Eros West

Beginning of Internships

I advance, walking confidently with my purse in hand, looking around with great interest. With each step, the sound of my black stiletto heels resonates, but I don't care. The interior is large enough to draw all eyes to me.

"Although I wouldn't mind if some sexy men looked at me," I think.

I'm at the West conglomerate, the place where I officially start my internship today. I won't deny that I feel a bit nervous, a sensation that manifests in my stomach. I don't know how this will go, I don't know which department I'll be assigned to, and I don't know if I'll run into him.

"I hope not," I think.

I'm not afraid of the boss and owner of this place; I'm far from fearing him. It's just that I take my university career very seriously and don't want to jeopardize it because of Eros West. I know very well that he must hate me for walking out of the club, for speaking to him the way I did, and for putting him in his place. And worse, for deceiving him.

He's hot, incredibly hot. He has a p***s that could make anyone fall in love, he's sexy, a stallion in bed, but should I worship him for that? No, I refuse. It was just s*x, but I know very well that for a man like him, who expected to dominate me during the passionate night we had, I went from being a casual night to a personal challenge.

"And now I just pray not to run into him around here," I think.

The West conglomerate is made up of many luxury brands. From clothing, footwear, bags, and jewelry, the conglomerate is a huge company encompassing many silent luxury and commercial luxury brands worldwide. The power of that family is very large and strong, and the place where I am, the main building where the "magic" of numbers, statistics, and strategies to pull the strings of each brand happens, is where I will do my internship.

I've always wanted to manage my father's empire; I've always wanted to be the one behind the desk. Since I became aware of the family I grew up in, where I was taught from a young age—besides being spoiled—that one day, I would inherit the Barone legacy. I will be the one in charge of the best wine in all of Italy and the world, so when I became aware of what my future would be, I didn't hesitate to be the best in every class. I also didn't hesitate to come to New York to study everything related to business administration.

Of course, I could have studied the same degree in Italy, but it's impossible to compare the university here to the one I would have attended there. I'm ambitious, and being at this Columbia was something non-negotiable for me. Besides, I also wanted a change of scenery because I know very well that my beloved father, who spoils and pampers me so much, will reach a hundred years old and wouldn't let me run the company for anything. He prefers that I enjoy the benefits of what he has reaped for so many years rather than giving myself a headache by being in charge. That's what he tells me, and that's how much he pampers me. He finds it hard to accept that his daughter wants to lead and manage as well.

Those were some of the many reasons why I came here, because even though I love being pampered as he does, I need to learn on my own so that when the time comes, he understands that he can continue to pamper me even while I'm sitting behind the imposing desk he sits at every morning when he wakes up.

"Good morning," I greet the receptionist in front of me with a big smile. "My name is Siena Barone, and I'm part of the internship program."

I maintain my smile, but the woman with enormous breasts, which are noticeable despite her high-necked blouse, looks at me with a slightly raised eyebrow. I don't lower my gaze; I widen my smile until she deigns to look up my name on the computer. She repeats my name in a tone that I don't like at all, the university I come from, and of course, she asks for my letter signed by the board and my graduation sponsor, confirming that I am accepted into the program. She stands up, and I have to raise my head a bit due to her height.

"I don't know why I didn't inherit my father's height. I had to be petite like my mother," I think.

"You're late," she snaps. "Head to the conference room," she orders, leaving the badge with my small photo and the word "intern" in capital letters on the desk. "Have a nice day."

"Could you tell me which floor the conference room is on?" She lets out a mocking smile, and I raise my eyebrow.

"University interns are on the ground floor, Miss Barone. Unless they get hired, which is unlikely for you since Mr. West seeks excellence, and apparently... being late is your forte," she looks at me with a smug air before sitting down. "Go to the right, at the end of the hall are two black doors with a silver sign that says 'conference room,' in case you forget."

"b***h, does she really think I'm stupid?" I think.

"Are you also a university intern?" I ask with false innocence. "I mean, since you're here too."

"I'm the main receptionist on the ground floor, and I've been in this position for years," she says.

