Chapter 7

Giovanni's POV:

What started out fun turned out to be a depressing confession session. Why she felt the need to unravel what kept her emotions in check remains a mystery to me. As I can not fathom what pushed her to act so carelessly.

Her wanting to climb into my bed couldn't possibly be the case here.

Seeing that I have nothing to offer.

That would have been my first assumption two months ago, as I seen as a walking bank women couldn't help but notice.

Thinking of all that I had lost in a matter of seconds highly uplifts the quote "vanity is vanity". From being Italy's business tycoon, to a mere citizen. With only memories of once owning millions of euros and having the world rotate within my palm. But I should have known I lacked the qualities of a true God.

Looking off into the distance, I let mind replay that day.

Flash back

"There he is!" One shouted with a mischievous glint in his eyes. And before I knew it, they were all rushing towards me. Flashlights going off in all directions, while sticking their microphones in my face.

"Mr Luca, is it true your company is on the verge of collapsing?" One paparazzi asked. His eyes piercing through me, daring me to lie.

In my confused state, coming up with a response was quite a struggle and my silence surely riled up the crowed. Luckily my company's body guards quickly came to my aid, saving me from the vile crowd I was consumed in.

"Mr Luca!, Mr Luca!, over here!"

"What are your plans concerning this matter!"

"Why would you announce of your bankruptcy!?"

That question is enough to put my movements to an abrupt halt, as I now look back at the crowd barely concealing confusion.

How people cook up stories in mere seconds is still beyond my comprehension skills. But I guess somewhere blessed with genes of an author, yet undoubtedly have they considered it.

The slight pat I receive on my right shoulder from my bodyguard is a cue to continue walking. And so I do. Finally, passing through the main entrance of the building, before hearing the double glass doors forcefully closing.

The De Luca corporation is something I've always found pride in. Yet as I enter the same building, I enter not with pride but with fear of things are unknown. The tension within the building is enough to Suffocate oneself. Seeing that every employee of mine sits before their desk. Movements seeming to be calculated, as they too await to see the future position of the company.

"Morning Mr Luca, we've been awaiting your presence. This way, please." Mr Romano, the company's financial manager, says. With utmost relief and urgency coating his facial features.

The number one rule for a person entangled in the business world is to display no facial emotions. More of the reason you find tons of well-known ceo/business men walking around with a stern face. It is believed and proven that business executives are very observant and calculating. And could discern a thing or two about an individual through observation.

I best believe Mr Romano is fully aware of that rule. So him discarding and showing total apathy to such an important law. Anteriorly informs me of the gravity of the current situation. And so it is in my best interest to embrace myself for the worst potential outcome, which indeed came in handy. Considering that, I step into the conference room where board meetings are held. To find my father Albert de Luca sitting at the head of the table.

My father and I weren't in the best of relationships because of overlooking the world's most essential Factor.... "communication"

So the look of disappointed he directed at me wasn't much of a surprise, but it stirred up a glooming feeling within me. I take a seat on the left side of my father. That they suspiciously left open. Making me wonder if I remained the only candidate unaware of my father's unexpected visit.

The number of eyes currently staring at me irritated me to no end. As from my peripheral vision, I could make out looks of curiosity, shock and wonder.

Not that I could hold them at fault. Considering that one would expect a person currently in my position, to be all over the place, devastation being what I display while trying to make ends meet. But I know better than to let my emotions get the better of me.

I'm not against showing emotions, but there is a time and place. I believe no matter the situation, never let your emotions overpower your intelligence. To simplify it all, "Don't be a Slave to your own emotions."

I could feel regret, guilt and many more unnerving emotions holding a firm grip on my heart. For failing to withstand the obstacles that came with being the CEO of this company my father had entrusted me with. But the most heart-wrenching one of all. Is the fact that I let what my father had spent years building crumble down within mere seconds.

However, despite the torment. I stick to what I believe. Which is not being a slave to my own emotions. And with that very thought in mind. I could feel my confidence increase tremendously. Not that I never had any to begin with. As I always knew, I possessed the confidence people have been searching their entire life.

"Proceed." My father said and within minutes. Mr Romano makes his way behind the podium before briskly clapping his hands twice. Which resulted in the lights going off. He then connected the iPad to the wireless projector, while instructing us to follow on our own iPad. That neatly sat before us.

