"Sanford!"
Luca rolls his eyes as he stands up from his desk. A smirk on his lips as walked over to the man who had a wide smile and open arms. Luca holds out his hand but the overly zealous man scoffs and wraps his hands around Luca making him stiffen but the man just laughs hugging him before finally releasing him and holding his shoulders still grinning.
"It's good to see you again my friend!"
"Welcome back Darren"
The man sighs walking over to the window looking down. Luca silently following the man. Darren had been an artist that had attended one of the parties when he first took over. Luca had went outside to gain air when he ran into the man who was hiding as well. His manager forcing him to attend the party not at all aware that it was for Luca as well. Luca found solace in the man who didn't know who he was. Even after realizing who he was, he treated him like any other man... much like Sophia.
Turning to Luca, he goes to talk but his eyes capture something behind him. Luca's head turning as he finds what's caught his attention. He can feel his lips tug upwards at the sight of the painting Taylor had finished yesterday. It was none other than his Tesoro and Taylor had done an incredible job.
Luca was so thankful for the incredible piece and it was perfect timing. Sophia and him did have a very in depth talk after the incident a few days back. He understood now more where her head was at and didn't feel as hurt after seeing it from her side. Sophia had told him that she was hurt that he had went through the paperwork rather than putting it away directly after realizing what is was. She understood why but it still hurt.
The letter she wrote for him still fresh in his mind. It was both beautiful and painful at the same time. He loved knowing how much she cared for him, how deep her love was for him... He tried not to think about the fact that she almost was not going to be here to make that dream into a reality. Everything she said, he wanted to make come true. He just had to patient... for now.
Darren steps around him walking closer to the picture with a slight tilt of his head as he inspects it thoroughly. Luca stands back still mesmerized by Taylor's attention to detail. He had attempted to pay her for the work but she turned it down. Her exact words were 'Keep her happy, it'll be payment enough.' He felt pride in knowing he had workers like Taylor who didn't see everything in dollar amounts.
"It is beautiful. The artist has a particular brush stroke but also pays close attention to detail. It's clear the woman in the photo must hold a close place in their heart." Darren's eyes turn to Luca who has a small smile on his lips and a certain look in his eyes as he continues looking at the painting. "Or maybe the buyer.."
Luca's eyes finally drift from the painting to the man next to him. Darren's face holding a certain smug smirk. Luca straightens his spine and turns as Darren releases a boisterous laugh taking one more glance to the painting before swiveling on his heal to turn back to Luca.
"Do tell who the STUNNING creature is in the photo?" His emphasis on the word stunning not going unnoticed by Luca whose eyes instinctively narrow on the man.
"Don't" Luca states simply. Darren can't help but chuckle again sitting down in a chair in front of his desk.
"Wow... she must be something if she has your cage rattling."
Luca's only raises a brow before sitting back in his chair. "What do you think of the work?"
"Nice change of topic," he winks before glancing back again over his shoulder before turning back to Luca. "I like it, I wouldn't mind meeting the artist."
Knock Knock
The door swings open and Taylor walks in looking down at her tablet. "Good morning Luca, I'm sorry I'm running late. Jessica had a problem but-"
Her eyes snap up and she halts mid sentence freezing realizing her boss wasn't alone. She straightens her spine trying to not turn red at the embarrassment. Her eyes turn from the newcomer to Luca. He stands up behind the desk walking around his desk to stand beside the new man. Darren stands up with his eyes already locked on the short brunette who looked like she had fire running through her veins.
"Darren Voltez meet the artist and my temporary assistant, Taylor Wood." He looks to Darren whose eyes are glued on Taylor. "Taylor, this is Darren. He is the Artist and studio owner I was talking about."
Taylor steps forward with her free hand outstretched to Darren. She couldn't help but look down his form realizing how attractive he is. Darren was no better as he took her hand and leaned down to kiss it gently. Luca couldn't help but smirk at him before rolling his eyes at the action.
"It's nice to meet you Taylor."
"Likewise." Taylor rips her eyes away from Darren looking to Luca. Her hand going out to hand the tablet to him. "We have a problem with one of the formulas Sophia has written."
"Wait, is this accurate?" Luca says scrolling on the tablet. Taylor nods her head in confirmation.
"According to it, we had a leak in our finance department. I was wondering if you I could call her?"
He hands Taylor back the tablet nodding in deep thought. His gaze finally meeting hers, "I'll call her. Thanks Taylor."
Taylor nods and turns back to Darren. "I hope to see you again Mr. Voltez."
"Darren please." He says with a smirk. Taylor nods once before turning on her heal walking out. Darren turns back to Luca who is already around his desk reaching for his phone. Darren sits down fanning himself.
"Tesoro?... Would you mind coming in?- No, I don't know love. Could you come?... okay, I'll see you soon... love you too."
He hangs up turning to his computer bringing up the system Sophia had been working with him on. His eyes drift momentarily to Darren who is sitting their with his mouth agape making his gaze flicker back to him. "What?"
"What do you mean what?!? Did you not just hear yourself?" Darren says gesturing to the phone. Luca rolls his eyes in return.
"Drop it Darren."
"Pfft, fat chance." Luca begins tapping away and typing while sitting back own. "So???"
