Chapter 6 Luckiest girl

Chapter Six

Alessia's POV

“No, no, no! You can't just withdraw the contract, Claudia. We had an agreement!”

I hurry after Claudia Ferraro as she heads for my office door, clutching her handbag and the document that might as well be my company's death warrant.

She's the purchasing director for one of our biggest clients, and if she walks out without changing her mind, we'll be losing more than a valuable deal.

Claudia stops, turning to face me with an apologetic look. “I understand you're upset, Alessia, but we need the shipment delivered earlier than your company can manage. We can't risk delaying our own operations.”

“Then let me speak to my logistics team. We'll review the schedule, arrange additional transport, whatever it takes to meet your deadline.” I step in front of her before she can reach the hallway. “Give me until tomorrow. I'll personally oversee everything.”

“It's not that simple.”

“Claudia, we've worked together for years. You know what Bianchi Logistics is capable of. Just give me a chance to fix this.”

She presses her lips together, then rests a hand on my shoulder. “I'm sorry, cara, but the decision came directly from my boss. The new delivery date is non-negotiable, and he's already made other arrangements.”

My stomach drops. “With whom?”

She hesitates just long enough to tell me I won't like the answer.

“Claudia, who did he sign with?”

“I'm really not supposed to discuss that.”

“Fine. You don't have to tell me who it is. Just let me match their offer. I'll approve a price reduction myself, and we can include additional services at no extra cost. Whatever they promised you, let me see if I can do better.”

For a moment, she looks as though she might give in. Then she glances at her watch.

“I'm sorry, Alessia. I have another meeting, and I'm already late. There's nothing more I can do.”

The elevator doors slide open. Claudia steps inside, gives me one last apologetic look, and presses the button.

I stand there until the doors close, staring at my reflection in the polished metal.

Months of negotiations. Countless meetings. Endless hours making sure every detail was right.

Gone in less than five minutes.

I drag a hand down my face. That's the second contract I've lost this week, and as if that isn't enough, the board has called an emergency meeting to discuss my supposed incompetence.

Guess what?

It starts in a few minutes!

The worst part isn't even the money we've lost. It's that the board now has more reasons to come after me.

Why does everything have to go wrong at the same time?

I turn toward reception, where Iris sits behind her desk. Our eyes meet, but she quickly looks down at her computer. Even she looks like she's afraid to deliver the next piece of bad news.

I walk over to her. “How many board members are in the conference room?”

“Five, ma'am. Mr. Romano arrived about ten minutes ago and the others came in shortly afterward.” She pauses. “They've been asking when you'll join them.”

“Of course they have.” A humorless laugh escapes me. “Wouldn't want to keep the jury waiting before my trial begins.”

“I'm sorry, ma'am. I told them you were still meeting with the representative, but Mr. Romano said the meeting couldn't be delayed.”

I open my mouth to respond, but a voice coming from the television mounted on the wall stops me.

“...business mogul Stefano Rossi has surprised the public with a romantic proposal to his longtime secretary, Diana.”

I blink.

No. Surely, I haven't heard that correctly.

Then the presenter repeats his name, and my head turns toward the screen before I can stop it.

“Iris, turn that up, please.”

She glances at me. “The television?”

“Yes.”

She reaches for the remote and raises the volume.

The screen shows an expensive restaurant decorated with flowers, its tables filled with well-dressed guests. In the middle of it all, Stefano is kneeling in front of Diana, holding a velvet ring box open for the entire room to see.

For a moment, I forget how to breathe.

Diana covers her mouth with both hands as the guests erupt into cheers. Stefano takes her hand, slides a diamond ring onto her finger, then stands and kisses her while everyone applauds.

The presenter beams at the camera. “Sources say the couple have been together for some time, though neither has spoken publicly about their relationship until now.”

Together for some time.

Ha!

While I was trying to save my company and figure out how to face a board determined to tear me apart, Stefano was planning a grand proposal for the woman he'd been cheating on me with.

Of course. Some people get their happily ever after while the rest of us get screwed over.

I stand frozen beside Iris's desk, my eyes fixed on the screen as the video plays on. I thought catching them in the act was bad enough. Apparently, Stefano still has a few more ways to make a fool of me.

The presenter keeps talking, praising the couple and calling the proposal one of the most romantic surprises of the year.

I almost laugh.

This is the same man who couldn't spare a minute to answer my calls on our anniversary. The same man who left me waiting at a restaurant while I wondered what I'd done wrong. Yet somehow, he's managed to find the time, money, and effort to give another woman a proposal worthy of the evening news.

My stomach twists as I recognize the restaurant.

I've been there before. Not with Stefano, but in the countless conversations we had about the future, he'd once told me he wanted to take me there for a special occasion. I'd teased him about proposing to me in that very restaurant, and he'd laughed, kissed my forehead, and told me I worried too much about the future.

I remember smiling at him, believing we had one.

Now he's on television giving Diana the moment I'd once imagined for myself.

I can't even bring myself to be surprised anymore. What am I supposed to do with this? Cry? Scream? Throw Iris's remote at the screen?

Tempting, but I'm pretty sure I'll have to pay for the television.

“Ma'am?” Iris's voice pulls me back. “Are you all right?”

I look at her, but no answer comes.

The video ends, and the presenter moves on to the next story. I turn away before the footage can replay, swallowing the lump in my throat.

I have a board meeting in a few minutes. I have a company to protect. I have far more important things to worry about than a man who has already made it clear how little I meant to him.

At least, that's what I tell myself.

I straighten my jacket, smooth my skirt, and take a slow breath. Whatever I'm feeling, I'll deal with it later. Right now, I need to walk into that conference room with my head held high and give those men no more reason to doubt me.