and I am awake.”
“Stop it,” I growl, trying to capture her hands without opening my eyes. “Lulu, if you do not cut this out, I will spank your irritating ass. I swear this is not a joke.”
“Oh my! Is it a promise then?” Lucia contentedly purrs. She turns around and literally sits on my face. “Do it, Jay-jay. Look at that butt begging for some action. Slap it, babe! I am so going to like it.”
I have no choice but to open my eyes, grip the offered abundance of goods and push it up to prevent the inevitable suffocation, as both my nose and mouth are so full of black lace that my oxygen supply is completely cut off. I finally manage to take a big gulp of air and dig my teeth into the first patch of bare skin I see.
“Aaah, Jay-jay! You are a savage,” she shrieks. “I love it. You never need persuasion. Too bad I can not keep you much longer, but I am determined to make the most of it while I still can. Yes! Oh, God! Aaah…”
“Works perfectly for me, darling,” I assure her. “Now, spread your legs as this damn thing is getting in my way.”
I bite the bottom of her almost non-existent panties and slap her butt as hard as she can take without hurting her.
“Uh… Aaah… You are good,” she moans as I roll her over to lie on her stomach and start pulling the tiny piece of silk down her legs with my teeth.
“Up on all fours,” I order and award Lulu’s gorgeous behind with another firm smack. “Tell Daddy how you like it.”
“Rough,” she instantly whines. “I was very bad, Daddy. I am a naughty, disobedient girl. Punish me. I deserve it.”
“You surely do.” I grin as she scrambles to her hands and knees.
Lucia Rossi is no doubt a nasty bitch. However, one thing cannot be denied. She is also a fascinating woman. I actually like her fierce determination when pursuing her goals. Our no-strings-attached, wild sex arrangement is perfect for both of us. I have to focus on my work, and she is willing to do anything to put the ring on her boss’ finger, an infamous lawyer who became filthy rich by helping big corporations avoid paying their taxes. The truth is that, contrary to our expectations, a warm friendship bloomed between us, which made sex even better. We are comfortable in each other’s company.
My gaze accidently falls on the gold watch on her wrist. I grab her hand to bring the dial closer, causing her to fall flat on her face in the process, her ass sticking up in the air.
“You are wasting no time,” she squeaks. “Go, Daddy. I am ready.”
“Huh? Oh no!” I gasp upon seeing what time it is and jump out of bed, nearly sprawling on the floor as the entire sheet trails behind me, hopelessly tangled at my feet “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? I am totally screwed.”
“No, you are not.” Lulu sits cross-legged in the middle of my messy bed with a prominent scowl on her face. “Unfortunately, I won’t be either. What is so urgent? Only a few minutes ago you didn’t want me to wake you up at all.”
“The meeting I told you about. It is today. How could I entirely forget about it? I am totally unprepared and fucking late.” I apologetically glance at her while trying to gather my scattered clothes from the floor. Then it occurs to me that it is out of the question to wear them again, especially at such an important meeting. I rush into the nearby closet. Oh, man! Not a single ironed shirt. I know this is a desperate, pointless attempt, but I still call out to Lulu, “Would you consider helping me with something? You like to iron, right?”
“Not a chance,” she shouts back as expected. “But I am a good person, and you can be cute if you decide to put in the effort. So, I will make you an espresso, even though you hardly deserved it this morning. What a waste of hard dick.”
“Sorry, darling! I will make it up to you next time.” I leave the closet in defeat and pitifully announce, “I have no idea what to wear.”
“Mannaggia (Damn) ! Men are so boring.” Lulu heads to the kitchen without bothering to put anything on. She pushes me towards the bathroom as she walks past me. “Go take a shower. Stop gazing at the closet like a lost puppy. Today is the negotiation with that top model’s agent, right? I bet the agency will send an entire socker team, and half of them are going to be lawyers. They will try to trick you into signing for three hundred thousand euro for the model, and a three year contract at least. That is in the best case scenario. The boy’s photos are trending on all social media. He is a star. You need to look cool, fabulous, stylish in a careless way, and a ruthless corporate shark. All of it at once. Or they will eat you for breakfast. I know what to do. Leave it to me. There is no need for a smooth shirt. We need you dressed to advantage.”
“You are a treasure.” I sigh in relief. “If there is an expert on dressing to impress, that would be Lulu Rossi.”
“Thank you, Daddy! I live for the praise. Aren’t you going to tell me who Sky is?” Lucia cheekily asks again, handing me a steaming cup of coffee.
“Why did you assume it was a name?” I freeze in the doorframe, staring at her smug grin. “Maybe I was simply dreaming of sunshine and clouds.”
“And that gave you a hard on?” She starts to sneer. “I am not buying it. Do not answer me. I love riddles. Detective Lucia will find out the truth soon enough. It is funny, though. I knew a boy named Sky a few years back. However, he moved to another country. Very interesting.”
I disappear in the bathroom before she can make me spill the beans. This chick is dangerous. She better not know much. In fact, it is best if she knows nothing.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 11.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
What are you first impressions of Jason after reading his POV?
What do you think about this dream he had?
Do you think the boy Lucia refers to is actually Sky?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Chapter 12. The Deputy (Jason)
I jump out of the taxi and run across the street without bothering to look around. I wonder what would be worse, screwing up a million euro deal or getting hit by a car? That is what I call a tough choice. Both options seem pretty nasty and damn possible. The few angry honks, accompanied by a tirade of ripe curses, show that my supermodel-corporate-shark looks do not impress the agitated drivers. Lulu claims the right appearance can get you out of the shittiest situation. I am not so convinced.
What was wrong with me last night? I did not even cast a glance at the final draft of the creative project, not to mention the preliminary shooting schedule and the price quote. The shrewd agent shoved the thick file in my hand at the very end of the business dinner exactly because he wanted me to have as little time as possible for inspection and analysis. It was a mess in my head from the moment my new assistant appeared, and it went on throughout the whole day.
For some reason, I thought I would still have the rest of the evening to read it and eventually build a strategy after my little improvised date with Lucia. That was before we drank the two bottles of Colli Albani Rosso*, and I woke up with Lulu’s ass all over my face. Sex will ruin my life. This is the tragic, despicable truth.
*Colli Albani Rosso - a popular brand of red wine from the region of Lazio, Central Italy
I rush into the office building and start banging on the elevator button with a trembling hand. This is my worst nightmare, showing up to the most important meeting of my career completely unprepared and terribly late. Thank goodness, people have already gone to work and the shopping mall is still closed. The doors slide open in a few seconds. I press my throbbing forehead to the soothing coolness of the mirror wall and put my best efforts into trying to recall every single word that was said at the restaurant. Unfortunately, I am hangover, severely sleep deprived, and it does not help my short-term memory at all. In other words, I do not remember shit.
All I can recall is the agent yelling, “Questo ragazzo è un vero fenomeno (The boy is a real sensation). If you do not sign him up for your campaign, Gucci are waiting. They will steal him from under your nose. He is a top model, not someone looking for a job.”
I kept nodding in response and paid no attention to all the crap that was steadily flowing out of the guy’s mouth with no prospects of stopping. I also lied about having seen the boy’s commercial, which he had shot for our main competitor brand the year before. I actually have no idea who this model is or what he looks like. I do not need a celebrity to sell a bunch of skin care products in a cruise ship chain of luxury stores. Or do I? It was The Big A who insisted on working with this particular agency. He said they were the best. One thing became crystal clear during last night’s meeting, though. They are the best at manipulating you into spending a fortune on things you can do without.
Whatever the final offer is, I am determined to decline it. The problem is how to do it while sounding like a professional and well-informed person without actually being one. The other, even trickier question, is how to convince The Big A that I am right, preferably without getting fired for acting directly against his orders.
With this heavy cloud inside my head, I pop out of the cabin only to collide head-on with my startled assistant. He lets out a squeak and freezes in place, gazing at me with his big, mesmerizingly blue eyes. Skylar Jones. Who would have believed this? The prettiest boy… Jason, focus! I grab him by the lapels. “Did you receive a big, red folder of documents yesterday towards the end of the work day? The agent said a copy was sent to my office. Are the people from ‘New Vision’ here?”
Sky only mumbles, “Huh?”
His eyes go even wider. He looks like a cute, bewildered fish… a damn sexy fish. His lips are pursed in a thin line… They can not really form a thin line because lips that are this plump wouldn’t… Oh, my dearest God! Jason! Focus! Please!
“Skylar, listen to me carefully,” I say as calmly as I can. “This is very important. I can’t even stress enough how important it is. A big, red file folder. There is a logo on the cover. It says ‘New Vision’. Did the courier bring it to my office?”
“Yes,” he gasps.
“All right. Excellent.” I loosen the grip on his jacket, fighting the urge to pull him closer. “Now, here is the next question. Did you read it?”
“I… Umm… I thought…” Hesitation and uneasiness are written all over his face. He is obviously trying to figure out the response that will please me.
“Sky, there is no right or wrong answer.” I take a deep breath to calm myself and soothingly smile at him. “I just need to know whether you are aware of the information.”
“Yes,” he answers more confidently this time. “You said I had to keep up with everything about the new project, so I carefully studied the data and made a summary of the main points.”
“Grazie a Dio (Thank God) ! Sky, you are saving my ass.” I plaster two ardent kisses on both his cheeks, making him turn crimson. “Ottimo! Bravissimo! (Well done! Good
work
!) Thank you!“
“You are welcome,” he mutters, trying to flatten his wrinkled lapels. “I was just doing my job. But please, do not scare the shit out of me next time. You look fabulous, by the way. Is this a Prada jacket? Very cool.”
“Yeah, yeah, Prada. Who cares. Go grab the summary so I can read it.” I push him towards the conference room. “You come straight here then, and we go into the meeting. You will do the talking until I get acquainted with the numbers. We’ll say you are my deputy, and I have given you full authorizations.”
“No!” Skylar digs his heels in. His face goes a few shades paler. I love how his fair skin changes color in seconds like an adorable chameleon. “Are you crazy? This is my second day. I can’t do this. Fathe… Cough! Signior De Angelis will fire us both for this.”
“Chill. Everything is going to be fine.” I wrap an arm around his shoulders to keep him moving. The Big A won’t be attending the meeting. Just give evasive answers and do not agree to anything until I join the conversation. If you don’t know what to say, start coughing, drink water, say it’s stuffy, go open the window and so on.“
“But I am just a secretary,” he protests.
“Not anymore.” I grin at his shocked expression. “Here is the fastest way to grow in your career, Mr. Jones. You just need to get your hands on important information that no one else has. Congratulations on your one-day assignment as Deputy Marketing Manager.”
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 12.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
How do you think the meeting will go?
Is it going to be a disaster or a total success?
Are the boys getting fired? 😉
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Chapter 13. A Dangerous Weapon (Jason)
There is complete silence in the conference room. This definitely bothers me and keeps my dizzy mind from focusing on the perfectly written summary in my hand. My profession has taught me to work in crowded, clamorous spaces during exhibitions, shows, and fairs. I can be productive everywhere, but quietness distracts me. I need the noise around, like a protective curtain, to isolate myself and step on the task at hand. This one will not take much effort. Skylar’s recap is the best I have ever seen. All the important information is gathered in a few sentences, two tables, and a lucid graph. He has even added a couple of striking portraits from the model’s latest photo shoot. Everything is more than clear. The guy is amazing. I can understand why fashion brands are competing to hire him. On the other hand, I am not convinced he is the right face for our campaign. And the figures! Oh, my God! The agency is no doubt trying to rob us.
“Cough! Umm… Don’t you think it is quite warm in here… A bit stuffy, too.” Sky’s shaky voice makes me raise my eyes. My lips instantly twitch in a smile, which I barely manage to hide. My temporary deputy is standing at the head of the table, as red as a human being can get. An unruly lock of hair is sticking straight up like a tiny space communication antenna right on top of his head. He nervously flattens his jacket and casts a desperate glare at me.
“Mi scusi, chi eri ancora (Excuse me, who were you again) ?” The agent squints at him. Lulu was right. They are trying to intimidate us. Who sends five people, two of whom are lawyers, to sign a simple advertising contract?
“I… am… My name is Skylar Jones,” Sky mumbles almost inaudibly. “I am signor Marchetti’s deputy.”
“My right hand,” I add. “As I have already mentioned, Mr. Jones has full authorization to lead the negotiations.”
“I am very surprised,” the agent states in displeasure. His colleagues start nodding in support of his indignation. “My old friend, Conte De Angelis, assured me that all the details have been clarified. What is there to discuss? Massimo and I have full trust in each other. I am close both to him and his wonderful sons. This meeting is simply a formality. At least, that was what he told me.”
I am outraged. What an unprofessional attitude. This guy is trying to daunt me by showing off his personal acquaintance with my boss. Disgusting. And why didn’t The Big A say a word if everything was already settled? I smell something fishy. I also do not see why the two lawyers are here if the deal was prearranged.
“I don’t … Cough!…think so,” Skylar barely hums. All eyes turn to him. The annoyed agent questioningly growls. My anxious secretary clears his throat and adds louder, “I am sorry, sir. I don’t think you are that close to Conte De Angelis’ family. In fact, I am quite sure you have never met his sons. Moreover, your personal connections have nothing to do with the purpose of our meeting today. I wonder why you brought this up at all.”
