Chapter 4 The CEO

Luca Vanthross did not know what to make of the woman who had slipped through his door. He watched impatiently as the files she held in her hands fell to the floor.

When she bent to pick it up, she looked as regal and elegant as a queen to a little European country he'd probably never heard of.

Luca was amused but also irritated. Was that my secretary? He asked himself, incredulous. He was going to give Calvin an earful later but first, he was going to deal with the woman in the enchanting red dress that'd walked into his office.

Luca watched, again, as she took cautious steps towards his desk. When she finally approached him, she spoke. Luca swore to himself that she sounded like a siren that had the ability to lure him to his doom.

The worst part of that revelation was that a deeper part of him agreed he wouldn't mind being doomed. Luca swallowed hard and grimaced at the woman who was speaking to him.

"I'm Elsie Cruise. Good afternoon, sir." The woman introduced herself. Luca made no visible reaction to her introduction. This intimidated Elsie but she continued with what she had to say.

"I applied for the role of secretary and was privileged to be approved to work for you. I just left Mr. Hunt's office and he filled me in on my responsibilities and tasks." Elsie stretched her hand, holding out the file she'd picked up earlier, to Luca.

Luca eyed the file warily before grabbing it.

He flipped through it and handed it back to her. Still, there was no telling reaction on his face or body language that encouraged Elsie. To her, the man was as stiff as a rock.

She didn't know what to say to break the tension. So she focused on admiring his handsome features.

Mr. Luca Vanthross was a beautiful sight to witness. Elsie sighed inwardly, making a mental note to browse him when she got home. She just couldn't wait to tell Darla how beautiful and handsome everyone at the Acia company was.

Elsie continued to look unashamedly at Luca, taking in his features. He had hooded eyes that reminded her of stern male protagonists in her favorite Spanish dramas. His eyes were brown but the type that resembled honey. Elsie could bet that Luca's brown eyes were the type that came alive in sunlight or any type of light.

His lips were full and ripe. Elsie wondered what it'll feel like to taste them. His square jaw had no signs of facial hair. Though his dark hair wasn't styled, its shagginess gave the CEO a boyish look.

Elsie couldn't help but think about his age. While she openly ogled at him, forgetting her manners, the CEO felt insulted.

Luca was astonished at her behavior. Where were her manners? Luca wanted to shout to nobody in particular. Since he couldn't shout, he lifted his gaze and glared directly at Elsie

.

Elsie was too lost in her thoughts to notice the threat coming from Luca'ss eyes. Luca hit his palm on the desk, bringing back Elsie's attention to her surroundings. When Elsie realized what she'd been doing, she bowed her head in shame.

"I'm so sorry for my rude behavior, Mr. CEO." Elsie apologized, her voice shaking.

Luca couldn't care less if she started crying, he wanted her to leave his office as soon as possible.

"I won't tell you much now that I've seen you're not so different from other women I meet at the bar." He said, his tone menacing.

"And don't call me Mr. CEO. I suppose you know my name, or are you also incompetent in that area?" Luca asked her.

Elsie was overcome with shame and guilt, she didn't answer immediately. When she remembered he asked a question, she replied hastily.

"Yes. You're Luca Vanthross."Elsie inwardly thanked herself for browsing about the company's actual CEO when she left Mr. Hunt's office.

She didn't like how Luca spoke to her like she was a child who couldn't read but she chose to ignore his awfulness since she was at fault first.

"Good for you." Luca spat out.

"I'd have fired you on the spot if you didn't answer that. Seeing that you've been filled in on your responsibilities and tasks, you know what that means. I don't want to look for you when I need you."

Luca informed Elsie. Elsie's head was still lowered and this annoyed Luca. He wanted her to look at him as he spoke.

"Lift your head." He commanded.

Elsie slowly raised her head until she looked him in the eyes. Luca was no longer glaring at her but he didn't seem happy with her either.

"My former secretary didn't have much work left behind so you're free for the rest of the afternoon until I clock out of work. You'll be at her table then follow me home when I'm done." Luca took out a pen and wrote down something in the book in front of him.

Elsie wondered what she'd gotten herself into.