A MAN TO HEAL

chapter fifteen

POV Suki

I smile at Alessio as I take my cocktail from the spot the bartender put it

I'm not a huge drinker but I love me some cocktail like, Mai Tai or Daiquiri or the actual Cosmo that I ordered

" Are you sure you don't want anything? " I ask him

" Someone has to drive later " he replies

" You're so... conventional " I utter while taking a sip

" Is that a bad thing ? "

" No, actually...I like it " I reply with a smile

He gives me what is supposed to be a smile too

" Tell me Alessio...what do you like to do other than working or being unsatisfied with everyone's work? " I ask playfully as I take a sip from my drink

He rolls his eyes and I laugh, amused

" That's not true...I can be satisfied "

" But most of the time, you are not "

" I am...I think honestly that the Quanta group is one of the best that I worked with so far in my career, you're disciplined, hard-working and have a good team chemistry "

" Then why you don't say it to us? " I ask with a smile

" You don't need my validation you know "

" We do, trust me...I do "

His eyes look down on me with a little bit of shock in them

" What do you mean, you do? "

I take a deep breath as I cross my legs on the stool

I actually didn't want this conversation to be around work but at least we both love to talk about work

" You know...no matter how high my name is ranking at the list of the best event planners, I always feel a little... insecure, doubtful, even though I don't show it most of the time
And working by your side, with you, who has so much experience and so much influence, is like a privilege for me
And...I feel like everyday I kinda need to prove myself to you, to learn from you as well in hope that one day, I'll be as confident as you in what I'm doing "

" Cara..." He says, his voice sounding like a whisper

He puts his hand on top of mine on the counter

" You don't need my validation nor to prove yourself to me, if your name is as high as it is in the ranking it's cause you deserve it
You're young, it's quite normal to have doubt but don't make it your whole personality, you are so worth it, you are so talented never doubt it
You really think I'm confident? I'm just tall with intimidating features "

I laugh softly and it helps pushing back the tears I started to feel coming down in my eyes

" I know I don't say it often but you're such an inspiration to be where you are at your age, to be as beautiful as creative and also the coolest boss I know
Please, do not compare yourself to me or to anyone
At your age, I was not that accomplished "

" It's so easy to say, but...you know, I always feel like there is something missing, there is more to do to be...better , and everytime you look at my work and say " not bad " you give me a little bit of joy and I feel like I take a step closer to my goal "

" You don't need me to tell you that your work is good, I know you know it is "

" Yes, but, sometimes..."

He smiles at me

" Fine, I'll try to compliment your work more often with a better vocabulary than what I used to, if that can make you feel better "