6. News Flash

Giovanni D'Errico is a bastard.

Not only had he failed to inform me of the wake-up time, but I also found myself startled awake by an unfamiliar alarm clock, the origin of which I couldn't comprehend. It nearly gave me a heart attack.

It took all my willpower not to strangle his smug face as he sat by the kitchen island carefully sipping coffee. He looked incredibly handsome in a well-fitted suit that accentuated his strong shoulders and neat physique.

"Not a morning person I see." He says looking at me over the brim of his mug.

I roll my eyes and sit down for breakfast. I wasn't in the mood for any irrelevant chit-chat.

I had on a simple blue blouse and a Christian Dior pencil skirt, prepared by Esmeralda. My hair was done up into a neat bun.

After breakfast we rode in his Mercedes Benz, it smelt exactly the same as that night. The drive was accompanied by a lovely tune on the radio. The ride was silent, I entertained myself by looking at the news online. I look up as we approach a spectacular building.

His office building was impressive looking. I had only ever seen it on television. It was even more magnificent up close. I couldn't believe I would be working somewhere like this.

As we pulled up to the grand entrance of the company, I could feel the stares of the employees on me. I could almost hear their thoughts -

'Who is this woman and what is she doing here?' I could feel my cheeks turning red as I stepped out of the car, trying my best to maintain a calm and confident demeanor.

As we walked through the bustling lobby, I couldn't help but notice the curious looks of the staff. Some of them were whispering to each other, while others blatantly stared at me.

From the way Giovanni walked you didn't need rocket science to figure out who was the boss here. The employees all stopped and greeted us- him to be specific as we passed and entered the elevator.

Giovanni stayed on the other side looking at something on his phone, I fidgeted with my handbag. An awkward silence filled the space.

"Relax".

I look up. Giovanni started at me, his face neutral. I relax my shoulders a bit.

What exactly was I going to be doing today? I mean I had never worked in a place like this before. The three years I had with Zachary I was a housewife and I wasn't allowed to work. Zachary had told me that I didn't need to work, I agreed and stayed at home.

"What qualifications do you have?" He finally breaks the silence.

"I majored in marketing at Berkeley College. I have a BA in digital marketing and an MBA in marketing. I worked at JXK as a content marketing manager for four years " JXK was a renowned app-developing company.

"Impressive." He nods, "Why marketing?" He asks.

"I guess I love the idea of creating and promoting products that connect with customers, find out what they love, what sells". I say.

The elevator door opens "Let's see what you got" He says as he leads me to his spacious corner office, which had a stunning view of the city. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as I looked around the room, imagining myself working here.

He presses a button on his desk and two minutes later, a tall, slender woman with blonde hair walks in. She was very attractive. She wore a fitted skirt with fishnet tights and a white blouse. She had a very lovely figure.

"Good morning sir," She greets.

"Good morning Sia, this is Emily Rivera, she will join the marketing team today"

I catch her slight look of shock before she reverts to her neutral face. She glances at me.

"Yes sir." She says "Let me show you to the marketing team." She says as I get up and follow her as she leads me out of the office.

My first task was to attend a meeting with the marketing team. Giovanni had warned me that it would be a fast-paced and intense meeting, but I was determined to prove myself. As we walked into the conference room, all eyes turned to me.

"Good morning everyone this is Emily D'errico, she will be a part of our team from now on" Sia says.

I could see the shock on their faces when they realized that I was going to be working with them.

I take a deep breath and take a seat at the table, trying my best to blend in. I greet them and they greet me back while I take a seat at the end of the table beside an Asian woman with bright red hair on a ponytail.

Once I was settled, Sia excused herself. They begin the meeting and I listen, taking notes furiously, trying to keep up with the discussions and proposals being thrown around. I could feel the pressure building up, but I refused to let it get to me.

Someone gets up and comes to my side, I didn't know what happened or whose fault it was. A loud thud interrupts the meeting and my coffee spills over the papers in the room. I stare shell shock at the mess. My blouse had a big ugly stain, the room fell silent as they all stare at the stain spreading on my shirt.

"Um excuse me please." I say quickly as I rush out of the office. I rush to the bathroom and frantically try to clean the mess. Oh no, not today, why does it always have to be me? I feel tears at the brim of my eyes and I force them back while taking more tissues.

I hear footsteps and voices coming towards the bathroom and I quickly enter into a cubicle.

The door opens shortly and the sound of footsteps rushes in.

"I heard she cheated on her husband with him, what a slut",

"She's with the marketing team, I don't like her, she seems dumb"

"She definitely married him for his money. A gold digger"

"I heard she was sent packing from Zachary's house"

"He'll leave her soon enough, everyone knows that Giovanni and Mia were destined for each other.

I take a deep breath and walk out of the bathroom as soon as she says that last statement.

They freeze like a deer caught in the headlights.

There were three. I recognize one of them from the meeting.

"Oh do go on, don't mind my interruption, just imagine I'm fly-on-the-wall".

I look at the one with bright red lipstick. Surprise and fear plastered on her face. She visibly gulps

"And next time you gossip try to have correct information before spreading lies about people okay?"

I walk out of the bathroom, angrily digging my heels in the ground. I needed to find Giovanni.

I take the elevator up. A stack of newspapers was sitting pretty on a stool. I grab one of them.

I heat up as I see the words written on them.

"Former wife of Zachary Lockwood involved in a love scandal with billionaire tycoon, Giovanni D'errico".

"Emily Rivera assaults Mia Leonardo at the Gala" A picture of me slapping Mia was plastered on the front page.

I look at the paper disbelievingly.

I make my way to Giovanni's office and throw open his office door violently.

I stop in surprise, a group of people was seated around his big table. He was apparently having a meeting. They all looked at me like I had come out of a circus, It seemed like they were in the middle of a heated discussion.

Oh shit!