Uncovering The Boss

CHAPTER 15: ERECTED HOPES

“It’s time for me to leave for Asia tomorrow, Steph, I already told Alex that you are in charge of every decision making, and he would be the one who would run this company here in Italy while I am away. However, I still expect the both of you to make sure that you contact me every time you see it fit for me to be involved in the decisions.”

“I know, I know, but I still don't feel like it’s a great idea for you to extend your stay there in Asia for an entire month. You told me at first that it would only be for a week or two, and you would be back as soon as you can. Staying there for a whole month with limited men is practically suicide for you.”

The annoyance and worry that were laced in her words made me feel regret for not telling her about my entire plan of visiting other mafia bosses during the business trip. I only told her a few hours ago, and I thought she was going to shoot me or throw the actual gun to my face.

“I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you the full plan until today, but the plan only came to me the other day while I was speaking to Uriel about the business trip. I thought that it would be the best move, since it would also allow me to test Miss Knight if she could also be my secretary not just as a CEO, but also as the Don of the De Angelo family.”

“Wait a stupid minute here, boss. Are you telling me that you are thinking of testing that woman to become a part of the family? That means you're basically trying to include an innocent woman to be part of the underworld.”

“I won’t let anything happen to her, and she reminds me of you, so I feel like it’s a win for us. Plus, she is someone who's a mixture of you and Alex. I don't understand it, but I think that if she does agree, she can make a great asset to the family.”

"You like her don't you, little brother? I have never seen you talk like this about anyone other than those we've been together with during training. You don't trust people easily, and this woman is someone whom you've only known a few days, and the information about her is mainly in her resume."

"Last time you called me little brother was when I was about to die from thet bullet wound near my heart. You're only a few months older than me, Stephanie. Plus, I am your boss, and your friend, so you should trust my instincts."

"Alright, I will, but you better make sure that you only focus on the business trip, okay? Ignore the problem about your brother, because no one there would be able to calm you down. Do you understand me, Michael?"

My smile disappeared as I was reminded of my brother and my past. I nodded at her reminder, and I kissed her cheek before going inside the car. There were three cars in total, but the two are ahead and behind my car at a distance that doesn't draw too much attention.

The fourth car already went ahead of us at the airport, and the three assassins I had already went straight to Asia yesterday to prepare everything. My people made sure that it would only seem like I brought about six men, when in total, I bought so much more. A month in Asia means I needed the manpower to protect me and Uriel if the enemy decided to pay a dangerous visit.

My car went straight to Uriel's home to get her and her things, and I closed my eyes while waiting for the car to stop. I opened my eyes when the driver, Mr. Edgardo, told me that we were almost at the building where Uriel lived.

"Edgardo, when we arrive there, don't let Miss Knight take her bags to either of the two convoys alright? I want her to ride here with me, so put her things in the car compartment."

When we arrived at the building, I saw Uriel standing at the side of the entrance with three suitcases and a hand carry, as well as a small shoulder bag. It looks like she made sure that she had enough clothes for meetings, but I think two small suitcases and one big suitcase is not enough. I made a mental note to talk to her about it when we arrived at the hotel.

Edgardo took her suitcases and put them in the back of the car. When I suddenly got out of the car,she looked shocked. By the look on her face, she was expecting that she would be riding in the other car with my other employees.

"Hello, Hope, it looks like you're ready to go. You will be sitting with me so that we can review as much as we can during the twenty minutes drive to the airport."

Uriel snapped out of her initial shock upon seeing me, and nodded at my command. She went inside the car, and I sat beside her. The car we used was just a small one that looked like a regular car, and not something a multimillionaire would ride.

"Okay then, Miss Uriel. Let's go over everything that we need to do for today. Is every presentation ready? I need you to make sure that every investor will leave that meeting impressed. Especially the o

son of the owner of Mondragon's Inc. Damien Kane Mondragon. For now, he is our biggest threat, because he holds nearly one fourth of the investors, and I and Miss Morozova Volkov from Russia hold the other half."

"Yes, sir. Alex was kind enough to help me finish the presentation last night and review it multiple times so that any possible questions would be answered. Every file that needs to be signed by everyone, including the contracts regarding the actual buildings and factories that are expected to be erected, are all here. I also made sure that I have the contact numbers of all the investors' secretaries and personal assistants."

"You and Alex stayed up late last night to finish everything for the presentation? Did the two of you stay at your office in the company or his?"

