Chapter-26 Threshold (Part 2)

Gianna

“I…I am so sorry about that.”

“Yeah,” he muttered nonchalantly. “I barely remember them anyway.”

“And why is someone like you still single?” I couldn’t stop myself from blurting that out because honestly, how the fuck was someone like him single anway? “Sorry…I overstepped…” I added as he raised a brow at me.

“Are you trying to confirm if I am gay?” he smirked, folding his arms across his chest. “Like your friend suspected?” My face heated up, and I reflexively bit my lip, averting my gaze. So he did hear that.

Damn you, Tess.

“I am not gay…Gianna,” Maximus breathed, leaning close enough that his minty breath fanned my face. “Had you not been married…I would have gladly proven that to you.” I blinked at him.

Was he saying what I think he was saying?

“What?” I croaked.

“I am single because I haven’t found anyone worth investing my time and emotions in…yet,” he said, moving back. “Most women I meet want me either for my money, my connections or simply just someone hot to fuck them so they can brag about it later.”

“That’s sad…” I muttered. “For them…I mean.”

“Eh,” he shrugged. “That’s the cost you pay for being, well…me.” I wanted to roll my eyes at him for being so full of himself, but then he grinned, and I realized he was kidding. But his words did make sense, even if he wasn’t.

“And not everyone is as lucky as Nicholas Baldocchi,” he added softly. “I’m sure he doesn’t get tired of telling you that every day.”

“First…I don’t make love. We fucked…that’s what we did.”

“Because I don’t love you…”

The sting hit harder than I expected, and it took every ounce of my energy to hold back the pain and magic a smile on my lips.

“Yeah…,” I nodded. “We should really head back now.” Maximus gave me a look, but thankfully didn’t question me further or make any conversation as we headed back to the poolside.

“I lost my way!” Teresa exclaimed as soon as we reached her. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she grinned in response. What in fuck was she up to?

“Sir…they are here,” Maximus’s housekeeper announced. “Shall I bring them here or arrange for them to wait in the meeting room?”

“Bring them here. We will have plenty of opportunities to use the meeting room later. It’s a gorgeous day today,” Maximus said.

“Of course,” she nodded and walked away.

A moment later, a group of people followed Maximus’s housekeeper into the room. Their footsteps echoed on the stone floor, and their sharp suits and serious looks showed they were here for business.

Maximus stood as they approached, offering a slight nod to acknowledge their arrival before turning to me and Teresa.

“Gianna, Ms. Rosario, this is my core team you will be working with,” he said, his voice steady and professional, the same way it always was when he was in business mode. “They lead different departments within Bellavanti, each one playing a key part in our collaboration. For now, please meet Clara D’Amato, head of marketing.”

He pointed to the sharply dressed woman, her sleek black hair pulled back. Clara offered a polite nod, her gaze assessing but not unkind. “It’s a pleasure. I’m excited to see where we can take this.”

“Likewise,” I smiled, shaking her hand.

Maximus continued with the introductions, and I tried to keep up with their names and roles. Matteo Romano was the financial advisor. Marco Visconti, the production manager and lastly, the stern-looking woman, Eve Sullivan, the legal advisor.

“This is the team, Gianna,” Maximus said. “You’ll be working closely with all of them at different stages, starting with Eve, since she will be handling the paperwork today.”

“We look forward to it,” Teresa and I said together. It was sinking in now—this was real. My dream was actually happening.

Before I could fully process it, Clara added casually, “But you’ll be working most extensively with Mr. Vanucci, since he’s Bellavanti’s creative director as well.”

I blinked. Right. Of course, he was. Which meant…

Maximus would be reviewing my designs, my process. Someone like him, with such high standards overseeing everything I did. I felt a knot in my stomach. What if he didn’t like my work? What if it wasn’t good enough? The pressure suddenly felt much heavier.

“Don’t worry, I’m not that hard to work with,” Maximus grinned at me.

The meeting dragged on for hours as the entire proposal was laid out. Teresa, as expected, dove straight into sharp negotiations and relentless questions. Maximus mostly listened, letting his team handle the details—but every so often, I could feel his gaze on me—watching.

When it finally wrapped up, Eve handed me a thick file of paperwork. I was supposed to review it with my lawyer before signing. The problem was—I didn’t have one. I’d have to ask Corrado Gravano, Leo’s lawyer, for help.

But first, I needed to tell Leo.

“I mean…that man is divine” Teresa chuckled. “Did you see him?”

“Yeah, Tess. I made quite a scene in front of him, if you remember,” I rolled my eyes.

“Well, he is clearly into you,” she said, giving me a side eye.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said. “He is a bit flirty, but that’s it.”

“Right. That’s why he was watching you the entire time like a hawk. Trust me, girl, my instincts about matters like these are rarely wrong. That Greek God is into you.”

“Well, I am married, and he knows that. This is just business and nothing more,” I said, staring at my phone just in case Nico had texted. Just in case.

Of course, he hasn’t.

“Right. You’re married,” she made a face. “To a man who hasn’t bothered to call you or get back home in what? Three days?”

“I really don’t want to talk about this right now, Tess,” I said, my tone a bit sharper than I intended.

“Sorry…I shouldn’t have said that,” Teresa said, squeezing my hand. “You know what we need to do? We need to fucking celebrate our asses off tonight! Come on, girl, we are so partying!”

“No…” I giggled, but I knew she won’t be having it. And fuck…I deserved to celebrate. I was stepping onto a new threshold of my life.

It was almost midnight when I got back home. I wasn’t drunk, just had two beers, but I was exhausted and a bit groggy from all the talking and then all the laughing and dancing at the club. I wanted to just crash and sleep like a log.

The house was dark as I expected, with the only light coming from the lamp above the kitchen island. Gingerly, I started to drag my ass upstairs when his deep voice stopped me on tracks as he muttered—

“Where have you been?”