Chapter 3: Azalea
1089 Words
I walked through the doors of Valenti Commercial Real Estate. I looked around the lobby, and everything was sleek and dark. The masculinity of the materials and the deep, rich colors of grey, black, and pops of red. I walked up to the front desk.
“Um, excuse me. I’m the new secretary for Dante Valenti.”
The woman behind the desk looked up, and her brows raised. “I wasn’t aware he had a new hire. Let me call his office, and he can come down to show you the way. Regardless, welcome to the company.”
She picked up the phone and dialed his extension. The receiver was up to her ear for a few seconds before she spoke. “Mr.. Valenti. Your new hire is here. The secretary.” She nodded and hung up the phone as she checked out her manicured nails. “He’ll be down in a minute; you can take a seat until he gets here.”
She went back to her work, and I took a seat on a black crushed velvet chair. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through social media, watching reels with the sound off until he got down here from his office. I was a bundle of nerves. I was going to be working with the most successful commercial real estate company in the state, if not the whole country, and on top of that, I had the biggest crush on that man.
What the f**k was I getting myself into? I could feel my palms getting sweaty, and the bundle of nerves in my stomach started to knot even more than they were this morning when I had left home. When I heard footsteps approaching i looked up, and there he was. He was wearing a dark chocolate suit with a red tie over his white button up shirt. f**k he was fine as hell.
“Morning, Azalea. Follow me, and I’ll show you my office, your desk, and the break room.”
“Yes, Sir.” My stomach flip flopped when I said Sir all I could think about was being a brat until he dominated me and made me submit.
He smiled at me and leaned in. “No, need to call me, Sir. That is, unless you want to.”
I bit my lip once he turned his back to me and led me towards the elevator. When we got in side with was more spacious than any elevator I’ve been in before. I stood in the back corner trying to settle my nerves. Images flashed in my mind of him pinning me against the wall and kissing me breathless.
He looked over at me, “I’m on floor ten. Just remember the top floor.”
I nodded. “Okay, got it.”
“By the way, you look lovely, very professional.” He smiled warmly at me before returning his attention to the doors.
My cheeks became dusted with a light pink blush. I averted my gaze to my feet. “Uh, thank you, sir, and that color suits you by the way.”
He didn’t turn around, but I could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke. “Thank you, Azalea.”
My flushed cheeks deepened a little bit before I regrind it in thinking about country music and men my age hitting on me, and the flush fully dissipated before the doors opened to the tenth floor. I followed him out the door and down the hallway to show me all the important areas: the break room, restrooms, my desk, and his office.
“So any questions?” He asked as he sat down in his seat.
“No, sir. I’m assuming the temp secretary left a ledger with all of your important meetings in my desk?”
“Yes, he did. Feel free to look them over and make yourself at home here. Welcome to the team, Azalea.”
I nodded. “Thank you for giving me a chance here.” I smile and exit his office to check out more of my desk and the ledger.
I flipped through the papers and notes the temp had left. Whoever he was, he was just very thorough, and his handwriting was super crisp. I wasn’t second guessing anything he had written, unlike my handwriting. I flipped the lid of my water bottle open and took a long drink. The cool water rushing through cooled off my heated skin.
When it was time for my break, Dante came out and leaned against my desk. “Hey, wanna grab lunch together? Ya know, to celebrate you joining the team?”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I made my own lunch this morning.”
“Nah, my treat, really.”
“O-okay if you’re really sure.”
“I am. Come on. I’ll even drive.”
I followed him to his sports car, a black 2026 Porsche 911. He opened the passenger door for me and shut the door after I was situated inside the car. Once he got in, he started the engine, and damn did it purr. f**k this was a nice car.
I looked out the window as he drove to our destination. I wanted to start a conversation, but I was a little intimidated. It was easier to talk ot him when Ira was with us. Now, I was scared of saying something stupid or slipping up on how I was feeling.
I stole a glance over his way. His jaw was set, and his lips pulled tight in a hard line. His mind was definitely somewhere and in deep thought. My gaze returned to the window, watching as the building flew past in a blur.
“So, uh, where are we going to eat?”
“Oh, uh, this authentic Italian place I frequent.”
“That actually sounds perfect. I love Italian food.”
“Well, I’m glad it reminds me of my mamma’s home cooking at this place. So hands down the best Italian restaurant I’ve been to in the state.”
“Really? Huh, I guess I don’t know much about Ira’s grandmother. What is she like?”
“Oh, she’s living her best life in Italy. I immigrated here when I was twenty-one.”
“Really? I didn’t know that either.”
“Yeah, well, can’t leak all my secrets now, can I?”
He looked over at me with a smirk before returning his focus to the road.
- Writer
