Chapter 17

ISABELLA’S POV

A rush of desire, thrill, and nervousness surged through me, mingling into a dizzying whirl of emotions. The prospect of inviting Levi into my personal space stirred up a mix of excitement and apprehension that I struggled to contain.

As I sat there, the hum of the office around me seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heart and the swirling thoughts in my mind. It was only Wednesday, and already my life felt like it was hurtling towards an uncertain but undeniably thrilling destination this weekend.

What other surprises lay in store for me by the time Friday arrived?

Hmm. We’ll see.

June leaned in close when I'm drowning in my thoughts, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard Levi's planning to introduce his girlfriend to everyone on Friday," she murmured, her words igniting an unexpected flurry of fear and disappointment in my chest.

“Boss doesn't have a girlfriend,” I replied, my tone slightly incredulous, hoping to dispel the rumor before it took root.

“Shhh,” June cautioned, glancing around furtively to ensure no one was within earshot.

“Sorry,” I murmured, casting a glance around the office to gauge if anyone had noticed our hushed conversation.

“Well, we'll know for sure on Friday,” June continued with a mischievous smirk, leaving me to wonder what else she might know and what else she wasn't telling me.

“True, but Clara should be careful spreading rumors. With Boss cutting staff as quickly as he is, it could spell trouble for her,” I cautioned. “And stay away from her group.”

June shrugged nonchalantly. “I'm just here to listen. If someone gets caught, that's their problem.”

“You're right,” I conceded, though my mind couldn't help but swirl with thoughts about what Friday might bring.

“Anyway, back to the grind for me. We'll see on Friday if our boss is taken,” June said playfully, giving me a wink before sauntering back to her cubicle. Her departure left me with a fluttering heart and a tangled web of conflicting thoughts.

****

On Friday afternoon, Ferrari's corridors were filled with anticipation as employees traded their usual tailored suits for casual attire.

Conversations buzzed around the office, and it felt like a rare moment of informality. Unsure of Levi's intentions—whether he aimed to experiment with our productivity in a relaxed setting or to identify those not pulling their weight—I focused intensely on my work. Amidst occasional conversations with coworkers, I sensed a change in their attitudes towards me. Clara's manipulation tactics seemed to be nearing their end. If not why were my coworkers suddenly friendly to me?

While others enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, I remained dedicated to my task. Drawing from years of F1 incidents, I meticulously crafted a template for emergency responses. Delving into archives, I categorized how teams had handled crises—technical failures, on-track incidents, and controversial moments. Each document reviewed was added to my File of crisis management strategies.

By the morning’s end, I completed my draft, which filled me with relief. This will show Levi that I was dedicated to his dream of moving this company forward.

As I worked on my emergency response template, Levi's sudden appearance quieted the office. His presence drew everyone's attention, including mine, as I glanced up from my task to see him standing by my cubicle.

Leaning in over my desk, Levi peered at my computer screen. With a quick gesture, he scrolled through documents, his actions drawing my attention and that of my colleagues.

He slid the mouse, causing documents to scroll slowly across the desktop.

My thoughts, already racing with the intricacies of my work and the reason for his presence, struggled to fully concentrate under his gaze.

"Isabella," Levi's voice was calm yet authoritative as he called my name, "how's the template coming along?"

I straightened in my chair, meeting Levi's gaze with a nod. "It's nearly complete, just finalizing a few details."

Levi nodded approvingly. "Good work. Today is Casual Friday, you know," he remarked with a faint smile. "Take some time to relax a little. Send me the final draft next week."

A wave of relief washed over me. "Thank you, Boss. I'll make sure it's ready."

Levi's expression softened further. "You're doing a great job, Isabella. Keep it up." With that, he turned and left the office, his presence lingering briefly in the air.

I watched him go, grateful and motivated by his acknowledgment of my efforts. Levi's brief visit gave me a renewed sense of purpose as I wrapped up my tasks for the day.

With Levi's encouragement fresh in my mind, I finalized my template. The setting sun streamed through the windows, marking the end of another productive day at Ferrari. At that moment, I realized I wasn't just navigating the complexities of Formula 1 as an intern. I was a valued part of a passionate and precise team, guided by a leader who took the time to acknowledge me.

“Could Levi mean more to me than just a boss?” I wondered, clearing my desk for the weekend. Tonight, I'll dress so hot, that no one will be able to keep their eyes away.

I wondered what Mr. L would think about me trying to seduce Levi. The thought thrilled me.