Chapter 3: The Tabloid

The best solutions are often simple yet unexpected.

_Julian Casablancas_

Lorena's  POV

Arriving home early in the morning, I slowly emerge through the brick wall that leads to the kitchen window with the help of our family cook, Francesca Oriano, a Thirty-one-year-old cook that turns into my best friend and comfort companion. She assists me in climbing up into the kitchen with a tight frown.

"Lady Cicero, What made you stay out the whole night?" she frowned. "I had to pretend last night to be you by laying on your bed when your father came in to check up on you." She grimaces even more as she continues.

"You'll put me in big trouble very soon." she raised a question.

"C'mon, Francesca. No one is putting anyone in trouble here. Where is my father?"

"In his old study!" she says. "He has been furious since last night after receiving a call from some strange number," she says.

"Hmmm. Who dares to anger the king himself." I giggle.

"C'mon, you must change before he steps out to see you wearing the same clothes as yesterday."

I nod with a smile. "Oh, before I forget, I got you something." I slowly opened my handbag to bring out the eye pencil and eyebrow brush I bought for her."

"Gracie, Lady Cicero!" she looks happily at the pencil as she opens it to stare at the shade.

"Lady Cicero?" Ms. Aldofo's voice was heard from behind us.

"Roselina?" I called with a shocked face.

Roselina Aldofo. Twenty-eight years old, brunette hair, slim figure, and pale skin. Maid in charge of deep house cleaning, a girly gossiper, and also reliable.

She walks into the kitchen with a stunning face, looking down at her phone before raising her head to see Francesca and me in the kitchen.

"My lady, you're up so early. But why are you dressed up like this?" she furrows her confused brows.

"What is the fuss about this morning? Why so focused on your phone?" I polled at her.

"There is a picture all over the internet. And for a second, I thought it was you, but then again, I thought that it couldn't be you. You can't stoop so low. You're the confident woman of exquisite manners."  she beams.

I furrow my confused brows. "Why was I the one that came to your mind?"

"See, it's a wanted announcement from the CEO of Andino Lanfonsy Group." she points at the screen of her phone for Francesca and me to see. "She has the same hair as you and the same birthmark at the same place."

My heartbeat dropped, looking at the heading of the Blog. It has the  -WANTED! Writing on it. Why is that birthmark so familiar?

It's Lorena Cicero. That's, is me; why am I on the Tabloids? How on earth did someone have a clean shot of my back?

"But why is he making a big fuss to find this girl?" Francesca rolls her eyes sarcastically.

"What a sexy back." Roselina smiles.

"She's not the mistress of the CEO, right?" Francesca looks dreamily at the picture.

The wanted lady is me?

"Who released the announcement, and what time was it posted?" I grimace. Roselina and Francesca both look at themself alleviated.

"It was Makris Andino. Current CEO of Lanfonsy group." she continued. "Andino group is an internationally famous financial business with a Tycoon, CEO," Roselina announces.

She knows everything that happens in and out of Rome. What a young gossiper.

"The Current CEO is no other than Makris Andino; his fancy middle name is Adriano. This young, competent CEO has pushed the wealthy reputation of Lanfonsy company to a new height since he took office. He is reputed to the public as the number one CEO of Rome." she looks dreamily at the wall.

"I have heard a lot about him, and I know much about him, too, so let me continue from there." Francesca probed.

Rose nods at her for approval with a smile as I stand lifeless, listening to what they are saying, and on the other hand, I am trying to fix the puzzle of what is going on.

She breathed out sharply before continuing. "Makris Andino. Thirty-two-year-old hot cake. He has a gorgeous face. A figure of a model and has a great family background. He is rated the perfect candidate for the world's most handsome husband figure in all of Rome and outside of Rome." she grins.

"I want to marry him too, " Rose uttered.

I frown. "Rose, wipe up ur drools, Eww."

He breathes money. He had a photo of me. How the fuck did he snap my back? It means that he took this photo when I was fast asleep. Is he a pervert?

WANTED. See me if you don't want to get exposed to the public! Find her and get two million euros.

That was the heading message to the public. What? Does he bet a considerable amount of money on my head? That's so lowlife of him.

"Uh, my lady, what's wrong?" Rose called, looking at how I was squeezing the hem of my dress angrily.

Am I in big trouble? What if my father discovers that the disgusting picture currently the number one trending photo on Tabloids is his noble second daughter? I'll be dead! What if he has my revealing portrait?

My father, Paolo De'Longhi Cicero. A traditional patrician of Rome.

"My lady?" Another voice was heard. It was Giorgio Perfetti, my father's right-hand man. Tall, forty-two-year-old who has been serving my family for ages.

"Yes, how may I help you, Signor Perfetti?" I manage to stand erect with a stern face, as usual.

