The Italian Billionaire and His Run Away Bride

Chapter 3

I stood frozen on the spot. Samuel's eyes widened when he saw me and quickly put away his gun.

Out of reflex, I automatically ran as fast as I could. I looked behind me to see if they followed me, but thankfully they didn't.

In less than 20 minutes, I reached my apartment. I was panting so hard and slumped on the floor. The scene keeps on repeating in my mind the man's lifeless body—the shock on Samuel De' Luca's face when he saw me.

How could that beautiful face be so cruel and kill a man in cold blood? Why did he have to ruin my illusions about him?

I have fantasized about him so many times I lost count. I have all the magazines that have his face plastered on the covers. He was my Prince Charming, for God's sake! Samuel De' Luca, the Italian Billionaire, most sought after bachelor, the Hotel magnate.

He is tall, dark, and very handsome. He has dark brown hair that I longed to run my fingers through, long lashes, and a chiseled jawline. His eyes were a spring storm when the sun was coming out. The greys and blues mixed beautifully—the color of a powerful storm coming in holding both danger and beauty.

I would stare into those beautiful eyes for hours, imagining him staring at me. I even talk to his photo when I needed someone to talk to. I tell him about my day at school, my work, and my obnoxious boss.

But my obsession with him seemed to vanish in thin air after what I saw. Infatuation turned to fear. Will he recognize me if he saw me again? Should I run for my life and hide in the mountains?

God! My head is spinning, and I can feel a splitting headache is coming. I stood up from the floor, went to my room, took off all my clothes, and then grabbed my towel. I need a steaming bath. Maybe it will help me relax a bit.

After my bath, I went to my small kitchen and made myself dinner. All those adrenaline rush made me hungry. I fixed myself a sandwich and grabbed a bottle of water from my fridge. I went back to my room, grabbed my laptop, and scan through my emails while I took a big bite from my sandwich.

I have been waiting for an email from the companies I've applied to. I can't believe I'm almost done with school. I am so excited to start a career and use my Business Ad skills. Then I saw one reply from a company I'm not expecting. I've applied to this company a month ago, hoping I would see him there.  I opened the email and read it. It says;

     Dear Miss Parker, we really appreciate your interest in our company, and we want to thank you for the time you invested in sending your job application. After carefully reviewing your application, we are happy to tell you that you are one of the chosen few to undergo an interview with the CEO tomorrow at 9 am sharp. Please let us know if you are available on that day or not.

Regards,

Amanda Blake

Head of the Human Resource Department

De' Luca Enterprise

I am now conflicted, whether to accept the invitation or not. This is my dream to be able to work in a big company like De' Luca Enterprise.

But now that I know what kind of a man the CEO is, I'm not sure if I wanted to work for him anymore. Right when I was about to decline the offer, my phone rings. I picked it up and saw an unknown number. I hit the answer button.

" Hello?" I asked hesitantly.

" Hello, I am looking for Miss Cassandra Parker?" The woman said in a very formal voice.

" Yes, this is she? May I know who this is?" I asked the woman on the other line.

" This is Amanda Blake of De' Luca Enterprise, I am sorry to have called you at this time of the night, but Mr. De' Luca is requesting your presence tomorrow at 9 am for your interview? He saw your application and resume and was very impressed by your credentials. Will you be able to come tomorrow?" She asked.

" Ahm, Miss Blake, as tempting as it is, but I have to decline your offer. I happen to find a job elsewhere and accepted it. Please extend my apology to Mr. De' Luca, and thank you for taking the time to call me personally." I respectfully declined her request and praying she will take a hint and drop the whole thing.

But before she can answer, the phone was snatched from her, and a hoarse and seductive voice of a man can be heard on the other line.

" I'll be expecting you at my office tomorrow morning, Miss Parker, and I don't take no for an answer." And the line went dead.

What has just happened? Was that Samuel? Even his voice makes my insides squirm. Everything about him is hot. His looks, body, and voice, but I didn't particularly appreciate how he ordered me, as if I am one of his workers.

Well, Mr. De' Luca, You can wait all you want tomorrow, but I am not going. I will avoid him from now on. He is trouble in the flesh, a devil incarnate. Even if he is so yummy and so irresistible, I will keep my distance.

I will pretend I didn't see anything. I don't think he recognized me at all. It was so dark in that alley, and I ran right after I recovered from my shock. There's no way he'd recognized me, right? Then my phone dinged, a text message came in.

Please do not keep me waiting, Cassandra. I am a very impatient man, and my time is precious. I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning—Samuel De' Luca.

My eyes widened in shock. He texted me! Samuel De' Luca texted me! My heartbeat quickened, and I stared at the message for a few minutes.

He knew! He recognized me! Why else would he want to see me tomorrow? Is he going to kill me too? I dropped the phone and grabbed my hair. I am going crazy.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. He saw my resume and was interested in hiring me. It doesn't mean he knows it was me in that dark alley, right?

Yes, yes, it was just a coincidence. It doesn't mean anything. So I grabbed my phone again and started to reply to his message.

Mr. De' Luca, thank you so much for considering me for this position, but I am sorry, I am no longer available to work for your company. I wish you all the best and more power. - Cassandra Parker.

I hit the send button and waited for the message to send. I grabbed my plate and bottled water and went out of my room to wash the dishes.

After I'm done, I went back to my room and turned off my laptop, put it aside to get ready for bed. I turned off my lamp and settled down in my pillows.

My body relaxed, and I was drifting off to sleep when my phone sounded again, indicating a text message. I opened it and stared in shock at his reply.

I'll see you tomorrow, Cassandra, do not be late. Sweet dreams, Tesoro ( darling)."

Ugh! This overbearing man! Why can't he take no for an answer? He thinks I will cave in just because he used an Italian endearment on me! I'm not gonna answer him. I am not going, let him wait!