Tempetation Of Shadows |18+

CHAPTER 16: Profesional Awakening

The next morning, I arrived at the office earlier than usual, the anticipation of seeing Elena again keeping me from getting much sleep. The corridors were still quiet, a few employees trickling in, but I headed straight to my office, wanting to prepare for the day ahead.

Nikki, my efficient and ever-diligent secretary, greeted me with her usual smile and handed me the schedule for the day. "Good morning, Mr. Moritti. Your first meeting is in an hour, and today is the first day of interns working with you. The intern who will be working in this department will be here soon."

"Yes, Nikki, make sure she is settled in and has everything she needs," I replied, taking the schedule. "And check on the other interns as well who are working in different departments."

"Sure, sir," she said, already moving to attend to the next task.

As I settled into my chair, the memories of the previous day and night flickered through my mind. Elena, tipsy and vulnerable at the beach, her peaceful slumber in my arms, her carefree dancing in the rain. Each image was etched vividly in my memory, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of protectiveness and longing.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called, straightening up.

Nikki entered, followed closely by Elena. She looked slightly nervous but greeted me with a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Moritti."

"Good morning, Elena. Please, have a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair across from my desk.

"Thank you," she replied, sitting down and looking around the room.

"Nikki will guide you through your orientation today," I began. "But before we start, I wanted to personally welcome you to Moritti Enterprises. We're glad to have you on board."

"I appreciate the opportunity," Elena responded, her voice steady though her eyes held a hint of apprehension.

I spent a few minutes explaining the company structure and what her role would entail, ensuring she felt comfortable and supported. "If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to me or Nikki."

As I spoke, I couldn't help but notice the way Elena's eyes sparkled with curiosity and determination. She was eager to learn, and I admired that about her.

After the briefing, Nikki led Elena out to begin her orientation. I watched them leave, my thoughts lingering on the delicate balance I needed to maintain between my professional responsibilities and the personal feelings I was developing for her.

The day went by in a blur of meetings and reports, but my mind kept drifting back to Elena. How was she settling in? Was she comfortable? Was she thinking about our unexpected encounter last night as much as I was?

Late in the afternoon, I decided to check on her progress. I found her in one of the conference rooms, engrossed in a training session. I stood by the doorway, watching her interact with her new colleagues, her enthusiasm infectious.

As the session ended, she looked up and saw me standing there. A brief look of surprise crossed her face before she smiled. "Mr. Moritti, I didn't expect to see you here."

"I wanted to see how your first day was going," I replied, stepping into the room. "Are you finding everything alright?"

"Yes, everyone has been very helpful," she said, her smile genuine. "Thank you for checking in."

"I'm glad to hear that," I said, feeling a sense of relief. "Remember, my door is always open if you need anything."

"Thank you," she said again, her eyes meeting mine with a warmth that sent a shiver down my spine.