“Well, it turns out we went to school together. We happened to run into each other over the weekend.”
“I can't believe it. I'm a huge fan. I can't believe I'm going to meet Alex Rossi. Here. In our office,” Natalia mumbled as she ran off to her office.
Amused, Aria pulled out her laptop, moving on to the projects that were due.
Right before Aria was about to leave for lunch, a delivery came to the front desk.
“Flower delivery for Aria Bianchi?” the young man with a clipboard and a florist logo on his shirt said, looking around the office for a recipient. Aria could see him through the walls of glass that framed her office.
Everyone stopped working and looked up at the delivery man, then at Aria and back to the delivery man. The young man checked his watch to indicate he was in a hurry.
Aria scooted her chair back from her desk and walked to the front reception area to retrieve the flowers, ignoring Luna’s curious stare.
“Please sign here. Thank you. Have a great day,” the young man said as he checked the signature before turning on his heels and heading out the door.
As Aria opened the tiny white envelope, Luna appeared behind her like a ninja. Aria shot her a warning look and Luna stepped back a few feet.
I hope these brighten your day. –Alex
She tried with everything in her not to reveal the warmth that filled her, but she was unsuccessful as she felt her cheeks flame.
The flowers were a friendly gesture, and the note didn’t have even a hint of romantic intention in it, yet the gesture made her feel wooed.
Gio walked in through the main door just as she tucked the card back in its envelope and shoved it deep in her pocket for safekeeping. Aria looked sheepishly at him when he saw the flowers. She picked them up and strode to her office.
Moments later, Gio knocked on Aria’s door, leaning inside.
“Those are lovely. It's not your birthday. Are they from a client?”
“No, no, just from a friend,” she answered.
Gio nodded, apparently satisfied. Aria's phone rang as he left her office, and she reached for it. Her heart picked up speed when she saw the caller ID.
“Hey, Alex,” she said excitedly. “The flowers were just delivered. They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“Oh, they’re there already. That’s great. Glad you liked them.”
“They absolutely brightened my day.”
“Mission accomplished, then. See you tomorrow.”
Aria hung up and spun her chair around a few times, giggling. She caught the eyes of her staff who had stopped working again and were watching her curiously. She stopped, cleared her throat, and opened her laptop.
The sudden ringtone that let her know a video call was coming through had Aria reaching for her phone again. She hit the green button to answer the call when she saw that it was her mom.
“Hey! It's so good to see you,” she said with a huge smile when both her parents’ faces popped onto the screen.
“Aria, you look wonderful, my sweet girl. We miss you so much. When are you coming home for a visit?” Aria's mom yelled.
She didn't quite understand that she didn't need to talk so loudly on video calls.
“Maria, leave her alone. Honey, how are you doing? Are you getting any rest? I fear you work too hard, my little piccolo angelo,” Aldo said with concern.
Aria always loved when her dad called her his little angel. She missed them terribly. It had been well over a month since she’d been able to get back to Rome for a visit.
“Papa, I'm doing great. I went to the beach yesterday so yes, I'm getting rest. Work has been busy, and tomorrow we have an important shoot with a new author.”
Aria walked around her desk to close her office door, but the position brought the bouquet into view. She tried to angle the phone away, but it was too late.
