Chapter 40
Chapter 40
His face lit up with an eager smile that, to Avery, looked as fake as a three-dollar bill. Theatrical and insincere.
"No thanks, I'm not hungry," she replied, her tone ice-cold.
She didn't even spare him a glance, her attention deliberately fixed on her work.
Jason felt his stomach twist. In Avery's eyes, he might as well be a piece of garbage she couldn't bear to touch. Something unworthy of her precious attention.
He forced down the rage bubbling inside him, his jaw clenching with the effort.
"Then how about after work?" he persisted, seamlessly pivoting to a new approach. "We could catch that new romantic movie that just came out? I've heard girls really love those kinds of—"
"If you don't have actual work to do," Avery interrupted, her expression darkening as she finally looked up with eyes sharp enough to cut glass, "then get lost instead of interrupting mine."
"Sorry about that," Jason said with an awkward laugh that didn't reach his eyes.
Inside, his thoughts were venomous. Just wait. Once he got what he wanted, everyone would see what a stuck-up bitch Avery really was. Let's see how long she could maintain that ice queen act then!
"I'll let you get back to work. Sorry to bother you," he said, carefully masking the darkness swirling behind his eyes.
He knew better than to push too hard too fast. These things required patience. Reluctantly, he turned and walked away, every step stiff with suppressed anger.
Susan rolled her eyes dramatically once he was out of earshot. "Seriously, where does he get the confidence to think he has a shot with you?"
Avery didn't even dignify Jason with a response.
"Wasting time on guys like that is basically self-destruction," she muttered, diving back into her project with laser focus. "The design proposal deadline is coming up. Work comes first."
This was her first major assignment since joining the company. She needed to absolutely nail it and prove she deserved her position.
Avery's fingers danced across the paper, her pencil transforming what had been just a basic outline into an intricate design filled with complex, mesmerizing patterns.
"Avery, this is incredible!" Susan gasped, leaning over to peek at the work. Her eyes widened with genuine admiration at the stunning contours taking shape on the page—clearly the work of exceptional talent.
"I'd bet my next paycheck the CEO will approve this design!"
The corner of Avery's mouth quirked up. "Let's hope so."
Jason, who hadn't ventured far enough to miss their conversation, caught every word. His expression darkened like storm clouds gathering.
So Avery had exceptional design skills? A wicked thought took root in his mind. As project leader, her design would naturally be submitted through him. Who's to say it couldn't be claimed as his work?
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That afternoon, when Matteo arrived at the office, Avery was hunched over her computer, meticulously refining her design. The afternoon light caught in her hair as she worked, her focused expression somehow making her even more captivating than usual.
Matteo found himself staring, unable to look away.
At that exact moment, Avery stretched her tired shoulders and glanced up. Their eyes met across the bustling office space.
For a heart-stopping second, Avery felt like Matteo's gaze was as deep and mysterious as a still lake at midnight—pulling her in, impossible to read.
But just as quickly, Matteo looked away, making her wonder if she'd imagined the whole exchange.
"I must be exhausted," Avery thought, taking a deep breath that did nothing to slow her suddenly racing pulse. The idea that Matteo Ferrari would actually notice her? Ridiculous.
Back in his office, Matteo instructed his assistant, "Ricci, get coffee and pastries for everyone."
He paused, then added with practiced indifference that didn't quite mask his intentionality, "Go to Sweetie's Bakehouse on 3rd Street."
If he remembered correctly—and he always did—Avery had mentioned wanting their blueberry cheesecake that night they first met, when she'd been drowsy and unguarded.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward. Consider it a reward for how impressively she'd handled that unhinged client.
"Right away, sir," Ricci nodded, though privately wondering why Matteo suddenly cared about office refreshments—especially from a bakery notorious for its outrageous prices. The treats for the entire office would probably cost upwards of thirty thousand dollars. Matteo certainly had money to burn.
Soon, Ricci returned with elegant boxes of coffee and exquisitely packaged pastries.
"Everyone," he announced as delicious aromas filled the office, "Mr. Ferrari has arranged refreshments for the team."
Each employee received a perfectly prepared coffee and an elegantly plated dessert.
"Since when is Mr. Ferrari feeling generous?" Susan whispered, examining her pastry with wide eyes. "This is from Sweetie's Bakehouse—one slice costs more than three days of my salary!"
"What's gotten into him?" she wondered aloud, her eyebrows raised in suspicion.
Avery was equally surprised that Matteo had chosen that particular bakery—nobody knew she was actually a silent investor there.
"Probably just closed a big deal," she shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant.
Then she opened her box and froze. Blueberry cheesecake—her absolute favorite.
She took a tentative sip of the coffee: caramel macchiato, also her preference.
Could Matteo possibly know her tastes? Impossible.
The coffee might be explained—she'd ordered a caramel macchiato during their dinner. But the specific dessert? That was too coincidental.
"Sweetie's Bakehouse, of all places," she murmured, a strange warmth spreading through her chest.
Avery quickly shook her head, telling herself not to read into it. Every conversation with Matteo seemed to end with him infuriating her. There was absolutely no way he'd go out of his way to learn her preferences.
Meanwhile in the reception area, Chloe strutted over to Avery's desk, her stilettos clicking aggressively against the marble floor after learning Matteo had returned.
"I heard Mr. Ferrari is back," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "I can interview him now, right?"
"I'm afraid not. I haven't received any interview approvals," Avery replied coolly, not bothering to look up from her monitor. "Of course, if you insist on barging in, don't expect me to rescue you when security drags you out."
Avery remembered her first day all too well, when she'd witnessed Matteo—that terrifying man—slicing open a woman's face without hesitation. The bloody scene had apparently been just another Tuesday for the rest of the office staff.
Chloe completely ignored the warning, tossing her hair back. "Just watch. Mr. Ferrari won't refuse me."
She smirked confidently toward Matteo's office, then sashayed to his door with the strut of someone who believed herself irresistible.
Finding the door partially open, she knocked lightly before walking straight in without waiting for permission.
"Mr. Ferrari, hello." Her face brightened with a practiced smile that had worked on countless men before. "I'm Chloe Vaughn from CQ Broadcasting Company. We've met before."
From where she stood, Chloe could admire Matteo's office with its coldly elegant European decor. The afternoon sunlight caught his silver hair, making it gleam like polished platinum. His impossibly handsome profile seemed chiseled from marble, radiating an alluring power that made her heart race uncomfortably fast.
"I was wondering if you might have some time for me?" she asked, deliberately softening her voice to sound delicate and feminine.
When Matteo slowly looked up, his expression was arctic and condescending—like he was watching a particularly pathetic clown perform at a third-rate circus.
Chloe shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, the confidence rapidly draining from her body.
"My time," he said, his voice dripping with mockery, "is extremely valuable. Each minute generates millions in revenue for my company."
His lips curved into a smile that never reached his eyes.
"What makes you think—even as a reporter from a supposedly reputable broadcasting company—that you're worth even a second of it?"