~Alessia's POV~
I tugged nervously at the hem of my black pencil skirt as I stepped into the gleaming glass doors of Morano Holdings, employees rushed past me.
I was just one intern in the middle of this empire, but today, it didn't feel ordinary. Today felt… different.
The receptionist smiled politely when I gave my name, then immediately picked up the phone. "Mr. Morano asked for her directly."
My heart nearly dropped to my knees. He asked for me? I hadn't even had a chance to breathe in the scent of wealth clinging to this company skyscraper before I was being escorted to the top floor... the CEO's private space.
The doors to his office opened, and there he was: Lorenzo, in all his commanding glory, seated behind a brown mahogany desk that screamed power.
His silver-streaked hair was neatly styled, his fitted charcoal suit perfectly tailored. His eyes lifted slowly from the documents in front of him, and when they landed on me, my stomach twisted.
"Sit," he ordered coolly, not a hint of warmth in his tone.
I sat, clutching my notepad a little too tightly. He is a totally different man from the Lorenzo I knew at home. Guess this is why they refer to him as a ruthless tyranny in the business world... Not mixing business with personal life.
"My assistant has taken emergency medical leave. Effective immediately, you'll be filling the role for the next three months."
I blinked. "I... I thought I was assigned to Marketing—"
"Now you're assigned to me," he interrupted, and I swallowed hard.
"You'll manage my schedule, take notes, arrange meetings, and ensure nothing falls behind. I don't tolerate mistakes, Alessia. Do you understand?"
My pulse raced at the thought of working that close to him. Living with him was already unbearable in its own intoxicating way--now I'd be glued to his side at work, too?
"Y-Yes, Mr. Morano," I stammered, forcing professionalism into my voice.
"Now, get to work. Follow me." He stood up, strolling out of the office with that terrifying aura and I immediately trailed behind him.
I shadowed him in meeting after meeting, watching the way he commanded a room without raising his voice. Executives twice his age shrank under his sharp gaze, while others scrambled to meet his exacting standards.
He was cold, yet, every now and then, a moment broke through that icy stare... like when he reached across to adjust the angle of my notes, his fingers grazing mine for a second. Or when our knees mistakenly brushed under the long conference table, and neither of us moved away.
Each accidental contact sent sparks through me, tightening the knot in my chest.
At last, by five in the evening, we returned home together, despite I was buzzing with restless energy from our earlier encounter at the company.
He sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone, while I toyed with mine, debating. Finally, I decided: tonight, I wouldn't hold back.
I'd changed into a slinky, low-cut black dress. I poured us both wine and leaned forward just enough that I knew he'd notice my revealing cleavage.
He looked at me in awe but didn't say anything.
"So," I said lightly, twirling the stem of my glass between my fingers, "am I meeting your expectations as an assistant? Or do I need extra… training?" My tone dripped with suggestion.
His eyes turned to me briefly, then down to the glass of wine in his hand. He took a slow sip.
"You're doing fine, don't push it."
I forced a coy smile, ignoring the sting. "You always act like I'm still a little girl, Lorenzo. Maybe you're afraid to see me differently."
His gaze snapped to mine then, very sharp. He rested his back, crossing his legs as he studied me with those cold, merciless eyes.
"You think you can handle me?" His voice dropped lower. "Alessia, you wouldn't last a night."
My cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, my body betraying me with a shiver. "Then try me," I whispered, surprising even myself.
That's when his expression hardened further.
"Tell me something, piccola," he leaned forward now, elbows resting on the table. "Have you ever slept with a man?"
I froze, my tongue glued to the roof of my mouth. "No." I forced the truth out.
His reaction was unreadable at first. Then, his lips curled into both a smirk and grimace, as if my answer both fascinated and tormented him.
"Oh, a virgin," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Of course."
The way he said it made me feel small, like a child aiming for what she doesn't understand.
"Does that matter?" I shot back, defensive.
"It matters, kid, because you don't know what you're asking for. And I'm not the man to teach you gently."
His words hit me like a slap, and my heart splintered. I tried to mask the hurt, pushing back my chair.
"Forget I said anything."
I left without another word, retreating to my room before he could see the tears burning in my eyes. The door clicked shut behind me, muffling the echo of his cold, controlled breathing.
I pressed my back against the wood, torn apart inside. I wanted him, and he knew it. But he acted as if he didn't care!
★★★
~Lorenzo's POV~
I stood outside her door, fist hovering mid-air, ready to knock. And yet it felt like if I dared cross that line, there would be no turning back.
My jaw tightened, veins straining in my neck. "Don't, Lorenzo. If you step inside, you won't walk out the same."
But my body betrayed me. The thought of the earlier revealing soft swell of her breasts, pale and full... made blood rush south until my cock strains painfully against the tight slacks, demanding release.
I grit my teeth, glancing down at the bulge, my hand twitching to stroke it, to ease the ache she's ignited. A quick, rough tug through the fabric.
My palm grazed the head, smearing precum against the cotton and I immediately forced my hand away.
Fuck! She's Adams' sister, and a line I can't cross, not with my loyalty and this damn empire weighing on me.
Dio… she was undoing me, and she didn't even realize it.
Just then, my phone buzzed in my hand, an email notification lighting up the screen. Work, a perfect distraction. I gripped it like a lifeline, forcing myself to turn away.
My shoes made no sound on the plush carpet as I retreated down the hall. Behind me, I heard the faint creak of her door opening, but I didn't turn back.
If I saw her eyes right now, I'd give in.
When I finally reached my room, I exhaled sharply, running a hand over my face. I reached for the bed drawer, intending to pull out a document I'd left there earlier... but before my fingers touched the handle, pain stabbed through my chest.
A harsh, searing pressure spread across my ribs, stealing my breath.
I staggered, clutching at my shirt. My pulse thundered in my ears as I dragged myself toward the safe, each step heavier than the last.
I managed to open it, my shaking hand grabbing a small white bottle and pills rattled inside. I twisted it open and swallowed one dry.
The label stared back at me in bold print: Cardiomax... For Heart Condition.