Oddio (Oh my goodness) ! Celestial innocence! No one with a single day’s experience in the advertising industry would ever accuse an influential agent of lying right to his face. That does not mean you should trust a word that comes out of his mouth, but direct confrontation must be avoided at all costs, especially if you hope to work with a certain highly demanded model. Everything is diplomacy and feigned courtesy in my world.
I glance at the agent. My eyes go wide. A very useful quality of mine has always helped me in this business. I can never mistake a man, just caught in a lie. Signor Mauro, who dragged here his whole skilled team with the intention to have his way, is exactly that. I can see the trickles of sweat, sliding down his temples.
“Ah, no! Mi hai frainteso. (Oh, no! You misunderstood me.) “ The man is quick to cover his shock with a broad smile. “Signor Jones, you are a businessman. You know time is the most precious thing. I was just trying to save yours. But if you prefer, we will discuss the project, point by point. Non c’è problema (No problems
) . That’s what my colleagues are here for. Shall we begin?“
“Yes, that would be great,” I answer as Sky is in total loss of words. It seems that it finally dawned on him how unimaginable what he did was. However, the effect is more than favorable. If Mauro hadn’t lied, we could both be considered unemployed by now. Sometimes, though, lack of experience helps. That is when a person who has not gotten into the habit of being tactical says just the right thing. “Let’s start with your vision for the campaign. What will be the main message to the potential customers? Brief my deputy about the tagline, the format, and the objective and how you intend to convey our message to the target group. Then, we can move on to the numbers.”
“Certo. Naturalmente (Of course) ,” Mauro agrees. He energetically waves to the woman next to him. “This is our creative director, Francesca. She has come up with a brilliant vision. We will bank on bright colors, high fashion, and complete maximalism. Look at our star. This is Mauricio. Isn’t he gorgeous. Un ragazzo bellissimo (Such
a handsome man) ! He can sell anything to anyone.“
The lady tarts scattering photos all over the table. Obviously, Mauricio has made a few shoots for us to get the main idea. I peek at them. My jaw drops. Maximalism indeed. The guy looks like a different type of canary bird on each one. Every outfit is brighter and more colorful than the previous one. I am not saying he does not look good. But… What the hell! I do not remember asking anything like that when I sent the new brand’s concept to the agency. And I see absolutely no way The Big A would have approved of such a thing.
“As you have probably guessed,” Francesca triumphantly announces. “The tagline is ‘Be Fabulous’. Who would not want to be this attractive.”
“Me,” Sky utters in the newly established silence. Everyone’s eyes are on him once again. My little chameleon instantly unleashes the brighter shade of crimson. “I mean… Cough!…He is not attractive because of the clothes… or the cosmetics. This guy is a top model. He will look good even in a ripped sack. If I put such an outfit on, it would be a disaster. Would you… Cough!… dress like that, senior Mauro?”
The agent is so unprepared for the question that he only opens and closes his mouth like a fish without making a sound. Skylar is a dangerous weapon in this war for the best price. He has no clue about it, and this is my strongest trump card. It is refreshing to work with someone who actually says exactly what he thinks.
It seems my assistant is doing great without my interference. I go back to reading the summary. Francesca starts explaining the concept. I move through the sheets until my gaze falls on the last table, titled ‘Price quote’. Nine major photoshoots for the contract term, three hundred thousand euro for Mauricio, strategy development, media relations, airtime fees included… blah, blah, blah… advance payment discount… total five million euro?
“Che cazzo (
What the fuck) !“ I blurt before being able to stop myself.
The hall is silent for the third time since the meeting has began.
“Maybe we should take a short coffee break,” Sky suggests, desperately trying to loosen his tie.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 13.
Thank you for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Do you think Sky is doing
good?
😉
How about the advertising strategy. Do you like the concept?
Will Sky and Jace be able to seal the deal in the end?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Chapter 14. Second Chances (Jason)
Skylar is sipping his coffee, staring out of the window. The naughty strand of hair is still sticking up on the top of his head. I should probably tell him about it, but I do not really want to. The boy looks too cute for me to ruin it. He has finally managed to get rid of the annoying tie and the tight jacket. The expensive, silk button-up shirt looks good on him. My gaze falls on the soft curve of his ear and the velvety skin of his neck. It still bears the pleasant blush, a reminder of the ordeal I put him through. Poor Sky. I must be the shittiest boss he could find.
I remember the first time I saw him in the university cafeteria. He did not know anyone, and you could tell from a mile away that it made him uncomfortable as hell. I did not sit on his table out of pity, though. I know this is going to sound damn crazy, but I felt an overwhelming desire to find out what he smelled like. He definitely looked like someone who would wear a signature perfume. I was not wrong at all. His face pops into my mind every time I get a whiff of Acqua Di Gio since that day.
I love the fact that Sky is not one of our well-educated, well-off peers who use every spare second, in which they do not make money, to sweat in the gym in pursuit of the elusive, killer six-pack abs. He has never been that type. I have always wondered why he studied business. He seemed like a person who would rather do art. The boy is still pure, genuine, and disarmingly charming, very different from anyone I know.
In addition, I have absolutely nothing against a round, big booty. I swear, the one right in front of my eyes is a masterpiece. If there is one thing I regret about my college years, it is the fact that I never hooked up with him. I wanted to, but I also thought it would be the meanest thing to do. I was wild, but not an irresponsible arsehole. It was more than obvious that he was not a guy for a one-night stand. I wanted to make the most of my freedom and focus on my career. There was no room for relationships. I would have ruined everything and broken his heart. He deserved better. So, I kept a distance.
“Hey!” Sky peeks at me over his shoulder and shyly smiles. “Did I mess up too bad?”
“You were brilliant,” I sincerely answer and glue myself to his back so that I can whisper in his ear. “Did you see Mauro’s face when you caught him lying? He was hilarious. It will also cost him lots of money, ’cause there is no way that I’m signing under five million. How did you know, by the way?”
“Oh, umm… it just seemed quite far-fetched. I guess The Big A does not spend his time rummaging through fashion models portfolios and discussing marketing strategies. Not when he pays people for the job.” He scratches his head and adds. “I do not like Mauro very much. Mauricio, on the other hand, seems a nice guy, but his agent is… is…”
“A dick?” I chuckle. “You can say it. They can’t hear us.”
“Hush!” Sky giggles quietly. “Sorry… I have been wondering about something.”
“What?” I lean my back on the glass and study his face. It looks even better up close. I did not know I was into freckles. Skylar’s are really nice and suit him perfectly. I have never believed in second chances either. What if I start from right now? Maybe if I act carefully and do not overdo it…
“Umm… I noticed how Mauro was bragging about which fashion brands wanted to work with their agency. It is important for their reputation, right?” Sky bends closer. I can not help but breathe in the familiar scent. He goes on, “And who is currently the largest cosmetics manufacturer in Europe?”
“De Angelis Corporation,” I answer, gazing at him with admiration. I got myself a smartie. “What exactly is your point?”
“They want… No, they actually NEED to work with us more than we want to work with them,” he excitedly concludes. “The agency is playing hard to get, and trying to intimidate us. Mauro pretends to hold all the aces. However, the offered advertising strategy is completely wrong. I do not think their creative director has worked with cruise line customers before. She has no clue about the target group. They surely made some research, but you have to experience it. The truth is that our company is in the pole position. We only have to show them we are aware of it.”
“What do you propose?” Skylar is absolutely right, but if I directly reject the strategy and bid, who can guarantee that they will agree to start over from a scratch. No other agency can provide us with the proper advertising media. This is a tricky situation. All or nothing.
“I am not qualified to…” he starts, but I interrupt him.
“How about you?” I ask, throwing him in utter bewilderment.
“What about me?” Sky mumbles. His voice is full of suspicion.
“Do you know the target group?” I clarify. “Do you have any experience with cruising? Have you got any idea what kind of people travel on those ships and how to capture their attention?”
“Well… I… I do not like where this is going.” He takes a step away from me as if I were going to infect him with some contagious disease. “I literally grew up on cruise liners… but, as I said, I am not qualified…”
“Yes, you are. Sky, you have a Master’s degree in management.” I step towards him, pinning him against the window. He has nowhere to run. “You are practically more educated than me. Also, I have never been on a cruise ship in my life.”
“No!” he defensively raises his hands.
“Sì, sì, caro. Certo che lo faccio (Yes, yes, darling. Of course, yes) .” I grin. He frowns. “I am your boss. This is your next assignment. You can’t say no.”
“Stop repeating it,” Sky hisses. “You are no boss, but a real tyrant.”
“Senior Marchetti, shall we resume our discussion?” The agent approaches us with a fake smile. “We do not have the whole day. My next meeting with Gucci starts at…”
I grip Skylar’s arm and drag him to the door. Next meeting my ass! Enough theatrical performances. “I apologize, Mr. Mauro, but you will have to excuse us for a few more minutes. I need to speak to my deputy in private. We’ll be back soon. Meanwhile, our receptionist Giulia will serve some snacks and drinks. If you cannot devote the time required to our company, please do not hesitate to leave. My assistant will contact you and book another appointment for next week. Unfortunately, my schedule is full for this one.”
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 14.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Sky’s situation is getting even more complicated.
What do you think is the assignment, which Jason is planning to give him? 😉
Were you surprised that Jason actually had a crush on Sky?
Do you think he did the right thing staying away from him?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Chapter 15. A Hot Mess (Jason)
We are finally in my office. Skylar immediately presses his back against the tightly closed door and refuses to take another step inside, looking like a rabbit in a pit trap. He points an accusing finger at me and begins to rant, barely catching his breath, “That was not what I was told about this job. Dad was right when he said you were prone to impulsive, reckless decisions. Where are my three months of training? What about the other members of your team? You have five employees. What’s up with you, dude? Why have you been constantly on my ass since I got here?”
“Whoa! Our fluff ball is walking on the wild side.” I flash a big grin, which apparently annoys him even more.
“Fluff what?” he screeches.
“Ball,” I repeat, trying to hold back my laughter. I should tick him off more often. What a lovely hot mess. “How does your father know so much about me? I agree with him. However, in my defense, I have to say that my lack of inhibition has helped me most of the time.”
“I… ugh… might have mentioned… a few things about you…” It is hard to tell if Skylar is lying because he is always nervous, but in this case, I do not doubt it.
“So, you told daddy about your new, bad boss,” I ask and lean against the door with my palms on either side of him, caging him between my arms. Sky’s cheeks flush to the extreme. His breathing quickens. I can not resist pushing it a little bit further. “You’ve seen nothing yet, senior Jones. I can be reeeealy badddd.”
He stares at me with unblinking eyes for a few electrified seconds and suddenly turns his head to the right and bites my arm.
“What the fuck?” I yell and jump back, gazing in disbelief at the wet mark on my sleeve.
“Oh, my God! I am so sorry!” Sky grabs my wrist and starts rubbing the bitten spot with a shaking hand. “Did I hurt you? I am going crazy… obviously… Oh, God! I must be going crazy. There can’t be any other explanation… Being around you is bad for my mental health. My brain is malfunctioning. I just couldn’t get something my brother said this morning out of my head.”
“What did your brother say?” I ask curiously. The truth is that I hardly felt the bite. My reaction was only one of surprise. But the boy has a point. I act weird around him, too. We need to do something about it. This is ridiculous.
“If you’re pressed against the wall, bite,” he mumbles. “Luca did not mean it word for word, of course. You did press me against the wall, though… literally.”
“I am sorry. I went too far.” I drop into my chair and show him the one across the desk. “Let’s calm down, shall we? It was a nerve-racking meeting. I sincerely apologize for everything that happened. Sky, I really need your help. I know you were supposed to go through the standard training course. Unfortunately, we do not have the time. You will learn out in the field. I will help you every step of the way, I swear, and will behave much more professionally from now on. My team currently works on five major marketing projects. They are already bogged down with tasks. I am trying to be everywhere at once… Sorry, I have no other choice but to entrust you with this one.”
“Why don’t you tell fathe… Fuck!… The Big A that you need more people?” Skylar asks. He has finally managed to brace himself after drinking two bottles of water while fanning himself with my desktop calendar. “The CEO is a reasonable person. He will not refuse if you explain the situation.”
“I did.” I hand my poor assistant another bottle from the fridge. “He gave me you.”
“Me?” He opens the third bottle and takes a sip. “I see. And what exactly do you expect me to do?”
“First of all, I want you to stop freaking out,” I quickly answer. “Everything will work out. I promise. Here is what I am going to tell the agency. You and Francesca, their creative director, will develop a completely new concept for the cosmetic brand, based on your experience with cruises. You have conclusive edit powers. Nothing goes into the final project presentation without your personal approval. You decide about Mauricio as well. I think you better meet up with the guy and see first hand if he is what we need. The party-coloured faux fur clothes are certainly going away.”
“I am not very sociable,” Sky interrupts me. “The very thought of interacting with a fashion model makes me break into a cold sweat. I usually have no idea what to say when people ask me questions either, and I blurt out nonsense at the most inopportune moment. You saw it.”
“Your honesty is my greatest advantage,” I assure him. “The corporate world has not corrupted you yet. I trust you completely.”
“Ok?” he utters under his breath, more like a question than an agreement. “Jason, are you sure? I mean, like one hundred percent sure?”
“Yes, of course I am,” I firmly say. “Let’s talk about your salary now. Since you will do much more than a secretary, I will raise it…”
“Oh, no, no, no,” he vigorously protests. “It will only make me even more anxious… and if I screw something up, I will feel super guilty… you know, because you give me so much money… Let’s keep to my contract and talk about this in six months… if I do a good job… I mean, if I don’t die out of trepidation…”
“You’ll be just fine.” I stand up and hold out my hand. “Welcome to the team, Sky.”
