C5 Chapter

He smiles and hugs me back. How I have missed him!

“How are you? How long has it been since I saw you? I missed you so much; even mama misses you too.” I say releasing him from our hug.

“I am fine, and I don’t know how long it has been since I last saw you, but I missed you too,” William says.

I am about to talk when I hear someone clearing their throat behind me. I look up and see Lorenzo looking at me as if I did a despicable thing by saying ‘hi’ to William. His hand goes around my waist like we are a couple; and he smiles at William, but it’s not a genuine smile.

“It seems you and my personal assistant have met before, which I don’t like very much,” he says, not even caring that William is standing right in front of us. I remove his hands from around my waist.

“William and I are friends, we went to the same university. I don’t understand what you mean by you don’t like him. It’s not like me being friends with him is any of your business. Is it?” I say while raising my eyebrows, not caring that we are in public discussing such a topic or that the person we are talking about is standing right in front of us.

“Your friend here is not one of my favourite people. You can’t be friends with him, because you can only be friends with whom I say you can be friends with,” he says with venom in his words.

Who the hell does this guy think he is, saying I can only be friends with people who he wants me to be friends with? If he thinks he can choose my friends, then he has another thing coming. What an asshole!

“Wow, I never knew you had so much power over my life that you can tell me who I keep as friends. You did not care to inform me about that when I became your ‘assistant’.” I say back to him while crossing my arms over each other. I wait to hear what nonsense he will say next, because what he just said pissed me off.

He can ruin my life at work, but he has no say about who I keep as friends. Because I allowed him to do too much to me in high school does not mean I am going to let him do it to me again. Enough is enough! Not that I said that out loud.

“It seems you two have a lot to talk about. I will call you Kat, just give me your number,” William says giving me his phone.

I take his phone from his hands and put my number in, even though Enzo watches with murderous eyes. Before I can say a proper goodbye to William, I am dragged away like a piece of sack and thrown in a car. He gets in with me and tells the driver to take us to our hotel.

“We have a lot to talk about young lady. I am so pissed off right now. Just pray I feel better when we get to the hotel, because if I don’t… what I plan on doing to you won’t be good, Bella.”

The drive back to the hotel was the most awkward ride I have ever had in my life. Now and then I feel him staring at me, but every time I turn to look I see him looking out the window.

The car comes to a halt, meaning we are at the hotel. I wonder if he is still pissed off. Before I can pick up my handbag and step out, I feel a pair of hands drag me out from the car. We take the elevator to whatever floor we were going to. I did not care to check which number he pressed. We step out of the elevator and in a flash I find myself dragged into a room in the hotel, which must be where we are staying.

“What you did today should not ever repeat itself, because if it does you won’t want to see the bad side of me,” he says breathing hard like he is stopping himself from doing something he will regret.

“I don’t understand why you are so angry! It is not like we have any relationship other than work. I am your PA, not your girlfriend. If I want William as a friend, you don’t have a say in it! Since when does our professional relationship involve my personal life. You don’t have a say in my personal life and the faster you get that in your head the better for you.” I say with confidence.

I feel like I have won this battle. For the first time since I have known Enzo, I’m standing up for myself. But the next thing he does makes all my confidence go down the drain.

The next thing I know, I am thrown against the wall with Enzo’s hands pinning me to the wall. I can scent his strong cologne all around me and what a beautiful scent he has. I can’t believe myself! I am pinned to the wall with an angry Enzo looking at me like he is about to make dinner out of me. And all I can think of is his beautiful scent and my body’s response to his proximity.

“I want you to listen to me loud and clear. Since the day you started to work for me your life became mine to do with as I wish. If I say you can’t talk to William, I mean YOU CAN’T TALK TO HIM. Have I made myself clear?” He yells, while at the same time looking deep into my eyes like he is searching for something. What I see in his eyes is someone who is keeping something to himself. Whatever it is, it’s eating him up bit by bit. I even forget he was talking to me till I hear him breathing hard and close to my face.

“Yes, you have made yourself clear, but can I ask why?” I say not knowing what else to say. Because it is clear that if I said no, his reaction could be worse.

“Since you must know why, your so-called best friend is a very dangerous man. You don’t know the type of person and business he is into. Trust me when I say you don’t want to know.” he says with ease, as he gives me a little space.

I want to ask him what type of business he is into, but I decide not to as I’m afraid of his reaction. Also, I don’t know what to say to what he just told me.

But then something else he said made me realise he is right. The day I started working for him was the last day I had my freedom. Before I know it, I feel tears falling down my face. I remove his hands to leave so he won’t see me crying. I find the bathroom. I get inside and cry out my pain because there is nothing I can do other than cry. I weep for what feels like forever, but then I get up and tell myself he is not worth my tears. I walk over to the sink and wash my face with water. I look at myself in the mirror and realize I look like shit. I clean myself up so he won’t know I have been crying. I walk out of the room to see him doing something on his laptop like nothing happened, and he didn’t just tell me he owns me. What an asshole.

