Chapter 195 IN DISTRESS.
\~~~RAINA.
The meeting wrapped up at last, and everyone seemed happy with Shane's proposal. We all agreed to bring him on board right away.
His ideas for those eco-friendly buildings fit perfectly with what the company was aiming for, and the numbers added up without any red flags. The financial executive, Mark, gathered his papers and laptop, gave a quick nod to us, and headed out the door first. I started packing my own stuff, slipping notes into my folder, zipping up my bag, feeling that good buzz from a deal closing smoothly.
But as I glanced over, I saw Alessia hadn't moved. She sat there, still as a statue, her eyes fixed on Shane. He was at the other end of the table, calmly putting his things away, like he hadn't noticed the way she watched him.
I leaned closer to her, keeping my voice low. “Are you good?”
She didn't answer me. Instead, she turned her gaze straight to Shane. “You knew who I was back there?”
He paused, his hand on his briefcase, and looked up with that soft smile of his. “Who wouldn't know the CEO of Moretti Enterprises?”
“And you didn't say anything?” Alessia's tone was sharp, like she was testing him.
“I just wanted to help a lady in distress, Ms. Moretti,” His words came out easy, and polite, but there was something in his eyes, a flicker that made the room feel a bit smaller.
I raised my brows, caught off guard. “Distress? Did something happen back there?”
Alessia shifted in her seat, and bit her lower lips for a second before she waved it off. “Just... got a little light-headed.”
“Are you good now?” I asked, worry creeping in.
She nodded, forcing a small smile my way. “Yeah, I'm fine.”
Just then, Shane stood up, buttoning his jacket as he walked around the table. He closed the space between him and Alessia in a few steps, extending his hand for a shake. She rose too, her chair scraping softly against the floor.
“I look forward to working with you,” he said, his voice steady and warm.
“Same here, Mr. Martinez,” she replied, taking his hand. Their grip lingered a beat longer than it should have, and I caught the way her eyes searched his face.
Then he turned to me, that same smile in place. “And with you too, Ms. Raina,” We shook hands firmly, and professionally before he nodded once more and headed for the door.
The click of it shutting behind him left the room quieter than before.
I waited a second, then turned back to Alessia. “Is anything the problem?”
She sank into her chair again, rubbing her temple like a headache was starting. “There is something off about him.”
“Shane? What is it? You don't feel good working with him?”
“No, no, not his work, or his personality even. It just feels like there is something odd about him,” Her words came out slowly, like she was piecing together a puzzle in her head.
I sat on the edge of the table, crossing my arms. “Do you want to look into him? We can run a deeper check, background, references, or whatever.”
Alessia waved her hands, shaking her head quickly. “It is probably hormones, right?”
I couldn't help but laugh, the tension breaking a little. “I don't think I have ever heard that, Allie.”
“Maybe it is a first,” she joined in, her laugh light but still edged with uncertainty.
“Suspecting people is part of pregnancy hormones now? Please, come on,” I teased, and we both chuckled, the sound filling the empty conference room.
It felt good to laugh with her like that, a reminder of how far we'd come.
We had built this rhythm over the months, her handling the big-picture strategy while I focused on the client sides.
Shane's project was a bright spot, a chance to expand into green tech without the risks that had plagued past deals. But Alessia's unease stuck with me. She wasn't one to brush off gut feelings, hormones or not.
“Hey, seriously though,’' I said, sobering up as I grabbed my bag. “If it keeps bothering you, we dig. No harm in being careful.”
She nodded, standing and smoothing her blouse over her tiny bump.
“Yeah, maybe. But let's not jump ahead. The proposal is too good to pass up.”
We gathered the last of the files, the table clearing as we chatted about the next steps on contracts to review, and what to have for lunch.
Alessia linked her arm with mine as we headed for the door.