Chapter 96_ First Step

The next day at the office, Martina waved at Arya as she was heading to her desk, and she paused her step as she walked towards Martina. “Good morning, Arya.” Martina greeted.

"Good morning, Martina. How are you doing?" Arya responded,

"Pretty good, thank you. Busy, but good." Martina said,

“Yeah, it's kind of messy these days. By the way, can I ask you a question?” Arya asked, and when Martina nodded at her, she continued, “Since we all came from different corners of the world here, I was curious to know what made you decide that this was the place for you.”

Martina was taken aback by Arya's question but gave her response, “That's an interesting question. I couldn't decide between the Naples office and this one. But I choose to be here because it's smaller and cozier.”

Arya raised an eyebrow and asked, “What do you mean?"

Martina shrugged as she answered, "Well, it's important to me to have a good relationship with my colleagues. I thought it would be easier in a small office.”

"I see…" The phone on Martina’s desk rang, and as she reached to answer it, she accidentally bumped her handbag, making it fall on the floor and spill stuff everywhere.

“Oh, let me help you." Arya said, and she got down to pick up items when she spotted a pill container. Martina ignored the phone ringing and beat Arya to it, picking up the pills back in her handbag with everything else.

“Haha, thank you. I couldn't leave without my vitamins.” Martina said as she zipped up the bag and put it on the desk.

Arya narrowed her eyes at her as she mused silently, ‘Those weren't vitamins! They were anti-anxiety pills. Is she trying to protect her tough-cookie image, or doesn't she want me to know that she has something to do with Lewis's overdose?’

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should get to work.” Martina said as she fidgeted, avoiding eye contact with Arya.

"I want to ask you one last question, Martina.” Arya said,

“Sorry, Arya. I need to call back the client, and I have a couple of very urgent emails, so maybe another time.” Martina said, and she scurried away before Arya could stop her.

At that moment, the front door of the office opened, and Marco entered. Arya turned and smiled at him, “Hello, Marco. Can I ask you a couple of questions for the project?”

Marco frowned and said, “I’m busy." He walked past her and went to his office as he closed the door behind himself.

‘How come in this office everyone is busy but they can't get any work done? Nothing will ever function properly if the director keeps behaving like a child. I have to chat with Marco.’ Arya thought, and she walked to Marco's office as she opened the door and slammed it shut, giving Marco a stark look.

“Marco, you can't act like this. We are at the tipping point of the project. Everything is on the line, and I didn't do anything wrong.” Arya said, but got no response from Marco, who kept acting like she wasn't even in the room, was scrolling through emails, and was typing on his computer.

‘What a fucking kid.’ Arya cussed inwardly and moved closer to his desk as she shut the computer off and slammed her fist on the desk, boring an intent gaze at a surprised Marco. “I don't have the time for your tantrums, Marco. You’ll listen to whatever I have to say, okay?" Arya said calmly, but her voice was authoritative as she bored Marco with her gaze.

Marco blinked before nodding at Arya as he huffed in annoyance. “Alright, I’ll listen to whatever you want to say.”

Arya nodded. “Good. Let's settle this annoying feud between you and Kane. He did what he did because of the history he had with Evelyn and her bad reputation. Kane was worried about you.”

"I was happy, and he fucked everything up.” Marco said,

"He has the touch of a bulldozer, but you still have a chance to make this right.” Arya said, and Marco looked at her with furrowed brows.

“What are you talking about?” He asked,

"I'm talking about the fact that Evelyn is still in love with you. She keeps your picture on her desk; come on!”

"I… I don't know, Arya. I was devastated when we broke up. I couldn't handle it.” Marco said with a shake of his head.

Arya folded her arms and challenged him with her eyes: “Would you really give up on a life of happiness because you are scared?”

“Well, no, but if she wants to meet me, I’ll agree to it.” Marco said, and Arya sighed.

"Can't you just meet her?"

“No. Even admitting that Kane had good intentions, I never understood why the fuck she kissed him, and...” Marco stopped himself and continued, “The least she can do now is to take the first step.”

Arya took a deep breath; it was clear that words wouldn't take their conversation any further. She gave Marco a nod and said, “Can you please keep things together with Kane in the meantime? He hadn't stepped into this office because of you since we arrived in Italy, and I’m sure you and I know perfectly well that, he did that because he cared about you. After all, he’s also the rightful owner of the Maranello Enterprise, as much as his father is.”

Marco pinched the bridge of his nose and said with a sigh, "I’ll see what I can do.”