Read Online Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) by Tara Oakes - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tara Oakes
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going on and how it has anything to do with me. I wrestle with myself before finally giving in and showering to get ready to go into Manhattan and see for myself what he wants.
I pick a lightweight, short summer wrap dress that hugs my curves, the mint green color really pops against my olive skin. I smooth a thin layer of lotion over my legs before slipping on a pair of strappy sandals. Not wanting to overdress for the afternoon, I sweep my hair into a loose band over my shoulder and dab on some light makeup for a fresh, natural look.
Here we go.
Do m’ s driver is reading the paper in the car as I walk out of the house. Mom, Aunt Rosie and Nonna have n’ t returned from their shopping trip yet, so I leave the empty house behind without a goodbye to anyone. The driver greets me while opening my door. The cool interior of the sleek sedan is a welcome change from the climbing temperature outside.
I ca n’ t help but think that the driver must be overly warm in his dark suit, but shows no outward signs of discomfort. He must be relieved as he sits back into his seat with the cool conditioned air circulating around him. He slowly starts to drive the new car down the drive toward the main gate while catching my gaze in the rearview mirror.
“ It should be a smooth drive into the office, Miss Lombardi. I ca n’ t see it taking more than thirty minutes or so. Please let me know if it gets too cool . ”
I smile at the ma n’ s warm eyes on me. “ Thank you. I t’ s fine. But... please... set the air so yo u’ re comfortable, too . ”
True to form, the drive is uneventful. Do m’ s driver must be very good at his job, because as predicted, we are parked in front of the midtown main offices for The Atlantic Transport and Holdings, in exactly twenty-eight minutes.
The facade of the building remains the same as I remember. The tall, brooding skyscraper looms high in the Manhattan skyline while its polished black exterior and crystal clear windows rival that of its neighbors. The gleaming revolving door leads me to the expansive entrance lobby. A.T.H. Occupies the top ten floors of the building, but I am unsure of which button to press as I step into the rapidly filling elevator.
I can stop first to see Tony in his office on the thirty-eighth floor, or just bite the bullet and go right to see Dom. I decide to head straight to the CE O’ s office, and will visit Tony after. This way, I can have someplace to escape to if I need to gripe about Dom pressuring me to bend to Joh n’ s will about working here sooner than I’ m ready to.
I’ m one of the last two people exiting the elevator as it makes its way to the top floor, depositing people on the way. After the doors have fully opened and the older gentleman sharing the cabin with me steps aside, I head down the long corridor toward Do m’ s office.
I notice several security guards posted sporadically as I walk along. The endless sounds of phones ringing, fingers typing, and papers shuffling, welcome me into the heart of the company. I look around to find some familiar faces, and many new ones, but settle on the warm plump older woman with grey hair sitting at a large desk beyond on open office door.
Ellen was my fathe r’ s secretary back when he ran the company, and was a good friend to my family before I was even born. The years of loyal service have definitely aged the warm woman, but she still has a youthful glow in her eyes. Those eyes glance over me as I walk through the door, before fully recognizing me.
I’ m about three years older and a bit taller (thanks to my sandals), than she had last seen me. She pushes herself away from her desk and walks briskly to give me a strong hug before looking me up and down.
“ Vincenza! You look so grown up! , ” she hugs me once more. Ellen is one of the very few people who call me by my full name. She flat-out refuses to call me anything else. Not V, or thank God, not even Baby V. I was six or seven when she
I pick a lightweight, short summer wrap dress that hugs my curves, the mint green color really pops against my olive skin. I smooth a thin layer of lotion over my legs before slipping on a pair of strappy sandals. Not wanting to overdress for the afternoon, I sweep my hair into a loose band over my shoulder and dab on some light makeup for a fresh, natural look.
Here we go.
Do m’ s driver is reading the paper in the car as I walk out of the house. Mom, Aunt Rosie and Nonna have n’ t returned from their shopping trip yet, so I leave the empty house behind without a goodbye to anyone. The driver greets me while opening my door. The cool interior of the sleek sedan is a welcome change from the climbing temperature outside.
I ca n’ t help but think that the driver must be overly warm in his dark suit, but shows no outward signs of discomfort. He must be relieved as he sits back into his seat with the cool conditioned air circulating around him. He slowly starts to drive the new car down the drive toward the main gate while catching my gaze in the rearview mirror.
“ It should be a smooth drive into the office, Miss Lombardi. I ca n’ t see it taking more than thirty minutes or so. Please let me know if it gets too cool . ”
I smile at the ma n’ s warm eyes on me. “ Thank you. I t’ s fine. But... please... set the air so yo u’ re comfortable, too . ”
True to form, the drive is uneventful. Do m’ s driver must be very good at his job, because as predicted, we are parked in front of the midtown main offices for The Atlantic Transport and Holdings, in exactly twenty-eight minutes.
The facade of the building remains the same as I remember. The tall, brooding skyscraper looms high in the Manhattan skyline while its polished black exterior and crystal clear windows rival that of its neighbors. The gleaming revolving door leads me to the expansive entrance lobby. A.T.H. Occupies the top ten floors of the building, but I am unsure of which button to press as I step into the rapidly filling elevator.
I can stop first to see Tony in his office on the thirty-eighth floor, or just bite the bullet and go right to see Dom. I decide to head straight to the CE O’ s office, and will visit Tony after. This way, I can have someplace to escape to if I need to gripe about Dom pressuring me to bend to Joh n’ s will about working here sooner than I’ m ready to.
I’ m one of the last two people exiting the elevator as it makes its way to the top floor, depositing people on the way. After the doors have fully opened and the older gentleman sharing the cabin with me steps aside, I head down the long corridor toward Do m’ s office.
I notice several security guards posted sporadically as I walk along. The endless sounds of phones ringing, fingers typing, and papers shuffling, welcome me into the heart of the company. I look around to find some familiar faces, and many new ones, but settle on the warm plump older woman with grey hair sitting at a large desk beyond on open office door.
Ellen was my fathe r’ s secretary back when he ran the company, and was a good friend to my family before I was even born. The years of loyal service have definitely aged the warm woman, but she still has a youthful glow in her eyes. Those eyes glance over me as I walk through the door, before fully recognizing me.
I’ m about three years older and a bit taller (thanks to my sandals), than she had last seen me. She pushes herself away from her desk and walks briskly to give me a strong hug before looking me up and down.
“ Vincenza! You look so grown up! , ” she hugs me once more. Ellen is one of the very few people who call me by my full name. She flat-out refuses to call me anything else. Not V, or thank God, not even Baby V. I was six or seven when she
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