Matteo, Leonardo, and Alessandro, the powerful owners of De Angeli Enterprises, are in their early thirties and have built a fearsome reputation worldwide. Known for their ruthlessness and ambition, these men have amassed wealth and influence by tak...
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Kim suddenly stops at a door, and Yulia almost bumps into her back but holds herself back just in time, taking a few steps backward. She sighs as Kim knocks, and they hear a soft "come in."
"I have her here," Kim says, opening the door wider for Yulia to walk in. Yulia is surprised when the door closes behind her, and she does not see Kim walk in with her. Anxiety bubbles up in her chest, mixing with the remnants of her earlier disappointment.
Looking ahead, she sees Mr. Matteo munching on a macaron, a smile on his face. The sight of him enjoying a pastry is both comforting and unnerving; it reminds her of what she had hoped to achieve today but also of the potential warmth in this conversation.
The room is spacious and well-lit, dominated by a large wall window behind Mr. Matteo's desk, offering a breathtaking view of the cityscape below. Yulia's breath catches, and she instinctively takes a step back as her fear of heights suddenly kicks in, making her feel dizzy and vulnerable.
"Afraid of heights?" Mr. Matteo asks, noticing her discomfort. She simply nods, trying to steady her racing heart. He walks from behind his desk and guides them to a small couch further in the room. Pressing a button on a remote, he draws the curtains, creating the comforting illusion that they are not as high up. Yulia feels a wave of relief wash over her as the view disappears.
"Much better, I hope."
"Yes, thank you," Yulia replies, grateful for his thoughtfulness. They sit on the couch, and she takes a moment to appreciate the room's decor—modern yet cozy, with tasteful artwork adorning the walls and plush furniture arranged to invite conversation. Despite the luxurious surroundings, she can't shake the feeling of inadequacy that clings to her from earlier.
"You have a lovely office, Mr. Matteo," she compliments, trying to ease the tension in her own voice.
He grins, offering her some of her own pastries and a cup of coffee. "Oh no, thank you, I'm okay," she responds, waving off the offer with a polite smile. Her stomach churns with nerves, making the idea of eating impossible.
Mr. Matteo's demeanour is warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the intimidating height and grandeur of his office. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the lingering sweetness of the macarons, creating a comforting ambiance that begins to soothe her frayed nerves.
"I want to start by saying that I am sorry about your bakery," Mr. Matteo says, his voice carrying a note of genuine regret. Yulia can see the sincerity in his eyes, and she simply nods, struggling to keep her composure as tears threaten to spill from her eyes. She lowers her head, trying to hide the tremble in her lips.
"We honestly had no idea," Mr. Matteo continues. "We were informed that the building was vacant. It was only when we sent Montanna to check out the site that she informed us there was a running bakery there." Yulia nods, not surprised by this revelation. It's clear that Mr. Alonso had conveniently forgotten to mention to her that he had sold the building.
"As much as we would have liked to halt everything, there were already contracts signed and a lot of money involved. Believe me when I say that we are truly sorry." His words are sincere, but they do little to ease the sting of her loss. Yulia's tears begin to fall silently onto her lap, the bakery still being a raw and painful topic.
Mr. Matteo offers her a handkerchief, and she accepts it gratefully, dabbing at her eyes. "I, well we—unfortunately, my hus- the boys could not be in this meeting—have decided to offer you an opportunity," he says. Despite her desire to be prideful and to leave, she knows she needs the money and listens intently.
"I'm quite the chef myself," Mr. Matteo begins, and Yulia's head snaps up in surprise. He chuckles at her astonished expression, and she looks him up and down, noting his unblemished hands that seem far removed from the world of cooking. She wonders how he could be a chef.
He laughs and continues to explain. "I've always had a passion for cooking, but because of my father, I had to choose business instead. I rarely have time for cooking these days, and we end up ordering take out, which gets monotonous. We only enjoy a home-cooked meal when we visit our family in Italy."
Yulia listens attentively, her curiosity piqued. "This is where you come in," he says, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I would like to invite you to be our personal chef."
Yulia's eyes widen in shock, more surprised by this revelation than by the fact that he enjoys cooking.
"Mr. Matteo, with all due respect, I don't think I am fit for being a personal chef," Yulia says, her voice trembling slightly. As she sees him about to respond, she shakes her head and interrupts him. "I've never even been to college, and all I know about the kitchen is what I learned from my mom. My mom was a chef, but..." The words catch in her throat, and she takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I don't know any high-end meals, and I don't think I can do this" she says quietly, her voice breaking.
Mr. Matteo listens attentively, his expression softening as he takes in her words. Yulia lowers her head once more, her emotions swirling as she repeats silently in her head, it will be okay, it will be okay, it will be okay. The room falls into a reflective silence, the weight of her past and her uncertainties filling the space between them.
"That is no problem really," Mr. Matteo finally says, his voice gentle and reassuring. "If what we wanted were high-end meals, we would just keep eating at expensive restaurants. What I and the guys would like is simple home-cooked and healthy meals." As he speaks, he lifts her chin gently with his hand. The warmth and softness of his touch are unexpectedly comforting, and Yulia is tempted to close her eyes and savor the kindness in his gesture.
"It will be okay," he reassures her, his voice steady and kind. The sincerity in his words helps to soothe the storm of emotions within her. Yulia nods, feeling a sense of relief and tentative hope. This unexpected opportunity might be just what she needs to move forward, and Mr. Matteo's gentle encouragement offers a glimmer of reassurance in a moment of uncertainty.
