I was late.

I was as fast as I could, but I knew I wasn't going to get there in time. Today was the day I was going to meet the CEO of the largest travel agency in the states. Although many companies offered me to be their lawyer, I chose to go to this one first. Who wouldn't want to travel free of charge? I found out that the CEO takes his secretary and his lawyer wherever he goes. And he travels all the time, everywhere. The car he sent me to pick me up was already waiting for me outside. I opened the closet and started looking at the clothes. I decided to wear black pants with a white shirt. I hastily tied my hair in a ponytail and put on white high heels. I grabbed my bag and headed for the elevator. Damn it. The elevator's on the first floor, and I'm on the 23rd. I looked at the watch on my arm - 8:23. The car's been there for over 20 minutes, and the meeting's at 8:30. I ran down the stairs. I didn't feel comfortable running in heels at all, but if I shoved them, my legs would get awfully dirty. I stopped on the twelfth floor to get some air. Damn it. I was supposed to be an athlete. Who's running like this at 8am? Me, obviously, but still... I ran again. There's not much left.

I had already reached the first floor. Again, in a hurry, I bumped into someone in the lobby. A very attractive, tall man. Beautiful green eyes and black hair. I stared at him. He was dressed in a black suit. He had tattoos on his arms and neck.

Wait...

I pulled the phone out of my bag and got into the messages. I opened the conversation with the CEO's secretary, where I was going. He sent me a picture of the CEO this morning, but I didn't have time to look at it. I looked at the photo, then the man in front of me. So a couple of times. Until I realized that the man from the photo was right in front of me.

- Mr. Martelli? - I asked nervously.

He started looking at me from top to bottom. I couldn't read the look on his face. He seemed calm, but at the same time annoyed.

- Yes, Ms. Mishelle. - he answered. - I'd have signed three contracts by the time you got here.

Was that supposed to be funny? Because the look on his face says it's definitely not.

- I'm sorry, Mr. Martelli. It won't happen again. - I said and looked down.

- Just go.

He got out of the building, followed by me. We got into the black Mercedes, which was parked in front. We drove off. My stomach had turned. We traveled in silence, which was quite awkward. I was looking at the big buildings we were passing by. Someday I hope to own a building like this. To have my own company. Despite the large sums of money I earn from every case I've won, it's not enough for a building like this. I have to save money for at least a few years, get experience...

- Where are you from, Ms. Michelle? - he asked suddenly.

- I'm from Berkeley, California.

- Then what brings you here?

This guy's really curious. Didn't he read my resume? Besides, some things shouldn't be said.

- Personal reasons. - I replied.

He turned to me.

- So you can't tell me?

- I'm sorry, Mr. Martelli, but I don't want to, and I have no intention of telling you.

- Interesting.

Again, there was an awkward silence. We both looked out the windows. I thought about what it would have been like if I hadn't gotten rid of my previous life. Would I have had a best friend I could count on for everything? Would I have had fun? Would I have had time to do something for myself? Probably not. But sometimes I miss the time I've spent with the people I've known for so long. It's hard to forget. It's hard to start your life again, like nothing happened. Although a lot has happened. I needed this. The need to start a new life. To do something for myself, to leave something behind after my death. If I had gone on the same way as I did three years ago, none of this would have happened. Or I'd be dead by now. The only thing holding me right now is that no one recognizes my face. What about me? I recognize a lot of people, but I don't interfere anymore. I was consumed with my thoughts. I didn't know when we got here. The door on my side opened and I got out of the car, and after me came Mr. Martelli. It was a huge building. It was all glass-fronted. As far as I can remember, I read that there are 120 floors. And on the 120th floor is Mr. Martelli's office.

- Let's go. - he said, putting his hand on my back.

I got chills on my body. I followed him through the big lobby. The floor was marble. There was a single wooden desk behind which there was a young blonde woman. As we walked past her, she greeted us, Mr. Martelli didn't tell her anything. We got in the elevator and he pressed the button for the 120th floor. It's going to take a long time, and it's still awkward.

- Don't worry. - he said. - Nobody uses this elevator except me, my secretary and my lawyer.

I smiled at him slightly and looked down. There were mirrors everywhere, there was nowhere else to turn so I wouldn't see him. It's not that I wouldn't want to see him, I'd really like to see him. Until that awkwardness disappears.

- Did you know... - he started again. - I attended a trial of yours.

