Costantino

32 - Don't Ever Flirt With My Employees Again

I heard everything.

How Costa had been waiting patiently to fuck me. After throwing this party they thought that would be his way in.

How he'd need to go easy on me because it was my first time. As a virgin they thought I couldn't handle Costa's preferred way of doing it.

All it took was a diamond trophy.

And my heart...it didn't break. It was more than that. It was like someone just took it away from me.

I left it with him when I ran out of his office after he described this picture perfect life - the kind I've always wanted. It was the life I dreamed of and thought was taken away from me when I got married to Costa.

Waking up in his arms. Kissing him. Feeling at peace and happy.

I trusted him. I was going to tell him how I felt, like Damian told me to. He said I deserved to be happy and I should give myself the opportunity by telling Costa.

But at least I found out his true intentions before I humiliated myself anymore than I already was.

He didn't come into our room that night which gave me the privacy to cry in peace.

The next couple of days passed after that in a blur. I locked myself away in our room, once again going back to having my food delivered to our room by his staff.

I thought the party would have helped, but once we got home, we were back to square one.

It was only when my plan of crying in between meetings and running my business went up in flames that I finally came face to face with him again.

"Millie?"

"I'm sorry." I sighed, rubbing my temples to ease the headache. "What did you say, Sarah?"

"I said, I think we really need to discuss the colour scheme. The branding of the book is essential at-" My Head of Marketing was cut off again by the loud bang that came from somewhere downstairs in the penthouse.

Whatever those idiots are up to will be the last fucking thing they do.

"I'm so sorry. They've been doing this all morning during my meetings. Will you just give me five minutes? I need to go and find out what-" The next bang caused me to flinch, my irritation spiking to new levels.

"I'll be right back." I sighed, leaving her alone on the video call while I scrambled off the bed, leaving the bedroom for the first time in three days.

I was only dressed in pyjama shorts and one of Costa's Givenchy hoodies which I stole and will not be returning.

It wasn't very professional but I was going through a tough time so I didn't care. I think all my staff knew I was having some kind of breakdown judging by their sympathetic smiles every time I logged on to a call.

As soon as I stepped outside, I was met with the odd scent of chemicals and...saw dust? I could hear the distant sound of drills and machines as I descended down the steps into the main area of the penthouse.

"What the fu..."

It was all gone.

Like gone gone.

The kitchen units and counters were missing, leaving the gas pipes and electrical wiring behind. The flooring was being ripped up to reveal the concrete underneath. The furniture, appliances and decor were all gone. The walls were being cleaned of paint to leave a blank canvas.

Even the lights and chandeliers were being taken down.

Among the builders was one woman dressed in a black pant suit - I'm guessing she was in charge of this whole...operation.

I carefully walked through the building site in my socks, instantly regretting not putting on some shoes when I saw all the sharp nails on the floor.

If I step on a nail I'm killing everyone.

"Excuse me." I headed down the hallway, catching up to the blonde woman who was screaming orders at all the builders.

She was too busy screaming at them to strip the bathroom completely bare that she didn't even hear me.

"Hello?" I tried to cut in but the stupid woman was too busy shouting.

"I told you to take it all out. All of it." She snapped, pointing at the marble counter and my favourite mirror for taking selfies.

"Hey!" I snapped, finally having had enough of being ignored. And of seeing my selfie mirror being taken off the wall.

"Sì?" She snapped, glancing down at her iPad instead of looking at me.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Ask Mr Accardi."

"But-"

"Ask Mr Accardi."

"Well, c-"

"Ask Mr Ac-"

"I heard you the first time, bitch." I cut her off, causing her to finally look up from her stupid iPad. "Where is he?"

"Four floors down." She muttered, her eyes narrowed at me when I stormed towards the elevator - carefully avoiding the nails and sharp items on the floor.

I continuously stabbed the stupid button until the doors pinged open. I hit the button to go down four floors - somewhere I'd never been before.

I knew Costa owned the whole building, but I never cared to find out what else was here. I only knew some of his men lived here which made sense.

The doors pinged open and I stepped into an apartment - a very luxurious apartment, but not as nice as the penthouse.

Or, as nice as the penthouse used to be.

I headed down the short hallway until I entered the main living area where the five idiots were sitting.

The dynamics of their little family were so clear to see when you first walked in.

Giovanni and Aidan were both shirtless dressed in sweatpants, relaxing on the couch with a movie playing. Unsurprisingly, they were surrounded by junk food.

What confused me was the platter of cut fruit and vegetables that was also in the mix of their popcorn and chocolate.

Are they dieting or something?

