Meeting Him...

“Good morning, madam. I’m really excited.”

Clara’s voice rang out the moment I stepped into the office.

I frowned at her immediately.

“And what exactly is making you so excited? As far as I’m concerned, you’ve already had your birthday this year.”

I dropped into my chair, set my bag down, and turned on one of my laptops before pulling up my schedule for the day.

Clara let out a dramatic sigh as she threw herself into the chair opposite me. Her body hit the leather with a loud thud, the sharp sound echoing across the office.

“Hm, I apologize for that, madam,” she said with a straight face. “I’ve been told leather pants make my ass a little hard, so it makes a sound whenever I sit on leather. It’s like some kind of electric charge—”

“Shut up, Clara.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me.

“That is way too much information, and I am not interested in whatever your ass does when it collides with leather chairs.”

She grinned sheepishly.

“Sorry, madam. I get a little talkative when I’m excited.”

Her eyes lit up again.

“That reminds me. The reason I’m excited isn’t my birthday like you said. It’s something much better. Have you forgotten?”

She reached into her handbag and pulled out her iPod.

“We have a ten-million-dollar deal to sign today.”

She paused dramatically, then corrected herself.

“Or rather, you have a ten-million-dollar deal to sign today.”

I glanced up from my laptop.

“Right. But that’s only if I decide to sign it.”

Her jaw dropped.

“You’re thinking about it? You’re seriously having second thoughts about signing a ten-million-dollar deal? Like seriously, who does that?”

I rolled my eyes at her dramatics and stopped typing so I could give her my full attention.

“The fact that it’s ten million dollars doesn’t automatically make it a good decision, Clara. Money isn’t a reason to suddenly become stupid.”

I leaned back in my chair.

“I have to think this through. I’ll be signing a contract.”

“A contract?” she repeated. “What’s so serious about that? It’s only for one year, and you’re excellent at what you do. Honestly, this sounds like a piece of cake for you. I don’t understand why you’re being so hesitant.”

A dry laugh slipped from my lips.

“I’m hesitant because I’ll be pledging to give someone my full attention for an entire year. A whole year, Clara.”

I folded my arms.

“That is a lot. According to the schedule they sent, there could be days where I’m with him every single day, and there are even clauses suggesting I might have to stay overnight in his house depending on work demands.”

Her eyes widened.

“Wait. They already sent the contract? I thought they were bringing it with them today.”

“They are.”

I tapped my fingers lightly against the desk.

“The one they sent was a sample copy through email. They wanted me to go through it beforehand so signing the official one today would be faster.”

I sighed.

“Emily mentioned something about her boss being extremely busy and impatient.”

I paused, the memory of the document still irritating me.

“I’ll still go through the final copy they bring today just to make sure they included the modifications I sent back.”

Clara leaned forward immediately.

“Modifications? What exactly was in it? Tell me everything. This is actually getting interesting.”

I sat up straighter and let out a breath.

“Those people are genuinely insane.”

Her grin widened.

“Imagine the things they had the nerve to include. Their boss sounds like some high-demand machine.”

I picked up the printed draft from my desk and waved it slightly.

“The contract literally states that I must answer anytime he calls. At any time.”

Clara blinked.

“It says I am not allowed to cancel meetings, but he can cancel on me whenever he pleases. He has the right to visit me whenever he wants or call me at any hour, but I’m not allowed to do the same.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

“I knew ten million dollars wasn’t going to come easy, but damn. It’s almost like I’m signing my life away.”

I exhaled slowly.

“It’s only for one year, though.”

At least that was what I kept telling myself.

“One year, and I can finally get my project done.”

Clara’s face lit up.

“So that means you’re considering taking the deal?”

I stared at her.

“That is honestly the only thing you picked out of everything I just said?”

I narrowed my eyes.

“That’s the only part that stood out to you?”

She shrugged shamelessly.

“You’ll be answering to a wealthy, handsome, and powerful billionaire.”

She counted on her fingers.

“One of the top twenty youngest billionaires in the world.”

Her grin turned mischievous.

“And that’s what you have a problem with?”

She squealed lightly.

“You’ll be staying in different mansions and penthouses, traveling on private jets, and eating in different parts of the world.”

She clutched her chest dramatically.

“I’m sorry, but yes, that is absolutely the part I’m choosing to focus on.”

I shook my head, half amused despite myself.

“You already have money, Ana, but you barely travel outside town, talk less of leaving the country. At least this will force you to finally see the world.”

Her smile widened.

“I love this.”

I studied her for a moment.

“You keep talking about this man like he’s some kind of celebrity.”

I leaned back in my chair.

“Show me his picture.”

A pause.

“And what exactly is his name?”

Clara grinned as she began typing quickly on her phone, likely searching for his image.

“While I’m looking for the picture, his name is Luciano Nicholas Roberto.”

She looked up with a teasing smile.

“A hot name, right?”

The name rolled off my tongue smoothly in my mind.

Luciano Nicholas Roberto.

The kind of name that belonged to power.

The kind of name that sounded expensive, dangerous, and impossible to ignore.

“Okay, here’s the picture.”

She held out the iPod toward me.

I reached for it, but before my fingers could touch the screen, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said, rising to my feet.

One of my staff members stepped inside.

“They’re here, madam.”

I nodded once.

My pulse quickened.

I grabbed my notepad and pen.

“Let’s go, Clara.”

We stepped out of my office and made our way down the hallway.

By the time I reached the conference room, I could already feel the tension pressing against my skin.

I stopped for a second outside the door and drew in a deep breath before pushing it open.

“Good day, Miss Fisher. Lovely to meet you again.”

Emily stood immediately, extending her hand.

I accepted the handshake and took my seat.

Then I looked around.

The first thing I noticed was that the room felt different.

Heavier.

The air itself seemed darker.

This time there weren’t just three suited men.

There were ten.

All dressed in immaculate black suits.

All standing with rigid posture.

All watching the room with an unnerving stillness.

Something about it made the back of my neck prickle.

This was no ordinary client meeting.

“Where is your boss?” I asked.

I hated how nervous and impatient I sounded at the same time.

Emily smiled.

“He’s already here.”

Then her expression shifted into something almost reverent.

“Look. He’s here.”

At that exact moment, the door opened again.

Every instinct inside me sharpened.

I slowly lifted my eyes.

My gaze traveled from polished black shoes… up long, powerful legs clad in a per

fectly tailored dark suit… over broad shoulders that seemed to command the entire room…

And then finally…I looked at his face.