- Oh. Really? - I said surprised. - Which one?

-I don't remember what it was for, but you cursed the other lawyer a lot.

- Yes, I remember.

I cleared my throat thinking the conversation was over.

- So, what was this trial about?

- For a woman and her child. Her husband got drunk. He came home from work and started accusing her of cheating on him while he was at work. He took a knife and tried to stab her several times. She hid with her child in one of the bedrooms. But he went there, again with a knife in his hand. He also tried to stab his son. But she took a vase and hit him on the head. He was in the hospital for about two weeks. The lawyer who represented him was trying to exonerate him and said she shouldn't have hit him and it was all her fault.

- Then.. What happened?

- We won, of course. - I said proudly. - Then I filed a lawsuit against him and the judge took away his right to be a lawyer.

I think things were coming to a head between us. I didn't feel so awkward anymore.

- And that's why I chose you. - he said, and the elevator doors opened.

I was following him down the long marble corridor. Does this man have a fetish for marble? Anyway. We moved on, reaching large wooden door. There were two men standing at the door. They opened and we went inside. There was a big room. All covered in wood. Next to the large windows was a large wooden desk. Everything is large and wooden here. There was a man behind the desk. Pretty short, but muscular. I guess that's his secretary.

- It's good to see you live, Ms. Michelle. - he said.

- Marco. My secretary. - Mr. Martelli said.

- It's good to see you, too. - I replied, smiling.

We went through the room and went into another one even bigger. Marble floors, black wooden desk, black sofas and armchairs. There was a small glass table, in black. The view from here was amazing.

- Have a seat, please. - he said, and sat in the chair behind the desk.

I settled on the couch and waited for the questions to begin.

- So, Ms. Michelle... - here we are. - For what reason were you late?

- I slept a little longer than I should have. - there was no point in lying.

He laughed. I didn't expect such a reaction from him, but I'm glad he's having fun.

- I like your honesty. - he said. - No one would dare tell me that in my eyes.

Is he that bad? I'm an honest person, and I don't care who's in front of me. Not even the Pope.

- I think we're going to get along fine. I like you. - he like what?! - I mean, I like your attitude, your courtesy and your honesty. I need people like that. Not ones who are afraid to come and tell me something they know I'm not going to like.

- I still don't know what anyone would be afraid of, Mr. Martelli.

- You'll see. - he said and smiled. - And please, call me Enzo.

Is that all? Is this the interview? If I'd known this was happening, I'd have a little more sleep.

- Let's go on a date, Ms. Michelle, I'd like to know you better.

Let's go on a date, Ms. Michelle, I'd like to know you better.

The look on her face showed she didn't expect that from me. But she's smart, she's beautiful, and everything I've ever dreamed of in a woman. How can I not ask her out?

- I think I'm going to disappoint you, Mr. Martelli, - she said. - but my answer is no.

I couldn't believe my ears.

- May I ask why, Ms. Michelle?

- You're going to be my boss. I don't want there to be a conflict of interest.

- What if no one knows?

- Still no. - she said, and got out of her seat. - I have my principles.

All right, all right. I have an idea.

- Very well, Ms. Michelle. - I said and got out of my seat. - It was a test, and you passed it.

- Really?

- Yes.

No, not really. I don't want to sound like a loser who just got rejected. Damn it. I'll wait a little longer.

- If you don't have any questions, you can explore the building.

- Thank you, Mr. Martelli.

- I'll see you on Monday. And... Don't be late.

- I won't. - she said and smiled. - Have a nice day.

I watched her walk away to the door. I can't believe what happened. I've never been rejected. While I was pitying myself, someone opened the door and walked in. Marco, my secretary, came up to me through laughter. Even tears streamed out of his eyes. What's wrong with him?

- You know I can hear through the phone when it's on, right? - he said, laughing.

- Oh, God. - I stretched out and sat in the chair again, listening to Marco's nasty laugh.

- You can't have every woman you want. - he said and settled on the couch.

- I don't want every woman..... I want her.

- You just saw her.

- You won't understand. - I said, turning on the computer. - There was a connection.

Marco started laughing again. Why am I explaining it to him? He won't understand love even if it hits him with a brick on the head. But still.... He's my best friend. I'd always ask him for advice.

- What do you think? Will I be able to get her to go out with me? - I asked him.

