CHAPTER 7

In the weeks that followed James' resumption to work, Isabella found herself pleasantly surprised by Alessandro's change in behavior. He no longer kept his distance but instead began to show interest in her progress in the EclipseTech situation. His previously cold demeanor seemed to melt away into indifference.

Isabella couldn't help but wonder what had sparked this transformation. Was it because of his conversation with James?

As Isabella shuffled through the papers on her desk, her mind immersed in the realm of business matters, a soft knock on her office door broke her concentration. Startled, she looked up to find Alessandro standing at the threshold, a frown on his face.

"Isabella," he greeted her coldly, his voice laced with a touch of unfamiliar calmness. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important. I was wondering if you would like to join me for lunch."

Surprised by the invitation, Isabella paused, her heart fluttering. But before she could respond, Alessandro continued, "Of course, it is just to exchange ideas on our joint challenge, purely business. Nothing romantic."

His words hung in the air, mingling with a silk thread of hope and confusion. Had Alessandro truly taken an interest in her personally, or was there another motive behind this sudden lunch invitation? Isabella's face betrayed none of her thoughts as she allowed a polite smile to grace her features.

"Thank you for the invitation, Alessandro," she replied softly. "However, I have already agreed to have lunch with James today. He says he has some info for me, I believe it would be beneficial for us regarding the latest developments. You are more than welcome to join us, if you wish."

Alessandro's expression tightened momentarily, the mask of cordiality slipping for a brief instant. He then shook his head dismissively, a flicker of irritation flashing in his eyes. "Forget it then," he responded curtly, his voice edged with a hint of disappointment. Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving behind a lingering sense of confusion in his wake.

Isabella watched him depart with a mixture of intrigue and concern. She wondered at Alessandro's sudden change in attitude, the subtle shifts in his behavior that had intrigued her in recent weeks. Had she misread his intentions? Or perhaps she had unwittingly stumbled upon a guarded part of him that yearned for something more than official business.

The encounter left Isabella with a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of how to navigate the intricate dance between her heart and her mind. She couldn't deny the lingering connection she had felt with Alessandro, but his abrupt dismissal was a stark reminder of the complications that surrounded their burgeoning relationship.

As Isabella joined James for lunch, she found solace in his steady presence and unwavering support. Their conversation flowed easily, as they discussed matters both personal and professional, grounding her in the reality of their friendship. Yet, a part of her couldn't help but wonder what Alessandro's true intentions were.

Towards evening it started raining. As the rain continued to cascade outside, Isabella and James found themselves engrossed in their work, deep within the confines of their office. The steady rhythm of their keyboards provided a backdrop to their shared determination. The storm had driven most of their colleagues home, leaving the two of them alone in the brightly-lit office.

As evening settled in, the rain persisted, creating a soothing symphony that heightened their focus. But then, without warning, the lights flickered and plunged the office into complete darkness. Isabella let out a gasp, her heart racing as she instinctively reached for her phone to turn on her torch.

With a newfound reliance on her senses, she cautiously made her way through the maze of cubicles towards the illuminated emergency lights in the lobby, there she met James already sitting, Isabella chuckled, her voice breaking the silence. "Well, this is quite the adventure, isn't it?"

James' warm laughter rang through the room. "Indeed, Isabella. It seems fate has conspired to grant us an unexpected moment of togetherness."

The flickering of emergency lights created an intimate ambiance that seemed to bridge the gap between both of them, the dim glow cast intriguing shadows on their faces, creating a makeshift sanctuary. The tension between them hung in the air, palpable and laced with unspoken desire. Time seemed to stand still as they silently acknowledged the depth of their connection.

Unable to resist any longer, Isabella turned towards James, her eyes searching his for a sign, a confirmation of the emotions that had been brewing under the surface for so long. In that moment, they surrendered to the pull that had been building between them, their lips meeting in a tender kiss that spoke volumes of their shared longing.

But just as their lips brushed together, the room was flooded with light once more, abruptly shattering their stolen intimacy. Alessandro stood at the edge of the room, frozen in disbelief and disgust, his eyes locked on the scene before him.

A chilling silence enveloped the room as Alessandro's gaze pierced through their very souls. He stood there, an icy statue, his cold detachment a stark contrast to the warmth and intimacy Isabella had just experienced with James.

Without uttering a single word, Alessandro turned his back on them, his expression was unreadable. James let out a sigh, trying to act as if nothing had happened. Isabella, on the other hand, felt a sense of guilt as she wondered why she was feeling bad when she had done nothing wrong.

Minutes later, James mustered up the courage to walk into Alessandro's office. Alessandro feigned indifference, his face a mask of detached professionalism. James couldn't help but chuckle, trying to ease the tension that hung thick in the air.

"So, Alessandro, about what you saw earlier..." James began tentatively.

Alessandro interrupted, his voice cold and unwavering, "Save it, James. Whatever you two decide to do is your own business, but I don't want to see it. Keep it out of this office."

With that, Alessandro said his goodbyes and left the office. As he passed Isabella's office, he couldn't resist a sarcastic comment, "I hope you two enjoy all the privacy you need, but remember to keep it out of my sight."