Chapter 2 The CEO returns to his throne

CHAPTER 2- THE CEO RETURNS TO HIS THRONE

The Castellano International headquarters towered over the city like a monument to ambition sleek glass walls, sharp steel edges, and a reputation for swallowing up anyone who wasn't strong enough to keep up.

Sofia had never set foot inside before. She wasn't supposed to. Maids didn't follow their employers to the office. But that morning, the head housekeeper, Rosa, had cornered her in the hallway with a clipboard and a problem.

"Mr. Castellano's temporary secretary just quit," Rosa said, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Something about not being able to meet his... expectations."

Sofia didn't have to ask what that meant.

"He needs someone in the office until they find a replacement. Today. You're the only one who can type without looking at the keyboard."

Sofia blinked. "Me? But I..

"You'll manage. Just do as you're told, keep your head down, and for heaven's sake, don't spill anything on him this time."

By nine a.m., Sofia was standing in the marble lobby of Castellano International, clutching her bag like a lifeline. The receptionist gave her a once-over, eyes lingering on her simple white blouse and pencil skirt-borrowed from Marta's niece for the day.

"Sixteenth floor," the woman said, her tone polite but cool. "Mr. Castellano is expecting you."

That was news to Sofia.

The elevator ride was painfully slow, her reflection staring back at her from the mirrored walls. She straightened her shoulders. She'd been in tougher situations. She could handle this.

The doors slid open to reveal a space that looked more like a luxury penthouse than an office floor-to-ceiling windows, dark wood accents, and a sweeping view of the city skyline.

Behind a massive glass desk sat Leonardo Castellano.

He didn't look up immediately, his attention fixed on a document in front of him. His suit today was charcoal, perfectly tailored, the tie a deep burgundy. The faint memory of yesterday's coffee incident made Sofia's cheeks warm.

When he finally glanced up, the recognition was instant. One eyebrow arched. "Miss Alvarez."

"Mr. Castellano," she managed, stepping forward.

"You're here because Rosa assures me you're... capable. I suppose we'll see if she's right." He gestured toward the desk across from his. "Sit."

She did, setting her bag down and powering up the sleek computer.

The next two hours were a blur of instructions, dictations, and schedules. Leonardo's pace was relentless. He spoke quickly, expecting her to keep up without missing a word.

"Send this contract to Branson, tell him I'll consider his proposal if he adjusts the equity terms by fifteen percent."

"Yes, sir."

"Book me a dinner meeting with Ms. Leclerc for Thursday. Not Friday she's in Paris by then."

"Yes, sir."

More than once, Sofia caught the faintest flicker of surprise in his eyes when she completed a task before he finished explaining it. She didn't comment, but a tiny part of her enjoyed proving she could keep up.

At noon, his phone buzzed. He answered without looking at her, his tone clipped. "I said no, George. If they want the deal, they'll play by my rules."

Sofia pretended not to listen, but she couldn't help noticing the shift in his expression cool calculation giving way to irritation.

When he hung up, he leaned back in his chair. "Change of plans. You're coming with me to the shareholders' luncheon."

Her eyes widened. "Me?"

"You'll take notes. And try not to spill anything on anyone."

The corner of his mouth curved almost almost into a smirk.

The luncheon was held in a private dining room at the Bellagio Hotel. Sofia followed him inside, keeping her gaze low but her senses sharp. The room was filled with people in expensive suits, their voices smooth, their smiles sharper than their cufflinks.

Leonardo moved through them like a king among courtiers, every handshake precise, every word measured.

Halfway through the meeting, a shareholder named Mr. Kendall made a veiled insult about the company's "recent unpolished hires," glancing pointedly in Sofia's direction.

Her pen froze against the paper.

Before she could shrink into her seat, Leonardo's voice cut through the polite laughter.

"Miss Alvarez is here because she's competent. Which is more than I can say for certain others."

The room went quiet. Mr. Kendall's smirk faded.

Sofia kept her head down, but her heart was pounding for an entirely different reason now.

Back at the office, as she typed up her notes, she caught Leonardo watching her from across the desk.

What?" she asked cautiously.

You handled yourself well today," he said simply. Then, as if realizing he'd given too much away, he added, "Try to keep it up."

And just like that, he was back to typing, the moment gone.

But for Sofia, it lingered.

Because maybe just maybe Leonardo Castellano wasn't only the arrogant man who'd barked at her over a coffee stain.

Maybe there was something else there.

Something she didn't dare name yet...

Maybe there was something humane about him, she couldn't pin point it yet.