Alessia's POV

I turned to go out and the door swung open revealing another man he had dark brown hair like Mr Rossi's but he had forest green eyes.

He had a different aura to Mr Rossi, but it's not my business.

I nodded in greeting went to the open elevator and pressed the ground.

Why do I feel eyes on me?

I shrugged it off. I hope I get the job, I need it.

When I got to the ground I thanked the woman who directed me, we chatted and I found out her name was Linda.

She is such a nice fun person, we exchanged numbers. "Hope you get the job," she said waving bye.

I heard her intercom go on but I couldn't hear what the other end said.

I walked out and got a bus home.

-------------------

I unlocked the door to my house. 

I rolled my eyes, both of my besties were watching so attentively that Sydney took a handful of popcorn and missed her mouth.

To this day these two hang out at my house. My house kinda became the 'hang out place'.

Both Sydney and Isabelle are from rich families, I've known them since ever.

Our mothers have been friends forever too, so we just clicked.

Funny how both of them have ginormous mansions but they always hang out in my 3 bedroom apartment.

I don't mind-even though my Netflix account is being abused

I love these two no matter how crazy they are.

Sydney is the slut, and she's proud of it. Somehow she's still a virgin because of the rule her mother has but she does everything else with a guy in bed. She's not into commitment at all.

Isabella is also quite a slut but she's finally dating Jack so she has no outs, but we avoid being under the same roof when she's being fucked, because she's really loud.

I'm kind of the 'mother' in the friendship because I tell them the do's and don'ts but they can sometimes drive me into stuff.

I knew they were watching a horror movie. They loved them, actually we loved them.

I'm the one who's never scared while they always scream their heads off. 

They call me weird for laughing at killing or torture scenes, but it's funny.

I quietly put my bag down and crept behind them.

"Boo" I shouted, they both jumped off the sofas like crickets, and popcorn flew up everywhere.

I laughed hard at their scared pale faces.

"Mi hai spaventato!" Isabella said putting her hand on her chest. [Italian translation: You scared me]

"Sei una puttana pazza" Sydney said doing the same action. I just died on the floor in laughter.

(translation: You're a crazy bitch)

They threw pillows at me.

"So Lee, how was the interview, did you get it?" Isabella asked sitting back on the couch.

Typically everyone calls me Lee as a nickname too. 

"Yeah, how was it?" Sydney said from the kitchen to get the vacuum for the popcorn all over the floor.

"I don't know," I said throwing myself on the single couch.

"Don't know?!" they both shouted in unison. I'm surprised I didn't have a noise complaint from my neighbors until now.

"Calm down, he said I'd get the response later today or latest tomorrow" I explained.

Both their mouths made the 'o' shape. "But by his expression, what did he think?" Sydney said finishing the vacuuming.

"I don't know, his face is unreadable," I said running my hand through my ponytail to give volume to it.

I laid my head back on the sofa and closed my eyes to relax.

"Who was this client anyway?" Isabelle asked.

"Uh... what's his name? Oh yeah, Enzo Rossi, I think" I said.

I heard something drop, I opened my eyes to see two wide-eyed girls staring at me.

I realised Sydney dropped the mini vacuum.

"What?" I asked. "THEE Enzo Rossi," Isabella asked, I nodded my head.

They both squealed like two 3-year-olds getting cotton candy.

"What about him?" I asked when they quieted down. "Girl, Enzo Rossi is like the number 1 bachelor in the whole of Europe," Sydney said waving her hands to emphasize 'whole of Europe'.

"Oh ok," I commented, " 'Oh Ok'! Lee, some girls would kill to get a chance to see him. And you talked to him and saw him" Isabella exclaimed.

"Number 1, you guys look high. Number 2, Yeah ok, no big deal about seeing a human being talking" I explained.

"Girl, you have to tell us, how does he look up close?" Sydney said sitting next to Isabella completely ditching the vacuuming.

"Uh, good I guess," I say trying to get rid of them, "I'm sure he looks dreamy," Isabella said lovingly.

"Ew Isa, you have a boyfriend you know?" I said throwing a pillow at her face

"Jack doesn't mind and I still love him anyway," she said sticking her tongue out at me.

"We'll see about that," I said with a cheeky smile. 

"What time is your date anyway?" Sydney asked.

