THE SHOPPING

Isabella

I walked out of his office, breathing a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding in. On my way out, I bumped into someone and was apologizing, only for me to see who it was.

"Luca," I said with smiles. We both hugged each other; it has been ages since we last saw each other. Then, he asked, "How was the interview?" I told him I got the job. He said, "Congrats."

Then, Fiamma walked in on us and approached us, looking beautiful as ever in a body-hugging, fitted gown. She asked, "How was it?" I told her I got the job. She smiled and said, "We must go shopping!" Luca tried to walk out, giving us space, but Fiamma called him.

"Luca, how are you? I heard from your cousin that you are not feeling too good." Luca's smile vanished. "I'm fine," he said, and walked out.

I looked at Fiamma. "Don't tell me you are still in love with him after all these years." She sighed, "I'm deeply in love with him, but he is too cold hearted to see it." We both walked out of the company, entered her luxury car, and drove to a shopping mall.

She bought lots of clothes for me and her, after countless tryings of different clothes.

She drove me to my grandma's house. I told her, "Thanks so much for the shopping and making me get a job." She smiled and said, "It's nothing."

She couldn't come in; she said she had somewhere urgent she needed to be. I kissed her cheeks, told her goodnight, and stepped out of the car, watching her drive away.

I got inside, took the clothes to my room, freshened up, and got downstairs, greeting my grandma. I had my dinner, watched a short drama with Grandma, kissed her goodnight, and got to my room.

I woke up early, got dressed in a fitted sky-blue skirt and a black top, putting on my stiletto heels, and went downstairs. "Good morning, grandma. How was your night?"

Nonna Sophia replied, "It was fine. Come and have breakfast; I prepared pancakes and scrambled eggs with tea." I quickly sat down, had my breakfast, and headed to work.

I got to work early, and a colleague named Vivian showed me around the company, briefed me about my new job, and showed me to my desk office. I immediately started going through the files, arranging the CEO's meetings and schedule.

My intercom rang. I picked it up, and it was Leonardo. "Come to my office," he said and hung up. I quickly got to his office and knocked before entering, after I heard, "Come in." "Good morning, sir," I greeted. I saw him nodding his head.

Leonardo

"Check my schedule and tell me: when am I having my next meeting?"

"Sir, your next meeting is with the Spanish investors. The meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM in Lacree's restaurant, sir."

"Do I have any other meetings?"

"No, sir. But after the meeting with the Spanish investors, you have to go to the new cafe shop and see if it is worth buying. You plan to demolish it and build a club there. That's all, sir, for today."

"Take these files and go through them. I need a report on them before 1:00 PM."

I was shocked. There are many files, and it is already 10:00 AM. How can I finish these files in just three hours? I said nothing but, "Okay, sir." I took the files and asked, "Sir, is that all?" He said, "Yes." I walked out and got busy sorting out the files.

I carefully got through each file with adequate care and fast, in order to meet the time he gave me. At exactly 12:55 PM, I was done. I quickly knocked at his office door, opened it, and dropped the reports on his desk.

I didn't say anything but just looked at my wristwatch and started going through the files. I was expecting a mistake or a mess, given the limited timing for her to sort these files out. But to my surprise, there was not even one mistake. It was flawlessly done with no single error at all.

I remained completely expressionless and simply told her, "Gather your things; we are leaving for the restaurant now." After she left, well, I guess the certificate is not for fancy.

We both got into my car. On our way, she was briefing me about the meeting. We got there on time. The meeting was brief; we signed the contract, shook hands, and left.

Then, we left and got to the cafe shop. The building was old and worn out, but the space is good for a club. I told the owner that my lawyer will come with the documents, and after I paid him, we left and got back to the office. It was already 3:16 PM.

Immediately after I sat down, within the next twenty minutes, I got a call from Isabella that my uncle wants to see me. I told her to let him in, And hang up.

The peaceful silence of Leonardo's office shattered when the doors swung open without a knock. His arrogant, power-hungry uncle, Marcelo Moretti, strolls in with a taunting smirk on his face.

Marcelo walks right up to the desk, ignoring Leonardo's murderous glare, and casually tosses a certified legal document onto the polished table. "This is a copy of your father's will." Marcelo said casually.

"Dear nephew, if you don't get married before your 30th birthday, all this is mine. Have you forgotten that clause in your father's will?" He smirks and laughs. "All this is mine. Your frozen heart will not make you get married. Enjoy your few months left as the CEO." He walks out with a triumphant smile on his face.

I slam my fist onto the desk, boiling with anger. I will never let my uncle take this company from me. Never. Not after all the hard work and sacrifice. Never.