Shifting my attention over to the dining area, I saw Costa, Rocco and Tristano all working away on their laptops. The dining table was covered with papers and files while the three of them seemed deep in concentration.

"Hey!" My sudden intrusion had all five of them turning around while I stormed over to my husband.

He was too confused to reply straight away but that didn't matter.

I was pissed.

"Why the fuck are you remodelling at–" I paused to check the time on my phone. "–12:30pm on a Wednesday?"

"What's wrong with Wednesday?" He frowned, humour dancing in his stupid green eyes.

"You little bitch, I was in a meeting." I snapped, taking a small step towards him to show him how mad I was.

"Oh?" He asked, shifting his attention back to his laptop. "Was it important?"

"Yes!" My anger only seemed to amuse them even more, especially my idiot husband. "Why didn't you give me any notice?"

"You locked yourself away in the bedroom for the last few days." Rocco decided to speak, earning himself a death glare from me.

"If you want to refurbish your stupid home, that's fine. But when it starts interfering with my work then it-"

"If it's too noisy, just come and work down here." Costa's voice softened and he finally dropped the amused smile.

For that split second I saw a glimpse into how he truly felt.

He was tired.

My anger faltered when I saw the soft frown on his face. His eyes weren't as light as they normally were whenever he tried to annoy me.

"No. I don't want to sit here. I want those people out of the penthouse."

"They're finishing soon, Millie. We paid them to get it all done by the end of the day." Tristano gave me a soft smile which I didn't return. Let's not forget the things he said about me in Costa's office.

All it took was a diamond trophy.

"I was in a meeting. My laptop and files are still-"

"I'll get it." Giovanni sprung up from his place on the couch, flashing me a wide smile. "It's all in your room, right?"

"Yes, but I was still logged into a m-"

"I'll be back in a minute." Before I could stop him, he was gone.

This isn't going to end well.

"Sit down." Costa nodded towards an empty chair next to him causing me to scoff.

"No thanks. I'll sit in a different room." I took a few short steps away, waiting awkwardly for Giovanni to return with my laptop.

"That's not a good idea." Aidan spoke, his voice soft like it normally is when he speaks to me. "All our furniture is stuffed into the bedrooms. Unless you want to work in the bath? Costa can run a bath for you to re-"

"If you say relax I'll come over there and-"

"Okay, sorry." He cut me off, flashing me a sheepish grin. "Just sit here, Millie."

It was my pride that was stopping me from sitting at the dining table with them. But I also knew I had work to do and this was the quietest place to be.

It's not like I was dressed to leave the building and go to my office. My striped pyjama shorts were just about visible under Costa's hoodie. And I wasn't wearing any shoes.

Very begrudgingly, I went and sat down at the dining table. But I made sure not to be anywhere near Costa or his brothers.

Since they had their things everywhere, the only seats left were next to Costa or across from him at the other end of the long table.

So I chose the one across from him.

Our eyes met fleetingly, but I looked down at my phone before he could say anything.

"So..." Aidan grinned, coming over to where I was sat. "Don't you want to know why we're refurbishing?"

"Aidan." Rocco quickly jumped in, giving him some kind of secret warning. I looked between the two of them and then over at Costa who kept his eyes firmly on his documents.

"Is it supposed to be a secret?" I frowned.

"No." Aidan smiled but Rocco answered at the same time with a glare. "Yes."

"Right." I shifted uncomfortably under his glare, wishing I just stayed upstairs in the bedroom above the building site.

"Bro." Costa nudged Rocco with his arm. The two or them exchanged some kind of silent conversation before Rocco let out the most exaggerated sigh.

"If you'd like to know, Costa will happily tell you." I would have laughed at how hard it seemed for Rocco to speak politely to me if it wasn't for what he actually said.

"I don't care." I shook my head just as Giovanni came ambling back into the room.

Talking.

To my fucking Head of Marketing.

"Right?" He laughed, holding my files under one arm and my laptop up in front of his face. "Well, don't do it like that, Sarah. The colours are all wrong. If it's a fantasy romance novel, it needs to be dark and alluring."

"So black, red...what else?" Sarah, my Head of Marketing, asked him for his advice - the 18 year old Mafia kid who was currently shirtless.

"Maybe a dark green. It is fantasy, after all. Don't be afraid to experiment with rich colours." Gio confidently advised her.

"Giovanni." I spoke in a hushed tone, trying to get his attention. "Come here."

"Hold on. I'm being summoned." He flashed her a grin and she giggled. The 48 year old with a masters degree in marketing giggled.

She fucking giggled.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Accardi men were all trying to control their laughter.

"Get off my meeting. You're not qualified." I pointed towards the table where I wanted him to put my laptop down.

