Chapter Five

"What!"

I was up on my feet now, pacing round the room. How come I didn't know that? Does the world know that? How did Kay find out when I just checked him out some hours ago.

"Fabrico Zunino has a twin, girl. His name is Emiliano.  And it's probably him you saw just now" Kay piped.

I'm dumb right now. I don't even know what to say. "Does the Pap know? Is it a well know news?" I asked Kay.

"I'm pretty sure. Yeah. Why?"

"How come I didn't know that?"

"Your an introvert Selene. You don't give two fucks about celebrities and you're lactose intolerant"

"Why did you have to say that last part? It doesn't fit in this discussion" I rolled my eyes.

"I know. I just wanted you to know that I know you so well" Kay said and I'm sure she's giving her triumphant smile right now or checking herself in the mirror as she smirks.

"Whatever Kay." I took my seat again on the armchair. That's probably why I can't see Fabrico Zunino now. Because, he's in Las Vegas. Finally, Karen Garby doesn't seem so bitchy after all.

"They're not on good terms" Kay said.

"What?"

"Fabrico and Liano are not on good terms. They don't even really look alike even" She sighed.

"How do you know that?"

"Instagram"

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "So what? Your following him on Instagram now?"

"Yeah. He's so darn handsome, Selene" She shrilled.

"I have to go now, Kay. Good night"

"What? Don't you dare hang-"

Click!..I dropped my phone on the bed and layed next to it, my eyes focused on the ceiling. Fabrico Zunino is a twin!...so he's not nice after all. The real Fabrico might just be as heartless as the way the media points him to be.

My phone shrilled but I ignored it knowing Kay was the one calling.

...

The cab stopped me in front of a tall, glass building, I got down, paid the fare and made my way to the doors. Friday is here and today, I'm meeting with Zunino. The real Zunino. Stepping into the RR enterprise, I was stunned by the view. The place look classic, spacious and like it was newly renovated yesterday.

Karen Garby came into view and a deep scowl took over my face. Her dark curls where parked in a pony tail. Her grey suit and skirt was even as classic as the grey building.

"Good morning, Miss Brookes" She said as she came close to me. She smiled before taking my hand. "This way. Your investor awaits"

I followed her into a private elevator. When the doors shut, I straightened my red suit and raised my head high. I would need less of clumsy, silly Selene and more of high headed, strict and determined Selene.

I concentrated on the numbers as it changed on getting to different floors. Finally, the elevator pinged at the last floor and the door opened. I was greeted with another classy setting. Flower pots were arranged at each corners. A lady at the desk smiled at me when she saw us.

"This way" Karen said and led me to a grey door. The door slid opened and I had to look away from the brightness.

I stepped into the office, the first thing my eyes came In contact with was the vase of artificial looking plant by the door before I lifted my eyes to the man standing by the wide windows. He could see a great view of Miami from there.

"The Rep of PHT company" Karen announced. The man turned around and I had to focus on his face as he looked at me because the light from the window was harsh. He came and sat on his chair.

And then, I could see him clearly. He's finer than in the pictures. His eyes were a harsh golden brown that could pierce anyone's soul and see through. His jaw was defined and set to smite. I was smitten. This was definitely not the man I met at the beach the other night.

"Good day Mr Valenquez" I said as I stepped forward. His eyes moved from my flat shoe to my red pant and suit and then to my red wigged head and rimmed eyeglass.

"I didn't order for a clown" He suddenly said and I bit down on my lip. Karen looked from  Fabrico to me. She had a scowl on her face and I couldn't believe she was trying to defend me. I thought she'll laugh and send me away that Fabrico doesn't want to invest.

"With all due respect, Mr Valenquez, I believe we're here on business terms and my appearance has nothing to do with it" I retaliated with an etch to my brow.

Karen was staring at me now and with shock written all over her face. Fabrico on the other hand was stunned but completely masked it with a cold demeanour. The type I've known almost all my life.

The type my dad always used to shoot at me anytime he came home drunk. The hard stare, I'm used to it so he can't even falter me with that.

"You have quite an attitude on you" He said.

"I have limited days here.  I've wasted enough time by having to wait till today so I wouldn't want to waste another second" I don't know what was fueling me to go on but I was and it was making me feel good.

He chuckled and earned a surprised stare from Karen.

"You humor me" He said and got up. He walked toward me until he stopped a feet away from me. His eyes searching mine deeply. "In all my years of being in power, I've never met someone who could talk back at me like this"

My eyes wonders to his lips before shooting back up to his eyes. "Maybe everyone you meet is too much of a pussy" I blurted out of arrogance. I was trying to hide how affected I am by his presence by so doing, insulting him.

Karen gasped and started walking toward us. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave Miss Brookes..." She was saying but Fabrico raised a hand and she haltered.

"You have a deal, Miss Brookes" Fabrico said. What? Did he just agree to signing the contract? I haven't even said a word.

"But you haven't even heard what she has to say" Karen piped in my thoughts exactly.

"I've seen and heard enough" He said. We remained in a stare contest and I found myself wavering in seconds.  He was winning. His eyes were searching mine. And as he looked deeper, a frown etched his brows.

"You're a beautiful woman, Selene" He surprises both me and Karen by saying that. I quickly looked away hiding my face from him. I took some few steps back and stared round the office. I can't allow him to see through me or everything I've worked for would be in vain.

"You have a fine office, Mr Valenquez" I praised, trying my hardest to end the weird conversation he started.

"Call me Fabrico" He said before turning to his PA. "Get her something to drink" He said and Karen hurried out of the office. I was suddenly aware that now we were alone, I might now be so brave anymore.

"You like grey interiors?"   He asked from beside me.

"It's not that great of a sight, just classy" I shrugged. Fabrico chuckled.

"You are one of a kind Selene." I heard him take a seat on his expensive leather chair. "But tell me, why do you hide yourself under pretense?"

I stared at him in a rush I thought I'd fall from how fast I turned. He was staring into my eyes as before as if searching my soul.

"When do we sign the contract?" I asked, changing the subject for the second time now.

"Impatient?"

"I have to return to Seattle tomorrow so I can resume my work on Monday" I said.

He frowned. "I thought you were staying?"

"I'm not. Once I leave, you'll be working with the company admins. Not me"

"No. I want to work with you or I won't work with anyone else" He said as if striking a deal, like a five year old.

I almost told him to not be a child and stop being whiny. "I'm sorry but that is how it's to be done" I said.

He got up from his seat again and walked to me. This time closer than the last time . His hand gripped my jaw lightly and tilted my face to his. I wanted to shrug his hand off but I enjoyed the proximity, as well his mint Cologne.

"If I don't work with you personally, I won't sign the contract"

"What?...you can't do that"

"I can." He said firmly.

"Once you sign the contract, there is really nothing to work again. You have a share with our company that is all. What would I stay in Miami doing?"

"I heard your boss is opening an office here in Miami"

What? I didn't know that? Maybe Corby doesn't even know yet. Michelle probably knows. Her uncle is the president

"I...I didn't know that" I said.

"Well now you know."

"My home is in Seattle."

"I know. Every month, I need feedback on the shares and growth of the company. I want it to be you giving me that Info and here in Miami not over the phone"

"Excuse me?"

"I find you attractive Selena Brookes"