Chapter 5: The Devil's name
Alessia sighed, rubbing her tired eyes as she stared at her laptop screen. She had been working on the company documents for hours, but her son's sudden appearance behind her made her jump.
"Mama!" little Leonardo exclaimed, his big grey eyes sparkling with excitement.
Alessia's initial shock gave way to a warm smile as she turned to scoop up her six-year-old son in a tight hug. "Leo! You scared me!"
Leo giggled, his small arms wrapping around her neck. "Sorry, Mama!"
As they hugged, Alessia's gaze fell on Leo's adorable nightwear – a miniature football jersey and matching pyjamas. She couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Hey, kiddo, how was your day?" she asked, setting him down and closing her laptop.
Leo's face lit up as he began to tell her about his adventures exploring their new home in Italy. Alessia listened intently, asking questions and making supportive noises as he chattered on.
As they talked, Alessia's thoughts about work faded away, replaced by the joy of connecting with her son. She knew that tomorrow would be a big day for Leo – his first day at a new school in a foreign country. Her heart swelled with pride and love as she looked at her little boy, so brave and resilient.
As the night drew to a close, Leo leaned in and gave his mother a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Love you, Mama," he whispered.
"Love you too, Leo," Alessandria replied, her voice filled with emotion. "Sweet dreams, my little one."
Together, they headed off to bed, ready to face the new day ahead.
Here is the continuation of the scene:
The next morning, Alessia woke up early, feeling refreshed and ready for the day. She gently shook Leo awake, and he rubbed his sleepy eyes, yawned, and sat up in bed.
"Time to get up, Leo! First day of school!" Alessia exclaimed, trying to contain her excitement.
Leo's face lit up, and he jumped out of bed, racing to the closet to grab his uniform. Alessia chuckled and helped him dress, tying his tie and smoothing out his shirt.
As they got ready, Alessia couldn't help but think about how fast her little boy was growing up. She quickly got dressed in her work attire, her mind already shifting to the tasks ahead.
Once they were both ready, they headed out the door, Leo clutching his favorite toy, a small stuffed rabbit named Mr. Whiskers. As they walked to school, Leo's eyes widened in wonder at the passing buildings, and he pointed excitedly at the street performers and vendors.
Alessia smiled, watching her son's carefree joy, and couldn't help but think about his father, who had always made her laugh. She quickly shook her head, pushing the thought aside, and focused on the present moment.
When they arrived at the school, Leo adjusted his tie, puffed out his chest, and gave Alessia a charming smile, looking every bit the prince he imagined himself to be. Alessia's heart swelled with pride, and for a moment, she saw his father's mischievous grin in Leo's expression.
She quickly composed herself and walked with Leo to the school entrance, where they were greeted by the friendly faces of the school authorities. After a brief chat, Alessia gave Leo a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and a whispered "Have a great day, baby!"
With one last wave, she watched as Leo disappeared into the school building, his little shoulders squared and his head held high. Alessia smiled, feeling a mix of emotions: pride, love, and a hint of nostalgia.
With a deep breath, she turned and headed off to work, ready to tackle the day ahead.
Alessia stepped out of the elevator and into the office, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she left the chaos of morning drop-off behind. She had just settled her kid into school and was ready to tackle the day. As she made her way to her office, she couldn't help but hum a tune - it was going to be a good day.
"Good morning, Rachel!" she chimed to her secretary, who looked up from her desk with a warm smile.
"Morning, Alessia! I've got everything ready for you - files, reports, the works. You've got a meeting at 2 pm, but other than that, your schedule is clear."
Alessia nodded, taking a seat at her desk and diving into the files. She was in her element, analyzing data and making notes, when suddenly the door burst open and Alex walked in, his usual charming grin plastered on his face.
But Alessia's expression was less than enthusiastic. "Alex. What are you doing here?"
He sauntered over to her desk, oblivious to her cool tone. "Just dropping by to say hi, old friend! How's life treating you?"
Alessia raised an eyebrow, her mind racing with all the reasons she didn't have time for Alex's antics today. "Life is busy, Alex. I have work to do."
But Alex just chuckled and took a seat, making himself at home. Alessia sighed inwardly, her happy morning suddenly taking a turn for the morning.
"What are you doing here, Alex?" Alessia asked, her tone firm but polite.
"Oh, I'm here for the meeting this afternoon," Alex replied, leaning back in his chair. "Thought I'd drop by and say hi beforehand."
Alessia raised an eyebrow. "You could have just waited until the meeting like everyone else."
Alex shrugged. "I was in the neighborhood, thought I'd kill some time."