“I will regret this,” he groans, but takes my hand and awards me with a hesitant smile.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 15.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
There is a pulpable tension between the boys.
Do you think the main reason is the work stress? 😉
How will Sky cope with the responsible task?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Chapter 16. The Right Expert (Jason)
“We did it!” I yell the moment the elevator doors slide shut behind Mauro and his team’s backs. “Sky, you are a genius. I can’t believe they agreed to everything we wanted, an entirely new concept, a completely new vision, and a much, much more reasonable price. Grazie Dio ( Thank you, Lord )! I was already picturing The Big A handing me the dismissal order. I will never ever drink again before an important meeting… Giuliaaa, where are you? We are going to need a bottle of champagne. Bring it to my office, and some of those marvelous tramezzino al granchio.*”
*Tramezzino al granchio - triangular bread pockets with cra
b meat, spinach and eggs, also popular as Venetian crab sandwiches
“I did nothing,” Sky mumbles, heavily leaning on the wall. “Three hours of negotiations. I thought I was going to faint quite a few times. Those lawyers were mean. I have no idea where you get all that energy and self-confidence from, but you really know how to twist someone’s arm. I hardly said more than two sentences. You, on the other hand, did tighten the screws on poor senior Mauro. Umm… Are you sure we are allowed to drink at work?”
“Chill, man. We are heroes.” Sky does not seem convinced. I pat him hard on the shoulder. “Boss was about to say goodbye to five million. We saved two of them. I don’t think anyone will blame us for celebrating the victory. In fact, you know what, we are taking the rest of the day off.”
“You have another meeting at four.” He purses his lips in hesitation. “Also, the report you asked me to prepare yesterday about the average age of the water-based moisturizer consumers… It is not ready yet. I need to…”
“Where shall I serve the champagne, senior Marchetti?” Giulia approaches with a big smile, carrying a trey of tasty looking food and a bottle of expensive sparkling wine. Skylar’s stomach loudly growls. He instantly turns as red as a freshly boiled lobster.
“Sorry,” he mutters. “I am not that hungry. It must be the stress. I have a nervous stomach.”
“I don’t know about you, but I am starving,” I state and grab him by the sleeve.“Giuls, cancel my meeting. Those are for my team. I am taking Skylar to lunch. We won’t be back today.”
“Sure,” she nods and gives my assistant a rather odd look. He clumsily pretends he did not see it and determinately gazes at the toes of his shoes. What is going on between those two? A surge of jealousy runs through me. I do my best to ignore it. Gulia’s lips curve in a meaningful grin. “Have fun then.”
“What is your favorite food?” I turn my attention back to my blushing assistant who sheepishly peaks at me. “We have all kinds of restaurants in the mall a few floors down, but I prefer to take you somewhere else if you do not mind.”
“I am really bad at this,” he hums.
“Eating?” I ask, pulling him into the elevator cabin.
“No,” he responds. “At being a good company. You will be disappointed if you expect lively conversation, funny jokes, and stuff like that.”
“I have no particular expectations,” I assure him. “If I wanted someone to entertain me, I would go to the movies. However, it is interesting that you are more concerned about whether I will have fun, rather than worrying about the opposite. What if I come across as dull as a dishwasher and bore you to death?”
“I know you are not.” Sky finally relaxes and starts to giggle. “I know you well enough to be more than sure. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” I hold the door for him as we leave the office building and wave for a taxi.
“Oh, I thought you had a car,” he says. “Sorry! That was stupid. You just look like someone who likes speed. Didn’t you have a motorbike back at the university?”
“I still do.” I open the car door for him. He raises a brow in surprise before settling on the back seat. I take the place next to him and give the driver instructions about our destination.
“So?” Sky impatiently asks. “Why aren’t you driving it?”
“Well… “ I am ashamed to admit it, but still make full confessions. “I don’t think I was exactly sober this morning.”
“I knew it.” Sky burst into laughter. “Oh, my God! You haven’t changed much, have you? I just fucking knew it the second I saw you. You do realize that you are extremely lucky, right? Because that could have been an epic fail.”
“Yeah, I hit the jackpot with you.” I join the laughter. The tension from the rough morning finally goes away. “Just don’t jump to the wrong conclusions. I always treat my work responsibly. This is an exception. I am just having a weird day.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.” He flashes the most gorgeous smile at me. “Most of my days are like this, even if I stay at home. I am the biggest expert on weird days.”
“Oh, it is great that you mention it.” I can not resist anymore and carefully flatten the naughty lock of hair on top of his head. “Because that is exactly the type of expert I desperately needed.”
***
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 1
6
.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting
❤️❤️❤️
Where do you think Jason is taking Sky
.
Was he flirting
with him
?
😉
Will Sky give in to his
charm
?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Chapter 17. Bitter oranges (Jason)
“Oh, my God! This place is magical.” Sky glances at me with his big, shining eyes. The smile on his happy face gets wider. “Everyone should come here and see this at least once in their life. Magnificent.”
“Are you kidding me?” I pull myself up to sit on the thick brick wall that comes up to our waists. “You are Roman, and you see Giardino degli Aranci* for the first time? People come from all over the world to propose to their fiancés here. The pictures are all over the internet. Don’t tell me you’ve never brought a boyfriend to the garden at sunset to impress him. Works without fail. I speak from experience.”
*Giardino degli Aranci - The Orange Trees Garden is the popular name of Parco Savello, a gaden built by the Savelli family in the thirteenth century on the Aventine Hill with a beautiful view of Rome.
“Well, I am not exactly Roman. I grew up in New York until the age of ten, and then I left for Austria at eighteen. Most of my life, I lived out of Italy. My family split those eight years I was here equally between Rome and Genoa. Besides, dad made sure to keep me busy with my studies, so I did not go out often.” He leans on the broad stone ledge next to me. His gaze wanders over the breathtaking, bird-eye view of the city, spread out below us. The wind plays with his messy hair, giving him this extra charm that keeps my eyes fixed on his dreamy expression. A shadow of sadness softens his features. He raises his hand to shield himself from the sun, but it seems more like he seeks protection from the unexpected feeling. “Can’t say I’ve had boyfriends either. I mean, I had one… a long time ago. His notions of romance were quite different, though. Not a fan of beautiful sights and outdoor activities. He would rather be in places where he himself can attract all the attention, such as fancy restaurants and expensive boutiques.”
“Oh,” I hum. The jolt of jealousy twists my stomach again. “Must have been a long relationship. Why haven’t I seen you with him in Vienna?”
“Three years, but I wasn’t exactly a priority for him,” Skylar mumbles. “He hardly ever visited me more than a couple of times. It only confirmed his conviction that he had been wrong in his judgment of me.”
“Why?” I ask, despite the sharp awareness that I should mind my own business. “What did he think you were?”
“Rich.” Skylar shrugs his shoulders. “Someone fit to solidify his celebrity status.”
“You’ve dated someone famous?” The jealousy is eating me alive now. I have always considered Sky to be too modest and shy to get involved in dramatic love affairs. On the other hand, the boy is gorgeous… and I waisted five years. Who is the fool now? A celebrity. What the hell. I am relieved that they are not together anymore, but the bastard has obviously hurt him. I would gladly beat him up.
“Not exactly a household name.” Sky starts to giggle. “But you can say he is quite popular. Umm… I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“I am sorry. Didn’t want to be nosy.” I scratch my head to hide my embarrassment. It seems I am constantly crossing the line, and it bothers me. This is not my usual behavior towards an employee. Even the fact that we are old acquaintances does not excuse it.
“It’s ok. You’ve done nothing wrong.” He looks at me and smiles. The sadness in his eyes suddenly disappears. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. Why don’t you tell me more about this fantastic garden?”
“Sure!” I let out the breath I have been holding. “The Savelli family built their castle and the park around it over an old fortress. The legend says Saint Dominic himself planted the first bitter orange tree.”
“Amazing!” Sky takes out his phone and makes a few pictures of St Peter’s dome, visible in the distance. “Do you think it is true?”
“Probably,” I answer. “There is a lot of truth in most of the legends associated with this city.”
“Wow,” he gasps, pointing at one of the orange trees. “Can you imagine that this very tree might have been planted by the hands of a true saint?”
“Hardly likely.” I grin at his enthusiasm. “This one is no older than two years, three at most.”
“Oh, Gosh,” he snorts. “I got a bit carried away, didn’t I?”
We look at each other and burst into laughter.
“Come on!” I grab his hand and pull him behind me past Basilica di Santa Sabina towards the exit on Piazza Pietro D’Illiria. “I promised you food. You must try my favorite Saltimbocca alla Romana.*”
*Saltimbocca alla Romana - a popular Roman dish; veal, prosciutto and sage rolls cooked in butter and whine
“Jason!” Skylar stops me right before we reach the waiting taxi. “I just wanted… You are not what I expected… I mean, thank you!”
“You are not exactly what I expected either,” I say, squeezing his hand harder. “And you are very welcome. The pleasure was all mine.”
A night view of St Peter’s dome from Giardino degli Aranci on Aventino hill
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 17.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
The boys are getting to know each other better.
Do you think that old boyfriend will make an appearance? 😉
Will Jason manage to keep professional for long?
What about Sky?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
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Chapter 18. Adventurous (Jason)
“Did we really have to cross half the city to come to this particular restaurant?” Sky exclaims as we get out of the taxi after twenty minutes of slaloming through the crazy traffic in the center of Rome. “We could choose one closer to Parco Savello.”
Di cosa stai parlando? Neanche per sogno! (What are you talking about? Not a chance!) I lead him down the narrow, cobbled street between the typical rusty ocher buildings. “This is the best place in town. Once you try their food, you’ll be willing to fly all the way from New York just to have lunch here.”
The enclosed space, where the small trattoria has set up a few tables with snow-white tablecloths, is situated directly on the road. They are separated from the constantly passing vehicles only by low metal fences and numerous flower pots. The invariable scooters nimbly pass within millimeters of the customers, but no one seems to pay attention to this fact. The only free table is right next to the entrance. It is so small that it can hardly hold food for two people. However, this have never prevented the hospitable owners from accommodating an entire family of four if they have to. It has always amazed me how, with an absolute lack of space, waiters somehow manage to fit everything.
“Are you comfortable?” I ask when Sky finally manages to settle on the tiny chair, squeezing between a tall weeping fig and the neighboring couple’s sleeping Labrador retriever.
“I love it.” He grins from ear to ear. “If a restaurant is packed, then it is a damn good one.”
“I agree. Do you mind if I order for both of us?” Before I can finish speaking, the waitress is already standing by the table serving us water and the typical local bread with a hard crust and soft middle. There are no menus. Everyone who comes here knows what they offer. Today’s special is written in chalk on a blackboard propped against the wall. Skylar nods in agreement, so I turn to the girl. “We will take carciofi alla Romana* twice, gnocchi di patate** twice, and saltimbocca, of course.”
*carciofi alla Romana - braised artichokes with parsley, mint, and garlic
**gnocchi di patate - primo piatto (first course), pasta consisting of small lumps of potato dough, served with sauce
“Mio Dio (My God) ,” the girl mutters and rolls her eyes. “Jason, aren’t you going to eat something different for once? You’ve been coming here at least twice a week for the last two years, and you haven’t picked anything else. Dad told me to kick you out if you refuse to try his coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew) again. You won’t even let your friend order what he likes.”
She winks at Sky. He turns bright red. I cover my smirk by pretending to drink water.
“No, thank you!” I firmly state. “I am a traditionalist when it comes to food.”
“And I thought you were the adventurous one.” Skylar smiles at the waitress and adds, “Bring one portion of saltimbocca and the stew. We’ll share. Jase, I will try your favorite dish if you promise to try mine. No master chef should be denied the opportunity to present the food they are proud of.”
“Wow! You are dangerous, dude. How can I refuse?” I glance at him with admiration. “If the Big A hears about your negotiating skills, he might put you in charge of the entire De Angelis Corporation. Now I understand why he was so keen on hiring you. By the way, how did you find this job? It’s not that I’m interested in HR department’s methods, but I don’t remember any announcements coming out for the position. Did they use a recruiting agency?”
Sky heavily chokes on his water and starts to cough. Tears fill his eyes. They look like crystal clear mountain lakes. My poetic digression is interrupted too quickly by the girl’s reproachful glare. She has just returned with the antipasta (apetizers) .
“What?” I bellow. “I didn’t do anything. What is this bottle?”
“Dad said the wine you ordered did not go well with coda alla vaccinara,” she points, shoving a glass in Sky’s hand. “You should drink Pecorino from Marche.* Take this, love. You do need a sip. What did this tease say? Before I got to know Jason better, his jokes made me choke quite a few times.”
*Pecorino - light white wine, originating from Marche in eastern Italy
“N-Nothing,” my deputy barely rasps, wiping his eyes. If it was physically possible for a person to get redder, Skylar surely would, but poor boy has reached the limit. He takes a big gulp of whine. The heavenly liquid seems to finally put him at ease. He sighs in delight, “Perfetto! It’s one of my favorites. Cincin (Cheers) !”
“For the best business deal of the year!” I raise a toast. We clink our glasses. “Sorry for asking too many questions.”
