Kiss My Feet, Mr. Mafia

I stared at my reflection in the elevator doors, smoothing down my blouse for the hundredth time. Fourth floor to executive suite. Just breathe, Maria. It's only the most important interview of your life. The doors dinged open. I stepped out, my heels clicking on polished marble. The receptionist smiled, all perfect teeth and judgment. "Mr. Moretti Falcone will see you now." I nodded, my throat dry. Two months of fetching coffee, and now I might be personal assistant to the CEO himself. The man no one's ever seen. I reached for the door handle, trying to ignore last night's hangover. Note to self: tequila and job interviews don't mix. The office was massive, all glass and steel. I walked towards the desk, heart pounding. The chair swiveled, and— Oh. God. No. Flashbacks hit me like a truck. The club. Pounding music. His hands on my waist. That smirk. "Dance with me," he'd mouthed over the music. Now that same mouth curled into a knowing smile. "Maria Cruze, I presume? Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss." My potential new boss. The stranger from last night. Luca Moretti Falcone. I was so screwed. My mind raced as I sank into the plush leather chair across from Luca Moretti Falcone. His eyes, those same intense eyes that had locked onto mine at the club, now studied me with amusement. "So, Maria," he began, his voice smooth as silk, "tell me why you're interested in this position." I swallowed hard, trying to focus. "I've been with the company for two months now, and I'm eager to take on more responsibility." My voice sounded steadier than I felt. "I believe I have the skills and dedication to excel as your personal assistant." While I was speaking, yet another memory crossed my mind. He grabbed my hips as I was dancing along his body. The warmth of his breath on my neck, telling me something I couldn't exactly recall. Luca leaned back in his chair and nodded. "Impressive. What do you believe have been the key qualities that make a great PA? "Organization, good judgement and foresight," I replied automatically, a smile of composure on my face while chaos reigned in my head. The smirk that ran across his face made me wonder if he was laughing as well, at the way I'd catered to all of his "needs" last night. f**k, I needed to quit thinking about this. "Great answer," Luca replied. This job can be a lot of work. Late nights, 11th-hour edits Are you really willing to commit like that? Another memory hit me. Then us laughing on the way out of the club. We stood on the street waiting for a cab, and he put his jacket over my shoulders. The way I pushed the thought away. "Absolutely. The work I give is my very best and then some Luca held up, leaning on the table with his elbows. Thats good to hear, Maria. You would have access to a lot of confidential information in this role. Confidentiality is crucial. You will keep my secrets, right? The irony wasn't lost on me. He had sworn me to secrecy about our drunken escapade. "Of course, Mr. Moretti Falcone. But I do understand what it means to be discreet. He grunted in response, apparently satisfied. "Good. Next, consider your experience in planning travel arrangements. And there is quite a bit of it in this job. As Luca then delved deeper with his questions, I tried to concentrate on providing articulate responses. We maintain eye contact, and it made me nervous. I didn’t think this is the way my interview would go. Was it hot in here? No? Because my body is hot and it still feels like he’s touching me, dancing with me. I remember the way he held my hand while helping me in the cab. The electricity when we touched hands. Is that the way he had hesitated before shutting it, as if debating whether to come inside behind me? "Maria?" The sound of Luca's voice brought me back to the here and now. "Are you alright? You look a little... preoccupied. Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I'm fine, thank you. Good to go, just a little nervous for the interview. A chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. "No need to be nervous. You're doing great." The interview raged on, a courtly waltz of conflict and civility. Things like how skilled I am, what my goals where in life and if I could under go stress. At the same time though, he just seemed to be having a little too much fun. At long last, Luca sank back in his chair. Maria: "Goodness, I'm so impressed with that. You understand better than anyone what this job entails.’’ "Thank you, Mr. Moretti Falcone," I told him and exhaled just a bit.... We both stood up. "Maria I believe you would do an amazing job in this position," he said, standing up and moving to my side of the desk. The hours are long, the work is demanding but you can do it. My heart raced as he neared me. When was he going to reach out his hand for a handshake? Pull me close like he did last night? He instead remained a polite distance back from it. Maria, I have decided we are going to give you the job. What do you say? You appear to be more than ready for you, the right hand woman? It dangled amongst us. I wanted to run, and never see this crazy incident again. A much larger part — the one that had been preparing myself for this day long before it arrived, knew I really couldn't say no to it. I heard myself say, "At your service then Mr. Moretti Falcone." Luca’s grin broadened, “great. HR will contact you with the particulars. I anticipate a close relationship with you, Maria.” What he actually said after “closely” turned my stomach. I was spinning around to take off when his voice halted me. “By the way, Maria? We should just keep last night a secret between ourselves so that no one gets the wrong idea about how you got this job.” I felt myself turn into an icicle with my hand still on the doorknob; he did remember, of course he did… “Yes, indeed Mr Moretti Falcone,” I managed to say, “Confidentiality is vital.” His muttered chuckle followed me out of the office while leaning back against it and breathing in deeply as the door closed behind me. What had I done to myself? My new boss was that stranger from last night whom I hooked up with; who happened to be breath-takingly handsome, powerful and now my future depended on him. And worst of all? A part of me enjoyed every bit of it despite everything else. Thoughts were racing through my head as I retraced my steps towards the elevator. What will happen next? Was it possible for me to go back every day and face Luca as if nothing had ever happened between us? Why do I look forward to such an idea but also dread it at times? The elevator doors shut again and I caught sight of myself once more in their reflective surfaces. My face looked red while my eyes sparkled like those of someone keeping some secret. At least the job would never be boring , I thought, as I smoothed down my blouse one last time.