Amelia had to count every single one of her blessings that the door to the CEO's office had been locked and that the doors and walls were both frosted and soundproof. Otherwise, she might actually contemplate opening the windows and flinging herself off the building with the way Matteo was staring at her.
With the way his eyes were widened and his lips were slightly parted, this was the most emotion Amelia had ever seen from Matteo, and the first time she had seen him caught so off guard― though granted, they hadn't met that many times before.
He cleared his throat and set his coffee mug down on the desk, straightening his tie. Was that a hint of red she caught blooming on his cheeks?
"Rest assured, Miss Kentwood, the job isn't part of a sketchy underground dealing where you would have to resort to selling your body," Matteo said. His voice sounded slightly hoarse before it eventually smoothed out. "The previous secretary was let go, and a replacement is urgently needed. That's all."
"Oh, that's great," Amelia said with a sigh. "I was… getting a little worried," she admitted.
"Nothing to fret about," Matteo calmly said.
He gestured to the door. Through the frosted glass, Amelia could make out the vague shape of a desk outside, most likely her workstation.
"That will be your desk," he said. "The materials needed for you to get yourself familiarized are all there. Should you require any assistance, feel free to ask."
Amelia nodded, turning to look at the door. She hesitated, not knowing if she should make her hasty exit now to save herself from the embarrassment, or to wait for further instructions.
When she turned back and was met with Matteo leaning close to her, her heart skipped a beat. His face was mere inches apart from hers. If she wanted to, she could easily close the distance between them and their lips would touch.
His eyelashes were so long. She could clearly count every strand, so much so that she was now worried that Matteo could hear her heartbeat. Unable to withstand it any longer, Amelia squeezed her eyes shut. He had just said that there wouldn't be any odd dealings occurring during her employment here, but she knew that rich men like him often wouldn't keep their end of the bargain.
This was truly too good a deal to be true.
The sound of the door clicking open caught Amelia's attention, and her eyes quickly shot open. She turned, only to realize that not only had Matteo pulled back, the door was now open and the rest of the office could see her standing there awkwardly.
Of course. He was just opening the door for her like a gentleman would.
Amelia nervously laughed before slipping out of the office, closing the door behind her. In her haste, she nearly slammed the door a little too loud, but she wasn't in the capacity to care. If she thought whatever she had asked was embarrassing, this was even worse.
Her new desk might only be one frosted glass panel away from her boss, but that was enough for now!
***
Matteo watched with interest as the door slammed shut behind Amelia, no doubt drawing the attention of a few workers who sat closer to his office. He leaned against the edge of his table, a small chuckle slipping past his lips as he observed her through the glass. There wasn't much he could see since the glass panels were designed for privacy, but it was enough to see her slamming her head down on the keyboard a couple of times.
Cute.
A light buzz drew his attention, and Matteo leisurely pulled his phone from his pockets.
A familiar name lit up his lockscreen, and Matteo's thumb slowly slid across the screen to pick up the call.
"Yes?" he asked, and immediately, a piercingly familiar voice tore through his speakers. Matteo had to pull the phone away from his face, grimacing slightly.
"Why the fuck am I fired?!" Ronan screamed from the other end of the line, his voice an octave higher than usual due to his urgency. "When you oh so kindly approved my block leave, I assumed that you suddenly grew a conscience. Not that you were prepared to replace me!"
"Shouldn't you be enjoying your mojitos by the beach right now?" Matteo said, his voice slightly teasing. He slowly made his way to his chair, sitting down before leaning back. A small sigh escaped his lips. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I just said it!" Ronan yelled. "Why am I getting replaced by an inexperienced freshie on the field? Do you even have any clue how many things I do for you in the office? Do you think a normal intern will be able to handle it all by herself?"
"Well, like you said, I need the help while you're gone," Matteo said, not even alarmed in the slightest. He picked up a paper from the stack and began to read. "Having no secretary for three months is a really long period of time, you know."
"I just left Solara yesterday," Ronan said through gritted teeth. "And within twenty-four hours, I am replaced?"
"We can discuss your position after you come back from your holiday," Matteo said. He could already imagine the look on his best friend's face, a thought that made Matteo crack a small, inconspicuous smile. "Before that, you can enjoy your time with the 'Hawaiian beach babes' that you were so eager to meet."
"No, we are discussing it now―"
Before Ronan could even finish his sentence, Matteo ended the call. Satisfied, he placed his phone down on the desk and began to work. Ronan Sullivan was well-off enough on his own. As the second son of the prestigious Sullivans, he had no need for this job, while the girl outside did. Besides, there was an old score Matteo needed to settle with Ronan, and this was good revenge.
It didn't do any harm. Once Ronan was back, Matteo had every intention of returning him his job. Having two secretaries would be much needed now that X'el International was growing rapidly.
His phone buzzed against the table, and even though it was vibrating endlessly, this time, it wasn't a call, but multiple messages in a row from Ronan.
Ronan: If you don't explain this to me clearly, I am flying back right now!
Ronan: I mean it!
Ronan: I'll tell your mother!
Ronan: I'll tell my mother!!
Matteo's eyelid twitched. Mrs. Sullivan didn't need to know about this. That woman was more of a mother to him than his actual mother was, and he had grown up reprimanded enough times to know that she was a force to be dealt with.
He was just about to reply to Ronan's messages when his eyes were caught by a shiny invitation on his desk. He reached for it instantly.
Right. Ronan had mentioned this yesterday before he left for the airport. Perhaps this would be the perfect event to introduce the world to his new secretary.