“No, it’s ok,” Sky mumbles, rolling up his sleeves. “You have all the rights to ask about your employees’ qualifications. I… umm… did not apply for the job. I got an invitation… Ugh, it is very hot today, isn’t it?”
“It is always hot in Rome.” I am sweating, too, although my shirt is thinner than his. “We should have stopped by your place for you to change. A tight business suit and a starched collar are not the best options for lunch outside in the heat. But you look great, very stylish. I have always been impressed by how carefully you choose your clothes. So, you were invited? By whom?”
“Well, the company has an internship program in collaboration with the University of Bologna. They interview the top three graduates and usually hire them,” he replies and hurries to stuff his mouth with food.
Why do I feel like he made this up on the spot? Very strange. Too many suspicious circumstances. Skylar dated a celebrity. That ex-boyfriend of his thought he was rich. Sky definitely looks like someone with no shortage of money. I bet only his watch has at least a five-figure price, and the expensive, branded clothes. He is humble, but those little things that show someone is well off are there. He was pretty sure Mauro did not know the boss and his sons as well… Perhaps his family is from the same circle as De Angelis. Probably The Big A did Sky’s father a little favor by hiring the son after graduation. There is nothing wrong with that. I know how things happen in high society. The boy is talented and smart. He deserves the chance. I wouldn’t have minded if someone greased my wheels when I was starting out. I better stop asking questions and keep making him nervous.
“That’s awesome.” I pretend that everything is clear and the topic is brought to a close for me. “In any case, I am more than happy we came across each other again, and even more that we will work together. You are a big deal. Honestly. Somehow, you managed to become invaluable in only two days.”
“Can you please stop complimenting me,” he groans. “I appreciate it, but it also makes me really uncomfortable. What about you? Rising to the rank of Executive Marketing Manager in two years is quite an achievement. What is it like to work with Conte de Angelis?”
“It is like a constant, never-ending, burning pain in the ass,” I answer. I am not at all exaggerating. This person can squeeze you like a lemon, drain you completely, and you will still feel like you did not do enough. I can not imagine what it is like to be part of his family and live with him every day. It must be exhausting.
“I know exactly what you are talking about,” Sky says, nodding in understanding.
Saltimbocca alla Romana
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 18.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Things are getting dangerous for Sky.
How long do you think he will be able to keep his secret? 😉
Will Jason manage to find out soon?
Love: Anny
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Chapter 19. Worth It (Jason)
“Do you remember that one time?” Sky excitedly pushes a finger into my chest. “Whoa! You’ve got pecks… big pecks… and abs. You did not have abs back then… Anyway, that time when you said you were going to give a hundred euro to anyone who jumps in the outdoor pool with all their clothes on.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I do. I didn’t have a single penny on me that day. Wait! What do you mean I didn’t have abs? Of course, I…”
“The audacity!” He pats me on the shoulder with a mixture of indignation and delight. “It was December, dude. Wasn’t that at the University’s Christmas Party? Collegians are not famous for being well off. And guess what, a bunch of people did it. Oh, my God! I don’t think it was about the money, though. You could make anyone do whatever you liked. Your dangerous charm. I recall one of the guys chasing after you. The water was pouring out of his shoes. He wanted to beat you up, didn’t he? And then you both disappeared for the rest of the night. I hope nothing bad happened.”
“Well, not exactly beat me,” I mumble. How can he remember all those details? I had totally forgotten about the whole incident. “It wasn’t bad. Wasn’t particularly good either, if I have to be honest, but it was fun nevertheless.”
“I am officially drunk,” Skylar proudly announces and flushes a wide, bright grin. “If this is how we are going to run this campaign, I am in. The food is fantastic. This is one of the best wines I have ever tasted. Perfetto!”
“I am glad you are happy.” It is true. Making him smile is my new hobby. Sky is one of those people you can not bear to see sad. I just need him to be content. Otherwise, something seems terribly wrong with the world. I brush a fallen ficus leaf off his sleeve and grin back. “Sorry, I can’t promise you restaurants every day. I am not going to lie to you. Working with fashion models and their agents can totally suck sometimes. However, I can assure you that I will do my best to make it worth it.”
“How?” He squints at me and wrinkles his nose in an effort to focus on my face despite the dazzling rays of the afternoon sun. “I told you I did not want money.”
“I am not talking about money.” I lean towards him as if pulled by an invisible magnet. “There are much better rewards. The best things in life are priceless. Cash is just a means to get a step closer to them, but that’s all.”
Maybe the low-alcohol wine has affected me, too. I would not do this if I were completely sober. His skin is as smooth as velvet. Flawless. I wonder if freckles disappear in the winter. It is a shame if that is the case. His nose looks like it is sprinkled with gold dust. Our lips are too close to call it appropriate. Sky is gazing at my mouth. I nervously flick my tongue over my bottom lip and take a sharp breath.
“What is it then?” he whispers. “What am I going to win if the project is successful?”
‘How about me?’ I almost blurt out, but manage to bite my lip before saying it aloud. This is getting too tricky. Flirting is not a good idea. I should not rush this. With a huge effort, I look away from his incredible blue eyes.
Skylar gasps and pulls back, grabbing a napkin from the table to wipe the droplets of sweat on his forehead.
“I think we should go,” he hesitantly suggests. “It was a great day, excluding the morning when you nearly caused me a heart attack. I am terribly tired, and a bottle of wine per person is too much in this heat. In addition, my brother is visiting. It is out of question to leave him home alone for the evening. I would not be surprised to find a wild party in full swing and cigarette smoke in every possible room.”
“Is he a teenager?” I curiously ask.
“What?” Sky bursts into laughter. “No! Why would you say that? He is ten years older than me. Hmm, this morning he told me he had no intention of changing until the age of ninety, so… Yeah, he is pretty much still a teenager in some aspects. I actually envy him. He is one of the family members who knows how to have fun. Mom is the other.”
“Aaah, I see.” I join the giggles. “A bohemian at heart. I like it. I have the feeling that we will get along pretty well. You can introduce us when I take you home. Come on, I’ll call for a taxi.”
“Ugh… I mean… It is really nice of you, but I do not want you to cross the whole town again just to make sure that I have arrived at my apartment. It’s fine. There is no need for that.” Skylar’s complexion quickly goes to the usual dramatic red. I am not surprised. Even a blind man would clearly see that my mysterious colleague is hiding something. He peeks at his watch and pretends to be utterly shocked by how late it is. “Oh, mio Dio (My Goodness) ! It’s six p.m. I really don’t want to bother you any longer. You have already done enough. Thanks for the wonderful lunch…umm, almost dinner.”
“How about dessert? We didn’t drink coffee. They make the best espresso here. I won’t even tell you about the tiramisu. You must try it. You have no idea what you’re going to miss.” I pleadingly glance at him, not ready for this fabulous day to end. “I am sure your brother is doing great, and you’ll find your place intact.”
“Fine.” Sky runs his fingers through his hair and sighs in resignation. “I love tiramisu. That was very sneaky. You really know how to get your way. But I am flattered that you enjoy my company.”
“Phew! You are a hard nut to crack. Of course, I enjoy your company. Who wouldn’t? You are amazing.” I wave to the waitress. Should I feel so ecstatic? Suddenly, I began to see Skyler in a whole different light. I used to think he was a shy boy, kind of nerdy in a cute way. Now he excites me like no one before. Should I be worried? I am definitely stepping out of my comfort zone.
“No more compliments,” Skylar groans, interrupting my thoughts.
“Sorry! No more compliments,” I agree.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 19.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Jason is clearly fascinated by his new colleague, but he is also not a fan of serious relationships.
Do you think he is ready to change? 😉
Love: Anny
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Chapter 20. The Bright Side (Jason)
I wave after the receding taxi until it disappears into the maze of narrow streets in the glare of the afternoon sun. Even after it is no longer visible, I keep staring in the same direction as if the white car could return at any moment and I should not miss the exact second in which Sky’s face will appear again. What a day! Terrible, weird, fantastic… I have not felt like this in so long. Something strange, amazing, and a little scary is going on in my head, and I am still not quite sure what it is.
“He is such a cutie.” I feel someone’s hand resting on my shoulder and turn to look at the girl’s smiling face. She nods with conviction and adds, “I allow you to fall in love with him. If there’s anyone who can see what a great person you are underneath all your bullshit, it’s him. In fact, I think he already did.”
“Isabella, I thought your job was to bring me food and drinks when I order and take my money when I am done,” I grumble. “Since when did you become a psychologist, or even worse, an expert on my relationships?”
“I am taking no money from you.” She rolls her eyes dramatically and lightly slaps the back of my neck. “Dad said the lunch was a compliment from the restaurant. You can’t imagine how happy he is that you tried something else for the first time in two years. But do not hurry to cheer. I swear, I’ll charge you double the price if you bring that evil, fire-breathing dragon here again.”
“Do you mean Lulu?” I snort. “Girl, you should not talk about your customers this way, especially if they are also your old friend’s date. Besides, you are wrong. Lucia is a very nice person… when you get to know her.”
“Non mi va! Se perdo la calma, perderai la testa, Jason! (You don’t say! Don’t even try me, Jason!) “ Bella’s stormy expression is no surprise considering that the only time I brought Lucia here, they almost got into a fight.
I can not say it was the restaurant staff’s fault either. Lulu does not like places where cars drive by while she eats, there is no jazz music playing in the background, and the possibility of a fly landing straight into her glass of wine is too obvious to ignore. Naturally, the strong irritation caused by my poor choice of restaurant fell with all its might over the unsuspecting waitress. She had to replace Lulu’s plate of ravioli three times because of some imperfections that were completely invisible to anyone else. The tablecloth was changed twice as well as a couple of tiny bugs unwisely ended up on it. But that was nothing compared to the remark that Bella would better change because there was a stain on her shirt, and the waiters should wear white, not blue with flower prints. To top it all Lulu stated that the tiramisu was too sweet. Such an audacity is practically considered a criminal offense here.
“You think he likes me?” I squint at Isabella’s face but see almost nothing. Exhaustion is finally starting to take over. I take off my glasses and rub my eyes. The lack of sleep, the stressful morning, and all the new emotions that came with my new assistant have already dampened my usual enthusiasm for late-night fun. Too bad I promised Lucia to take her clubbing.
“Like? The boy is head over heels for you,” my friend bellows. “I also suspect he has been like this for quite some time.”
“You think so?” I know Sky had a crush on me at university, but it has been so long. I shake my head in disbelief. “No way. We haven’t seen each other in years. We were never particularly close either. He doesn’t think very highly of me. I’ve been acting like a complete moron these past couple of days.”
“I know it for a fact,” she firmly says. “Some people are consistent in their feelings despite the circumstances. Now, go get some sleep. You look worn out.”
“I wish I could.” I sigh deeply and reach in my pocket for the phone. It starts ringing at the same moment. I wave Bella goodbye and peek at the screen. My dragon lady. I cheerfully greet her, “Hey, babes! You still want to try that new jazz club?”
“Mi dispiace veramente (I am really sorry) , Jay-Jay,” she apologetically answers. “Something came up. I won’t be able to make it for tonight.”
I am utterly relieved. But If fate has decided to be good to you and help you solve a problem, it is best to take full advantage. Lulu never changes her mind. No matter what I say, we are not going anywhere. So I make sure to sound as disappointed as hell. “What a pity. Everyone says the place is awesome. I really wanted to go. What is so important that you are ready to abandon me? Did your lawyer finally propose?”
“Very funny. The damn fool is too busy to choose his new yacht.” She groans in frustration. “He even made me look through the catalogs with him and compare prices. Four hours. I almost died of boredom. With all those money, why does he even care about the price. Anyway, my brother is coming back from Spain. His ex-boyfriend’s mother called him or something like that. His plane arrives in an hour. I will take him to dinner and then we’ll go home. Ugh, why are all men so annoying?”
“Take it on the bright side, darling,” I suggest, happy at my unexpected release. “The yacht will be yours when you finally catch him, right? Use the opportunity to choose the one you like most.”
“Oh… Yes! That’s true.” She laughs. “Jay-Jay, you’re such a smartie.”
“I surely am,” I agree.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 20.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Do you think this is the end of Jason and Lulu’s affair? 😉
Is she going to be ok with him ending their relationship?
What about her brother? Does his return has something to do with the main story?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Special 2. Friends and Enemies
As promised in the beginning of this book, here comes the next Special. They will appear in every ten chapters when the POV will also change. This one is dedicated to Jason and some of the secondary characters. Whether they are friends or enemies, or perhaps both, is yet to be seen.
Jason Marchetti
Jason has the talent to work his way up the corporate hierarchy. He is very smart and a kind person, although the latter is not always apparent upon first meeting. His ability to quickly make successful decisions, even if they sometimes seem reckless in the beginning, has always helped him in life. He is very sociable and has an irresistible charm, which rarely leaves him without lovers and admirers. Jason graduated at the Vienna University of Economics where he studied together with Sky. However, they never got close because of the big difference in their personalities, as well as Jay’s unbridled passion for the turbulent college life. Of course, that did not stop them from liking each other from a distance.
