The Italian Director Next Door (CASTELLANO SERIES #1)

Chapter 7

I stood there at the door while she literally ran over my toes with her killer heels as I watched them embrace. I felt like I had walked in on a romantic scene set and was completely ignored by our main cast members. Crickets sang ‘poor unfortunate soul’ around me as I watch the strange woman kissed my boss’s cheek and muttered a string of gibberish Italian words (or at least I think it was Italian).

“Um…I think I should leave…” I said I backed away towards the door. “Yes you should.” The lady turned her head around to look at me and Ethan tore her arms away from him. “Tesoro..” he began and the woman answered but I very well knew that term of endearment was meant for me.

“It’s alright, I needed some air anyway.” I smiled before I let the heavy door close in behind me.

While I was walking through the corridors, passing by the other rooms, I thought for a bit before coming to a realization. “Wait, why did I have to leave when it was my room that they were in?” I asked myself as I jammed the elevator button.  

My eyes scanned through the gold plated directory plaque and realized the hotel had a roof top pool, bar and a gym on the highest floor. Sweet.

I entered the lift and opted for the 35th floor and waited while I was lifted up through the metal box. Who was that woman even and why was all the women that met with him were all so damned good looking and right now?

As if on impulse, I turned towards the mirror panels built in around the elevator box and gasped at my own reflection. Messy bun and zero make up on, I was in my varsity sweater that read Berkeley and freaking grey sweats and the best part, I was walking bare foot. How did I manage to forget to put on some shoes before I left the hotel room beats me.

English music, the first thing I heard against the speakers when I first stepped out. The pool was already closed for the night but the bar was bustling with people ordering drinks and snack, playing pool at side; there was a make shift dance floor somewhere close by the bar stand where people were dancing on. I spotted an empty stool at the bar and made a bee line for it.

I was always a wine girl but tonight, for the first time in years, I decided I’d get myself a tequila shot and that would be it—just one drink. I ordered my drink as I while I sat on the stool, watching the Paris skyline that stretched itself as far as it could go. I enjoyed the view of the flickering lights of Paris’s famous tower and the sound of car’s honking at almost midnight.

“Why are you drinking here alone?” the stranger that sat next to me asked. “Couldn’t sleep.” I said as the bar man placed my drink in front of me and I thanked him. With one quick gulp, I downed the drink and instantly regretted it. I had forgotten the taste of that vile liquid from years ago and I felt like throwing up.

“I’m guessing you’re one that hardly drinks?” he asked and I nodded. “I don’t really drink on business trips.” I answered and I ordered another drink, gin and tonic. It was only then I looked up to the man who was speaking to me. He was handsome alright, with his hair tousled in a sexy manner with is tie undone around his white shirt.

“You’re here on business or pleasure?” I asked, feeling bad that he was asking all the questions. “Pleasure, I’m escaping my dad for the week.” He says.

“Why?” I asked as I swirled around my new drink gently. “He’s getting married again and I just didn’t feel like meeting his soon to be wife yet, not when my mother is still around.”

“No way.” I exclaimed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you my mother is getting married again too!”

We laughed and I continued. “It’s her third marriage for crying out loud and I’ve not even scored a..” my hand flew to my mouth before I shared too much of my personal life to this good looking stranger sitting next to me. “Scored a what?” he asked, smiling kindly at me but I shook my head.

“It’s okay, I think you’d know better than sharing way too much with a stranger.”

I nodded as I swallowed the second shot. “I’m sorry, sometimes I forget how there are actually still nice people out here.”

“I take it you’re not one to talk to strangers on your own accord?”

This man was right. I was actually surprised I actually had engaged in a conversation with a complete stranger at the bar. I actually had forgotten how to speak to a man other than just business related. The only other man that managed to irk both a reaction and endless talking from was probably having the time of his life with woman in my hotel room.

“You look very deep in thinking, a penny for thoughts?”

