Chapter 2: Desperation

"You need to understand that I really need this job please. You have to do something I beg you"

Florence Rossi's voice trembled even though she tried so hard to keep her voice steady. Her fingers toyed with the loose fringes at the edge of her shirt as she leaned slightly forward across the polished glass desk.

The woman on the other side of the table glanced at her for a brief moment before turning her attention back to the monitor in front of her. Looking at the dark circles under her eyes, you could tell that she was very tired. She looked like she was in her late thirties, hair neatly pulled up into a tight bun.

"You're only embarrassing yourself young lady" the woman said gently. " You have to leave as I have other candidates to attend to. You do not meet the necessary requirements for this position."

The words hit harder this time because she could tell that she was very serious.

"I'm a very fast learner," Florence insisted immediately. "If you just give me the chance I'll learn, I promise. I don't even mind staying late. And I'll never complain. It's right there in my resumé that I used to be a secretary so that should mean something"

The woman's expression shifted into something firmer.

"I've heard enough of this Miss Rossi. Fanucci Holdings is not a place to train inexperienced people like you. We need people with experience and you simply don't have it."

Around them, other applicants pretended not to notice the commotion happening at the desk even though Florence could feel their eyes burning holes into her back.

Her cheeks heated up in embarrassment. One thing she hated was causing a scene and being the center of attention but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Please," she whispered. "I promise that if you give me this chance you won't regret it"

The interviewer sighed and closed the folder containing Florence's resume.

"I wish you the best of luck."

That was it.

Her hopes crashed to the ground.

Turning around with her shoulders slumped she felt embarrassment crawl up her spine. She had really thought she was going to get the job. Her rent was way past due and she didn't know how much patience her landlord could have. And worse...

He was watching her.

He was waiting for her to be at her lowest.

Her stomach dipped at the thought of going back to where she once was two years ago.

The glass doors of the executive corridor suddenly slid open.

Silence washed over the floor as if a ghost had just walked in.

Everyone straightened.

A tall man walked in. He was dressed in a dark blue suit that looked like it was tailored just for him. His jet black hair was combed back neatly. His expression was very cold and he looked so perfect as if he'd been cut from stone.

But what caught her attention was his eyes.

It looked so cold. There was no single sign of warmth in them.

One look at him and you could easily tell he was in charge.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fanucci."

"Sir."

"Mr. Fanucci."

Florence's pulse began to race.

Fanucci.

As in Arturo Fanucci.

The owner of the company she was begging for a job.

The man whose name towered over the city skyline in silver letters.

So the rumors were true.

He was even more scary in person.

He didn't spare anyone a glance. Not even a nod.

Florence swallowed.

If she was going to get this job then he was the only one that could help her.

This was her chance.

All she needed was five minutes to talk to him. Just five minutes.

Maybe she'd be able to talk to him.

She was going to give up now.

She took a step forward.

"Mr. Fanucci..."

Before she knew it,a hand clamped around her arm stopping her.

"Miss Rossi," the interviewer hissed under her breath. "That is enough."

Florence tried to twist free. "Let go of me. You're hurting me. I just need to..."

But security had already moved in.

"Ma'am, you need to leave."

"Wait! All I need is fi...no, one minute!" She cried,eyes fixed on the broad back disappearing into the elevator.

The doors closed before he could notice the scene unfolding.

And she was escorted out.

-

The glass building loomed behind her like a ghost.

Florence stood on the sidewalk for a long moment, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to spill.

She wasn't going to cry. Crying only meant that she had accepted her fate.

Pulling out her phone from her bag,she called the only person she knew that would always have her back.

"Sup" her best friend Lucia answered on the third ring. "How did it go?"

Florence let out a shaky breath. "I actually thought I was going to get this job. I really need this job"

A pause.

"Oh no."

"Apparently I didn't meet the qualifications. What special qualification is required to be a secretary for goodness sake? It's basically a servant with experience." Her voice cracked despite her efforts to steady it. "You should have seen me, Lu. I begged like my life depended on it."

Lucia sighed softly. "Technically,your life depends on it. Flo..."

"I actually saw Mr. Fanucci." Florence continued. "But before I had the chance to talk to me the security dragged me out."

"Dragged you out? That's assault."

"They weren't rough or anything" she muttered. "They just held my arm firmly."

