Chapter 3

AILANI’S POV( PRESENT).

On the outside, it looks like a multibillion dollar company, clean slate, impeccable reputation. But it's all a farce. A beautiful image painted and wrapped in pretty lies.

Drugs, guns, ammunition, name it. They do it all. These bastards have no morals and I can bet my money that this project is just another means to fund their criminal lifestyle.

How convenient.

What's not convenient is that I have to come all the way to his penthouse to sign a damn contract.

I could have done it yesterday but he was supposedly busy with scheduled meetings, so the contract finalisation has to be done today.

The bus was as crowded as it could be on a Monday morning. A mixture of sweat, perfumes and body odour, not a pleasant one but it's quite common on this side of town. Just a bunch of hustlers trying to make a living and put food on the table.

We finally pulled up at my station and I got down. The building was even more massive than in the photos. My anxiety levels were rising just from looking at it.

Walking inside the building, I went up to the counter. Behind it stood tall beautiful ginger red locks, clad in a plain white shirt and navy blue skirt uniform. If her job didn’t work out she could make a living being a supermodel. It was the kind that made you forget what you were doing. 

She was busy on her phone so she hadn't recognised me yet. I knocked on the counter to gain her attention.

“What do you want?” she asked, without sparing me a glance.

Wow, bitchy. What crawled up her ass this morning?

“Excuse me?” I asked, bewildered by her attitude. She looked at me, scanning over my appearance.

“How can I help you ma'am.” Her voice layered with fake optimism.

“I don't have time for this.” I murmured.

“Yes, Ailani Hart, I have an appointment with Mr Romano this morning.” I said, then handed her my business card.

”Mr Romano you said?” Her face immediately turned into a scowl, the words coming out forced. “Why would someone like you have an appointment with him?” She looked me up and down again, disapproval splaying across her eyes this time.

“Someone like me?” I crossed my arms over my chest. Irritation taking over me at her backhanded comments. “And what's that supposed to mean?”

“Mr Romano doesn't have meetings with nobodies.” She said proudly. A sly smirk taking over her face.

“Like you?” I retorted.

The smugness was wiped from her face, giving me temporary victory. 

“Any problem ladies.” A blonde haired man in a polished suit approached us.

This man, even from where he was standing I could tell that he was not to be trifled with. The intensity of his eyes cutting the distance between us. Even the lady behind me seemed to straighten in his presence.

“No sir , none at all.” The attendant shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

“Who are you?” He directed his attention to me.

“Ailani Hart, I have an appointment with Mr Romano this morning, but Miss…” I spied her name from her tag. “Seraphine here doesn't believe me.” I accused her.

Was it childish? Yes. Does it stop me from doing it anyway? Hell no.

His eyes widened the slightest. “The architect?”

“Yeah, that's me.” I stuttered, surprised that he knew about me.

“Elijah Romano, nice to meet you.” He held out his hand and I took it expecting a handshake but instead he brought his lips down to my hand. A cold shiver ran down my spine.

“Romano… that means.” I squinted my eyes skeptical.

“I'm his step brother.” He assured me.

Seraphine cleared her throat very obviously between us.

“Passive aggressive much, If you hate your job, just say so.” I teased.

“I don’t hate my job honey, I just don’t like you.” She bit back.

“I would have told you the feeling is mutual but that would mean I consider you a human being.” My words dripped with sickly sweet poison.

Her cheeks reddened, even the corners of Elijah's mouth lifted at her reaction, while triumph swelled inside of my chest.

“How dare y-”

“Ok that's enough.” He dismissed her.

“Miss Hart, this way please, I'll take you to his office.” He gestured towards an elevator.

Finally, “Thank you.”

“You know, you really need to consider getting a receptionist with good manners or you guys will lose business.” I advised him as we walked towards the elevator, trying to lighten the tension.

She’s the daughter of a wealthy businessman, we can't fire her even if we wanted to.” He said firmly.

“Well that explains the attitude.” He glanced at me, his lips tugging in the slightest.

“You can go up, he’s expecting you.” He assured, pressing the button.

I stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind me and the mechanical sound of moving up the floors started. I glanced at the time on my watch.

Crap, I'm already seven minutes late. Let’s hope Mr Romano is not an asshole.

The elevator came to a stop on the top floor. The doors opened revealing foreign territory, black marble floors with golden intricate linings swirling from left to right. Glass walls that showed the entire expanse of Denburg. An exquisite scent that lingered in the air.

Everything about this room screamed wealth.

“You're late.” A deep voice came from the corner of the office.

I let out a yelp startled as I located where the voice was coming from.

At the corner of those glass walls stood Enzo Romano …

 Shirtless!!!.