Now I genuinely smile, seeing her smile vanish from her perfect face, created in some surgeon's operating room. That rhinoplasty is more than noticeable to me, as is the disdain for my "stupid attitude."

"I'm sorry," I say, placing my hand on my chest. "I thought you were an intern, but now I understand that you are the star receptionist of this ground floor. I'm sure those above you, with the boss, while you're here, respect you. I will too," I let out a sigh. "Thanks for taking the time to tell me things I didn't want to know, but I appreciate it because now I know the excellent environment I'll be in. Have a nice day, super receptionist."

I wink at her and turn my back, resuming my walk directly to where she told me, erasing the smile from my lips.

"i***t, what does she think?" I mutter under my breath because I know I've already made an enemy without even planning it.

"Damn it! I can't let anyone treat me like she did," I think.

I refuse to be belittled because I'm an intern or to be mocked just because I'm blonde. The viper in me doesn't stay quiet, and the true b***h I am comes out. Normally, I hide it very well until the right moment to bite, but to hell with it. It's the star receptionist's word against mine. And usually, I always end up winning.

"Who wouldn't believe an innocent little blonde with a scolded kitten look who ends up crying over false accusations against her?" I think.

My smile returns to my lips, remembering the times I've ended up winning at university. I know Mali will scold me; she will put me in my place for speaking to the receptionist the way I did. She will say, "You're a university student; you have no right to act like the queen of the place," "Be a professional," "Stop arguing," and I could go on with examples, but what does it matter? I'm human, and although I'm very diligent in my studies and career, the i***t behind the desk looked at me badly from the start.

"She asked for it by treating me like a fool," I think.

I look at the doors at the end of the hall, read the elegant silver words on them, quicken my pace, hoping they haven't started yet. Also hoping that Mrs. West doesn't scold me. She is in charge of the program, and according to my mother, she welcomes the interns with an emotional and encouraging speech, then gives us a tour of the company and finally, with human resources, places us in our respective positions.

I just hope she doesn't tell my mother that her daughter was late on her first day. All because of Emet. He stayed over at my apartment last night, and although he slept in the guest room—because there's no way I'd let him sleep in mine—he didn't hesitate to find me when I woke up this morning, pull me out, and give me an excellent morning s*x session, which I enjoyed but made me late.

I have a rule: no man sleeps in my bed or my room. The only one I let in is my f**k buddy, Emet Mcintire. And only because we've known each other since our first year of college. There are no feelings, no intentions of developing any. We have s*x when he fights with his girlfriend—who can't stand me—or when I call him, that's it. Coincidentally, last night he fought with his girlfriend, and I was in the mood, but because I was being indulgent this morning, I took longer than I should have.

"Come on, Siena, it's now or never," I think.

I comb my hair a bit, adjust the badge on my blouse, and even smooth out my perfectly ironed white skirt. I smile and, without wasting any more time, open the door to enter the conference room.

I walk silently, trying to go unnoticed by the other interns from different universities who are already seated, looking ahead and listening to the woman's words. It's not Mrs. West; it's someone else. But even though the spotlights on the stage are blinding me a bit, I keep my smile forward, processing her words.

She is giving the welcome speech, which means they haven't officially started yet. I see an empty seat at the end of the first row, I don't hesitate to go for it, and apologizing in a low voice for passing in front of them, I finally reach the other side.

"Thank you very much for your words on behalf of my mother, Miss Harris. All the students present, along with the latecomer who hasn't heard it because she arrived twenty minutes late, appreciate the message," a voice says.

"It can't be," I think.

I tense up immediately upon hearing him, my pulse quickens, and the low laughs of my classmates don't take long to follow. I swear I feel my cheeks heat up.

I curse Emet in my mind, but even so, I lift my gaze to the stage to finally see him.

I clench my teeth hard, seeing him looking just as I remember from that night. Intimidating gaze, black suit, tattoos on his knuckles and hands, no tie, and the top buttons of his white shirt undone, looking like the bastard he is. Eros West looks at me with his hardened features, making me feel like his worst enemy at this moment because of my lateness.

