Celeste shut off her computer and did a full body stretch, her muscles easing off deliciously that she purred with contentment.
The others had left including Uncle Theo, except Gia the intern who had made a mistake earlier and was staying to fix it before she left.
"Should I get you a soda or anything from the machine downstairs?" Celeste asked coming over to check what Gia was doing.
"That's so sweet but I'm okay, just gonna round up in some minutes," She said smiling and Celeste nodded before going to grab her bag.
The intercom buzzed on Uncle Theo's desk repeatedly and Celeste went over to answer it, Just in case it was an emergency or hopefully a message from Mr Martino.
"Tell Celeste to come to my office now" That crispy and hypnotic voice ordered, Celeste felt tingles all over. She immediately dropped the device, embarrassed by her sudden reaction to his voice.
Uncle Theo wasn't around and Mrs Adel had left some minutes ago which left her being the only one to answer, and since he requested for her she might as well go directly.
She knew a working relationship was not permitted, and it was a highly delusional fantasy to imagine Marcello Martino would ever fall for her, at least acknowledge her feelings.
Sometimes she wished she had declined Uncle Theo's invitation that evening four years ago when his date stood him up, maybe she wouldn't have met Marcello and these crazy feelings wouldn't have held her hostage, keeping her in this agony of one-sided love for four years!
Well Mr Martino had requested for her, she better get going before he reconsiders her miraculous promotion.
"See Later Gia, the boss is calling," she said to Gia who only nodded as her face was figuratively glued to the screen.
*
*
*
Marcello finished checking himself in the hidden room behind his office, no hair was out of place. He donned the Rolex Lorenzo had gotten him for their 31st birthday before checking the time and leaving the room.
He walked into the office expecting Celeste to be there just like Natasha always did, but the empty office was just as he left it. He groaned, palming his face maybe he should have waited patiently before picking another E.A. because he had a bad feeling picking her was disastrous, but he couldn't leave that position vacant for long.
As Franklin's niece, he expected her to work smart and fast just like her uncle, who had been one of the major helping hands when he and Lorenzo first started the conglomerate.
He moved in irritation to find her phone number from the staff documents, when he heard the door ring. He paused to be sure he heard correctly, on hearing the next ring he granted the person access.
Celeste walked in, bag in hand looking more out of place than a clown in a business meeting.
" How long would it take you to respond to my calling Miss Bellamy?" He gritted out, his irritation mounting as he realized that she was underdressed for a formal dinner and time was running out.
"I have been standing outside for over 15 minutes sir," she said in bewilderment.
Marcello stared at her incredulously at her response, then he realized that she had been waiting for him to grant her access. He had told Natasha to always come in if more than 5 minutes passed and he didn't respond to her and he was yet to drill Celeste.
"I see...well from now on you come in if I don't respond after 5 minutes Capisci? ( do you understand)" He asked
"Sì Signuri ( yes sir) " She said softly, Marcello stilled as he didn't expect her to respond in Sicilian. He was aware of the range of languages she covered, but hearing her speak it was beautiful.
She became so flustered under the intensity of his gaze that her ears started turning red again, and before she could stop herself she unconsciously tucked her hair behind her left ear and Marcello quickly snapped out of his trance.
"I'm having dinner with the Senator, a dinner I would gladly avoid but I have to attend to, you will serve as a figure to keep it formal and prevent it from straying into other delicate matters," he said to her and she nodded even though she had no clue what he meant, but heaven forbid she admit it.
"Let's get you changed first, you need a proper dinner dress," he said before heading out of the office, Celeste quickly fell into step behind him.
They got into his Cadillac, Celeste fastened her seatbelt with shaky hands as she tried to relax in the passenger seat. Marcello's frame made the car feel cramped even though it was spacious.
She stole small peeks at him when she felt he was focused on the road. He was majestic, from the way the suit accentuated his figure, making him out as an enigmatic business figure to his chiseled jawline.
Her eyes swept over him, drinking every minute detail about him, trying to imprint the image in her head for when she sat in her hanging chair later tonight and watched the night view.
The car soon stopped in front of one of the luxurious boutiques in the city, and after he parked, they got out of the car and went in. Immediately the manager and other sales persons sighted him, the store was thrown into a frenzy as they tried to show him the best and most expensive in each department.
Marcello waved aside the flashy and daring evening dresses that they shoved in his face as each didn't bring out the glow of Celeste's skin and most wouldn't compliment that raven black hair. He began a casual stroll through the store, pointing at dresses he wanted Celeste to try on.
The Manager Mrs Alfonso exchanged looks with her assistant as this was the first time Marcello picked out the clothes himself for a lady though it was obvious this lady in particular was different from the others as she stood taking the assault of clothes with a smile.
."Celeste come closer" Marcello called absentmindedly, and Celeste quickly rushed to his side. He held an emerald green dress close to her skin, studied her for a bit and nodded appreciatively.
"I'll take this Bethany," he said to the manager who now wore a strained smile,
Celeste was at a loss at what to make of the whole situation, mother fate was definitely on her side today or maybe she saved the world in her past life. This was all happening too fast for her to comprehend, from him making her his E.A. to taking her shopping and picking out clothes for her.
'Does Mr Martino fancy me?!' She thought excitedly.
"Um sir someone has already paid for it," Bethany Alfonso said wringing her hands nervously.
"I'll pay triple, Celeste go and try it out
fallu veloci( make it quick)" he said handing Celeste the dress as he dismissed Bethany's complaint.
Celeste's eyes sparkled as she took the dress from him, Green was her favorite color because it had been her dad's favorite too. The dress was a delicate silk dress that was suitable for dinner dates or a formal dinner with dignitaries.
"Bethany time is running out, get her into that dress in 3 minutes" Marcello groaned, before going to pick out shoes.
Bethany Alfonso grinned, obvious relief oozing out of her pores as she escorted Celeste with a brilliant smile to the dressing room. The Senator's daughter can shop for the dress elsewhere because Marcello Martino, a billionaire tycoon was paying triple and he was a more worthy customer than the spoiled brat.
"On it Sir," She said guiding Celeste to the dressing room.