My Mafia Madness

Chapter 9 - The Job Offer

Poor Alexa was back in her office now, comfortably seated at her desk and staring blankly at her slimline black laptop with her hands hovering hesitantly over the keypad.

She had been typing up the meeting’s notes for the past ten minutes but now appeared to be having some trouble concentrating on her work with his masculine scent still filling her nostrils.

Letting out a sigh of frustration she rolled her eyes and slumped back against her expensive seat.

“Come on Alexa don’t let him get to you.” she spoke to herself aloud.

Dante Romano, she couldn’t believe it.

Of all the employees in the entire company she had to take a ride in the elevator with the f*****g CEO of Romano Enterprises!

And what’s worse, she actually tried to kiss the man!

Kiss him!

Alexa wondered how she would ever go about looking her boss in the eye again after this.

Those captivatingly bright green eyes of his.

Would she still have a job in the morning?

Endless questions flooded through her mind as she began rocking back and forth in her expensive leather chair.

‘Knock, knock.’

Thank god, a welcome distraction.

The small knock at the door caused her to turn her attention to the familiar figure standing in her office’s doorway and her heart skipped a beat as her body instantly became rigid.

“Mr. Harworth. Is there something I can do for you sir?” she asked, beginning to rise from her seat but pausing in place as he held out his hand and began speaking.

“No, no. Please sit. I wondered if I could have a moment of your time.” he enquired, stepping into her office and closing the door behind him softly.

“Of course, sir.”

Alexa smiled as she fell back down into the leather seat and watched him sit down opposite her. He crossed both arms over his chest once he was seated comfortably.

She had known the man long enough to know that crossing his arms was never a good sign.

Something was wrong.

But how? She had made every single effort to ensure that the meeting ran as smoothly as possible, seen to every tiny detail herself, even working late into the evening for the past god-knows how many weeks.

How on Earth was this man unimpressed with her efforts?

“Is something… wrong sir?” she asked hesitantly.

“If this is about me being late this morning I have a reason, I swear to god-”

“-No, no, that’s fine. Mr. Romano already explained what happened there.” Gary interrupted her with his hand raised as a gesture for her to stop talking.

“He… he did?”

She froze. Her heart sank as she swallowed nervously.

“What exactly did he say?”

Gary’s brow rose in question as he replied.

“Hm? Oh, just that the two of you managed to get yourselves stuck inside an elevator for over an hour or so. Something along those lines.”

Without realising that she had, Alexa let out a long exhale of relief.

Apparently, Dante hadn’t chosen to tell Gary about their shared kiss.

Thank god!

“He accounted for you being late into the office this morning.” Gary continued casually.

Alexa blinked as she tried to let this new information sink in.

That meant that Dante had willingly vouched for her tardiness.

The man hardly even knew her, and he had lied for her.

Why would he have done that?

“On another note, I thought the board meeting went quite well, under the circumstances.” Gary continued smiling, meeting her eyes once more.

“Yes, I agree.”

Alexa reached up to nervously adjust her black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose.

“I think Mr. Romano was quite pleased with our efforts.”

Gary suddenly pursed his lips together nervously and tapped his right foot on the floor.

It was time for him to break the news.

And she would definitely not like what he had to say. He needed to try and word this as carefully as possible.

“Alexa, the reason I came to see you is that an exciting opportunity has recently come up and I could think of no better fit for the job than yourself.” he began to explain.

She frowned at this.

“But… I already have a job Mr. Harworth.” she reminded.

“I work for you, as your assistant, remember?”

Gary seemed to shift in his seat now as he replied, unable to meet her eyes as he continued their conversation.

“Yes, but think of this as a kind of promotion of sorts…”

“A promotion?” her eyes narrowed sceptically.

“I don’t understand.”

“Well, as I’m sure you’re aware Mr Romano will be in the city for the next couple of months sorting out our new contracts and what-not. Keeping an eye on things, you know, managerial obligations…”

Alexa’s chocolate brown eyes looked down at the desk for a moment as she waited for her boss to continue explaining what he had in mind. To get to the point.

“Well, I’ve just been informed that he requires a someone suitable to become his own personal assistant and with such a short space of time to find a suitable candidate, I could think of no one better… than you.”

