I raise a brow at her. “Spit it out, babe.”
“I just wanted to get an update on the Massimo situation.”
“There is no update. I’m going to continue on with my life like I did before Massimo ever propositioned me.”
“Have you heard from Alessia?”
“She said she’d be in today.” I glance at the watch on my wrist. “She should be here any minute, actually.”
“Have you talked to her since your meeting with her dad?”
“No,” I sigh out. “She’s been busy with a project for school, so I haven’t wanted to burden her with my failed attempt at helping her and her boyfriend.” I shake my head. “There has to be something else I can do.”
“I still can’t believe Massimo propositioned you like that.”
“I can,” I say, shaking my head. “He’s your typical made man. He’ll do whatever he wants to get what he wants.”
“It’s kind of romantic, but also very effed up. I can admit that. The way he went about it is a bit distasteful, but I don’t know. I’m telling you, when we went on that date, there was something about him.”
I open my mouth to speak, but we’re interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I call out.
Alessia walks in.
“Oh, hey, Alessia,” I say, and she smiles in return.
“I just wanted to see if there’s anything in particular you’d like me to work on today.” There’s something off with her tone, and when I look into her glazed-over eyes, I notice the red rim around them.
“Oh my gosh, Alessia, is everything okay?” I ask her.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” she says, doing her best to give me one of the fakest smiles I’ve ever seen. I know this girl way better than that.
“Sit down,” Izzy urges, gesturing to the seat next to her.
“It’s really nothing,” Alessia says, trying to shake us off.
“Alessia, please, take a seat and talk to us,” I say, and she reluctantly agrees.
“I feel like I’ve been bringing my personal problems to work too much lately.”
“Hey, we might be your bosses, but we’re your friends too. Anytime you need to talk, you can always come to either of us. You know that’s how it’s always been,” I say.
A small smile pulls at her lips.
“Is this about Colton and your dad?”
She gives me a small nod.
“I’ve been meaning to speak with you about that, but I was trying to come up with another plan before doing so.”
“You talked to him?”
“I did… and he refused to take my money.”
She lowers her gaze to her lap. “Figures. I don’t think any amount of money could sway my dad at this point. He just wants to have complete control over us.”
The sullen look on her face kills me. Alessia has always been an extremely put together person. Even through all this stuff with her dad, the times I’ve seen her, she’s maintained a professional mask. From the outside looking in, you would have no idea her life has been in complete chaos.
