Chapter 5 #2
But I hurry. I throw on the clothes I laid out, and since there isn't time to tame my hair properly, I shove it in a ponytail and hope for the best. Then I shove my feet into my kicks, put my shoes in my bag, grab my phone, a packet of cheese and crackers from the fridge, and then my keys, and I rush out.
Even at six-forty-five, the subway is a crush of bodies, and I squeeze into the third train that comes along, one with a tiny bit of space, fighting against all the others who try to muscle in.
When I get to the office, I change shoes in the foyer, shove the sneakers into my bag, and rush up to the conference room.
Ruby waves me over, and I join her just as our CEO, Louie, rises and motions for quiet.
"I need to inform you all that the company has been sold."
Shock makes me jerk on the spot, and a murmur snowballs through the room.
I glance at Ruby, but she shrugs, looking as shocked as I am.
Are our jobs safe? Or are we all about to be fired?
I can't ask her, and I don't think she knows.
I raise my hand to ask when Louie continues. "Probably the best person for all your questions is your new CEO."
He gestures to the door, and my heart hits my feet, my adrenaline goes into overdrive, and I'm hit by the urge to run. Possibly screaming.
It is not just any well-dressed, handsome man. It is the hot one I flashed in the elevator. The hot one who looks as good as he smells, which is saying something.
The murmurs trail him as he makes his way to Louie.
He glances at me, and I think he winks.
They shake hands.
Okay, so I flashed my new boss. And he flirted in the elevator. He also might have winked at me just now, but that could also be my libido wishing a blink was a wink.
Okay, then. I can deal with this. After all, it is not like things can get worse.
Louie nods at the man. "This is Enzo Marino."
My bag hits the floor with a thump, and every set of eyes turns to me.
I dip my head. "Sorry."
My heart pounds way too fast and loud.
I know that name.
I know who he is.
Now that it has been said, it clicks in my head.
Enzo.
The man who ruined my family, caused my dad to take his own life.
Okay, maybe not him, but his father did.
Years before Dad died, right when the Mancini family and the Marino family parted ways, things changed. Dad suddenly became busier, more harried.
I don't know the details of the falling out. It was adult stuff, and I was both closeted from it and too young. But I remember the pain of the thundering voices.
I also remember the boy I loved from age seven, a boy who was my savior, my hero, my friend, even though he was older. And even when he got older, he was still there, nice and sweet and kind. Right up until he just wasn't.
He and his family were gone, and Dad told me how that family, his former best friend, was going to be the death of him, that he would ruin him.
And Dad was right.
I'm betting the apple doesn't fall far.
We were just kids, but he was a teen when that happened, and I was...lost then. Without him, I was alone, especially as Dad withdrew more.
Enzo made no effort to reach out.
I did when I was older. I did after Dad's death, too.
But...nothing.
I couldn't find him.
Because as Dad said, we were now persona non grata, we were exiled, and he had no choice but to try to forge different paths.
Ones I'm convinced led to his death.
I don't listen to his words, just the deep sound of his voice. And when the meeting is over, Ruby leans in. "Getting back to work?"
"No."
I don't know what is in my voice, but this time she doesn't joke. She just nods, steps back, and leaves.
And I wait, determined to speak to him.
Enzo waits until the last person leaves and then he closes the door and leans against it, folding his arms.
"Well?" I ask.
He smirks, and I want to slap it off his face. "Well, what? I can see you're wearing pants today. Which means less chance you will accidentally flash someone. Are you at least wearing panties?"
"You—"
"Me, what?"
He pulls a wild strand of hair and tucks it behind my ear, which makes me step closer to him.
Now I know who he is, I can't believe I didn't see it yesterday.
He has grown into his face, and he is utterly devastating. And I'm wet, my throat is tight, and my mouth is full of sand.
Enzo eyes me thoughtfully. "Maybe it wasn't an accident, letting me see that perfect ass of yours."
"This is work."
"I know, and you were very inappropriate yesterday." He eyes me again. "Tell me, is commando a default for you?"
"No, of course not."
He lights up, delighted. "So, yesterday and today are your odd attempts at hitting on me? It won't get you favors. By all means, strip for me in my office, but if your work sucks, you're out the door." Enzo straightens and says against my ear, "That's work work, not extracurricular work."
My cheeks are an inferno, radiating heat. "You should have told me who you were in the elevator."
He raises both hands. "Hey, if you mean being your new CEO, then I have to ask if this is a habit."
It takes everything I have not to hit him. Mainly because I need this job. "No, Enzo. You know who I am." I grit my teeth when he raises a brow. "Lola? Lourdes Mancini."
Enzo frowns. "Lola is fine. And I didn't know you were here. I didn't recognize you in the elevator either."
"If you're trying to ruin me, too, you won't get far. I don't have anything."
"I'm not trying to ruin anyone. I bought the company without knowing about you, and it is a little self-centered to think I would buy a fucking company to ruin a little worker bee, don't you think?"
I open my mouth but slam it shut.
I can't ruin this job. I can't. Quitting is out of the question, as is needling him.
My mind buzzes.
"Sorry." I step back, motioning to the door. "I need to get back to work."
And gather my thoughts.
He moves right out of the way.
I pull open the door and walk out on legs that don't belong to me.
What if he is here to finish his father's job of ruining my family completely?
Is it crazy to even think he would buy this startup to do that?
The answer is yes, but it doesn't make it wrong.
And I honestly don't know if I should believe him or not. I don't have proof he knew I worked here, just as I don't have proof he is out to get me.
I work here.
Like it or not, he is now my boss. And it's not like many other options are available for me in the job market.
I need to make some money just to get things on track.
So, until then, I guess I have no choice but to suck it up.
Fuck.