One Night Stand with My Husband's Brother

CHAPTER 2

A month and a few weeks before...

I worked as a gossip columnist at Tomorrow newspaper. It wasn't exactly my dream job, and I should have thought twice before saying yes to the position. The reason was that the owner, Ricardo Maestrini, was a very serious and uptight man, with all sorts of prejudices and arrogance ingrained in him. He even said when he met me that he only hired me for my looks. He didn't hesitate to say that, showing that he would never consider me an investigative journalist. Well, that was my dream job, but on the day of the interview, all I received was a rejection. I cried so much that the interviewer felt sorry for me, invited me for a drink, and decided to offer me this opportunity.

I couldn't understand how a man like him managed to build an empire, let alone a newspaper like Tomorrow. I mean, I know, it's the people who work for him who hides who he is very well.

And despite everything, that job helped me grow financially. I moved out of the rented room and got my apartment (also rented). I gained a wonderful friend, Susan, and of course, every day a chance to go from being a gossip columnist to an investigative reporter.

Anyway, going back to the good things, the bar where I talked to Susan became our spot, and every Friday, after work, we would go there to blow off steam, laugh, and gossip about the major events in the office, not necessarily in that order. And it was just another Happy Hour like that when he came, stopped in the middle of the two of us, and said:

"Hello, can I buy a drink for the most beautiful girl in this bar?"

"Sorry, but my mom said I can't accept drinks from strangers."

"Giovanni," he said, extending his hand while resting it on the table. "A beautiful woman like you undoubtedly no longer follows mommy's rules."

"To tell you the truth, she doesn't even have a mom," my friend revealed from behind him. "I support getting some free beers."

"I don't know if you noticed," I said to her, completely ignoring his presence, "but he offered the drink to me."

"Then I guess you shouldn't accept the invitation," my friend replied, taking a sip of her beer.

"It's obvious that the invitation extends to you too," Giovanni said, turning to her.

"Well, if that's the case... Why not?" my friend asked, looking at me. She was too easy.

"Okay..." I replied, surrendering. "Mia."

From that moment on, we started talking, laughing, and flirting. After several beers, hints, laughs, flirtatious touches, and hair tosses, I was awakened from that enchantment in the form of a man by Susan, who had the most bored expression.

"The chat is great, but we have to go," my friend told both of us. "Let's go, Mia?"

"Yeah," I replied, a bit tipsy. I extended my hand to him and said, "It was nice to meet you."

"The pleasure was all mine," he replied with a seductive smile.

What followed next was nothing more than my trademark on all dates: I barely left the table and stumbled to the ground. I only avoided making a bigger scene because he managed to catch me by the waist. My face was redder and hotter than all the peppers combined; I knew everyone in the bar was looking at me.

"I'm fine," I whispered to the two of them. I tried to get up and almost fell again. I felt terrible pain coming from my left ankle. Damn, I had twisted it with the fall.

"I think you should go to the hospital," Giovanni said, looking concerned.

"She'll be fine," Susan said. She, more than anyone, knew that it wasn't the first time that happened.

"I'll be fine," I confirmed to him with a smile.

"At least let me take you both home... Do you have a car?" he asked.

"Taxi," Susan replied. "But don't worry, this is not new."

"I insist," Giovanni said, looking at me with those sweet honey-colored eyes.

My friend rolled her eyes and walked toward the door. He put his arms around my neck, and his woody scent intoxicated me instantly. His hand touched my waist while the other arm passed under my knees, lifting me. I placed my head on his chest and let him carry me to the parking lot, where his black Land Rover was waiting for us. He put me in the front seat and then opened the door for Susan to get in, showing himself to be a true gentleman. Giovanni got into the car and then turned to us, saying:

"Where do you ladies want to go?"

"We both live in Little Italy," I replied. I looked at Susan and continued, "In the same building."

"Interesting," Giovanni replied, turning and starting his car. "Then, buckle up, and off we go."