Chapter 27 YOUR PARENTS.
\~~~RAINA.
“Did you just scoff?” Alessia asked, letting out a dry laugh.
“No, I wouldn’t,” I shook my head, waving a hand at her.
“So? Tell me why you asked to come here?”
“Me? Asked to come here?!” I widened my eyes, pressing my hands against my chest.
“Oh, don’t pretend, Talia. Rafael said you specifically asked to be sent here, as the COO. Now that I’m thinking about it… Chief Operating Officer? What the fuck do we even need that for?”
“Exactly! I didn’t sign up for this either!”
Alessia’s eyes went wide at my outburst, and I exhaled, forcing myself to maintain my cool.
“You didn’t?”
“Tell me, why would I?”
“I am asking you!” She snapped.
“You don’t think I'd cut you some slack just because you are my brother’s wife, do you? If you think you can get this position from me, then you are in for a lot…”
Oh, my God.
I spaced out, rolling my eyes and palming my forehead.
What do I even know about being a COO, talk less of a CEO?
Fight for the CEO position?
Please, I’d rather dance to win a stuffed animal at a store.
“So, tell me, Talia,” she says smoothly, snapping back my attention to her.
“How exactly do you plan to survive a day in this office without making a complete fool of yourself?”
My stomach twisted in anger.
What does she take me for? I am playing Talia’s role, therefore, I am a very capable person for this job.
Whatever, by the way!
“I am a professional. I will manage,” I raised my shoulders.
Alessia lets out a soft laugh, not loud, not harsh, but the kind that says, ‘I can’t believe I am even entertaining this’. “Manage? Honey, this isn’t a game. People’s careers, contracts, and money all depend on how this office runs. And you… You, my brother’s wife, are playing COO for the first time.”
“You make it seem like I am some novice. I am…”
She leans forward now, her eyes sharp, and piercing. “A professional?” She laughed.
“I went through your profile, and yes, you were a very successful vice president at your father’s company, but look around. Is this your father’s company? I will be frank with you. I don’t have time to babysit anyone, not even my brother’s wife. So, here is the deal. You survive the first three days without getting anyone fired or yourself humiliated, and maybe I will start… tolerating you.”
I raised my shoulders, my gaze locking hers, “Three days, why not?”
Alessia smirks, almost triumphant. “Good. But remember, sweetheart… This office doesn’t forgive mistakes. And neither do I.”
Her words hang in the air, and I inhaled deeply
Survive three days, or face the wrath of Alessia Moretti.
It is more like Luciano’s wrath to be honest.
That man would kill me if I messed this up.
No, that was not all.
He will find out in an instant that I am not Talia, and he will take me to the deepest part of the woods, and then bury me alive there.
I inhale slowly, trying to steady my racing heart.
Somehow, I’ve got to make it through. Somehow, I’ve got to prove that I can handle this even though I know I fucking can’t.
And with that thought, I stand straighter, forcing the confidence I don’t feel.
Another day to remember just how much I hate my life.
And Luciano.
And certainly this sister of his who sees me as nothing but her competitor.
“We have meetings with the regional managers in the next thirty minutes. You are expected to sit in on all of them,” Alessia finishes, her tone sharp, leaving no room for argument.
I nod my head, trying to appear calm, even though my stomach is twisted. “Of course.”
Alessia leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other, her eyes narrowing. “Awesome. Welcome on board.”
News flash, I don’t like my sister in law.
Not one bit.
Can we just close for the day so that I can hurry back home to my overbearing husband?
I turned around, but then, her voice stopped me.
“And I know it’s late…”
I turned to look at Alessia.
“But, congratulations on your wedding. I was on a business trip, so I could not attend.”
Who the fuck misses their family’s wedding for a business?
“Yeah,” I nodded my head subtly.
“And you seem like the exact type of person who suits my brother the most. I can just tell that you would last.”
My eyes widened at the last statement and I tilted my head. “What do you…”
“You should go prepare for the meeting, Mrs. Moretti,” she cut me off, and I glared at her.
_______
Work is finally over, thank whatever gods are listening.
I think I cursed my life a hundred times today.
I am drained, exhausted, and finished.
I hated every damn bit of it.
Stepping out of the building, I paused, scanning the street for the car but there was none. My lips press together in a small frown and just as I take a step forward, a sleek black car pulls up right in front of me and a soft smile spreads across my face. Oh finally, I can’t wait to get home.
Before I could reach out for the door, Gabriel was already there, opening the door with a bow.
“Thank you.”
I muttered to him, entered the car, and then…
“Fuck!”
I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth.
“Someone would think you just saw a ghost,” came the low and deep voice of Luciano.
“W… what are you doing here?!” I asked, struggling to catch my breath.
Luciano tilts his head slightly, that infuriatingly calm expression on his face. “I am here for you.”
I placed my hand on my chest and then turned to look beside me.
I mean, I needed to check if someone else was beside me.
“F… for me?” I widened my eyes.
“Yes.”
I didn’t say anything else after that. I just maintained a safe distance away from him in the enclosed space, looking out of the window.
Why was this man suddenly here?
As if dealing with his sister all day wasn’t enough, he was going to add to my stress level?
“This is not the way home,” I said the moment I noticed the car taking another route.
“We are going somewhere else,” he answered curtly.
“Where? Can we just go home instead? I am so tired and I can…”
“We are having dinner at your parents’ tonight, sunshine.”
“WHAT?!”
I screamed so loud that even the car was forced to a stop immediately.
Gabriel glanced back slightly, muttering ‘I'm sorry.’ before he then resumed driving.
“And I hope to see your sister tonight, Solnishko.” Luciano turned his head gently to look at me. “Raina wasn’t present at our wedding. Makes me wonder if you two have some dispute or something.”
Oh, can you take this shit slowly with me?!
“And besides…” his lips curved into a small smile.
I can’t even tell if he is enjoying this or not.
“You must have missed your family so…”
“I don’t,” I cut him off.
“Oh, but you do, baby girl.”