Chapter 2 - The deal
1087 Words
Sophie POV
His expression changed, “For something I should have done a long time ago.”
I stared at him, “What does that even mean?”
“It means I’m trying to make sure you don’t lose the things your father worked so hard to give you”
“You might have quite a lot of money to help but I don’t want you flaunting it in my face.” I pushed my chair back. “It’s my father’s bakery. It’s the last thing I have of him, the last thing he left for me.”
My voice broke down, “I can’t just let someone take over because I’m struggling.”
Damian’s expression softened. “I never said I wanted to take it away from you.”
“But you want to handle the bank. What exactly am I supposed to do while you fix everything?”
He was quiet for a moment. “Let me help you”
I shook my head, “I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity, Sophie.”
“I think I should go.”
“Sophie”
Thank you for yesterday but I need to get my things and go.”
A few minutes later, I was lying in bed staring at the ceiling. A soft knock sounded against the door.
“Come in.”
Damian stepped inside.
“I didn’t mean to make you angry. It’s already late, just stay over and you can leave tomorrow.”
I checked my phone and the time was 10:45pm. I let out a tired breath
“Okay.”
I barely slept that night. By the time morning came, I had already decided I couldn’t keep avoiding our conversation.
When I walked into the kitchen, Damian was already there, brewing coffee. And judging the two cups on the counter, he had already made one for me.
“Four cubes of sugar,” he said.
I stopped.
“Like you always took it”
I looked at the cup before looking at him, “You remembered?”
He shrugged, “Yeah, you were always specific about that.”
A smile showed on my face, “Thanks.”
“I want to say something.”
“I want to say something.”
We both chuckled.
“You go ahead,” I said
“No, you start”
I took a deep breath.
“Ummm, I’m sorry for being harsh yesterday. I could’ve been more calm considering that you were my dad’s friend”
“Well, I’m also sorry for dumping that on you.” He leaned against the counter. “I understand how you felt. I never want you to feel like I’m taking this away from you.”
“Okay, now that is cleared. Let me hear you out.”
Damian looked at me for a moment.
“Come work for me at Russo’s Holdings.”
I stared at him, maybe I heard him wrongly. “What?”
He leaned back in his chair, “Come work for me.”
“Doing what?”
“You’ll be my personal assistant.”
I almost laughed, “You can’t be serious, absolutely not.”
“I’m serious.”
“Damian, I’ve never been a personal assistant.”
“You ran a bakery.”
“That’s completely different.”
“You’ve managed employees, suppliers, customers and finances.”
I opened my mouth then closed it. He had a point.
“That doesn’t mean I want you to save me.”
“I’m not saving you.”
“You’re offering to pay up my debts.”
“Because your bakery is drowning.”
I flinched a bit.
His expression immediately softened.
“I’m not saying that to hurt you, Soph.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“I’m saying you need help.”
I hated that he was right. I was exhausted. The bakery was drowning and no matter how many extra hours I worked, I couldn’t seem to stop it.
“What exactly are you suggesting?” I finally asked.
“You work for me. You learn how the corporate side of business works. Management, finances, investments. Everything that could help you with the bakery.”
“And the bakery?”
“We will figure that out together.”
I stared at him.
“You really think I can do that?”
“I wouldn’t have offered it if I didn’t.”
I looked down at my hands. “Fine.”
Damian raised an eyebrow, “Fine?”
“I’ll take the job.”
“Good.” His expression barely changed but I saw the small smile at the corner of his mouth.
“But I have conditions.”
He looked amused, “Conditions?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s hear them.”
“I don’t want special treatment.”
“Agreed.”
“I want a proper salary.”
“You’ll get one.”
“And I want to learn. I’m not going to sit around while you do everything for me.”
“That’s the point of the job.”
I let out a long breath. “And I’m not moving in.”
“Sophie!”
“You have already done enough.”
He dragged a hand down his face. “Fine, one week.”
I frowned, “one week?”
“Stay at your apartment for one week before moving in with me.”
“That isn’t a compromise.”
“It is from my perspective.”
“Damian.”
“Sophie.”
I stared at him.
He stared back.
I hesitated. “Okay, one week.”
He smiled warmly, “Okay then. We will figure it out together. Now eat before the food gets cold.”
I picked up my fork, but before I could take another bite, Damian’s phone buzzed on the table.
Ding.
He glanced at the screen. His expression subtly changed. “Everything okay?”
He quickly locked his phone, “Yeah.”
“You don’t look okay.”
“It’s work.”
“Bad news?”
He looked at me for a second, “Just an old problem,” locking his phone.
“What kind of problem?”
A faint smile appeared on his face, but it felt forced. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Okay.”
But I didn’t believe him.
Damian picked up his phone and slipped it in his pocket.
Whatever message he had received clearly bothered him.
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