Lucia was quiet for a second before speaking carefully. "I know you're not religious or anything but this is a sign. A sign that there's something better waiting for you out there"

"I don't think I can get anything better than this," Florence whispered. "He came looking for me last week. He's back again. I'm very scared, Lu. I do not want to go back to him. I need money so that I can at least pay him off to leave me alone."

The silence on the other end thickened.

"I told you to come stay with me but you're very stubborn. You know what? I need you to go home" Lucia said finally. "You need to rest. You've had a very stressful week. We'll figure something out. You always do. That's what I admire about you. You're resilient."

Florence closed her eyes.

"Yeah," she murmured.

After the call ended, she didn't move.

Rest?

There was no way she was going to rest, not when the clock was ticking.

Her gaze drifted back up the towering building of Fanucci Holdings.

Slowly, something shifted inside her.

No.

She wasn't going to give up.

This job was her only hope.

---

It was nearly an hour later when Florence made her way back after having breakfast at a cafe nearby.

The main entrance was quieter now as every employee had made their way to their floor.

She kept her head down and walked toward the side of the building, where she'd noticed a separate gated entrance marked PRIVATE.

Her heart thrummed violently in her chest.

She knew how stupid this was.

Completely stupid.

But desperation had already stripped every sense of reasoning she had.

She sat patiently near the side corridor until a middle aged janitor pushed the private gate open with a mop and bucket in hand. The older man didn't glance her way as he shuffled out.

That was her chance.

Florence managed to slip through the gates before it closed.

Her pulse roared in her ears.

The underground parking garage smelled faintly of gasoline and polished concrete. It was dimly lit by the flickering lights wired to the ceiling. The private section was cordoned off with sleek black barriers. Everything about it screamed wealth.

She hid behind one of the pillars.

She was going to wait for Arturo Fanucci here.

If she could just speak to him alone...

Minutes passed.

Then more minutes.

The adrenaline slowly faded, replaced by exhaustion.

She couldn't remember the last time she had a proper night's rest.

She sank down beside the pillar, hugging her knees to her chest.

She only wanted to rest her eyes for a few seconds.

---

She didn't know how long she slept.

But the next time she opened her eyes,she was met with two dark angry eyes staring down at her.

Florence's breath hitched.

Arturo Fanucci stood before her, towering over her small form with a cold expression on his face.

She forgot how to breathe under the intensity of his gaze.

And in that moment, she realized just how scary he was.

He looked annoyed.

And very, very angry.

Chapter 3: I got the Job

"For...forgive me. I didn't mean to... to fall asleep."

Florence apologized profusely, her voice coming out small as she rubbed her eyes while trying to stand up straight. It wasn't as if the cold concrete floor of the private parking section was comfortable but somehow she'd still managed to fall asleep. That was how tired she was.

Arturo Fanucci let out a slow, frustrated sigh, the sound cutting through the still air like a knife. "How did you get in here?" He asked,his tone very sharp and impatient. He sounded more annoyed than angry. Maybe he was used to different women sneaking in on him.

"I'm very sorry. I... I only wanted to talk to you" Florence admitted brushing her hair back to look more presentable.

Arturo's dark eyes narrowed. "You're not the first person that wants to talk to me, young lady." He said in a dismissive tone. "If it's really that important then you should book an appointment." The corner of his mouth twitched as he began to turn towards his sleek black car waiting at the other end of the garage.

Seeing that he was about to leave,she acted so fast before she could realise what she was doing. Her fingers clenched around the fabric of his suit sleeve. When realisation dawned on her she immediately let go of him. "I... I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." She stammered trying to clean off the invisible dust on his sleeve but he pulled back before she could touch him. "I really didn't mean..."

Arturo stared at the woman in front of him. It wasn't the first time a woman has tried to date him. They've all done crazy things. Things way crazier than sneaking into his private garage. She was probably five foot four inches but she was nowhere close to his towering six feet two inches height.

Florence felt even smaller than she felt under his scrutinising gaze. The way he looked at her as if he could see through her soul made her swallow hard.

Muttering every last bit of courage in her,she stepped directly in front of him in hopes of stopping him from leaving. "Im Florence Rossi. I applied for the secretary job Mr. Fanucci but unfortunately I wasn't qualified. Please, you have to give me that job. I promise that I'll work twice as hard than anybody else. I'm very diligent. I'm not asking for charity... just... I really need this job. Please."

Her words rushed out desperately as she tried to sound as sincere and vulnerable as she could.

