As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
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I burst into the lobby of Romano SecurTech, my pulse pounding in my ears. I have only ten minutes to make it to the 60th floor for my interview with Gabriel Romano, the CEO. The elevator is just about to close when I shout, "Hold the elevator!"
A hand shoots out to stop the doors from closing, and I rush in, catching my breath. The first thing I notice is that hand—strong, with long, elegant fingers. I follow the line of his arm to a tall man, about 6'2", with a broad chest filling out a perfectly tailored suit. He's got the most stunning blue eyes I've ever seen, sharp and clear, like the summer sky after a storm. His jawline is cut with precision, and he's just about the most gorgeous man I've ever laid eyes on. He’s like a Greek God walking among us mere mortals.
I step into the elevator, feeling both flustered and relieved, but my heel catches on the gap between the elevator and the floor. My heart skips a beat as I lose my balance, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment as I stumble. But before I can make a complete fool of myself, the man is there, kneeling, his hand sliding down my calf to free my heel. His touch sends goosebumps all over my skin, and I can’t help but gasp softly at the sensation.
"Which floor?" he asks, standing back up, his voice low and smooth.
"Sixty," I say, hoping I don't sound as flustered as I feel.
He raises an eyebrow. "The CEO floor," he remarks, and I can tell he's curious.
"I'm here for an interview," I explain, trying to sound confident despite the heat rising in my cheeks.
"Be careful," he warns, his tone holding a hint of mystery. "Gabriel Romano can be... unpredictable."
"I can handle anyone," I say with more bravado than I feel. Then I add under my breath, "Except maybe Greek gods like you."
His eyes narrow, and I realize too late that I might have said that last part a bit too loudly. My face turns bright red as he steps closer, the gap between us closing until our breaths are almost mingling. My heart is racing, but I can’t look away from his gaze.
"Is that so?" he asks, his voice smooth and teasing. He leans in slightly, and I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. My mind goes blank, and I start to stammer, not sure how to respond. There's a tension between us that crackles like electricity, and I'm not sure if I'm imagining it or if it's really happening.
The elevator pings, announcing our arrival on the 60th floor. He takes a step back, his expression turning serious as if a switch had flipped. "I'll see you in my cabin, Ms. Moon," he says, and my stomach drops as I realize I've just flirted with Gabriel Romano, the CEO I’m supposed to interview.
The elevator doors slide open, and he walks out, leaving me standing there, breathless and flustered. I step out after him, my heart still racing. This interview just got a lot more interesting, and not in the way I'd expected. I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. Time to get my head back in the game. But I can't help but wonder what I’ve just gotten myself into.
I step out of the elevator, my pulse still racing from my unexpected encounter with Gabriel Romano. I stand in the hallway for a moment, trying to collect myself. My cheeks are still warm, and my breathing is a little erratic. Great, Chiara. You finally get an interview with a big-time CEO, and you manage to flirt with him before you even step into his office.
Another elevator pings, and the doors open to reveal a tall woman with sleek, dark hair and a tailored dress. She walks out with the confidence of someone who knows she's important. Following her is a man who looks like he's been carved out of granite. Broad shoulders, a clenched jaw, and eyes that seem to scan everything. Definitely a bodyguard.
The woman strides up to me with a brisk smile. "Hello, I'm Evangeline, Gabriel's assistant. And this is Antonio, his bodyguard." Antonio glares at me, and I can feel his eyes boring into me like he's expecting me to make a wrong move.
"Got a problem?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him. Antonio doesn’t respond, just keeps glaring.
Evangeline steps between us, glancing at her watch. "You're getting late for your interview," she reminds me, her tone polite but firm.
Right. The interview. The whole reason I’m here. I nod and follow her down the hallway to Gabriel's office. I take a deep breath, try to calm my nerves, and knock on the door.
"Come in," Gabriel's voice says from inside. It's smooth and calm, just like earlier. I step inside, and Antonio follows right behind me. When I see Gabriel sitting behind his large desk, I can't help but avert my gaze. I don’t need to be reminded of how good-looking he is. But I can feel his eyes on me, watching my every move.
Gabriel glances at Antonio. "You can leave us now," he says.
Antonio protests. "Sir, it's not safe—"
I cut him off, turning to him with a fake smile. "Don't worry, Antonio. I promise I won't harm your boss."
Gabriel chuckles softly, and I shoot him a look. What’s so funny? I raise my eyebrow, questioning him without words.
He leans back in his chair, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "You seem less flustered than you were in the elevator," he says, his eyes dancing with amusement.
"Yeah, well," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady, "I'm good at compartmentalizing. Besides, I've got a job to do."
He nods, still smirking, and I wonder how I’m supposed to focus on the interview with him looking at me like that. I square my shoulders and take a seat, determined to stay professional, but the heat from our earlier encounter hasn't quite faded. I can still feel the warmth of his touch on my calf.
I wonder if I'll survive this interview without losing my composure. He's charming, confident, and entirely too handsome. But I have a job to do, and I won't let a Greek God with blue eyes throw me off my game. Even if it's proving to be harder than I expected.
