9. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Gabo Godoy

"So how was Ibiza? Any hot models?" Dominic, one of my closest friends and business partner, asks, coffee in hand, as he enters my office first thing Monday morning. The events of the weekend immediately flood my mind.

I ended up leaving my brother in Ibiza and headed back to Italy the moment Rocco mentioned Bella decided to stay with Gio. I've had a couple of scares since being publicly proclaimed as a billionaire, and I know Gio doesn't have a security detail like I do. The man continues working at a public university in the United States, for crying out loud.

It's not only that I don't trust she'll be safe with her brother; I just don't want to continue being an idiot. I want to see, once and for all, if I'm imagining things or if I truly have a thing for my best friends' little sister. If I do, I need to be all-in from the get-go; I can't screw this up. It wouldn't just do a number on Bella; it would ruin my friendship with Gio and Luca for life.

Finding them wasn't hard—I might have had a tail on them. Sue me. The moment I saw Bella with her carefree smile and relaxed posture as she walked down the pier with Gio, a pang of jealousy hit my chest. I needed to be the one enjoying her company, not him. Maybe that makes me an asshole—Gio is her brother, after all—but I want this summer to be about me and her. Getting to know each other, learning what makes her tick, what makes her sad, so I can erase it from the face of the earth. I need to see if this feeling that has invaded my brain is genuine or if it's a simple infatuation.

The moment Brenda approached me, I tried as hard as I could not to flinch; I really didn't want to make her feel bad, but she was a one-night stand, nothing more. I thought Bella would get jealous and possessive, but to my surprise, she didn't react. It might be a sign of maturity, or it's a sign that she doesn't give a fuck about me. I hope it's the first. But when I placed my hand on the small of her back and she leaned into me, I couldn't help the dumbass smile that spread across my face.

Gio ended up leaving this morning, so Bella spent last night at the hotel with him. Even though we had a great time in Rimini, I wish I could've spent more time with Bella. I need to take her back to the beach soon; it's the most fun I've had there in years. Seeing her happy made me happy.

I snap back to the conversation when I see Dom staring at me. " I think Vicente met a couple of women, yeah."

"What? Vicente? Your grumpy asshole of a brother hooked up with a model, but you didn't? I should have gone on that trip." Dom shakes his head.

"Yeah, yeah. You're a good friend. But not even your persuasive methods could sway me from my plan," I inform him as I fall into step with him. Our weekly team meeting is about to start in the main conference room at my firm building.

"Good friend? I'll have you know I'm your best friend. Heck, your only friend on this side of the world. And if what I'm thinking is accurate, I might be your one and only friend left after your dick damages your friendship with the Bianchis."

I hate it when he has a point.

"Good thing my dick won't damage anything. It'd only solidify our relationship."

Dom stops in his tracks, and I wince as I replay my words in my head.

"Sorry, that sounded creepy as fuck. But you know what I mean. I simply want to see if there's anything beyond desire with Bella. I won't fuck up my friendship with Luca and Gio just to get my dick wet. I'll wine her and dine her before we get to that part."

"You're an idiot. I just hope this doesn't backfire." He pats my back as we get our seats, getting ready for the weekly meeting.

"Good morning, everyone. What's good today?" I ask no one in particular. One of the summer interns raises her hand hesitantly, and I motion for her to speak.

"Good morning, Mr. Godoy. Today is the day we will send the global merchandise company our proposed model for their new warehouses here in Italy," she says, pride in her voice.

Fuck, how did I forget about this?

"Let's pull up the design real quick."

She nods as she works with the video system. After a few clicks, the design is up on the main screen, and I don't feel a thing. Anyone could have come up with this design—it doesn't scream Gabo Gadoy. After my conversation with Vicente, I'm ready to go all in and stop following trends. It's time to shine.

"Okay, how can we make this design blend in better with the environment? Because the way it's looking right now, it sticks out like a sore thumb." My comment is met with silence—I'm usually better when delivering a critique, but there's no time for niceties. We only have a couple of hours to improve the design.

The room erupts in chit-chat. Groups are assembled, everyone buzzes around, and I simply take out my notepad. I know there's software available out there to do this, but to me, nothing will ever beat the feel of pencil on paper and the sound of the carbon contacting the fiber. Plus, it gives me more freedom to do the tracing. After a few minutes, I give my sketch to our lead designer and the room grows quiet. Everyone is looking at me like I'm an alien.

The truth is, I haven't made any of our designs in a while. I've become more of an observer than a hands-on boss. And maybe that's what is bothering me—I need to feel completely in charge, not only approve designs and sign paychecks. Sitting down in endless meetings while my creative team shows me their latest designs and ideas, I always think about how I'd have done it better. It's time to get out of this routine, which I have no idea how I ended up in.

"Mr. Godoy, are you certain this is the design you want to go with?" the design team leader asks, and everyone is looking everywhere but at me. They think I'll get upset at his questioning.

"Yes, why do you ask?" I inquire calmly, but I can tell the designer is starting to sweat. "Look, this company is a big team, and if we don't trust each other, we will never be able to grow. Please, speak freely."

After clearing his throat, he finally tells me what's on his mind. "With all due respect, Mr. Godoy. This doesn't look like a warehouse." I smile as I unbutton the vest of my three-piece suit and make my way toward the big screen on the left side of the room.

"And that's exactly what I'm going for. The outside of these warehouses will blend effortlessly with the beautiful and peaceful geography of the Emilia-Romagna terrain. The inside will be as efficient and plain as any other warehouse in the world, designed to meet the customers' needs. However, the outside will scream, "This is Italy, and we are proud of it." Soft angles instead of a cookie-cutter box is what I'm going for. Fresh materials that are not only local but also environmentally friendly are what I want to offer our clients. I want everyone to know that here at Godoy Construzione , we not only build the most gorgeous buildings and homes, but also the most state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly warehouses. Understood?" Everyone nods, and when I look at my friend Dom, I see that he has a proud smile on his face.

