"Hey, Sara! It’s nice to see you again," Fabio said, stepping into the sleek elevator beside her. "I just heard from Mr. Clapton’s secretary. He’s genuinely looking forward to tomorrow’s eting," he ntioned, with a slight nod.
"Oh, that’s wonderful news!" Sara remarked, her professional composure solidifying. She leaned in slightly. "Listen, Luca might corner you and ask if you handed Remo’s number. Please, don’t tell him. You know how easily he gets ruffled."
"Relax, I’d never rat on you to the Boss," Fabio replied easily. He then produced a slender file, its cover bearing the Augustino Group logo. "The Boss is absolutely set on winning this construction project. I’m counting on you to help him secure it."
Sara accepted the file, her gaze imdiately scanning the executive summary. "But shouldn’t managing his external acquisitions be your priority? Besides," she added, handing the file back to him with a pointed look, "this would be a magnificent opportunity for you to step up and truly shine."
"Believe , my schedule is already overflowing with crucial commitnts. I’m neck-deep in the restaurant chain project we launched four months ago; it demands my full attention," Fabio explained, shrugging his tailored shoulders.
"I see," Sara murmured, acknowledging his workload.
"By the way, did you catch the news? Your father finally announced the real culprit behind the Falcone Industries downfall. It turned out to be your stepsister. I thought perhaps now you could finally—" Fabio couldn’t complete the thought as Sara abruptly cut him off.
"I have nothing left to do with Falcone Industries," she stated, her voice chilling slightly. "I was surrounded by betrayal there, from my own secretary and managers, right down to my closest friends. I have deliberately left that past behind , and I am now a fully dedicated, focused employee of the Augustino Group."
Just then, the elevator doors smoothly parted, and they both stepped out into the bustling hallway.
"One last thing, there’s a fun, little networking event tomorrow in the afternoon for all the departntal secretaries. You absolutely must co," Fabio inford her brightly. "I know there’s a eting tomorrow, but after it will be over, join us."
"I would genuinely love to join," Sara replied, a genuine smile replacing her earlier tension. "But a party? Where will it be held?"
"It’s not a party; it’s a small ga event, based on the silly gas we used to play when we were kids," Fabio clarified. "The spot is The Gilded Labyrinth."
"Ah, The Gilded Labyrinth," Sara repeated, her interest piqued by the na. "I’ve heard rumors about that exclusive place. Count in!"
"Perfect. By the way, there are actual prizes for each ga," Fabio added, winking. "So, the competitive spirit might be high."
"Oh, I can already picture the scene," Sara replied, her gaze distant.
She imdiately recalled her school days, where she was clumsy and unskilled at gas. But this ti will be different, she thought, a spark of anticipation overriding the old anxiety.
As the forr CEO of Falcone Industries, she had never had the ti or the inclination to participate in anything. Now, she felt a genuine, welco excitent about joining the event.
"I will see you later then," Fabio said and walked to her left while she headed straight to Luca’s office.
~~~~
Inside the office, Luca was skimming through a project file. The sudden click-clack of heels on the marble floor caught his attention. Lifting his head, he saw Sara standing there, a file, clearly the one Fabio had ntioned, clasped professionally in her hands.
"So, Fabio managed to tell you about the new project, did he?" Luca mused, a smile touching his lips as he lowered his gaze back to his own docunt.
"Yes, he did. It’s a significant construction project," Sara answered, stepping closer to his large desk. She held the file out, ready to deliver her brief. "And thank you for trusting with this opportunity. I know you expect my full support in securing this victory for the Augustino Group."
Luca finally pushed his file aside and leaned back in his chair. "I don’t just want your help, Sara. I’m relying on it. This bid is critical. Show that the dedication you promised to last night."
"Hmm. I will," Sara replied, assuring him of her dedication to the project.
Luca glanced at the clock on the computer’s screen. "Let’s plan to leave together once I wrap this up," he suggested casually. "It shouldn’t take more than fifteen or twenty minutes."
Sara shook her head, already turning back toward the office door. "I also have a mountain of work to conquer before I can simply ditch my responsibilities and go out with you. You’ll have to wait until late afternoon," she stated firmly, maintaining the professional boundary.
"Ah, wait," Luca interjected, a knowing look in his eye. "I forgot to ntion that one of my old college friends invited to a musical. It starts in just over two hours, and I certainly can’t show up alone when I have a wife."
"What?" The professional wall instantly crumbled. "Then I must absolutely finish this work now," Sara exclaid, spinning on her heel.
"Wait!" Luca called out, rising from his chair. He walked around the massive desk, pulling open a deep drawer, and retrieving a small, elegantly wrapped box. As Sara turned back toward him, he handed her the gift.
"What’s this?" Sara asked, her curiosity overtaking her haste as she imdiately began unwrapping the silver paper. Her eyes widened, focusing on a black fountain pen with a gleaming gold nib nestled inside the box. She lifted the heavy pen, her breath catching as she spotted the subtle, elegant engraving on it in cursive.
Sara De Augustino.
"It’s truly beautiful," she whispered, lifting her head to et his gaze.
"Sign all the critical files with this pen," Luca instructed.
"Hm," Sara mused, tucking the pen safely into her blouse pocket. "Shall I take my leave, then, Sir?"
"Hey, if you’re going to use that formal tone, I might just have to prevent your departure," Luca warned, his hands quickly finding the small of her waist. He leaned down, aiming for a kiss, but Sara deftly moved her head back.
"Not in the workplace, Sir," Sara teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she placed her palms on his chest and shoved him lightly away before slipping out the door and out of his sight.
Luca chuckled softly to himself, running his fingers through his hair in amusent.
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