***

Eros’ POV

"No way," I state, looking into her beautiful brown eyes. "I won't do it; it's not my problem or my responsibility. You created this, you handle it."

"Eros West!" she exclaims, and I raise my eyebrow, waiting for her tantrum. "I am your mother!"

"A mother who abuses her power in this company just because she is that; my mother."

"A mother who gave birth to you in pain, who breastfed you, who raised you, and has every right to abuse the power I see fit," she retorts. "Can't you do me this favor?"

"Is it a favor?" I ask, giving her a look which she responds to by rolling her eyes. "You came here ordering me to do something I don't want to do. I'm not here to welcome clueless and stupid interns, mother. I have more important matters to attend to than presenting myself in front of twenty desperate kids."

"You will be brief, Eros," she says sweetly. "You will just welcome them, and leave the rest to Elizabeth."

"No."

"I will call your father and tell him you don't want to help me."

"Damn it," I think.

She does it. She undoubtedly dials my father's number, and when I hear his demanding voice, I raise my index finger for her not to say anything. She smiles, satisfied, victorious, knowing very well that she got her way, starting to greet her grumpy husband as if nothing in life, and even though I love her with all my damn heart, I wish I could ban her from this building.

When she entered my office first thing in the morning, I thought she was coming to give me the usual sermon about Natalia, but no. She just sat down, spoke to me sweetly, until she told me she couldn't be at this year's intern welcome because she was going to a charity event she was invited to at the last minute and couldn't refuse.

I hate that damn internship program; it frustrates me to see university students every year in my company screwing up, ruining an excellent workday with their lack of experience, and above all, I hate being the one to welcome them when the program's founder should be doing it. But no, the lady can't miss her charity event.

"First and last time I'll do it," I state.

She widens her smile, gets up from her seat, and walks around the desk to reach me, hugging me and giving me many kisses on my head as if I were the little boy she raised.

"That's why I love you..."

"You say the same to your other three children."

"To your siblings, Eros!" she scolds me with that sweet tone that never disappeared from her. "I love all four of you with all my soul."

I nod because it's true. She loves us despite our crap. She loves me, despite being a damn bastard, loves Hera, despite her stupidity, just as she loves Zeus with his perfectionism, and undoubtedly loves Apollo despite his addictions. And just for that, it's hard for me to refuse what she asks, even though I initially give her my negatives.

"Elizabeth already has my speech," she informs me, and I only realize that she was more than prepared for this. "You will just be the one to greet them on behalf of the company. Be brief, be direct, and if you want, disappear. It doesn't matter; Elizabeth will take care of it."

"If it doesn't matter, why the hell does she ask me to do it?" I think.

"Alright, go to your event," I proclaim. "I understand what I need to do, I'm not stupid, Abigail."

"What did you say, Eros Jefferson West?" she asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Thank you very much for informing me what I need to do, mother," I fake my smile.

"That's better."

I stop smiling, get up from my seat, and without the desire to continue arguing with the woman who gave me life, I decide to get her out of here before she comes up with another one of her tricks.

I get out of the elevator without looking to the sides, walking directly to the conference room. I have an important matter to attend to in my office in an hour, which I won't cancel for anything.

Every employee greets me with a slight nod, showing the respect and fear they have for me. I don't stop to talk to any of them, even though more than one stops, waiting for me to order something. I continue directly to the damn conference room to finish this once and for all.

All the young interns are scheduled for eight in the morning; it's seven fifty-five. I may be a tyrant, I may be a son of a b***h—but not literally—but what I am is a punctual man when it comes to my company and business.

Even though I'll be welcoming clueless and useless kids who know nothing about running a company, I'm responsible even for this. Not for my mother, but for me. There may be plenty of rumors about me in the city, but they are just that; rumors. I, Eros West, have an image to maintain and uphold.

I enter the room, aware that I have more than a pair of eyes on me, but I don't look at them. I keep walking directly to the stage where Elizabeth is. She smiles at me; I keep my face cold. I know very well that she is enjoying seeing me here. We'll see if she smiles later.

"Are you starting?"