"But I'm helping. I think my input could really help with the whole vibe of this new book."

"You're not helping." I shook my head to reject his help.

"Yes, I am."

"Bitch, please. What do you know about fantasy romance novels?" I cocked an eyebrow at him and he smirked.

"Well, I read Fifty Shades of Grey. And I read Harry Potter. I think I'm pretty fucking qualified." He stated extremely seriously.

"What?" All I could do was stare at him with the most dumbfounded expression, even while the rest of the idiots burst out laughing.

"Just put the laptop down. Sarah doesn't have time for your childish antics."

"Actually, I think his ideas could really help. He suggested we change the colour theme and go with a different illustrator which I agree with." Sarah defended Giovanni, giving me a sheepish smile.

"See?" Gio grinned, finally putting my laptop down while everyone else watched on in amusement. "So can I have a job?"

"A job?" I repeated, sitting back down in my chair. "What do you need a job for?"

"Groceries, bills, clothes, gas, condoms-"

"You don't pay for any of that." I cut him off, snatching my files from him.

"Fine. Maybe I just want to spend more time with you?" He nudged my arm, flashing me a teasing smile.

Despite my raging annoyance at all the recent events, I couldn't keep the involuntary smile off my face.

"Just go away. I have work to do."

"Sure." With one last smile and a wink at Sarah, he trudged back over to the couch where Aidan was waiting.

"Oh and Giovanni?"

"Hm?" He turned back with that same grin playing on his lips.

"Don't ever flirt with my employees again."

"Yes ma'am." He gave me a salute, dropping down on the couch to continue shovelling junk food into his mouth.

>>>>>>>

Three hours later, we were finally on our way back up to the penthouse.

The six of us somehow managed to cram into the elevator, only because the twins refused to wait for the next one.

"Bitch you're on my foot." Aidan complained behind me, once again shoving Giovanni.

"I'm not." Giovanni shoved him into Rocco who shoved him even harder, causing him to knock into me. I grit my teeth in annoyance, wishing the stupid elevator would move faster.

It's like being trapped with a bunch of children.

"Yes, you are. Get off." Aidan shoved Gio again and this time he hit me with more force.

"Ah." The painful impact to the middle of my back, had me jerking forward, causing my very expensive laptop to slip from my grip.

Before it could hit the ground though, Costa reached out to grab it.

He's just showing off with his fast reflexes.

"Quando mai crescerete voi due?" (When are you two ever going to grow up?) He turned to glare at the twins just as the doors opened.

Rocco shoved himself out first, followed by Tristano and then Costa and I. The twins were still bickering as they exited, going towards the stairs.

"Here." He handed me my laptop as we stepped into the empty penthouse which had been gutted from head to toe.

"Thanks." I took it from him, for some reason hanging around instead of rushing off like I should have.

It had been four days since I last saw him in his office. Despite everything that happened, I couldn't bring myself to walk away just yet.

"Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?"

You mean, more than you did?

"No, I'm fine." I shook my head, studying the empty space around us.

It was all so random. He never mentioned renovating the penthouse. It was already so luxurious the way it was. Plus, it was exactly his style - dark, minimal and modern.

He seemed to follow my train of thought because he gave me the answer I was looking for.

"I did it for you."

"What?" I frowned, turning to look at him while he stared at what used to be the kitchen.

"This. It's for you." He repeated the same thing as if I knew what he meant.

"That doesn't make any sense. What would-"

"It's your blank canvas. It's not safe for us to move out of this building, so the best way is for you to start again. They're going to do the upstairs too, including our room. Design it how you want."

Have I just stepped into some kind of alternate reality?

What the hell is he talking about?

"I don't understand."

Finally he turned to look at me, his beautiful green eyes shining with regret and a mixture of anger and sadness. I knew something wasn't right when I saw him downstairs and now that we were alone, he was showing it even more.

"It was Rocco's idea. It's to help make you feel at home."

"Seriously?" I rose an eyebrow, releasing a scoff of disbelief. I seriously doubt Rocco said that.

"Is this gesture-" I pointed towards the hollow penthouse for emphasis. "-supposed to make me forgive you?"

"I didn't ask for forgiveness, Millie." An edge of anger bit into his tone as he stepped back to put some distance between us. "I didn't actually do anything."

"Oh, you didn't?" It was a sarcastic remark which only inflamed his temper.

He stalled for a moment, almost like he was trying to control himself - to stop himself lashing out like he normally would.

The silence dragged on for a few more seconds before he changed the topic all together.

"We're flying out to Sicily tonight. I need you to come with us."

"No." My response was immediate, but then, so was his.

"It's not a request. I need you there. There's an..."