Alessia's eyes narrowed. "Well, I'm busy until then. So, if you'll excuse me..."
But Alex didn't take the hint. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "Hey, I got you something. A little gift."
Alessia's eyes rolled as he handed her the box. "What is it?"
"A business bracelet," Alex said, his grin faltering for a moment. "I thought it would suit you. You know, for good luck in the office."
Alessia's eyes widened in disbelief as she opened the box, revealing a gaudy, gold bracelet with a tacky charm dangling from it. She felt her annoyance spike. "Alex, I don't have time for this. And I definitely don't need some cheesy bracelet from you."
Alex's face fell, his smile fading. "Hey, I thought you'd like it. It was just a gesture..."
But Alessia cut him off, her patience worn thin. "Save it for someone else, Alex. I have work to do."
Alex's face darkened, his eyes narrowing. "And what about the bracelet I got you last time? You never wore it once, did you?"
Alessia sighed, her irritation growing. "Alex, I couldn't wear it every day. It was...nice, but not really my style."
Alex's expression turned petulant. "Not your style? You're just like that, always so...prickly."
He was about to say something else when Rachel, Alessia's secretary, walked into the room with a file in her hand. She paused, her eyes flicking between Alessia and Alex, who was leaning in close.
For a moment, it looked like Alex was about to kiss Alessia, and Rachel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Alex quickly sat back, clearing his throat, while Alessia's face flushed with embarrassment.
Rachel's gaze lingered on the scene before her, a knowing glint in her eye. "Hmmm," she seemed to say, though she didn't speak a word.
Alessia's eyes met Rachel's, and she shook her head, a silent denial of whatever Rachel was thinking. "What's the file, Rachel?" she asked, her voice brisk.
Rachel smiled innocently. "Just the Johnson report, Alessia. I thought you'd want to see it before the meeting."
Alessia took the file, her eyes scanning the contents while Alex seethed in silence, his expression dark and sulky. The tension in the room was palpable, and Rachel's presence seemed to only heighten the awkwardness.
Alessia signed the file and handed it back to Rachel, who nodded and exited the room, leaving Alessia and Alex alone once more.
"Look, Alex, I'm busy," Alessia said, her tone firm. "Can we catch up later? Maybe after the meeting?"
Alex's gaze lingered on her face, his expression still sulky. "Fine," he said finally, standing up. "But you should really consider dressing more professionally, Alessia. You don't want to give the wrong impression."
Alessia's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. "I'll keep that in mind, Alex. Thanks for the advice."
With that, Alex turned and walked out of the office, leaving Alessia feeling frustrated and annoyed. She shook her head, wondering why she had ever considered him a friend.
Alessia's gaze drifted to the framed photo on her desk, a smile spreading across her face as she gazed at her son's bright smile and mischievous eyes. Her heart swelled with love and pride, and for a moment, the tension and frustration melted away.
But as she turned her attention back to the files on her desk, her expression turned thoughtful. She scanned the pages, her eyes scanning the names and figures, until one name caught her eye.
"Maxwell Industries," she whispered, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Why does that sound so familiar?"
She tapped her pen on the desk, trying to place the name. Had she worked with them before? Or was it something more personal?
Alessia's mind raced as she tried to connect the dots, her curiosity piqued. She made a mental note to look into it further, her focus now fully on the mystery of Maxwell Industries.
After a few hours of focused work, Rachel poked her head into Alessia's office. "Time for the meeting, Alessia. Are you ready?"
Alessia nodded, closing the file she was working on. "Yes, let's go."
She stood up, smoothing her skirt and grabbing her notebook and pen. Rachel led the way to the conference room, where the rest of the team was already gathered.
As they entered, Alessia's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces. But one face in particular caught her attention - a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes, sitting at the head of the table.
Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt a jolt of recognition. But from where? She couldn't quite place him.
"Let's get started," the man said, his voice commanding attention. "Welcome, everyone, to the meeting of the marketing team."
Alessia took her seat, her mind still racing with questions. Who was this man, and why did she feel like she knew him somewhere.
As the man began to speak, Alessia found herself struggling to get a good look at his face. The lighting in the room seemed to be casting shadows in all the wrong places, and she couldn't quite make out his features.
She tried to focus on his words, but her attention kept wandering back to the mystery of his identity. Who was this man, and why did she feel like she knew him?
Before she knew it, he was turning to her, his eyes locking onto hers. "Alessia, what are your thoughts on the project? Your company is leading the charge on this deal, after all."
Alessia's heart skipped a beat as she felt a jolt of surprise. She hadn't been expecting to be called upon, and her mind was still reeling from the mystery of the man's identity.
