*song that goes with the chapter - Ella - Junior H

                                                                                Alexandra's Pov

I woke up to my alarm blaring at 5:30 in the morning, swinging my legs off the bed and standing up, stretching, hearing my back crack as I moved from side to side. "I'm getting old," I said as I walked to the bathroom, grabbing my toothbrush and brushing my teeth. I walked back into my bedroom, opening the door to my walk-in closet before looking at my wardrobe. "what am I wearing today?" I said as I ran my hands over the thousands of suits I owned. I wore a dark green and blue striped suit, a white button-up, and green-heeled boots.

 "Anna!" I called out of my bedroom door, waiting to hear the little old lady I had known most of my life climbing up the stairs. She stood in front of me with a smile on my face. 

"sì amore, cosa posso fare per te?" she asked as she entered my room.

Yes, love, what can I do for you? 

"puoi stirarli, per favore, bella?" I asked as I looked down at her with loving eyes.

Can you iron them, please? beautiful

 "Certo amore mio, li avrò pronti quando torni a casa dalla palestra," she said as she reached up and cupped my cheek.

Sure, my love, I'll have them ready when you get home from the gym.

 I thanked her and returned to my closet to get my gym clothes. Every day was pretty much the same for me. I wake up at 5:30, head to the gym, go to work, and then come home. On some days, I'd hang out with my dad, but for the most part, I would be at the office most nights. I couldn't deny that I was excited to go to work today and see Ryan. Even though she had turned me down on Friday night, I wouldn't let that stop me. 

"Amore mio, dove sei?" a familiar masculine voice called from inside my room. 

Where are you, my love

I mentally groaned as I wrapped a towel around myself and put a fake smile on. 

"Marco, I didn't expect you," I said as I approached him and lightly kissed his cheek. His strong arms wrapped around me, and the scent of Chanel blue filled my nostrils.

 "I missed you, my love, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever, and if I came home, our fighting would stop." his rough hands slid down my body, grabbing my ass. 

"Mmm, well, I have work; I can't be late," I said as I tried to pull away, but he hugged me closer, kissing my neck.

 "mi sei mancata, amore mio. Puoi fare tardi questa volta." I rolled my eyes. Of course, he asked me to be late, but ultimately, I needed a release, and he offered.

I missed you, my love. You can be late this time.

 "fine." I couldn't help but laugh as he flung the towel off my body and onto the floor.

 "you get more beautiful every time I see you," he said as he trailed kisses down my neck to my chest before ultimately ending up on his knees. "let me please you, my love; let me make it up to you."

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I walked into the office 2 hours late. "good morning, ms. leone, your dad is expecting you in his office." Alice called from her desk. I already knew my father was going to be pissed, but it was one time I'd never been late. I entered my office, setting my briefcase on my desk before walking towards my dad's office. I glanced over and smiled, seeing Ryan hard at work and talking to a client on the phone. I tore my eyes away before walking into my dad's office.

 "Marco is back, hmm?" he asked as he sat in his chair, his hands folded over his chest disapprovingly. 

"Ann," I said, shaking my head.. what a snitch.

 "I am 30 years old; I work my ass off; sometimes I just need some time to myself," I said as I sat down on the chair in front of him. He looked at me and raised his eyebrow, automatically getting what I hinted. 

"That's all that man is good for, apparently," he said as he looked through some files on his desk. 

"The Dalca family is coming in today. I was hoping you could meet with them and prepare them for their citizenship test next month. I have already asked Ms. Martinez to help you out," her father said as he slid the file to her. He stood up, straightening his suit jacket before looking at me threateningly.

"I am leaving my entire world to you, Alexandra. I know you work hard and are trying your best, but I can't have you coming in late when we have clients needing your help. You are what will keep this place running when I decide to retire; please don't disappoint me." 

I knew when my dad was pissed because his Italian accent became more and more prevalent the heated he got. he stood up, straightening his suit jacket before coming around his desk and placing his arms on my shoulders, pulling me into his embrace.

 "I only want the best for you, my child. I love you so much."

 I knew my dad loved me and why he was demanding. Although I had a big family back in Italy, it was just my dad and me in the States, and when he decided to return to Italy, it was just going to be me here, and I had to learn how to survive without him. I hugged him back and kissed his cheek.

 "I love you too, papa," I said before pulling away.

 "Now get to work!" he yelled teasingly as I walked out the door. 

"Ms. Martinez, to my office; we have much to discuss," I said as I walked past her desk, not bothering to wait for her as I continued to walk to my office. I heard her scramble out of her seat before quickly following after me. 

"have a good weekend?" I asked her as I sat at my desk, placing the file on top and smiling at the girl. 

She was cute, her brows furrowed in concentration while working or doing her homework, and her naturally plump lips always held my attention when she talked; I wasn't afraid to admit that I had wished it was her on her knees in front of me this morning. She looked down at her hands, blushing before looking back at me. 

"I had a great time, actually; what about you?" she asked, her eyes searching my face for any clue as to what I would say. 

"It was pleasant," I said with a shrug as I pulled papers from the file. 