"An event? There's always a fucking event." I muttered with a shake of my head. It's always the same thing, and I can never say no. "I'm only going because of our agreement. You let me stay here so I'm coming with you - but it's not for you."

"Fine." He got what he wanted, so why would he care?

The tension between us remained thick until I turned around, making my way towards the stairs.

"My hoodie looks good on you." And now he's back to pretending nothing happened.

"Fuck you, Costa."

>>>>>>>

The flight was as awkward as expected.

Thankfully it was a night flight so I got to sleep during the 11 hour flight to Palermo.

I didn't see Costa for the rest of the day after we landed in the early afternoon. The event he was talking about was actually the next evening.

All I knew was that it was taking place in our house and it started at 7pm.

An hour before the event, I stepped out of the bathroom in my fluffy robe, towel drying my wet hair.

On the made up bed was a large blue box, with a white ribbon tied on top. I brushed my fingers over the smooth box before opening the hand written note on top.

Wear this tonight. Red is my favourite colour.

"Tell me why we have to come back for this shit every year." Tristano grumbled next to me from our place at the bar.

It was the one day of the year where we had to be at the party from start to finish. The guests were still trickling in, either going straight outside to the backyard or lingering inside.

"Because we don't have a choice." I sighed, watching the staircase. My eyes had been glued to it for the last twenty minutes.

Any minute, I was expecting her to come down the stairs.

I was curious - curious if she'd wear the dress or if she'd wear something else in an act of defiance.

Either way, I'd get to see her walk down the stairs looking as beautiful as she always did.

"Sei così fottutamente frustato." (You're so fucking whipped) Tristano followed my gaze, sipping on his Campari with a smirk.

"What'd I miss?" Rocco suddenly appeared between us, throwing an arm around each of our shoulders.

Just from the way he wobbled between us I knew tonight wasn't going to end well.

"You're drunk already?" I spoke in a hushed whisper, holding him up so he didn't face plant onto the bar.

"Ne ho avuto un po'." (I had a bit)

"A bit?" I could smell the entire liquor cabinet on his breath.

"A bit of everything." He chuckled while I ordered him a glass of water.

"Tonight isn't the night for this, fratello." (Brother) Tristano eyed our 24 year old brother with concern.

"I'm okay, really."

"Drink this." I slid the glass of water towards him, grabbing it again when he almost whacked it over in his drunken state.

"Help?" He gave me a lopsided grin. A traitorous smile broke through on my lips and I shook my head.

"You're trouble, you know that?" I lifted the glass to his lips to help him drink it while sparing short, occasional, glances towards the staircase.

Rocco finished one glass and then we ordered him a second one, hoping it would help him sober up faster.

That's when I finally caught sight of her coming down the stairs - fashionably late. In reality, she was just late because she always takes too damn long to get ready.

Her long brown hair cascaded in loose waves down her back, her diamond jewellery twinkling under the bright lights of the entry hall.

She clutched her bag to her side, carefully putting one foot in front of the other as she descended down the stairs - completely unaware that every fucking man had his eyes on her at that moment.

She looked...ethereal.

"Look." Rocco nudged me, pointing towards my wife as if I hadn't already seen her.

"I see her." I laughed, pulling away from him at the bar. "Will you be okay with Tristano for five minutes?"

"Don't worry, I got you bro." He put his hand on his chest, flashing me a wink. It made no sense, but that was Rocco. He didn't make sense when he was drunk.

Surprisingly, my brother had two personalities when he was drunk. He could either be extremely angry, or he could be extremely friendly.

There was never an in between.

Considering the importance of the occasion tonight, I'm just grateful we got the friendly version.

I made it to the bottom of the stairs at the same time she did.

My eyes trailed up the red silk from the floor, all the way up past the long slit exposing her left leg.

The material of the dress hugged her hips and waist perfectly.

And the strapless, sweetheart neckline flattered her shape even more.

"Fuck." The word slipped out when she took her final step, coming to stop in front of me.

"Did you choose it?" She looked down at her dress, smoothing out the skirt.

"Sì." She didn't bother replying or at least saying thank you for the dress. She only nodded her head as she looked around the busy entry hall.

It didn't matter though, because I couldn't take my eyes off her bold red lips.

She was fucking killing me. And she knew it.

"So what is it this time?" She questioned, turning to look at me when I failed to give her an answer.

"Costa?"

She's so impatient.

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to look away from her lips. And her eyes. And her chest. And her exposed leg.

"It's my father's birthday."

"His birthday?" She scrunched up her nose, something I always found adorable as hell. "I don't want to celebrate his birthday. I don't like him."

"Join the club, principessa."

