Charlotte's POV

When I wanted to say something, he raised his hand, stopping me.

"Let me finish, please. I am not planning to ask you to give me a chance again. Don't worry." He gave me a sad smile and continued. "I understood I don't have a chance. You don't have romantic feelings towards me. I know very well you can't order a heart to love or stop to love. So I won't insist anymore." He breathed deeply, running his hand through his hair.

I ruffled my hair and nibbled my lower lip without knowing what to say. I didn't want to hurt his feelings anymore.

"I talked to Nathan before coming here and told him what I am going to tell you." He took a deep breath and continued. "I wish you happiness, Lottie. I won't ask for any chance again. However, I would like to stay friends." He gave me a hopeful look.

"I don't want to lose our friendship either. You are dear to me. You are really a good person, Lucca." I gave him a bright smile.

"Well..." He sighed as he stood up. "I have to go. See you later, angel."

"Take care!" I gave him a warm smile and kissed his cheek. He smiled brightly and hugged me after placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

When he was about to leave, I asked in curiosity. "Did you delete the photos?"

Lucca bit his lower lip shyly and shook his head. "I don't think I have the heart to delete them now. Maybe one day..." He gave me a faint smile. "But don't worry. I won't repeat the same mistake again. I will be careful this time. No one will find them again. Take care of yourself, angel." He replied, giving me a warm smile.

"See you later. Good luck on the race." I stated warmly.

"Thank you." He winked at me before the elevator door closed.

***

After chatting with my mother in the mansion, I went to see my father in his office before leaving. My mom informed me that he had a guest, and they hadn't left the office since they arrived. She mentioned that the guest was a young handsome gentleman, and he was going to join them for dinner this evening. She asked me to join them as well, but I declined because I had a dinner meeting with the editor of the famous fashion magazine.

I knocked on the door and opened it as I heard my father's permission.

"You?!" My jaw dropped in shock as I saw who was with my father.

Two ocean blue eyes focused on me, and the annoying Greek gave me a cocky smirk.

"You know each other?" My father asked, puzzled.

"Unfortunately." I mumbled under my breath. However, the jerk heard it and smirked slyly.

"Yes. She works for my agency." He replied arrogantly.

"Not yours, ours." I retorted and gave him a murderous look. "And for now. In the future it will be only mine." I added confidently.

Alexis smirked, amused and stood up. "Hopes die last."

"You!" I clenched my fist, giving him a death glare.

He grinned, making me madder, and turned towards my father. "I am glad we agreed. I will call you about the details." He stated firmly.

"Good. But next time you will have dinner with us." My father gave him a warm smile as he stood up and shook Alexis' hand.

"I promise. If it wasn't so urgent, I wouldn't cancel it. I am sorry." Alexis gave my father an apologetic look.

"I hope there is nothing serious." My father said hopefully. The Greek jerk nodded and left before giving me a cocky smirk.

I rolled my eyes and collapsed into the armchair as soon as the asshole closed the door behind him.

"What was that idiot doing here?" I frowned in annoyance.

Even if seeing him at the agency wasn't enough, now he was chatting with my father in our mansion. It was unbelievable! As much as I wanted to get rid of him, I bumped into him everywhere I went.

My father raised his eyebrow as he sat down and pursed his lips together.

"We met at an event a few days ago. He had a new project on his mind and mentioned it to me. His idea was interesting. So when he mentioned he had been looking for a business partner, I suggested that we did the project together. Yesterday, we signed a contract." My father replied and unbuttoned his suit jacket, leaning back against his seat.

What the heck?!

"So we will work together. He told me about his old projects. Moreover, I ordered to investigate him before the contract as I always do with new business partners, and what I heard about him was quite good. His company flourished after he took over it after his father's death."

His father died?

I didn't know about it. However, it seems I didn't know him properly despite the fact this Greek god knows me quite well.

Maybe he investigated me like my father did?!

"I should admit he is impressive. Definitely a smart kid." My father resumed, interrupting my thoughts.

"Don't praise that idiot, Dad. You don't know him very well. He is the most annoying person on Earth, and he tried to steal my agency." I scowled and furrowed my eyebrows.

My father grinned, amused. "Your agency?"

"You know, Dad. I mentioned to you that I wanted to buy the agency I work for. But that idiot agreed with Mrs. Diaz's brother and bought the agency without her approval. Meanwhile, I convinced her to sell the agency to me and we signed a contract. And when I found out her brother sold it to someone else, I was shocked." I breathed deeply, ruffling my hair. "However, I will get rid of him soon." I said, determined.

My father pursed his lips together, trying to hide his smile. "Good luck! It will not be easy. He is a smart kid as I said before. Moreover, he doesn't look like a man who gives up easily." He gave me a knowing look.

"We will see." I said arrogantly, giving him a devilish smirk. My father grinned in amusement. I cleared my throat and asked softly. "Umm... Dad, could you give me the information your detective found about him?"

He raised his eyebrow and asked, giving me a sly smirk. "Why?"

"He is my co-partner. So I want to know about him." I looked at him with puppy eyes.

"Hmm... I will think about it." He said, rubbing his chin, pretending to think.

"Dad! Please." I pleaded.

He burst out laughing. "Fine." He nodded and opened the drawer. He pulled the file out of it and extended it towards me.

I grabbed it, excited and looked at it wickedly.

Let's see who you are, Mr. Stavros.

"Thank you, Dad. You are the best." I gave him a grateful look and approached him. I kissed his cheek happily.

"Crazy girl!" He commented, amused.

After saying goodbye, I left the office hurriedly. I looked forward to staying alone and reading the information.

I poured a glass of wine for myself as soon as I arrived at my penthouse and took off my heels. Then I sat down on the couch and started reading the information about Alexis.

I frowned, rubbing my forehead, and closed the file. There was information about his education, hobbies, projects and parents. I should admit he was successful as my father said. However, there was nothing about his personal life; no information about if he had a wife, fiancée or girlfriend. So strange! Maybe, my father asked the information just about his professional life.

I breathed deeply, annoyed as I threw the file onto the coffee table and sipped my wine.

***

As soon as I finished my photoshoot, I went to see Nathan in the hotel. We planned to have dinner together.

Once I approached his office door, I noticed it was ajar. There was the same girl who I bumped into a few times when I visited Nathan here. Her name was Victoria. She had recently started working here. She was a room service server. However, there was something different in her. Her posture, speech and behavior made you think she was a princess or duchess. Despite the fact she was fluent in English, if you listened to her attentively, you could notice her slight accent.

"Shit!" Nathan exclaimed in pain and stood up abruptly as she stumbled and spilled the coffee on his pants.

"I am sorry, sir." She said, panicked and tried to clear it.

"Don't touch me." Nathan stated angrily and grabbed some tissues.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Carter." She gave him an apologetic look.

"You may leave." Nathan stated in an authoritative tone without looking at her.

She nodded and walked towards the door sadly. Her cheeks were crimson red.

I instantly knocked at the door and walked in. She greeted me politely and left quickly, closing the door behind her.