Luca drops his head forward before finally turning to Darren and sitting back down in his chair. "I am seeing someone."
"Really?!? I had NO idea!" His voice coming out overdramatic. Luca once again rolls his eyes.
"Her name is Sophia Andrews, she is-"
"Wait wait wait!-" Darren sets up more in his seat as his brow furrows for a moment before looking back to him. "THE Sophia Andrews, the photographer?"
Luca's own brow arches as he nods unsure. This makes Darren throw his head laughing for a moment before looking back at him with wide eyes. "Wow."
"Wow what?"
"Never thought you would end up with an artist!" He says with clear amusement.
"She isn't just an artist. She is brilliant, caring, and stunning."
Darren nods his head with the amusement still clear on his face. "Then how did you get her?"
"Remind me again why we are friends?"
Darren stands up laughing loudly before turning back to the painting. "Is this her?"
"Yeah..." Luca says as his eyes look to the painting as well. His voice much softer making Darren turn back with a grin on his face.
"I have to agree, she is beautiful." His eyes drifting back to the painting. "I've never seen her before, just her work."
"You mean in the TIMES?" Luca says leaning back in his chair.
"No man-" Darren says shaking his head negatively. "She has photos in museums around the world."
Luca's eyes widen making Darren nod his head understanding she hadn't told him that. "You didn't know."
"No." He answers still lost in thought that his girl was such a big photographer that she had pieces showcased in big museums.
"Well... She is a great photographer man. I love her work."
"Taylor's too?"
He nods his head looking at the painting walking over to it. Luca stands up walking around as the door to his office opens. A pair of emerald eyes find his making his heart race yet again. She smiles at him before realizing there is other movement in the room and her eyes drift to the other person.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize.." Luca shakes his head at her as Darren steps forward to her with a beaming smile.
"You must be Sophia Andrews."
Sophia glances at Luca who is now coming to her as she turns back to the man with an outstretched hand, "yes that's me."
"My name is Darren Voltez."
Sophia's jaw drops slightly before she snaps it shut. Luca has by this time come to her side wrapping his arm around her. She smiles wide at the man. "I'm a huge fan of your artwork."
Darren can't help but chuckle as he shakes her hand. "Trust me, the feeling is mutual."
Sophia's eyes sparkle and Luca is unsure if he likes it. He tugs her more to him making her turn to him with a questionable look. He doesn't say anything but pecks her cheek. Darren stands there grinning at the exchange finding the infamous Luca Sanford jealous quite hilarious. He steps back trying to ease the tension. Sophia turns back to Darren while her arm wraps around Luca's back making him relax slightly.
"I actually came here to look at the artwork of Ms. Wood." He gestures to the painting making Sophia look at Luca's wall.
"Oh my TAYLOR!" Sophia says loudly making Luca jump slightly. He hadn't had a chance to tell her yet.
The door swings open with a frantic Taylor looking around until Sophia points to the wall. Taylor looks to it before giggle uncomfortably and making a dash out the door. Sophia quickly following leaving the two men behind. After a moment, both men bust out laughing. Darren sobers up first looking to Luca who he had never heard laugh before. After Luca calms down, they step out of the office to find Sophia with crossed arms standing over Taylor who looks like she is pleading for her life.
"Mr. Sanford, tell her you love it please!"
Luca walks over to Sophia taking her hand pulling her away from the small brunette. Sophia follows him silently going to one of the meeting rooms. He shuts the door behind them before putting his hands on her hips and leaning down to kiss her. Sophia's body relaxes into his and allows him to lead. After a few minutes and a dangerously low amount of air, he pulls back to look down at her flushed face and red stained lips. He pecks them once more for good measure.
"Tesoro, I loved that painting."
She pouts slouching slightly, "you could have told me."
He chuckles at her adorable face pecking her swollen lips once again. "She just brought it in yesterday and it slipped my mind."
"That 4 ft picture slipped your mind?" She ask incredulously.
"You have to admit... she did an incredible job."
Sophia drops her head to his chest. He touches her red wig patting the back of her head as he attempts to not laugh again. She finally lifts her head huffing before nodding reluctantly. Luca couldn't help but chuckle earning a punch to his chest from Sophia.
"Come on love.."
He took her hand taking her out of the room. They both stopped finding Darren leaning over Sophia/Taylor's desk clearly flirting with Taylor. Sophia leans into his side as they watch from a distant.
"Do you think she got the job?"
"Absolutely."
They side stepped the couple and went back into his office. Luca pulled her over to his desk and sat down tugging her to sit on his lap. He loved the pink blush that formed on her cheeks but she didn't resist. He opened up the file and watched as her eyes looked over it. He sat back in the chair as she began typing away going into her own element. After only ten minutes she sat up straighter on his knee and stopped.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yea, so the program caught someone who had tried to hack it but my back log program stopped them in their tracks. I think I should wire this to my laptop to keep an eye on this but they didn't get anything."
He cupped the back of her neck bringing her lips back down to his as he leaned back in his chair. After a few minutes they pulled apart and Sophia turned on his lap facing where the painting hanged. After a moment she groaned hiding her face in his chest.
"I'm not going to get used to that."