The Investor’s Game
1161 Words
Giulia was left with just four hours to turn from a small-town waitress to the believable girlfriend of one of the richest men in Italy.
And she despised all the seconds of it.
She was surrounded by two stylists like predators in a giant dressing room of Matteo De Luca.
Raise your chin, one of them commanded.
Giulia obeyed reluctantly.
Her figure was perfectly hugged by a black dress. The cloth was fine and costly--far more so than she had ever put on before.
However, the dress was not the issue.
The issue was the audience waiting down the stairs.
Powerful investors.
Business partners.
Individuals who might have chosen whether Matteo remained the leader of his billion-euro enterprise, or wasted everything on his sibling.
And how, somehow, Giulia Rossi, a waitress in a little town, had gone into that decision.
A single mistake might ruin him.
Or worse.
Destroy her.
The door opened.
Matteo stepped inside.
The stylists immediately stood still.
He studied Giulia silently.
His keen eyes went down the dress to her face.
Then he nodded.
“Perfect.”
Giulia crossed her arms.
“Don’t act like you’re pleased.”
You resemble a lady who is supposed to be in this house.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
The stylists hastened to pack away their stuff and flee the trouble.
As he closed the door, Giulia turned to him.
“You lied to me.”
Matteo pressed himself against the wall.
“I simplified.”
You said that this was revenge on your brother.
“It still is.”
You left out the billion-euro company on the line.
Matteo didn’t answer.
Giulia stepped closer.
I am not a figure in your business game.
“You already are.”
Her reply was blunt and shocking.
The voice of Matteo was marked by calmness but firmness.
The investors feel that I am irresponsible. A Playboy is not able to run the company.
Giulia scoffed.
That does appear to be the truth concerning the reputation.
“Which is why I need you.”
She frowned.
“What does a waitress change?”
Matteo stepped closer.
“You’re real.”
“That’s your strategy?”
“You represent stability.”
Giulia laughed bitterly.
You are taking me to appear like a reformed man.
“Yes.”
And what of the act termination?
Matteo became a little harder.
“That depends on whether I win.”
Giulia’s stomach tightened.
“So, if you lose…?”
The company is governed by my brother.
“And me?”
“You go back to your life.”
The informal response infuriated her.
Giulia shook her head.
“No.”
Matteo frowned.
“What?”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
When I am taking the risk of humiliation tonight, I want to have something back.
Matteo examined her.
“A negotiation?”
“Yes.”
His lips curved slightly.
“Interesting.”
Giulia took a deep breath.
“I want a contract.”
“A contract?”
You want me to lie in front of the world and live with you and to feign love for you.
“That’s the deal.”
“No,” she corrected. “That’s your deal.”
Matteo crossed his arms.
“What do you want?”
Giulia didn’t hesitate.
You finance my restaurant in exchange for assisting you in taking over the company.
Matteo blinked.
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“You could ask for millions.”
“I don’t want millions.”
“What do you want then?”
“My own place.”
A small restaurant.
It has been her fantasy since her adolescence.
Matteo examined her face attentively.
“You’re serious.”
“Completely.”
Silence filled the room.
Then Matteo stretched out his hand.
“Deal.”
Giulia hesitated.
“Promise?”
“I never break deals.”
She slowly shook his hand.
And when their hands were in contact--
The power dynamic shifted.
For the first time…
It was not only Giulia who was being used as a waitress.
She had leverage.
Below, the mansion was speaking in low undertones.
Luxury suits.
Expensive watches.
It was high-powered men and women taking champagne.
Giulia continued to walk beside Matteo as they went into the room.
Immediately…
Every eye turned toward them.
Whispers spread quickly.
“That’s her.”
“The girlfriend.”
“She’s not what I expected.”
Giulia tried to calm herself down.
Matteo touched his hand over her lower back.
“Relax.”
“I’m relaxed.”
You are walking as if you were going to a firing-squad.
“Close enough.”
A towering older man came to their side.
Silver hair.
Sharp suit.
Cold eyes.
The expression on Matteo's face changed immediately.
Meet the real problem, Giulia, he said to him.
The man paused in front of them.
“Matteo.”
His voice was polite.
But hostile underneath.
And this must be the well-known girlfriend.
Matteo nodded.
“Giulia Rossi.”
The man extended a hand.
“Carlo Ventresca. Chairman of the De Luca board.”
Giulia politely shook his hand.
“Nice to meet you.”
Carlo studied her carefully.
His gaze was sharp.
Suspicious.
You are the woman who changed Matteo De Luca.
Giulia smiled calmly.
“I didn’t change him.”
“Oh?”
I simply do not believe in his nonsense.
Some investors chuckled to themselves.
Carlo’s eyebrow lifted.
Interesting.
Matteo leaned over Giulia and said to her:
“Good move.”
But Carlo wasn’t finished.
“Tell me, Miss Rossi…”
His voice grew colder.
So, what is it you see in my irresponsible young CEO?
The room fell silent.
Everyone was watching.
Testing.
Judging.
Giulia felt the pressure.
But she had a thought of something Matteo had told her.
Revenge can best be done when the performance is real.
Thus, she slowly turned to Matteo.
Then she did what nobody thought.
She grabbed his collar.
Pulled him closer.
And kissed him.
Hard.
The entire room gasped.
Even Matteo appeared to be surprised.
As she drew back, she said in an even, kind voice:
“He’s arrogant.”
A few people chuckled.
“Annoying.”
More laughter.
“But…”
She stared at Carlo Ventresca right in the face.
He defends his loved ones.
The room grew quiet again.
And that is the type of man that is worth believing in.
Carlo watched her silently.
Then something out of the ordinary.
He smiled slightly.
“Interesting answer.”
But before anybody was to rest--
The room was interrupted by another voice.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
“She’s lying.”
Everyone turned.
Standing in the doorway…
Was Alessandro De Luca.
Matteo’s brother.
His eyes locked onto Giulia.
Then he made a statement which paralysed the whole room.
"Should I tell them what transpired between us last night?"
Whispers erupted throughout the room.
Giulia's heart fell.
since Alessandro was staring directly at her.
And Matteo's face gradually became lethal.
- Writer