"Don't call me that." Her cold tone caused a spike of irritation to rush through me.

In my defense, I didn't even realise I said it. It kind of just slipped out.

I was only speaking the truth anyway. She really was a princess.

"You know, you're really dragging this out." I murmured, grabbing a glass of champagne for her as we walked through the entry hall to the back garden.

"If I had it my way, I'd never speak to you again after what happened." She took the glass, also choosing to withhold her thank you.

I guess we're going with no manners today. Like I said, a fucking princess.

"Nothing happened. It's almost been a week and you haven't even let me explain." That was the worst part about all of this - I barely got the chance to defend myself because she wouldn't let me.

"What's there to explain? You told me to wait for you in our room. I came down to make some hot cocoa, so I came to ask if you wanted some too. I overheard you talking shit with your brothers and then you tried to bribe me with a penthouse, a dress and now a glass of champagne."

She held up the champagne for emphasis before bringing it to those inviting, plump red lips.

What did she say again?

"I'm not bribing you." I scoffed, opening the door for her. She stepped outside into the garden where soft music was already playing. The guests were either out here or lingering inside. But I didn't care to speak to any of them like I should have been.

My attention was all on her.

"Okay." She nodded, walking over to the fountain. I followed behind her, somehow falling completely under her spell.

She took a moment, admiring the lit fountain under the night sky. She sipped on her champagne before turning to face me, her brown eyes sparkling in the lights.

"So, what happened?"

"What?"

"Tell me what happened." I couldn't tell if she was trying to trap me or something, but the longer she waited, the more it seemed like she meant it.

She was finally giving me a fucking chance - after six days.

"First, we were talking with Luca about what went down at the club. Then the twins were upset about something which is why we were-"

"They were upset? Why?" Her immediate concern for them would have made me smile, if it wasn't for the nature of the conversation.

"I...I can't get into that here, Millie." I looked around at the party we were standing in the middle of, hoping she wouldn't take offence that I had to keep it from her.

"But they're okay now, right?"

"Sì." I smiled. "They're fine. Don't worry. Anyway, that's why we were sitting there. I would have come back if it wasn't for them. We were just talking over a drink and a cigar."

"Talking? About me?" She cocked a perfectly shaped brow.

"Not in a bad way. I was going to tell you everything afterwards, Millie. I wanted to do it properly."

"Do what?" I could tell she was getting irritated by my lack of clear communication, but I didn't want to say it.

Not in the middle of a party.

But if it meant she'd listen then I'd tell her anywhere. As long as she knew.

"They were just giving me advice." I spoke softly, reaching out to take her free hand. "I was telling them that I-"

"Costantino." I was cut off by my father's cold voice behind me causing my body to tense. I clenched my jaw at the interruption, also noticing the spark of annoyance on my wife's face.

I turned around, stepping closer to Millie when his eyes also landed on her.

Distaste shone in them as he looked her up and down, paying extra attention to our proximity and the way I still held her hand.

Things were still tense after the way we argued when he threw that party in my mother's honour. When it comes to work we talk, but otherwise, we don't make small talk.

"Happy birthday, sir." Millie was the one to break the stare down, forcing a small smile onto her face.

He nodded, sparing her the shortest of glances before settling his attention on me.

"Where's Rocco?"

If he hadn't seen Rocco inside then that means Tristano was doing his job by hiding him somewhere until he sobered up.

"He's here." My vague answer irritated him, I knew that. "Why?"

"I need you both to do a job for me. Tonight."

"Tonight? But it's your-"

"It doesn't matter. It's important." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small slip of paper. "Get it done. Don't let it get messy, I can't afford any fuck ups."

"Okay." I nodded, knowing this must have been pretty urgent if he sent us away during his birthday party. It was the one day of the year we celebrated him and he always wanted us here - regardless of our current circumstances or relationship.

As soon as he left, I turned to look at Millie who was more annoyed than ever.

"You dragged me all the way back to Sicily for this stupid party and now you're leaving me to go and do a job?" She spoke in one of those aggressive hushed whispers, stepping in closer to me while ripping her hand out of mine.

"I'm sorry. I don't have a choice." I didn't want to leave her, not after she was finally letting me in again.

But I couldn't say no. I don't have that luxury of disobeying an order and she knew that - even if she was mad.

"Fine. Whatever." She went to take a step away from me, but I grabbed her hand again before she could. "Can we finish that conversation later?"

"I...I'll think about it." With that she tugged her hand out of my grip, heading back inside.

Little did I know, we wouldn't get the chance to finish that conversation later - or have any conversations, really.

If I thought shit had already gone downhill in the last few weeks, it was about to get a whole lot fucking worse.