Harper's POV

The journey to work this morning was full of tension. Angelo barley spoke and I was left to twiddle my thumbs next to the brooding Adonis , I tried to distract myself but the atmosphere In the car was almost suffocating. I prayed that the long queue of traffic in front of us would disperse quickly so I could escape and tuck myself away in my office and take cover from the storm that was undoubtedly brewing.

The moment I stepped into my office the door connecting mine and Angelo's offices slammed shut , I was surprised that the force of the slam didn't shatter every window on this floor. I looked at my diary that was placed on my desk, and one of the post-it notes scribbled down in handwriting that a 4 year old would be proud of was a reminder to myself , call Mr Black 2 arrange lunch meeting. Well shit , looks like it's time to poke the bear.

I knocked on the door gently and waited to be called in, moments later the door swung open in front of me. This was a bear that I didn't want to poke or go anywhere near at this point, I could see the raw anger radiating from his body, and it scared me slightly. I'd never seen him like this before, I saw a similar look on his face when he caught me dancing on the stage in Opal a few months ago, but that was more discontentment than fury.

"D-Do you want me to arrange that meeting with Mr Black for this afternoon or shall I tell him you're unavailable for today?" Curse you and your inability to form a sentence without stuttering, I screamed at myself inwardly. This is Angelo you're speaking to not some tyrant.

"I'll sort it." His voice came out clipped and cold.

"Are you sure I don't...."

" I SAID I'LL SORT IT." The sheer volume of his voice shocked me, but what shocked me more is that his outburst had left a lump in my throat, and my eyes feeling damp.

I turned and walked out of the office without even looking back , quietly shutting the door I slid down it and placed my head on my knees. An almighty smash came from the other side of the door causing me to flinch slightly. I wanted to know what was eating him up so much but there was no way in hell that I'd be going back in there any time soon. I decided that sitting on the floor wasn't doing me any good and that the best thing to keep my mind of things was to bury myself in work until all of this mess blows over.

2 hours later and I felt much better , I had organised and noted down all of Angelo's business meetings for the next 2 weeks along with noting down messages that had either been left for Angelo personally on the phone in my office or passed onto me by one of the receptionists.

The computer screen in front of me lit up, and a small ping sounded from the speakers. It was an E-mail, more importantly, an E-mail from Angelo.

To: Harper

From: Angelo

Why aren't you answering your phone? Have you lost the use of your hands? Come into my office once you've read this.

I glared at the screen completely dumbfounded. I went to where I had placed my bag across the room and pulled out my phone. 5 missed calls and 3 text messages , all from Angelo. I walked over to the coffee machine and fired it up , there was no way I was going back in there without a peace offering , maybe he'd tell me what was wrong if I plied him with enough coffee.

"I know this isn't going to be as good as those fancy lattes were used to in our coffee shop but it's the best I could do , besides you look like you need some." Placing the mug of hot liquid down along with several sugars and a small pot of milk , I took a seat in front of Angelo's desk and waited for him to start talking.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you earlier , I shouldn't have raised my voice like that. Especially not at you" his voice came out quiet and his eyes never left the coffee cup in his hands. The rage was still there but he seemed to have better control over it than he did a few hours ago. "You didn't upset me , you just shocked me that's all. I knew you weren't right this morning in the car , is it anything I can help you with?" I wished for him to look at me , I wanted nothing more than to see his beautiful blue eyes even though I knew they'd be the deepest shade of blue I still wanted him to look at me , just so I could get a read on how he was feeling.

"There's nothing you can do Harper , even though I appreciate the offer. Even if there was I wouldn't want you to get involved in this , it's easier that way." He was cryptic but I knew I shouldn't push for information , not when he was feeling this wound up.

"Is there anything I can get for you?"

"No I'm fine , but thank you though. I'll be leaving the office at 1 but I promise I'll be back in time to give you a lift home"

"Angelo , if you need me to get a taxi home it's fine I don't mind."

His eyes finally lifted up from his coffee cup and met mine , I gave him a small smile and his features softened slightly and his eyes looked slightly brighter.

"You will do no such thing; I will take you home. As I said, I give you my word that I will be back in time to take you home, Harper".

"Thank you, Angelo , you've got a few messages from various businesses, but they can wait until you come back." I stayed there chatting for a while, Angelo's mood had improved slightly, but there was still something in the air that left me feeling uneasy.

Half an hour later and I was back in my office, there were a few contracts I had to go through and organise before they were ready to print off. Half way through the second contract, my phone buzzed.

To: Harper

From: Angelo

I'm leaving for the meeting

I shouldn't be too long. I'll text

You when I'm on my way back.

Don't work too hard while I'm gone.

