Love Does Cost A Thing

Book one: Chapter twenty four

Dedicated to @VeronicaFourie and @Sanjeevani134

Luigi's POV

"Alright so that will be all for today. I expect all of you to take your time and go through them accurately and report to my assistant on anything you find wrong." I said my last words to the other departmental heads. We had a meeting to discuss the increase in the profit of the company since I took charge and also gave them files detailing strategies we can use in tripling our profit.

They gave me disapproval looks, mumbling under their breaths. "Why should we report to your assistant? What does she know? Isn't she  experienced in faxing emails and handing out coffees?" Scott Allan asked, looking around the table at his counterparts who roared in laughter at what he said like it was so funny.

"What intelligent ideas have you all sitting here brought to send this company to greater heights?" I asked in irritation, they can't disrespect my Zuri and go freely. They stopped laughing and shut their ugly mouths, having nothing to say because they've done absolutely nothing like that. All they know is attending meetings, getting paid and pretending to be interested in the company's welfare.

It's about time I consult my family, the new shareholders of this company so we reshuffle them and get competent people. "Your silence tells how incompetent you are. You all were gay the company's profit and increased greatly and like the files I've presented to you. Did you ask yourself how everything was possible? No because all you know is attend meetings, give meaningless suggestions and go back. Well this assistant who is experienced only in faxing mails and handing out coffee is the brain behind the profits and these" I paused to wave my copy of the file in their faces, "as odd as her job is, she's got the brains to do all this and you sit there and disrespect her."

Those incompetent fools, looked embarrassed and other loosened their ties, shame evident on their faces after I lashed out at them. "I thought something was funny a while ago, why ain't you people laughing?"

"Mr Gianni, there's an important call for you." Zuri walked gracefully towards me, giving me the phone. I loved the fact that she wasn't bothered by the rude comments they made earlier and is doing her work without a care. That's my girl.

Looking at the phone, I saw there wasn't any caller on it. It was her plan to get me to calm down and leave those idiots alone. I played along and brought the phone to my lips as I walked out of the board room with her by my side. "You should have left me to deal with them." I said to her upon us entering into my office.

"All for what? High blood pressure? Please you're too young for that. Some of us need you around to keep us happy and smiling." Her statement made my heart swell, she's indirectly told me how she appreciates me in her life. Contrary to what she felts months ago.

"Oh so I'm that important to you?"

"More than you can ever imagined." Deandra adjusted my tie and dabbed my face with a handkerchief, "you have a meeting with Mr Jacob Davies Smith, you have to look your best sir."

"What have I told you calling me sir?" I took predatory steps towards her, smiling in amusement as she took steps back and chuckling. "Do you want to be punished?"

She shook her head still chuckling. I pulled her into my arms and started tickling her, causing her to giggle childishly. "No sir, that's ticklish."

"You naughty girl you're still calling me sir." I tickled her at both sides which made her want to run away from me. She couldn't go far and lost her balance, sending both of us to the floor.

We laid there tickling each other and laughing like no one's business. I've experienced so much happiness being friends with Zuri, happiness I never had in my career and other friendship. With the crew, it was always going to exotic places, getting wasted and having multiple bedroom affairs almost every week. It was a toxic friendship, now I've seen the light and the light is Zuri.