Mr Romano said out his greetings, using a tone that held nothing but reverence. As his anxious shadow had long disappeared, replacing it with his usual calm and collected self.

Not too long after the meeting had begun. The room had gone silent and everyone’s body language had changed to that of serious business. All eyes locked on Mr. Romano as we drank up all that he sprouted.

"Mr Albert De Luca had received a call this morning from the bank. Informing him of the transfer of this company from his son Giovanni De Luca Name, to his second wife Rachel De Luca.”

"What! What does she have to with the business!" One of the shake hold shouted. Barely able to contain his shock.

An out brake of mumbles had begun. The members of the board meeting now softly mumbled something between themselves. Directing glares at me now and then.

"When we had asked to see the papers as proof, and just as they had said, Mr De Luca junior's signature was perfectly slighted on the paper. Which I still find hard to believe to this point." Mr Romano continued.

"Giovanni, explain yourself right this moment!" My father roared. I let the silence stretch on for a couple of minutes as I debated whether to explain my actions.

"Yes, I signed out the company, but only for it's best interest. Though it seems the enemy somehow knew of this and announced a bankruptcy on the compani’s official twitter page, which was quite clever, might I add."

"The enemy!? You are the enemy here, Mr Luca!” One of the board members slammed his fist on the table.

"Traitor!"

"I've always known he had something up his sleeve." They had said one after another.

"I suggest you keep your anger at bay if you know what's best for you, I wasn't finished!" I briskly stand up from my seated position while giving them a glare that oozed the anger and frustration I had contained for long.

"How can we when our position is at stake here!" They continued to lament when suddenly the door to the conference room burst open. Revealing the input to this current uproar... The infamous Rachel De Luca. The women I truly considered a mother once upon a time and my father's loving second with, or so he thought.

"What is the meaning of this Rachel!" My father's sudden outburst had the members immediately freezing and Rachel recoil.

"You better watch your tone with me Albert!" She retaliated. Her sudden position giving her the confidence to back chat my father.

"And yes, people! You speaking to the new CEO of The De Luca corporation! And guess what you all FIRED! Including you Albert... Though as my husband." She gave out a sinister laugh, enjoying every moment of this.

End of flashback

The sudden movement beside me snapped me back to reality. Turning to look at the source of my destruction. I am met with Rosalies sleeping face, that had me wondering how naïve this woman is, to sleep in the presence of a MAN she barely knows.

The Lord surely is on her side. For I am no man with evil intentions, neither did I have the courage to wake her up. So instead. I carry her to drop her within her parents’ care, and to all curious minds. I just found out her apartment number.

Waiting is something I'm not very fond of. So as I stand before the brown wooden door awaiting a face with similar features to Rosalie to open up. After awkwardly shouting a "hello" that thought begins to seem far-fetched, as I hardly detect any source of life within her home.

Not knowing exactly what to do with her. I slowly set her beside her apartment door, which enables me to use my hands. I ring the bell twice with hopes of someone opening up soon, before making my way into my apartment for a shower.

×*×*×*×*×**

Just as I prepare my bed for an Invasion. The thought of rose still being out there triggers a certain emotion within me. Yet the nonchalant person I prefer to be quickly brushes it off and instead falls victim to the comfiness and warmness the blanket offers.

Though is seems my mind wasn't tricked by the comfortability or warmness it was indulged in. Seeing that not even five minutes had passed by, and my mind went back to that thought of rose being taken advantage of, as she slept outside unarmed.

Deciding to take matters into my own hands. I head out my apartment only for my eyes immediately locate the apartment opposite mine. And there she was, sleeping soundly while slightly shivering that had me cursing.

Quickly approaching her. I easily sweep her off and carry her bridal style to my apartment. While hoping I wouldn't regret my actions later on. I slowly lay her on my bed, where she stirs a little before her movements come to a complete halt. Which tells me she has fallen into a deep slumber.

I couldn't help but stare at her sleeping face as I wondered when last she felt cared for. I was this close to making it my mission to do so, but quickly remembered my place.

I quietly take an extra blanket before making my way out of my room and into the extra room this apartment provided. Where I lay on the bed suppressing that absurd feeling.

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