Page 15 of Forbidden Deception

“I think you might get this a lot, but you and your brothers look so much like each other, it’s crazy.”

Eiran walks over to me and looks at my screen, leaning down to focus.

The door bursts open, and there stands Rafael, looking far more pissed than I have ever seen him so far. There is something about Rafael that just makes me nervous, like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Maybe he is my first crush. Back in London, I didn’t truly pay attention to any man, nor did they ever catch my attention like the way Rafael does.

His presence alone makes me feel hot and bothered, like I will truly combust if he were to finally touch me with desire.

But that’s an impossible dream.

“Eiran. My office,” he grits out, his jaw ticking, though his body looks so relaxed you could almost mistake him for not caring.

I don’t think he likes his brothers around me. They are nicer than he is, at least, but he clearly hates them being around me. Maybe he thinks poorly of me or that it’s unprofessional of me to interact with them, but I never gave him the impression of ever crossing boundaries like that.

I may be outspoken, but I’m not one to disrespect someone’s boundaries.

“Rafael, I was just asking Venezia here to show me your schedule because you are ignoring my messages. You know you will need to be there for the dinner Dad is hosting at the end of this month, right?” Eiran straightens but doesn’t move from his spot.

“I fucking know. Let’s discuss it in my office.” Then he turns and leaves, silently commanding Eiran to join him.

Eiran looks down at me with a calm smile, unlike his older brother, and nods at me.

“Well, seems like I got his attention. My job is done.” He salutes me, then walks out.

A second later, he pops his head back in.

“Don’t mind his attitude. He feels protective about everything around him.”

I nod weakly at him.

He’s right. Rafael doesn’t want me around anything personal to him. It makes sense, but it still stings to know he doesn’t trust me enough.

“I didn’t ask for this.”

I place the coffee on the table. It’s past office hours, and Rafael is still working. I’m not only keeping him company but also giving him pointers on current projects and looking at financial reports from the hotels he owns.

“I thought you might like it. You look a little tired.”

Rafael lets go of his pen and sits back, looking right at me.

“Venezia Campbell.”

I smile weakly. “Yes?” It has been a long, long day today.

“You do know that you are here as a personal assistant, right?” He looks like he doesn’t believe I want to keep this job, but he is out of his mind if he thinks I will jeopardise this.

I nod carefully, eyeing him. “Yes.”

“Then why are you acting like this?” He points to the coffee, his tone turning aggressive. “Why are you bothering me with random stuff when I have given you perfect tasks to keep you busy for the next three days? I have work to do, as do you. This company doesn’t run smoothly because I slack off. It thrives because I work hard, and I want to be able to work withoutanyone disturbing me. So do me a favour. Stop coming into my office unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

But what else will I do during my time here?

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

“When it comes to you being my boss, I’ve never intentionally crossed a line to make you feel uncomfortable in my presence, and second, I am your personal assistant. So providing you with what you need is literally my job.Thirdly, please stop making me go through complicated financial spreadsheets for your international sites, as if I won't understand my responsibilities and end up making mistakes. I won’t. I’m fully trained and capable of doing everything required for this role. Even if you want me to take a course on AI technology because of your subsidiary in it, I am here to do my job and I will do it. You need to take me to construction viewings, your meetings, and allow me to work beside you, not against you.” My chest constricts.

For the past couple of months, Rafael has taunted me and pushed me.

Why is he still expecting me to back down? To fail?

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