AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d kept to wearing my usual work attire even though I wasn’t going out to my office anymore, it helped me to keep my head clear and reassured me that I still had something. Even if the location where I worked was being controlled, it was still my job. Mine.
“Yeah, about that,” I said and tugged at the ring on my finger. It was a tight fit and was a struggle to get it off, but I managed without looking too flustered. “I’m not doing that. I’m here, and that is enough. I’m not marrying you.”
He surveyed me for a short moment then spoke.
“Ok amore mio, I’ll humour you for a while, put the ring back on, for appearances sake, put on a good show just like I know you can, and I won’t hurt anyone.”
He sat back in his chair and watched me. I hesitated, taking in his words.
“Who?” I asked.
“Cooper has been making quite a satisfying punching bag recently. I know you don’t like it, but I really enjoy how much hurting him affects you.” he said, a cruel look slowly settling on his face.
“If I put this ring back on, it means nothing.” I said firmly.
Cooper wasn’t getting hurt again because of me. Not unless he put himself between me and Lorenzo. And even that I wouldn’t accept.
Lorenzo nodded, “Of course. Until you realise that it means everything. I have every faith that you’ll come to your senses soon and we can move on from everything and be happy, I’ll be patient, because I love you il mio tesoro.” he said, his features softening as he looked at me with a combination of determination and adoration in his eyes.
I swallowed thickly and began my act, placing the ring back onto my finger.
“It means nothing.” I pressed and turned to leave his office.
I hurried down the hall to my office and found Cooper sitting in his usual chair. He looked up at me and mouthed a greeting before pushing his finger to his lips and pointing to the phone sitting on his lap.
“I’ll make the arrangements this afternoon, I’m sorry, I really thought that would be the best place, I’ll find somewhere better, I swear.” he said gently.
“Thank you, Cooper, you have no idea how much we appreciate you doing this, after everything that happened. You’re an incredible man. Speak later.” A woman’s voice came through the phone, I didn’t recognise it, but Cooper was always making calls to people I didn’t know. Part of the job.
He said goodbye to the woman and turned to face me with his usual warm smile, but the pity fell back onto his face as his attention caught on the ring that was back on my finger.
“It’s an act.” I said quietly, reassuring him that I hadn’t lost the plot.
“Who did he threaten this time?” he asked, giving me a knowing look.
I pursed my lips and stayed quiet.
He sighed and scowled at me.
“I can take it, don’t protect me.” he said.
Cooper was smart enough to know that it was him. Not that I’d done anything to actually hide that from him.
“I know you can, but so can I. I have a plan.” I smiled at him, and he rolled his eyes.
“Want to share with the class?” he asked.
But he knew what my answer would be. I shook my head, and he clicked his tongue at me.
“You’re annoying, you know that?”
I grinned at him, then grabbed the cup of coffee that was sat on the surface that I’d claimed as my desk. Coop was great at anticipating my needs, which wasn’t hard, it was mostly just coffee, which he had sitting on my desk every morning without fail.
At lunch time my phone buzzed loudly on the desk, and I glanced at it and put down my bowl of soup. I had taken to eating my lunch in the office, anything to avoid Lorenzo. The message that lit up my screen made my jaw clench.
C
I hope you’re happy. Stay away from my son.
