11. Ambrose

Chapter eleven

Ambrose

I stare at the door where she left. The electricity that filled the room died down quickly, but the blood that rushed to my crotch remains. Shifting my pants slightly to readjust myself, I walk towards the lone cup on my desk and stare at it.

It's still hot, and I wonder if she truly did walk the four blocks as she claimed.

In my defence, I truly did think it was at the end of the block, but the asshole in me knows I should've told her about the car, the driver and my order, before running into my office like a little bitch.

Although Antonio made his hints about my new assistant crystal clear, I somehow still hoped I would be wrong and some other random woman would walk into my office this morning. But of course, she showed up, with her smart mouth and perfect curves on show for the entire office to see. She may as well have been naked, with the way her dress hugged every inch of her body.

A knock on my door breaks me from my thoughts, and I realise I haven't moved from where she left me. "Come in," I say loud enough for whoever it is to hear .

Antonio pops his head in, his laughter still lingering in the air, presumably from something Valerie said.

His face turns serious again as he turns to face me. When he sees the look of annoyance on my face, he swallows. "Are we still meeting this morning? Adriano and I have to head out to meet with Mattia," he asks.

I want to ask what the three of them could be doing, but more importantly, I want to know what she said that could be so funny.

"Yes, I'll be down in fifteen minutes. I need to call Diego about something."

I grab the coffee and my phone, deciding to follow him out. The faster we get this stupid meeting over, the faster I can get all of my brothers, and the investors off of my back.

"Diego? Hi, I wanted to call and discuss the next board meeting with you," I say as I close my office door behind me, and see Antonio leaning over Valerie's desk like a love-sick puppy. She has always been quite oblivious to his feelings.

My gut churns at the thought, and I'm caught off guard by the sudden surge of annoyance I feel looking at the pair.

"Ambrose? Can you hear me?" Diego's voice rings through my phone.

"Yes, I can. Sorry, you broke up for a second. I wanted to check if it's okay to push the meeting back till after the CFP dinner?"

I bring the cup up to my mouth and take a giant sip. Expecting to taste a warm vanilla latte, except I'm met with a salty taste so intense, that I'm worried for my kidneys after the small amount.

Immediately I spit the entire contents out in front of me and burst into a fit of coughs. Everyone's eyes are on me but it's a certain pair, that seems to gleam with a bit more mischief than normal, that catches my eye.

I thank Diego for agreeing and hang up.

Stifled giggles fill my ears as I walk towards her desk. The mischief is quickly replaced by a false innocence, and if I wasn't incredibly annoyed right now, it might have triggered a very different reaction from me .

I slam the cup down on the desk and she tries to not flinch, but I notice the way she stiffens at the harsh movement.

"Clean this up," I snap.

"You didn't like your vanilla latte?" she asks, the most convincing look of confusion that could put an Oscar winner to shame splattered across her face.

Antonio chokes down his laughter as he listens to the exchange.

I scoff, she's got some fire in her. "I think you accidentally ordered salted caramel instead. Clean it up, Valerie."

"Yes, sir." She mimics the salute Augustus did this morning when he left.

"Let's go," I say, to Antonio who jumps as my attention switches to him.

"I'll see you at lunch, Val," he says and winks at her.

"I thought you were meeting with Mattia and Adriano?"

He shrugs. "I am. After lunch. Did you need me to be doing something better with my lunch hour? " Sarcasm drips off his tongue as his large green eyes meet mine.

I know it's supposed to be an intimidating gaze, but the only intimidating thing about Antonio's gaze is the colour green of his eyes.

"Nope." I pop the ‘p' for extra emphasis, patting his back more harshly than is probably necessary.

It pisses me off to know my brothers aren't taking Diego's threats nearly as seriously as I am.

I am indeed the Vitale with the worst reputation among the four of us, but majority of the things that made headlines are stories the media blows out of proportion. As they usually do.

Adriano and Augustus arrive outside the meeting room at the same time Antonio and I do.

"Did you sort out Val's key card?" Augustus asks Antonio.

