Chapter 55
“What does it mean?” Melina asked looking at both of them.
“It means that Aldo is involved somehow in the play that is happening against Marco” Alessio said.
“Come on guys! Maybe you are reading too much into it. Just because he fired me, it doesn’t mean that he is turning against Marco. I mean, sure it shows that he doesn’t like him, but let’s not jump into conclusions” Melina said.
“The only reason he would fire you after the profit you brought to the company already, it would be if he wanted to show to whoever is watching that he is somehow rebelling against me” Marco replied.
“How do you know about what I did for the company?” Melina asked him.
“I am the largest shareholder amore. I know what is happening inside the company and frankly someone with half a brain would know better than firing a goose that is giving you golden eggs. He knows I don’t have a say to whom he is hiring or firing, unless I give him a vote of no confidence in a board meeting. But if I do that, then he will feel justified to come against me in the open”.
“Are you planning to kick him out?” Alessio asked.
“Not for now. Melina will take over the online casino project and I will let him stew until the time it right. Then I will strike” Marco said.
“The online casino project?” Alessio asked. “I thought we gave up on that”
“We did, because we didn’t have anyone we trust to run it. Call Harvey and tell him to prepare the contract for Melina to sign tomorrow and ask Kate to come after Harvey. She needs to go through the business plan with Melina” Marco said.
“On it boss” Alessio nodded and he exited the room.
“One of the positives of you working on this is that you will be working from home” Marco said and wrapped his arms around Melina.
“I will utilize properly my new space then” Melina said and gave him a smile.
“Do you need anything so you can work?”
“I do need a few things, yes”
“Make me a list and I will make sure they will be all set up in your office by the time Kate will be here”
Melina made a list quickly with anything she thought she would need and gave it to Marco.
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The following morning Harvey arrived and met Marco and Melina at Marco’s office. Harvey was Marco’s lawyer. He was around Marco’s age, 6f tall, with blonde hair and amber eyes. He was wearing a crisp grey suit, and he looked exactly like the lawyers you see in American shows.
“Amore this is Harvey. He has been my lawyer for a long time and he is probably the best lawyer in the city” Marco said.
“Just in the city?” Harvey feigned to be offended.
“And as you can tell modesty is not his strong suit” Marco said again.
“Nice to meet you Harvey. I am Melina” Melina said and extended her hand to him.
Harvey took her hand in his, but instead of a handshake, he gave a peck on the back of her hand.
“Oh the pleasure is all mine. You look absolutely stunning” Harvey said to her.
“Harvey Jones if you want your hands to stay attached to your body, leave my girlfriend alone” Marco growled.
“Geez, relax macho man. It’s not my fault I have eyes” Harvey replied.
“Again…if you want to keep them, don’t ogle my girl” Marco growled again.
Melina was looking between the two of them and she didn’t know what to say. She was used of Marco’s possessiveness by now, but she was more impressed by the fact that they lawyer seemed to find his reactions amusing and kept winding him up on purpose.
“I suppose I don’t need my eyes to do my job. Justice is blind and all” Harvey said and Marco was about to growl something again.
“Marco boo, he is teasing you and you are falling for it” Melina said and went next to Marco and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Relax”
Harvey chuckled. “You are so easy to tease, man. Anyway, let’s get down to business. I brought the contract”
They spent the next 30 minutes with Harvey explaining to Melina what the contract entailed and where she needed to sign. Marco was not only giving her the project, but he was making her the Managing Director of the business. Once the contract was signed, Melina turned to Harvey.
“Harvey I will meet with the business planner later today, but from a quick search on the internet I understand that there are quite a few tasks that I will need a lawyer for. Will you be available to help me with this or do you have someone to recommend maybe?”
“Marco has me on retainer for anything he needs, so I will be available to you. I will leave you my card and if you need anything give me a call” Harvey replied.
“Great. I will send you an email later today with the name of the online casino, so you can apply for the relevant permit and buy the domain name” Melina said.
“You are more informed than I thought you would be” Harvey said impressed. “I am looking forward to working with you” he said and extended his hand.
This time he just shook Melina’s hand and Marco was visibly relieved. They escorted Harvey out and then Marco led Melina to her office.
“Everything you had on the list has been delivered. Would you like some help to set them up?” he asked Melina.
“Are you not busy?”
“I am. I am busy helping you setting up your office” he said and kissed her temple.
They spent the next few hours to set everything up. A beautiful and large desk with white feet and glass top would be her desk, with a comfortable silver grey leather desk chair. They set up her new Mac desktop with wireless keyboard and mouse. Marco had also bought for her an ipad with a magic keyboard and an apple pencil for handwritten notes.
Melina had also asked for two large whiteboards, so she can make a timeline to one of them and keep the other one for notes and brainstorming ideas. Marco had also brought a pair of grey leather office chairs to place in front of her desk. The colour of the leather matched the colour of the sofa Melina had brought from her apartment.
All in all, her office looked beautiful and Melina took a few moments to admire it. Marco had gone above and beyond and she would make sure to do everything in her power to make this project successful.
Someone knocked on the door before they opened it. It was Alessio, who brought a few office plants along with a vase of white and pink hydrangeas. They placed everything around and Alessio left.
“There is only one thing missing” Marco said.