Chapter 5 - Amelia

Leo halted the car in the company's garage, and I quickly stepped down. I watched him adjust his suit while waiting for me to lead the way.

“Keep your distance,” I warned as I took one last look at my outfit. The idea of putting on such a long jacket over a pretty dress just to obey Lorenzo made my fists clench.

I stepped into the large lobby with white marble flooring and approached a brunette on the other side.

“Hi, welcome to Berg Oil Company. How may I help you?” the brunette asked with a smile.

“I'm here for an interview. I received an email this morning,” I said hesitantly.

“Your name, please.”

“Amelia Clayton.”

The brunette punched some keys on the keyboard and looked up after a few seconds. “Take the elevator to floor sixteen, room ten. The CEO is already there.”

CEO? I almost asked but bit back the question. “And good luck, Ms. Amelia.” I smiled at her, then noticed her ogling Leo. I wanted to stay quiet to see if Leo would be thrown out, but it was of no use. I would either end up not coming back to Berg, or Leo would cause a huge scene. He was Lorenzo's underboss, and he definitely loved violence just like him.

“Oh, he's my personal guard. He'll stand watch at the door.”

The brunette nodded, and I turned to leave, casting a look of disgust at Leo before stepping toward the elevator.

I stepped into the elevator as it arrived, feeling so angry that it was only Leo and me inside. I thought of punching and spitting right into his face.

The elevator stopped at floor sixteen, and I felt butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Knowing well that this might be my only chance to escape Lorenzo's house, I dared not take it lightly. Whatever it took to get this job would be my priority.

I knocked softly on the door of room ten and waited.

“Come in,” a stern voice instructed. I inhaled deeply before grabbing the door handle. I walked into the CEO's unusually large office and noticed Leo walk in behind me.

“What are you doing?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Making sure the surroundings are safe.”

“Could you please wait at the door? It's an interview, not a meeting of the members of your scary Famiglia. Dammit,” I cussed, letting Leo step out after he stared hard and long at the room and the man behind the desk. I quickly shut the door and exhaled in relief.

“Sorry, sir, for the…” My words cut off as my gaze fully fell on the man behind the huge mahogany desk. His gorgeous face lifted from his computer and met mine in what seemed like seconds, or maybe minutes.

My heart raced and my stomach fluttered as I realized he was literally the most gorgeous man I had ever seen, with a distinctive oval face, a full-sized beard, and a matching mustache. His jet-black curly hair complemented his smoky brown eyes.

I heard him clear his throat and realized I was actually drooling over him. I took a deep breath to calm myself. “I'm here for the interview, sir.” I loved the way his eyes followed my legs up to my breasts before returning to my face. I felt a bit uneasy but still kept my composure.

“Have a seat.”

I felt his eyes on me as I stepped toward the seat opposite him. I sensed him raking his gaze over my figure… or maybe I was imagining it. The jacket certainly didn’t allow him the best view.

We sat in silence for a moment, both waiting for the other to say something, but I let him go first, as this was his office.

“Well…” He crossed his arms over his desk, and I noticed his muscles bulging out of the arms of his suit. “What's your name?”

“Amelia Clayton,” I almost stuttered.

“I'll call you Amelia. It's more unique and sweet.”

Sweet? I almost asked.

“I'm sorry, sir, Mr. Neil Moretti?” I asked as I glanced at the placard on his desk.

“Yes, but you can call me Neil.”

He stared down at his computer for a few seconds before kicking his chair back. He walked to the front of the desk and leaned against it. The first thing that struck me as he moved was his height. He was extremely tall, just like Lorenzo. Why remember him now?

“How old are you, Amelia?” he asked, arms crossed over his chest, accentuating his large muscles.

“I'm twenty, sir,” I stated in a low voice, as if trying not to be heard. He arched his brows and narrowed his eyes slightly. Then he smiled and walked behind me.

“I looked at your resume last night, and I must say it's quite impressive. You graduated one year ago, but you weren't able to secure a job to gain work experience. Why is that?”

“It's kind of personal, sir.” I did not wish to delve into the cruel treatment I had received from my father and how he restricted me. The fact that I hadn't gotten a job was all thanks to him and his already compromised political position.

“Then, are you married?”

I froze. I sharply turned around but almost kissed his face, as he was barely inches away from me. Why was he so close? I followed his gaze and spun around to catch a glimpse of the ring on my finger.

“Engaged,” I managed to say, digging my fingers into my palms while swallowing hard.

He left my back and sat beside me on the chair to my right, studying me for a moment. “Any plans for the wedding yet?”

I didn’t understand why my personal life was the main topic of his questions since the start of this interview, but I still answered. “It’s one day away.”

I noticed his body jerk in surprise. “And you're here for the interview?”

“My marriage won't stop my dreams,” I almost yelled, but I shut my eyes instead. “That sham won't rob me of my profession. I intend to become an independent woman.”

“Sham? So much for getting married. You sound irritated. You're supposed to be happy.”

“I'm sorry, sir, but—can we skip that?” I fought back the urge to cry. I already knew there was no way out of this marriage. There was my father, a senator, and Lorenzo, the most powerful capo in Chicago.

I was trapped for life.

“Alright…” Neil cleared his throat and reclined in his seat. “Then would you like to be my secretary and senior analyst? You'd fetch my paperwork, lunch, or drinks when I choose. You'd take my phone calls and be in charge of organizing my schedule, and you'd accompany me on any business trips or lunches, near or far, while fulfilling your duty as the senior analyst of the company. Would that be okay with your fiancé?”

“He has no choice but to accept,” my voice came out surprisingly harsh. I was being offered an opportunity to be a woman of my own without living off Lorenzo, and that was all that mattered. I quickly cleared my throat. “Does this mean I got the job, sir?”

“The position is all yours. Just make sure to be punctual and hardworking, and then we’ll be on good terms.”

I nodded rapidly. “Thank you, sir.”

“Neil,” he corrected.

“Thank you, Neil,” I corrected myself.

“Alright, Amelia. I'll see you tomorrow at seven.” I quickly stood. Excitement flushed my cheeks down to my heart and stomach. I finally had a one-way ticket out of Lorenzo's house on a daily basis, and the salary was quite beautiful.

I quickly checked my watch. It was already 9 a.m.!

“Gosh,” I almost screamed. In my haste to leave and return for the wedding shopping, I tripped over my seat and began to fall.

Neil reached out to me almost with the same speed, one arm around my waist and one around my shoulder. Our faces were closer than they should have been for an interview as we shared the same breath. His warm breath cascaded over my face; it felt so comforting.

My eyes plunged into his smoky brown ones, down to his lips, as I wondered what it would be like if he leaned down just a little bit…

His gaze flickered across my face for a few more seconds as I sensed he wasn’t ready to let go yet. His head tilted to the side, and he began to move closer to my face, aiming for a kiss.

The door swung open. “Time is up, Amelia. We have to…” I heard Leo say as he walked through the door, catching Neil and me in the moment.