Azlynn's POV
I woke up to a bright light shining brightly in my eyes. As I slowly opened my eyes, a sharp headache hit me and I moaned in pain. Oh, I hate alcohol. I felt weak, confused, and dizzy as I looked around the room I had found myself in. Nothing about this room reminded me of home, and I wondered where I was. Did I go home with some random guy? I sat up, my whole body aching, as I scanned the room trying to figure out what had happened last night.
When I heard the door open, I pulled myself out of my thoughts. A very sexy shirtless Lorenzo walked in, holding a tray filled with stuff in his hands. He placed it carefully on the bedside table and grinned, "Good morning Sunshine, I brought you something to help you with that headache I know you have." He told me, and I blushed when he caught me staring at his chest. "Do you like what you see?" He smirked at me, and I bit my tongue to avoid saying anything I might regret later. I couldn't keep my eyes from traveling up that chest. He had a well-defined six-pack. He was wearing black shorts with his hair wet probably from a shower. His musky scent drove me crazy as he stood so close to me. It made me nervous to be around him. However, I have to admit that I could get used to waking up to this in the mornings.
He pulled off the cover of the breakfast tray and everything was so delicious. On the plate was an omelet with cheese and spinach, bacon, fruit, and an all-grain muffin. It looked so tasty with orange juice and a cup of coffee. There was also a small white pill sitting there, and I stared up at him, wondering what it was. Evidently, he understood my reason for looking at him that way. "It is just something to soothe your hangover, and there are also some fresh clean clothes for you to change into in the bathroom as well as some fresh towels." he said with a smirk, "Now eat and freshen up." he stood up and walked out the front door he had appeared in.
After taking the small pill and eating a delicious breakfast, I turned into the bathroom, letting out a small gasp at the beautiful room. It was huge, probably twice the size of my whole apartment. It had a tub and shower and double sinks with a separate vanity to put on your makeup. I was in awe. I climbed into the shower and took a hot shower as hot as I could stand. Feeling refreshed, I step out and change into the clothes he left on the counter. Looking at my reflection, I see that I am wearing a tight-fitting red blouse and slim black jeans. They fit me perfectly, and I have to admit that his taste is excellent.
I sighed as I left the room because I was in Lorenzo Albertini's penthouse again. Great! Glancing around, I saw no sign of the ruthless billionaire who always seemed to make it a point to put himself in my life. Not knowing what to do, I rushed into the room I had just awoken in. As I turned to leave, I grabbed my dress and heels.
I came back out and still didn't see him. So I started approaching the elevator. I knew that was my escape out of there, but as I got closer to it he appeared out of nowhere blocking my path. "And where exactly are you heading?" he asked in a cold tone. Wearing an Armani suit, he looked extremely handsome. The suit showed off his muscles very well.
"Home!" I muttered shakily. He looked like he was about to pounce on someone by the way he was staring at me.
"Home?" he asked sarcastically. Suddenly he raised his hand, and I immediately regretted that I had flinched back. I didn't actually think he would hurt me, but I have been hurt by several guys before. I realized that I had just given that away. I didn't want him to know anything about my past. There was nothing he could do to help me with. I didn't want to stare at him, so I kept my face down and stared at the floor. "Azlynn, look at me," he said, but I didn't dare. I was embarrassed by my reaction, so I did not move at all. "Look at me now!" he commanded me in a cold tone, but I didn't dare look at him. Until he cupped his hand under my chin and gently lifted it up forcing me to gaze at him in the eyes. "Why did you flinch back so much? Did you think I would ever harm you?" he asked, sweetening his voice. "You know I would never hurt you, right?"
"I am sorry Lorenzo, but you have hurt me before. Please let me go home." I pleaded, my voice shaking.
"Uh-huh, but first let's talk about what happened last night. Then I'll be more than happy to take you home," he stated with a smirk, and I knew he was up to something, and I was not going to like it. I smiled at him, "Okay, first I want to apologize for ever laying my hands on you. I thought you were someone hired to get close to me, and I am embarrassed that I ever would have. But I need to ask you, why did you go out for drinks last night?"
"I wanted to hang out with some friends for once, is that so wrong?" I ask him, trying to maintain a level tone and stay calm. Maybe I wasn't being entirely honest, but somehow I knew where he was heading.
