𝟏𝟏 - 𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒

if you could see my thoughts,

you would see your face.

____

VALENTINA

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I haven't seen Enzo in a week. A WEEK!!!

After the dinner, he took me home (and had one of his friends bring by all the stuff I left behind at his place) and told me he'd text me.

He did text me, but he was SO stuck at work that we have had zero time to see each other all week. I miss him, honestly. He makes me feel so different.

My mother and father were taking care of Alejandro today, so I decided I'd surprise Enzo at his office, with some lunch. He's always surprising me with things and taking care of me, he deserves to be taken care of too.

So, here I am, on my way to his officed, with a takeout bag in my hand. I got us some coffees and pastries. Nothing too messy or heavy. Enzo is boring, so I just got him a plain coffee. Me? I got a Caramel Frappuccino, cause I'm a basic bitch.

I had informed Samuele that I'd be stopping by, so that security would know to let me in, but Enzo would still be surprised.

In response, Samuele only said that 'the guards already knew about Enzo's girl', who knows what he means by that. He's always making silly jokes.

My shoes tapped against the pavement as I slowly approached the office building. It was pretty and sunny outside; the sun was a nice warm contrast against my skin.

I've always enjoyed walking. It just gives me a chance to enjoy the nature; something I had always done since I was a kid. Flowers and trees and all of that, it's just so beautiful.

Finally, I arrived at the office. A guard at the doors greeted me, and opened the doors, letting me into the main lobby.

Wow.

This is probably the most amazing office I've ever seen. It's beautiful. Everyone seems so relaxed and...happy.

There was couches and beanbag chairs everywhere, making it look comfortable and welcoming. I even saw a whole snack and juice bar in the lobby. Oh, these employees are taken care of for sure.

This is what it must be like to have a good, caring boss. Nice job, Enzo.

Maybe I should ask him to hire me as well.

Kidding.

Or not.

"My oh my, what have we done to be blessed by your beauty today, Valentina?" I heard Romeo's voice from behind me, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. "Oh, and you brought coffee?!"

I giggled, turning my head towards him, "Sorry, none for you today. I'll remember you next time."

He made a very over-exaggerated pout, before it returned back to a grin, "Fine, I guess I can let it slide this time. I assume you're here for Enzo?"

"Yeah, I am. It's been like a week since I last saw him." I nodded, as he slowly led us towards the elevator.

"Trust me, honey, we KNOW. He's got a fucking stick up his ass this entire week, because he's missed you. I don't know how we deal with him, honestly." Romeo rambled, pressing a button to call down the elevator.

We stepped into the elevator, and Romeo pressed the button of the highest floor. Fancy.

"Well, I missed him too." I shrugged, sipping my coffee. It's too good to make it wait until I'm in Enzo's office. "And you guys, obviously. It's kind of boring to not have you flirt with me every second of the day."

"Charming, Valentina. I am charming you, not flirting with you. I'm not a highschooler." Romeo grinned, a tinge of sarcasm in his tone.

Before I had a chance to respond to his remark, the elevator doors dinged open. Romeo gently urged me out, "Right, it's the door right at the end of the hall, come see me if he bores you to death." He winked, as the elevator doors closed again, leaving me alone in the hallway.

This is kind of scary.

With quick steps, I made my way to the door at the end of the hall, and as if this was a classic company owner boss trope, his name was written on the door in gold.

I raised my free hand and knocked on the door three times. After hearing a gruff, fairly annoyed voice say, 'come in', I gently opened the door, peeking my head in.

And there he was in all his handsome glory. He looked tired, maybe a little annoyed. But still very handsome.

"Hi. You okay?" I asked in a soft tone, stepping inside the office and closing the door behind me. "I hope it's okay that I stopped by. I just...we haven't seen each other in a week."

I felt stupid. For being nervous over things like this. I guess all those times getting ridiculed and ignored in high school is coming back to bite me in the ass. I was practically waiting for Enzo to laugh at me.

Instead, he stood up, and walked over to me, immediately pulling me into a tight hug, his head resting on top of mine.

"I missed you so fucking much." He spoke tiredly, his warm hands pulling me close and tight, "Felt like I was going crazy, fucking hell."

The way he hugged me, tight and close, it really made me feel like he needed it. Like he was desperate for it.

"I missed you too." I hugged him back, being careful of the coffees and pastries. Gods, I really did miss him, so much.

Pulling back, I looked at him with a small smile, holding up the pastry bag, "Got us some lunch and coffees. I figured you'd like it."

"Oh, you're an angel." He groaned, leading me towards his desk, gesturing me to sit down. "This is definitely needed. Work has been hell this past week."

I could tell. His desk was messy and unorganized, his face looked more tired, but still very handsome. His stubble had grown in a bit more. Gosh, he must be exhausted, poor man.

"You doing okay?" I frowned, resting my hand on his.

A small huff left his lips, as he gently squeezed my hand, "I'm okay, Val. Just...it's really fucking hard sometimes. Feels like I can't catch a break." He spoke, his thumb rubbing my hand. "And it's not like I can quit, I'm the boss. I just have to handle everything."

My heart hurts for him. This is the first time he's been so open and vulnerable with me, and it made me want to cry.

"Oh, Enzo." I frowned, scooting closer to him, both of my hands in his now, "I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine how hard it is."

My eyes darted down to his hands, looking at his scarred knuckles, my thumbs grazing over them. "You're one of the strongest people I've met. You handle all of this...this...baggage. And you still manage to put a smile on my face, to make mine and Alejandros lives better. You're genuinely amazing."

I meant every word I said. I admire Enzo's strength. Even after he works for weeks without break, he manages to still be the kind of person that surprises me with takeout when I'm feeling bad, to make me smile even on gloomy days. He genuinely deserves everything and even more.

I hope one day I can give him that.

A silence fell over us, and I gazed back up at Enzo to find him already staring at me.

"You're amazing." He whispered, freeing one of his hands from my grip, to cup my cheek. "Like really fucking amazing, Val."

My eyes locked with his, a silent, warm tension clouding over us. His dark eyes moved between my eyes and my lips, his thumb stroking my cheek.

"Amazing and so...so fucking beautiful." He murmured, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. "The prettiest flower in every bouquet. The shiniest diamond. God, you're everything, Val."

The words sounded so pure, raw, honest. hell, I was close to even believing him. How did I get so lucky? To meet someone this kind and amazing?

Enzo's thumb gently pulled at my bottom lip the slightest, his eyes focused on the movement, "I really, really need to kiss you, Valentina. Can I? Is that okay with you?" His voice was low, raspy.

My eyes widened, a red blush covering my cheeks. Good gosh.

Not being able to find my voice, I simply nodded, my eyes locked on his.

"Words, sweetheart. I need to hear it." He murmured, tilting my chin up.

I took a deep breath, my cheeks turning darker, "I...yes. You...yes, you can kiss me, Enzo."

And without a second to spare, his lips met mine, one of his hands cradling the back of my head, the other resting down onto my waist.

My hands held onto the spot where his neck and shoulders meet, as I kissed him back. He was clearly in charge, leading the kiss with ease as I tried my best to keep up with his pace.

"Fuck." He murmured, before pressing his lips right back on mine, again, more urgently this time. "So fucking sweet."

Sparks were flying. This was hands down the best, kiss I have ever had.

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TO BE CONTINUED...