“How about a million for yours, tesoro?”

Hey I’d recognize that voice from anywhere. The stranger and I looked behind us and a very displeased looking Italian man whose glare intimidated me came in to full view, is that hotel slippers in his hand? The stranger that sat next to me answered Ethan. “Can I help you?”

“None needed, this woman’s with me.” He put a hand on my arm but the stranger was quick to his feet. “It’s alright, I know this Italian man, he’s my boss.” I hiccupped as I smiled at the stranger. “I leave you for a few minutes and you’re out here drinking?” Ethan asked, sounding a little irritated, or a lot.

“Well technically, I left the both of you since I felt like I was intruding.” I placed a hand to my chest, making a point.

“You weren’t intruding.” Ethan said a little more firmly this time. I got up but I tripped on the foot of the stool and the two men steadied me. “Okay I promise you I am not drunk.” I said a little more seriously this time, although I felt a strange tiny pounding against my skull.

“Are you alright?” the stranger asked and I nodded. “Totally fine, but it was a pleasure meeting you.. Mr..” I trailed, unsure of what to call the stranger. “Landon.” He answered. “Can you walk?’ he asked and Ethan peeled the stranger’s hand off my skin. “I’m Elizabeth. D..”

“I’ll take it from here, thank you.” Ethan bit out, slamming a 50 on the bar counter before he put an arm around my waist as he walked me towards the elevators. “That’s a lot of money.” I whispered before turning to the stranger, “Nice meeting you Landon.” I said, waving behind me. He smiled as he pointed a finger from his temple towards me.

“Whooo, you are so bossy.” I commented, pushing one hand against his firm chest, mm nice pecs I thought to myself. “I could say that same for you, what were you doing at the bar alone?” he asked as he bent to his feet in front of me. I watched him lift my feet one after another, slipping the hotel slippers through it. “And drinking with strangers?”

“I told you, I needed some fresh air.” I said as he got up to face me. If I was actually sober, like I claimed I was, I would swoon at his face but right now, I wasn’t in the mood for any more of his lectures or physical touches that I swear, would burn a hole on my skin.

“Still, not to a bar all by yourself.”

“Well, like I said, I did not want to bug you and your lady friend.”

“She’s not my, well, we’re not associated anymore if that’s what you’re thinking. And I most certainly did not tell her that I was going to be in Paris. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding, she must’ve seen me walking into this hotel with you earlier..”

“I didn’t ask.” I said bitterly. Well, I was thinking of it….

“Lizzy..” he said a little softer this time and I shook my head. “It’s okay really, you don’t have to explain anything to me.” I smiled, patting his arm, moving away from him.

“How did you find me anyway?” I asked as he jammed his fingers at the elevators button. He didn’t look too happy with me but nevertheless, he still answered. “I asked the concierge if a lady in dark blue Berkeley sweater came down and they told me they didn’t see anyone of such, but then I remember you said you needed fresh air and the roof top’s the only other place I could think of.”

I huffed as we both stepped into the elevator. “I don’t get it, why do you sound so mad? I mean, why do you even care what I did or where I went?”

“Because I have an obligation to make sure my employee doesn’t go missing under my watch.”

“Employee?” I repeated, blinking at him.

“Yes, employee.” He said, nothing looking at me and I narrowed my eyes at his back turned away from me. “Wow you’re really pulling out the boss card now? Well I’ll have you know that I’m literally a full grown adult who’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself. What’s wrong with having a drink alone?”

“It’s not just about having a drink alone Elizabeth!” he said a little more sternly this time. “It’s you just going off without telling me where you were heading, and you didn’t even take your phone or purse with you, what if something happened?”

“What’s the worst that could happen, really? I literally told you I was going to get fresh air.” My hands flailed in the air and I swear I heard him growl.

“Yes but you didn’t say where.”

