Chapter 40

Chapter Forty

Matteo had lost track of how long he had been lingering in that spot. He had stepped out for a late lunch and grabbed a fresh cup of coffee, intending to head back to the executive offices. But just as he was about to turn the corner into the hallway where the offices were, something caught his eye and halted him in his tracks.

There she was, sitting cross-legged on the floor of her office. From where he stood, the scattered papers forming a chaotic circle around her gave off an almost detective-like vibe, as if she were piecing together a complex puzzle. He observed quietly as her fingers gently brushed over each sheet, flipping from one to the next, while her reading glasses teetered precariously on her nose.

After a while, she rose and began pacing slowly around the room with her eyes closed. Matteo noticed her lips moving, softly murmuring words to herself. Then, in a sudden, dramatic gesture, she pulled at her dark hair and threw her head back in frustration before stomping to her desk. Calmly, she began stacking the papers together. Matteo assumed she was finished for the day—most of the other executives had already left, eager to start their weekend early. But to his surprise, she cleared everything off her desk and lay down on top of the neat pile, her hands resting lightly on her stomach.

From his hidden vantage point, Matteo was completely captivated by this enigmatic woman. She lay back, tossing a small ball rhythmically into the air with one hand, a sleeping mask covering her eyes. The quiet monotony of her movements contrasted sharply with the intensity he sensed beneath the surface.

He was grateful he had discovered this little alcove in the hallway a few days ago. Leaning against the wall here, he could watch her without being noticed, his view unobstructed by anything but glass. The offices were designed with transparency in mind—walls of glass meant to symbolize openness, a constant reminder that everything was out in the open, that he was always watching. He rolled his eyes at the thought; it hadn’t stopped Giovanni from stealing from him, after all.

His phone buzzed in his hand, startling him out of his reverie. Matteo shifted the now-cold coffee to his other hand and glanced down at the screen.