Lost in Italy

Chapter 3

Antonio turned to see those alluring green eyes that he saw a year ago but the words coming out of her mouth where full of authority. He smiled internally she looked like a soldier ready to do battle, and battle they will. She showed no recognition of him but he knew better. If she wanted to play then he will. Until they were alone that is.

“Ms Frost so nice to put a face to the person who’s in control” He smiled while shaking her hand. Her handshake was firm but feminine. Her hand was smooth and soft. “Shall we start” She nodded. It was interesting to watch her dad get up from the head of the table with a scowl and let his daughter take the seat. “Interesting” he murmured to himself.

After the presentation all that were attending gave him a standing novation. It seemed that everyone was for selling the company. When he turned to look at Peyton he couldn’t help but smile she seemed to be impressed by the presentation. He really wanted this company, he would do anything even a merger something he has never done.

He watched as she walked to him, when he reached her it was as if the room was empty, everyone held their breath to see what her decision would be. “Mr. Augello that was very captivating we will talk more about my decision in my office, Gwen –she called her assistant- show Mr. Augello the way please”. He followed the young women.

****

“So Snow what did you think” asked her brother. She could tell from the smile on his face that he was impressed and so was she but not enough to sell what he had worked so hard for. “I’m not going to lie that was the best we have seen, but you know how I feel”. Nodding his head “Yeah I know but not everyone will agree with you” shrugging her shoulders “it doesn’t- “Peyton” rolling her eyes she turned to him “Dad” it came out more of a sigh “So what’s your decision, the man made a compelling case we could consider him”. Peyton was trying to refrain from rolling her eyes at him “look dad we all knew what my decision would be the minute this presentation was set. I’m not going to change my mind unless he can agree to a merger this will be last we see off him” she said trying not to sound irritated which she was. The man was being difficult for no reason.

“But Peyton he can – rubbing her temples from the headache she usually got from talking to him “Dad I am fully aware what the man can do but my decision is made now drop it” She said with what she hoped was finality in her tone.

“What are you doing her anyway the point of being retired is not attending these things and spending time with your wife. Speaking of which where is mom?” She asked the last she heard they were going to the Bahamas for a few weeks. “You know what don’t tell me. Why don’t you go be a husband while I run MY Company” she said putting emphasis on my and walking away. The man was infuriating this is why she doesn’t see him in the morning. Now her whole mood was spoilt.

Walking into her office she stopped mid-stride as she watched an Italian gladiator wait patiently on her return. She couldn’t stop herself from inspecting this man. His presence filled her office that was usually too large for her but now it seemed small with him it. FOCUS! She scolded herself.

“Mr Augello” He turned to her “Thank you for waiting, I had personal issues to deal with” She walked to her desk. “I take it then that you have made a decision?” he asked “Yes and I am sorry to say that we will not be selling to you” She said with her business face. “Well then thank you for the opportunity.”

To say that Peyton was shocked wouldn’t be enough. She didn’t think that after all that he had done that he would walk out without trying to convince her otherwise.  She stood to walk him out but he didn’t get up. “Was there something else that you wanted?” He smiled up at her and stood “Yes I actually wanted to know you’re pretending not to remember me Peyton?”

The question caught her off guard. She said nothing she was still getting over her bodies reaction to when he said her name. “I’m not pretending” she finally said. Antonio raised an eyebrow “So you deny meeting me a year ago or staying in my hotel room or making me breakfast the next morning as a thank you” he said with a smile playing on his lips.

He watched as she blushed. “When you say it like that its sounds like more than it was” “So you do remember then” Peyton took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. “Look what I meant that was at the time i didn’t know who you were.”

“Mmmm neither did I, but when you accepted my offer to present and possibly buy your company? Are you telling me you still didn’t recognise me from the pictures?” Feeling like a complete idiot she looked down when she answered him “I didn’t see any pictures of you, I was just given reports on your company and the work that you do” Antonio finally stood from his seat to tower over her, when she looked up to meet his eyes it was as if he could see all off her the parts that she kept hidden, the façade she played, he upmost desires.

The ringing of her desk phone broke the spell that she was in. Looking away from his grey eyes “Yes Gwen” She felt his eyes on her, why doesn’t he just leave she thought. “Ok just send it to my home email and make a copy and send it to my brother I’ll be away for the weekend but I'll be back Monday morning so set up a meeting then. Oh and Gwen start telling people that we are no longer interested in selling. Thank you” He watched her, she has changed since he last saw her no more was the girl who was afraid to speak her mind. “Ms Frost I am afraid I must take my leave, but if you are interested in a merger I’m in the U.S for a few more weeks call me” He raised her hand to his lips and placed a feather light kiss to it, “Mi Amor” and with that walked out.

***

Going through the information that he had just received on Peyton, Antonio felt as though there was something important that he was not seeing. How had Peyton received the company if she had just graduated from business school?

“Anna is this all we have on Peyton Frost” she looked up from where she was typing “Yes Sir” Noticing that he was displeased “Are you still interested in buying the company?” Antonio smiled “Yes, but it’s a means to an end”

When he had walked into the green eyed beauty a year ago she was not ready for him and him for her but now, now he only had business to deal with and she was that business whether or not he obtained that company didn’t matter anymore.

No he wanted to obtain the women who made him fly all the way over here for no reason. He was going to enjoy the chase.

He was going to enjoy making her his.

And once she is caught there will be no escape