Chapter 17
HARPER
Monday comes around faster than I could have anticipated.
I expected being stuck in the apartment on my own to be a chore.
But instead, it turned out to be a godsend.
The past week had been mad, and organising Callie’s leaving party while running through every scenario Alessandro could possibly throw at me had left me drained.
By the time I made it home on Friday night, I face-planted onto the bed and slept a good portion of Saturday.
Sunday was spent catching up with my siblings and preparing myself for today. My first day flying solo.
I’m at my desk by seven thirty. Alessandro has yet to arrive, so it gives me a chance to check emails and reschedule any appointments before he does.
“Good morning, Alessandro,” I say cheerfully as he approaches.
His head snaps up, the look of surprise on his face making me want to laugh.
“Good morning, Brooke. You’re in early.”
“Still on British time,” I say, before realising I’m supposed to have been here for a couple of months travelling around. His brow furrows and my face heats. “Not sure I’ll ever get used to it, even after all this time.”
He nods, and I stifle a groan. I’ve just made myself sound like a dithering idiot. I mentally smack myself on the forehead.
“Can I get you a coffee? Breakfast?” I ask, moving around the desk.
I know it was always the first thing Callie did when she got in, but Alessandro was usually already here.
“A coffee would be great,” he says, unlocking his office door and heading inside.
I follow. “There have been a couple of meeting cancellations I’ve had to reschedule…”
Alessandro turns, his shoulders back.
“Brooke,” he says quietly. “Take a breath. Get me a coffee while I get settled, after that you can fire whatever you need at me.”
I draw in a breath and close my mouth.
“Sorry,” I say, walking backwards towards the door.
“Don’t apologise. It’s good to see you’re keen, but a warning, before my first coffee…”
I hold up my hand. “Please, say no more. My brothers are the same, they… sorry… coffee, I’m on it.”
“Oh, and Brooke. Please call me Alex. Alessandro makes me feel like I’m being reprimanded.”
I nod and back out of the door, pulling it closed before he can say any more, my shoulders slouching.
Fuck, shit, bollocks!
I hiss under my breath. What is it about this man that has me tied up in knots? It’s not like I’m a stranger to men with god complexes. I was raised with three of them.
I make my way to the kitchen and flick on the coffee machine. It’s not as good as Gabriel’s, but it makes a perfectly acceptable coffee.
As it bubbles and gurgles, I use the time to re-centre myself, allowing the frantic churning in my stomach to settle.
Alessandro Bianchi is a mere man. He’s no better than me, even if he is my boss, pays my wages and runs a billion-dollar fashion house! The man is still an intelligent and entitled prick at times.
I smile at the last thought, just as the coffee machine begins to work its magic.
When the coffee is finished, I scoop up the cup and carry it towards his office. I put it down on my desk and grab the tablet, which, until today belonged to Callie. It’s now mine.
I place it under my arm and make my way to the door, knocking once before letting myself in.
Alex is at his desk, staring at his computer screen.
He looks up as I enter. His eyes lock on the mug in my hand.
“Thank you,” he says, holding out a hand and taking it from me as soon as I’m within reach.
Our fingers brush, sending an unwelcome jolt of awareness through my body.
“Would you like me to go over today’s plans?” I ask, composing myself. “I can come back.”
“It’s fine, take a seat. Did you not make yourself one?” he asks, realising I’ve nothing to drink.
“I’m fine. I’ve had a cup already today,” I lie.
I don’t want to hold up proceedings, so I make a note to bring a drink for myself tomorrow for our daily planning sessions.
“You mentioned there are a few changes to my schedule?”
I open the tablet. “Your nine o’clock, Dillon Hancock, messaged late last night to say his daughter is sick and he needs to rearrange.
His wife is away… sorry, you probably don’t need all that detail.
I’ve rescheduled his appointment for Friday morning.
You had a slot free after your meeting with Pete and the suppliers. ”
I look up as I sense his eyes on me.
“Better to know why someone has cancelled. Dillon is a good family man. Friday morning is fine. Be aware in future that my meetings with Pete and our suppliers sometimes overrun.”
“I’ll make a note. There’s currently a half-hour break between meetings,” I say.
“That’s fine then,” he says.
“Great,” I continue. “As a result, I’ve moved your ten o’clock this morning. Teresa is more than happy, as she has back-to-back meetings, and it allows her time between you and her next appointment.”
“Fine.”
I take that at face value, meaning a positive fine. It’s hard to tell. I’ve not got much to work with. Alex has his stoic look down to a fine art.
“Everything else is as it was.”
“Until it’s not,” he says. “Thank you, Brooke. I appreciate you moving Teresa forward. Are the reports I asked for ready?”
“They are. I have them on my desk.”
“Excellent. You can send them in with Teresa when she arrives,” he says, turning his attention back to his computer.
I take it as his signal that I’ve been dismissed.
I get up and make my way to the door.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“No, that’s all.”
When he doesn’t even look up from whatever has suddenly caught his interest, I leave, making sure I don’t slam the door behind me.
I walk to my desk, moving the reports to where Teresa can see them as she passes. It’s only eight-thirty, and I feel like I’ve already run a marathon. Thinking, rethinking, then overthinking everything.
Breathe, Harper Frazer. Brooke has got this!