𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐓 | #𝟏 ✔️

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

" unexpected visitors. "

"COME IN." RAINER says on the other side of the wooden door after I had knocked.

I struggle slightly in turning the handle and opening the door with the amount of files stacked in my other arm. I slam the door shut behind me, leaning on it as I nearly let my knees give in and fall to the floor.

"I have the files you requested for here, sir." I approach him slowly, holding up the various paper files in my hand. He taps on the empty spot on his desk which tells me I should put it there and I do so.

I sigh in relief, the weight on my arm is finally gone and I extend it out to stretch it. "Anything else?" I smile, intertwining my fingers with each other behind my back.

"Mm, not at the moment. You may go back to your desk, I'll just—"

There's the distant sound of three knocks coming from the door. I turn my head around to see no one but a closed door and my gaze shifts to Rainer.

He nods, doing the 'Go on' motion with his left hand and I walk hesitantly towards the closed door. The person on the other side knocks a few more times before I reach out for the door handle, opening it.

"Mr. and Mrs. Morelli!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, dear, it's Camilla and Malcolm." Mrs. Morelli—Or, Camilla—says, walking in with Malcolm next to her.

I smile as she presses her cheek against mine, making a kiss sound before she pulls away and walks into the office. Malcolm greets me with a nod which I, of course, return.

"Amore mio!" Camilla says, approaching Rainer with open arms and pulling him into his embrace. I can't help but smile at them, walking over to my desk as Malcolm takes a seat on the couch parallel to me.

"Hi mamma, perché la visita improvvisa?" Rainer asks, chuckling awkwardly while taking his seat, his eyes still focused on the monitor. She only shrugs, placing one hand at the edge of the marble desk and leaning on it.

"I heard you came back from Vegas! I had to come." She says with her thick Italian accent. I try to keep to myself at my desk, arranging meetings in an attempt to look busy, though it only makes it worse.

"So, Aurelia.." She trails off and I have never turned my head in the direction of a person faster.

"How come you're here? You should be staying at home, resting and letting my Rainer do the work." She chuckles, crossing one leg over the other and intertwining her hands in her lap.

"Oh— Well, I'm, uh, working!"

"What?" Her smile fades in less than a second and I look over to Rainer, who clears his throat.

"Ma, do you not remember? I told you she was someone from work, no?"

"No, no, no, Rainer. You said it was a woman you met who was interested in your field of work!" She argues and Rainer stands up from his chair, walking towards me.

He stands next to me, tall and stoic, placing his hand on the backrest of my chair as he rubs his temple with the other. She sighs, leaning back on the couch before parting her lips to speak again.

"Either way, I'm sure your employees were delighted to hear about your engagement!"

Oh shit.

"About that, Camilla.." I rub the back of my neck awkwardly.

"They don't know, mamma. And they won't."

Camilla scrunches her eyebrows, her gaze shifting between the two of us in disbelief. Her mouth hangs open and I can tell she's trying to say something but the words can't seem to come out.

"I'm so sorry, Camilla. We're trying to keep it low since we aren't sure how they'll react about it." I explain, bringing my hand down to my lap and forcing a smile.

"No.. No, I get it." She gives a pained chuckle.

"But you both know they will find out one way or another. Like when you get married, there's no avoiding that." Malcolm says and we both nod, exchanging a quick glance with each other.

Well, it's only if we get married.

After all, it's just a contract and if he decides that our relationship ends. It ends.

"Maybe your father and I can put out a statement."

My heartbeat suddenly increases and I part my lips to speak but Camilla cuts me off.

"We'll announce your engagement and clear any misunderstandings so it's sure no one has a problem with it."

I swallow my saliva, "I don't think that'll be necessary, Mrs. Morelli—"

"Camilla."

"Yes, right, Camilla. I don't really think we need that! I mean, we'll announce it when we're ready, which is definitely not now, and you both can help then!"

She chuckles, shaking her head and moving to stand up. She walks towards us and stands in front of my computer, looking down at me.

"I don't think you get how it is in an industry like this, Aurelia dear." She says, leaning down closer to me. "It's not that simple and most of the time, it is the richer ones parents to announce the engagement so—"

"Don't talk to her like that." Rainer harshly says, stepping the slightest bit closer to me.

He moves his hand down to my shoulder, holding it firmly while his grip tightens. Camilla scoffs, crossing her arms.

"Rainer, che dici? Sono tua madre." She scolds and I'm assuming she mentioned something about being his mother.

"Ma, look, you're being unreasonable. In the end it's still our decision." He defends me.

He defends us.

"You have to understand where your mothers coming from, Rainer. She only wants the best for your marriage." Malcolm stands up from his spot, walking towards us and standing proud next to Camilla.

"Me? Unreasonable? Puoi dirlo ma sai che ho ragione, cariño."

Rainer nearly moves forward, almost threatening his parents but the second my hand comes into touch with his, he stops. He freezes in place, turning his head in my direction and tilting it.

I shake my head, glaring at him and he immediately pulls back. He clears his throat but I can see his jaw clenching and I can feel how much he wants to roll his eyes right now.

"It's okay, Camilla. I get what you mean but, we will still have to think about it."

She nods slowly, taking a deep breath and stepping back. "Okay, I'm sorry. But the offer is up and you know Malcolm and I will be waiting." A small smile creeps up on her lips.

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