The Bodyguard

Ch10

Author's POV

"Let's get down to business. We have much to discuss". Alessandro puts down his fork and looks up at her. She has that same cold look on her eyes. "Very well then".

"Who are you?"
"I think I've already answered that".
"Ah yes Alessandro Romano? Or should I call you Alessandro Esposito?"
She then suddenly pulls out a folder from her purse and slams it open on the table revealing his file.
"Do you take me for a fool Mr. Roman-or should I say Mr. Esposito? You dare mess with me?"
"..."
"I had my people investigate you. I will not place my fate on the hands of a complete stranger. Did you really thi-"
"I stopped being Alessandro Esposito a long time ago. That person is dead, and in the past. I'm not-"
"Shall we go over it? It really quite an interesting file. Let's see ... no father. Several charges for street fighting. Suspected of having connections to the Italian mafia of Naples. Possession of illegal arms ... should I continue?"

He slammed his fist down in anger as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "I'm not proud of my past Ms. Gianni. I'm a flawed man. However, I've put my past behind me. Tell me Ms. Gianni you don't have something in your past you regr- ... Never mind. What would a sheltered princess like you know?"He yells.

Ciel was shocked. She was infuriated. Before she could think she got up and punched him in the face. She glared at the man. "DON'T TALK TO ME AS IF YOU KNOW ME. YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT ABOUT ME!" she yelled. They both stayed quite no one daring to say a word. She quickly grabbed her purse and headed out after paying. She took the car and drove to the office.

Everyone around them was utterly confused about what had just happened. However no one dared to say anything. He chuckled. Looks like he hit the princess's nerve. He then called Stefano to explain the situation.

____

In fact Ciel did have some regrets in her life she wished she could change. But of course she would never tell him or anyone that. She continued to stare at the man in front of her. What the fuck does he know about me? He doesn't know the shit I've been through. He doesn't know shit about me. She quickly grabbed her purse and left. She drove off in anger.

She was completely infuriated. As she arrived to the office her employees could sense she was in a bad mood. No one dared to say anything. She quickly made her way to her office and threw her bags on the floor in anger. Then Pierre her PA came in.

"Read me today's schedule".
"Ms. Gianni you have a meeting at 11 with the other board of directors. At 1 you have a video conference meeting with one of our Chinese investors, Mr. Gu. At 3 you have a meeting with Mr. kim. Afterwards we have a few contracts and paperwork that need to be singed and looked at by you."

She nods. "Ah yes before I forget. Make reservations for 2 at Haven tonight at 8". He was surprised by Ms. Gianni's request. Nonetheless he complied and called the restaurant who said they would happily clear the restaurant just for Ms. Gianni. I wonder who she's dining with tonight that she would book the entire restaurant? He thought.

He could tell she was in a bad mood. So he was extra attentive to not piss her off. He thought she was highly capable and competent. However she was extremely cold. She never laughed or smiled. She was a very shrewd and ruthless businesswoman. She didn't tolerate errors. He had never met someone who's presence alone emitted so much power, and instilled so much fear. It was terrifying.

She then looked up from her papers, "You can leave now" realizing he was still standing there he quickly apologized and left her office. What am I thinking? I just stood there like a complete idiot. He let out a heavy sigh and left to the main conference room to prepare for the meeting with the board of directors. He quickly instructed the other employees to set up the room.

At 10 he quickly took Ciel's daily coffee. He gently laid it on her desk and quickly left. She seemed very immersed in her work that he thought she wouldn't notice his presence. However she did, she was always very attentive of her surroundings. She kept typing on her keyboard. She then took a sip of her coffee. Not bad. Even though Ciel would never say it, she thought Pierre was adequate. He met her basic requirements so he would suffice.

Pierre was Ciel's 5th personal assistant/secretary in the last 2 months. In her fist week she had fired the first 4 assistants. They had displayed unacceptable behavior. She found them to be quite annoying. They didn't have proper training (at least not to her standards). She couldn't be bothered with them so she just fired them. They didn't have adequate skills and above all, not a single one of them could make a decent cup of coffee.

When Pierre was assigned to her, she wasn't very hopeful. She still remembers looking at his resume. He was 27. Graduated from a respected university. Has been an intern at Gianni Enterprises for the past 3 years. Had previously worked at a coffee shop. He's lasted the most out of all of them. At times he would still irk her, but it wasn't as bad as the last 4 who completely infuriated her. He had 3 good aspects: he was a quick learner, he didn't question her, and lastly he made decent coffee.

By the time she finished going over one of the contracts she noticed it was 10:54. Then Pierre came in. "Ms. It's time" he bowed. She grabbed her tablet and they both headed to the meeting. As always they started punctually. She hated tardiness. The meeting went on smoothly until it was time to discuss one of their new projects. "As we know over the past year we have tried to expand Gianni Enterprises into Asia. We are now looking at contractors to build the new office buildings of the company to branch out in China and Japan as well as Singapore".

They clapped. "Do you have an estimate of when they will be finished. How much exactly are we investing into this?" Ciel asked. Of course she already knew the answers. "Yes Ms. Gianni We-"
"How exactly can you give me a concrete answer when you don't even have the contractors ready? Are you an architect Mr. Ramos?" She asked. The man in front of her was completely dumbfounded. "No Ms. Gianni I'm not. My apologies". She rolled her eyes. "Acquire the contractors by the end of the week. I want a full report by Monday with the estimates. If you can't even do this Mr. Ramos don't even bother showing up to work on Monday". She stood up and she could hear the others whispering.

"Till the end of the week? Is she kidding that only gives us 3 days!"
"She's so cruel. There's no way he can do that all that in 3 days!".

"Meeting is dismissed". Ciel was the first to leave. Pierre followed closely after. The rest all waited till she was gone to discuss what just had happened. "Prep the video conference with Mr. Gu. Are the arrangements to pick up Mr. Kim from the airport ready?" She asked.

"Yes Ms. Gianni. Everything is set. Mr. Kim will be arriving from Korea at 2:15. I've assembled a security team to pick up Mr. Kim from the airport and bring him here". She nodded. "Very well. Notify me as soon as he's here, and bring him to my office". She then left to attend to other matters.

She called Kane.
C: Kane.
K: What can I do for you Ms. Gianni?
C: Have someone come to the office, and pick up the Rolls Royce, and bring me my car.
K: Very well Miss. I'll arrange for someone to pick up the car and deliver your car shortly.

She then hung up.

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A/N: Plz like & comment 🙏🏼❤️