❁ She has seen beauty in people who were called ugly, and she has seen the devil in the most angelic faces. ❁

In the big conference hall, everybody settle themselves in their seats beside the conference table.

Hans on his CEO seat with his back facing the screen, Tatiana in front of Andrew Walker, Santino next to her facing me and then the rest of the members till the table end.

I can't stop thinking about the way Hans handled the situation with Tatiana, it's constantly reminding me of the time when we went to his home in Manchester, for the very first time.

It was a beautiful sunny day, his parents Mr. Richard Peter Anderson and Mrs. Ruby Anderson were sitting in their backyard. And I was nervous as always.

When Ruby asked me to make tea, I started freaking out exactly the way I was freaking out in front of Tatiana. And Hans being the best at reading my face took the kettle from my hand and made the tea by himself the way he did this time.

He always knew I was bad at social gatherings and events but he never let anyone humiliate me. The time we spent together he never gave me a second to worry about anything, he was always there as my savior.

And I'm not very good at memorizing things but I can never forget how handsome he was looking that very day. Blue always suited him.

" Noriana. " he flutters his lips with eyes on me, and I've been staring at his face without realising. Does he know I'm thinking about him? No, that's impossible.

How strange is that, since the day I've met him here in Chicago I've never really paid particular attention to his looks. This dark grey suit over his pale skin seems like a divine combination.

He doesn't look that college boy anymore, he has grown a little stumble and it's fascinating how sweatshirts are replaced with three piece suit. He really looks like a business man that he has became.

" Noriana. "

Come on who the hell is Noriana and why isn't she responding.

" Noriana! "

Wait, I'm Noriana!

" Ye- yes sir. " I flinch and blink twice or thrice, I've really lost the count, as soon as the realisation hits me and I come back to earth.

" I'd really appreciate if you would answer on the first call, could you please me pass that file. " He says giving me death glares.

" I'm sorry. " I utter while passing him the file. What the bloody hell was I thinking. I'm in between a very important conference and instead of focusing on Hans' words I'm staring at his face.

Grow up, Nora!

The lights go down, Hans stands up from his place and moves towards the screen. Holding an Ipad in his left hand he elaborates some ideas for the collaboration.

And to be honest, I just can't focus on anything that he is saying and to be more honest, the reason I can't focus is that I can't take my eyes off his face. His charming face, the same face I was once madly in love with, this is the same guy I once trusted blindly. I gave up everything just for him.

But never judge a book by its cover and a person by its face Or eventually you'll regret.

After two hours of continuous focusing and distracting, the meeting is almost over so everyone is asked to leave the room while Hans and Tatiana stays there only to discuss some confidential details.

I walk out of the room while holding some files. First, I've to go to the fourth floor that is the marketing department and give the green file and then I've some work at the R&D department.

" Ms. Noriana, if I'm not wrong. " a voice with an Italian accent reaches my ears. I look back over my shoulder to find Santino, Assistant of Tatiana, making his way towards me.

Santino Russo, he looks like in his early 40s. Pale skin, brown hairs and not very tall. From his voice tone I can sense he's a very clam and classy person.

" Please call me Nora, and you are Mr. Santino Russo, if I'm not wrong, Signore. " I shrug. It's kinda weird to hear Noriana from someone else's mouth after a long while and that too in different accent.

I know it's weird, I had been known by that name for almost 21 years, but I'm not the same person I used to be. Noriana is dead, and this is Nora. Just Nora.

" All my American friends call me Seth. " He moves his hand forward while carrying a huge smirk on his face. Shifting all the file's load on my one hand, I shake hands with him. " Okay. So Hello, Mr. Seth. "

" Have you came from Heaven, Signora? Because you are heavenly beautiful. " he holds my hand and softly kisses my knuckles.

Cheapest pick up line of the century!

" So you have a nice sense of humor too. " I fake scoff while he passes me his creepy smile. " I think you are very used to of your features that don't actually know about how beautiful you are. "

Mr. Seth, I know what you're doing. Just stop hitting on me.

" Thank you. " I try to hide my annoyance and just reply with a light chuckle. In hope that he'd back off, I take a step on my tracks.

" Signore, have you seen the news? " he tries to expand the conversation and I reluctantly stop to not to be rude. But I'm running late.

" About what? "

Confession No. 25 - I don't watch news.

For me, news is nothing but a waste of time. I've already got so many things to do in my life, I don't have the time to see what other people are doing.

" A person got arrested because he said thank you to his friend. There's no thank you and sorry in friendship." he laughs assuming he cracked the funniest joke ever.

When did we even become friends?

How can be someone this lame and creepy and annoying and chatty at the same time. Why can't I just stop stressing over about not being rude and just say ' Fuck off! '

" Aha-ha, I didn't know we were friends." I reply with my fakest laugh ever. Taking pause for a second or two before continuing," Are you married? " I ask with no curiousity, just to avoid his weird gaze from my face.

" 7 times Signora, but currently I'm single. " he replies blushingly like I've asked his hand for wedding or something.

No wonders.

Please someone take this man away from me!

" It was very pleasant Ms. Roman. I can't wait to start working on this project." I hear Hans' voice and immediately look over to that direction to see Hans and Tatiana walking out of the conference room.

" The pleasure is all mine, Signore. " Tatiana says and takes a leave, with her crew following her. And I inhale a deep breath.

Finally Mr. Seth the Psychopath is gone.

" Noriana, to my cabin. " Hans orders before I could exhale.

Oh no, not again, everytime he calls me to his cabin like this, he does something to frustrate the hell outta me. With no option left, I follow him to his cabin.

" Noriana, have a seat. I want you to do something. " he spills without making an eye contact.

Why is he telling me this? He usually just orders, like ' Noriana prepone a meeting or jump off a bridge or something '

" Listen I won't beat around the bush and say it straight- "

" Just say it. "

" I want you to seduce Santino Russo. " He says as calm as he can be.

❤❤❤

❁ Any assumptions about Tatiana and Seth?

❁ Plus, I'm looking for some names so What's your name?

❁ What's the song your currently obsessed with? The song " Drivers license " is driving me insane.

❁ Men with sarcasm and humor or Men with sexy body and divine smile? ( Vice versa, if you're a guy.)

So many random questions, I know. Just wanted to know a little bit about my readers. 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

Plus plus plus, if you people are finding the pace very slow, I understand it. Just two more chapters, and then story is gonna lift up the pace and I'm telling you, you will love it.

May your secret crush have a secret crush on you. (❁'◡'❁)