Birthplace – Rome, Italy
Residence – Rome, Italy
Occupation - Executive Marketing Director with lots of power at De Angelis Corporation, highly trusted by its owner Count Massimo de Angelis, who is fully aware of Jason’s impulsive nature
Age – 25
Tidbits – likes to ride his motorbike; loves small trattorias and good food; very ambitious; unwilling to be in a serious relationship as he believes it will limit his freedom and opportunities for career growth; currently seeing Lucia Rossi, a beautiful lawyer and socialite who, like him, prefers the no-strings-attached arrangement
◈◈◈
Lucia Rossi
A young woman who knows exactly what she wants from life and how to get it. Some might say she is cynical and unscrupulous, but she would tell them this is just being practical, and there is nothing wrong with that. Being purposeful, of course, does not mean to avoid all things that bring you real pleasure, especially if it will not interfere with your plans. This is where Jason comes into the picture. Lulu is very fond of him. Would that stop the ambitious lady if her interest dictated she do something that would hurt her lover? Let’s find out the answer together.
Birthplace – Rome, Italy
Residence – Rome, Italy
Occupation - a lawyer in a firm specialized in tax law and servicing some of the largest corporations in Italy
Age – 35
Tidbits – determined to marry her boss; loves luxury and influential men; difficult to read
◈◈◈
Andrea Rossi
Andrea is Lulu’s younger brother. As you may have already guessed, he is also Sky’s ex-boyfriend. His life views are quite similar to his sister’s. Success and money are of primary importance to him. Having already experienced the challenges of the fashion world and the heavy weight of international fame with his internet channel in his twenties, he is used to always getting what he wants. Sky believes Andrea was with him only for the benefits he could get out of their relationship. He may be right, but he may also be wrong. Time will show.
Birthplace – Rome, Italy
Residence – Rome, Italy but travelling most of the time
Age – 30
Occupation - influencer, social events planner, designer
Tidbits – determined to get in touch with Skylar again for unknown reasons; loves luxury and fame; carefully planning his every move
◈◈◈
Mauricio
Mauricio is one of the most loved and demanded fashion models in Italy. He has earned the reputation of an incredibly versatile model with his astonishing ability to look perfect in photographs and feel comfortable in front of the camera. He is natural and calm no matter what the theme of the advertising campaign is. Given his great popularity, it is no surprise that he is also one of the most highly paid models in Europe. It remains to be seen how they will get along with Skyler. The boys will have to work together every day during the photoshoots for the new campaign.
Birthplace – Rome, Italy
Residence – London, UK but travelling all the time
Age – 23
Occupation - fashion model with his own men’s perfume brand
Tidbits – nice and agreeable person; always smiling; addicted to ice-cream
◈◈◈
Giulia
Giulia is one of the oldest employees in the company and a close friend of De Angeles family. She has always been Sky’s support since he was a child and has often acted like his second mother.
Birthplace – Genoa, Italy
Residence – Rome, Italy
Age – 45
Occupation - receptionist of the high management office at De Angelis corporation
Tidbits - loves Skylar like her own child; recently divorced; very amiable and caring person; loves exploring Rome’s historical sights; excellent cook
A/N
Hello, at the end of Special Chapter 2.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
I hope it will help you immerse in the story even more, and make it more vivid.
What do you think of the newly introduced characters?
Do we expect a love triangle?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
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Chapter 21. A Tiny Incident (Sky)
I enter my personal code, press the button for the last floor, and lean my forehead on the cold elevator wall. My cheeks are hotter than freshly baked buns. My skin has probably burned in the merciless sun. I drank much more wine than I intended. But I have the feeling that neither of those is the real reason why my head is spinning and my heart is pounding wildly.
I know that was not it, but whatever our afternoon with Jason was, I can confidently claim it was the closest thing to a romantic date I had ever experienced. I still can not believe that he took me to the orange garden and the marvelous little restaurant hidden among the picturesque narrow streets. The way he was holding the door for me… I am flustered, fluttered, hot and bothered, and there is no way of denying it.
I never truly knew him. My love was strong, but I must confess it was also blind. That was exactly why I was so angry at my inability to get rid of it. Now, the whole thing is getting much more dangerous because I saw how attentive, kind, and sweet he can be. He does not always behave this way, but it is still often enough to make me melt like butter on a hot plate. I hoped time would help me forget about this crazy, hopeless infatuation, but the opposite is happening. I am falling deeper by the minute. However, my chances are the same, still close to zero. Like in a cheap romantic novel, the clumsy, chubby secretary falls for the smug, attractive boss. We all know that those types of stories never have happy endings in real life.
“They actually do,” I hear my brother state when the cabin stops with a shake. He can not be talking to me, but the coincidence evokes a smile on my face. The door slides open. I step into my living room. His voice is barely audible because of the booming music. My nose wrinkles at the suspicious smell of smoke and burned meat. Luca, who is standing by the sofa with a phone in his hand, yells, “Sorry, dad. I have to go. Our hero is back home. Yeah, I will tell him. No, don’t worry, we are not going to drink too much. He’ll be in mint condition tomorrow, ready to take the fashion world by storm. Fine! Bye!”
“What is going on here?” I grumble, suspiciously sniffing the air. “You promised not to smoke inside. Is something burning? What are you doing?”
“Brava, fratellino! Pare che tu abbia un talento naturale. (Well done, little brother! It seems you have a natural talent.) “ Luca keeps shouting without turning down the music or paying any attention to my questions. “Your boss, or better say crush, has just called The Big A. I can’t describe the praise, words like ‘brilliant’, ‘fantastic’, ‘intuitive’, and so on. You impressed him. That’s a great start. You have given that jerk Mauro a mouthful. Jason said you should be credited for the deal, which was never going to happen if you did not put the agent in his place. You got a promotion as well. How cool is that! Bravissimo!”
“Thank you!” I barely utter as my attention is drawn to the thick smoke coming in through the balcony doors. “Luca, I am telling you, there is a fire outside.”
“Shit! The burgers,” he gasps. “I wanted to surprise you. We’ll celebrate the promotion and, umm… Cough!… also as an apology.”
“Since when did you start to cook?” I rush out. Whatever was on the barbecue, it has turned into a pile of ash. Thank God he did not decide to use the kitchen.
“Sarah gives me lessons,” Luca mumbles, gazing at the ruined food. “I made a whole ass lasagna the other day with tomato paste, mushrooms, parmesan crust and everything.”
“I truly admire your girlfriend’s persistence in trying to make a family man out of you.” I grin, but my smile instantly dies out. “Wait! What did you say? An apology? What the hell do you have to apologize for?”
“Well…” My brother starts to scratch his head and look around as if the answer is written somewhere on the surrounding skyscrapers’ shining windows.
“Luca!” I glare at him.
“There was a tiny incident,” he mutters. “Nothing too bad. A friend of mine was bragging about his new car. I said it did not matter what the model was ’cause I would always be faster… I mean, I am without a scratch, so nothing to worry about…”
“Oh, my God!” I palm my face. “Just spill the beans.”
“You don’t have a car… Cough!… anymore,” he blurts out. “But I am going to buy you a new one tomorrow. How about a Lamborghini? I’ll have to go to their showroom anyway because, you know, the other car… um… is missing some parts, too… which can not be replaced…”
“You are insane.” I shake my head in disbelief. “Talking about buying two Lamborghinis as if it’s a bag of potatoes from the grocery. No, I do not want another car. What the fuck! You will repair the old one, which by the way was brand new if you didn’t notice. And you’ll buy me a barbecue because I am not cleaning this one, and dinner, Chinese food… Fuck! I am taking a shower and then a nap. You will stop the music and do your best to survive for two full hours without doing anything crazy for once in your life.”
“Sure,” he readily agrees. “They said it would take at least a month to fix the damages, so I thought you wouldn’t want to wait. Anyway, if that’s what you prefer, fine. I am going to watch a movie while you take some rest. You are the best, Sky. Oh, are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Why?” I stop abruptly and turn to look at him. “When are the surprises finally going to end?”
“Jason told dad about that super model guy… What was his name?”
“Mauricio,” I rasp with dread in my voice.
“Ah, yes. Mauricio is in Rome for one day only tomorrow, and then he leaves for a photoshoot in the Bahamas for two weeks.” Luca starts to sneer. “You’ll have the pleasure to meet him and discuss the schedule for when he comes back. I feel for you, bro. I’ve seen his pictures. You are a professional, so I am not worried about you. But If I were gay, my knees would go weak.”
“That’s because you haven’t seen Jason,” I hum under my breath.
“What did you say?” Luca asks.
“Nothing,” I answer and slam the bathroom door behind me.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 21.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
How do you think the meeting with Mauricio will go?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is
necessary and
don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
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Chapter 22. A Rehearsal (Sky)
I turn the shower on, adjusting the water temperature as cold as I can stand without it being unpleasant, and sit on the floor resting my forehead on my knees. I feel as if I have not only been at work until lunch and spent all the afternoon in a cozy restaurant, but like I have just climbed Mount Everest. I am also fuming. Not that I can be mad at Luca for long, but I love my car and I am not happy at all that he wrecked it, in a street race at that, most likely because of a stupid bet. Can it even be more irresponsible? I could never understand his attitude towards money and expensive things, maybe because I did not have many of them in the first ten years of my life. I was reminded what it was to have limited means during my studies, too. My brother is not a bad person. He spends a lot on charity and does not pour money down the drain just like that. And still, how a brand new car can mean nothing to someone is beyond me.
Jason is not of that type. I think he is more like me. My father no doubt pays him an astronomical salary, and yet he prefers to eat in a small street trattoria and does not care that his jacket is Prada. I would not say he is full of common sense, but I am sure he would not crush a Lamborghini just for fun.
Why can’t I live in a small apartment which will always be in an artistic mess, on a narrow street, hidden among the ochre buildings of an old neighborhood? I would paint all day, and run for freshly baked Brutti ma buoni* with hot espresso when I get hungry.
* Brutti ma buoni - literally ‘ugly but good’, popular Italian biscuits with hazelnut or almond flavour
I might earn nothing from my paintings and have to work nights as a waiter, but I would still be so much happier than in a luxury penthouse on top of the most modern skyscraper in the business district. I am forced to interact with agents and supermodels… Holy smokes! This is not a job. It is a roller coaster ride.
I sigh heavily, slowly stand up and pour a handful of shampoo on my head. How exactly should an ordinary person behave with a famous fashion model? The guy must be moody, probably grumpy, temperamental… haughty as well. It will be a hit-or-miss situation. Mauricio will not like me at all, because he is used to interacting with beautiful, confident people. I am none of those. What shall I do?
“Oh, fuck!” I yell at the burning sensation when a considerable quantity of foam gets into my eyes.
“Are you all right?” Luca shouts from the living room. “The Chinese takeout is here. I also bought a bottle of the best whiskey I could find around. Are you sure you still want to take a nap? A good drink is a much better way to relax, I swear. This movie sucks. I don’t want to watch it for another hour.”
“Fine!” I reluctantly agree, walking out of the bathroom, wrapped in my favorite fluffy robe, and still rubbing my stinging eyes. “Change of plans. You will help me with an urgent problem.”
“What problem?” Luca curiously asks, lively jumping up from the sofa. “Whoa! Your eyes. They are blood red and puffy. Have you been crying?”
“Shut up! Of course not. Why would I cry? I just got some shampoo in them.” I pull the remote out of his hand and switch off the TV set. “A romantic comedy? I am not surprised you are already bored.”
“As if you have anything else.” He points at my DVD collection and accusatory adds. “How is it possible? Not a single action, or a crime mystery at least.”
“I have the complete Star Wars collection,” I mumble.
“Oh?” My brother starts to cackle. “I’m sure you will be utterly surprised to learn it, but that one is a romantic movie, too.”
“Mhm.” I grab a spring roll from the plate on the table, instantly adorning my white towel with a large grease stain. Luca shakes his head. I ignore it and stuff the delicious food in my mouth. “We are ’oing a little re’earsal. You wiw teaw me how to be’ave tomo’ow at the meawing with Maurizio.”
“What?” He snorts. “Chew your food and swallow first, then speak.”
“A rehearsal,” I repeat. “How to be cool at the meeting.”
“Ah, sure.” He generously agrees, but his expression says it all. He does not think there is any point in trying.
“Am I really such a hopeless case?” My shoulders drop. I start to rub the ugly stain only to make it three times bigger.
“No!” Luca pulls the towel out of my hand and shoves a glass of whisky in its place, clinking his own against it. “You never get it, do you? Drink!”
I take a big gulp of the burning liquid and shiver.
“I will give you some tips on how to control the nervousness.” He smiles and starts rubbing my back. Luca used to do it when I was a kid and freaked out about a coming test at school. It always calmed me. “But you do not need a rehearsal, fratellino. All you need to do is be yourself.”
“Are you kidding me?” I protest. “I am clumsy, always blush like a ripe tomato, and either I am silent or only talk nonsense. A total disaster.”
“On the contrary. This is exactly where your charm lies. Everything will be fine.”
Brutti ma buoni cookies
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 22.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Is Luca right?
I watched a survey where psychologists discovered that the participants considered clumsy people more cute.
Do you agree?
Do you like shy, clumsy people or they more often annoy you?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is
necessary and
don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Photo 24737188 © Mirmoor | Dreamstime.com
Photo by Manudri from istockphoto.com
Chapter 23. Survival Techniques (Sky)
“Sky! Wake up! Your phone has been ringing for the past fifteen minutes. How can you not hear it?” Luca grips my shoulder and mercilessly shakes my stiff body. This instantly unlocks the nasty pain in my head. I growl in protest. He does not seem bothered at all and yells louder. “It’s your boss. Come to life and pick up, or I’ll do it for you.”