"I told you guys it's not a date we want both of you to come, he'll have his friends there too, kinda like a day out as a group. And it's in an hour" she protested.

"Come on, we have to get ready" Sydney pulled both of us up.

"Dio Miami," I muttered under my breath. (translation: god help me)

I wore a black striped tank top and black jeans with some white takkies, I did a messy bun.

I took my small black handbag to match. I smiled at my outfit in the mirror.

Isabella saw me come out of my room "Wow girl you're. drop dead gorgeous"

"You look good too" I complimented back to Isabella, she smiled.

Sydney also walks out, "You look great" myself and Isabella said in unison. 

"Thanks," she said, "Where the fuck are my keys," she said, "Qui put Anna stupid," Isabella said pointing at her car keys. (translation: here stupid bitch)

I giggled, only these two can make me so happy.

"Can we go?" Sydney said grabbing her keys. "What could spoil our happy moment?" I said.

Isabelle went into the kitchen to get water.

Just then my phone rang, it was in the kitchen. "Who is it?" I asked.

For a second she was silent, she came with my phone "It's Matteo" she said sadly.

My heart tugged, I don't like Matteo, he hurt me badly enough. 

I sighed, I've declined all his calls so I might as well hear what he wants to say, I can't be immature.

I pressed answer and put it on speaker "Hello?" I typically asked. I held back tears.

"Finally, Grazie amore mio," he said (translation: thank you, my love).

"Don't call me that" my voice kinda cracked at the end.

"Please Lee, we've been together for too long to separate like this, let's talk "

"No Matteo we've been together for so long I'm disappointed I didn't see the real you" my voice cold.

"Please piccola–" he started, "I said don't call me that" I was angry now.

"Let's at least break up like two adults then, please, I just want to talk to you," he said.

I looked at Isabella and Sydney, they shrugged, I knew face-to-face break up is better, it's proven in psychology.

I sighed "Fine, but you won't get me back, just know that," I said, Isabella stroking my back so I calm down.

"What about I text you when I'm free from work, I'll send you the location," he said.

"Ok, fine," I said hanging up.

"Well, he's a mood-wrecker," Sydney said.

Alessia's POV 

"Come on girl, don't let that bastard ruin your day," Sydney said while driving her SUV to the mall we were going to meet Jack's group.

"We really have to hook you up with someone," Isabella said from the back seat, I sat in front, next to Sydney.

"Yeah, we have to work on that today" Sydney added adamantly.

I rolled my eyes, I don't want to be in a relationship with anyone, Matteo did some permanent damage to my heart.

I don't want to hurt myself anymore.

We finally arrived at the mall, Jack was standing at the entrance. 

Once the car stopped, Isabella opened the door and ran to Jack like a 3-year-old would when your dad comes back home. She engulfed him in a hug.

Myself and Sydney just rolled our eyes, We came out of the car and managed to get to where Isa was.

"Calm down Gatinga," he said, we knew she was probably hugging the shit out of him. (Portuguese translation: pretty girl)

"Just promise never to go on long trips ever again" she pouted.

"Se ti rende felice, ti porterò con me la prossima volta," he said stroking her hair, She finally let go and kissed him on his lips, and they started making out. (translation: If it makes you happy, I'll take you with me next time)

Sydney cleared her throat to get their attention "Please don't do this at a mall, get a room" Sydney said, which earned a giggle from me.

Isabella rolled her eyes at us, "So how are you, Nat?" I asked.

Jack is just a nickname everyone has had for him since high school, his real name is Nathanial. He doesn't mind at all thankfully.

"I'm good, you two?" he asked directing at both of us, "I'm doing great" Sydney stated.

"I'm fine", I lied, I'm not fine. Not at all.

"Are you ok?" Isa asked looking concerned I just realized I was frowning.

I quickly smiled, "Of course, I'm ok, where are the others?" I said quickly changing the subject.

"I told you this was a date" Sydney mumbled, "No, they're inside, I just wanted to see my Gatinga," he said looking at Isabella.

"You know ignoring your girlfriend's best friends is a dangerous route, You'll have to get through us if you want to even dream of marrying her" Sydney spoke.

"Calm down, you gonna scare the poor boy away" I started "But believe me you'll have to get through us," I said in a darker tone.

He raised his hands up in mock surrender "Fine".