"Yeah, Ernest said he'll drop it with her before the end of the day."

"What was wrong with her keycard?" I ask as we all take a seat.

"She doesn't have one, Antonio didn't arrange for one, so Fabio has been helping her all day."

I shoot my youngest brother a look. "It's not my fault. I was stuck in back-to-back meetings this morning, trying to defuse the situation with Enzo and his men still hanging around in Tevici."

"Speaking of hanging around, I spoke to Diego and he agreed to push back the next board meeting until after the CFP dinner."

All three of my brothers groan in unison.

I try to hide my smile at their reaction. The Centurion Finance Partners or ‘CFP' dinner is held annually, and my father has been forcing us to attend every year since we turned sixteen.

I've been attending these for a lot longer than any of my brothers, so I should be the one groaning. It's one of the most dragged-out events the financial group holds. It's called a dinner, but it's a way for all of the different firms to secure new investors and poach employees from each other.

That's excluding all the bells and whistles. It's also a way for the rich to compete to see who is wealthier; who has the most valuable Rolex , whose date is the most stunning–spoiler. It isn't the wannabe Playboy bunnies half these men in their late sixties bring to the dinner.

My brothers and I have always been the youngest in attendance until recently when Enzo and Mattia stepped up and started attending as well.

"Well as much as I would love to attend, it's Milan Fashion Week then." Augustus leans back in his chair, with his arms behind his head. His red plaid suit jacket and black leather pants are a stark contrast to the rest of us, dressed in classic Armani black pants and white shirts.

He is the top investor in many of the leading fashion houses around the world, and as much as I hate to admit it, he is responsible for a large portion of our annual revenue, so I can't be mad at him.

"I didn't even say when it was," I raise my brow.

He picks his phone up and slides it across the table ‘till it stops in front of me. "Alexa emailed everyone weeks ago with the date."

Cazz o

"He was too busy with his dick in her mouth to hear anything she had to say," Adriano comments, and I shrug.

"I don't check my emails, that's why I have an assistant…to remind me."

"Count me out as well. I'm heading to New York to meet with the Corsos about closing the deal," Antonio says.

"You better not be bailing on me too. I can't be the only one there, it'll look suspicious," I say, looking at Adriano.

His face screams boredom, and I know he would much rather be in Milan with Augustus, the two never go anywhere without the other.

"The only suspicious thing will be you showing up with another random girl on your arm as a date, but I'll be there. I've got some things to take care of here for Trescatelli's," Adriano shrugs.

"Do you have a date?" I ask Adriano, raising a brow.

"Yes, one of the models I met in Milan last year is in town for a bit, so I asked her." He shrugs as if it's no big deal.

"That's why you're staying in town!" Augustus practically yells. "Wait, which one is it? Mia or Giulia?"

The twins begin discussing which girl Adriano is referring to, and from what I gather, I don't think he knows either. I run my palm along the stubble forming on my cheek, and I'm thankful I put off shaving this morning.

"Wait, you have a date right?" Antonio asks loudly.

All of their eyes are on me and I shrug, trying to play it off. "Of course I do."

I don't. I didn't even think about this stupid dinner until the notification popped up on my phone this morning.

With everything that has been going on for the last few weeks, it's honestly been the last thing on my mind. I also took for granted that my father would be here to take most of the spotlight, but now since I'm the CEO, I realise it'll look ever more alarming if I show up without a date.

"He doesn't have one," Adriano blurts out.

"Have you lost your mind? We'll look incompetent if you can't even do something as simple as get a date," Augustus says, and I shoot him a warning glance.

"I'll take care of it, I have time." I try to reason when truth be told, I'm trying to convince myself, while also trying to figure out who I can ask. Aside from the night of my father's funeral, I've been avoiding any traces of my past life like the plague since we heard he died.

A part of me worries that all my latest headlines might've been additions to his ever-growing stress.

"You don't have any options," Adriano announces, and I stare at him flabbergasted.

"How do you know? I've got women lined up begging for a chance to be my date."

