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Chapter Fourteen: The Break Room
publish date:
2026-05-26 06:59:01
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Valerio's Secretary Chapter Sixty-Four: The Breakroom
Zara's POVThe morning air is cold and sharp as I step out of my car and stand in the parking garage for a moment, gripping my bag and trying to steady myself. I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face at the board meeting, heard the coldness in his voice, and the way he denied me like I was nothing.I am done waiting for him to explain. Whatever I was thinking…that maybe the past would come back and work out, that was delusion. I am going to work, I am going to do my job, and I am going to pretend he does not exist.The elevator doors open on the executive floor, and I step out, my heels clicking against the marble while I keep my gaze forward and stern. I don’t look in the direction of his office. I don’t care if the curtains are drawn or if he’s in there. If he needs anything, he can do it for himself. I settle into my desk and open my laptop. Settling into the familiar routine of emails, reports, and shipment tracking and confirmation. I drown myself in work and
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Sixty-Three: The Promise
Valerio's POVToday’s the last day and it has been on my mind through the little sleep I had. The ultimatum ends tonight because Clara gave me until the end of the week. I have run out of time, excuses and I have run out of ways to avoid the choice I don’t want to make.I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The memory of Zara's face at the board meeting flashes through my mind, the way also avoided looking at me and then walked out without a word.She is fed up with me. I can feel it and it breaks my heart. I drag myself out of bed and dress in a casual outfit and head to Clara's penthouse, my hands gripping the steering wheel, my mind a war zone.She opens the door wearing a soft cream dress, her hair loose, her face carefully composed, waiting for my answer.I step inside, the city sprawling below us. "Clara," I say. "I have made my decision."She watches me, her eyes sharp and guarded. "And?"I take a breath. "I will be there for you,
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Sixty-Two: The Mask
Valerio's POVThe boardroom is still and quiet, one can hear the sound of a pin drop. I sit at the head of the table, my hands resting on the polished mahogany, my face set in an expression carved from stone. The board members are speaking now, their voices blending into a low hum of numbers and projections. I listen attentively, but only respond when needed, challenge weak arguments, and push for better margins.Physically I am present, but I’m not here.I am acutely aware of her presence across the room. She is seated at the side, her tablet in front of her, fingers flying across the keyboard. She might want to be invisible to everyone else, but she is the only thing I can see.I don’t look at her. I can’t.If I look at her, I will break and cross the room, take her in my arms, and tell them all to go to hell. I will tell them she is everything and that I think I am in love with her.But―I can’t do that.One of the senior board members leans forward, his eyes sharp. "There has been
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Sixty-One: The Board
Zara's POVIt's a new day. I walk into the office expecting to see Valerio and ask questions about the text he sent yesterday, but his curtains are still drawn.If he's going to keep ignoring me, I'll let him be. I have a lot to do anyways; emails to answer, reports to review, and shipments to confirm. I sit and delve into work, doing my best to forget his text and behaviour yesterday.It’s fine—I am fine.At nine-thirty, a message pings on my screen from the executive assistant from the east wing: Board meeting called for ten-thirty. You're required to attend as a note-taker. Conference room A.I stare at the message. Board meetings are not my usual territory. This is not a good sign.I type back: Noted.I gather my tablet and the necessary files when it’s almost time and head out without looking at his office.The boardroom is cold, the long mahogany table gleams under the fluorescent lights. The board members file in one by one, their faces sharp and calculating, no smile evident
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Sixty: The Distance
Zara's POVThis morning feels like I'm walking into a different world.I step off the elevator onto the executive floor, my heart pounding, my stomach in knots. I have been dreading this moment all weekend—the rooftop and his hand on my wrist.I brace myself for the tension, for his eyes on me. For the pull, I can’t escape.But when I reach my desk, the curtains in his office are drawn close, but he's in there. I can hear him speaking in Italian on a call.I don't even remember the last time those curtains were drawn…maybe he needs privacy for a few minutes.I settle into my desk, confirm shipments from our suppliers, and make calls regarding our next project. “Yes, please, the account team will send over the cheque soon. Thank you.” It's been a couple of hours now, and the curtains are still drawn, and he hasn't called me. It's fine…it's not a big deal.But I feel him, or rather, I feel the absence of him. The weight of his attention through the glass wall is gone. At around ten-th
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Trap
Valerio's POVThe drive to Clara's is the longest one of my life.Every mile pulls me further from the beach, from the memory, from the ghost of Zara's laughter still echoing in my ears. I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles white, my mind still reeling from what happened on the sand. The pain in my head has faded to a dull ache, but the hollow emptiness remains.I don't want to go to Clara's. I want to drive back to the office or find Zara. I want to tell her about the memory and ask her if she was there.But I can’t.None of this makes any sense, and I have to face Clara. She deserves an explanation, and she deserves better than this.I park outside her building and sit in the car for a long moment, staring at the lights on in her penthouse; she’s awake. I take a breath and walk inside.Clara opens the door before I can knock. She is wearing silk, her hair loose around her shoulders, her eyes sharp and cold. She looks beautiful…and furious."Finally," she says, stepping back to le
Valerio's Secretary Chapter 25: The Morning After
Zara’s POVThe morning after the gala feels like waking up from a fever dream.My body still remembers every moment, Valerio’s hand firm on my lower back as we danced, the way his breath brushed my ear when he whispered about the old photo, the heat in his eyes every time they found me across the c
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Three: The Obsession
Valerio’s POVI can’t get her out of my fucking head.Zara Matthews.Even her name feels like it belongs to my mouth. I stand at the window of my penthouse, whiskey in hand, staring at the city sprawled below me like scattered diamonds. The glass is cold against my palm, and my mind refuses to sett
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Two: The Rule
Zara’s POVI managed to make it to the ladies’ room on the executive floor before my legs gave out. I lock myself in the last stall, press my forehead against the cool metal door, and take in deep breaths. I’ve got this. I won’t falter.Welcome back.The bastard has no idea what those two words di
Valerio's Secretary Chapter One: The Return
I grip the steering wheel so tight that it makes my knuckles ache. The city blurs past my window—steel towers and honking traffic that feels both familiar and wrong after three years. I should have turned around at the last exit.I almost did.But the envelope in my bag, the one with Liam’s latest
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