Chapter 5

In the end, only eight of the marketing firms were available to meet today. Not bad, considering the last-minute scheduling and Mr. Jerk-Face’s unrealistic expectations.

I sighed as I drove back from Caffè Fiore, his coffee in the cup holder next to me, the scent sharp and bitter.

Of course, I wasn’t going to suffer alone.

I sipped my strawberry matcha boba tea with a satisfied hum, then laughed quietly at first, then full-blown maniacal. I’d bought my drink and a little treat. With his card.

A box of glazed donuts and a chocolate cream croissant sat beside me on the seat.

One for me. One for him.

Was I bribing my boss into being tolerable? Maybe. Was I also slowly draining his account one overpriced boba at a time? Absolutely.

I smirked as I turned into the parking garage.

“Hi Cheryl Good morning.You look amazing today “ I said skipping into the hall 

“Awwn thanks darling you look dashing too “she replied 

I gave her a little twirl in my black flared gown, which I’d paired with chunky socks and sneakers. Cheryl clapped like I was on a runway, and I giggled my way to the elevator.

Thankfully this time the elevator was working so I didn’t have to climb the stairs 

As I stepped into the office my mood officially turned sour 

Veronica was perched at her desk, giving me that same look of disgust. Today, she was wearing a sleeveless corset top and pants so tight I wondered how her internal organs were surviving.

Those boobs had to be fighting for dear life 

“You know, Veronica,” I said, pausing just in front of her desk with an exaggerated pout, “if you keep looking at me like that, I might actually start to think you don’t like me.”

She gave me a flat stare. “Good. Then I’m being clear.”

I gasped softly, hand to my chest. “Wow.Such a ray sunshine m”

Veronica rolled her eyes and went back to her screen.

“But really,” I added, lowering my voice slightly, “if this whole passive-aggressive thing is your way of intimidating me, you might want to try harder. I’ve dealt with worse… like bad hair days. And toddlers.”

She looked like she wanted to say something, but I was already walking away opening the door

“Have a blessed morning, Veronica,” I called over my shoulder. “Try smiling it might help make you look less annoying.”

Mr Salvatore was not yet around so I placed the coffe and croissant on his desk 

He didn’t have anything scheduled until ten, so I figured he’d probably stroll in late.

Right on cue, the door opened.

And there he was.

Blue jeans ,white shirt showcasing his creamy chest smooth and defined.A simple gold chain hanged on his chest .He looked so casual today and good

A thrill ran through me, sharp and uninvited.

I wanted to feel those muscles.

God. I actually wanted to touch him. Just once. Maybe twice. Maybe with both hands.

What the hell am I thinking!?. This is Mr jerk face we’re talking about 

“Good morning,” he said, walking past me.

I breathed in, taking a subtle whiff of his cologne.

God, he smelled so good. Expensive.

Like citrus, chocolate, and… something I couldn’t quite place too rich and intoxicating.

“Good morning, sir,” I managed, clearing my throat.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Salvatore didn’t seem to notice, though. He walked over to his desk, tossing his bag down and picking up his coffe .

I stood there, fighting the urge to grab my chest my heart was racing.

“Did you get the croissant also?” he asked, finally looking up at me.

He froze, his gaze locking onto me, a brief flicker passing through his eyes before his attention dropped to my lips.

My stomach twisted. 

“Yes, I did,” I said, clearing my throat. “Figured you wouldn’t have eaten, so I bought them for you… Is something wrong with that?”

I fiddled with my fingers, trying my hardest not to pick my nails .His gaze didn’t leave my lips.

He squinted at me. “Why are you wearing red lipstick?”

I blinked. What?

“It’s just lipstick,” I said, confused. “Do you have a problem with it?”

I tried keeping my tone casual 

He stared at me, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “I don’t like the color red. Change it.”

My breath caught in my throat. Was he serious?

I blinked, trying to process what he’d just said. Did he really just tell me to change my lipstick?

“Excuse me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you being serious?”

He didn’t even flinch. “Yes. I don’t like it. It’s distracting.”

I stared at him for a moment. This guy is unbelievable.

“Yes sir” I said giving him a sarcastic smile

Taking a deep breath, I shifted gears. “About the advertising agencies I was able to confirm meetings with eight companies. I’ve scheduled them for today.”

He looked up, eyebrows lifting in mild surprise.

“Well. I’m impressed, Eva. Considering the timeline, I assumed you’d either miss the deadline or snap under pressure.”

My head swelled with pride,I’ve always loved a good challenge and this time I won 

Score one for me.

“Well, I need you to take these files down to the Strategy Department and give them to their head, Liam.”

Julian handed me a neat stack of documents, then dismissed me with a nod.

With a small huff, I left the office and made my way to the strategy floor.

As I pushed open the glass door, a surprising wave of warmth hit me. The office smelled like cinnamon and lavender, cozy and unexpected 

“Mr. Liam?” I called softly, peeking my head inside.

Someone was standing with his back to me, arranging books on a tall shelf. He looked completely out of place for a corporate executive. Baggy brown sweatshirt layered over a button-up. Loose tan pants. And piercings multiple piercings lined both ears.

“Cynthia, is that you? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. What do you say we—”

He turned, and I froze.

He was… striking and Asian ?.

Tall, lean, with pale skin that hinted at a lifelong avoidance of sunlight. His electric blue eyes surely colored contacts stood out beneath his sharp brows, and his black hair fell messily across his forehead in a way that looked both accidental and intentional.

Cute. 

“Well, God bless my eyes ,” he said with a grin. “And who might you be?”

Okay. Not how I envisioned it at all.

“Umm… are you Liam?”

He leaned against the edge of a desk, his smirk widening. “Depends on who’s asking. But yeah, I’m Liam. And you are?”

“I’m Eva,” I said, straightening. “Mr. Salvatore’s new personal assistant. He asked me to deliver these to you.”

I stepped forward and handed him the folder. He took it and dropped into the nearest chair, flipping it open.

“Julian got an assistant? That’s… surprising.”

Something about the way he said Julian casual, amused made me pause. 

“Are you close to Mr. Salvatore?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

Liam glanced up from the file, his lips twitching. “Oh, you mean Julian? Yeah, we’ve been friends for years.”

He chuckled, leaning back in his chair, and that mischievous glint returned to his icy blue eyes.

“So… how’s he treating you? He can be a bit of a prude, huh?”

My eyebrows lifted slightly. Was this a test?

Is this guy trying to set me up?

He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Why? He giving you a hard time already?”

I squinted at him, suspicious. “Are you trying to get me to badmouth him?”

“You’re probably thinking I’m gonna tell Julian what you say, right?” he asked, casually. “Relax. I already know how much of an asshole he is. Bro walks around like he’s got a stick permanently wedged up his ass. Still… he’s my best friend.”

I snorted before I could stop myself. “Well, you said it, not me.”

Liam grinned. “But you agreed, didn’t you?”

I opened my mouth, ready to answer but my phone rang, saving me from having to answer.

“Sorry, I have to take this,” I said, already stepping back toward the door. “It was nice meeting you, Liam.”

“Likewise,” he said, that sly smile still playing on his lips. “I hope we become good friends, Eva.”

I smiled faintly as I slipped out the door.