Falling for the Enemy

Ch.2

Eros Pov

She appears so changed now. I noticed the coffee shop sooner than anticipated after running into Ella on the street. Encountering her felt like a blessing from above; through her, I can finally discover the one girl meant for my heart. Eve.

Initially persistent, but with enough persuasion, she eventually revealed to me where I could locate her.

I parked my vehicle in front of the coffee shop and entered.

I scanned the vacant seats to see if she was there, but I couldn’t spot her. Feeling let down, I opted to order a latte to take with me to the office.

I approached the counter and positioned myself behind a middle-aged woman. She placed her coffee order and was about to head to a seat when she bumped into me.

"Oops," I quickly caught her before she could fall. I wrapped one arm around her waist to help her regain her balance. She felt light, slender, and fragile.

"Are you alright?" She was holding onto me tightly, her arms wrapped around my neck.

Her face was pressed against my chest. Then, she gradually looked up. I was taken aback to realize she wasn’t a middle-aged woman at all; she was young, probably around twenty-six.

Her features were beautifully sculpted and distinctly feminine. The wind flushed her cheeks with color as she gasped for breath, allowing me to admire the glistening softness of her sweet, curled lips. Her hazel eyes sparkled with hints of gold, exuding a warmth that effortlessly captivated me. Eve?

"Yes, I’m fine. I apologize."

"Are you certain? You appear quite fragile."

"Actually, I’m stronger than you might assume. Appearances can be misleading."

I scowled. "That's difficult to accept. I could easily shatter your bones with just a finger. You appear so frail and undernourished."

She took a deep breath and offered a sarcastic smile.

"I appreciate the compliment. I really must be going; I have a lot on my plate."

"Your coffee is ready." She turned and snatched her coffee from the counter.

"You're welcome." I provoked her, and I saw her irritation rise.

"Are you certain you're alright?"

She flinched, stretched, and threw her arms around. "See, nothing's broken."

I found it amusing; she remained the same funny girl I remembered. She shot me a glare, her lips pressed together in annoyance. She made her way to a corner by a large window.

"Is everything okay, sir?" the barista inquired. I nodded negatively and placed an order for a latte and a pancake, knowing it was her favorite.

"Could you please take this to the lady over there?" I directed the young waiter emerging from the kitchen, handing him the pancake.

When he set the plate of pancakes in front of her, she lifted her head and met my gaze. We locked eyes in a sudden, ringing silence.

Her cheeks flushed as she turned her eyes away from me. It’s definitely Eve. I need to confirm by introducing myself.

I walked over to her table and reached out my hand.

"Hello again, I’m Adam." I observed her facial expression. She was avoiding my gaze. Most likely, she felt embarrassed about what happened a few minutes earlier.

"Althea," she said, sliding her hand into mine for a shake while keeping her eyes on the espresso.We shook hands, and she quickly pulled away.

Well, she’s not my Eve. They share such a striking resemblance. The hair, the eyes, and every aspect of her essence, but this woman is Althea. I need to learn more about her.

"Where do you come from, Althea?"

"Um, I’m sorry, but I don’t share my address with anyone. For safety reasons," she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"I’m not a killer, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m asking because you seem so familiar, like someone I know."

She shook her head. "You’ve mistaken me for someone else. We exist in entirely different worlds."

"Excuse me, but I have other matters to attend to, if you don’t mind."

She stood up quickly and hurriedly collected her belongings. "Thanks for the pancake."

"Hold on," I said, reaching out to grasp her arm.

She pulled away once more, this time as if my touch was searing her skin.

"Where do you work?"

"Let me be clear. I can't share any details about myself for safety reasons. Goodbye."

In an instant, all joy faded from me. It was unfortunate because I wanted to learn more about her.

I reached the office building, and the security guards acknowledged me with a nod. I returned the gesture and proceeded directly into the lobby, where my private elevator awaited. Several employees were present, some arriving while others stood by, waiting for the elevator to open.

The bustling and loud environment abruptly fell silent, resembling an empty church. The stillness was so intense that the sound of a coin hitting the floor could be heard. Each employee stood motionless, their eyes fixed on me. Fear and anxiety were evident on their faces.

"Good morning, Mr. Valenti"

"Good morning, Sir."

"Have a nice day, Sir."

Everyone acknowledged me, and as usual, I simply nodded and proceeded to the elevator. This was a daily occurrence, and I had grown accustomed to it.

I was aware that some of my colleagues and employees held a negative view of me. Why? It was because I demanded perfection from them, expecting them to be highly skilled, efficient, excellent, and productive in their roles. They just didn’t understand that my intentions were for their own benefit.

Four years ago, I completed my degree in Business Administration at Yale University, and since then, I have dedicated myself to managing our family business, Valenti International Corporation, a multi-billion dollar global clothing enterprise.

In this competitive landscape, we face numerous rivals. Many ruthless businessmen are eager to undermine our organization, willing to sacrifice anything to see our company falter.

Not on my watch.

I exited the elevator and made my way to my office. Mrs. Limbs, my father's secretary, trailed behind me.

"Good morning, Eros. This is Winner, your new personal assistant," she said, gesturing to a woman dressed in a short red dress with overly bright lipstick.

She flashed a smile and reached out her hand for a handshake.

I glanced at her, snapped my fingers, and entered my office.

"Winner, you’ve just been fired," I heard Mrs. Limbs remark.