“Well how would I know I was going up to the roof top immediately?” my voice raised a pitch higher. I was not sure why I was even feeling angry in the first place, I stormed out the second the doors of the elevators opened.

“Lizzy.” He said a little softer now as he followed me and I didn’t stop for him. Honestly, I wasn’t sure either whether I wanted him to apologise or just ignore the fact that I was indeed a little bit mad that he had invited a complete stranger woman to our hotel and probably made out before he left to come find me, only to be mad at me talking to someone other than him and right now lecturing me for drinking at a bar alone?

“Look, I’m sorry.” He said and I halted in my steps right outside my hotel room. “Come again?” I asked. Okay I hadn’t seen that one coming.

He took a deep breath and sighed before speaking. I’m guessing he was not really used to using that word, ever. “I’m sorry, I should have phrased my sentences correctly, I guess I was just really worried about you.”

“Yeah, as an employee.” I repeated his words earlier.

He rubbed his neck with his hand and looked at his feet. “Not just an employee.” He finally said but he didn’t go any further than that because I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it either. I mean, it honestly could be anything.

I sighed, putting out my hand. He looked at me weirdly and I wiggled my fingers a little, waiting for him to take it and he did. He took my hand and lifted to his lips. “What are you doing?” I asked, raising my brows.

“I thought you want me to..” he trailed. “No you silly man, I just wanted to shake hands to call it even.”

“But you didn’t even apologise.” He said, a smile creeping its way to his lips. I sighed in exasperation and apologised. “Okay I’m sorry for assuming you had call your lady friend over.”

“And?” he waited for me to continue.

“And going off on my own without putting on any shoes.” I said cheekily and he narrowed his eyes at me scanning the key card against my room door, pulling me along with him. “No more running off alone, especially not on any of our business trips together. You’ve got me worried as heck earlier.” He said, his hand was still in mine, caressing his thumb against my skin that sent tingles down my spine.

“Okay.” I agreed, attempting to pull my hand away but that only made him hold me tighter. We stood there staring at each other until I cleared my throat, looking around his place. “Hey why does your bed look bigger than mine?”  I asked, attempting to clear the ball of unidentified tension between us.

“You wanna share?” he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. “No thanks, what if wake up next to another lady friend of yours?”

He sighed before turning me around, flicking his middle finger against my forehead. “Ow, that hurt!” I said, rubbing against my skin. “I told you, I never tell any of them of my whereabouts, and neither do I feel the need to. And if you must know, I’m not attached to anyone right now.”

“So tell me,” I said, attempting not to do a little jiggle at the last sentence he just said. I sat on his bed, smoothing my hands against his duvet. “How many are they in your harem?”

“My what now?” he asked as he poured some wine into two glasses, turning his head around briefly to look at me.

“Your harem, you know, where you keep your women in?”

“I most certainly do not have one.” He said, looking amused. “And correct me if I’m not wrong, I think you sounded a little jealous.”

“No I’m not.” I argued, feeling my cheeks heating up a bit as he stood in front of me, holding out a glass in my face. His height intimidated me and I looked up, not wanting to be staring at the wrong part of his body. Damn it Elizabeth, what’s the matter with you?

“Despite what you think I have and do, I most certainly do not keep any women in my harem and I like only having one woman at a time.” He bent lower so that he was now looking at me eye to eye. “And when I get myself one, I intend to constantly keep her very, very occupied.” He whispered and I swallowed, feeling a very unfamiliar churning in my pants.

“I think..” my fingers snaked around the neck of the wine glass that he held in front of me and chugged the whole thing down. He watched me intently, eyes wide as I returned the now empty glass to him. “You think what, tesoro?” he asked as his eyes darted to my lips briefly and then back at me again.

“I’m heading to bed, we have an early morning tomorrow.”

“The meeting isn’t until 10am.” He reasoned. I got up from his bed, feeling his skin of his arm brushed against mine briefly, sending heat down my spine as I tried my best not to look back at him.

