"Mr Martino" She whispered fiercely, nervously rearranging the documents in her hands, then caught herself as he regarded her cooly.
"Mr. Martino" She repeated again, this time with a clearer voice, he angled his head slightly to the right and studied her, his hands in his pockets giving a cool and nonchalant aura.
"Miss Bellamy, Franklin's niece" he mused, and Celeste nodded vehemently. He looked above her to the door where the groans had been coming from earlier.
"Open the door Bellamy" He purred the words with deadly intent that had Celeste backing up slightly against the door. She was scared he would fire her for watching people fuck instead of leaving the premises.
' Heaven help me, how long has he been standing behind me?' She wondered as his smoldering whiskey eyes slid from the door to her jade eyes.
"Do not make me repeat myself or Franklin won't guarantee your staying here" he warned in a low tone casually stepping into her personal space till her back hit the door, a tone so low she almost didn't catch it.
Celeste without turning, reached behind her with her right hand and felt around till her palm enclosed around the handle. Maintaining eye contact with the man whose beauty held her in a drunk haze, she was getting lightheaded from how close he was to her, she twisted the handle a bit and the door opened.
Marcello's eye carefully moved away from hers and looked at the door. He lifted his right hand above, the movement causing his muscles to flex, making Celeste feel flustered and then he placed his palm on the door before pushing it open.
Celeste who had not been expecting it, was disoriented as she had been leaning more into the door to stop her body from seeking the warmth emanating from Marcello's body. The sudden absence of the door had her stumbling backward, out of instinct she let go of the documents and reached out to Marcello.
Marcello wrapped an arm around her waist immediately as she gripped his jacket for her dear life, then in a fluid movement he pulled her upright and she landed against his chest.
Celeste thought she was going to melt the moment he held her in his arms, if he removed his arm from around her waist, her knees were definitely going to betray her.
To prevent that from happening, she quickly righted herself and shoved him away before bending to pick up the fallen documents, the tips of her ears burning bright red.
"Natasha, would you care to explain exactly what the hell is going on here?" Celeste heard him swear violently, and she rose to her feet beside him, staring at the deathly pale couple who clutched their discarded clothes to their body.
"Mr...Martino...please I can explain" She stammered, turning to her partner who Celeste didn't recognize.
"I just asked you to explain yourself, Natasha, I'm only being civil because of the impeccable behavior you have shown over the years leading to this," Marcello said but Natasha was at a loss at what to say, she only kept opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish on a dry surface while her eyes darted to her partner who hung his head in shame.
Celeste decided to leave since this was not a discussion a new staff like her should witness. As she turned to leave, Marcello stretched his arm and pulled her back to him,
"Miss Bellamy see to it that these worthless scums are escorted out of the premises then report to my office," He said to her, Celeste gawked at him stunned by what he asked her to do.
"Me...Me?!" She shrieked, and Marcello arched an eyebrow.
"Any problem with that Miss Bellamy?" He queried, staring at her intently. Celeste shook her head in negative and marched into the office.
" Miss Natasha and Mr..." She turned to the man who mumbled, "Sylvester" and she nodded. "Miss Natasha and Mr. Sylvester, I would like for the both of you to dress up immediately and follow me downstairs," She said quietly and they both nodded, relief rolling off their shoulders.
Celeste turned and saw Marcello had left the door, which explained why their shoulders sagged with relief.
She tried not to stare as they dressed up, keeping watch from her position by the door. After Natasha finished packing up, they escorted Sylvester to his own office where he packed up too.
His colleagues bombarded him with questions but he ignored them, packing his files and things in a zombie-like trance, never looking up as he finished and left the room.
Outside the elevator were two bulky security guards waiting to escort them outside and Celeste greeted them before leaving the culprits to their fate.
*
*
*
Marcello scanned the information his personal computer assistant had sent him about Celeste Bellamy.
She was definitely an interesting girl, a graduate of Queen's College City University of New York with a bachelor's degree in linguistics which was very handy in dealing with foreign mercenaries.
Born and raised in Chicago before moving to New York after the death of her father.
He kept scanning through, nodding with interest as he approved of her. The door rang and he granted her entrance. Celeste stood awkwardly by the door, unsure if she was about to be fired on her first day of work.
"Miss Bellamy do take a seat" he drawled, gesturing to the seat opposite him.
She carefully dragged her feet to the seat before him with apprehension slowly eating away at her already crumbling composure. As soon as she sat down, he leaned back into his chair and watched her.
She was absolutely beautiful, with raven black hair that fell in soft waves to her tiny waist and jade green eyes that gave her an alluring beauty. Those cherry lips on AAlabasterskin were a weapon for seduction. She would make a perfect E.A., he mused.
"What do you think about replacing Miss Natasha?" He asked in a low tone,
"I'm sorry I did not catch that sir," she said with a small smile.
"I need a new E. A and you make an interesting choice Celeste, I would have picked Julia Abel but she is leaving and since you're Theodore's niece there is hope that you're more disciplined than your predecessor" he said shrugging, each movement causing Celeste's throat to dry.
'He called me by my first name!!!' She thought excitedly, replaying how her name had rolled off his tongue like a lover's touch.
' If only he knew how much I love him, but that isn't important now, I'm getting a promotion on my first day! I'll be his E.A. and stay close to him' she thought wistfully, Marcello sat there casually waiting for her response.
"Celeste" he called when she was silent for too long, she answered immediately like someone who just gained consciousness, "Yes Mr Martino"
"Are you paying attention?" He asked, frowning slightly,
"I am sir, I appreciate your kind words but I am inexperienced so I may be slow and deliver bad results," she said
"I don't expect you to do much besides what Theodore asks you to do or follow me on trips and create a decent schedule for me, keeping important dates in your head" he explained and Celeste considered it.
Well honestly she didn't mind, as long as she got to be with him every day, see him every then that was paradise for her and she adapted easily so within months she would get the hang of it. She smiled softly, "It's my pleasure sir thank you so much"
Marcello nodded, "one more thing Celeste, let what happened today remain with you" he warned, and she nodded before he then dismissed her.
It was time to prepare for dinner with the senator, and knowing the senator, he would try to publicize it and let the public contemplate the relationship between him and Claudia.
Marcello picked up the phone and called the one person who could get him out of any trouble, though he knew the favor would have to be returned too.
The call went through on the first ring as typical of Lorenzo. Others always complained about how he rarely picks up their calls, but he never misses Marcello's calls. Marcello placed the phone against his ear and strolled to the window, then leaned against it watching the view of the bustling city, the city that never sleeps.
"Good evening boss" he taunted and could almost hear Lorenzo roll his eyes.
"What do you want Marcello?" Lorenzo asked dryly, Marcello cleared his throat and began his petition, to which Lorenzo listened carefully without interrupting.
After he was done, he listened for his elder brother's response, "Consider it done but you owe me one Marcello" Lorenzo said cooly and Marcello relaxed, now he could breathe easily without the foreboding of scandal hanging around his neck.
"No problem, just get them out of my way" he groaned rubbing his temple.
"I will send Alfredo, he will do the job quickly," Lorenzo said and Marcello stilled.
"Do not kill anyone Lorenzo, a threat is enough" Marcello added quickly, heart pounding and Lorenzo laughed.
"See you later little brother, I may be bloodthirsty but I'm not a monster so go and enjoy your dinner with your senator, he won't trouble you again" he teased then ended the call and Marcello sighed, adjusting his tie before deciding to call for Celeste.