Page 27 of Sexted By a Stranger
That evaluation was like a shot of adrenaline. I was so moved I nearly cried. To receive her recognition, even just a simple "has potential," was enough to remember for life.
Then others called for Isabella. She smiled in farewell. "Keep your passion and unique perspective, Sheila. I look forward to seeing your growth."
I stood there, watching Isabella's retreating figure, blood still burning with excitement, cheeks hot, feeling like I was floating. Everything that just happened was too unreal.
"So happy?" Luca's low voice sounded in my ear.
I snapped back to reality, looking at him. The exhibition hall's soft light fell on his sharply defined profile. Massive gratitude and the flutter from his "only you" mixed with this dreamlike encounter, bringing my feelings for him to a peak.
"Luca..." My throat tightened. I looked up directly into his eyes. "Thank you—really, thank you. Not just for tonight, not just for Ms. Winston..." But for the touchable future he'd given me.
Luca looked at me deeply, that gaze seeming to pull me in. He didn't speak, just reached out, fingertips gently brushing my eyes, moist with emotion.
The temperature of those fingertips and his focused gaze at this moment made my heart skip more than any jewelry in the exhibition hall.
"It's nothing." His voice was low and calm. "As long as you like it—"
He leaned down slightly, close to my ear, warm breath brushing my earlobe with a thrilling tone, "There will be many more nights like this, stellina."
Chapter 9
Luca
"Boss," Lennox's voice sounded beside me. "Miss Stella's onboarding paperwork is complete. Director Harrington from Design is asking if he should show Miss Stella around?"
"No need," I fastened my cufflinks. "I'll do it myself."
"Understood." He gently placed a new ID card and a folder bearing the company logo on the corner of my desk.
"She's here?"
"Waiting in the first-floor reception area."
I grabbed my suit jacket, casually tossing the port report back on the desk. "Notify Design that I want the market analysis for Luminous Reverie by three this afternoon. Also, I've signed the new quarter's haute couture supplier contracts—have Legal do one final review. I won't tolerate any loopholes."
"Yes."
The elevator descended. When the doors opened, the noisy lobby fell silent as if someone had hit mute.
I spotted her immediately.
Sheila stood by a six-foot fiddle-leaf fig, spine straight. White shirt tucked into silver-gray slacks, waistline clean and sharp.Her hair was twisted into a low bun, revealing the elegant line of her neck. She was studying the employee handbook with focused concentration.
I walked over.
Curious, probing gazes converged on us from all directions.
"Luca." Her voice was light as a test, gaze sweeping past Lennox behind me, hesitating half a second on how to address me.
"Morning, Sheila." I extended my hand, tone casual as if just passing by. "Welcome to Éclat Lumière."
She quickly returned the handshake, passing me the document folder. "All my paperwork's here."
I handed it to Lennox. "File it with HR." Then I tilted my head. "Come with me. I'll walk you through the rest of the process."
"What?" She froze, ears quickly flushing red. "No need to trouble—" The corner of her eye caught the shocked expressions around us, making her more flustered.
"No trouble at all." I'd already turned toward the executive elevator. "Direct supervisors orient new hires. Company policy."
