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.

Chapter 5: Rejected

For the next few days that followed, Florence couldn't shake off that unsettling feeling that she was being followed.

At first she thought she had only been overreacting after her encounter with her ex boyfriend but the feeling grew. When she's leaving her apartment or taking a simple stroll down the street,that strange prickly feeling always crawls across the back of her neck.

She was very sure that someone was watching her.

Every time she turned around, there was nothing there.

Just strangers minding their own business.

"It's probably him" Lucia had said when she told her. "He'd never hurt you with so many witnesses around."

Still that did nothing to call her down. No one knew what he was capable of doing. He didn't care about anyone.

Now, sitting at her desk outside Arturo Fanucci's office, Florence tried to stop herself from worrying and focus on the task at hand.

Today was his birthday.

A small paper bag sat carefully on the corner of her desk. She glanced at it every few seconds, her fingers nervously tapping the wooden surface. She wondered if he was going to like it.

It had taken her days of over thinking and second guessing herself to finally pick a gift but the thought that he wouldn't like it kept gnawing at her heart.

Inside the bag was a handcrafted fountain pen made of dark walnut and engraved with a subtle gold design. She couldn't deny that it was way too expensive for just a pen but it was worth it. She noticed that the pen he's using is almost empty and it would show that she cared about something as little as that.

She had even asked the shop to engrave something small along the barrel which cost an extra charge.

'For the man who builds empires.'

The elevator dinged causing her heart to stand pounding.

Florence straightened her posture immediately while pretending to be so engrossed in work.

Arturo stepped out.

It was as though the world always came to a stop whenever he was around. His dark suit was perfectly tailored to fit him,his black hair combed neatly back and his sharp features set in their usual cold expression.

Florence stood up before greeting him but he only walked past her as if she hadn't said a word before entering his office.

Florence decided to wait a few minutes, her heart thumped nervously.

She gave him a few minutes to settle before standing up. Grabbing the gift bag, she quickly hid it behind her back.

Then she knocked.

"Come in."

She opened the door slowly.

Arturo was already seated behind his massive desk, reviewing documents with his usual intense focus. All that man cared about was work.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted.

He didn't look up immediately, his eyes still scanning across the papers in the desk.

"What do you want?"

Florence swallowed, her palm suddenly becoming sweaty.

Her fingers tightened around the paper bag behind her back.

"I... um..." she began, suddenly feeling like every word had disappeared from her brain.

Finally, he looked up.

His dark eyes settled on her, knocking the breath out of her lungs.

"What is it?" he repeated, more impatient and irritated this time.

"I just... Happy birthday," she blurted.

Arturo's hand froze over the papers.

For the first time since she had known him, his expression actually changed.

His eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to study her and find out all of her secrets.

Then his gaze slowly lifted to her face.

"What?" he asked.

Florence cleared her throat nervously.

"I... I got you a gift," she stammered. "Happy birthday sir"

Her hands moved from behind her back, placing the small bag carefully on his desk.

A hopeful smile appeared on her face.

For a moment, he simply stared at the bag.

Then he reached for it which made Florence to hold her breath.

His expression remained unreadable.

And then without warning...

He threw the bag at her feet.

Her smile disappeared instantly.

"Did I tell you that I wanted a gift from you?" Arturo asked, voice cold.

The anger in his voice made her flinch.

"I do not want anything especially from you"

Florence's cheeks burned with humiliation.

"I just thought..."

"I don't care about what you were thinking. Stay out of my business" he cut in harshly. "Or you'll lose your job"

The words felt like a slap.

"It won't happen again. I'm so sorry." She whispered immediately. "I just wanted to..."

"I've met a lot of girls just like you" he cut her off again,his tone dripping with irritation and disgust. "Stop trying to impress me and just do the job you're paid to do"

Florence's throat tightened.

Her eyes burned but she forced herself not to cry.

"I'm sorry," she repeated quietly. "This won't happen again"

Bending down, she picked up the bag and without saying another word she made her way out of his office.

Back at her desk, she stared at the gift for a few seconds.

Then slowly, she stood up and walked to the nearby trash can and threw the bag inside.

Returning to her desk, she sat down and tried to focus on her work but she couldn't get rid of the regret that clung to her chest.

What was I even thinking,getting him a gift?

That day, Arturo gave her more work than usual. Tasks piled up on her desk until it felt impossible to keep up.

Still, Florence didn't complain.

She worked quietly, determined to finish everything. She couldn't help but want to prove herself to him.

_____

Late that evening, Arturo finally stepped out of his office, his jacket draped over his arm as he prepared to leave for the night.

As he passed Florence's desk, his gaze flickered briefly toward the nearby trash can.

For a split second, a small part of him wondered what exactly she had bought.

But the thought vanished almost immediately.

He kept walking.

His eyes shifted briefly toward Florence.

She was still hunched over her desk, struggling to stay awake as she worked through the stack of documents he had given her.

I don't care that she's tired and working late, he thought to himself.

And then he walked out.

Florence slowly lifted her head.

Her tired eyes followed his retreating figure.