Chapter 55 Fifty - five

Chapter 55 Fifty - five
Lorenzo is on the phone when I re-enter his office. The coffee mug in my hand, I carefully walk over to his desk so as not to spill a drop because I don't want him telling me to make another cup just because I wasn't careful enough with this one.

I place the mug down, avoiding eye contact with him. I feel grateful he's busy speaking to someone on the phone, so I have no reason to entertain his annoying presence anymore.

However, just as I'm about to turn on my heel and bolt out of here, he motions a finger in the air, signaling for me to wait.

A frown quickly settles on my face, and I release a weary sigh as I shoot him a scowl. But he returns it with a glare of his own, making my heart skip a beat.

I swallow, quickly fixing my expression as I clasp my hands in front of me, standing still and waiting as instructed.

"Shut the hell up, Alec. Come to my office now," Lorenzo sneers at his consigliere, who I believe is on the other end of the phone.

I watch him with interest, genuinely curious about what they're talking about.

I've come to learn Alec is one of the few people who can provoke Lorenzo so effortlessly.

Annoyance is written all over Lorenzo's face as he eventually ends the call and tosses his phone onto the desk.

He doesn't regard me or acknowledge the fact that I've been waiting for him for the last two minutes. Instead, his coffee is the first thing he turns his attention to.

He picks up the mug, inhaling the aroma before taking a few sips.

He doesn't seem impressed, but he doesn't look unimpressed either. It's hard to please him, so I'm not even bothering to care whether he likes it or not. What I do know is that I make the best coffee, and he can't deny that.

"What took you so long?" he questions, his eyes locking with mine as he demands, "You were gone for nearly fifteen minutes. I didn't think it took that much time to make ordinary coffee."

Wait... He was seriously calculating how long I'd been gone? What the hell?

My brows subtly knit together with annoyance as I stare at him. Knowing his question isn't rhetorical, I clear my throat before responding.

"Sorry... Sir."

"Sorry for what? Why are you saying sorry instead of answering why you didn't make it back in time?"

Seriously!

To hell with this man.

At this point, I think he's just doing this to keep me in his office a while longer. He enjoys pulling my leg.

He thinks I'm some kind of entertainment.

My insides burn with fury, but I keep my temper in check.

"I was speaking with one of the colleagues."

He reclines in his seat, his eyes narrowing with disbelief. "So you're trying to tell me that when I sent you to get something for me, you chose that moment to chat with people you barely even know. Is that how little regard you have for me, mi esposa?"

"What? No, Sir... That's not how it is," I protest.

Yet he cuts me off.

"How is it then? Tell me."

My goodness! This is so pointless.

He always turns a non-issue into an issue by all means.

Lorenzo Sorrentino is the most difficult boss to work with.

He's an ass—I said what I said.

"I ran into one of the staff members in the kitchen."

"Male or female?"

Why does that matter?

Nonetheless, I answer after swallowing. "Female. The CHRO. Margaux."

He pauses before nodding thoughtfully.

"Hmm, I see... Are you telling the truth? I'd hate to find out you aren't being completely honest with me because I intend to confirm it with Margaux."

I mentally slap myself, feeling frustrated to the brim.

Still, I maintain my fake-ass placating smile.

"I am. Sure, you can ask her... Sir."

"You seem confident," he smirks. "Alright then. You're dismissed."

I hesitate, looking at him uncertainly.

"What?" he arches an eyebrow.

"N-Nothing."

"You're free to leave, baby. Go on," he urges, and I feel a shiver travel down my spine at the pet name he uses.

My expression falters as my eyes linger on his for a moment, my thoughts drifting astray, but eventually I snap out of it.

I swallow down my illicit thoughts and nod curtly before turning to leave. On my way out, he asks me to bring him the file Aiden gave him.

I'm just stepping through the doorway when I meet Alec's gaze as he walks in.

He nods at me in greeting, offering me a polite smile, but we don't exchange any pleasantries. I can already tell Lorenzo is behind that awkwardness. He's probably warned him that I'm off-limits too.

Alec saunters past me and heads into Lorenzo's office while I make my way to my desk and pull open the drawer, retrieving the file Aiden gave me.

I contemplate whether to return inside immediately since Alec just walked in, and I'm not sure if Lorenzo would appreciate the interruption. But then again, he gave me shit for not coming back sooner with his coffee earlier.

Quietly muttering a silent prayer, I make my way back to his office. I'm hoping he doesn't start some stupid shit this time because this man is truly unpredictable.

As I step into the room, Lorenzo's eyes stray from Alec's face to mine, and a subtle look of awe crosses his features. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume he was admiring my beauty.

But I know better.

"Here is the file you requested, Sir..." I say politely, placing it in front of him.

Alec furrows his brows in surprise, probably astounded to hear me referring to my supposed husband as "Sir."

He throws Lorenzo a funny look, but Lorenzo ignores him.

"Thanks..."

"You're welcome, Sir," I reply with a nod before turning around.

But he calls out to me.

"And get ready for the meeting in an hour. It's time to officially introduce you to the board members."

I cast a glance back at him, uncertainty creasing my brow.

He scoffs incredulously before saying with mock offense, "What? You're my new secretary, esposa. They should know that, no?"

"Oh..." I murmur in realization before swallowing, my heart hammering at the thought of being introduced to the important members of his company.

I initially thought I was only acting as a stand-in for his former secretary, but this is getting pretty serious, I guess.

Regardless, I assure him, "I'll be ready before then."

"Good girl..." His voice carries a husky edge that has my stomach coiling with warmth.

I hold his gaze for a moment longer before eventually breaking eye contact and hurrying out, feeling his heated stare on my back.