"But there are still five minutes," she says, still smiling. "And according to my list, one more intern."

"I don't care, start," I order sharply. "I have a matter to attend to, and I won't wait for anyone else. If they are conscious, they will enter silently and sit at the back. If they don't arrive in five minutes, kick them out of the program."

"Yes, sir."

I won't deny that it satisfies me greatly that she follows my orders without question. She knows I'm not here to waste my time, much less to wait for an irresponsible university kid to start. I'm not here for this, and I'm already doing a lot by being here this morning when I shouldn't be.

"I'll see how to collect this favor from my mother later. She owes me one, and I won't let this pass," I think.

I go behind the stage, right where the long curtains fall from the high ceiling. I take out the cigarette box and my lighter from my pocket. I need to relax a bit while my mother's assistant talks. And while she talks and talks, I don't stop devouring her body with my eyes. Although I'm imagining f*****g her round ass on my desk, I'm listening to her attentively until the door at the back opens, stealing all my attention.

Elizabeth continues with her speech; I, on the other hand, finish taking a drag from my cigarette, then extinguish it with my fingertips, and put the butt in my pocket. I look with interest at the small-bodied university student who, as she gets closer, I can detail more. I look her up and down, noting the skirt she's wearing, the blouse tucked in tight to her body, her golden hair, and the big smile she has as if she doesn't care about being twenty minutes late.

Of course, the surprise of seeing her here hits me, but it's replaced by the anger of remembering what that damn little b***h did to me on the beach, what she said to me, and how she spoke to me. She walks to the front, not caring to parade in front of the rest with airs of grandeur, as if she were the diva, the queen. I notice more than one looking at her, especially at her ass and legs.

"Who the hell told her to wear that white skirt that, instead of making her look professional, causes many to fantasize about her? I'm one of them at this moment," I think.

She stands with her back for a few seconds before sitting, and that's enough for me to look at her again, noting her heels.

"Just what I needed..." I think.

I clench my teeth hard, thinking about the comment made about the devil and red-soled heels, but my c**k also reacts when I see how she leans a bit to clean the seat with that false delicacy she carries. I know how shameless and bitchy she is. I stay hidden, behind, until Elizabeth finishes her welcome speech, and I come out of the shadows, finally showing myself to her.

"Thank you very much for your words on behalf of my mother, Miss Harris. All the students present, along with the latecomer who hasn't heard it because she arrived twenty minutes late, appreciate the message," I say, looking at her.

She freezes, surprised, and I could swear she’s even terrified, but still, she doesn’t break eye contact with me.

Neither do I, despite the anger brewing inside me at having her here.

My gaze is fixed on the little lioness with golden eyes, the one who called me old, slapped me, and on top of it all, let me f**k her ass until she was exhausted. She promised me something, only to run away after leaving the beach.

“Do you want to apologize to your colleagues for being late, Miss…?” I don’t say her name.

“Barone. Siena Barone, sir,” she clarifies, a smile tugging at her lips. “And yes, of course. I apologize for being late. I have no excuses, but I can assure you it won’t happen again,” she says with an elegance that only she could pull off, before fixing her golden eyes back on me. “Is there anything else you want from me, sir…?”

Such a sweet little lioness pretending she wasn’t on her knees sucking my c**k on the beach after I f****d her ass while she screamed my name, desperate and covered in sand.

“Eros West,” I introduce myself, though she knows damn well who I am. Still, I take the moment to lay things out clearly. “Owner of the conglomerate where you’ll be doing your internship, which makes me your boss. You’ll be reporting directly to me starting today. And let me be clear—I don’t tolerate lateness. If you’re late again, consider yourself out of my company. Is that clear, Miss Barone?”

She smiles, but I can see the fire in her eyes—the urge to tell me to go to hell, the itch to bring out those claws and that venomous tongue of hers. Especially as she notices the other interns snickering quietly around her. I could tell them to shut up, but I choose not to. I’d rather watch her burn.

“Yes, sir.”

Now this is interesting, giving a tour to a group of interns.

I have an important meeting in an hour in my office, but now that will have to wait.