He walked us in, thankfully The mall wasn't busy because I hate busy malls.

We got to the food center and I saw them, all of them. (total of 8 boys)

I mentally smiled, I kind of missed all these hooligans no matter how annoying they were.

Some I saw last at uni, the others in high school.

We stopped in front of them when they noticed us they looked at us.

"So girls, you should remember but I'll refresh. That's Liam, Benjamin, Michael, Ethan, Daniel, Owen, Matthew, and Leo" he said pointing at all of them by name.

"Lee is that you," Owen said squinting like an old man.

"Yes," I said rolling my eyes at him "Wow, you grew taller, and I thought that was impossible," he commented, I rolled my eyes, "And she still has her shitty attitude," Daniel said.

"And both of you are still idiots," I shook my head.

"Syd long time no see," Matthew said "Are you still the slut you've always been?" Michael finished.

"Of course, what else do you expect from Sydney?" Isabelle laughed "And I'm proud of it," Sydney said flipping her hair for emphasis.

I giggled "Still the high school popular kid personality" Ethan added. "Shut up Ethen" Sydney protested.

"We all got reunited just a minute ago and we're already arguing, only we can achieve that level" I facepalmed.

I heard Isa giggle at my comment, "About reuniting, where's Matteo?" Owen asked, "Yeah, aren't you together as usual?" Daniel asked directing at me.

My heart sank "Uh...No, we're not a thing anymore, not even friends" I say holding my tears back.

"How you two were like...the ship of the year for the whole 4 years in Varsity and that's not including high school," Matthew asked confused.

"And weren't you guys engaged too?" Ethan said.

"Well.." my voice drifted off I didn't think I could say it, I knew I'd break down and I didn't want to do that here.

Isabelle, as though reading my mind that I wasn't gonna make it "Matteo... cheated on her, so she broke up with him" she said.

All of them were wide-eyed, "Okay I'm done" Owen said "Someone hurt my little sister so who's coming with me to destroy him?" all of them raised their hands up at Owen's statement.

Owen always called me his 'Little sister' despite the fact we're the same age. He was always a brother to me too, he was always so protective and annoying too, but I can't live without him.

"Finally, someone came up with my plan!" Sydney said. We all laughed.

I smiled at what all of them were willing to do for me, "Thank you guys, but not the best idea" I said.

"Come on Lee" Owen begged, "No, I want to be an adult about it, I should just carry on," I said.

"Fine, do what you want but I can't promise what I'll do if I see that son of a bitch again," he said "I agree" Matthew joined.

Have I mentioned that Matthew and Owen are identical twins, but for some reason once you know them you can tear them apart easily?

"Anyway, I prefer not talking about it, let's do something fun to forget about this," I say trying to change the mood.

"Yeah, it's better, why don't we go to the arcade" Daniel suggested. "Good idea, let go," I said, everyone agreed.

---------------------

We got to the arcade, we agreed to go bowling first and then play games.

The arcade was pretty empty leaving us to dispose of it and do whatever we want to to do. 

I hated the pain I had inside but I always hid it because I didn't want to worry people.

Life is shit and I should not add up to other people's problems by telling them mine.

I was mentally drained, I sat on a bench not far from them. 

"Sorry about that" I heard, I looked up to see Leo. I just realized this is the first thing he's said to me ever since I came.

"About?" I asked confused, "About Matteo," he said sitting across from me.

"Oh, I'm fine" I lied as always, it still hurt it really does.

"Believe me, I won't fall for your mask of 'I'm fine', you don't look fine Alessia. Who'd be 'fine', I know you liked him a lot, we all know that" he said looking into my eyes.

I looked down "It's really that obvious?" I questioned, "No not really, I had to pay attention" he finished.

"But what should I do Leo? I don't want to worry anyone" I say putting my face on both my hands.

"No one truly celebrates their win without a past loss," he said calmly.

"You know I sucked at philosophy," I said looking at him.

He chuckled "If you never lose, winning won't feel as good as it could, but after numerous failures, when we win we feel more accomplished" he explained.

"I still don't get it, how does it refer to me?" I asked very much confused.

"Alessia, you just lost, but one day you'll find out why this loss was necessary for you to win" he continued.

It made sense, but how will I win? What will I win?

I laid my head back on the wall, "Life sucks you know?" I groaned.

