Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 27

Sunshine and Roses

ARABELLA’S POV

I froze as my coworker turned on her heel and hurried out of our office. Today had already given me more shocks than I could handle.

Sierra grabbed my hand. “Arabella! I swear that man likes you!”

Her words snapped me out of my trance. I gave her a blank look. “I’d bet a billion dollars he’d rather shove me into his car and blow it up,” I muttered, prying her hands off me before heading toward the door..

My nerves were at an all–time high, and I didn’t know what the hell to do. A part of me feared he was upset about something and would take it out on me in front of everyone. I just didn’t know what to think.

“She didn’t even tell me where he’s waiting,” I complained to Sierra before grudgingly rushing out to find Alvise.

Once I stepped past the reception, a tall man dressed entirely in black approached me. Alarmed, I instinctively took a step back. “Mr. Valerio is waiting for you outside,” he said calmly.

Wary of the huge man and his brooding expression, I headed toward the exit. The moment the cool air hit my face, I took a deep breath and looked around. I didn’t see him. I was about to turn back when I finally spotted him leaning against a white Maybach in the parking lot.

I walked toward him cautiously and stopped a few feet away. My eyes slowly trailed over him. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black three–piece suit, standing tall and intimidating as always. When I looked up, I realized he’d caught me staring.

I flashed him a bright smile and took a step closer. “Hii!” I greeted him cheerfully.

Alvise raised a brow and stroked his chin, but said nothing. He simply watched me like he always did, his piercing blue eyes searching mine as though he could see straight through me.

I forced another smile and stepped closer. “Hi!” My voice came out a little higher than usual.

Still no response. I took yet another step closer and smiled even wider. “Hiii!”

When he continued to ignore me, my smile disappeared, and I turned to leave. The moment I did, his hand wrapped around mine and tugged me back until we were sharing the same breath.

I gasped as his touch sent shivers racing down my spine. “And where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his rich accent once again wreaking havoc on my thoughts.

I frowned. “I don’t like talking to mannequins.”

His eyes glinted with amusement. “Ah, I see.” A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “So I’m a mannequin now.”

I nodded firmly. “Precisely. Because only mannequins don’t actually respond when people talk to them.”

He stroked his chin, his knuckles brushing the side of my head because of how close we stood. “Weren’t you all smiles and politeness a second ago?” he asked. “What changed?”

He was mocking me, but I refused to back down. I smiled sweetly again. “Yes, of course.” I gritted my teeth. “I’ve decided to be polite and cordial with you. You know… considering you’re technically my new boss now, and I don’t want to get fired.”

He smiled. He actually smiled. It was small, so brief I almost questioned whether I’d imagined it, but I definitely saw it. “I’d never fire you, Arabella,” he said quietly.

My heartbeat stumbled, then raced and my knees suddenly felt weak as I stared up at him. He had absolutely no idea how much I was going to overthink those words… or blush into my pillow over them later.

waved a dismissive hand. “Said every boss who eventually fired their employee. I’m not taking any chances. I need this job.

I took a small step back. “So from now on, I’m all sunshine and roses.”

“You could try,” he replied.

I frowned, offended. “Are you saying I can’t be sunshine and roses if I want to?”

He tilted his head. “Did I?”

My face fell. “Why?”

“Because I can,” he answered simply.

“Alvise, I’m being serious,” I pressed, frustration creeping into my voice. “Why did you delete them?”

His eyes hardened. “I don’t joke, Arabella. I deleted them because I can.”

“How did you even get into my phone?” I demanded. “You don’t know my password.”

“And what makes you think I don’t?” he asked casually.

I shook my head. “You don’t. I know you don’t.”

I was certain. The password was a date. A very specific one.

There was no way he’d know it… Right?

Another question weighed heavily on my mind. “You said you kept calling me…” I swallowed. “How did you… um… how did

you…

eut me off, sounding almost irritated. “How did I reach you after you blocked me?”