Chapter 3 Personal

Seraphina adjusted the thin strap of her silk blouse and glanced at her reflection in the hallway mirror. Her long black hair flowed over her shoulders like a waterfall, her lips painted a bold crimson, and her almond eyes, sharp and unreadable, sparkled with subtle determination. 'This man acts like I'm entering his circus... with him as the clown master. You've survived worse than this, Seraphina. Breathe. Just take him his damn coffee.' she thought.

She smoothed her hair and held her breath. Balancing the sleek tray with practiced hands, she pushed open the door to Vincenzo's room. The scent of expensive cologne, musk, and faint cigar smoke hit her instantly. She stepped in silently, placing the coffee cup beside the bed.

"Sir..." she whispered, gently removing the sheet from his face. To her horror, she found his leg flung across a pillow in a very ungentlemanly pose. 'Seriously? Who the hell sleeps like this? Pathetic display for someone with so much power.'

She circled the bed in mild confusion, scanning for his head under the large, messy duvet. "There you are," she muttered when she finally found his tousled hair. "Sir, time to wake up." She leaned closer and nudged his hand. Just then, Vincenzo's hand shot up, gripping her wrist. Within seconds, he flipped her, and she landed beneath him on the bed, breath catching in her throat. "S....Sir! What are you doing?" she gasped.

"Hmm..." his voice dropped into a husky murmur, his face inches from hers. "The real question is... what are you doing in my bed?"

His weight pinned her down, and though he wasn't heavy, the sheer dominance of his hold made her heart pound.

"I came to wake you up. It's past your time, sir," she whispered beneath him.

"Today's Sunday," he growled. "Didn't anyone tell you I don't wake before noon on weekends?"

"I....I didn't know. I swear."

He yanked himself off her, eyes narrowing. "That's not an acceptable answer. I expect proper respect, Ms. Hill. Say it right."

"I'm sorry, sir. Please don't be angry." Her voice trembled slightly, hands still clutched together. Vincenzo scowled. "You'll be sorry, alright. Get my schedule. Memorize it. I want it at your fingertips. "And by the time I come back, you had better be in my room with it ready." His voice cracked like a whip.

She gulped, stifling tears. 'First time he's raised his voice at me..... So this is the wrath of the devil's boss... charming one second, dangerous the next.'

She swallowed hard, nodding. He stormed off into the bathroom. Minutes later, he emerged shirtless, his toned chest dripping wet from the shower, the towel slung low around his hips. Seraphina, standing beside the bed with the folded schedule in her hands, instinctively turned her head away.

"Hmm! Shy now?" he chuckled. "You've seen me shirtless before, baby. The first day we met, remember?"

Her eyes snapped back at him. 'What an arrogant prick.'

"I didn't exactly have a choice back then either," she muttered.

He walked closer, casually wiping his chest with the towel, his eyes locked onto her. "Tell me something... have you ever seen your boyfriend like this?"

She stiffened instantly. "No. But unlike you, I don't ogle people in the morning," she snapped, her voice calm but pointed. "And maybe you should stay out of my personal life, sir."

The sharpness in her tone caught him off guard. His playful expression turned hard. "Fine, looks like you've forgotten who you're working for." His voice dripped with warnings. "You just lost your day off, you'll be working late tonight....under me."

He smirked, enjoying the slight twitch in her jaw. "No, please... I had plans....important ones," she pleaded, desperation leaking into her voice. "Can I do extra hours tomorrow instead?"

"You should've thought of that before raising your voice," he said while pulling on his shirt. "Actions have consequences, sweetheart."

Her fists clenched. 'He's doing this on purpose.'

"Just two hours, please. I promised someone."

Vincenzo leaned close, brushing past her shoulder with a whisper, "It's going to be a long night, baby. Take a nap if you want... you'll need it."

She watched him walk out, fuming silently. 'He's such a manipulative bastard.' Her throat tightened as she opened her phone. "Hey... I won't make it today," she said to her boyfriend, trying to keep her voice steady. "Something came up."

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Yeah. Just work stuff. I'll explain later."

Meanwhile, Vincenzo walked past Emma, who had been waiting at the hallway corner with her arms folded and her ears perked. "You weren't even listening," she snapped.

"What?" he asked without stopping.

"You've been ignoring me all day. What's so interesting about that new Personal Assistant of yours?"

He chuckled and leaned close to her ear. "She's... magnetic."

Emma's face twisted with jealousy. "She's just acting innocent to grab your attention."

"Then she's damn good at it," he whispered, smirking.

Emma scoffed and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "You always go for the fresh ones, don't you?"

"I go for whoever gets under my skin," he said, walking off without turning back.

Back in his office, he slouched into his armchair and stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment. 'She's different. Too bold for a Personal Assistant. Too calm for a new hire... and too beautiful to ignore.'

"Seraphina!" he suddenly called out.

She rushed in after hanging up her call. "Yes, sir. What can I do for you?"

"With whom were you talking?"

"Excuse me?"

"I said," he stood up, stepping closer, "who were you talking to just now?"

She met his gaze without flinching. "That's my personal call, sir. None of your business."

His jaw tensed. For a moment, she thought he might grab her again. Instead, he smiled coldly, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her toward the records section.

"Here," he handed her a paper with a list of file codes. "Find all these files and bring them to me in an hour. No delays."

'What's his deal today? Punishing me for having a life?' she thought angrily.

TWO HOURS LATER

Seraphina trudged down the hallway, her eyes on the floor with her phone glued to her ear.

"I promise I'll make it up..."

She lifted her head, steps faltering.

'Where is he?'

Vincenzo's black ironwood door stood open. She pushed gently and walked in.

He sat behind his desk, his towel-dry hair slicked back, damp collar. His golden-brown eyes caught hers with an unnerving intensity.

She swallowed. "Sir, here....." She placed the printed timetable in front of him.

"Good," he said nonchalantly, not even glancing up. "Place them back on the table. Then come see me in ten minutes."

She turned around, seething. 'What an egotistical asshole. One of these days, I'll shove those files where the sun doesn't shine.'

**********

Outside his office, Emma was perched on the leather couch with her arms crossed, watching Seraphina with icy contempt. "Tough day, sweetheart?" Emma said with fake sweetness.

Seraphina didn't even pause. "Not as tough as yours."

Emma stood up fast. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Seraphina said coolly, walking off.

Emma glared daggers at her back, her fists tightening.

Back inside, Vincenzo watched Seraphina's retreating figure on the security monitor and couldn't hide his smirk.

"She's got fire," he muttered to himself. "I like that."

Moments later, Emma sashayed into the office like she owned the place. Her hips swayed, one hand brushing her hair while the other held a sparkling cocktail.

"Don't you look tense?" she purred, leaning toward Vincenzo's ear.

Vincenzo's eyes wandered over her curves. His tone shifted from tyrannical to teasing.

"Looking for some relief?"

She winked. "Only from someone with... influence."

They laughed softly.