He looked down at her with an unreadable expression across his face. "If my team says you're not qualified then you're not qualified. I'll advise you to stop wasting my time young lady." He finally said his voice low and disinterested.

"Please, I'm begging you. If I do not do well then you can fire me. Please Mr. Fanucci. I beg you" she begged, going down on her knees with her forehead pressed on the cold concrete floor. "My life depends on this. I'll do anything. All I'm asking is that you give me this job. I promise not to disappoint."

He stared at her silently for a moment. What kind of trouble could she probably be in that would make her this desperate? He thought to himself. The tension in the air grew thicker the longer he remained silent. Then after what felt like an eternity but was actually a few minutes,he said;

"I'm not in the mood for this," he said, voice clipped. "You start tomorrow."

Those three words were like a ray of sunlight after months of nonstop rain. She was so overwhelmed with happiness that she didn't realise when she stood up and threw her arms around him in a hug.

Arturo's hand froze by his side. Florence pulled back, eyes wide in realization of what she'd done.

"DO.NOT.EVER.TOUCH.ME!" He said in a sharp voice his dark eyes locking onto hers. "That's the first and most important rule."

Florence swallowed, nodding furiously, her heart racing. "I... I understand. I'm so sorry. It'll never happen again sir."

-

The next day Florence made sure to come as early as possible dressed in the most professional clothes she could find. It's been a long time since she had an office job. She constantly checked her reflection on the glass windows as she walked into the lobby. She wasn't the most beautiful woman on earth but she tried her best to look presentable.

As she entered the lobby, she saw the woman who had interviewed her the day before, standing near the reception desk. Her eyebrows shot up. "You... again?" she asked, clearly surprised and annoyed. "What are you doing here? Didn't you get the hint yesterday?"

"I... I got the job," Florence said, voice filled with uncontrolled excitement.

The woman's lips pressed into a thin line. She wondered if the young woman in front of her was mentally challenged. "I remember telling you clearly that you were not qualified. Is something wrong with you?"

Florence's stomach lurched. "Yes but..."

Before she could finish her sentence the woman motioned for the security. Two burly men started to make their way towards her.

Florence froze. Panic clawed at her chest.

Then like a gift sent from heaven Arturo walked into the lobby looking as confident and handsome as he had when she saw him yesterday like he owned everyone... which in this case he did.

"Let her go. I hired her." He said in a calm voice leaving no room for argument.

The woman stared at him with a gobsmacked expression on her face. "But I already hired someone else."

"That's your problem," Arturo said, voice as sharp as steel.

Florence could see that the woman was very angry even though she was trying to hide it but she couldn't tell if her anger was directed at her or Arturo. It was only her first day and she'd managed to tick off a fellow employee.

Arturo turned toward the elevator. Florence immediately followed behind him. She figured that they were going to be working on the same floor since she was his secretary now but before she could step foot into the elevator he stopped her. "Take the stairs"

Her eyes widened. The top floor? That was... impossibly high. But she didn't say that out loud. Was this a test? Was this his way of checking if she'd actually do anything he asked?

She watched silently as the elevator doors closed behind him, cutting him off from sight.

Chapter 4: Haunting people of the past

Almost a month has gone by since Florence Rossi started working at Fanucci Holdings.

And if she was being honest with herself, it was as though Arturo Fanucci had made it his personal mission to torment her every day she's at work.

He never speaks to her unless he's about to give her the most impossible task ever known or criticize the way she works. There were days where he'd give her a workload of tasks that should require at least three people to complete. Other days he would summon her into his office just to send her back out two minutes later with another list of instructions.

It was very tiring.

But Florence wasn't going to complain. She felt fulfilled doing something for herself and not having to depend on anyone to survive.

She could still remember the day she'd begged him for this job and she wasn't going to do anything that would lead him to firing her.

Not after he had given her the job when she had nothing else left.

She had promised herself that she would prove she deserved it.

Even if that meant she had to go back home late every day just to make sure that she completed all her tasks.

Even if it meant surviving Arturo Fanucci's cold stares and impossible expectations.

Still...

A huge smile broke out on her lips as she stared at the company calendar sitting on the glass table in the middle of her living room with a date marked out on the calendar.

Arturo's birthday was in one week.

She had overheard two of her co-workers talking about how his birthday would be. Apparently he has never ever celebrated his birthday. No parties. Or birthday cake. Or even gifts. Nothing.

Which meant...

Florence tapped her fingers thoughtfully on her thigh.

