Chapter 13
“Rest,” he commanded, pulling the curtains closed. “One hour.”
The moment my head hit the pillow, exhaustion overtook me. The last thing I remembered was Marco sitting in a chair by the bed, his expression unreadable as he watched over me.
I didn’t know how long Marco stayed, but in my half–conscious state, I thought I felt his fingers gently brush a strand of hair from my face. Through heavy eyelids, I caught a glimpse of him absently turning the black ring on his finger – the one with the falcon insignia I’d noticed before.
“So stubborn,” I thought I heard him murmur. “Your mouth says one thing, but your body tells the truth.”
When I finally woke, disoriented and groggy, the room was darker than before. I blinked at my watch and gasped for almost six hours!
it was nearly 7 PM! I’d slept
I bolted upright, panic seizing me. Tomorrow was the evaluation day for the Phantom Game project, and I hadn’t finished my part of the presentation. As an intern, I was already walking on thin ice – sleeping through half a workday would surely get me fired.
The door opened, and Marco stepped in, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced precision.
“You’re awake,” he observed calmly.
“Marco, I slept through the entire afternoon! The Phantom Game project evaluation is tomorrow, and I haven’t-*
‘I had Luca request time off for you,” he smoothly interrupted. “Your team has done exceptionally well on the Phantom Game project, and you’ve done very well too.”
I stared at him, torn between gratitude and irritation. “You can’t just… make decisions like that for me,” I said finally. “I appreciate your concern, but next time, please don’t. I don’t want special treatment at the company because of… our relationship.”
Marco’s expression remained neutral, but I could see something flicker in his eyes.
‘Is that what you think this is? Special treatment?”
“Isn’t it?” I muttered, gathering my things. “Do all your employees get to nap in private rooms when they look tired?”
As I brushed past him, I couldn’t help adding under my breath, “Do all men enjoy making decisions without considering others‘ feelings?”
I immediately regretted my words when I saw his face darken.
For a split second, I glimpsed something cold and dangerous in his eyes to absolute authority.
– a reminder that beneath the polished exterior was a man accustomed
He didn’t respond, simply holding the door open for me with rigid politeness.
The drive home was silent. As Marco reached into the glove compartment for his sunglasses, I noticed something that made my blood freeze small hidden compartment containing what was unmistakably a handgun.
My mind raced with questions. Why does Marco carry a gun? What kind of danger is he involved in that requires a handgun for protection?
I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn’t seen anything, but my heart hammered in my chest. The Marco Vittorio I thought I knew was becoming more mysterious by the day.
-a
Two weeks later, the office was buzzing with excitement. Cortese Tech had successfully secured the development rights for the Phantom Game project, beating out several competitors including Red Scorpion Alliance’s technology division,
Chapter 13
An email from Luca appeared in everyone’s inbox announcing a company reward: a three–day trip to Bellavista Estate, described as “one of the most exclusive luxury retreats in the region.” The email mentioned that the estate was owned by the Vittorio family and normally closed to the public.
My colleagues couldn’t contain their excitement, chattering about the spa facilities, private beaches, and five–star accommodations. I smiled along, but my mind was elsewhere.
Bellavista Estate. The Vittorio family property.
Will Marco be going too?
