I stare at his door sign longer than I know I should.
GIULIO GIANNOTTI
Notti Design Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Architect
A couple of feet from Giulio’s office is my area as his acting assistant. A large concrete desk expands from the sunken wall panel, and around it is everything I’ll need.
I think back to after the call on Friday and our brief encounter on Sunday where during swapping custody, I signed the contract. That afternoon was the first time since the separation that we were able to look each other in the eye without it escalating into an argument.
It was odd spending time alone with the kids yesterday for Labor Day without Giulio. Every year we used to embark on a three-day road trip. Last year was San Juan Island, the one before that Vancouver, Canada. Although I loved the city, I also enjoyed escaping and roaming free with my family on adventures—a breath of fresh air.
I missed it this year.
Get used to it.
I take a seat behind the desk and swivel my chair to switch on the Mac. I’m surprised to find my name already programmed on the screen with a circular ‘V’ profile icon. No password is required and I wonder if that’s solely based upon the countless times I’ve locked myself out of significant accounts in the past.
It’s something only he would know.
Giulio steps out of his office and gives me a brief rundown of the system, all the while I struggle to find a single fitting word to say. Despite our best efforts, the growing tension is still there…but it’s not awkwardness, it’s something else I can’t quite describe. Still, it can be cut with a knife and I hate that we’ve gotten to this point.
After his Ted Talk, I thank him and he trails into his office. I’m left glancing at his closed door, wondering if I should be calling him by his last name. My last name. No. That’s ridiculous. Surely I can call him by his first name…no matter how many reminders it brings.
It’s nine-thirty when Giulio’s door opens next.
“Valencia?”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Gia—I mean Giulio! Sorry.”
Amused, Giulio smiles slowly and I love the crow’s feet that come out to play. I haven’t seen him smile in what seems like months…probably because it has been that long. Those allusive eyes don’t leave mine; they contrast against his dark stubble and hair and by the time he leans by my desk with crossed arms and I take in a whiff of that hypnotizing sensual cologne, I think somebody should arrest me for gawking.
“Giulio. I’m Giulio to you.”
My lips twitch upright. “Right. Just like I’m Valencia to you?”
“Exactly. You see, we’re getting the hang of things now.”
Maybe you are, baby. Not me.
Ahem…I didn’t just call him that in my head…
He motions towards the computer. “Need any assistance?”
“No, don’t think so. I just hired a guard. His name is Lee and he’s proven himself to be highly experienced based on his past employment. He has a clean background check and has been in the business for the past twenty-five years. He’ll be here within the hour.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
“Maybe working here won’t be a bad thing after all.”
“I certainly hope not.”
“Same.” My cheeks flush as I glance back at my Mac. There’s absolutely nothing I need to look at, but his hot gaze digs into me so deeply I think I may become blinded by him.
Giulio has me all flustered just by his presence alone. It’s dangerous. Very dangerous. Because at the same time I don’t agree with many aspects of the man he is now. His views. His lack of hope. His mind. Yet, his charm remains in my heart…along with his touch and the sentiments I’ve tried to bury. This is why determining my relationship with Giulio is such a constant struggle within me. It’s odd to me, how quickly we’ve shifted from being in plain desolation to concordant this morning.
“Wasn’t there something you needed to ask me?”
“Uh, yes.” Giulio clears his throat and the smile fades. “I wanted to warn you about a new employee. An interior designer, Bryce McCarson. He may need your assistance every once in a while. Allow it sparingly.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
I flick my attention to him at the softness of his voice. Giulio rushes into his office and returns seconds later with a piece of paper.
A smile pulls up the corners of my mouth at the drawing made by Oscar and Slonne. From what I can make out, a woman who’s presumably me sits at a desk with abstract flowers sprouting from the floor. I understand it perfectly. The picture warms the parts of me I always throw darkness into. Above the woman is a sign which reads: Mommy’s first day working with Daddy!
“After I told them the news on the weekend, they drew this up. However, I forgot to bring it with me on Sunday.”
“It’s beautiful!” I set it on my desk with a grin. “I’ll have to thank them tonight. Thanks!”
The day goes better than it began. Giulio and I communicate professionally with business emails and brief intercom discussions. He’s had a busy office day with in-house meetings, client phone conferences, and design production.
My concentration sways from time to time to the gaping hole in my heart. Every time I think of Addilyn, my entire world stops. I’ll never be able to comprehend why somebody did this to us. But I feel as though my leap of faith to work at Notti Designs is paying off. I can be myself here and that’s something I truly value. I don’t need to pretend I’m ecstatic or hide the tears prickling my eyes, unlike at my previous job.
Aside from Marcus’ office straight
