INTERRUPTIONS AND HUGS

LUCY

''What's your name again?''

I'm starting to despise elevators.

''Lucy Vitale'' I said, giving her a forced smile.

She didn't even look my way or atleast nod her head. She is so engrossed in her mobile.

''Okay Lucy, you can go. I'll manage from here.'' She said as we stepped out.

''Um, I'm actually joining you guys for lunch.'' This is getting awkward.

''Oh'' she cleared her throat and continued. '' Can you not join us? I want to talk to him privately ''

The nerve of this girl! Uff!

''I can't do that, Ms. D'Oro. I wouldn't have joined if he hadn't asked me to and your manager should have mentioned the word privately when he asked me'' I said, smiling at her sweetly.

''Take your seat Ms. D'Oro, I'll be back in a minute '' I said to her when we reached the dining hall and went out.

I don't want to be alone in the same room as her. I might smack her because of my insecurity.

What's wrong with me?

I saw Mr. Hottie came out of his private elevator and went near him.

''Ms. D'Oro is inside sir'' I said, to which he just nodded his head.

''Um sir? Should I have to join you? Ms.D'Oro might actually want to have a private lunch''

I want to join them just to irk her, but I'm curious about his answer.

''Oh you are going to be there Ms.Vitale, now move fast, I don't want to be late'' He said, pulling me along with him.

We gave our orders. Elvira obviously ordered salad to maintain her physique, Hottie got Courgette & saffron risotto, which is basically made of rice. Damn, I should have ordered the same! But I don't regret getting Pollo Margarita, chicken breast with extra cheese! Yum!

I sighed as the food touched my taste buds. This is heaven!

I wasn't paying attention to their conversation, she was trying to flirt and I didn't want to listen to that.

Wish she had stuck to flirting with him without involving me in their convo.

''Lucy?''

I heard you for the 1st time.

''Huh?''

''I asked why don't you start a healthy lifestyle? You see, too much cheese is not good. Just lose some weight, change your dress style and put some makeup on. I'm sure you'll get to date someone in no time'' she said, smiling genuinely.

Yup, genuinely.

I don't know why some people can't mind their own business. Even if your intentions are pure, you can't just give suggestions without knowing anything.

How did she know that I was not dating anyone? Is it that obvious? Do I look that miserable?

''Thank you for your concern, Ms. D'Oro, but I'm perfectly healthy and happy with my body, my choice of clothes is based on my comfort and I love how I look! And about dating, I'm living happily with my kids. I don't want anything other than that!''

She looked taken back by my words.

''Wow, so you have kids? What about their father?''

Why do you want to know? Can't you keep flirting with him?

It's not that I want to keep it a secret, I just feel it's unnecessary to tell everyone that I adopted my monkeys.

''We are orphans. So I thought, why don't we become a family? And adopted them'' I felt Hottie's intense gaze but I didn't dare to look at him.

''That's great, but why don't you want to date? You can still enjoy your life''

I shrugged ''it's just my personal choice''

We finished our food and Elvira finally decided to thank Hottie.

Should have done that before flirting!

Ah.. someone's jealous.

Psh! I'm not!

''Thank you so much for selecting me, Mr. Ganovese '' She said, smiling at him extra sweetly.

''Thank Ms.Vitale, she is the one who selected you'' Hottie said, looking at me.

''Really? Thank you Lucy'' Elvira pulled me into a hug.

I hugged her back and looked at Hottie. He is just looking at me weirdly.

Now what's his problem?

●●●

''Is that why you don't want to have sex with me?''

He cornered me as soon as we entered his office.

So that's his problem.

I tried to move but he blocked me, placing his hands on either side of my body, sandwiching me between him and his desk.

''Sir please move'' or touch me, but don't just stand there hovering over me.

''Tell me why? Am I not attractive enough for you? Or is it because I'm your boss and you just want to have a professional relationship between us?''

Is he kidding? Not attractive enough?

''Neither, you won't understand even if I tell you''

''Try me'' he whispered, cupping my cheek.

I leaned into his hand and looked at him. His eyes are full of curiosity.

Should I tell him what's in my mind or is it best to avoid this topic?

I want him, both physically and emotionally. But he just wants me physically. He made it clear from the start.

I can't be angry at him for being honest now, can I? There are many bastards out there, who harass their colleagues and employees for their pleasure. But he never did anything like that.

I sighed.

''I get attached too easily, Mr. Ganovese, I was never in a relationship before or never had casual sex, never went on a date. You need to understand that I'm just protecting myself from heartache. It may be just sex for you, but it's more for me''

He looked confused. ''You are a virgin?''

I gave him a blank look ''Is that the only thing you understood''.

''Oh my god! Did I interrupt?'' Someone exclaimed, interrupting us.

Hottie sighed. ''I'm going to lock my door'' he said, moving away from me.

I almost pouted. I already miss his warmth.

What's with women and their barging into his office?

Jealous.

Shut up!

''Why? So that you can continue what you are doing?'' She said, giving him a playful glare.

Um.. who is she? Another cousin?

''What do you want Sam?'' Hottie asked as he sat on his seat.

She completely ignored him and pulled me into a hug.''So you are the one who slapped my idiotic friend? I'm so proud of you''

I looked at Hottie for help but he just shook his head.

''Uh- Yes, thank you?'' I said, awkwardly tapping her back.