“Please, I would like to go to my room and rest, can I have my room key,” I say, leaving no room for further conversation.

“You are staying here just in the other room. The room on the right is yours. Don’t sleep for too long, we will be attending a party tonight.” Enzo says, but I don’t say anything. I walk into the room to the right so I can get away from seeing his annoying, but gorgeous face.

I walk inside and find all my things already moved into the closet. I guess the driver brought our stuff while we were at the office. I walk up to the bed to sleep before I have to go out with that devil.

After a couple of hours of my beauty sleep, I hear someone waking me up. I open my eyes to see a set of beautiful hazel green eyes, and I am wondering who those beautiful eyes could belong too. I focus my eyes to see it’s the devil and my smile turns into a big frown. I sit up straight to answer him because whatever the time is, I don’t want another lecture from him. By the looks from outside it seems it’s late because it’s already dark.

“You have to get ready in the next thirty minutes. We are leaving soon, and I hate lateness,” Enzo says before walking out of the room.

I walk to the bathroom to get ready. I shower for fifteen minutes and do my makeup. Nothing too serious or heavy as I am not a fan of makeup, but the way my eyes look from all that crying I need some makeup. I put on a silver dress with a deep v-neckline, which is not too formal, but perfect for a dinner.

When the thirty minutes are up, I am ready to go. I walk out to meet Enzo, so he won’t have a reason to tell me I am wasting his time. I walk out to see Enzo looking sexier than ever. He is wearing one of his Armani suits, with his Rolex wristwatch, which could blind me with how much gold there is on it. He looks as handsome as ever. How I wish he were a better person at heart, then maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much that I admire his beautiful face.

“Are you ready?” Enzo asks.

“Yes, I am,” I say while we walk out of the room.

We walk to the lobby, and I finally get a good view of the hotel, it is marvellous. The most beautiful hotel I have ever seen; words can’t even describe it. We walk out of the hotel and wait for them to get the car so we can be on our way.

We arrive after almost 2 hours of driving. We step out of the car and I see a huge, beautiful house with different kinds of people going inside, looking fabulous in their beautiful dresses and well-tailored suits. I look at myself and feel like I am a little underdressed for the occasion. Enzo comes around from his side and steps in front of me.

“Let’s get in. I have already wasted enough time. We don’t want to keep my parents waiting. Do we?” Enzo says like we did not argue a few hours ago.

We walk inside, and I am gifted with a glorious view of a beautiful mansion. I try to keep up with his brisk pace as we walk through the hallway. We arrive at a massive door with gold doorknobs. He turns the doorknob and opens the door and I see a ballroom with different people already dancing to the sweet music playing in the background.

“Sit here and don’t move until I come back. Am I clear?” he says.

“Yes sir,” I say, thinking what an asshole he is, thinking he can control me. If it isn’t for the fact that I don’t know where I am I would have gotten up and left.

I have been sitting here waiting for him for what seems like hours—although I am pretty sure it’s only a few minutes—but I am bored. I have been getting funny and strange looks. Some look like they want to eat me up. Maybe what I am wearing is too exposing, although I have only a little cleavage showing.

I am playing a game on my phone when I feel someone’s presence. I look up to meet a good-looking man with green eyes similar to, but not as handsome, as Enzo. He looks like he is in his late fifties. Why must I even compare Enzo to whoever this handsome man in front of me is? I feel he is waiting for me to speak, so I give him the honour and speak up first. “Hi, can I help you?”

“Hello, I am Mr Fedrigo Costanzo,” The handsome man says.

When the surname sinks into my brain I quickly get up to shake his hands so as not to seem rude. Now I understand where Enzo gets his handsome looks from.

“Good evening, Sir, my name is Katherine Luciano. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine. May I ask why such a beautiful lady is sitting alone?” he says with a beautiful smile on his handsome face.

“Oh, I came with someone. He said I should wait for him, he went… Oh, here he comes.”

“Oh, so the lucky man tonight is my son.”

“Yes,” I say back with a little smile on my face.

I remain standing while we wait for Enzo to reach us before saying anything more. Because I don’t think he would like me talking to his father, but it seems his father does not care. I hear him ask me a question I wish he did not ask, because I do not know how to answer his question.

“What is your relationship with my son, if you don’t mind me asking?” Before I can answer a voice already beats me to it.

“She is my date for tonight, father. Don’t you have other people to meet? I can keep Kat company now.” he says, while I still try to understand why, when anyone asks him who I am, he says I am his date. After he spoke to his father, his father does not leave. He says something which has me thinking.

“Wow, son! This is the first time you ever brought a girl home. Wait till I tell your mom.” he says and walks into the crowd to return with a beautiful lady.

She looks to be in her early forties with a pretty smile on her face. Once she gets to me, she pulls me into a bone-crushing hug which leaves me stunned. I hug her back even though I don’t know who she is. But from the way Mr Costanzo is looking at her with love shining in his eyes, I am guessing she is his wife. She releases me from the hug and examines me from head to toe with a genuine smile on her face.

