Whispers in the Wind

CHAPTER FIVE

I took a final twirl in front of the mirror, admiring the way the satin emerald dress hugged my curves and flowed just above my knees. It was both modest and striking, perfect for the evening ahead.

With a glance at the clock, I grabbed my bag and other essentials before heading downstairs to the waiting cab.

“Where to, Miss?” the driver asked.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through Giovanni’s message for the address of the restaurant.

******************************************************

Two days prior...

“Mmm,” I murmured in satisfaction as I slid into the bath I had meticulously prepared.

The steam rose around me, soothing my tired muscles as I sank deeper into the warmth. The rich scent of jasmine enveloped me, creating a peaceful cocoon—until my phone rang.

I bit back a string of curses and reached for the phone resting on the edge of the tub.

The caller ID might have made me groan, but something in my stomach did a little flip.

“Miss Aurelius?”

“You called?” I drawled.

I could almost picture him in his office: sleeves rolled up, a glass of whiskey at his side, so engrossed in work.

“I did. I need you to send your availability for this week so we can schedule a meeting. Evenings after six are best for me.”

My eyebrows shot up at the unexpected request. His tone was calm yet commanding.

“I sent you an email. Did you read it?” he asked smoothly.

“Unfortunately, I must have missed it. You do realize this is outside of my working hours, right?”

“Don’t be absurd. The personal assistant to a high executive like myself works nearly around the clock. I’m showing you some leniency,” he said, a trace of amusement in his voice.

I rolled my eyes and smirked. “I’d love to, but my boss can be rather unpredictable. He might get annoyed if I’m unreachable while I’m out at dinner. After all, I’m supposed to work nearly around the clock.”

A throaty chuckle came through the phone.

“In that case, your boss thinks you deserve a day off. Does Thursday evening work for you?”

I had plans to help Zara babysit on Thursday, but this meeting could bring me closer to my goal—our goal. Well, they say you have to sacrifice something to gain another.

“What’s the purpose of the meeting?”

“Miss Aurelius, it seems you’ve answered that question with another. Most unhelpful.”

“Fine,” I said, swirling my finger in the warm water. “Thursday works. I’ll arrange for someone else to take my place.”

“Excellent. I’ll send you the address shortly.”

***************************************************

The restaurant was a beacon of luxury, its polished marble floors and soft, ambient lighting creating an atmosphere of understated elegance.

I arrived early, taking a seat at a secluded table with a view of the city lights.

Gio hadn't arrived yet, but a bottle of wine already sat at our table. I smiled gratefully as the waiter poured me a glass.

I sipped my wine, letting the soft notes of its flavor mingle with the anticipation that buzzed in my chest. As I looked out at the city lights, my mind was set on the task ahead.

There was no time to form a steady plan in my head as Giovanni Russo strode into the dining hall with his usual air of authority and confidence, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing on me. His eyes softened slightly when he saw me, a hint of a smile touching his lips.

He looked every bit the enigmatic executive, his tailored suit making him appear both imposing and irresistibly attractive. With a confident stride, he approached my table. “Miss Aurelius,” he greeted, his voice smooth and pleasantly warm. “I'm sorry I'm late. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long”

I shook my head and smiled. "Not at all. I was enjoying the view"

He nodded appreciatively and took his seat across from me. The waiter discreetly poured him a glass of wine as we finalized our orders and withdrew.

“Tell me, how has your day off been?” Gio began his tone a blend of professional curiosity and personal interest.

“Not bad,” I replied, taking another sip of my wine. “It was a relaxing day—no frantic running around the city,” I teased, savoring the interplay between us.

He chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on me. “I’m glad to hear that. Let’s make the most of this evening, shall we?”

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement.

The candle lit his hard jawline, shadowing his cheekbone. That observation made my nerves tingle for some reason.

"I'm eager to hear your thoughts on the Fiorda deal. Your insights could prove invaluable.”

I wasn't interested in the Fortune 60 company that had recently proposed a generous deal with Russo Corp. Interesting, yes. But I had other things in mind.

I tilted my head slightly, weighing my words. “Well, I’ve been reviewing the latest proposals. There are a few areas where we could negotiate for better terms.”

“Do enlighten me,” he urged, leaning forward slightly.

“I did some research on them. They possess even more valuable assets than commonly known—information that’s not widely available,” I said.

He arched a dark brow upwards and I wondered if he was trying to reason out how I managed to get my hands on such information.

I leaned in, meeting his gaze with a smirk. “Despite the benefits we’d gain from this deal, Fiorda stands to gain and lose much more. They’re essentially sitting ducks right now. With Russo Corp’s backing, they’d be nearly invulnerable. They’ll do anything to secure this deal, even part with their most valuable assets." I concluded and took another sip of wine.

Gio’s eyes flickered with interest. “You seem quite confident. What makes you so sure they won’t reject our terms?”

I met his gaze with a smirk. “Fiorda has more enemies than allies. They’re sitting ducks at the moment. Russo Corp’s support is a golden ticket. They’d do anything to secure it. Trust me, Mr. Russo”

His eyes narrowed at me for a bit. Caramel irises darken into a rich shade of gold.

"Gio," he corrected. "Right. My apologies"

Only I wasn't being apologetic. It seemed very obvious to me that he liked me calling him 'Mr. Russo', maybe a bit too much.

And I was so eager to toy with this newfound discovery.

“You’re quite persuasive, Miss Aurelius.”

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “I just call it as I see it. I hope you’re not disappointed.”

He smiled, a hint of admiration in his gaze. “Not at all. Your directness is... refreshing.”

Our food came, its rich aroma filling my nostrils immediately, but I was decent enough not to jump at my plate like a barbarian.

The waiter set both of our plates down and refilled my glass.

Before I could ask a question, one I hadn't thought of yet, he beat me to it.

"How old are you anyway?" he asked gruffly, picking up his glass of wine.

Gio's eyes were hooded looking at me through thick lashes.

That was what I was here for. To push him. To get to know him, and by extension know his family too. Unfortunately, he'd have to know me first.

"Hmm?" I swallowed the food in my mouth.

"You said in the first stage of the interview that you have your master's degree, but you barely look old enough to rent a car"

I rolled my eyes. "Because I can't. I'm twenty-three. I got my bachelor's degree in two years and my master's in the next two"

School wasn't much of a headache for me, but people were.

"Twenty-three," he breathed. I wonder if he was disappointed.

"You're practically a baby"

I stuck my tongue to the roof of my mouth.

"If I'm such a baby," I paused and swirled my food around my fork, "You should probably stop looking at me like that"

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