Chapter 4

"Changing the subject a bit, Alessandro, is it true that Alexis is marrying Miss Anna Rosetti?"

Anna was my great love when I was young, just on Friday I found out that she had gotten engaged to my cousin, I admit that that day I felt a little sad, I decided to go have a couple of drinks and that's where I met that mysterious girl.

"That's right, they get married in 2 months."

"Wow, apparently Alex got away with it, I really hate your cousin, Ale, how could he do that to you?"

"I don't care about that, I already realized what kind of woman Anna is, they are right for each other."

"It's true, besides you are Alessandro Lombardi, you can have any girl you want."

"Lorenzo, I must confess to you that there is something that worries me."

"What happened?"

"When my grandfather found out about Alexis' engagement, he talked to me and he wants me to get married too."

"What is the problem? No one can force you to get married."

"That's what I thought, but my grandfather threatened to take control of Lombardi Enterprises from me and give control to Alexis, you know that we are the only heirs, but Alex is useless, all he does is spend the family's money and has never worked."

"You really think that Mr. Daniel Lombardi would dare so much?"

"You know my grandfather, he always keeps his word."

"Wow, you're in trouble."

"We are in trouble, Lorenzo, if Alex arrives as the new President he would immediately replace you."

"You're right, Alex hates me as much as I hate him."

"I need to find a solution."

"I think your existence is complicated, dear friend. Why don't you just go out with one of the many girls who chase you?"

"No one has caught my attention."

"You are very demanding, at least try, you cannot lose control of the company."

"I have to think things through, I'm leaving, friend, I have other matters to attend to."

"I thought you were going to stay longer, at least I thought you were going to present with all the staff of the company. They are all excited to meet you in person."

"It will be some other time."

I left the company. I still had to meet with some investors for the new Lombardi hotel chain in Spain.

After such a hard day I was in my room, the house was totally silent, the employees had already left. I lay on my bed but it was impossible for me to fall asleep, I couldn't stop thinking about my grandfather's words.

When I turned 16 my parents died in a car accident, unfortunately Alexis' parents and my younger sister were traveling with them.

After such an unfortunate event our grandfather Dante took us to live with him, my relationship with my cousin was never good, I always excelled in my studies, I finished my degree at the age of 20 and from there I became responsible for the company's business.

My grandfather could no longer continue working, having many health problems, he left everything in my care.

Alexis' couldn't stand that our grandfather trusted me so much, he always tried by any means to make my life miserable.

My cousin is usually very childish, I couldn't bear to see Lombardi's business in his hands. I've worked non-stop these 10 years for him to throw everything away.

To top it all off his commitment to Anna, since I didn't realize how false and interested she is and to think that she was my first love, just remembering it makes me feel like an idiot.

On the other hand, there was Claudia Rodriguez, my assistant did a great job giving me all her information.

After that night I haven't stopped thinking about her. Is she as sweet and innocent as she seems?

***

Pov. Claudia

It was a terrible night, I couldn't sleep at all, it affected me knowing that Javier and Pilar were getting married soon.

I still haven't had the courage to ask my parents if it's real or fake that Pilar and I are not sisters.

But I recognize that Pilar is a liar, it is most likely that she made up that story just to annoy me. I did the same routine of getting to the company early to avoid my sister but I can't stop thinking about them.

My friend was already at her desk and I went to say hello.

"Eva, good morning."

"Hello Claudia, good morning, what a joy to see you."

"I see you are somewhat distracted, Eva."

"I was thinking that it was a pity that yesterday we did not meet President Lombardi."

"It's true, apparently he only spoke alone with the Vice-president and left."

"I suppose he's a very busy man."

"Changing the subject, I have a lot of work, Eva, just today I have a meeting with the director Luciano, answer my calls and tell my clients that I will contact them later."

"Of course, Isabella, good luck with this new project."

"Thanks, Eva."

I quickly left the office and went to the cafe "La Dolce Vita" . I was just about to enter the place when I saw a very handsome man, it was a very strange feeling, I felt attracted to him.

When the gentleman turned to me, I was shocked, it was the man with whom I had an affair. We looked at each other for several minutes, I still couldn't believe that I would find him again.

"Good day, Miss."

I was speechless, I didn't know how to respond, I wanted to flee the place, I was dying of shame.

"Good morning," were the only words that came out of my mouth and I ran into the cafeteria.

In a few minutes, the director Luciano arrived, we discussed some matters and we agreed to meet again to sign his contract with us and start the recordings of the film.

The director D'angelo is a very nice person, there was definitely a good connection between us. I have a good feeling about this project, I'm sure it will be a great success.

When I left the place, that man was gone, I felt quite relieved, although if I find him again I have no idea what I'm going to do.

I came running to work, I still have a lot to do.

"Eva, I'm back, everything went wonderfully."

"I'm glad, Claudia, the Vice-president called you and told you to report to the Presidency offices, apparently you're going to meet Mr. Lombardi."

"I don't think so, Eva, sometimes Vice President Santoro uses the offices of the Presidency to make some important decisions. I suppose he wants to talk about the new movie 'For Love'."

"I had already gotten excited."

I went to the Presidency, knocked on the door and an unknown voice let me in.

"Get in."

Mr. Lorenzo was next to such an elegant man.

"President Alessandro Lombardi, I present to you our Creative Director, Claudia Rodriguez."

Immediately I recognized the gentleman to his right, my nerves betrayed me and it cost me a lot of work to speak.

—Ni… ni… nice to meet you, President Lombardi.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, this seemed like a bad joke of fate, I had spent the night with the richest man in all of Italy, Alessandro Lombardi.