"Good. Let's get to work, then. We have a deadline to meet."

As much fun as I had today at work, helping the team get the design ready to share with the global merchandise company, Bella was on my mind all day. How was her first day of school? Did she make more friends than that Giacomo kid she mentioned the other day? What did she wear? I can't wait to get home and figure all this and more out.

"Smells good in here, but I thought I said I had dinner covered?" I say as I enter my penthouse.

Bella's smile is blinding. She's wearing another pair of short shorts, a distressed white shirt, and her hair is up in a messy bun.

"Hey, Gabo. Yeah, I know, but I felt like cooking for you," she says with a shrug like it's the most natural thing in the world. "How was work?" she asks as I stand in front of the stove and pick up a spoon to try whatever she's cooking. If it tastes like it smells, I'll eat it all. But Bella smacks my hand gently with a washcloth, and the spoon falls to the floor. We both chuckle.

"It was good, you know. Same old, same old." I tell her as I pick up the spoon. "How was your first day at uni?" I ask her as she bends to wipe the dirty spot the spoon left on the floor. I try to look somewhere else, but her ass is perfect; I can't help but ogle.

"Oh, it was amazing. I can't wait to tell you all about it. I also went for coffee afterward with Giacomo," she says gingerly, and my eyebrows shoot to the sky as my heart rate picks up. "It was nothing. He wanted to have coffee with me, and I said yes, but there's nothing there. He's just a friend."

My heart rate slows down a beat. The mere thought of that guy potentially having a chance with her makes my stomach twist.

"Well, it's good to have friends. Glad this guy Giacomo can be one." I shrug as I busy myself washing the spoon.

I internally slap myself. Can I be more lame? Is that all I could come up with? Bella definitely makes me feel and act like a teenager. She smirks at me like she knows I'm full of bullshit, and my dick can't help but notice.

Sorry, dude. No playdate for you for the foreseeable future. We have to woo her first.

"Go wash your hands and put on some comfortable clothes. I have an idea for dinner tonight." Now, she's got me wondering what that idea is about.

"As the principessa wishes," I say with a flourish and head to my room. I can hear her chuckles until I close the door behind me. It's incredible how, in a matter of days, we went from not knowing how to act with one another to a totally domestic couple. Whatever was said in her conversation with Gio must have put her at ease, and I'm eternally grateful for that.

I decide to go for a quick shower instead of just washing my hands, and after toweling myself off, I grab a pair of sweatpants and a white tee. When I returned to the kitchen, Bella had already plated our food and was standing next to the kitchen island waiting for me.

"So I thought it'd be a good idea to have dinner outside while we watch a movie?" The hope in her azure eyes makes my heart flutter as if there's anything in this world that I'd deny her.

"Sure, it sounds fun. What movie do you have in mind?" I ask her as I grab the bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Hmm, I'm in the mood for a classic. Any favorites?" I'm surprised she's letting me pick, but I won't shy away from a challenge.

"Have you watched La Dolce Vita ? The director, Federico Fellini, was born in Rimini," I tell her as I set up the movie system.

"I don't think I have, but that sounds like a great movie. Let's do it." I smile at her as I queue the movie and head back inside for the food. When I get back outside, she has poured two glasses of wine and has a fuzzy blanket on her lap. I wish I could join her under that blanket, but I don't trust my dick to be the gentleman I'm trying to be.

"Let's toast," I say as I raise my glass, and she does the same.

"To a great first day at uni," I say, and Bella beams.

"How did you know I had a great day? Did Rocco say anything?" she asks after taking a sip of her wine.

"I haven't spoken with him all day, but you're in a great mood and prepared another delicious meal for us, so I assumed you had a great day." I shrug as I taste the wine she chose for us tonight—a delicious red.

"That's true. I am in a good mood tonight. But how can I not be? Turns out, we'll have different instructors each week, and this week, it's the curator of the Bologna Museum of Modern Art!" She screeches, and I chuckle at her excitement.

"I take it you are pleased with having him as your instructor?" I smirk at her, and she grins back.

"Very. We'll be going to the museum the next two days to create a painting based on something that catches our attention. Isn't that amazing? Our own take on a classic!"

"That sounds pretty awesome, and who knows, it might be the first piece you sell at your first expo," I say nonchalantly, but I know I'll buy every single one of her pieces.

"Enough about me, how was your day?" Bella asks expectantly. It's refreshing to have someone genuinely asking about your stuff, not because she wants a slice of what you have in the bank.

"It was actually better than I expected. I had a meeting to approve the design of a set of warehouses we are bidding on for a huge merchandise company here in Italy. I got to change the model within two hours of missing the deadline for submitting our proposal," I tell her, excited to share my day.

"That sounds amazing and nerve-wracking at the same time. When will you learn if you won the bid?"

"I'm hoping by the end of the week, but it could be next week."

"Well, at least you have more work to do, and I can keep you entertained with my daily uni updates while you wait," she says, a blinding smile on her face.

I can't help but thank the stars for giving me a chance to spend time with and get to know this woman. She's a light I've never had in my life before, and I hope I can keep her with me for a long time.

The night goes by quickly as we eat the delicious pasta Bella cooked and finish the bottle of wine while we comment on one of Fellini's masterpieces. I also caved and joined Bella under the blanket—her idea, not mine. Tomorrow, I have to take her out for dinner; it's safer without blankets in the proximity.