Chapter 78
D A N T E
I arrived in London last night after a long and tiring flight and I was currently on my way to the design firm.
As we got there the guards arrayed letting me walk pass them with some of them walking behind me.
The building was impressive I already thought the people here were probably very good.
We settled into the conference room.
The boss, Mr. Davies, was nervous he kept smiling too much which had me irritated.
“I must apologize, Mr. Russo,” he said. “We are just waiting for one more person my personal assistant for this project, she will be handling everything for you, she is running a bit late p>
I felt my annoyance grow, I hated this, I hated waiting, I hated when people were late it showed they did not respect my time.
It showed they were incompetent.
I looked at my watch she was five minutes late then ten.
This was unacceptable I decided I would tell Mr. Davies to fire this assistant as soon as she arrived, I did not need someone unreliable.
Then, the conference room door opened.
I did not look up at first too angry and frustrated but I heard a woman’s voice, rushed and apologetic. She was talking to Mr. Davies her voice oddly sounding familiar.
I heard him scolding her his voice was loud.
I finally lifted my eyes, ready to see this incompetent woman and my breath cut off.
It was her.
Ariana Melendez.
For a second, I thought I was dreaming or going crazy but it was really her, she was standing there, being yelled at by her boss.
Her hair was a little messy she wore a simple, wrinkled dress looking flustered and scared but she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen even more beautiful than I remembered.
The five years had been kind to her her face was still soft, her eyes still big.
My heart did a painful, stupid jump in my chest after everything, my body still reacted to her.
Then, the shock turned to something else something hard and cold my jaw tightened.l as my hands clenched under the table.
She was here.
The woman who shattered my heart, the woman who betrayed me and disappeared.
All the old pain and anger rushed back but with it came another feeling, one I hated I missed her.
Seeing her right there, so close, made me realize how much I had missed her and that made me even angrier.
She finally turned to apologize to me her eyes met mine.
She looked terrified as she should be.
She whispered an apology I did not answer but instead I just gave a cold nod unable to find the words.
If I spoke, I might say something I would regret or I might do something, like stand up and shake her and demand to know why.
The meeting started I barely heard a word all I could do was stare at her.
My Ariana, my ghost right here in London.
So she ran to London of all places, who does she know here?
Well anyways, the hunt was over and I had found her. now, she was completely in my power.
And I will make sure she regrets ever betraying me.
The meeting finally ended in what felt like forever
My whole focus was on the woman sitting across from me, pretending to take notes her hand was shaking as she wrote.
Mr. Davies stood up, all smiles again. “Mr. Russo, thank you for your patience, one again, this is Ariana. She will be your direct contact for the entire project anything you need, you go through her p>
He nudged Ariana forward she looked like she was walking to her own execution.
She forced a small, tight smile onto her face it didn’t reach her eyes. “Mr. Russo,” she said, her voice barely a whisper she held out her hand for a shake.
I stared at her outstretched hand I didn’t want to touch her the thought of it made my skin crawl but it made something else stir deep inside me, a traitorous heat I instantly hated.
I had to play this game I was in control now.
Slowly, I reached out and took her hand.
The moment our skin touched, it was like an electric shock her hand was small and soft in mine.
A jolt went straight through me, settling in me, making me hard I cursed myself silently even now, after everything, my body wanted her.
I saw her eyes widen slightly knowing she felt it too the connection, the unwanted chemistry that had never died.
She tried to pull her hand away, a quick, nervous movement.
But I didn’t let go my grip tightened, my fingers wrapping firmly around hers.
I held her there, my eyes locked on hers as I squeezed just enough for her to feel my strength, my control just enough to let her know she was trapped.
I saw a flicker of pain and fear in her eyes.
Good.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, I let her go her hand flew back to her side, and she subtly rubbed her fingers.
“I will have my assistant email you my schedule for the week,” I said, my voice cold and flat. “I expect you to be available, I hate incompetenc. What happened this morning I let my gaze sweep over her, from her messy hair to her simple shoes. it should never happen again. Do you understand p>
She nodded quickly, her eyes downcast. “Yes, Mr. Russo I understand I apologize again, It won’t happen p>
I gave a curt nod and turned to leave, not waiting for a response from Mr. Davies.
As I walked out of the conference room, a cold, hard smile touched my lips.
You have no idea, Ariana, I thought to myself this was just the beginning.
I was going to make these next two months a living hell for her I was going to work her until she dropped.
I was going to criticize every little thing she did I was going to be demanding, unreasonable, and cold.
I was going to make sure she regretted the day she ever decided to betray Dante Russo.
She thought running away was the hard part she was so wrong facing me was going to be so much worse.