The Trip I Didn’t Ask For

Chapter 4

I had been working at Montefalco Holdings for exactly three days when my peaceful plan to stay invisible completely fell apart.

My goal had been simple.

Do my work.

Avoid Sebastian Montefalco.

Go home.

Repeat.

Unfortunately, the universe seemed determined to ruin that plan.

I was halfway through reviewing a marketing report when Carla suddenly appeared beside my desk.

“Avah,” she said, slightly breathless. “Mr. Montefalco wants to see you.”

Of course he does.

I slowly looked up from my computer.

“Now?”

Carla nodded.

“Right now.”

Wonderful.

The last time Sebastian Montefalco and I had been alone in a room together, he had basically accused me of ruining his brother’s life.

I doubted today would be much friendlier.

Still, I stood up and walked toward the CEO’s office.

The glass doors looked even more intimidating than before.

I knocked lightly.

“Come in.”

His voice was calm, deep, and annoyingly composed.

I stepped inside.

Sebastian sat behind his large desk, reviewing something on his tablet. The office itself was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.

He didn’t look up immediately.

For a moment, I wondered if he was deliberately making me wait.

Finally, his eyes lifted.

“Sit.”

No greeting.

No small talk.

Just a command.

I sat in the chair across from him.

“You’ve been here three days,” he said.

“Yes.”

“How are you finding the company so far?”

The question caught me off guard.

“It’s… impressive.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I frowned slightly.

“What exactly are you asking?”

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“Are you capable of handling pressure?”

I blinked.

“I believe so.”

“Good.”

He set his tablet down.

“Because you’re leaving tomorrow.”

My brain took a moment to process his words.

“Leaving?”

“For a business trip.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“I’m sorry… what?”

“You’ll be joining me for a meeting with potential investors in Singapore.”

Singapore.

Tomorrow.

My mind spun.

“I’ve only been here three days,” I said.

“Yes.”

“And you’re sending me on an international business trip?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

His expression didn’t change.

“Because I want to see how you perform under pressure.”

That sounded suspicious.

“And the rest of the marketing team?” I asked.

“They’re busy.”

Something about his tone told me that wasn’t the real reason.

“Mr. Montefalco,” I said carefully, “wouldn’t it make more sense to send someone with more experience in the company?”

His eyes locked onto mine.

“Are you refusing?”

“No.”

“Good.”

He leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Then we leave at seven tomorrow morning.”

A heavy silence filled the office.

“You’re coming too?” I asked slowly.

His eyebrow lifted.

“Of course.”

Right.

Because sending me alone to another country would apparently be too kind.

“Three days, Miss Alfonso,” he said calmly. “And you’re already nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

His faint smile suggested he didn’t believe me.

“You should be.”

I crossed my arms slightly.

“I can handle a meeting.”

“That’s not what concerns me.”

“Then what does?”

His gaze darkened slightly.

“You.”

The word hung in the air.

“What about me?” I asked.

“You have a tendency to create… complications.”

I let out a quiet breath.

“You’re still convinced I ruined your brother’s life.”

“I’m convinced something happened,” he said coldly.

“And you think I know what that is.”

Sebastian didn’t answer.

Which was answer enough.

I stood up.

“Fine,” I said.

“I’ll go to Singapore.”

He watched me carefully.

“Good.”

“But let’s make one thing clear,” I added.

His expression remained unreadable.

“What’s that?”

“I didn’t make your brother disappear.”

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes.

Doubt.

Curiosity.

Then it vanished.

“We’ll see,” he said again.

I turned and walked toward the door.

Just as my hand reached the handle, his voice stopped me.

“Avah.”

It was the first time he had used my first name.

I slowly turned.

“Yes?”

His gaze was quieter now.

Less accusing.

Almost thoughtful.

“You may want to pack carefully.”

“Why?”

“Because this trip might be longer than you expect.”

That definitely didn’t sound comforting.

“What does that mean?”

But Sebastian had already returned his attention to his tablet.

The conversation was clearly over.

I left the office with a strange feeling in my chest.

A business trip with Sebastian Montefalco.

Alone.

In another country.

What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, something inside me whispered the answer.

Everything.