“Me?”

Alexa seemed shocked, confused even.

Her expression showed it as she looked down at her desk and fidgeted with her glasses.

“Am I being fired sir?” she asked, meeting his gaze again with furrowed brows.

“No, of course not. You’re being… reassigned, so to speak. You will be working for Mr. Romano, performing the same duties you already do for me. There may be more travel and appearances expected of you, but besides that-”

She cut in.

“-Sir, why are you doing this to me? Did I do something wrong? I’ve worked really hard, I swear.”

It was his turn to show confusion now.

“Alexa, what are you so confused about? This is a golden opportunity. You would be foolish not to take it. Working for the CEO himself has many perks, you know. Not to mention the fact that you’re a perfect fit for the job.”

He hunched over in his chair, smiling now.

“I would trust no one else here at this company to cater for Mr. Romano’s needs during his time here, Miss Myers.”

She still seemed unsure, unconvinced of this sudden change in her life.

Working for Gary was one thing but working for the infamous billionaire Dante Romano, and so closely in person mind that, it was an entirely different matter.

Although it was indeed an opportunity to perhaps move up through the ranks, she needed to know more before she would make her decision.

“I… I have some questions.” she announced cautiously.

“Before I agree to accept the position, I mean...”

“Fire away.” Gary replied confidently, sitting back into his chair.

“Where will I be working? I mean, will I have an office here?”

“You will accompany Mr. Romano as he travels, wherever he requires your attendance. This will of course change from day to day as issues arise. You know how it works. I believe your office will be located beside his, on the top floor of this building.”

“Oh… and my pay?”

“It will vastly increase, of course. We’re talking the six-figure range here. Working for the CEO does have its benefits, Miss Myers.” he grinned with satisfaction.

She was stunned.

“What about my position here, who will become your assistant once I’m gone?”

“Everything’s already been sorted.” he waved his hand dismissively.

“You needn’t worry. Stella will move on up from the thirtieth-floor into your old position effective immediately. She’s more than qualified to take over.”

His answers were short, sharp and spoken with confidence, as if to assure her.

But something still seemed off, as if this were all too good to be true.

There had to be a catch of some sort.

“You have nothing to be worried about.” he assured, leaning forward so that his elbows rested on each of his knees.

“Sorry, it’s not that I’m ungrateful or anything.” she admitted shyly.

“It’s just, this is all so sudden…”

“Listen, you don’t have to make the decision right away. Take the rest of the day off, go home and think it over…”

He paused before carefully reaching into his jacket pocket.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I’ve been instructed by Mr. Romano to give you this…”

Alexa watched as he pulled out a singular blank eggshell coloured envelope and held it out for her to take.

“If you do agree to take on the position, Mr. Romano has requested that you meet him at this time and location for a debrief. The details are inside the envelope. Arrive promptly at the listed location and remember Alexa, this decision could change your entire life. Think carefully before you decide.”

She nodded her head to show her understanding as her hand instinctively reached out to take the envelope from her current boss’s hand. Soon to be her ex-boss, so it would seem.

“Good...” Gary announced, standing up and straightening his jacket suit.

“I have to say, it has certainly been a pleasure working with you, Miss Myers-”

“-I haven’t accepted the job offer just yet sir.” she reminded, still seated with a raised brow.

He simply smirked at her in response.

The man seemed that sure of himself.

“An opportunity as good as this doesn’t come around very often.” he reminded, turning and heading for the office door.

“I trust you’ll make the right decision.” he called out over his shoulder.

Alexa watched as Gary opened the door and exited her office, closing it behind him and leaving her alone to begin considering her options.

Her eyes instinctively darted down towards the smooth envelope she was holding in her well-manicured hand.

It was quite light, as if a single piece of paper were inside and nothing more.

Before she could think too much into it, Alexa picked up her handbag and shoved the envelope carelessly inside.

Then proceeding to gather up her mobile phone, keys and other items to head home for the day, Alexa stood and made her way for the doorway.

Her boss had just given her the day off and she wasn’t about to waste such a rare opportunity!

After all, it appeared that she had some serious thinking to do.

And she knew just who she needed to talk to.