“Hello, I am Elizabeth but you can call me Liz. I am Lorenzo’s mother. I am so happy to meet you. He has never brought a girl home before.” She looks at Enzo, “Son, I can see your father was not lying when he said you brought a lady home. I am so happy. This means there is hope of you getting married one day, after all.” Elizabeth says.

“Hi, my name is Katherine, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I am honoured to be in your house.” I say to the lovely lady in front of me with a smile on my face.

But I am still confused by what she just said, ‘I am so happy to see you. He has never brought a girl home. I am so happy; this means there is hope of you ever getting married. ‘What in God’s name could that mean? Does she think because he said I am his date that we are in a relationship? No! That is the last thing that will ever happen between this living devil and me. He might seem like an attractive man with a handsome face but dating him is an entirely different thing.

“The pleasure is all mine. Come along, I think I need to give you the grand tour of my beautiful house since my son has neglected to give you one,” she says while she tugs my hand.

“Mama, that won’t be necessary because we are already on our way out.” he says before I am even able to open my mouth.

“That is sad,” she says turning to me, “because my dear I would like to know more about you. What about tomorrow if you are not busy? I could show you the beautiful places all around Sicily. So, what do you say?”

I speak up this time before him. I think two can play the game. If he stops me from seeing William then I am going to piss him off by accepting his mother’s offer. I know he will not want me to go, but by the way he looks at his mother I don’t think he would like to ever see her upset and I am going to use that to my advantage.

“Yes, I would love to,” I say with a big smile on my face. Enzo looks down at me with murder in his eyes, about to execute me as soon as we leave. To keep pissing him off, I add salt to the wound because payback is a bitch.

“What time should we meet tomorrow? I am free from 2:00p.m., and I am so sorry that we are already on our way. I would have loved to spend the evening with you.”

“Perfect. I will stop by the office to get you by 3:00p.m. and I know I would have loved it too, but it seems my son has other plans for tonight. See you tomorrow,” she says and hugs me with a peck on both cheeks.

I do the same before walking out with Lorenzo. Enzo is angry because of me.This makes me feel so good as there is nothing he can do about it.

We are back in our hotel room. He has not said anything since we left his parent's place. I am walking to my room when he turns me around with such force, I hit my head on the wall from the impact. Pinning me to the wall with his hands I am unable to move. From the look on his face he is imagining stabbing me to my death. I’m careful and don’t move as I don’t want to make him angrier than he is already.

“What were you trying to do tonight? Why in God’s name did you accept my mom’s offer? You and I know that we are not in a relationship. I only told my papa you were my date because he seemed to like you. I did not want him to look at you like you’re an outcast, or worse,think his son is someone that loves to take his personal assistant everywhere he goes. Since you accepted my mom’s offer, you have to act like my girlfriend with her. I love my mom too much to drop her hopes that I have finally found someone, not knowing you are just a hired puppet.” he says despairingly.

‘I did not ask you to take me so don’t you dare use that excuse with me.’ I think to myself, not out loud. I do not know what to say or do. Enzo just told me to my face he hired me to make me his puppet, someone he could always make fun of just like in high school. The next thing I know I feel my eyes getting watery, but I remember that I swore to myself that I would never cry in front of this devil. It will only give him more satisfaction so I push back the tears. I have to give him a piece of my mind, because I can’t always let him bully me.

“I did not ask you to take me to your parent's house. You took me there on your own. If you like, then keep lying to yourself that you only told your father I was your date because he seemed to like me. Or that you did not want him to look at me like I am an outcast or think his son is someone that loves to take his personal assistant everywhere he goes. Because you do take your personal assistant everywhere you go! The funny part is, even though I don’t know your father very well, I know he does not seem like the type to look down on someone. I am not surprised you said you hired me as your puppet. I was waiting for the day you were going to tell me the real reason you hired me. I am so happy you have now, it will be easier for me to do this.‘I QUIT!’I want to go back to New York first thing tomorrow morning. Please call your mom and explain that something came up and I won’t be able to make it tomorrow.” I say, feeling very proud of myself.

I am about to move from his grip when I feel his hands tighten on mine, which I am sure will leave a bruise. He tells me to my face how much control he does have over my life.

“You think you can quit when you feel like it? Sorry love, it’s not like that. If I remember correctly, you signed a contract which states you cannot leave this job unless I fire you and I’m not thinking of doing such any time soon. So, if you know what is good for you, go inside and sleep because you have a lot of work to do tomorrow. Don’t worry about my mom. I will tell her something came up. Now, leave my sight before I do something I will regret.” he says without saying anything about the other first things I mentioned. Like I never said it anything, except that I want to quit. I am not surprised he ignores the other things I said, because what can he say? But that means I will have to spend my life working for this bastard until he is tired of making my life miserable. He releases my hands and I quickly walk to my room to cry myself to sleep, because there is nothing else I can say or do right now.