“No!” I groan and try to open my eyes. The bright light pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling window magnifies the pain threefold. Once, I thought it was an awesome idea to have a glass wall in my bedroom. Now, I consider it the worst one that has ever crossed my mind. My mouth is dry. My breath is acid. I am snuggled up in bed with all my clothes on. The belt buckle cuts painfully into my skin. I pull the phone out of my brother’s hand and whine, “Close the curtains. Oh, my God! I feel terrible. I think I am going to puke.”
“Don’t you dare!” He shoves a glass of water in my other hand, waving a large white pill in front of my face. “Open your mouth. A few drinks, and I am forced to save your ass from a total meltdown. Grow up. Take it like an adult person. Booze leads to unpleasant consequences, but it won’t make us fold when necessity requires it. Besides, there are no curtains. Can’t help you with that.”
“Press the green button on that panel,” I barely hum, trying hard to swallow the sour tablet, which is stuck to my palate and won’t budge, and keep all the food in my stomach at the same time. How could I quaff all that whiskey? Luca is to blame, of course. He knows very well that I can’t hold much liquor.
“Ah, awesome!” He cheers without a shred of sympathy in his voice when the outer roller blinds slowly slide down, hiding us from the dazzling rays of the morning sun. “Better?”
“Nothing can make me feel better,” I grumble. “You are a bad influence and…”
No more time to complain as the phone starts ringing again. God, I hate it. I deeply sigh and pick up.
“Skylar, what are you doing?” Jason’s voice is jolly and enthusiastic. Can’t relate. “I expected you to call me last night to confirm that you have reached home safely?”
“I am a grown man,” I spitefully hiss. “As you can imagine, I have used taxi services before. Why wouldn’t I reach home safely?”
“Whoa! You’re grumpy.” He starts to chuckle, which annoys me even more. “Not a morning person, I assume. Well, I guess no one is happy to hear their boss’s voice at eight a.m. Sorry about that. You will have to come a bit earlier today.”
“Why?” I rub my puffy eyes and somehow manage to crawl out of bed and follow Luca to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed espresso makes me feel a little better.
“You are meeting Mauricio today,” Jason explains with even more zeal. I am not delighted with the news and barely stop myself from telling him that I already know about it. He apologetically adds, “However, there is a small issue. He is in Civitavecchia* and is only free until twelve. You will drive for an hour and better leave as soon as possible.
*Civitavecchia - a coastal
town, 50 miles from Rome, a major cruise port
“Oh?” I grab the steaming cup from Luca and take a sip. It is scorching. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”
“I admit that this is kind of unexpected,” Jason mumbles. “But don’t you think you are overreacting?”
“No! Sorry!” I leave the cup on the table and glare at my brother who only nonchalantly shrugs. “I did not mean the trip. Just burned my tongue with hot coffee.”
“I see.” Jason chuckles again. “That really sucks. Anyway, I am coming with you. Can you pick me up from Via della Conciliazione in half an hour?”
“Umm… I apologize, but that won’t be possible. I mean, I do not have a car.” I glare at Luca one more time and get absolutely the same reaction.
“Didn’t you mention something about a brand new sports car yesterday?” Jason asks in surprise.
“Yeah, I did.” I carefully try to sip some more coffee. It is not as hot as before, but I taste nothing. The receptors on my tongue are obviously not working anymore. “Someone…uhm… my brother… long story short, the car is smashed… ugh… out of order at this point.”
“Wow! Is he ok?” Jason asks.
“He is fine and not ashamed at all,” I answer, accusatory glancing at Luca. He only grins and shows me the thumb up. “I can take a company car.”
“No way,” Jason instantly protests. “Where is the fun in that? I’ll drive. Tell me your address.”
“I… umm… live in a really crowded neighborhood, narrow streets, and everything.” I hate to lie. Why do I always find myself in situations that leave me with no other choice but to say things that are not true. The sweat is trickling down my temple. “Listen, I can be in front of the office building in half an hour. Is that ok? It will be much better.”
“Yeah, sure! I’ll meet you there.” With this, he hangs out.
I take a deep breath and point a finger at my brother. “You will pay for everything you did since you came here.”
“What have I done?” he innocently says. “You should thank me. Your crush wants to spend a full hour in a car with you. What’s wrong with that?”
I answer nothing and head to the bathroom. My headache has eased a bit, but not enough to deal with Luca’s bullshit. I contemplate for a while whether I should throw him out right away and never give him the keys to any of my properties again, but finally decide that it will take too much energy which I obviously lack. There are many pressing issues that I can not ignore, too. How do I stop the nausea and not give the impression that I am about to pass out at any moment? What to wear? How do I prevent my hair from looking like I have just been electrocuted? And the most important one, which is how to achieve all of that within less than thirty minutes?
I have no idea how I did it, but the magic somehow worked. I am standing at the main entrance in a casual shirt and jeans and gazing at the busy street, trying to guess which of the approaching cars is Jason’s. The air is already humid and hot at eight thirty. My stomach angrily growls. I am not in the least inclined to give in to the urge and put any food in my mouth. I can not believe I am so silly. Having a blast mid-week can be qualified as nothing other than utter foolishness. It is only Wednesday. I am seriously concerned about my existence until Friday. I need some survival techniques in this corporate, fashion, and family jungle.
Wait! What? Oh, no! Really? Fuck!
“Heyyy,” Jason beams, handing me a helmet. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost. Relax! This will be an awesome ride.”
I paid little attention to the hot biker on the sleek, black Moto Guzzi until he pulled up in front of me and turned out to be my boss in outrageously tight ripped jeans and a sensational Armani leather jacket. If I ever steal or commit any other crime, it will probably be only to get one of those jackets… or this man.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 23.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Jason seems full of surprises.
Do you think he appeared on the motorbike
in an attempt
to impress Sky?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is
necessary,
and
don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Chapter 24. Did you scream? (Sky)
“No!” I firmly state and take a step back to emphasize the finality of my decision.
“What do you mean no?” Jason seems a little taken aback but most of all entertained. His smirk is getting bigger. Is it possible for someone to constantly get on your nerves and be irresistibly gorgeous at the same time? He theatrically bows and extends a formal invitation, “Dear Mr. Jones, would you do me the honor of getting on my bike? I promise we will reach our destination safely, and I will do my best to make the ride pleasant and fun.”
“The answer is still no,” I insist. “There is no way you are going to make me sit on that thing.”
“Why not?” he bellows. “What is the problem? Have you never ridden a motorbike before? Are you afraid?”
“I am not afraid,” I instantly retort. “I have no idea if you are good. I don’t like taking unnecessary risks either. In addition, it seems to me that if you suddenly increase the speed or hit the brakes, I will fly off and end up on the asphalt in the middle of the highway. Not going to happen. I am sorry, but the answer is still no.”
“Chicken.” He starts to sneer. “Got cold feet, huh? Of course, none of this nonsense will happen. I have been driving a bike for almost ten years, and I have never dropped a passenger in my life. The only way to fall is if you jump on purpose. Even then, I can guarantee that it won’t be so easy.”
“Well…” I start to squirm. “I am… uhm… Are you sure?”
It is out of the question to share my actual concerns with Jason. They are slightly different than what he thinks. I am worried about my weight. I might be too heavy. What if I sit and the damn thing breaks? What if we can not take off because it is overloaded? The embarrassment would be despicable. I know. You are going to tell me that such preoccupations sound ridiculous, and this type of vehicle is designed to carry a lot more. I am not claiming all my thoughts are logical and supported by scientific evidence. But it does not change the fact that they are still on my mind. There is one more issue… Yeah, that will really make you laugh. I am very anxious about my hair. With the amount of styling product I put on it, one hour with a helmet on will solidify it into its shape. There will be no hope of returning it to its present form unless I wash it.
“Get on,” Jason commands and pushes me towards the bike. “Have a little faith. I am absolutely convinced that you will enjoy the trip. No more discussions.”
He adjusts my helmet and carefully fastens the strap under my chin. His fingers are smooth and warm. My skin tingles at the touch. The distinctive scent of his perfume fills my nostrils. It is a bit zesty and very fresh. His enchanting brown eyes are only inches from mine. Our gazes inevitably meet. Jason smiles. My lips try to mimic the movement but terribly fail. I am too distraught by the proximity.
“You are pale,” he mumbles. “Did you manage to get enough sleep?”
I try to answer, but my voice is suddenly lost, so I only shake my head.
“Why?” Jason does not pull away. He moves closer instead, and slips a finger under the strap to check if it is too tight. “See? I told you that you needed someone to watch over you and make sure you never get into trouble.”
“Luca,” I barely rasp, “and a bottle of whiskey.”
“I see.” He knowingly grins. “Now I understand why you were so hesitant about the bike. Are you alright now?”
“Mhm.” I nod. “Not sure about when we arrive, though.”
“You’ll be fine.” Jason pats my shoulder and finally gets through the safety inspection, just on time before my heart jumps out of my chest. He hops on the motorcycle, motioning for me to follow him.
Boy, am I clumsy! This has got to be the most awkward climb onto a two-wheeled vehicle in history. Thank God he is with his back to me and can not see it. I hold my breath and relax on the seat, praying that nothing cracks or rattles. It goes smoothly. I sigh in relief, but the next problem comes too soon. What do I do with my arms? I should probably hold onto Jason. It would look like a hug, though. Moreover, he did not tell me to do it. What would he think if I clung to his back like a leech? On the other hand, if I do not, I will surely fall…
“Sky?” His voice startles me out of my deep contemplation. “What are you waiting for?”
“Huh?” Oh, my God! I am a hopeless case.
“Wrap your arms around my waist and hold on tight,” he says. “And stop freaking out. It will be awesome.”
“Oh!” Now that I have the official invitation, I finally do as I am told and lean on him. So, that is how it feels to hug Jason. Wow! It is fantastic, and this is a big underestimation. His firm muscles under the smooth leather, the warmth, the scent… Everything is amazing. I can stay in this perfect embrace forever. I close my eyes for a brief second, and that is exactly when he slams on the gas. We set off too surprisingly for me to hide the startled shriek. “Aaaaa… Mamma Mia! Tu sei pazzo. (Dearest God! You are crazy.) “
“Did you just scream?” Jason shouts over the roar of the engine.
His body is shaking with laughter. I tighten my grip. My heart is thumping. He shouldn’t be laughing when driving. What did I get myself into? And what the hell is so funny?
“I did not,” I shout back when we stop at the traffic lights.
“Good,” he yells. “Just hold on tight.”
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 24.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Poor sky has to many anxieties to fight.
Do you think Jason will help him to become more confident?
Do you like motorbikes?
Or maybe you drive one yourself? 😀
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is
necessary,
and
don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter. ✨
Love: Anny
Chapter 25. Sea Urchin (Sky)
“Wohooo! E ’così fantasticooooo!” I yell and spread my arms wide to feel the warm wind flowing between my fingers. A tiny bump in the asphalt has me quickly clinging to Jason again. My smile is so big that it feels as if the helmet is too small to fit it. This is the most awesome thing I have ever done.
There are several routes you can take to get from Rome to Civitavecchia. I was convinced that Jason would choose the highway as the fastest and most convenient way. Boy, was I wrong! We are on SS1 instead, probably the longest but also incredibly picturesque, following the curves of the sea coast itself. We are crossing the small resort towns, passing by sunlit beaches and beautiful white hotels and cozy restaurants. The waves flash and sparkle between the lush crowns of palm trees at every turn. The constant smell of the sea here and there mixes with the smell of freshly cooked fish. The most romantic trip.
Suddenly, Jason takes a sharp turn and enters the labyrinth of small picturesque streets until he comes out on a small secluded the beach. We stop.
I raise the glass shield of the helmet and look at him questioningly. “What are you doing? This is Santa Marinella, not Civitavecchia. We still have twenty minutes to drive, haven’t we?”
“It seems someone was looking at the signs while happily yelling in my ear.” He grins and goes to unbuckle the strap under my chin. I should probably tell him that I can handle it myself, but it is too pleasant, so I just lean on the bike and squint at the sun. Jason bites his bottom lip in concentration. The place is a bit itchy. He starts rubbing it with his thumb. “Why didn’t you tell me it was too tight? There is a reddish mark right here.”
“Umm… Cough!… I didn’t…” He has to stop being so nice and touchy or I will melt like snow in summer before we leave this place.
“Anyway, you are right.” He obviously thinks the amateur massage has done its job and finally steps back. “ I decided that we have enough time for a quick stop. I want to show you something.“
“Oh?” My heart! This man did more romantic gestures in two days than my ex-boyfriend for three years. No! Stop it! He is not being romantic, just friendly. Keep your hopes down. I scratch my nose to gain some time before embarrassing myself with some bullshit that will quite certainly slip out of my mouth in this flustered state.
“Aren’t you going to remove the helmet?” Jason nocks on top of it with a finger. “Hurry up. It is ten past nine. We have precisely half an hour. Then we’ll have to get going if we want to be at the cruise port at ten sharp.”
He heads down a narrow passage between the white wooden fences of two small hotels, slaloming between tall pots of pink oleanders and the rough trunks of a few palm trees. I try to follow without bumping in one of them. It is hard to navigate with a helmet on, especially in this heat. I have no choice, it has to be taken off at some point anyway. Aaaah, what a relief! These things can really heat your head up quickly when you are not on the bike.
We pop out on a small concrete terrasse enclosed by reed mats crammed with unpretentious plastic tables clustered under a cream-colored awning. We are the only customers of the restaurant. The beach is on one side. People are already sunbathing under the blue umbrellas. There is a small harbor crowded with motorboats on the other side. It is beautiful.