My voice was a bit sharper and louder than my normal voice, and I saw Uriel stiffen. She looked at me dead in the eyes and I saw confusion in her eyes "

"No, sir, I made sure that I had. personal copy of everything in my laptop, so we did it all in my apartment. We stayed up late until four in the morning to make sure everything was set."

The car was a bit tight since it was an old model, so there was only about a foot between us. I looked at her face and checked whether or not she was lying to me. I felt a sudden urge to punch Alex until the guy collapsed, and I had the thought of sending Steph to just give the guy a punch to knock him out.

"So he stayed at your place until four in the morning, the two of you worked side by side the entire time, and the both of you are on a first name basis now? Did the two of you get close during the time you guys bonded over the work, or did you guys bond over random talks during the preparation?"

My tone was monotonous and yet accusing at the same time. I saw Uriel's eyes widen at my accusing tone, and I saw anger flash before her eyes.

"Excuse me, sir. Michael, but me and Mr. O'Connor bonded with coworkers who had to make sure the meetings would be a success. We never bonded over anything other than the desire to do our jobs with excellence."

"Good. Because from now on, if you talk about Alex, address him in a professional way since he is a senior to you. Furthermore, I am the only one between the two of us who can call him Alex. When you will work with him regarding something like this in the future, make sure that you have an entire team with you, and you do it at the office and not your apartment Ms. Knight."

"Very well sir, I will make sure that I remember all of that, and I would inform Mr. O'Connor about that as well. Now, I would like to proceed with the presentation-"

"Did I tell you that you can proceed to the presentation, Miss Knight? I don't recall ever giving you the order to present me anything other than your attention when I speak."

I turned my body to the side until I was facing her and looking at her face intently. Uriel also did the same, and our knees were an inch away from touching.

"I appreciate your boldness and abilities, Ms. Knight. I encourage my workers to be authoritative when you are handling a business deal or when you're at the office. However, that only applies when you are speaking to other employees, not with me as your boss. I think you would find it better to be submissive when in front of me, Miss Knight."

My face was closer to hers now, but instead of being intimidated or backing up, she held her ground, and Uriel's eyes held a fire that taunted me. The car suddenly stopped and Uriel instinctively ducked and cpvered her head, while I instinctively wrapped my arms around her to cover her from any threats.

"I'm sorry, sir, but Fred and George's car suddenly stopped in front of us. There was probably a stupid driver or a person who crossed the street. Are you both alright back there sir?"

I looked at Edgardo, and I also looked at the car in front of us. I saw that it wasn't Fred or George's car, nor was there any car in front of us. Edgardo and I locked eyes through the rear view mirror, and I saw the glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

I looked at Uriel who was still ducking and hiding her face on the crook of my neck, and slowly removed my arms that surrounded her. She felt me move, and instinctively untangled herself and moved closer to the other side of the car.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry for that sir. I thought that there was something wrong or we would be in am accident s-so I-I-"

"It's alright, Hope. I understand you, and I'm sorry if I wrapped my arms around you without permission. We both thought of the same thing."

"T-thank you you,sir, I didn't mind what happened so long as you don't mind it either. Umh, we have a few minutes left before we reach the airport, what else do you want to check sir?"

I tried her best to hide her blush by ducking and checking her phone for who knows what. I fixed myself and sat straighter to relieve the tension.

"Nothing. Let's just resume this talk when we're in the plane, Uriel. I think that we both need to relax until we reach the airport."

Uriel agreed and stopped what she was doing on her phone. She fixed all of her things in her carry-on bag, and looked out the window.

"Hope, this trip would last for a month, and we would be in Asia, which means the time difference here is great. Did you manage to explain this trip thoroughly to your boyfriend or lover before leaving? I don't want you to get in a fight with him during the business trip and be distracted. I need your complete focus for this to work."

She turned to look at me quickly with a face of both confusion and annoyance. By the look on her eyes, the topic wasn't something that she was too keen on answering.

"I don't have a boyfriend or a lover sir. I do have someone back home who is courting me, but I don't need to explain anything to him aside from my parents. So you don't have to worry about me, sir, because I can give my hundred and ten percent focus to you and the meetings."

"Good. Make sure you give your full attention to me alone, especially during the meeting." I said in a quiet and a deep voice.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw her shiver and stare at me intently. I looked out the window as I felt contentment in seeing how intense I affected my new secretary. This business trip would be both amazing for me and my company. For different reasons, obviously.