''Lucy right? Rocco said so much about you. By the way, I'm Samantha but you can call me Sam'' She said, pulling away from me.

''H-Hi Sam'' I said, looking at her confused.

Hehe, what's happening here?

''Awe, so cute'' she pinched my cheeks, making me wince.

''Ouch'' I rubbed my cheeks with my palms. I hate when someone pulls my cheeks. It hurts like hell.

''Sam, don't manhandle her'' Hottie said, seriously looking annoyed.

My heart jumped hearing that.

''Oops! Sorry, I couldn't resist '' she apologized, smiling sheepishly.

''It's okay''

She smiled and looked at Hottie.

''Do you know why I'm here?''

''Obviously to eat my brain'' I snickered at his response.

''Ha ha very funny, I'm taking your girl out for shopping. Monica is ignoring me, saying that she is busy. Rocco is busy, you are busy! And I don't want to go alone!'' She said, whining like a kid.

''I'm not his girl!'' ''She is not my girl.''

We both said at the same time.

Sam smirked ''Not yet''.

''Rocco can accompany you in the evening. Now go, I have work to do.''

''Nope! I want new friends! I can't handle too much testosterone! I need girls time! Please come with me?'' Sam asked, looking at me pleadingly.

Jeez, Hottie, maybe your friend, but he is my employer. I can't come just like that in office hours!

''Hottie?'' Sam started laughing hard.

I blushed.

Did I think out loud?

I glanced at him. He froze and I saw his ears become red.

I-Is he blushing?

I was shocked and tried not to smile.

''You can t-take her,*cleared his throat* but this is the first and last time you are doing this, Sam, if you demand this type of shit again , I swear I'm going to prohibit yo-''

''Yeah, yeah! Prohibit me from entering this building. Heard that before Alex, next time try something new!'' Sam said, sticking her tongue out.

I never thought he was surrounded by this type of person. The way Ms. Redaelli and Sam speak to him, his response to them shows that he is just like the rest of us.

●●●

We are in the parking lot waiting for Lia.

When I asked Sam if it was OK to bring my friend, she said it was okay. So I messaged, more like begged Lia to come with me.

Screw me! I'm the most awkward person when I meet strangers, and here I am going shopping with one!

I just don't want Sam to feel awkward along with me, so I thought bringing Lia with us was a good idea, as she is a very talkative person.

''Took you long enough'' I said as Lia neared us.

''Oh please! It just took 15mins. Don't mind her, I'm Natalia, Lia for short!'' She brushed me off and introduced herself to Sam.

''Samantha, but Sam would do''

They both shook their hands and BAM! They are speaking like long lost friends!

Never happened? You introduce your best friend to your other friend and they hit it off ?

That's exactly what's happening here and I feel like a third wheel.

We are going in Sam's car. We agreed to come back here again so that we can take our cars.

I'm silently crying inside. I hate shopping! Especially if it's not me who is doing it.

''Are you usually this silent? Or is it just now Lucy?'' Sam asked as she tried another dress.

''No, I ju-'' Lia chuckled, interrupting me.

I frowned. Too many interruptions for a day.

''Silent, who? Lucy? She is like this because you are just new to her. It takes time for her to warm up. But once you know her, she will be the best friend you ever had!'' Lia said, giving a side hug.

And hugs too. Not that I'm complaining.

''I bet she called me just to not bore you Sam'' I smiled sheepishly at both of them.

''Awe..'' before Sam could pinch me, I covered my cheeks.

''Not my cheeks please.'' I said, making them laugh.

After Sam completed her shopping, we went to a cafe and ordered our coffees.

''What were you thinking of doing if I didn't interrupt you and Alex?'' Sam asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

I almost choked.

''W-What would we do? We w-would have continued o-our work'' I stammered, giving her pleading look.

I may or may not have mentioned the kiss and slap to Lia. She will skin me alive if she finds out that I kept it from her.

Lia narrowed her eyes, giving me a serious look.

''What are you hiding, Lucy?'' I gulped audibly hearing her voice.

''Haha, n-nothing'' I said, laughing nervously.

''Oh, she doesn't know about the kiss?'' Sam asked, smirking at me.

''Are you planning to kill me?'' I whispered to her.

I silently looked at Lia, she was fuming with anger.

''KISS? YOU HAD YOUR FIRST KISS AND DIDN'T TELL ME? WHAT AR-'' I closed her mouth before we got kicked out.

Sam was laughing her ass off. At least someone was enjoying it.

''Shh... I'll remove my hand now but you'll not shout. OK?'' She narrowed her eyes but nodded.

I hesitantly removed my hand, afraid that she would shout again, but to my surprise, she didn't.

''I need to know everything''

''EVERY.FUCKING.THING.''

After telling every-fucking-thing to her, she started squealing and said she knew I was going to find someone soon.

If only he is the one! He wants nothing but sex.

She was mad at first, but calmed down when I said I was too embarrassed to tell her.

''I'm so glad I went shopping with you guys! I freaking loved it! We are definitely doing this again'' Sam said as we reached the parking lot of our company.

''I loved it too, I'm up for this anytime girl!'' Lia truly sounds excited.

Is it only me who didn't enjoy this?

Your introverted ass loves nothing but bed!

Psh.

It was almost 11 at night when I got a call from an unknown number.

I frowned.

''Hello?''

''Hello? Is this Lucy Vitale?''

''Yes, who is this?''

''It's me, Ria"