“Still, I think getting some sleep would do us both some good, we both had a long day today.” I said, walking through the adjoining en-suite, shutting the door behind me and I sighed. Oh boy, I was this close in pulling him towards my lips, this close.

Damn you alcohol.

Ethan

“What are you doing here in Paris, Francine?’ I asked as I watched Lizzy let herself out of the door. I had wanted to go after her but Francine had me tight in her grasp. “I came here to see you of course. The other night you just left me without saying another word, I just can’t seem to forget you Castellano. Please give us another chance.” She begged. “That was a year ago, and I hope your memory isn’t failing you at your age.”

“But Castellano..” she whimpered as she attempted to kiss me but I look away.

I didn’t like the way she had called my name and frankly, it wasn’t hers to call anymore. Right now, there was only one other person that could call me that and I let her. And now she was gone right through that door, and I allowed it.

“Francine, I’ve made it very clear to you that I don’t intend to see you anymore, not after what you did to me. I was very tolerant when you brought that man over to our party with the excuse saying you were co-workers and like an i***t, I believed you, but apparently that wasn’t the case.” I said as she tightened her vice like grip on me. “You clearly don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

“I know! And I’m sorry darling. But people make mistakes all the time and that includes me!” she cried. “You can’t possibly let a year’s worth relationship go just like that now, can you?”

“Like you said, a year to me isn’t very long.” I snapped irritably, “and how dare you speak to Elizabeth like that?” I said, feeling a little bit angrier now. “Who the hell is that even?” she asked rudely. And then as if on cue, I was reminded why I had left Francine in the first place again. Her character, her attitude, her disrespect for others was something I had tolerated initially until she snapped at my mother for asking her what did she do for a living and that time when she cheated on me while I was away on a business trip, and just a second ago, when she had snapped at Lizzy earlier, something in me just ticked.

“She was the woman you had indirectly kicked out of her own hotel room just minutes ago when you barged in so rudely and it just so happened that I care a great deal about her. So I’m asking you to leave this room right now or so help me god I will call security on you, are we clear on that? I don’t think Francine the great would appreciate any of that now, would she?”

“You’re walking out on me for that horribly dressed woman?” she cried.

“Oh no, no. I love it when she dresses like a hobo for me.” I smiled before leaving Francine behind as I went searching for my hobo Chief Editor. I hurried to the concierge and asked if they had seen anyone who was wearing a Berkeley sweater with messy hair and they shook their head.  A poster than mentioned something about a 10% discount at the roof top bar caught my eye as I sped back to the elevator and heading up to the highest floor of the hotel.

Jack pot.

There she was, my hobo of a neighbour talking to an absolute stranger which got me feeling all sorts as of this moment.

**

 “I don’t understand how you could possibly forget that document Castellano.” I rolled my eyes and checked the clock on the display screen on the car.

“And we’re back on track.” I heard him murmur before speaking again. “You’re blaming me? We both woke up late, and there was only one bathroom. If it weren’t for your nakedness, I wouldn’t have been so distracted...”

“You’re finally admitting it!” I gasped. “You told me you didn’t see anything at all!”

“Of course I lied, that was the first thing I saw and it’s still in my head.” He argued but didn’t look too upset about it.

“Jesus Castellano, you’re a f*cking p*****t I swear.” I covered my face in my hands, groaning while he chuckled.

Yes, he’s seen me naked by accident for the first time this morning. I had completely forgotten to lock his side of the bathroom door that we were sharing, and he walked in on me showering. I screamed, he shouted in surprised with a string of Italian words, claiming he didn’t see anything but clearly, he was lying to my face.

“Ay mia cara, that’s not my first time seeing a woman’s body, there’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

“But that was my first time letting a stranger walk in on me naked!” I peeled my hands away from my face, narrowing my eyes at him. He opened his mouth to say something, his expression right now was of shock.