“Wow! How do you know about all these fantastic, secluded places?” I exclaim.
“That’s one of my talents,” Jason answers and peeks at me over his shoulder. The next second he snorts, covering his mouth with a hand. “Oh, my God! Sorry! Your hair… “
Fuck! I freeze in place and instantly turn fiery red. I knew it. The damn helmet. I just knew this was coming.
“Wait!” Jason grabs my hand, still fighting the cackles. “I am an ass. I am really sorry. Just didn’t expect this. You had a completely different hair style when we left. What happened?”
“Is it that bad?” I mutter.
“No!… Oh, gosh! No, it is not bad.” He pulls me closer and carefully brushes his fingers through my unruly locks. His eyes are full of laughter and something else I still can not quite read. “Sky… you are so damn… cute.”
“Cute?” I gaze at him in disbelief. “I told you I don’t take compliments well. Don’t call me cute. What does my hair look like?”
“I think it’s time you learn to take praise in stride,” he says. “I can’t lie about this. You are cute. Period. About your hair…umm…I don’t really know how to describe it. Each strand sticks out in a different direction. It seems everything went straight up when you took the helmet off. But you look great. Many people dream of achieving this effect by sitting for hours in the beauty salons. It comes naturally to you. Cute.”
“Stop repeating it,” I hiss.
“Like a sea urchin.” He snorts through laughter, dragging me to a nearby table. “Sit down. Stop pulling that face. And since I already mentioned it…”
“What?” I interrupt him. “Is this some kind of animal or algae?”
“Algae! Did you fall from Mars?” Jason waves to the waiter and promptly orders, “Due espressi, due acque fredde gassate e due spaghetti siciliani ai ricci di mare. (Two espressos, two bottles of ice-cold sparkling waters and twice Sicilian spaghetti with sea urchins.)
“Nooo,” I instantly protest. “You do not expect me to eat pasta so early in the morning. Didn’t I mention I was hangover?”
“Exactly,” Jason knowingly says. “You need to eat something nutritious. Why are you always resisting? Haven’t you figured out by now that I know what you need?”
I raise a brow at that statement but keep quiet. My smug companion smirks in satisfaction. I unintentionally raise my hand to smoothen my hair.
I unconsciously reach up to smooth my hair, but he grabs my wrist mid-air before I can do it and yells, “Don’t touch my masterpiece.”
“How did this suddenly come to your credit?” I grumble.
“Who gave you the helmet?” He winks at me. My cheeks heat up again. I am tempted to retort, but the foods comes.
“Wha… Oh, nooo… No way!” I stare at the gross, round, spiky thing in my plate. The pasta looks fantastic and smells even better, but this creature that seems to have come from an alien planet. How do you eat it at all?
Jason comes to my side of the table, phone in hand, grabs the spiky thing with two fingers and presses his cheek to mine. “Best time for a selfie. Smile, love. Say ‘cheese’! Perfect. This is only the shell for decoration, so stop panicking. Now, grab the fork and dig in.”
I have nothing else to do but to follow his instructions.
Harbor in Santa Marinella
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 25.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Do you think Jason carefully planned this trip?
Does Sky even stand a chance of resisting him?
Have you tried sea urchin? 😀
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is
necessary,
and
don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter. ✨
Love: Anny
Photo 21840826 © Massimiliano Gallo | Dreamstime.com
Photo 241546227 © Nael_pictures | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 26. A Photo Shoot (Sky)
Civitavecchia is a small municipality in the Metropolitan City of Rome, mostly known as the port of Rome. It is also one of my most favorite places in the world. My mother is an avid cruise traveler. Gradually, she managed to turn me into one, too, even though I wasn’t that enthusiastic in the beginning. Many people consider this type of vacation to be relaxing. I do not share the same opinion, not when your parents are determined to visit as many countries and see as many sights as they can in the shortest possible time. We never missed a port and were part of all the ship excursions available. The schedule was grueling. I was kicked out of bed at seven in the morning, had a quick breakfast and we hurried to join the dense crowd, waiting to get off at the new pier and take the seats on the waiting buses. We walked through historical sites for hours, took pictures at all sorts of panoramic spots, and it was usually blazing hot in the middle of summer. We took at least three cruises every year from May to September.
Jason parks the motorbike in the designated area at the Fortezza Michelangelo.* I smile seeing the magnificent, white cruise liners. I truly missed this place, the moments of hectic anticipation before boarding, the excitement, the smell of the sea, and the sound of suitcase wheels rolling.
*Fortezza Michelangelo - A massive fort commissioned by Pope Julius II to defend the port of Rome. A part of it was designed by Michelangelo.
“Take it off.” Jason waves a hand in front of my face. “We won’t be worrying about the helmet again, right? If you don’t like your hair, I’ll help you fix it.”
“Sorry,” I mutter. Why does he continue to be so super sweet? “Just got a little distracted. Nice childhood memories. Nostalgia, I guess.”
“Aww.” He starts rubbing my back soothingly. “Growing up isn’t fun, is it? I wish I was eight again every time I see the kids from the neighborhood play soccer. However, school sucks. You are not allowed to drink, either. No money, no sex… When I think about it, it is much better now.”
“You are crazy.” I start giggling and bravely remove the helmet. “Kids do not have those things, but they also do not want them. We were innocent, remember? I agree about school, though. You can’t make me go back there.”
“I definitely wanted money,” Jason states. He grabs my chin with two fingers and turns my head left and right. “Perfect! No intervention is needed. You are cuter than ever. Let’s go.”
We cross the tidy park area and come up on a small lawn right before the concrete quay. There is a big, luxurious pavilion tent in the middle. I wonder how the port authorities have allowed that at all. Either way, it looks fantastic against the huge cruise ship behind it. The entrance is closed, but from the sounds coming from inside, it is clear that the work process is arduous.
“They are doing studio shots inside, then the session will continue outside, and Mauricio is boarding the ship at twelve,” Jason explains, pointing at the cruise liner. “Impressive, huh? Just wait to go in.”
“I am not sure I want to,” I mumble. My legs go soft, only imagining a room full of fashion models. I will look like a bull in a china shop. Oh, my God! I hate this job. What the fuck!
“Sky?” Jason shoves a bottle of water in my hand. “Are you all right? Your face suddenly lost color. You are as white as a sheet. Is it your stomach?”
“Yes,” I groan. I am clutching at straws right now, but I am not willing to admit that I have totally lost my nerve. “I told you urchins were a bad idea.”
“It’s ok. Drink some water.” He starts fanning me with both hands. “Take deep breaths. It’s fine if you puke. Don’t worry. I’ve seen worse.”
“Stop it!” I catch his wrists mid-air and groan in embarrassment. “I am not going to puke.”
“Glad to hear it.” Jason pulls me towards the pavilion. There are some launchers at the entrance. “Would you like to sit here for a while?”
“No need.” I drink some water and try to calm down. Why is he grinning? I must be pathetic. “It’s hot. We better get inside. I hope there is air conditioning.”
“Sure, sure,” he confirms. “Your color is back to normal, but some cooling always helps.”
“Thank you!” I barely utter when he holds the door for me.
My eyes need some time as it is a lot darker inside than at the bright sun outside. I gasp when I finally manage to look around. Filming is in full swing. Makeshift dressing rooms are arranged along the walls. The models are dazzling men surrounded by teams of make-up artists and hairdressers. Maurizio is on the central podium, stunning in a stylish, red leather raincoat. The circle of spotlights are casting bright reflections on his handsome face. People are fussing around him, smoothening his clothes and fixing the pose. The photographer is ready to shoot. I gaze at him and totally forget to watch my step. My leg gets tangled in one of the numerous cables stretched across the room. I shake it to free my ankle, trying not to make a sound. It does not work, so I pull harder.
At this moment, one of the spotlight stands flies across the stage and hits Maurizio directly in the forehead.
“Chi ha lasciato entrare questo idiota? Cavolo! Ho detto, niente estranei. (Who let this idiot in? Damn! I said, no spectators.) “ The photographer starts to yell, crouching in front of the startled model. A girl runs to them with a package of ice. The guy keeps shouting at me. “Aren’t you watching where you’re going? How am I supposed to work with this? Fuck it! That’s a huge bump on his forehead. There is no way to hide it with make-up.”
I am petrified. This is horrible. I hesitantly raise my head and peek at Mauricio. His big expressive eyes are pinned on me. The moment our gazes meet, his lips stretch into a wide smile.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 26.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Could it get any worse? 🙈
What do you think Mauricio’s reaction will be when he finally talks to Sky?
Do we expect Jason to get jealous? 😀
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary, and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Photo 24827783 © Mirmoor | Dreamstime.com
Chapter 27. At High Speed(Sky)
“Sky? Sky!” Jason grabs my shoulder and shakes my body so abruptly that I almost fall. “You are hyperventilating. Calm down. Shit like this happens all the time during photoshoots. It’s nothing. Don’t pay attention to the photographer. They are all overly dramatic.”
I am barely catching my breath. My head is spinning. Calling what I feel embarrassment will be a total understatement. How could I smack a famous fashion model with a spotlight stand… in the head… Oh, my God!
“Can we go?” I hiss in Jason’s year. “I think I am going to faint.”
“No,” he firmly says. “You’ll be fine. Don’t panic. Take a deep breath and put a smile on that cute face. Look at Mauricio. He’s not even angry. I am pretty sure he actually finds this amusing. Let’s go to him. You only have to apologize, and all will be forgotten.”
“Jase…” I clutch his sleeve and hide behind his back, gazing in fear at the photographer who is striding towards us with a stormy expression. “This one looks as mad as a hornet. I am not staying here a minute longer….”
“Smetteresti di urlare, amico. Cos’hai che non va? Il ragazzo sta bene. Perché tutto questo dramma? Calmati. (Would you stop screaming, man. What’s wrong with you? The boy is fine. Why all this drama? Take it easy.) “ It’s a familiar voice that would have made me frown at any other circumstances. This time, however, I feel like hugging our dear agent, Senior Mauro, who cheerfully runs from the opposite side of the room, blocking the enraged guy’s way.
The latter, after an unsuccessful attempt to go around him, points a finder at me over the agent’s shoulder. “I want these two out at this instant. Who invited them? Everyone does whatever they want. No one acknowledges the complexity of the creative process. But then you expect perfect results. I do it all for the client and need peace of mind and concentration to work. I am an artist. This here is turning into a public circus.”
“Let’s not overreact.” Mauro finally steps aside and lets the man approach. “Speaking of clients, let me introduce Senior Marchetti, the marketing manager of De Angelis Corporation, and his deputy, Senior Jones. They are in charge of the new cosmetic line campaign, the one that we will be working on next. Gentlemen, this is our camera wizard, Raphael. His name alone speaks of his abilities. I swear, this magician can turn a frog into a prince with the right make-up and proper lightning.”
His words make an instant change in the so-called wizard’s attitude. His complexion turns crimson first, then goes to a ghostly white before settling on a light pink. He starts stroking his long stubble with a colorfully tattooed hand. It kind of reminds me of Luca. “Oh… Ugh… Nice to meet you… Uhm… Sorry for the little outburst… You must forgive me. Creators are a bit impulsive, you know… I am not an exception…”
“You are certainly not,” a friendly voice interrupts him. Mauricio joins the party with a big grin on his face, still pressing the package of ice to his forehead. I am blinded. The boy looks as if he has just stepped out of a luxurious magazine’s cover. What surprises me even more is his amiable personality. I thought I would be mortified if I had to talk to him. His presence has exactly the opposite effect. I feel more relaxed. You can tell from the first sight he is a nice guy. He holds out his hand. “Hello, Jason. It’s great to meet you, Sky. So, you are the one I should thank for saving me from those despicable clothes. I looked like a peacock, wasn’t I? It made me cackle every time I glimpsed at a mirror.”
“You looked fantastic,” I mumble. “They just didn’t fit campaign style. Umm… I am so sorry about your forehead….”
“No, no! Don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine,” he interrupts me and grabs my wrist, pulling me closer. The next sentence is whispered in my ear. “I should thank you for that, too. You can’t imagine how awful it is to stay under the spotlights for a full hour with limited ability to move. It’s searing hot and terribly boring. God knows I needed the break.”
“Really?” I am utterly relieved. “Well, I am happy to help then.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Jason is gazing suspiciously at my new friend. “Sky, we can grab a coffee and have a discussion with Raphael about the new concept. I am sure Mauricio needs some rest before continuing with the shoot.”
“No way! I assure you I feel great,” the model declines the offer without easing the grip on my hand. “You guys go talk about the technical part. in the meantime, Skylar will come with me. A short walk by the sea is what I desperately need.”
“But…” Jason tries to protect with no success.
Before I know it, I am at a food stall on the very pier by the water, and Mauricio is ordering ice cold smoothies.
“This is better than coffee,” he states, shoving a glass with something colored in bright orange in it. “Mango, papaya, and passion fruit. My favorite. You’re going to love it. Now, tell me everything about you. Are you single?”
“Huh?” I stare at him in a loss of words. This whole situation is unbelievable. I am talking to a stunning fashion model. He just bought me a drink. It seems he wants to make friends, and as crazy as it may sound, I think he likes me. What is going on?