"That's not what you told Kaia last week," he shrugs.

I know exactly which conversation he's referring to. A few days before my father's funeral, Kaia and I had a heart-to-heart about how I was trying to clean my act up now that I'm the CEO.

I shoot him a questioning glance and he shrugs. "Heard her and Xavier talking about it a few days later," he shrugs.

There is truly nothing that gets past Adriano.

"I'll take care of it," I say, reassuring them.

"He'll probably end up paying someone to agree, with all the bad publicity he has right now," Antonio says, and they burst out laughing.

"Diego won't be happy if that story gets out," Adriano looks over at me.

"Ha, ha, ha," I say sarcastically. "You two idiots aren't even here, so I don't want to hear shit from either of you. Just know, next year I'm calling in sick, and the two of you are covering," I point between Antonio and Augustus.

"If you somehow pull this off and Vitale Holdings is still standing next year, I'll even help Celeste with planning," Augustus chirps, and I can't help but feel my blood boil.

"I'll hold you to that. "

It's always been like this. We work, and he benefits from it. All his investments are largely thanks to Vitale's money helping him get in the door. I wonder if he realises that without Vitale Holdings, his little fashionista lifestyle doesn't exist. Without my or my father's hard work, none of our lifestyles exist.

"You two better come back with good news, more client acquisitions and investors, or don't bother setting foot back in Tevici until you do." With that, I stand and leave the meeting room.

I'm not a man who gets nervous often, but the thought of this dinner has my stomach in a twist. I have put this off to the absolute last second, and now I'm suffering from the consequences of my actions.

No date.

No suit.

Only one brother.

It is bound to be an interesting night. I fire off a text to Kaia, asking if she's got any new suits in my size at her studio. She's always working on something new for my brothers and me without us having to ask. But, with the way things have been going with her father, I'm not sure exactly how much time she's had to work on her label.

She runs a bespoke fashion line in Tevici to fund her studies at a nearby university.

Someone must be looking out for me because she replies saying she finished something before she left and that I can pick it up from the studio. A sigh of relief leaves my lips, and my shoulders feel slightly lighter. At Least one thing is taken care of.

Valerie's giggles fill my ears as I reach my office, and it's almost entrancing. The way her entire face lights up as Antonio and Adriano fire off jokes in her direction. How her dimples sink into her cheeks when her teeth come into view. It reminds me of a time years ago before I left to study in the States. They were all so close. We were close. Besides our age gap, we've always gotten along. My mind drifts back to how upset Antonio was when he heard she was leaving, he was borderline obsessed with her, and seeing the way he looks at her now, I don't think much has changed.

"Sorry to cut the party short," I say, and all their eyes turn to me. Apparently, my brothers have no actual work to do since they've spent every second here, aside from the meeting, chatting up a storm like a bunch of teenage girls.

"I need you to go pick up something for me," I say. "Urgently."

"But we're going to lunch, or do I not get a lunch break here either?" She asks.

She has a lot more attitude than all those years ago, and I can see it even catches Antonio slightly off guard.

"Get something on your way there. I'll text you the address," I say walking away.

"Please don't, just write it down. I don't need you to have my number." She rolls her eyes, and I wonder why she's upset all of a sudden. Maybe she's had more time to wallow in her anger from this morning.

My brothers snicker at her blatant rejection.

It dents my ego more than I'd like to admit. I'm not used to getting a negative reaction, especially from women.

"Suit yourself, at least have the driver take you this time. Wouldn't want you walking across town in those heels, sweetheart."

Closing the door behind me, I can shut everyone else out. My office being soundproofed has always been such a blessing. I can't hear what's going on outside, and no one can hear what's going on in here either.

I slump into my seat, turn to look out the large window and take in the view. The office overlooks the majority of Tevici's city centre. I've always been in awe of it. The idea that there are thousands of people going about their daily lives. Some having amazing days, and others having the worst. Without even knowing, there are people out there walking their last steps or taking their last breath. They could be caught off guard, and have an entire family back home waiting for them to return, but they never do. Just gone. Here one day, gone the next .

