No Strings Attached

Chapter Fourteen

"I spoke to Giovanni's brother today. His lawyer is sending over the signed contract now," Rebecca informs me by the door.

I look up from the mess in front of me, covering the entire length of my desk. "Good."

"Your flight leaves at dawn. Seven on the dot."

"I got it. I got it. You do know I fly all the time, right?"

She smirks. "It never hurts to be reinforcing."

She leaves me to the swarm of work I have piling up as I prepare to leave the office for Giovanni's fashion show. It will be a long weekend, and on top of the stress of what I'm leaving behind, I have to look forward to the stress of seeing the man himself in California.

Before I know it, I've skipped meals. Thankfully, once it reaches seven, being the savior that she is, Rebecca sets down an apple Fiji salad with lemon water.

"I've got some bad news," she murmurs after she straightens, her uneasy tone prompting me to look up from my emails. "Well, maybe not bad, but a little distressing for you."

"Are you going to scare me all night?"

She sets down her iPad in front of me on the desk. I have to double-take the picture enlarged on the screen.

Oh.

I reach out, grabbing the device.

My heart is racing now.

"Published a few minutes ago," Rebecca informs. "Giovanni is currently out with Michelle Beyers. She's a model. They just left Pye restaurant and were last seen heading into an up-and-coming club."

Oh.

React, Scarlett. For god's sake, REACT.

"Are you okay? Jesus, Scarlett. You're pale!" Rebecca exclaims, walking around the desk.

I shake my head, swallowing. "I...I think it's because I haven't eaten."

She grabs the bowl, handing it to me. "Then eat. What do you want me to do about this?"

I watch her take the screen with the photo of Giovanni and this stunning woman exiting the restaurant and blink stupidly.

"Nothing. You do nothing. I will speak to him."

"Alright. Remember you should get home soon. You have to be up early."

I nod. "Got it. Go on. Have fun. You have the day off tomorrow."

She grins. "I will. Call me if you need anything."

She leaves the room, and my demeanor darkens. I'm not sure what feelings are rushing through me right now, but I'd be willing to bet anything: it's jealousy.

It is fucking suffocating.

I had been preparing myself for this for weeks. For the moment, Giovanni finally comes through with the promise he made, the promise we signed upon. That we would lead separate lives away from one another, be able to attach ourselves to whomever.

I close my eyes, forcing myself to be rational.

This is what you want.

Don't let yourself get territorial. He is your client, a stranger practically.

I can say all the convincing things I want, but when I get a flash of a vision—them together in bed—I can barely breathe.

I stand, needing to pace.

Calm down, Scarlett. You will be professional when you call him. You will be unfeeling, like you are supposed to be. You have a job to do, and he's making it very hard for you to do it.