AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Again…’ Nico sighed. ‘You are here for staff training.’
He looked to Marianna and was grateful when she stepped in.
‘Signor Caruso and I run through his schedule each morning, Aurora. This is not a meeting, and nor is it a discussion; it is to ensure that everything is in order and that we are both clear on timings.’
‘Of course…’ Aurora attempted, but there were a million questions in her eyes about why he was leaving Rome so soon after they had arrived.
Nico answered none of them.
Instead, having gone through his impossibly busy week, they headed out of his office, with Nico holding the door for both the women.
‘After you,’ Nico said.
He wished his good manners were not quite so ingrained, and that he did not have to hold open the door, for the scent of her reached him again. The chemistry that flared between them was undeniable, and the want was still there.
Nico, though, was first to walk into the boardroom.
The Silibri contingent were there, waiting, and they greeted him warmly.
Toowarmly.
‘Hey, Nico!’
And there weremoregifts set out on the table.
Amongst other things, Francesca had brought homemadebiscottito go with the coffee being served. Only Vincenzo, his marketing manager, sat rigid, clearly taken back by the party-like atmosphere in the room.
He smoothed his auburn hair nervously and cast a slightly aghast look at Nico. Bizarrely, for the briefest of seconds, Nico wanted to tell Vincenzo to relax. Did he not know how things worked in Sicily? Did he not know that humour and conversation were an art form there, especially in Silibri?
Of course not. Vincenzo had been brought in from the Florence branch.
‘Let’s get started,’ Nico said.
It would hopefully be a quick meeting.
Aurora was to be assistant manager of marketing. It was not something she had studied for, but she knew the area well and loved taking photos—and she had ideas. Many of them.
Nico hadn’t actually got her the job; she did not need him to succeed.
Well, maybe a bit…
For without him there would be no hotel.
Vincenzo was speaking of the excitement locally, and said there were a few interviews nationally, for various tourism shows and breakfast television and the like.
‘I shall handle those,’ Vincenzo said.
‘You can take turns with Aurora,’ Nico interjected.
‘But I have had media training,’ Vincenzo pointed out. ‘Aurora can be a touch…forceful, and we want to extend a gentle invitation.’
‘Vincenzo,’ Nico said. ‘I wasn’t offering a suggestion, I wastellingyou to take turns with Aurora.’
He was not doing her any favours. Vincenzo was vain and self-serving—and, though he was brilliant at his job, it was as clear as day to Nico that Aurora, with her passion, her low throaty laugh, with her sheer love of Silibri, would be more enticing for potential guests.
‘Next,’ Nico said, and nodded to Francesca.
‘The fittings for the uniforms have been delayed.’
