Tangled In Strings

Chapter Twenty

"We've brought you, our largest and most admired clients here, so we could inform you of the news before it's publicly released," Norman states, seated at the head of the long conference table. I'm beside him and can feel many eyes on me, anticipating his next words.

"I will be stepping down as CEO, effective immediately, due to a recent decline in my health."

My eyes meet Giovanni's across the table, which flicker from Norman to me, feeling my gaze. I don't hold his for long, quickly paying attention to the clients who's faces have fallen in concern and doubt.

Norman, who looks thin and gaunt in a suit that used to fit him perfectly, gestures to me, with a small smile. "But I am pleased to say I'm leaving my franchise in capable, nurturing hands. Scarlett Bardot will take over our branches and since all of you have worked with her for quite some time, I hope there is no objection to this transfer of ownership."

I listen diligently as the members begin to enquire about the security, wanting reassurances from him. They ask about his health, how serious it is, if he could possibly return when he's better. He tells them no, that this is final. We calm their worries with new figures, changing the announcement into a meeting, to show them nothing will change.

However, everything will be different.

I fight past the chaos occurring inside me and smile and joke, avoiding Giovanni as much as possible. But eventually, I have to speak to him. And all eyes are between us.

"Mr. Martinelli," I hum, looking down at the ledgers.

"Scarlett."

I glance up at him and smile. It's a big-ridiculously fake smile. "Your sales have skyrocketed. You've already sold out of the line you're releasing, am I correct?"

"You are."

"Your show is only weeks away. I will get in contact with you, so we can discuss exposure options. I've a few changes I'd like to make to your site to attract an older, more sophisticated crowd. Do you have anything you'd like to report to us?"

"Not at the moment."

"Well, we'll touch base sometime this week on it. Thank you for coming."

I look away from his telling smirk, feeling my face flush brightly, just pleased to be near him. Everyone begins to stand, approaching Norman and I in a more informal matter. I oblige them, politely, although my heart and body is set on making it out that door. I escape them, gathering my belongings, leaving Norman in this moment that I want him to soak up entirely, and hurry into the hallway. Most of the office is already gone, only a few remain. It's always the same people, the dedicators.

The second I turn the corner, I gasp as my hand is snatched and pulled into a darkened hallway. I back up into the wall with a blossoming smile as Giovanni plants himself firmly in front of me, hands pressed against the wall, caging me to him. His smile is just as striking.

He grasps my face, and lowers his mouth to mine with a desperation that sends tingling goosebumps over my skin in a rush. As much as it kills me to do, I pull back, quickly, turning my face.

"No, you can't. I'm sick—"

He's already moving back in. "Are you kidding me? I don't give a fuck."

When his full, smooth lips crush to mine once more, I don't fight him on it. I take, and accept all his passion, hating how quickly he must pull away. Still, we are both breathless.

"We can't keep running into each other like this," he whispers, teasingly. My eyes immediately roll back into my head but in a time like this, his positivity is welcome. Very welcome.