Chapter Seven

Once I get comfortable I rest my head on his shoulders and I feel his warm embrace, the heat of his body rising to my cheek. “Thank you,” I mumble. 

He holds my hands gently, rubbing circles on my palm that slightly feels ticklish. I don't think he is as heartless as that man portrayed him to be. He was actually sweet but maybe it was just to me. But who knows. 

I close my eyes and soak in the quietness. “Sorry for not responding to you earlier but yes, I did come from an orphanage.” 

“Do you know who your parents are?” He asks me with his voice low.

I adjust my head away from his shoulders and lie down on his bed. “I don't know.” I answer honestly. 

“Was the orphanage in Italy?”

I look at him with a confused look. “Why does everyone think I am Italian?” I smile even though he can clearly see the confusion growing in me. 

“Because your last name is Rossi, and your first name is Arabella.” He explains in a duh tone even though I can sense an hint of amusement spreading across his features. He is lying down right next to me. 

“Well, I am not. All I know is that I am half black and half white.” I say turning myself over to rest my head on top of his shoulders as I grab a hold on his arm. “Thank you,” I whisper for the second time, closing my eyes gently. 

The silence between us made it really awkward and I actually decide to bring up Claire's case. “Are you going to get Claire fired? I ask, trying to start up a new conversation.

“Yes.” He replies without any emotion. 

“If you do you would be ruining her reputation.” i said trying to make him reason with me before I continue, “And she will never be able to get another job again. Look at it from her point of view.” I beg. 

“She was unprofessional about her job, Arabella.” I sigh in defeat. “And she wasn't planning on stopping.” He adds. 

“What about me?” I look into his eyes for a brief second before I look away. “Am I not unprofessional sleeping in your bed next to you?” I question. 

“There's a different between Claire and you.” He states in a serious tone. “I actually want you, Arabella. I like the fact that you were able to easily turn me down. It shows you have self-control.”

I blush, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks at the thought of him actually wanting me. I had never heard anyone say that to me before. I have never truly been in love. His gaze lowers and meets mine, Mr Varallo is staring intensely at me with his dark eyes full of desire. I can believe he's starting to put these thoughts in my head... the thought of actually wanting him. I quickly look away, putting them out of my mind as I casually drift my eyes to the random things in his room. Anything. His designer collection of shoes at the far end of the room. The large clothing section that literally looks like a mini store. I even start to stare at the ceilings just to avoid meeting his gaze, or to start thinking about my boss in a romantic way. 

“Just change the therapist, don't cause her to lose her job. I am not going to book you an appointment.” I reply thoughtfully. 

“Arabella, in all honesty, this isn't really your choice to make. It is mine.” He states with all seriousness in his voice. “She is not your therapist. So why do you care so much.”

What if the same thing happened to me? I questioned at the back of my mind. 

“I don't.” I scoff. “I just feel bad.” I say, shrugging awkwardly. 

He groans, running a hand through his hair. “I have a big meeting tomorrow, Tesoro. I need to sleep.” (Italian Translation: Sweetheart)

I sit up from his bed and give him a kind smile. “Thank you for having that little talk with me, Mr Varallo.”

He gave me one back as I stood up and headed to my door. “Goodnight.” He said, watching me leave. 

“Goodnight.”

***

I walk into his office and check the time. He should not be back in his office for two hours or more, I still have some time left. I close the door behind me gently trying not to make a noise as I quickly head over to his table. I look for the same brown envelope I saw when I was here the last time. 

I open one of the drawers swiftly. My fingers gliding through the smooth edges of several files that looks like the one I had seen the last time. I finally find it underneath the other documents. I opened it up and  carefully pulled out the sheet of paper inside it. My eyes lots up as I reads through the lines on it. 

'Name: Arabella Rossi

Date of Birth: March 14th

Mother's Name: Unknown

Father's Name: Unknown

Place of Birth: Italy'

I was born in Italy? Is that why everyone assumes I'm Italian? 

I move on to the next one as fast as I could. 

'Arabella Rossi grew up in Angel heart Orphan home in Florida.'

They even managed to find out the Orphanage I grew up in? But I just told him yesterday. 

'Arabella was seen most of the time with a girl name Amelia Jones; An Australian-'

“What do you think you're doing?” A voice says causing me to look up.