CHAPTER THREE

With the deal finalized and my flight set for later in the evening, I make my way to Aurora's office for a final lunch before I leave. Her office is situated in a sleek, modern building, its glass facade gleaming under the Sicilian sun. As I step inside, the cool air offers a welcome relief from the warmth outside, and the sound of my shoes tapping against the polished marble floors echoes in the airy lobby. The receptionist greets me with a warm smile. She kindly directs me to the 66th floor, where Aurora's office awaits.

The elevator zooms upward and dings open to reveal Aurora's office. I knock gently before letting myself in.

"Hey there," I greet her with a smile as I step into her office.

"Babe, you're here!" She exclaims, though her smile seems tired. Papers are strewn across her desk haphazardly.

"I thought you said you were ready," I remark, standing before her desk.

Aurora sighs, rubbing her temples. "I was, but then Stefano's secretary went into early labor. With the replacement not starting until tomorrow, I'm swamped."

"Shit," I murmur sympathetically. "I hope the baby’s, okay?"

"Baby's fine, but I'm losing my mind!" Aurora admits with an anxious laugh.

Aurora stops going through the papers in front of her and glances up at me, a sly grin spreading across her face. I know that look all too well - she's about to ask me for a favor.

I hold up my hand before she can even open her mouth. "No, no way, absolutely not!" I say firmly, though I can't help but smile.

"Oh, come on, please!" Aurora begs, her beautiful blue eyes pleading with me as she leans forward across her desk.

I cross my arms and shake my head. "Don't even try it. I know exactly what you're going to ask."

"Pretty please?" she says, pouting dramatically. "I'm totally desperate here!"

I have to laugh at her exaggerated expression. Still, I won't cave so easily.

"Nope, you can bat those eyelashes all you want, but it won't work this time," I tease.

Aurora collapses back in her chair with an exaggerated huff, still grinning. "Fine, be that way," she says in a silly mocking tone, though I can tell she's not really upset with me. Still, I know it's only a matter of time before I give in - I can never say no to my best friend for long.

"Alright, alright. What do you need me to help with?" I say reluctantly, running a hand through my hair.

Aurora's face lights up. "Really? You're the best!"

I roll my eyes playfully. "Don't get too excited. I haven't agreed yet."

"I know, I know. But with your office admin degree, you're perfect to help get through some of this paperwork nightmare," Aurora says, gesturing in exasperation at the haphazard piles covering her desk.

"Fine," I sigh, hoping I won't regret this sacrifice of my last day in Sicily. "What specifically needs doing?"

"Mostly just filing, emailing clients with updates, maybe helping draft a few letters. Boring stuff, but it's really adding up this afternoon his secretary gone." Aurora moves around her desk and grabs her phone. "Let me call my assistant to bring a laptop for you. And Andrea, thank you again, truly. I owe you big time!"

I laugh as she squeezes my shoulder affectionately before dialing her assistant. At least I can ensure we still get lunch at our favorite cafe later. Aurora may owe me, but helping my best friend is worth it.

After several hours of helping Aurora plow through her mountain of paperwork, I'm bleary-eyed but feel good about making a dent in it. She thanks me profusely as I hand back the stack of proofread documents.

"These are actually for Stefano - could you take them to his office for me?" she asks.

I'm surprised when Aurora asks me to deliver the documents to Stefano's office, but I agree to do it. Looking it as an opportunity to see him one last time before I leave Sicily.

I don't think my lunch date with Aurora is still going to happen now with how busy she is, so I text Santiago to change our flight to tomorrow morning instead, freeing up tonight so I can at least have dinner with her.

My stomach is in knots in the elevator riding up to Stefano's floor. Things didn't go well the last time I saw him, but I hope the same doesn’t happen today. I want to leave on good terms with him even though given he hates me makes that almost impossible, but a girl can dream.

Approaching his office, I pause to take a steadying breath before knocking sharply on the solid wood door. A deep, husky voice calls out, "Come in."

I turn the brass knob and push open the heavy door. Stefano sits at a massive mahogany desk, phone to his ear, an intense expression on his chiseled features. He holds up a finger, indicating for me to wait.

I linger awkwardly, admiring Stefano's sleek office décor and stylish suit that likely costs a fortune. Though he seems stressed, it doesn't detract from his attractiveness in my eyes.

Finally, off his call, he leans back and runs his gaze over me. "What brings you to my office, Andrea?" he asks coolly.

"I have some documents from Aurora for you," I explain, placing them on his desk.

He picks them up and flips through them briefly before his beautiful blue eyes flick up to meet mine. "Who proofread these?"

" I did," I reply, holding his gaze.

A hint of surprise crosses his handsome features before his expression turns impassive again. "Hmm, so you actually have some useful skills now. I’ll be damned."

I bristle slightly at his condescending remark. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Before he can reply, my phone suddenly rings. I glance down - it's Santiago calling me back, probably about changing our flights.

"I have to take this; it's important," I say briskly, turning toward the door. "Goodbye, Stefano."

"We're not finished here," he states firmly, an edge to his voice now.

I pause, looking back at him. His jaw is tensed, and his piercing blue eyes blaze with an emotion I can't quite place. Anger? Or something more complex?

"I really need to go," I reply evenly. "We can continue this riveting conversation another day."

With that, I exit his office swiftly, answering the call from Santiago as I go, leaving behind a lingering tension that hangs in the air like an unspoken promise of things to come.