Chapter 8

Sera stood before Enzo , her eyes flashing with anger and hurt as she complained in a quivering tone of voice.

"You can't continue treating me like nobody." This was from the heart-a forlorn hope that she might appeal to whatever humanity was left inside Enzo 's cold, calculating heart. In reply, Enzo drew upon an insult as if in a slapping manner: ".his words cutting and cruel.

"Oh, yes, you are a nobody," he sneered, his voice full of malice.

"I mean, you were used to paying debts, so you don't have any value." His words were a brutal reminder of Sera's circumstances, the harsh truth from which she couldn't shield herself.

She stood there, staring at a point on the floor, as if even Enzo 's gaze was a weight she couldn't bear. She felt gutted, like the breath had been kicked out of her body. After this, there was a strained silence, and it only thickened the air with tension.

Enzo 's voice finally cut into the silence; his voice was sudden, hard, and commanding.

"Return the plates, I am done eating," he said, as he took his briefcase and stood up.

"Go get ready, we are going now." The words were a dismissal, an order from the court that did not leave room for argument.

But Sera would hang back, her tone tiny and hesitant. "I've not eaten," she said, eyes hugging the floor. Yet even for that, Enzo said nothing; not a word was his chilly, intentional reprimand. He didn't act like someone had spoken to him; he had become firm and unyielding, resistant to expression.

Sera walked into the kitchen; she couldn't help but let the feeling of relief wash over her as she had been so hassled and anxious, though when she sat down to eat the remaining toasted bread and egg, she began to feel a sense of calm wash over her. The quiet kitchen was nice, a respite from the tension that seemed to mount between her and Enzo .

Then, after dinner, Sera retired to her room to change. She was deliberate in choosing an outfit, really taking her time, selecting one that would make her feel confident and beautiful. As she dressed, the feel was not so much of just clothes as it was of a kind of transformation. The clothes tended to bring out the best in her, accentuating her curvaceous figure and the planes of her face.

She felt like a new person as she made her way downstairs. She was looking beautiful and sexy, and she knew it. The clothes cuddled her body, showcasing her curves, and that made her feel like a million bucks.

Surprise then widened Enzo 's eyes as he saw Sera coming down the stairs.

"My word, isn't she a beauty," he said to himself as his gaze scanned her. He felt that attraction again, against his will.

"Ah, baby girl, you look absolutely stunning," Madam Isolde said, her voice full of praise. Sera couldn't help but smile, the pride and confidence washing over her.

But in an instant, Enzo 's face had soured, his eyes narrowing in disapproval.

"Please, Madam Isolde, stop singing so many praises about her so she will not be swollen-headed," he said, the distaste in his voice as clear as crystal. Sera's smile faltered, and for a moment, she felt the sting of Enzo 's words. Yet she just drew her head up, intending to ignore his jibe.

Sera smiled and thanked Madam Isolde, having deliberately ignored Enzo because she had pretended not to hear his snide remark. She knew that reacting to his jibe would give him the satisfaction of raising her blood pressure, and she was determined not to let that happen.

Sera followed Enzo out to the car with a serene calmness, but her heart still raced in excitement and with a touch of nervousness. They drove in silence to Enzo 's company, but this did not faze her as she watched the city slowly come to life out of its slumber.

A few minutes later, they pulled up to the building housing Enzo 's company: sleek, modern, an edifice that seemed to ooze power and sophistication. As they stepped out of the car, the cleaner greeted Enzo with a warm smile and nodded, returning to his duties.

Marco , Enzo 's assistant, welcomed him with a firm handshake and smiled, turning then to wave a greeting at Sera.

"Good morning, sir," he said to Enzo in a deferential voice.

"Mr. Tony will be here in the next 30 minutes. I hope all is available so that we can secure that deal," said Enzo .

"Make sure everything is all right," he ordered firmly, his command clear and expectant. "I want to give a good impression." Turning, he started off with a strut back to his office and called on Marco and Sera to bring up the rear.

As Sera walked behind Enzo , a feeling of unease washed over her. The tension in the air was palpable, and she could sense that something was amiss.

All that Marco could utter further served to increase her anxiety when he spoke, stammeringly, "

No, sir, I thought it's tomorrow, not today."

At once, Enzo reacted in a very explosive fashion: "Don't tell me you are serious, Marco !" his voice boomed across the hallway.

"You mean to tell me you have no solution?" The incredulity was there in his voice as Marco 's eyes dropped to the ground, as if he could not stand to look at Enzo at all.

"I'm sorry, sir," Marco muttered, his voice nearly inaudible. But Enzo was having none of it.

"Pity yourself, Marco ," he spat, heavy with disdain. "Go and look for a solution. In fact," Enzo said, raising his voice in anger, as he pressed the notification clock, which indicated that he needed all the workers in his office, right now.

The sudden urgency of the notification sent a ripple of curiosity through the workers, who began to murmur among themselves.

"What would be the reason for the urgent meeting?" one of the workers whispered, as they all speculated what could have prompted Enzo 's sudden summons.