Chapter 237 - Sexy Italian

Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Duke's hand was firmly on my shoulder, holding me close while he showed me a number of common areas that are available for the employees of Eclipse.

There was a room filled with massive bean bags where some employees lounged in strange positions with tablets in their hands, a noisy room with arcade games and virtual simulations of driving a plane and a formula racer, and a meditation room that had cozy mats on the floor and plants hanging from the ceiling.

Duke explained the purpose of each room and said how they give a variety to the otherwise dry workday for people who are crunching numbers for a living. In these rooms they get to exercise, talk, play, relax, have fun, and all that is making them more productive when they return to their workstations.

Duke's chest puffed like peacock's every time someone looked our way, and I didn't have the heart to call him out on his childish behavior. He was so happy to walk around with me by his side and I didn't want to spoil it.

My mini-tour ended in the main lobby where Duke stopped in front of the reception.

"I want you to take a good look at the beautiful lady by my side.", Duke spoke to the three receptionists who lined up in front of us. "This is Miss Mezzanotte. If any of you denies her entry to the building again, it will be the last thing you did as employees of Eclipse. Do you understand?"

All three of them nodded frantically and I felt bad for them.

"Which one of you denied entry to Miss Mezzanotte?", Duke asked while glaring at three women.

"She didn't have an appointment, sir…", the receptionist who refused me earlier that day said timidly.

"Do I need an appointment to get in?", Duke's voice was lower by an octave.

She shook her head. "No, sir."

"Then, neither does she. As a penalty for your behavior, your salary for this month will be reduced by thirty percent. Am I clear?"

She nodded and her face paled. I thought she is about to faint.

I didn't think that Duke could be so intimidating, but even with that stern gaze and a frown on his handsome face, I found Duke to be cute and I wanted to kiss him senselessly.

Duke led the way toward the main door and as we were closing the exit, he stopped and faced me.

"I want to ask you one last time. Is it OK for us to go outside?"

I didn't get it. "Why are you asking that?"

"My employees all signed non-disclosure agreements so whatever we do here will stay here. But outside is different. You mentioned that we shouldn't be seen in public, London specifically, because of Magda.", he reminded me.

I was touched by how considerate he is. "It's OK. Magda can't bully me and as long as the two of us are on the same page, she will not be able to get between us. My concern was if she will stir trouble for Notte Pharmaceuticals, but I spoke about this with my father, and we have a plan."

I looked into his deep blue eyes that smiled at me and my breath hitched.

"Are we on the same page, Duke?"

Duke's face flashed with boyish delight that always makes my heart tremble.

"Absolutely! Let's go and announce to the world that we are a couple."

I inhaled sharply. A couple?!

"Wait, wait…", I said hastily. "We are not a couple. Did you forget that you are only courting me?"

"Whatever you say, sweetheart."

Duke chuckled and pulled me toward the main door, his hot hand never leaving my shoulder.

His smug smile made me love him and hate him at the same time. How can a man be so cheeky? And did he just call me 'sweetheart'?

A flashy silver Aston-Martin waited for us on the street, right in front of the building. It was not there when I arrived, and I wondered if he has a valet service.

Duke opened the front passenger's door and gestured for me to get inside. "My lady…"

I was sure that my cheeks will hurt from the excessive smiling, but I couldn't help it. Duke made me happy, and it showed on my face.

We reached the Asian restaurant and Duke held me close while we followed maître d' toward the private room in the back.

The hallway we passed through was separated with glass from the general dining area and I spotted a few curious gazes directed our way. Maybe they won't know who I am because of my oversized sunglasses, but their lit-up expressions told me they recognized Duke, and I was confident that soon people will start talking about how Drago Orsini was with a woman.

I would love to be a fly on the wall in the room when Magda hears the news. 

The cozy private room was completely enclosed, offering a low table and cushions on the tatami flooring.

I asked Duke to order for both of us, and he did it gladly.

"What are your plans for today?", Duke asked me. 

I shrugged helplessly before admitting, "I didn't make any beyond coming to see you."

Duke's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Really? Well, then, leave it to me. I will think of something to fill up the day. When do you need to go home?"

I shifted nervously. "Uhm… I kind of told my father that I will be spending a day with Mona and stay with her. The problem is that Mona doesn't know I'm in London."

I really didn't have any plans beyond spending time with Duke.

Part of me knew that Aldus saw through my intention to go to Duke instead of Mona, but Aldus didn't call me out on my lie, so I will stick to my original story.

Duke's eyebrows went so high up that they nearly reached his hairline.

"How about we stay at my place tonight?", he asked breathily.

"Well…", I drawled and looked at him coyly. "The last time you slept at my place, so this time…"

I didn't finish as Duke grinned at me while squeezing my hand.

His eyes darkened and I could feel the lust radiating from him. In an instant, a wave of heat splashed over me. God, help me!

"What's with that expression?", I asked while trying to break the atmosphere that made me flustered.

"What expression?"

"You look like a fox who stole a chicken."

Duke chuckled. "I remembered one thing."

I could see that his mood changed into a playful one. This was something I could handle. "What did you remember?"

"There was a rumor three years ago that you eloped with a sexy Italian."

I didn't understand where he was going with this. "So?"

"Well…", he drawled and inched closer to me. "I am Italian… and sexy…"

Duke's last word was a deep rumble that splashed on my cheek just before he left a lingering kiss right there.

Did he just suggest that we elope together?

I closed my eyes and exhaled a shaky breath as my insides trembled.

Mother of Gods! This man will be the end of me!

A split second before my reasoning left me completely and I threw myself on Duke, the door opened, and a waitress brought in our drinks.

Duke groaned softly in protest and inched away from me. That was close.

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