Alessandro's POV:
I walked into my building, the hustle and bustle quietened down as employees walked past me, making sure to avoid my path, greeting me with respect as they passed.
I kept my head held high, maintaining a stoic expression, taking big strides to the elevator. Everyone in the office knew not to bother me unless it was something very pressing. Even so, all messages went through my personal assistant, Russo, anyways. I don't like people wasting my time. Time is money.
As the elevator reached the top floor, I walked out seeing Russo on my right, waiting for my arrival. Without speaking a word, he handed me my morning coffee, following me towards my office as he recited the day's agenda.
"Good morning Mr De Luca," he said, "You have a meeting at 9am with the marketing team, 10am with team alpha, 11am with Hugo Boss, 12pm with the legal team...."
Russo went on as I sat back in my chair, sighing at the long day ahead.
"...and finally a meeting with Mr Borgatti and his client."
"Thank you Russo," I replied, sorting through the paper work on my desk. "Send them in."
After five hours of gruesome work, I was almost out of patience. My fingers started tapping against my thigh, my legs twitching, my tongue clicking against the roof of my mouth.
"I don't pay your team to tell me the problems," I said, trying to be as calm as possible, "Find a solution by tomorrow. Dismissed."
Despite what I said, my employees just stood there, heads down, fidgeting in their place. I rolled my eyes, making eye contact with Russo.
"The meeting is over. Please leave and get back to work." Russo said. They grabbed their materials quickly, scurrying out of my office.
"Russo, cancel my next meeting, I'm leaving the office for a while," I said, straightening out my tie before walking out of my office without a second look.
"Yes sir."
I gritted my teeth as I clicked my tongue, clearly still irritated by the morning meetings. I moved through the city streets, shoving my hands in my pants pockets, mindlessly walking around to clear my head. By the time I was out of my daze, I realised I had walked all the way to the city park.
I sat down on a near-by bench, closing my eyes as I focused on the sounds around me. How peaceful, how serene. It was absolutely divine. Silence is so powerful and I relished in the moment. Unfortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by a phone call.
Ringg Ringg
I growled. It better not be work-related.
Caller ID: My tesoro
My anger immediately dissipated away. This was a surprise. I didn't expect her to call me. Unconsciously, a smile etched on my face as I answered the call.
"Hello Kara."
"Hello Alessy, it's me, Brooke." A little voice squeaked.
"Hello piccolo, how are you doing sweetheart?" I asked.
"I'm good."
"How did you get your mummy's phone."
"Mummy in meeting. I am playing games on her phone but I missed you. So I called you." She explained.
"Oh. I missed you too piccolo. Tell me what you've been up to."
For the next fifteen minutes, my piccolo told me all about the progress she was making in her soccer practices, the pranks that Kara, her uncle Stef and herself had played on the whole family and the fact that she could read one whole page of a book all by herself. She was absolutely adorable and was definitely going to be a genius like her mother. I couldn't help but let out a hearty chuckle, my body felt so much more relaxed than it was throughout the morning.
"Sorry piccolo, I've got to get back to work now." I said gently, disappointed that I couldn't talk to her anymore.
"Okay bye bye Alessy. Please come visit me soon." She pleaded.
"I promise piccolo."
With that, I ended the call and headed back to the office. Here we go again.
After returning to the office, I spent majority of my time swamped with paperwork. I had my nose buried in multiple reports that I didn't notice Russo come in.
"Sir, your 5 o'clock appointment is here."
I looked up, seeing light for the first time in ages as I nodded.
"Send them in." I said as I cleaned out the papers scattered on my desk, neatening it up a bit.
A knock sounded.
"Come in." I said, sitting up straighter, back into business mode.
Mr Borgatti entered, followed by his client.
Kara?!
My eyes widened in shock, my jaw slightly sagged as I had never imagined her being Mr Borgtti's goddaughter. Goodness gracious, this woman was full of surprises. Snapping out of my state, I stood up, professionally acknowledging the both of them. Kara still hadn't noticed me as she was hidden behind Mr Borgatti's figure.
"Mr De Luca," Mr Borgatti shook my hand, "This is my client and goddaughter, Kara Coleman."
Mr Borgatti moved aside as Kara looked up, straight into my eyes, with a look of shock and curiosity.
"Pleasure to meet you Ms Coleman." I said, holding my hand out to her, our eyes never leaving each other's gaze.
After an awkward 30 seconds of her gawking at me, Mr Borgatti nudged her with his elbow.
"Snokeflake..." He muttered under his breath.
She shook her head slightly as her cheeks blushed profusely, taking my hand in hers.
"It is nice to meet you too Mr De Luca." She said, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ears.
"Alright then," Mr Borgatti clapped, "now that introductions are over, let's get down to business."
I sat back down, looking through her proposal, asking her questions related to specific sections. With every question I asked, she could answer it in the most efficient and effective way possible. I loved it. There was no beating around the bush. Simple and straight forward.
"How are you planning to market your product and expand it to the community?" I asked, inquisitively.
"Well, the most effective way possible would be to approach the boards of hospitals. If they were to accept the usage of the product in their practice, their supply would be a substantial portion to kick start the turn over revenue," she said confidently.
Impressive. I like the way she thinks.
"From my prior research, your close associate, Dante Valentino, has become the new owner of Royal Knight Hospital. With your approval and recommendation, Mr Valentino's hospital would be the appropriate institution to begin with."