Mortality is a concept that absolutely fucks with my mind. That we could be gone, forever. My father's death only intensifies the thoughts.

Before I know it, I'm working myself into a state. My hands are clenched into fists at my sides as I remember the day I heard the full story of what happened to him. No matter how much I try to grieve, to try and let go of it, anger is always the only emotion I can decipher.

I'm angry that he died. I'm angry we couldn't see it coming, and most importantly, I'm angry Augustus did absolutely nothing to try and save him.

I still question if he was in on it all. Did he play a part in my father not being here today? Maybe he thought the CEO position was his for the taking since I wasn't around as much as I should've been.

I chuckle to myself and turn around, trying to calm my breathing as I begin shuffling through the folders of prospective clients on my desk.

These aren't thoughts I can entertain right now. I don't have the time. I have to pull this company together, especially since everyone is so hell-bent on me being the reason it's all going to shit. I haven't spent the last sixteen years learning the ropes of this place to see it fall now.

The next hour or so fly by, and I'm content with the amount of clients I've followed up with or secured. Those we have been dealing with for years understand how the media operates, they're high-profile clients after all. They were easy enough to convince that things will stabilise again, but the newer ones were slightly more nervous to entrust us with their investment portfolios with everything going on. Yet even with all their concerns, I was able to reassure them and get them to trust us. I make a note on my calendar, and Antonio's, to schedule a check-in with them.

He's the most persuasive of us three, or at the very least, he's able to lie the best. So he'll be able to eliminate any lingering doubts any clients may have. They have to believe that we will turn things around until we actually can.

A knock sounds on my door, and I sigh knowing my solitude is being disrupted. "Come in," I announce, keeping my eyes focused on the paperwork in front of me.

Heels clicking against the floor are all I hear, and I have to fight a smile forming on my lips as she approaches.

"Here you go. Sorry it took a while, Antonio wouldn't stop talking to the lady there."

My head shoots up to her. "Kaia is here?" My brows furrow.

She always tells me when she's back. I'd hope so, especially this time, since I'm expecting her to vent about what's going on with her father.

Valerie's face twists in confusion, "No, she mentioned that Kaia wasn't there, it was an elderly-looking woman."

"Oh," I sigh. "That's her aunt, she takes care of the store when Kaia isn't around."

She offers an awkward nod.

"Wait, you said Antonio?" I ask.

"Yes, he drove me over, and then we went to lunch." She smiles.

It's my turn to awkwardly nod now. Of course, he still found a way to ensure he'd get lunch with her somehow. "Thank you," I say nodding in the direction of the suit. "There's a few emails I forwarded to you to follow up on, and meetings I need you to schedule." She nods along to my every word.

"I'll discuss the details with you later, Antonio and Augustus are both going on trips as well, so they'll need you to make travel arrangements. But I'll get all the information and then let you know."

"I can ask them myself, you know," she says, almost as if she's insulted.

"I don't consider you incapable of doing it. I know my brothers, and they are horrible at making a decision, and it's not your job to get that kind of information out of two grown men."

"I don't mind." She shrug s

"Suit yourself. That's all."

She nods again and then exits my office.

Cazzo . That was the exact opposite way I was expecting it to go. I was hoping to be a bit nicer, considering our earlier interactions, but she's so quick to shoot my assistance down. If she wants to do everything herself, then so be it.

I try to dive back into what I was busy with, but the entire room smells like her. It's sweet and intoxicating, but most importantly it's distracting—and I've had enough of Valerie's distractions for one day.

I pack up what I think I need to head home and work there. My office at home is one of the few places that is Valerie-free at the moment.

As I head out I lock my door and turn to see Valerie focusing on the laptop in front of her.

"Hey," I say and her head snaps up. "I'm heading home for the day, I need a change of scenery," I find myself explaining myself to her.

"You can head off as well," I say.

Her eyes shift between her laptop and me. "I haven't finished what you asked me to do."

"Take the laptop home and finish it up." I shrug, itching to leave.

