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"Looking sharp," Giovanni's voice suddenly interrupts my thoughts as he appears in the doorway. Damn him for not knocking. He's wearing a form-fitting charcoal suit that accentuates his lean frame, looking stunning as always.
Wait, no, not stunning. Get a hold of yourself.
"Ready to go?" he asks, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Absolutely," I reply, trying to sound confident.
For the first time since I've been here, Giovanni leads me outside of the mansion. The crisp morning air is refreshing as we walk toward his car. He opens the door for me, and I slide into the passenger seat, feeling strangely grateful for the small gesture.
As he drives us into the city, the landscape transforms from rolling countryside to bustling urban streets. "It feels like a long drive," I remark, watching the world outside my window.
"It is," he agrees, glancing over at me. "I didn't always live so far from the office, but things change."
His voice is guarded, and I decide not to press further. Instead, he asks, "Have you ever had a job before?"
"I was never allowed to," I admit, looking down at my hands. "My father was old school about gender roles."
"Really?" Giovanni seems genuinely surprised.
"Yep. But I always watched and listened, learning where I could. Even though I wasn't allowed to go to college, I did a lot of studying on my own." I meet his gaze, determined to prove myself. "I've always been interested in computers."
"Computers? That surprises me."
"Surprises you?" I raise an eyebrow, a hint of irritation in my voice. "Why's that?"
Giovanni hesitates for a moment before answering. "I just didn't think you'd be the type to be interested in computers, that's all."
"Then what did you think I'd be interested in?" I challenge, crossing my arms.
He shrugs, his eyes on the road. "Not that, I suppose."
"Wow, you're just as bad as my father," I snap, feeling anger bubble up inside me. "Gender stereotyping much? Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't like computers."
As we pull into the parking garage, Giovanni turns to me and looks genuinely apologetic. "You're right, I shouldn't have made assumptions. I'm sorry."
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and I find myself nodding in acceptance. We park the car and make our way to the elevator, which whisks us up to the top floor. As soon as the doors slide open, I'm struck by the breathtaking view of the city skyline from his sleek office space. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to stream in.
"Your desk is over here," Giovanni says, leading me to a modern workstation with a comfortable-looking chair. He gestures toward the first drawer. "The login information is in there. Take the morning to familiarize yourself with everything."
"Is there anyone who can train me?" I ask, scanning the room for any sign of other employees.
"Unfortunately, no," he replies, rubbing the back of his neck. "My previous assistant left rather suddenly, so you'll have to learn on your own."
"Great," I mutter, trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. "I guess I'll manage. Where is everyone, anyway?"
"On the lower floors," he says without further explanation.
"Okay," I say, sitting down at my new desk.
Giovanni gives me a small, encouraging smile before retreating to his own office. I sink into the chair and open the drawer, finding a neatly typed page with my login information. As my fingers begin tapping away at the keyboard, the initial unease slowly fades, replaced by a growing sense of familiarity and purpose.
This is my chance, I remind myself. No matter what it takes, I'll find a way to regain control of my life – and maybe even turn the tables on Giovanni Maldonado in the process.
ChapterTen
Istep out of my office, the scent of expensive leather and polished wood lingering in the air, and see Lulu sitting there at the computer. She's focused, her brown eyes scanning the screen as she absorbs information, her curly black hair pulled back into a neat bun. I've put protections in place to ensure she doesn't stumble upon anything sensitive, but she's shown a surprising dedication to learning the job this morning. It catches me off guard.
"Hey, are you hungry?" I ask, not bothering to hide my surprise. For a moment, she looks up, and her face softens into a genuine smile. It's the first time I've seen her look so... human. The disdain that usually drips from her every word dissipates, leaving behind the image of a beautiful woman who could almost be mistaken for innocent.