“No, but all I know, is that the view of your body is stuck in my head. So every time you start yelling at me, trust me when I say I will only imagine you with your very naked...” he argued.

“Ethan Castellano, not another word!” I warned, embarrassed as the car came to a halt outside the office building. “Fine I’m sorry about that, but I’m gonna be honest about something.”

“And what is that?” I snapped.

“Love that little tattoo on your hip.”

**

“We were aiming for something that we would scream elegant so we decided to hand carved this band and place the utmost delicate set of diamonds around here.” The designer showed me the ring that he held with a silk glove and I looked at it, nodding in appreciation.

“And this is our thinnest chain ever create out of..”

At the corner of my eye, I watched Ethan flipping through the Cartier catalogue, not sure if was paying any attention to the other designer who was explaining about the audience that they planned on targeting. I poked his thigh and he looked up from his magazine flipping.

I narrowed my eyes towards the talking designer that was pointing at something and he just shrugged, mouthing a ‘boring’.

“Miss Collins, is it?” I asked, stopping the designer mid-way and she raised her head to look at me. “That is correct Miss Danvers.”

“Just how much will you be putting the price tag to these items that you just showed me?” I questioned. “Ah, well, as we are a luxury brand, it will be the usual 5 figures.”

“Make this band 4 or less.” I pointed towards the piece she was showing me earlier. “Excuse me?” she repeated and Ethan smiled at me, folding his arms across his chest. “You can’t be serious, Miss Danvers, these diamonds aren’t exactly easy to find.” She reasoned.

“Then maybe you could opted for another type of jewel that looks just as good as these diamonds.” Ethan replied, not taking his eyes off me. “I’m afraid we can’t..”

“I believe a moderate priced range collection would garner yourselves a spike in your sales, after all, they’ll hear word of it from Rogue’s next issue and we’d be more than happy to do so for you.” I said.

“Take the Chief Editor’s word for it, Miss Collins. I’m more than willing to invest in that new line we Rogue hope to see in your next collection.”

Collins thought about it and nodded, smiling. “We’d be more than happy to look into this, Mr. and Mrs. Castellano.” She said. I looked like I just saw a dog walking on its hind legs when Collins had called us that and I was ready to correct her but Ethan held my hand from under the table. “We hope to hear some good news from you soon. And as for my investment preposition, I’ll have my accountant contact you directly.” Ethan said as he slipped a black card with gold words written on it.

“Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. Castellano, we’d make sure we’d present something that’s of satisfaction to the both of you.” Richard, the other designer shook our hands in gratitude.

“Oh yes, before I forget.” Richards said. “If it isn’t too much to ask of you, would you be able to join our company’s charity gala dinner tonight? I apologize if this is on too short of a notice.”

I was ready to head down to the gym and spa of our hotel but Ethan put a small hand behind my back and whispered. “This would be the perfect chance to mingle around all those people and hopefully we’d be able to rope in more investments for Rogue.” He said under his breath, whispering to me.

My ears perked up to his suggestion. Well what do you know? We’ve got ourselves another workaholic in our circle, ladies and gentlemen. I nodded and Ethan took that as a yes before turning his attention back to the designers.

“Yes why not? It’s for a good cause. That gives Mrs. Castellano here a chance to play dress up again.” Ethan answered for the both of us, earning a pinch on his fingers from me. He leaned in and whispered to me, “Mia cara, right now whenever you touch me, all I can imagine is your b…

“Don’t you dare.” I whispered under my breath and he chuckled, collecting himself as he stuffed his hands into his pants pocket,.

“Great, we’d be honoured and we can’t wait to have you with us this evening. I’m sure many people will be glad to see the Chief Editor herself with the new Director alongside her.” Collins gushed and I returned the gesture.