"It's okay, I think I'll stay. I have to wait for the next bus anyway." She smiles, and for the first time today, it seems genuine.

"Bus?" I ask, and she nods.

Instantly, my mind is flooded with everything that could go wrong with her taking a bus to work every morning and, more importantly, going home in the evening. Especially, dressed the way she is right now.

"Pack up, I'll drop you off," I blurt out without a second thought.

I have no idea why I offer. Usually, I wouldn't care. This is a bad idea. I'm going home to get away from her, but instead, I'm inviting her into a close confined space with me.

"Ambrose," she says and I snap out of my thoughts. "I asked if you're sure. I don't mind taking the bus."

"I do mind. Let's go, Valerie," I say and head for the elevator.

The sound of her heels against the flooring is rapid; as she struggles to keep up with my steps.

As the doors of the elevator shut, enclosing us inside its four walls, the temperature skyrockets, and I realise how bad of an idea this is. Her presence is everywhere as her scent invades my senses.

"Thank you," she says in a tiny voice, and I look over to her.

"Do you only act like a smartass when my brothers are around?"

"I'm only giving you a break since you decided to be less of an asshole, and give me a ride. I'll be back to my smartass self, bright and early tomorrow morning."

"I look forward to it, sweetheart."

I hold the elevator doors open as she steps out and stops once she realises that we're in the car park in the basement of Vitale Holdings. There's a mixture of cars, ranging from employees to executives. My brothers and I also store a few cars here instead of at our house for security purposes.

"It's this one," I say and walk towards my sleek black Audi RS3. I unlock it and walk over to the passenger side to open the door.

"Wow, Ambrose is acting like a gentleman," she raises her hand to touch my forehead, and I jump at the sudden contact. She retracts her hand quickly. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Get in the car, Valerie," I say, and she does as she's told.

I scan my card to exit and nod towards the security guard who stands nearby. We drive in silence for a while before she reaches up and fiddles with the radio, the indie music I was listening to this morning on the way to the office starts to play.

I grimace, but her face lights up. "You listen to Solex?"

My head spins to her, surprised to hear that she knows the artist I assumed to be quite underground, especially in Tevici. I heard them perform when I was in New York and have been hooked ever since.

"I do, surprised to hear you do too," I say as we stop at a red light, and I can turn and face her properly .

"Natalia's older brother is their lead singer," she beams, and for the first time, I almost feel starstruck. Not from the fact that one of my favourite artists happens to be related to who I assume is Valerie's friend, but from the way she's smiling at me right now. It's bright, full of hope and passion, as she continues to talk about her friend.

"Adriano will be happy to know, he loves them as well," I say. "Do you still live in the same place?" I ask changing the subject.

"Yes I do, uhm," she swallows, and I look at her out of the corner of my eye to check on her sudden change in mood. "Could you drop me off at Waverly General?"

It takes everything in me to not hit the brakes in the middle of the highway. "Why? Is everything okay?" I know I sound concerned, and as much as I hate it, I am.

"Yes. Everything's fine, I'm going to visit someone," she says plainly.

I take it for what it is, a hint to not ask any further questions. I do as she asks. Dropping her off at the front entrance of the hospital.

She attempts to unlock the door but fails. As I step out and round the car, I unlock it and open the door for her.

"Thank you again, Ambrose," she says and attempts to walk away.

I reach and grab her wrist gently. "How are you getting home?"

"Wow, you're concerned for my well-being twice in one day? And it's only my first day. Careful, or you might be obsessed with me by next week, Ambrose."

I just might.

I scoff, glad to see the smartass I hired is back. I was beginning to worry.

"My cousin is here, so we'll get a taxi home."

I nod, accepting her answer and choosing to not worry more than I should. I let go of her wrist and let her go. I shut her door and watch until she is inside the hospital's door where she turns to wave once again and I find myself returning it.

As I slide into my seat, her perfume clogs up my senses, and it's all I can smell for a while.

That's when I realise I'm truly and utterly fucked.