- Not that easy. - he answered. - From what I've heard, she's quite a lot.....what to call it..... a sharp woman.

- A sharp woman?

- I mean, she's quite polite, elegant, secretive, but at the same time she's brave, belligerent. Even if you're in a relationship, it would be pretty hard, you're pretty dominant, and she wouldn't let that happen.

- And you only found out that from one of our conversations?

- And the conversation in the car.

I'm really worried about talking to someone now because of Marco, he won't even let me have sex in peace. I looked at the clock on the computer - 9:43. Is she still here or is she gone?

- Can you check the security cameras? - I asked.

- She's probably gone.

- Just check them.

Marco got out of his seat and left the room. If she's still here, I'll go to her. I forgot to tell her about the trip in two weeks. I need to check the offices in Rome. There's a lot to fix there. Although I don't like my travels, something always comes up. Most of the time, trips aren't that pleasant. Marco's back. He was looking around.

- Is she still here? - I asked him.

He didn't answer. He pushed his fingers through his hair and sighed.

- I asked you something. - I said and approached him.

- The thing is....

- Yeah?

- She's in the lobby.

- That's great. She's still here. - I said and smiled.

- It's not that great.

- What do you mean?

- She's talking……with, uhmm……with your brother.

By the time I realized what he was saying to me, my hands started shaking. With quick steps, I headed for the elevator. This son of a bitch, dare to come here. After everything that's happened, he's allowed himself to step into the company. He doesn't even have the right to walk past the building. If I don't kill him now, I don't know when. C'mon, c'mon... I'm on the 30th floor. I hope they're still in the lobby. If she wants to work for me, she won't see or talk to him. The elevator doors opened and I got out, walking down the large corridor to the lobby. Seeing her laugh and talk to him drives me crazy. I approached my brother and grabbed him by the jacket.

- What do you think, you're doing here, huh? - I asked through my teeth.

- Calm down, bro. - he said, grabbing my hands. - I'm just talking to this beautiful young lady.

- No, you're not. - I turned to Vega. - And if you want to keep your job, better don't talk to him.

- WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? - she yelled at me.

I watched her walk away. Everyone around us was staring. Of course they're staring. No one's ever dared yell at me like that. They've seen my quarrels with my brother and they're used to it. But this... This is something new.

- Get out of here. - I said to my brother and I went after her.

She was already getting into a cab when I got there. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards me.

- Are you crazy? Let go of me, damn it.

- AM I crazy?! What do you think happened in there? - I asked her, still holding her arm.

- It just happened that I was talking to your brother, and you just came and started a fight.

- Yes, because he's not allowed to come here. - I said and I started pulling her to my car. - Get your *** in that car, and we'll talk.

She didn't even think about it, just opened the car door and got on. Am I really crazy? I went around and got into the driver's seat. I started driving wherever my eyes could see. I looked at her. She was staring out the window. So beautiful and tender. Do I really want her? I mean... Do I really want to ruin her life? Like I do with everyone around me. I kept driving and we got out of town. Nobody said anything the whole time. How am I supposed to start this conversation... I stopped the car. The city was a long way off. You could barely see it. On both sides of the road there were fields. I didn't even know they were there. Vega kept looking away.

- Give me this weekend. - I said.

- What is that supposed to mean? - she asked without even looking at me.

- It's Friday, right? So... Let me have this weekend. With you.

She finally turned to me and looked at me with her eyes bent. She didn't say anything. She was just looking at me.

- I'll take you out to dinner today. We can have lunch tomorrow, then take a walk somewhere. Sunday the weather will be wonderful and we can go for a picnic.

- What about Monday? - she asked.

- If you don't like the time you spent with me, I'llstop asking you for a date.

- What if I like it?

Is this really going to happen? It doesn't seem like it's easy to impress her.

- We can start dating. - she looked at me. - Without anyone knowing.

- Do you think this is the right time to ask me that?

- No, but.. I wanted to ask you as soon as possible.

- Can I ask why? Why you want to date me that bad?

- Well. - I sighed and leaned on the seat. - When you're rich, handsome and famous, girls stick to you. I mean, they don't care about me, they're interested in money.

- What makes you think I'm different?

- Your attitude... Instead of trying to impress me by coming to an interview in short skirts, you're yelling at me and you're brave.

- So short skirts impress you? - we both laughed.

- I really want things to work out. What do you say?