Smart girl. She did her homework. Not many people knew of this recent purchase of Dante's.
"Once I get Mr Valentino on board, all the other hospitals will fall into place."
I nodded, mulling over what she said.
"Well, I think that's all I needed to hear." I said, placing my hands on my desk.
"Russo, send in the contract," I asked using the intercom. Kara turned towards Mr Borgatti, a gleam of hope and excitement ran across her face.
Russo walked in and handed me the contract, placing a similar one in front of them as well. As they read over the document, my eyes couldn't help but stare at her. Her eyes moved frantically from side to side as she took in every word of the contract, biting her lips now and then, frowning at certain parts. She continually toyed with the strains of her hair, tugged, twisting and combing through them.
"Anything the matter?" I asked.
"Um...not really." She said, as I raised my eyebrows at her, clearly not believing her, "actually, section 13b states that I will only have 30 percent of the shares."
I didn't react, causing her to toughen up.
"Well Mr De Luca, I spent more than 3 years working on this product. If this is all you're willing to give me, I think I can find a better deal elsewhere." She said boldly, standing up, as she turned around heading towards the door.
"40 percent," I rebutted. This deal was clearly not one I wanted to lose, both business-wise and personally. It was be stupid of me to lose this deal as a businessman. Anyone with a brain would clearly know that her invention was evolutionary. Plus this was a great excuse to be around her more often.
"60 percent," she replied, stopping in her tracks yet not turning around.
"45 percent." She turned around, sneering at me.
"How dare you?!" She muttered under her breath.
"60 percent," she gritted through her teeth, glaring down at me.
"45 percent"
"60 percent," She wasn't going to back down. I paused for a second, running the numbers through and through. My finger tapping against my chin as I weighed out the scenarios in my head.
We could end this meeting with her hating me, leaving me forever, never talking to me ever again and seeking another investor or I could drop my pride, give in a little, get the girl and secure the deal. Not forgetting my piccolo.
That sealed the deal.
"55 percent," I caved in, "This is the final offer. Take it or leave it."
This is the first time I had ever made a deal, ending it with me not being the major stakeholder. Boy was she turning the tables. I'm screwed for sure.
She looked towards her Godfather, communicating with their eyes.
"Deal." She said as she walked back to the desk, scribbling her signature on the contract. We shook hands, sealing the deal. Though I would have preferred to do it another way. If you know what I mean.
"Wonderful," Mr Borgatti said as he gave Kara a hug.
"Okay snowflake, I've got something else to discuss with Mr De Luca so why don't you head back first and I'll meet you and the family later for dinner?"
"Okay Uncle Stef," she replied, a little hesitantly, "It was nice doing business with you Mr De Luca."
She nodded at me, giving me a sly sneaky wink as she sashayed her way out of my office, swinging her hips a little more than normal. You little vixen.
"Mr Borgatti, with all due respect, I've had a long day. You can set up an appointment with Russo and we can talk about this another time." I grunted, the exhaustion from the day creeping up on me.
"Mr De Luca, I think you'd be very interested in what I have to say," he began, grinning in my direction.
Before I could dismiss him, he added, "It has to do with my goddaughter."
Goddaughter. Just that one word associated with one woman could change my entire outlook on any matter. My attention focused back on him as I handed him a cigar, lighting it up.
"Go on," I urged.
"Well, as you may know, I have no offspring and do not plan to have any in the near future. I have decided to hand down my company to Kara." He said in a serious tone.
I didn't expect that. I leaned back in my chair, contemplating what he just mention.
"What does this have to do with me?"
"I would like for you to show her the ropes. Get her prepared to take over the company." He replied simply.
"Why would I do that?" I asked, genuinely curious, "How would that benefit me?"
"I saw the way you glanced at her," he said, "how do you know her?"
Not feeling the need to lie to him, I answered honestly, "I was a guest of the university at her graduation ceremony."
Maybe I wasn't completely honest. But this would do for now. He doesn't need to know the full story.
He nodded in understanding.
"Well, since you will be working closely with her on this newfound project, it would work out nicely after all," He added, "I have also come to know of your issue with transporting your goods across the Mediterranean waters."
"I can pull some strings for you if you're willing to take her under your wing. I know of a certain Prime Minister that owes me a little favour."
This sparked my interest.
"For how long?"
"4 months. Give or take."
I nodded. It was an acceptable amount of time.
"With that, I think we have a deal Mr Borgatti." I stood up once again, shaking his hand in agreement.
Before our hands parted ways, he yanked my hand, pulling me closer.
"I know that you're smitten with her, Mr De Luca, I can see it in your eyes" he whispered darkly, "tread lightly boy. If I hear that you've upset her,-"
"Is that a threat?" I sneered, not liking where this conversation was going.
"Of course not Mr De Luca, I wouldn't be so foolish," he replied smugly, "just a little warning that could turn ugly if anything were to ever happen."
I glared at him.
"I wouldn't dream of it." I spoke honestly, "you have my word."
"Your word means nothing to me."
"Touché old man."
Mr Borgatti stood up, taking his leave as I turned back to the work on my desk, finishing up the final details.
"Before I forget, Kara doesn't know about this. So let's keep it hush hush, shall we?" He said, with his back against me, hand on the doorknob.
Without another word exchanged, he walked out of my office.
*****
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