"let's get to work before the Dalcos get here," I said, and she nodded.

 As we reviewed the files in my office, I left lingering touches, always lightly touching her hand or thigh. Call it sexual harassment or whatever you want, but she didn't seem to mind; she would blush, laugh, and push my hand away when I let it linger for too long. Lunch came and went, and we were now at the end of our work day. 

"Is that why you were late today?" Ryan asked with an amused smile as we packed up and headed home. 

I looked at her, confusion written all over my face. 

"what do you mean?" I tilted my head to the side as I asked her; she let out a laugh as she pointed to my chest; still confused, I turned to the mirror in my office, and my eyes couldn't help but pop out of my head, a big red hickey on my left boob, I couldn't believe Marco, he knew I couldn't have anything like that in my line of work. 

"It looks like you had a pleasant time this weekend," she said with a smirk before leaving my office. 

To say I was flabbergasted was an understatement; I was going to kill Marco when I got home; he knew he wasn't supposed to leave marks on me like this; it was unprofessional; what would my clients think if they saw me like this? I'm not some whore... well, maybe not anymore, but that's not the point. Ryan noticed the hickey before I did, and that meant she was staring at my chest again, which was precisely why I had unbuttoned a few of the top buttons on my shirt this morning before coming into the office. 

"Marco!" I screamed as I walked through the door of my condo; I was seething all the way home. I couldn't believe that he would leave a hickey on me like that. 

"yes, amore?" he said with a smile as he walked into the foyer, taking my briefcase and setting it down on the table before walking behind me and taking my coat off.

"Don't act sweet with me; look what you did!" I said through gritted teeth

he looked at me with a smug smile, wrapping his arms around my waist. "what's the problem? It's not my fault you don't cover up while at work." he said matter-of-factly as he kissed my cheek. 

"Come, my love. I made dinner. I gave Ann the night off to spend some time together." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the kitchen.

 When the fresh smell of basil hit my nose, I couldn't help but salivate. Sure, Ann cooked all the time, but there was something about fresh ingredients from Italy that made everything smell so much better. 

"Pesto pasta with chicken, fresh bread, and mozzarella." He pulled a chair from the island in the middle of the kitchen and gestured for me to sit down. 

I was grateful for Marco sometimes. Sure, he was a pain, and I wasn't in love with him, but I cared for him deeply. We met when I was in high school. He had just moved here from Italy, and my father was helping his family get citizenship in the States. I remember him being the shy kid who barely spoke English. I was his first friend, and we had spent so much time together in our younger years that it made sense that we were together. Eventually, he started growing into his looks and getting scouted by modeling agencies, and that is when we began to drift apart. Don't get me wrong, I was super happy for him; he was always into photography, but when he started drinking, partaking in the occasional use of drugs, and cheating, that's when I was no longer interested. I was no saint either; throughout college, I would hook up with girls every weekend, and I was nowhere near the level that he was on. I had a legacy to uphold. Eventually, I just got used to the cheating and him never coming home that I didn't care if we were together anymore. I enjoyed his company when he came to visit because it was like my best friend was back, but other than that, there were no romantic feelings, and he knew that. He knew we would never be together and had both accepted that long ago. As for my father, he cared for Marco like a son but wasn't happy about his choices in life, and that's why he didn't like him anymore. 

"Thank you, Marco. I appreciate you," I said with a smile as he set the plate before me.

"I know I haven't been around more, but I had to come to see my favorite girl," he said as he came around the island and kissed the side of my head. 

A smile appeared on my face, not a sarcastic one like this morning, but a genuine one. 

"So what's been going on? Are you dating anyone?" he said as he nudged my shoulder. "I've never seen you get so mad over a hickey." He laughed as he returned to the stove to fix himself a plate. 

"No, but there is this intern at work; she's breathtaking," I sighed. I felt like I was in high school again. 

"Intern, huh?" he said as he smiled at me. "Thinking about mingling with someone in the workplace. Tsk, tsk," he said with a laugh. "Naughty, naughty, papa wouldn't be so happy about that." 

I took a bite of the pasta, letting a moan escape my lips because it tasted so good. "I know, I know, but her story, her face... something about her makes me feel... come si dice... like a lion waiting in the bushes to pounce on a gazelle." 

We laughed at the same time at my dramatic explanation.

"It's a little dramatic, but I know she can't resist you for long, amore; when you set your sights on something, you usually get what you want," he said with a knowing look.

I nodded, knowing he was right, but I wondered if I should go for it. I knew she wanted to work for the company after her internship was over, and I did not want to make it awkward for her, especially if anything terrible happened; I didn't want to have to be the one to tell her that she wouldn't get hired. Her work was great, and the way she treated the clients with such care was admirable, to be completely honest, and I did not want to be the cause of her dreams not coming true. I also knew that if I went for it and it didn't work, I would write her a great letter of recommendation, and I knew my father would, too. 

"Dont stress on it Alexandra, se Dio vuole che tu l'abbia, l'otterrai." He said before taking a bite of the pasta. 

If God wants you to have it, you will get it.