"No, it's not. You should have fun every once in a while. How is your life? Is work progressing well? Are you working tonight?" he asks. I glance into his eyes to see if he knows anything.
"Fine, it's all fine, and no I do not work tonight," I answered, keeping my voice steady as I could not give away that I was lying through my teeth. Looking at the smirk across his face, "What?"
"Really? Then tell me why did I hear from an early bird that you were just fired for what happened on Saturday night?" he asks with a smirk on his face.
I glance into his eyes feeling ashamed since I had just lied to him. "How do you know that?" I ask him, honestly surprised that he knows that I was let go of my job.
"Is that why you were out drinking last night?" he asks, disregarding my question.
I wanted to look away but couldn't with his hand on my chin. I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Yes." I wondered how he knew about me losing my job. It seemed that he knew everything.
"Hmm... " He looked deep in thought, but I didn't dare ask him what he was thinking. I just stood still, not wanting to interrupt his thought process. He did tell me that after we talked he would take me home. I noticed the room growing darker, and I glanced out the window in time to see a lightning bolt strike out the window, and I jumped back in fear. I hated lightning and the sound that came after it because it always seemed to catch me off guard. "It was only lightning, it's okay." He said, trying to calm me down. I looked at him and saw worry in his eyes. "So tell me, what are you trying to do now? Do you have a plan for how you're planning to support yourself now that you've lost your job?" he asks, staring deeply into my eyes.
I stare back at them, "Why do you even care what happens to me?" I wondered, unsure if I even wanted to know the answer.
"Now I need you to listen, listen carefully to what I have to say. I am willing to be completely honest now: I don't know why I care. But I do... I feel a strong desire within me to protect and help you when you are in danger. Work for me!" He smiled. I jumped back, my eyes widening as I realized what he had just said.
I stare at him in shock as my mouth drops open. "W-Work for you?"
"Yes, that is what I just said. My last personal assistant had a horrible accident last night," he said in his usual tone. "She was actually rather old and fell down a flight of stairs in her apartment building. Her son just called and informed me of the accident. He also told me she wouldn't be back as he was moving her in with him. He told me to file for her retirement."
"What?" My heart was racing. He always made me feel so nervous, and I hated the idea of working for him. I didn't know whether I could manage to work for this man. I stared at him as my mind raced. I realized how safe I felt in his presence. I never felt safe before, and it made me want to take this incredible opportunity. It could keep me away from them back home. I really didn't want to go back there. I was amazed, shocked, surprised, and unsure if I could handle the job. I had never been formally trained for a job like that let alone the fact that this was him I'd be assisting. However, I surprised myself. "I'll take it!" I screamed. I couldn't let this chance pass because of my insecurities.
He smiles down at me, "It isn't that easy, Ms. Jennings. I first need you to come in and do a formal interview. Let's say we schedule that for tomorrow morning say 9 am sharp?' Continuing in his cold tone, he crosses his arms over his chest and backs away. "I need a copy of your CV."
"Okay, I will have to run home to get it," he said through my joy. He may have just saved my life again, and I doubt he even knew it.
"Not so fast, I will drive you home to get your resume and clothes and everything you will need because I insist that you move in with me. I actually want you to take that room because as my personal assistant, that will make everything so much easier. Because as my PA you might have to work remotely," he said with an authoritative tone, causing goosebumps to run down my spine as I realized that he wasn't actually giving me a choice in the matter.
"I have an apartment, Lorenzo! I am one who prefers being on her own... taking care of herself." I started.
"Don't continue that sentence. You have a very unusual knack for getting yourself into situations that might be just a little bit dangerous. And as my assistant, you will have a target on your back and I cannot allow that, so you will be moving in with me and staying here," he says, eyebrows raised and an inexplicable smirk spreading across his face.
"But I don't even have the job yet! So, please explain to me why I need to be here now?" I yelled back, having the feeling he was just using it as an excuse to keep me near him.
The interview is just a formality Ms. Jennings, you have the job." He uttered seductively, closing the small distance between us and making me a nervous wreck. I glanced up at his dark eyes. They almost made him seem dangerous at that moment.
"Fine."