She wanted to do something.

Even if it was something small.

As a way to show her appreciation because if he hadn't hired her that day,her life would be totally different today.

She had thought of organising a surprise birthday party for him at first with the help of her other coworkers but the more she thought of how he'd react if he were to work in his company full of decorations and singing employees,the more she realised that might not end well.

So she had decided that she was going to give him a gift instead.

The problem was...

"But what on earth can I possibly buy for a billionaire?"

Florence threw her back on the couch, her hand hanging lazily over her head as she held her phone between her shoulder and ear as she spoke to her best friend Lucia.

"Come on, think about it, Lucia" she groaned. "That man probably has at least five of everything already. It would be way easier if he wasn't rich"

Lucia's laugh crackled through the phone speaker. "Forget about the cost Flo. It's the thought that matters right. I bet you're the only one that has thought of getting him a gift."

"You underestimate how popular he is amongst women." Florence muttered. "I'm sure he'll get a heapload of gifts on his birthday. I only have six days until his birthday and I have no idea what to get him. Ahhh!"

"You should probably get him something simple and stop over thinking it" Lucia suggested,a crunching sound following as though she was chewing something. "I read something that wealthy guys like him rarely ever get normal gifts."

Florence hummed thoughtfully.

That was probably true.

He might be used to getting expensive gifts that he has no use for.

"But he's a hard man to please. I'm not sure he'd like it" she admitted her mood downing. "He barely even likes me."

Lucia snorted. "You are not doing this so he'll like you. I mean... at least the pay is good right"

Florence sighed, rubbing her temple. Just thinking about it was giving her a headache. "Yea. But this job is stressful but I can't even complain. A lot of my co-workers do not even like me."

"That shouldn't bother you. You're not there to make anyone like you." Lucia said. "Surviving is all that matters right now."

Before Florence could reply, a knock sounded on her apartment door.

She glanced toward it, a soft frown settling on her face. She wasn't expecting anyone.

"Bye. I'll call you later" she told Lucia as she stood up.

"Fine. And don't stress yourself too much or you'll have white hair!"

Florence hung up and placed her phone on the table as she walked toward the door.

She wondered who might be at the door. It's been a long time since she had visitors.

Which made the sudden unease in her stomach grow.

Still, she unlocked the door and pulled it open.

And the moment she saw who was standing in front of her she regretted ever opening the door.

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

She felt as though the floor had been pulled from underneath her feet.

"What... no..." she said her voice barely above a whisper.

The man standing in the doorway smiled slowly.

That smile that always made the blood in her vein run cold. There was nothing warm about his smile or him.

"What do we have here?" He asked casually pulling himself from the doorframe,his frame filling the whole entrance as though he owned the place. "It's been so long since I saw your beautiful face,my sweetheart."

Florence's whole frame began to tremble.

"I... I told you not to call me that" she said cursing herself for always being weak in his presence.

But he had already stepped inside. Pushing the door softly,he locked it with a soft click.

The sound echoed far too loudly in the small apartment.

Florence's chest tightened as she took a step backward, her heart pounding erratically as he took a step towards her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, voice small. "You... you said..."

The man chuckled softly, cutting her off.

"Is there anything wrong with coming to see my sweetheart?" He said as if expecting her to suddenly understand.

Her voice trembled. "I already gave you money."

"Money is not all that matters to me." He said lightly. "I didn't come for the money."

His dark eyes moved slowly over her face.

"I only wanted to see you. I see you've been avoiding me. It hurts me"

Florence's back hit the wall.

She was about to sprint upstairs to her room when his large hand curled around her waist stopping her.

He pulled her flushed against his chest and her body went rigid.

He leaned down until his breath was brushing against her ear.

"You're really glowing." He murmured softly. "And your hair... hmmm"

A shiver ran through her. He used to scare her then and he still did.

"Makes me want to bite you."

Florence trembled in his arms. When he'd been first arrested the police had promised her that he'd never bother her again but a year later he broke out of jail and came straight to find her. She'd reported it to the police and they had done nothing and now she has to pay off her ex boyfriend just so he'd leave her alone.

Fear coiled tightly in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

For a long moment he simply held her there, enjoying the fear that crossed her face.

Then suddenly...

He let her go.

Stepping back as if nothing had happened.

"I'll be back. Keep yourself for me sweetheart."

And then he left.

Leaving her standing there.

Shaking.

And terrified.