The party had finally wound down, and the last of the guests had departed. Fabio, still sporting a slightly stained shirt, poured himself a glass of scotch as he surveyed the remnants of the evening's revelry.
Matteo, still lingering by the bar, caught his eye. "Hey, boss. I think it's time I got Maria home."
Fabio's gaze narrowed. "Ah, yes. Tell her I have a special request for her. Can you make sure she comes to my office tomorrow at 10 am?"
Matteo raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
Fabio waved his hand dismissively. "Just a little... business. Make sure she comes."
Matteo nodded, though his expression suggested he was skeptical. "I'll make sure to pass along the message."
As Matteo departed, Fabio turned back to his scotch, lost in thought. What did he have planned for Maria? He hadn't quite decided himself.
The next morning, Maria arrived at Fabio's office, looking radiant in a crisp white blouse and dark jeans. Matteo ushered her in, a knowing glint in his eye.
Fabio rose from behind his desk, a warm smile on his face. "Ah, Maria! Thanks for coming."
Maria's eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the atmosphere of the office – sleek and modern, with a hint of opulence. "What's this about?"
Fabio gestured to a chair opposite his desk. "Please, sit down. I have a proposal for you."
Maria sat, her curiosity piqued.
Fabio leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with intensity. "I think you're more than just a skilled bartender, Maria. I think you have a certain... je ne sais quoi. A spark that sets you apart from the rest."
Maria's eyebrows shot up as she sensed where this was headed.
"And I want to tap into that," Fabio continued. "I want to offer you a job as my personal... advisor."
Maria's mouth dropped open in shock. "An advisor? What would I advise on?"
Fabio leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Ah, everything. Business, pleasure... whatever I need."
Maria's eyes widened as she realized where this was going – straight into the realm of fantasy land.
"You want me to be your plaything?" she asked bluntly.
Fabio's smile never wavered. "Ah, no. Not just that. Though... perhaps that too."
Maria laughed, a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "You're something else, Fabio."
As she rose from her seat, Fabio stood too, his eyes burning with an intensity that left her breathless.
"Well?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
Maria's gaze locked onto his, her mind racing with possibilities – and warnings.
What did she just get herself into?
Fabio's eyes never left Maria's face as he asked, "So, what do you say? Will you be my advisor?"
Maria's expression remained neutral, her mind still reeling from the unexpected proposal. "I'll think about it," she said finally.
Fabio nodded, his smile unwavering. "I expected nothing less. In the meantime, I have another project I'd like to discuss with you."
He gestured to a large folder on his desk, adorned with architectural plans and renderings. "I'm considering opening a coffee shop in one of these buildings."
Maria's eyes widened as she took in the scope of the project. "A coffee shop? In an office building?"
Fabio nodded enthusiastically. "Why not? The demand is there. And I have the perfect location in mind."
He flipped open the folder, revealing a series of photographs showcasing various buildings around the city. Maria's eyes scanned the images, taking in the sleek modern designs and bustling streetscapes.
"Ah, which one do you like best?" Fabio asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Maria pointed to a particularly striking building with a rooftop garden and floor-to-ceiling windows. "This one. What's the address?"
Fabio beamed. "Ah, excellent choice! That's the new commercial complex on 5th and Main. The perfect spot for a coffee shop – right in the heart of the city."
As they spent the next hour discussing details and timelines, Maria found herself growing more and more intrigued by Fabio's vision for the coffee shop. His enthusiasm was infectious, and she couldn't help but get caught up in his excitement.