Twenty One.

I make a conscious effort not to fidget for the next hour as Aydem and the two gentlemen sitting next to him interrogate everyone that sits around the table.

I love how one of the women gets up and talks confidently; I can not help but admire the apricot blouse she is wearing that matches the shade of her lipstick and blush. As she is bombarded with questions, she does not back down when she is confronted with the prospect of proving her thoughts viable.

She handles herself well as she is put under duress, duress that is solely being encouraged by Aydem, who effortlessly dominates the room.

"Excellent work, Tia," Aydem says and he gives her a small compliment as he begins to wrap things up. "I'm looking forward to reviewing the designs in person. What would entice you, Ms Cross, to purchase the shoe?"

I blink, startled to see that everyone in the room is now looking at me. "Uh, excuse me?" I gulp as my cheeks flush.

His gaze is piercing in its intensity. His full focus is on me, and I have a distinct impression that he is testing me to determine whether I have been paying attention.

He pushes back from the table and rises from his chair, slowly picking up his cup of coffee and approaches me as I sit across the table from him.

As he takes a sip from his cup, I catch a glimpse of his wrist at the end of his cuffs. And for some bizarre reason, the sight of that lovely stretch of golden skin delicately powdered with dark hair catches my eye.

He is the epitome of an alpha male.

"Which of Tia's proposed concepts do you prefer?" He inquires once more.

"I enjoy them all; I believe her designs were excellent."

As he approaches my side and plants his arse on the table in front of me, his gorgeous face remains impassive.

His scent is once again intoxicating me.

"I shall clear the room in order to receive your honest opinion, Ms Cross."

My fingers encircle the pen I'm clutching tightly.

"I have just expressed my genuine opinion to you, Mr Burak. I believe that the luxury of wearing a sexy-looking shoe on a low budget will appeal to the middle class. However, I do not possess-"

"I agree." Aydem carefully places his cup on the table.

He rises, buttons his jacket, and extends his hand. I pause for a bit, taken aback by his interest in what I was thinking.

"The meeting has concluded, Ms Cross." He adds calmly, continuing to extend his hand.

I take his hand in mine, aware that everyone is watching, and as I rise to my feet, I lead the way to the door. I am acutely aware of Aydem strolling alongside me. The way he moves with animal grace and arrogant economy turns me on.

And I really can not fathom him fucking badly. Taking what he desires, when he desires, in a manner that drives a woman insane in her willingness to give it up so freely.

I walk through the mansion's doors with a sense of anticipation and guilt prickling all over my skin.

I'm overjoyed to see Sandro and shower him with kisses while clutching him close and inhaling his baby scent.

But first I need to make a quick stop and change.

I enter the room that Ace and I share and change into something comfier. I gingerly drop myself onto the bed and begin massaging my hurting arches; my poor feet have never experienced such misery, and when I stare at my heels. I let out a deep groan as I remind myself that tomorrow will require another pair.

I bolt from the room and I am immediately confronted by Castello. I collide with him as I exit the room, oblivious to my surroundings. "Gods! I apologise." When I detect a brief flicker of irritation flash across his face, I profusely apologise.

"Dovresti prestare attenzione a dove stai camminando.!" (You should pay attention to where you are walking!) He growls as he places his hands on my shoulders.

"Lo so, ti prego, perdonami." (I know, please forgive me.) I reply in his mother tongue hoping all the studying I've been doing has paid off.

"You have been practising?" He smirks as his words are laced with surprise.

"Yes, I have," I reply with a grin on my face.

He nods his head with approval. "Are you on your way to see Sandro?"

"Yes, I was desperately missing him today." I freely admit.

"I'll accompany you," he adds, motioning with his hand for me to lead the way. "How did you find your first day?"

"It was... Different," I state bluntly. "Remembering that my name is Clara Cross proved challenging at times, but I don't believe anyone was suspicious."

He was quiet, and the more the stillness between us lasted, the more uneasy I felt.

"Mila, if Aydem or anybody else at the firm discovers your true identity. I shall be forced to extract you." His hand curls around the inside of my arm, just above my elbow, and I come to a halt.

"They are not going to. I was nervous and..."

How am I to explain to him that I was distracted by the man whom I am supposed to fuck over financially? The exact same man I couldn't stop picturing myself beneath as I cried out his name in ecstasy.

"I'll do better tomorrow. I promise." I say reassuringly.

"I'm counting on you to accomplish this. If you are discovered and Aydem learns your connection to us, you will have more to lose than any of us here." As his ocean baby blue irises burrow into mine, he states adamantly.

"I don't understand what are you trying to say to me, Castello?" My brows furrow in response to his puzzling message.

"And you will not, Mila, until it is too late." I watch as he walks away without providing an adequate explanation.

Why am I going to be the one that loses more than anybody else here? I contemplate as I proceed down the hallway that leads me straight to Sandro's room.