Lost in Italy

Chapter 2

© All Rights Reserved

1 year later

Peyton hated the sound of her alarm especially today. While normal people started their Friday morning making plans with their friends about how they would spend the weekend, her morning started with a board meeting she had no interest of going to seeing that her father was going to be there, but as she was the majority shareholder she had to be there. It was the one thing she promised him before he died that she would look after the company no matter what.

After her morning routine she opened her closet. Whenever she went to a board meeting she was sure to dress to kill aswell as to show them that just because she was a woman didn’t mean she doesn’t know what’s going on in a business. Walking into her closet she pulled out one of her formal but sexy business suits that she kept for occasions just like this. Sighing at the thought of having to deal with her father so early in the morning, it never ended well.

The knock on the door alerted her that her ride was here. She had called a taxi seeing that the traffic in New York should be against the law. “That was fast” she murmured to herself. Walking to her door barefoot she was planning on telling the driver that he should wait down stairs. “I’ll just- “Good morning Snow” facing the door she looked at Joe her brothers best friend, rolling her eyes she walked back into her suit “Did he think that I wasn’t going to go or that I forgot?” She asked him. Knowing her brother he knew the animosity she would be feeling about facing her father today. “The latter actually, I’m your ride seeing that you refuse to buy a car” She watched as he threw himself on her couch.

 “Great just what I need” walking back to the closet she fetched her favourite pair of beige pumps and heard Joe ask her something “What was that” she walked back to him “I said why are you even attending this thing if you have no interest of selling” Joe turned to look at her. “Selling is not an option but a merger wouldn’t hurt us. We just reached our peak and if we merge with Augello’s company we have a certainty of staying there for the next twenty to thirty-five years. The man has so many connections that if we wanted to go international in the next four years it would be possible”

Joe stared at her open mouthed. “Close your mouth you’re going to swallow flies” Shaking his head “Not just beauty after all are you?” She smiled “No Joe not just beauty.

**********

Antonio saw his phone flash the name Gina, he couldn’t believe that even after all this time the women was still trying to win him back. After the news got out Gina was all too happy to be on Derek’s arm but after a photo of him returning the ring that her got her got out all hell broke loose. She wouldn’t leave him alone until today. “Anna! We leave in 20min” He called to his personal assistant.

He walked over and opened his newspaper taking out the business section. As of late Frost industry has been all over the news. The small computer company had made some good choices and was now looking to expand. He wanted in so having a meeting with the shareholders and CEO was the fastest way if that didn’t work a hostile takeover was option B but hopefully it didn’t have to come to that.

“Anna we are leaving in five” His timid P.A came rushing out holding all the files and folders that he would need during this meeting. “Ready sir” nodding and opening the door he hoped that whomever this mysterious majority shareholder was that he was too old to take him head on. Everyone knew that whatever Antonio Augello wanted he didn’t mind fighting tooth and nail to get it. 

“Mr Augello for the shareholders meeting” he heard Anna say to the assistant at the front desk. “Right this way please” As he followed her he was surprised to see everything set up seeing as they had just moved in over a week ago. Everything had a forest feel to it. From the landscape paintings on the wall to the deep brown mahogany desks that were all over. Whoever decorated this place had class and style. They came to a stop infront of a double door. “You can step up while everyone else arrives. The Frosts will arrive a bit late seeing as they are stuck in traffic”.

********

“Good morning Mr Augello” Alec Frost could see that the man was turning impatient him and his father had just arrived and had caused the meeting to be over twenty minutes late. Now the only person left was Peyton. He smiled as he thought of his sister. “I do apologise its Friday and New York is usually in a state of panic at this time” He looked at his assistant seeing the smile he excused himself. “Your late” he whispered as he got to his sister and friend “I know. So is he here yet?” Peyton didn’t want to sell her company but they had to hear out this Mr Augello that didn’t mean she was going to actually think about it. This was just for him. The man was persistent like no other. “Let’s get this over with”. Pushing the door open she looked at one end of the room and froze on the spot. He was yet to notice her but she saw him and immediately recognised him as the man who saved her from freezing to death. But what was he doing here. As she put two and two together she felt the dread at the realisation. He wanted her company.

 Well he was in for a surprise she thought. It would be a cold day in hell before she sold to the likes of him. The man was a brute in business. Hostile take overs, firing anyone whenever he felt fit she didn’t want that to happen. Even if they were selling which they weren’t, she wouldn’t give this man the time of day. She couldn’t fathom why she hadn’t seen a picture of him. The man is famous as hell in the business field.

Taking a deep breath she plastered a smile on her face and walked towards him as he turned to her.

 “Mr Augello it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Peyton Frost I hear you are interested in my company”.