Even in his atrocious mood, he hadn't lost his sense of humour; I quickly typed back a message.

To: Angelo

From: Harper

I wouldn't dream of it, sir. Hope the meeting

Goes well. See you later.

I placed my phone back on my desk and got back to work, hoping that when Angelo returned in a few hours that he'd be in a better mood.

Angelo Deluca's POV

I hated myself for snapping at Harper this morning. I lost control, and I hated myself for it, it wasn't a secret to the people that knew me slightly that my anger sometimes got the better of me, but I rarely lost it like that. The look on her face would be one I wouldn't forget, her lip quivered, and her beautiful eyes that were usually so full of life and mischief had filled up with tears.

My fists were clenched so hard that my knuckles had turned white. I can't believe I was going to negotiate with the devil , we'll the devils father but it wasn't news to anybody that Jessica had her poor stupid father wrapped around her manicured finger.

Simon Black was one of my father's closest business associates, and in turn, that's how I ended up meeting Jessica, like me she had grown up with everything she had ever wanted, but in the end, it had turned her into a spoilt and manipulative woman. 

A part of me tried to remember when she wasn't a money hungry monster that wanted nothing more than the newest Jimmy Choo collection or the most expensive item of jewellery from Cartier but I couldn't. People were right; love is blind.

I pulled up outside the bistro I had arranged to meet Simon in , I cracked my knuckles and took a deep breath. There were a million other places I'd rather be than having a lunch meeting with this dick , but it had to be done. 

I just hoped that he hadn't brought his offspring with him , I still wasn't overly sure whether the man knew why I called of the relationship with his daughter and I doubt Jessica would have told him that she'd been caught out fucking one of the senior board members.

I walked into the bistro and was led over to the table where Simon was already sat.

"Simon, it's good to see you."

"Likewise Angelo, sit we have much to discuss. Firstly are you eating."

"No, I'd rather get this sorted as quickly as possible Simon, I'm a busy man. I don't have time for idle chit chat; I came here to discuss business.

The table fell silent for a while , I could see the cogs in the man's brain turning. I wasn't the same man I was before I lost my father , meetings were now strictly for business and pleasantries were reserved for out of work hours.

" So, Simon, why did you bring me here. Couldn't this meeting have been done over the phone?" I was already tired of this, and the old man was already shifting uncomfortably in his seat, no wonder his daughter walks all over him. The man lacks any form of spine.

" I've come to talk to you about Jessica , Angelo"

As soon as her name left his lips I knew this whole thing had been a setup , if she hadn't forced her father into doing this then she was the one that planted the seed. I rose from the table , my chair scraping across the floor.

"No Angelo wait, at least hear me out before you leave."

" I might as well, seeing as you have dragged me out here and away from my office when this conversation could have been had over the phone" I was beyond furious.

" I love my daughter very much Angelo , she is my most prized possession. I'd give her anything to make her happy. But at the moment she isn't happy , all she does is spend her time moping about the hotel and whenever either me or her mother try to get her to talk to us about what's wrong she bursts into tears. I know you and her are going through a rough patch , she did manage to tell us that you too had a little disagreement a few months ago , but Angelo don't you think it's time for you to both have a talk and sort this mess out. You were both so happy with each other , it'd be a shame to see this all being thrown away due to a silly little argument you were together for almost 6 years."

I was livid; the old man had no idea what had gone on; it's time for me to enlighten him on what his darling daughter had been up to behind closed doors.

"I'm guessing she didn't tell you why we had this little disagreement?"

"No Angelo she didn't , I was hoping you could shine a little light on the situation"

" I caught her screwing one of my senior board members in his office 2 weeks after my father had died , I fired the man and I told her she had till the end of the day to remover her stuff from the penthouse or it'd be outside the door or sold." I took a slow deep breath trying to suppress my anger but it kept on rising.

"And if you ever, ever lure me here again on the false pretence of a business meeting Simon, there will be hell to pay. Or are you forgetting who owns your company? I will liquidate it faster than you can blink and don't think I won't. I'm not a man you want to mess with Simon; I'm not like my father. So I suggest you keep your daughter away from me and my business and we won't have a problem. Are we clear?"

The old man just nodded. "Good , it was pleasant talking with you Simon. Goodbye" and with that I left , making my way back to where Craig had parked the limo. 

I needed to get back to the office and throw myself into work , it was the only way I could keep myself from combusting. I pulled out my phone and text harper to let her know I was on my way back. Climbing into the back of the limo , I sunk into the cool leather seats. 10 more minutes and I'd be back in my office and most importantly , back beside Harper.

A/N

Super sorry for the late update ! My week has been so hectic ! Next update is Friday as normal ❤️

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