9

Alana's POV

The Wednesday rolls around faster than I wanted. Last night I got shitfaced with Aurora - bad idea. The nights outs with her always have the worst hangovers ever but we always have the best times so I'm not mad. I needed to let loose again especially after Rae embarrassed himself like that. This hangover was a punishment, I'd only finished 3 tasks and I'd been at work since 7am it's now 12pm. They weren't even big tasks, he asked me to do a few emails, add some dates to his calendar and oversee some financial things but I'd been moving like a sloth because of yesterday. I scan the corridors to see if anyone important is walking past and after I see that they're not, I close my eyes. A little nap never hurt anyone. As I start to doze off, I hear someone clearing their throat. Shit. I immediately lift my head from my desk and of course, who else but Nicholas.

"Sleeping on the job?"

He asks.

"No, I was just..."

Just what Alana!?

"Hungover? Get up, we're going."

"Where?"

"I said you were leaving early today."

"Oh right."

I completely forgot. I sign out of my computer, grab my bag and leave the building with him. When we get outside, he opens his car door. I spot that it's different from the other night.

"A bugatti?"

"I like to change cars sometimes."

After a few minutes of driving, he pulls over to a small cafe. When he gets out, he opens my car door for me.

"Since you'll be working with me for a while, I thought you should get to know me a bit."

He explains as we step inside, I follow him to a table where we sit.

"I'll get you a donut, it helps with hangovers."

"Aren't you mad?"

"No, it's ok."

"Are you Spanish?"

"Yes, I'm Italian and Spanish. I was raised in Spain most of my life though."

"Oh okay. I was born and raised here."

"Siblings?"

"One but he's older than me so we're not that close. He's been on a business trip for a month now."

"What does he do for work?"

"No idea. He refuses to tell me."

"That's...sketchy."

"Well it's not like he's in the mafia so I'm fine with it. He's not that type of person."

"What type of person would that be?"

"Considering how we grew up, I can't ever see him being apart of it but that's a trauma for another day."

I suck in a harsh breath.

"Understandable."

"Oh, and by the way,"

I meet his eyes, today, maybe it's just cause of my hangover but...he's softer today. His vibe has shifted a bit, but why would it switch so suddenly?

"Thank you for the complimentary presents."

"They weren't complimentary, a pretty girl, deserves pretty things."

I straighten my back, was that a compliment? I felt my heart rate start to beat rapidly against my chest for no good reason. He's 30, and your boss.

"You know that's a compliment, right?"

"I'm sorry."

"N-no you don't have to apologise. I'm single so..."

"What's the story with that ex?"

"Dated for around a year, until he cheated. I broke up with him a few months ago. I've healed, it's happened before and I survived."

"Did you heal though?"

My eyes narrowed.

"You know, you're the first person who's asked me that."

A small smile appears on my lips.

"I think I did, I will be though. One day."

I look down.

Nicholas' POV

"Well, if you ever need assistance with him, you can call me."

I have a list of ways to make that dick 'disappear'.

"I'd never expect this from you. Enzo maybe but not you."

"You mean me listening to you?"

She nods. I wasn't thinking about it but, last night I realised that it's better to start getting closer to her now more than later. 8 years. The quicker I get her to open up about her brother, the easier it'll be to get rid of her.

"Yes. But I think I was judgmental."

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