Chapter 6 Alia POV I stood at the bus stop outside Casanova Apartment , the morning breeze biting enough to make me pull my coat tighter around myself . It was Monday , and Cortez Tech Tower would be buzzing with activity once again . " Aria , get in the car . " Marco's voice was deep and firm as he leaned against a sleek black Bentley , his tall frame in a navy suit looking like a superhero straight out of a TV show . " No , thanks , Mr. Vittorio . " I tried to keep my tone casual , though the corner of my mouth twitched despite myself . " Office gossip is scarier than the Mafia's intel network - I've learned that the hard way . " If anyone sees me rolling into work with the CEO , the tabloids will spin me into some Cinderella sequel . Marco raised an eyebrow , his piercing gaze seeming to cut right through my little thoughts . " y use . " can drive this Bentley . I've got other cars to " What ?! " I nearly choked on my own spit , waving my hands frantically as my cheeks burned . " No , no , no , everyone at the company knows this car and its plates . I wouldn't dare ! " Are you kidding ? Driving this out would be like slapping a ' CEO's Wife ' label right on my forehead ! Just then , the bus rattled up with a groan , and I felt like I'd been saved . I waved at him and jogged aboard . Through the window , I caught a glimpse of Marco still standing there , hands in his pockets , his dark gaze fixed on the bus as it pulled away . Geez , how does this man make ' unhappy ' look so obvious ? Way At Cortez Tech Tower , the elevator lobby was packed , the air thick with the smell of coffee and printer paper during the morning rush . I squeezed in with a few other interns , waiting for the regular employee elevator , heads down scrolling through phones , terrified of missing a project email . " Good morning , Mr. Vittorio ! " one of the interns beside me suddenly blurted out excitedly . I looked up , and my heart skipped a beat . Marco Vittorio wasn't heading for his private CEO elevator - instead , flanked by two bodyguard - assistants , he was walking straight toward us . Dressed in a tailored black suit, his aura was so icy he might as well have been plucked straight from the Arctic . " Good morning , Mr. Vittorio ! " I echoed , keeping my voice polite and proper , though inwardly I rolled my eyes . " Hm . " He gave a curt nod , his face blank , as if we were just random strangers on the street . The other interns , though , were buzzing like they'd won the lottery , chattering about how " the CEO actually acknowledged us . " Once in the office , I dove headfirst into the stack of documents for the Phantom Game bidding project . My fingers flew across the keyboard , the data and charts on my screen practically making my eyes cross . This project involved a ten - million - dollar investment for Cortez Tech , and I didn't dare think too much about it . All I knew was that nailing this was my chance to prove myself . By noon , my colleagues were heading to the cafeteria in small groups , but I didn't even have time to look up . Forgot to eat ? Yeah , that's just another day for me . My coworkers had long ago nicknamed me " Workaholic . " My phone buzzed suddenly , and I glanced at the screen - an unknown number , but my gut told me it was him . I scanned the room to make sure no one was watching , then cautiously answered , keeping my voice low , " What's up ? " " No matter how important work is , you can't skip meals . " Marco's voice came through the receiver . 1 bit my lip , whispering , " Yeah , I got it . " " I'm in Suite 1818 at the Ritz Hotel , " he said , completely ignoring my feeble protest . " I'll be waiting . " And with that , he hung up , not giving me a chance to say no .