Chapter 42 A Way to Welcome Me Back?
Molly’s POV
Gianni did not explain matters to me. When I mentioned his wife, I expected him to tell me the reason why he couldn’t go with her when I knew he had been with her throughout the weekend.
Being labeled a home wrecker before was not something I was proud of, so I thought it best to protect myself by keeping a distance from married men, though I never saw a ring on Gianni’s finger.
All he said was for me to accompany him to a dinner as if I was an escort, so I refused.
If he had mentioned it was work-related, then I would have thought about it or even considered it, but I guess it was too late to take the offer because a replacement was right in front of him.
“Agatha, you will escort me to dinner tonight. All expenses will be taken care of.”
I saw the way Agatha beamed at Gianni’s request as if it was the best thing that ever happened to her.
Yes, sir, I will work faster," Agatha exclaimed, about to leave when a female voice interrupted her.
"Why should she accompany you when I'm right here?" The voice was soon followed by the clicking of heels. A woman of around five feet, in a white suit walked in, her elegance matching that of Gianni but a cold aura exhumed from her when our eyes met.
"Nicole, what are you doing here?" Gianni asked, sounding annoyed. This was the first time I saw a woman who was not affected by his annoyance.
Could this be his wife? She walked around and embraced him, but he was stiff, though his eyes were warm.
Their reaction was a rather confusing one and I had no intention of asking any questions, knowing he wouldn’t give me the answers I required.
"Is that a way to welcome me back?" she asked in a seductive tone, displeasure evident in Agatha's eyes. I felt sorry for her.
Perhaps this was a chance for her to shine or brag to her friends about how she went on a business dinner with her boss.
No matter how hard a secretary tries, nine out of ten will eventually fall in love with their bosses at some point.
"I went to your office and you weren't there, so I decided to look around," Nicole, or whatever her name was, said after pulling away, but her longing gaze remained on him. "How is Roger?" She asked, and Gianni seemed to have thawed from whatever had frozen him before.
"I'll ask again since you didn't hear me the first time. What are you doing here?" His voice wasn’t cold, which was a contrast to his demeanor.
Nicole playfully tugged on his sleeves. "Your mom sent me, and I'll be crashing at your house," she revealed. Gianni glanced at me, and I shook my head.
This woman looked like trouble, so I couldn't care less about whatever reason she had to be around Gianni. I wouldn't live in the same house with her. Instead, I would rent a small apartment.
"Sorry, I don't have a spare room to host you,” Gianni said sharply, I was slightly guilty. Perhaps I was the reason why he refused to let her into his house.
Her eyes dimmed at Gianni's response, but she seemed far from giving up.
"Why not? You live in a mansion with your son, maids, and another one for your baby..."
“Enough!" Gianni roared, causing Agatha and me to shiver. I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't let her finish her sentence, and what had upset him so much. His anger reminded me of the tension I had witnessed at Wesley's house.
"You should go back to where you came from. I have work to do," Gianni said firmly.
Nicole smiled sweetly. "You fired Marie for eavesdropping, so I've been sent by your mom to be her replacement and live in your house. Gio, you can't say no."
I realized I had to find a place to stay due to Nicole's strong connection to Gianni. Just then, he dialed a number, and I could only hear his side of the conversation.
"Mom, what is the meaning of this?" Gianni asked.
"Fine. For the sake of your late husband, she will replace my secretary. But she won't live in my house," Gianni continued.
"I don't care how she survives, but she won't live in my house. I choose who stays there, and neither you nor her are welcome," Gianni asserted.
He ended the call, looking upset, but it seemed that his relationship with his mother was rather complicated.
"Agatha will hand over to you, but you have to work out your accommodation and report to HR's office."
Nicole was displeased with the arrangement and suddenly nagged like a kid. "Gio, after all we've been through, you won't let me into your house?"
Gianni's gaze softened, but his response was firm. "No."
"Then how do I get changed to join you for dinner?" she asked. Gianni responded, "I'll go alone. You should all get back to work."
As Gianni turned to leave, Nicole said something that changed everything. I couldn't help but wonder what exactly was between them.