Giorgio Perfetti looks so noble to the extent that you'll think that he's my father. But he's not. He's a strict, looking man like my father. Maybe it's because he has been working for him for so long.

"Your father wants to have a word with you, but in 6 hours. And he also sent for Lady Verona; she'll be here soon because her flight has been booked," He looks at me with ambiguous eyes. "I hope you've not been playing dirty. Why are you looking so untidy?" he looks sternly. "Tidy up, my lady. You look so-" Giorgio looks for the word to specify, but then his eyes diverted to the two house help.

"You two. Rose and Francesca, you're both paid monthly to work and not to gossip the who day off. It's. Still, 7:30 am, and you are here gossiping away about your salaries. ." He huffs and walks away.

Did father send for Verona? What is this about? I thought.

"Francesca, Roselina, you two should back me up. I need to go somewhere very urgent." I frown.

They both look dumbfounded at each other. "My lady, where are you taking off this early? What if your father asks after you?" Rose ask.

"Tell him I'm in the bathroom, anything, tell him anything but don't tell him that I'm out of the courtyards." I grabbed my bag and threw it at Francesca. "Keep it in my room!" I quickly grab my backup bag from under the kitchen cabinets.

I don't know the company's address; I can't ask them, and I can't let them know where I am going. I'll track the location by asking g****e for it. I rushed out through the window with their help.

***

An hour later, the taxi driver stops at the side of the vast signboard. It was written on it, LANFONSY MULTI-CELLULAR COMPANY. I turn to see the massive skyscrapers.  I gradually step out of the yellow vehicle, looking astonished by the design of the building.

"There is the company, Signorina." the driver voiced out as I quickly paid him, then he drove off with a nod. 

It's gigantic.

I slowly walk closer to the transparent glass entrance. Then, a woman at the front desk smiled at me, looking all suited up. White long sleeve, black skirt, and black necktie with her black hair lengthy to her shoulders.

"How may I be of service to you, Madam?" She smiles the kind that touches her eyes.

I frown, flaming up in anguish yet with appropriateness. "I want to see your chief executive. Mr. Andino!"

"Do you have an appointment with our CEO? Madam,"

Appointments? Do I need a license to see that good-for-nothing pervert?

"No, I didn't, but-"

"I'm sorry, if you don't have an appointment with him, then I am afraid I can't let you in, " she smiled. "He doesn't like unscheduled meetings; please, get an appointment with him and try next time."

Is she serious right now? Next time? Is this a joke? If I don't see him today, my identity will be the following trendy picture on tomorrow's tabloids. No, I've got to see him today and talk things out,

"Listen up; I have something significant to talk to him about. You can't face the consequences if you stop me." I lament at her.

She instantly looked frightened. "Ah...that..."

I turned to rush to the hallway but instantly bumped into someone. I rub my head from the complex feel of the individual body. I whimper.

"My apology, Signorina... But what's so crucial that you have to meet our boss so eagerly by this time of the day? It's still early for visitors without an appointment." the husky voice was mild.

I instantly raise my head at the 6'4, guessingly. He smiles at me: funky grey eyes, brown hair, pale skin, white sleeve and grey suit pant, thin fringed lip, and a masculine body. He looks so lovely, I must say, but he's not the reason why I am here.

"Mr. Andino sure is a busy man. If it's that substantial, then I can deliver the message to him for you." he pouts with an embodiment of the invention smile.

"Mr. Aleotti-" The desk woman stutters.

"Well-" I was immediately speechless. The cat caught my ferocious tongue. I felt I had lost my whole noble etiquette mare looking at his calm face.

"You just need to see him, am I right?" He kept on chuckling, the type that steals a woman away.

"Yeah...yeah!" I stammered, looking away from him.

Hmm, another woman. Adriano is romantically involved. This lady looks so noble by how she speaks; she speaks with etiquette and care, more like a queen keeping track of her orders. This lady has come for justice... She looks untidy but yet with politeness, but her eyes say something else... Villain. Interesting. When she meets Adriano, exciting things may happen. He thought. 

He smiled again. "If you need to see our boss urgently, I'll take you to him."

I promptly looked wobbled at him. "Really? You'll do that?"

"Follow me!" he ordered as he made me walk behind him.

This guy is not a simple man. I look suspiciously at him as the elevator door opens. We entered, and it closed as the suspicious man pressed on the floor that we would stop.

A few minutes later, the elevator stops, and the door opens to a decent hallway. "We are here." The pessimistic man chuckles.

"Mr. Andino is inside that office; you can see him now." he winks at me with his hand still gesturing me to the office.

"Grazie!" I bowed a little at him, so he did the same.

He went back into the elevator before the door fully closed, winking at me once more. I exhale as I stroll to the brown door. I took in a deep breath before knocking. 

"Can I come in?"