Chapter 2 ITALIAN

THIRD PERSON'S POV "Look, Mr, you don't just walk around and sit on people's seats. That's not right." Isla finally snapped out of her dreamland. She had been staring at the stranger for far too long, completely distracted by his presence and the strange effect his eyes seemed to have on her. Now, she forced herself to remember where she was. This was Alex's office. And this man had no business sitting in her boss's chair. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. "I asked you again. Who are you?" She walked toward the desk, her voice becoming firmer with every step. "I could have security take you out. Or maybe have you arrested. Which one is it?" She expected him to at least show some sign of concern. Instead, the man looked at her with an almost irritating calmness. "I would like to see you try." Isla stopped. She stared at him. For a moment, she wondered if she had heard him correctly. Was he crazy? There was absolutely no fear in his eyes. Not even the slightest hint that her threat had affected him. And he certainly didn't look like a madman. If anything, he looked like a man who knew exactly what he was doing. His clothes alone were enough to tell her that he wasn't an ordinary visitor. His white shirt looked expensive, perfectly fitted to his tall, broad frame. His dark hair was neatly styled, and everything about him carried an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. He was handsome. Extremely handsome. And apparently crazy. Just who is this man? Isla stared at him for another moment before forcing herself to calm down. "Who are you?" she asked again. This time, her voice was quieter. The stranger's lips curved slightly. "Actually, you asked two questions just then, right?" Isla frowned. "What?" He looked completely relaxed. "First, you asked who I am. Then you asked which one I prefer. Being taken out by security or being arrested." His voice was soft, dry and slightly husky. Isla swallowed. That voice. For some ridiculous reason, it sent a strange sensation through her. She immediately looked away. What is wrong with me? She couldn't understand herself. Who is this man? And why does he make me feel like this? She had never reacted to a stranger this way before. Never. "God, come back to your senses, Isla," she silently scolded herself. She needed to stop staring at him. She needed to remember that he was a complete stranger sitting in her boss's office. "Okay, since that is how you want to play the game..." She paused and turned around. "I'll call security." She took one step toward the door. "Well, you should be thanking me that I'm occupying Alex's seat." Isla froze. Her hand remained at her side. Slowly, she turned around. Alex. How on earth did he know her boss's name? She stared at him. And then everything began coming back to her. The black Italian hair. The foreign accent. The expensive Italian suit casually placed over the back of the chair. The way he carried himself. The confidence with which he had walked into the boardroom. And then she remembered who he was. He had been standing by the door with Mr Griffen. She couldn't possibly be mistaken. Her eyes widened. "Oh my goodness." She brought both hands to her cheeks. "You're..." She couldn't finish. The stranger smiled. Almost as though he had been waiting for her to figure it out. "Mr... Mr Matteo Romano." She finally managed to say his name. Matteo's smile deepened as he looked at her. "Good." He nodded slowly. "I think you're smart. I give you credit for that." Isla's mouth fell slightly open. Was he actually insulting her while complimenting her? "Well done," he added. She lowered her hands from her cheeks. She suddenly felt embarrassed. Of all the ways she could have met Mr Matteo Romano. She had threatened to call security on him. She had practically accused him of trespassing. And now she had just discovered that the man sitting in Alex's chair was the very owner of the company. "Now, come over." Matteo gestured toward the chair on the opposite side of the table. "Come and have a seat." Isla didn't move. She stood midway across the office, completely uncertain about what she was supposed to do. Now that she knew who he was, everything felt different. This wasn't just some handsome stranger she could order out of the office. This was Matteo Romano. The owner of the company. Her employer. And, somehow, he already seemed to have an attitude toward her. Isla looked at the chair he had indicated. Then back at him. She didn't trust herself to move. There was something about being alone in a room with him that made her uncomfortable. Not because she was afraid. At least, that was what she told herself. Then another thought suddenly crossed her mind. Alex. Her expression changed. She couldn't help it. She looked at Matteo. "Please..." Her voice softened. "Did something happen to Mr Phil?" Matteo said nothing. "Is he sick?" The flash of anger that washed across his face was unmistakable. His jaw tightened. His teeth clenched. For a brief moment, the calm man she had been speaking to disappeared, replaced by someone whose anger seemed to sit just beneath the surface. "Well," Matteo said slowly, "good to see that you care so much about your boss, Alex." Isla frowned. She didn't understand the meaning behind his words. "It will gladden your heart to know that..." He paused. His eyes remained fixed on hers. "Alex is healthy." Another pause. "He is not sick." But even as he said it, the anger remained plastered across his face. Isla felt relieved. At least Alex was fine. But something still didn't add up. "Or..." She hesitated. She wasn't sure whether she should continue asking questions. But she needed to know what was happening. "Your sister..." Matteo's expression changed again. "Did something happen to her?" This time, his patience seemed to disappear completely. He tapped his hand angrily against the table. "You are asking too many questions, don't you think?" Isla's eyebrows drew together. "The questions are beyond a lowly PA like you." Her eyes widened. The words hurt. Perhaps because she had never considered herself beneath anyone. She worked hard. She had earned her position. And she had spent the last seven months doing everything she could to prove herself in the company. "I am not a lowly PA," she retorted. Matteo's eyes narrowed slightly. "What are you, then?" Isla stared at him. She didn't like the way he looked at her. She didn't like the way he spoke to her. There was something disrespectful in his tone, something that made her feel as though he had already judged her. And she couldn't understand why. She had only met him today. Why did he seem to have such an obvious dislike for her? Could there be a reason for that? Her thoughts began racing. What's up with his attitude? Then another possibility entered her mind. Did he find out about my relationship with Alex? Her heart skipped. No. He couldn't know. Could he? Isla quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way Matteo could know. At least, she hoped there wasn't. She studied his face again. Matteo remained silent, watching her. He could see the questions forming in her eyes. He could see the uncertainty. But there was one thing he wouldn't give her. Answers. Not yet.