“Sorry!” He smiles. “Am I being too direct? It’s a habit I got into, because of my profession. This is how we live, at high speed. We literally have no time to mosey along. Take this day. I must be back in the studio in fifteen minutes, and will board this ship in an hour. There is no time to waist.”
“I understand” I suck a big gulp though the straw. “Fuck!”
“Don’t suck too hard.” He starts laughing. “It will freeze your brain. So?”
“Yeah,” I manage to hum. “Not into a relationship at this point.”
“Good,” he nods in satisfaction. “I mean, good for me. Gay?”
I choke on my drink. After a minute or so of coughing, I barely rasp, “How did you know?”
“Honey!” Mauricio puts a hand on my shoulder and grins wider. “That’s like asking a dog how it knew there was a sausage in the shopping bag.”
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 27.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Was Mauricio a surprise?
Did you expect him to be so direct?
Do you think he genuinely liked Sky? 😀
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary, and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Chapter 28. Into Major Troubles (Sky)
“Oh, I am glad that you two decided to make an appearance, although we are almost done discussing the shooting schedule for the campaign.” Jason spitefully glares at Mauricio and does not even glimpse at me. There is a prominent frown on his face. He seems terribly displeased. I am more than certain that it is all my fault. His lips barely move as he hisses only for me to hear, “Mr. Jones, may I explain to you what the duties of a personal assistant are? What happened to participating in negotiations, taking notes, and helping with passing on the necessary data? You left me all alone to deal with all this shit.”
“I am so sorry,” I mutter. “You are absolutely right. It was totally unprofessional. I just did not know how to refuse… He…”
Jason interrupts me with an annoyed wave of his hand. His voice drops into falsetto as he leans towards my ear, “Where the fuck did that shmuck drag you? The audacity! These spoiled models think that they are allowed everything. If the brat believes he is the only one in demand, he can’t be more wrong. I will fire him and the whole fucking agency in a blink of an eye and hire someone else. Respect. That is what I am going to teach them all.”
Whoa! I have not seen him mad before. This is scary as hell. I better remember never to get on his wrong side again. The worst part is that I am jeopardizing a huge business deal. I do not even want to think about the penalties on the contract if Jason decides to terminate it a few days after signing it. My father will be even more furious than my boss. Why do I always get myself into major troubles when I do absolutely nothing to cause it? I must do something or we will both be in hot water. My hands are shaking, but I ignore it. Now is not the time to freak out.
“Ten percent of five million plus all costs,” I whisper back. “That would be roughly three hundred thousand euro. Does it sound like a good price for a tantrum? Because that is more or less what we are going to pay Senior Mauro without him having done a single ounce of work. Calm down. Roast me later. Fire me if you want. Right now, you have to compose yourself and end this meeting in a friendly manner. Shake everyone’s hand and politely say ‘Goodbye’. That includes Mauricio as well.”
Jason gazes at me in utter shock for a second, then his scowl disappears, and his lips slowly stretch into a smile. “Wow! Little Sky knows how to take command. You keep surprising me every day. I apologize. Seriously. I have no idea what got me. I hardly ever get angry. It’s just that everyone here is so self-centered and vexing. Don’t trust their deceitful benevolence. They do it for the money. Nothing is genuine.”
“I know.” I quickly squeeze his hand, which seems to make him even more relaxed.
I am puzzled. Why is he so concerned about my trust being betrayed? Besides, I am pretty sure Mauricio is an awesome guy and did not treat me to a drink in pursuit of benefits. What use could he have of me? Unless… No, no. There is no way he would know who I am, right? Not a chance. My pictures are not in the papers. My father has always been very careful about it. He is highly protective of each family member. Luca, of course, loves to be in the spotlight, but mom and I have never been under paparazzi’s attack. No, I am convinced Mauricio was sincere. Except I have no clue what he liked about me so much.
Jason still pouts a little when we go to the bike and start adjusting the helmets. I nudge him with an elbow. “Still angry?”
He sighs deeply. “No, of course not. Sky… I am so sorry. I did not have the right to lash out at you this way. I hope you do not think that I am a total ass.”
“No,” I quickly reassure him. “You had every right to be upset. I did not do my job. And I’m not proud of it. As your assistant, I know you should be able to count on me. I promise this won’t happen again.”
“I overreacted.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. There is guilt written on his face. “Stop reprimanding yourself. I am actually an ass. My reasons were not the ones I pointed out…”
“No, no. I want to explain,” I stop him. “I have no experience in such situations. I have never claimed otherwise either. The boy took my hand and led me to the pier, and I had no idea how to react. I should have said ‘no’ and done my duties first… What did you say about your reasons?”
Jason glances at me, looking somewhat reluctant to answer, and starts picking at the hem of his jacket.
“What did you mean?” I insist. Why does he behave so strangely? If I did not know him so well, I would say he is nervous.
“I got jealous,” he barely hums.
“What?” My jaw drops. Jealous? Why? I do not get it.
“It was obvious that the guy was hitting on you,” Jason continues. “Pretty aggressively at that. You two were going to work together for months on, and he still did not want to miss the opportunity to get your full attention for the few minutes we were spending here today. I know his type. They always succeed. I.. umm… used to be of that same type… before. Smooth and quick. Listen, Sky, I am not saying he is necessarily a bad person. I am just saying that you deserve better.”
I am staring at him and can not utter a word. What is going on? What is he talking about?
“Alright.” He gulps heavily. “I confess. What I just said was true, but not the entire truth. Shit! I have no fucking idea if he is good for you or not. But I also do not want to find out.”
I am still speechless. There is something in his eyes that keeps me frozen in place as he approaches. They are darker than usual, a shade of brown deeper than the ocean and warmer than melted lava. He takes his helmet off and drops in on the ground. The thud makes me tremble.
“Wait,” I choke out when he takes off mine, and it follows the other. “I do not understand.”
“I will tell it exactly as it is then,” Jason huskily says, bringing his face close to mine. “I do not want you getting involved with Mauricio or anybody else because I want you for myself. I like you.”
“Like me in what sense?” I still can not figure out what is going on. This is beyond belief. He can not mean…
“In this sense,” he mumbles before wrapping an arm around my waist and pressing his lips to mine.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 28.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Did you expect Jason’s reaction?
Was the kiss a surprise? 😀
Do we already have preferences - Jason or Mauricio?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary, and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Chapter 29. Buying Some Time (Sky)
Let me tell you about another distinguishing trait of being secretly madly in love with someone for years. I bet most of you did not know this one. It is a complex state of constant despair and agony, causing episodes of dissociation with reality and distrust of any improvement that may occur at any given moment.
You still can’t get it?
Well, the explanation is simple. If the person of your dreams suddenly does something completely crazy, like tell you they like you, or even worse, kiss you, your brain will just say, “No, that’s not happening.” And then the traitor will refuse to serve you anymore.
That was exactly the reason why I did not move a muscle when Jason pressed his mouth to mine. I was frozen, like a damn icicle. The softness of his plump lips was incredible. They were like the most expensive silk, smooth and delicate. The warmth of his breath was spreading through my body. I was melting inside, but on the outside, I still looked like a cold marble statue. The hairs of his two-day stubble were tickling my cheeks. He smelled divine, of white lilies and bergamot. The best feeling ever, much better than I have ever imagined. And I just stood there as if turned to stone.
My inadequate reaction, or rather the complete lack of one, was not even the worst thing in this situation. You will never believe what I did next. Oh, God! If I could, I would erase this moment from history, but it is too late. I pushed him away. Dumbest thing ever. The man I had been lusting after, the one I craved for years, finally kissed me, and I pushed him away.
As if that was not enough, I told him exactly these words, “Can we pretend that this did not happen? I will not discuss it before the end of the week. We can talk on Friday.” You should have seen his surprised, puzzled, disappointed expression.
You think I am a crazy fool, don’t you? Can’t agree more. I am a damn fool. Period.
Why did I do it? I have no fucking idea. There might be a logical explanation, but what difference does it make. I missed a golden opportunity. There may not be another. I guess it was some kind of a survival instinct. The work on the project, which should be completed by Friday, is huge. The kiss was jarringly unexpected and threw me off balance. I do not see how I could possibly handle both, so I subconsciously decided to buy some time to think this over. I just hope this will not ruin all my chances to be with Jason.
I spent the way back to Rome trying to calm myself by squeezing my eyes shut and clinging to his back. It did not help. I am not happy with our arrival in front of Palazzo De Angelis. How am I going to look him in the eye?
“Wanna grab a lunch in an hour?” Jason hesitantly breaks the silence as we head to the main entrance.
“Umm…” I am trying, I swear, but my ability to speak is gone.
“We can eat in the office if you prefer. Julia will order some take-out.” Jason does not give up. “Listen, I know it was awkward. I am sorry. I mean, I should have asked before…”
“Friday,” I hiss. “I am not discussing it now.”
“Oh… Yeah, Friday… Sorry, I forgot about… Anyway, how about Chinese?” I am amazed at his persistence. I am truly pathetic, too. Why does he even like me?
This is the most bizarre day in my entire life. My hair looks awful. I am all sweaty, much paler than usual, probably thanks to last night’s fiasco with Luca’s whiskey, and on top of that, I stutter at every attempt to say something. Two gorgeous men stated they liked me, and I made a fool of myself in front of them both. I want to bury my head in the sand like an ostrich and not look up until the evening comes, and I am finally safely tucked in my bed.
We get into the elevator. Jason presses the button and nudges me with an elbow, “Are you mad at me?”
“No! I am… um… not at all. I just was… I was…” I desperately glance at him, unable to come up with a proper explanation.
“Shy?” he suggests. “Surprised? Bewitched? Not repulsed, I hope.”
“What? No! Of course not,” I mutter. “Quite the opposite, actually.”
“Grazie a Dio! Che sollievo. (Thanks God! What a relief.) “ He theatrically sighs and grins. “For a brief moment, I thought I was wrong.”
“Wrong about what?” I ask.
Jason only winks at me and grins wider. “Friday.”
I purse my lips. He is fantastic and perfect, but he still manages to annoy me. The elevator stops. I pop out and rush towards my office. Enough stressful conversations. I need some privacy.
“Lunch,” Jason shouts after me. “One thirty. My office. Spring rolls and Kung pao chicken.”
I give him the thumb up and hurry to close the door upon entering the small room designated for the marketing manager’s assistant. My phone starts ringing. I groan and fearfully peek at the screen. Who knows what Luca is up to. I hope he did not ruin my brand new stove as the barbecue is currently out of use. My eyes go wide. The name I see is the last one I expected. Andrea Rossi. Oh, mom! How could you?
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 29.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Do you think Sky missed a great chance with Jason?
Was his reaction logical?
Why do you think his ex is calling?
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary, and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
Chapter 30. Attractive (Sky)
Wednesday. Is it possible? Have I really worked for De Angelis Corporation for only three days? It feels like three years. Now, I realize that I knew nothing about the stress and strain of the corporate world. Million euro deals, carefully crafted strategies, fateful decisions depending on a single look, a word, or a casual gesture… My respect for my stepfather grew a hundredfold, as did my admiration for Jason. This is totally crazy. I am petrified, but at the same time, I have to admit that I like it. The adrenalin, when you are not certain of the outcome and need to act fast, the euphoria of success, the dopamine, all of it is highly addictive. I almost feel like The Wolf of Wall Street, and I have done nothing but act like a complete fool. It must be beginner’s luck. There is no other explanation for what I have achieved so far and my unexpected promotion. At least I hope dad is happy with my performance for once.
I step out of the elevator, expecting Luca to give me a loud greeting from a cloud of cigar smoke. Nothing of the sort is happening. My living room is spotlessly clean. All I can smell is the tulip scent of my favorite air freshener. There is a brand new barbecue in the middle, wrapped in bright red gift ribbon with a big bow. I am puzzled. Not that I will not enjoy some peace after today’s unusual events, but on the other hand, I instantly start to miss my noisy brother. It would have been nice to tell him about Maurizio and Jason’s unexpected kiss and be bombarded by loads of wacky advice in his style, which are absolutely impossible to follow but pretty entertaining to listen to. Although we do not see each other as often as before, he is still my best friend, actually the only real one I have.
I spot a note, stuck on top of the unexpected gift. Urgent business matters… Ryo, Luca’s associate called… first flight to Rotterdam… apologize for the ruined BBQ and the crashed car… car will be ready in two weeks… blah, blah, blah. In other words, I am alone, and I am not happy about it.
As I flop on the sofa, the phone starts to ring for the fifth time this afternoon. My ex-boyfriend, Andrea, has always been a very persistent person. I doubt he has ever accepted ‘No’ as an answer. I am fully aware that no matter how long I ignore the calls, he will finally trick me into picking up. The question is what on earth he wants from me. Does he think I have changed and become more for a lack of a better word ‘attractive’? I am not talking about my looks, although I am convinced he was not particularly happy with it, too. It’s about my social status and my ability, or rather inability to display it properly in public. He resented my branded clothes, considering them too plain. ‘If you spend that amount of money on a GUCCI shirt, make sure people see it,’ he used to say. He was constantly annoyed by my reluctance to visit the hairdresser he strongly recommended, and most of all by my complete lack of positive results after several grueling sessions in the gym, except for a crushed toe and a bruised knee that is. We were the most incompatible couple ever. But he put his best effort into trying to change me and mold me into something I simply wasn’t. I can give him that.
A/N
Hello, at the end of Chapter 30.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Share your thoughts, criticize if you think it is necessary, and don’t forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter.
Love: Anny