"Uh..." she stuttered, trying to gather her thoughts. "I...I think it's a great opportunity for both our companies."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he could tell she was struggling. "I see," he said, his voice neutral. "Well, let's hear more about your vision for the project, then."
Alessia's mind raced as she tried to pull herself together. She knew she needed to focus, but her eyes kept drifting back to the man, trying to place him. Who was he, and why did she feel like she knew him?
Here's a continuationHere's a continuation of the scene:
After a few hours of focused work, Rachel poked her head into Alessia's office. "Time for the meeting, Alessia. Are you ready?"
Alessia nodded, closing the file she was working on. "Yes, let's go."
She stood up, smoothing her skirt and grabbing her notebook and pen. Rachel led the way to the conference room, where the rest of the team was already gathered.
As they entered, Alessia's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces. But one face in particular caught her attention - a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes, sitting at the head of the table.
Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt a jolt of recognition. But from where? She couldn't quite place him.
"Let's get started," the man said, his voice commanding attention. "Welcome, everyone, to the meeting of the marketing team."
Alessia took her seat, her mind still racing with questions. Who was this man, and why did she feel like she knew him?Here's a continuation of the scene:
After a few hours of focused work, Rachel poked her head into Alessia's office. "Time for the meeting, Alessia. Are you ready?"
Alessia nodded, closing the file she was working on. "Yes, let's go."
She stood up, smoothing her skirt and grabbing her notebook and pen. Rachel led the way to the conference room, where the rest of the team was already gathered.
As they entered, Alessia's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces. But one face in particular caught her attention - a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes, sitting at the head of the table.
Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt a jolt of recognition. But from where? She couldn't quite place him.
"Let's get started," the man said, his voice commanding attention. "Welcome, everyone, to the meeting of the marketing team."
Alessia took her seat, her mind still racing with questions. Who was this man, and why did she feel like she knew him
After a few hours of focused work, Rachel poked her head into Alessia's office. "Time for the meeting, Alessia. Are you ready?"
Alessia nodded, closing the file she was working on. "Yes, let's go."
She stood up, smoothing her skirt and grabbing her notebook and pen. Rachel led the way to the conference room, where the rest of the team was already gathered.
As they entered, Alessia's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces. But one face in particular caught her attention - a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes, sitting at the head of the table.
Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt a jolt of recognition. But from where? She couldn't quite place him.
"Let's get started," the man said, his voice commanding attention. "Welcome, everyone, to the meeting of the marketing team."
Alessia took her seat, her mind still racing with questions. Who was this man, and why did she feel like she knew him?
As the man began to speak, Alessia found herself struggling to get a good look at his face. The lighting in the room seemed to be casting shadows in all the wrong places, and she couldn't quite make out his features.
She tried to focus on his words, but her attention kept wandering back to the mystery of his identity. Who was this man, and why did she feel like she knew him?
Before she knew it, he was turning to her, his eyes locking onto hers. "Alessia, what are your thoughts on the project? Your company is leading the charge on this deal, after all."
Alessia's heart skipped a beat as she felt a jolt of surprise. She hadn't been expecting to be called upon, and her mind was still reeling from the mystery of the man's identity.
"Uh..." she stuttered, trying to gather her thoughts. "I...I think it's a great opportunity for both our companies."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he could tell she was struggling. "I see," he said, his voice neutral. "Well, let's hear more about your vision for the project, then."
Alessia's mind raced as she tried to pull herself together. She knew she needed to focus, but her eyes kept drifting back to the man, trying to place him. Who was he, and why did she feel like she knew him?Here's a continuation of the scene:
Alessia's eyes met Alex's, and she felt a surge of gratitude for his timely intervention. She took a deep breath, composing herself, and began to speak.
With passion and conviction, she presented her vision for the project, addressing every concern and doubt the team had raised. Her words were met with nods and murmurs of agreement, and finally, the room erupted in applause.
As she smiled, relieved and triumphant, her eyes met Alex's again, and she mouthed a silent "thank you".
But her moment of victory was short-lived. As she turned to face the man who had been leading the meeting, she felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
"No hard feelings, I hope?" he asked, his eyes glinting with a knowing light.
Alessia's heart froze as she turned to face him, and her eyes widened in shock. Standing next to him, his eyes fixed on her with a malevolent glare, was her ex-husband, Marcos.
Her mind reeled as she tried to process what she was seeing. How was this possible? Marcos was the last person she wanted to see, especially in a professional setting. And what was he doing here, with this man, who seemed to know her so well?
The room seemed to spin around her as she struggled to find her voice, her eyes locked on Marcos' hateful gaze. This was her worst nightmare come to life.
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