"It really does, but maybe someday you'll look back at yourself and laugh at the drama you made out of it" he suggested.

I nodded "I want a sweet, calm, and simple life" I admitted.

"Really?" he asked, "Yeah" I sighed.

"What about your career?" he inquired further "I love my profession and everything about it but I'll never put friends or family behind it, family and friends come first," I confessed.

Enzo's Point of View

I finally finished my task, or at least the most legal one.

Andrew said I could visit the warehouse if I wanted to.

I looked at my watch and saw that it was 7:58 p.m.; I hadn't realized how quickly time had passed.

Career and reputation are most important to me, followed by family and personal matters. I've been indoctrinated to think this way since I was a child.

I stood up and grabbed my phone and some documents. I approached my own elevator. I created it because I despise the other individuals in my space.

I got into my car and headed to the warehouse.

I got out my phone and asked Linda to do something for me.

-------------------

I arrived, and everything seemed wonderful. Andrew's car was parked outside. When I came in, there was no one there.

"Hey Luc, I was even about to leave, I thought you'd go home" he admitted.

"No," I said. The tour of the new warehouse was quick.

I requested a few adjustments, but they were small.

I came home at 8:43 p.m., opened the door, and went into the living room.

Bella was playing with her dolls as usual when she looked up and our eyes met, a grin spreading across her little face. "Hello, Daddy," she murmured with a wave.

"Evening, Bella" I nodded; I'd never understood how to be a parent, and I didn't have a good model.

Andrea strolled down the steps on her phone, looked at me, and then walked by.

Gabriel came down after her and just went by.

I must admit that I am terrible at parenting.

Before I could mount the steps, a maid dashed in.

She paused for a brief bow, saying "Mr Rossi" shakily.

"What?" I inquired, fed up with avoiding the question.

"I tried to stop her, but she insisted-" she began, but before she could continue, "Luc?" came from a voice that was quite familiar.

When I turned to face Bianca, my blood began to boil.

I handed over my belongings to the maid, telling her to put them in my office, and she ran away.

I grabbed Bianca's arm and dragged her out.

I slammed the door behind me. "Che cazzo vuoi?" I questioned coldly, releasing her arm. (Translation: "What the fuck do you want?"

"That hurt, Enzo," she replied, looking at where I had grasped her.

"You know I'm holding myself from killing you so ti prometto che non è male to what I could do," I said. (I guarantee you, it's not horrible.)

Her eyes expanded. "Look, please, I apologize. Just get back to me, please." she implored.

"If you came to waste my time, then bye," I murmured, trying to open the door, but she grabbed my hand.

"Please, I want my kids to be happy," she stated.

I turned and snatched her hand away from mine, chuckling bitterly, "'Your kids' since when? You've never cared about them, and I know they're unhappy with or without you, so that's a terrible excuse," I said.

Turning back to face the door, I opened it. "And I advise you not to come back if you want to live," I warned before entering.

I climb the stairs; how does Bianca even consider returning here?

I entered my office and slammed the door shut.

I was angry because of her because I had loved and trusted her, but that was only a FUCKING facade!

I walked to the little service table and poured myself a nice glass of Gin, which I downed in one go.

It scorched my throat. Exactly what I need. I poured another glass.

Alessia's POV

I got home, and Sydney and Isabella headed home; however, I believe Isabella and Nat have something very spicy' planned for tonight.

I threw myself into the couch, remembering the conversation I had with Leo.

I loved how he always remained cool and only talked when necessary. He never leaps to conclusions; instead, he ensures that his ideas are verified.

I discovered he is a surgeon, and he is also intelligent.

I received a notice on my phone, opened it, and saw it was my email, so I tapped on it.

While sitting up, I read: "Dear Miss Marino."

I hope this letter finds you well; nevertheless, Mr. Rossi is unavailable, so he requested that I write you this email on his behalf.

Your interview was successful, and you were employed. Make sure you arrive at the location listed below by 4:30 a.m.

P.S. No need to respond to this email.

Thank you!

Rossi Corp. Chief Secretary

I screamed with delight and told the females, who were equally overjoyed.

But I'd best get some sleep so I can get up early.

I raced to the shower, changed into my pajamas, performed my face regimen, and went right to bed.

I can't wait to meet the kids tomorrow.

I slept with a grin on my face.