Sophia still couldn't fathom how she got into this situation. Sitting here in a fancy restaurant with a man she was supposed to keep a distance from. His smiles and chuckles made her insides do flips. She would have never pictured the CEO of a multimillion dollar company to be so... laid back. The way Taylor, and Brad spoke of him. She believed him to be closed off, and cold. Luca didn't appear to be that way. She liked his banter even when she is the object that makes him chuckle.
She just agreed to be his assistant. She couldn't believe that Fletcher would do such a thing. I mean, he had the perfect job and he blew it... for what? A small bonus?! It seems unreal but again, he is a snake. She continues eating the burger while he glances at her with a small smile on his lips. She continues throwing fries telling him to stop only making him look to her all the more. She can feel the permanent blush coating her cheeks from his gaze. He's done it more than once during this lunch.
"Luca?" He hums in response as he signs for the check before looking to her. "I still don't plan on working longer than the two months."
She sees his eyes look deep on her as if studying her. She didn't have the heart to explain further. He didn't need to know. As if sensing her hesitation, he nods his head. Sophia sighs in relief but she could have sworn she heard him murmur 'will see' under his breath. Rather than starting any argument, she drops it... for now.
He leads her back outside with his hand finding the small of her back again. She bit the inside of her cheek feeling the heat from his hand seeping into her back. It was a sweet gesture that made her knees weak. They walked back to the office in comfortable silence.
"Hey wait!" Her hand shooting out to stop him. He raises a brow as if asking 'what'. "You never did tell me if I was right. Is your favorite color blue?"
He smirks as he begins to walk not answering her question. She walks quickly to fall in step with him. They reach the office building where he pulls the door open for her. He gives a hello to Sam at the front desk who looks between the two in shock and confusion. Sophia just waves and catches up with Luca getting in the elevator. He presses her floor and his own. His eyes set forward as she hangs behind him against the wall of the elevator until she hears the familiar ding. She goes to step around him when leans towards her.
"No Tesoro... my favorite color is red"
His words were soft against the shell of her ear making her shutter as his finger twisted a bit of her hair. His hand released it before he gently tapped her lower back ushering her forward. She turned back to look at him as he smirked while the elevator doors closed. She stood there baffled. Was he referring to her hair?!?
Turning back around, she walks to her office as it appears no one seem to notice her arrival this time. They all seemed to engross in their own works which she considered a blessing. She walked to her office but Taylor quickly jumped up walking to her with her hands on her hips. Her lips pursed looking like she is about explode.
"You have A LOT of explaining to do!"
Sophia walks around her desk still feeling slightly in a fog by Luca's actions. She flops down in her chair as Taylor closes her office door and comes running to sit in front of her. She brushes her fingers through her hair trying to gather her thoughts.
"I don't even know what to say"
"Well let's start with why the CEO and his aunt made a trip to your office?! He has never come down here to visit any of us before."
Her heart fluttered hearing that. She cleared her throat, "I went to go tell him what I found about those checks but I made a fool of myself dropping them on his floor. I ran..."
"Well you must have made an impression on him." Taylor says giggling at her new friend.
"I showed him after that woman left."
"That's his Aunt Cami... well his godmother."
"Anyways, he wasn't happy. Taylor he looked completely lost."
"You couldn't have helped that. He should be happy that you caught it when you did."
"He was" Sophia nods her head remembering his gratitude. "but..."
"But?" Taylor said egging her on.
"I didn't want to leave him feeling like that so I invited him to lunch." She closes her eyes expecting a scream but it gets eerily quiet. She peaks open her eyes after a moment to see a wide eyed Taylor with her mouth hanging open. "Taylor?"
"You never cease to amaze me Soph... And I've only known you for two days."
Sophia giggles at her while Taylor's smile turns to wide grin. "So how was lunch?"
"It was really nice honestly." Sophia says recalling the easy flow between them. Feeling a pen hit her head she turns back to Taylor. "HEY!"
"Don't HEY me! Did something happen?!? You just went off to la la land."
"Nothing like that happened" Sophia says rolling her eyes before turning back on her computer.
"Well that's no fun." Taylor says slumping in her chair with her arms crossed. Sophia smirks at the woman before chuckling and shaking her head. Groaning loudly, Taylor grumbles leaving her office heading back to her own.
Sophia sits there and reflects on the morning events. A smile tugging at her lips thinking about the handsome CEO. Her only thought before digging back into the contracts was how the hell she was going to talk to Jessica about this??
Afternoon quickly came disappeared while her eyes continued looking over multiple contracts, her hand marking away in the margins for notes to consider. She felt her head beginning to pound screaming at her to take a break. Sighing, she finally torn her eyes away from the words to look at the sun descending on the horizon. The view was quite the reprieve she needed. She leaned back in her chair for a moment closing her eyes.