The designers took their leave after they had led us towards the lobby. “Why did you allow them to call us that Ethan?” I asked once the valet pulled over with our car. “People are going to misunderstand us and you know I’m already constantly hounded by the media.” I sighed in exaspearation,

“I didn’t have the heart to tell them they’ve mistaken, especially when you’ve already pretty much intimidated them with your request for a price alteration, imagine telling them to their face they have yet made another mistake with our statuses?”

“That isn’t a good enough reason Ethan.” I said as he held the car door open for me. I thank him as I got in. “Why not? I think Mr. and Mrs. Castellano has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Well then I guess he just pronounced us husband and wife.

Congratulation Elizabeth Danvers, your worst nightmares have just sprung to life.

**

        It was a good thing that I brought an outfit that was dinner appropriate along with me just in case for, well, events that my genius Director had agreed to last minute. “Are you ready? It’s been...” Castellano came into my suite through the shared bathroom. He sucked in a deep breath and let out a low whistle and his eyes were very much now trained on me as he took in the view.

“Sei così bella.” He said in a low voice as he approached me. “I assume that was a compliment and not something inappropriate?” I asked, fixing my earrings as we both looked into the dresser mirror. I checked him out through the mirror reflection and took in the sight of him clad and dressed in an expensive black Armani suit that donned on silver cufflinks on each side. He had done a great job to his hair, blown dry and set perfectly with not a single strand out of place and I breathed in his manly cologne, sighing quietly as I reached for my red lip stick on the dressing table.

“You’re burning holes in my dress with all that staring Castellano.” I said quietly as I smacked my moisturized lips against one another, putting the lipstick close to my lips. His grey eyes were trailing itself down my back.

“You’re still not zipped up.” He said in a low voice as he stepped closer towards my back, his hot breath fanned against my bare shoulders. I couldn’t reach the back of my dress since the zipper was somewhere at the middle and I pretty much gave up with that, thinking I’ll get to it once I finished putting on the rest of my makeup.

“Can you help me with that?” I asked, noticing his jaw clenched and unclenched from the reflection, never once taking his eyes off my back. “Though you’d never ask.” He gathered my loosely curled hair with one hand and placed it over my right shoulder as I bent a little over the dressing table to take a clearer look through the mirror, not wanting to smudge my skin. Okay maybe I’ve done that on purpose but still, it was nice to know that I had that kind of effect on a man like Castellano.

His fingers brushed against my skin at the space between the zipper, trailing his fingertips along the bare skin and I closed my eyes for a bit in reaction (not sure why the hell did I do that), and when I opened them, he was staring into the reflection, right at me, watching my very, very aroused expression and he smirked in reply. He took his time as he pulled the zipper upwards, his knuckle brushing the skin upwards and stopped at the space between my shoulders. “I find it especially hard to believe that you’ve never shown yourself to another stranger.”

“Well, my blind dates usually lasts less than 30 minutes before I get bored and leave.”

“Then I suppose, you’re a very hard woman to please then?” He then gathered my hair once again and spread them evenly behind my back, running his hands against the fabric one last time down the curve of my waist as I sucked in a deep breath.

I felt heat coursed through my body and it shivered under his lingering touch. “Not really per se.” I admitted. “They just can’t make me feel the way you’re making me right now.” I whispered and as if on cue, his eye brows were raised and he looked surprised.

“Lizzy.” He began, his grip tightened at the side of my waist. I tried my best to ignore the fire erupting in my lower belly. Clearing my throat, I gathered whatever remaining sanity and strength in me before turning to face him. “Are you ready to leave?”

“If I said I don’t feel like going anymore, would you give me a long lecture on it? This time, I’d be more than happy to take it all in.” he said, lowering his gaze towards my parted red lips.

“I didn’t get ready for nothing for the last two hours, so either you and I leave right now, or I’ll have you watch Friends in French again.” I grabbed my clutch and headed out the hotel room door. “You coming boss?” I asked, making sure I swayed my hips a little in this figure hugging gown. He ran his hands across his jaw, smiling. “Right behind you sweetheart.”