Chapter 4
1141 Words
Alessandro's POV
Ever since I laid eyes on her, something inside me had refused to settle.
It was infuriating.
Every time her face crossed my mind, my heartbeat became uneven, my thoughts scattered in every direction, and my concentration slipped through my fingers like grains of sand.
Why?
She was nothing more than a maid.
A mere woman.
A low life compared to the empire I had built.
So why couldn't I overlook her?
I had met women far more beautiful, elegant, and influential. Models, actresses, heiresses, even daughters of powerful politicians had thrown themselves at me.
None of them had ever occupied my thoughts.
None.
Yet this girl...
Alice Brooks.
She had managed to invade my mind after less than twenty-four hours.
I hated it.
When she bumped into me that morning, I should have been furious.
Instead, the warmth of her body lingering for that split second had unsettled me more than I cared to admit.
Her startled eyes...
The innocent apology...
The way she nervously lowered her head...
Everything replayed in my mind.
I clenched my fists.
"No."
Feelings were not meant for people like me.
Feelings created hesitation.
Hesitation created weakness.
And weakness got people killed.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly.
I had far more important matters to deal with than thinking about a maid.
Meetings.
Business acquisitions.
Shipments.
Rival families waiting for the slightest mistake.
My empire demanded my complete attention.
Yet every attempt to focus only brought her image back.
Her emerald-green eyes sparkled with life.
Her long black hair flowed effortlessly down her back.
The maid's uniform hugged her slim waist perfectly without looking inappropriate, while her graceful figure somehow made the ordinary uniform look elegant.
"Damn it..."
I slammed the folder on my desk shut.
She was becoming a distraction.
And distractions had to be dealt with.
An idea slowly formed in my mind.
Perhaps if I kept her close long enough, I would eventually grow tired of seeing her.
Or perhaps...
She would make one mistake that would give me a reason to throw her out of my mansion forever.
I reached for my phone and dialed the butler.
He answered almost immediately.
"This is the butler speaking. How may I be of assistance, sir?"
"Assign Miss Brooks to clean the entire east wing."
Silence.
I heard him inhale sharply.
"Sir... the east wing?"
His voice carried unmistakable confusion.
"Yes."
"But... that's your private residence. You never allow anyone into your personal space."
I leaned back in my chair.
"You seem to be questioning my decision."
"N-No, sir."
"Then carry out my instructions."
I ended the call before he could respond.
A slow smirk spread across my face.
Let's see how long she survives there.
Standing from my chair, I walked toward the cabinet and retrieved a cigarette.
The lighter clicked.
The first drag filled my lungs as I crossed the office toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
Below me stretched the city.
My city.
Towering skyscrapers pierced the clouds while luxury cars moved through streets that answered to my name.
One command from me could shake the country's economy.
One finger raised could bring powerful men to their knees.
Nearly seventy percent of the nation's largest businesses answered directly or indirectly to the De Luca family.
Power.
Control.
Fear.
Those were the only languages I believed in.
I stared at my reflection in the glass.
"So," I muttered.
"You've built yourself a home inside my head."
My lips curled into another dangerous smile.
"Let's see if you enjoy the rooms."
Without warning, the office door burst open.
I didn't even have to turn around.
Only two idiots entered my office without knocking.
"What is wrong with you?" an overly dramatic voice complained.
I sighed.
Here they come.
The noise makers.
Zayn walked in first, followed closely by Adrian, who looked as though he'd rather be asleep.
"Brother!" Zayn announced. "How can you be so heartless?"
I slowly turned toward them.
"What now?"
He pointed dramatically at me.
"You have three girlfriends!"
Adrian snorted.
"Correction," he said. "I have three girlfriends."
Zayn waved him off.
"Whatever! Somebody here has three girlfriends while another person has none."
He pointed at himself pitifully.
"I am suffering."
I couldn't stop the laugh escaping me.
Adrian burst into laughter beside me.
"What exactly is funny?" Zayn frowned.
"You want someone else's girlfriend?" I asked.
"At least I'll have one."
I shook my head.
"You'd settle for second-hand love?"
He folded his arms stubbornly.
"Beggars can't be choosers."
The room erupted into laughter again.
"You two are impossible."
Then, as if remembering something, Zayn suddenly looked at me.
"You know, big bro..."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't even look at women."
The laughter stopped instantly.
Adrian shot him a warning glance.
"Zayn..."
"What?" he asked innocently.
"I'm just saying the truth."
He counted on his fingers.
"You're twenty-eight."
He pointed at Adrian.
"He's twenty-six and somehow has three girlfriends."
Then he looked back at me.
"You don't even glance at women."
The silence became painfully awkward.
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You're digging your own grave."
"What?" Zayn asked again, completely oblivious.
I folded my arms.
"Zayn."
His smile faded.
"You may leave."
His eyes widened.
"Come on, boss. I was only joking."
"I wasn't."
Realizing I wasn't changing my mind, he sighed dramatically before walking toward the door.
"You people don't appreciate comedy."
The door closed behind him.
Peace returned.
Adrian relaxed onto the sofa.
"I warned him."
"I know."
After a brief silence, I picked up another file.
"June returns today."
Adrian nodded.
"I know."
"You and Zayn will pick her up from the airport."
He groaned loudly.
"The driver can handle that."
"I wasn't asking."
He stared at me for several seconds before throwing his hands into the air.
"Fine."
"You'll leave before noon."
He sighed again.
"Anything else?"
"I'll be leaving the office early today."
His head snapped toward me.
One eyebrow slowly rose.
"What?"
He continued staring.
"You've never voluntarily left work early."
"So?"
"So... who are you, and what have you done with my brother?"
I shot him a cold look.
"You're imagining things."
"I don't think I am."
"I'll leave around two."
He leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
"Interesting."
"Call Shawn. He'll handle the remaining meetings."
"Fine."
He stood and walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, he looked over his shoulder.
"I have a feeling something is happening."
"You're overthinking."
He chuckled.
"We'll see."
The door closed.
Silence returned to the office.
I looked out over the city once more.
The paperwork on my desk suddenly seemed unimportant.
Why was I really going home early?
I already knew the answer.
I wanted to see her again.
And for the first time in years...
That realization unsettled me more than any enemy ever could.
- Writer