AHEM
Her eyes shot open to find Taylor leaning against her door with her arms crossed. A gentle smile on her lips. Sophia gives her a soft smile back as Taylor pushes of the frame and walks into the office. Sophia's fingers grazing through her long locks as she sat up straight. Taylor began looking over the documents on her desk before shaking her head with a smirk.
"You know you are putting your sister to shame?"
Sophia chuckled dryly. "Yea... trust me, my sister's 10x better than me."
Taylor could see in that moment a deep hollow look in her eyes. The look causing her to feel a knot in her stomach. This girl definitely had her own demons. She gave a tight lip smile refusing to push her to talk about it.
"You should have more faith in your abilities. You have a bright future ahead of you."
Sophia's eyes closed painfully tight as her hand stilled on the pen she was holding. Taylor couldn't fathom what she said that caused that reaction. Her brows furrowing on confusion but Sophia just opened her eyes giving her a smile that looked forced.
"Yea, hey can I go for a cup of coffee?"
"No"
The deep voice makes Taylor abruptly stand up turning to the door. Sophia raises a brow towards Luca. His eyes remained glued on her even as Taylor stands partially in front of her.
"Mr. Sanford! Is something the matter?"
Taylor asked wide eyed surprise to see him a second time in one day. He doesn't even look at her as his eyes remained trained on the beauty behind her. Taylor glances to Sophia to find her eyes already looking right back at him. She almost felt like she was intruding on an intimate moment.
"Yes Ms. Wood, I am need to speak both with you & Ms. Andrews"
He turns closing the office door as Taylor continues standing there baffled. He strolls over taking a seat in the chair that was not occupied. The brunette once again slowly sits back down but her eyes continue glancing between the stare off occurring between the cold CEO and the red head beauty. Sophia tilted her head in question at him making his lip twitch up. Taylor's eyes going wide seeing the slight indication on his lips. She remained stone like as her eyes continued dancing between the pair.
"Ms. Wood, did Ms. Andrews tell you that she would be working in a different capacity?"
Taylor's head snapping to the sheepish friend. Sophia cringed under her gaze before clearing her throat. "I was going to tell you Taylor... I, uhm..."
"Ms. Andrews will be working as my personal assistant from here moving forward."
"SOPHIA!" Taylor couldn't help but say loudly. The girl behind the desk wincing at her tone. "What?! Wait- What?"
"I will still be doing the work for Jessica!" Sophia is quick to interject as the brunette fumbles over her words. "I just won't be in this office."
"Wait, what about the weasel?" Luca raises a brow but Taylor continues looking to Sophia before realization dawns on her that she said that out loud. Her dark eyes snapping to her boss. "I'm sorry I mean Fletcher."
Sophia's giggles made his lip twitch again. Taylor couldn't help but be stunned by him. This was not the man she had passed on a few occasions. He was always distant, cold, and rigid. One look at him while around Sophia and it's like night and day.
"Mr. Brooke no longer works here"
His voice held a brittle edge and Taylor dropped her head giving a small nod in understanding before turning back to Sophia. The woman's eyes already looking to their boss with a bit of concern before turning up in a smile.
"Which is why Mr. CEO over here has requested for me!"
She says narrowing her eyes playfully at said CEO. He smiles genuinely making both woman swoon at the sight but his eyes are on only one. Taylor shakes her head before straightening herself in the seat.
"What does that mean for me Mr. Sanford?"
"You will be overseeing the staff on this level. Sophia will continue to monitor her daily activities in the morning before assisting me however she will be staying up on my floor... with me."
Sophia ducks her head feeling the heat rush to her cheeks again. She could feel his intense gaze on her still even as the room went quiet. Taylor clears her throat before standing up. Sophia refuses to lift her gaze even as Taylor makes a swift exit. His penetrating gaze still on her however she is fearful to get locked into those icy blues again.
"Sophia"
His voice a low whisper in the silent room. She can't help but look up seeing him now leaning forward in his seat. She can feel her heart pumping faster. Her chest rising and falling rapidly as she falls into the depths of his eyes. He looks to be peering into her soul. Trying to discover all her secrets.
"Mr. Sanford" His jaw clenched as she reverted back from his name. He turned away which made her feel bad. "Luca"
His eyes snapped back again and his tight jaw slightly relaxed. She gazed at it him drinking him in. A soft smile grazing her lips. "Please no more Mr. Sanford"
She bit her lip and his eyes instantly darted to them as his muscles tensed and his hands gripped the arms of the chair before his eyes snap back to hers. "I will call you Luca when we are alone. I don't want to be the center of gossip"
"No one would dare gossip about you Tesoro" She smiled hearing the nickname again. It made her feel warm and safe. He smiled gently as well. "Deal"
She reached her hand across the desk making him chuckle before taking it. The much larger hand practically engulfing hers but she couldn't seem to care. She liked the warmth his touch brought her. They both continued holding hands not realizing that Taylor was practically fan girl grinning through the glass wall. The brunette turning back to her computer knowing things were about to change.