Read Online Hidden Heart by Camelia Miron Skiba - Free Book Online

distracted—abnormal for him.
    “ You know I have always
been very frank with you, and I have to tell you something that is
very difficult for me,” Victor began slowly. He sighed, held his
head between his palms then loosened his tie. “Someone else will
take over your projects and—”
    “ Wait a minute here!” Tessa
shouted. “What? Why?”
    “ I’ve been asked to release
you,” Victor replied, dread in his voice.
    “ Release me? Weeks ago you
announced I’d replace you once you retire and now you are going to
release me? Is this a joke?” She slammed her mug down and stood to
confront Victor, palms on his desk.
    He too stood and walked out
of the room to ask his secretary something, then left the door open
and came to the middle of the room to face Tessa.
    “ Our headquarters have sent
someone to investigate your case.” He stopped and waited for the
gentleman entering the room to join him. “Tessa, this is Mr.
Alessandro Santinelli from the Alita Bank & Investments. As you
remember, our company didn’t have the necessary cash flow to
finalize the land acquisition. Alita Bank & Investments is the
bank that loaned us the cash. He will conduct the investigation in
your case.”
    Tessa looked puzzled from
one face to the other. She felt as if the floor opened beneath her
feet and the world crumbled before her eyes.
    Alessandro?
Here?
    The man she abandoned in a
hotel room after a passionate night?
    Investigating her
case?
    What case?
    She needed support for her
wobbly knees and before she fell, Alessandro caught her and helped
her sit. She looked into his eyes and saw nothing. No expression,
no recognition, no emotion— nothing .
    With the last sign of
dignity left, she spoke in a calm tone, “I understand there is a
case and I’m the suspect. May I ask what’s the nature of this
investigation?”
    Alessandro spoke in the
same voice that reminded her of a lover’s whisper.
    “ You’ve been accused of
fraud.”
     
    Accused of
fraud?
    She had never stolen a dime
in her life, let alone done anything to be
accused of fraud . How could that be
possible?
    Victor avoided looking at
Tessa and Tessa couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Her
stomach knotted like she’d been kicked in the gut. How could he
just decide to give away her projects without even consulting her?
Didn’t she deserve at least some consideration? She became short of
breath fighting the urge to cry, helpless and outraged at the same
time. She clenched her fists for fear she might punch someone, her
muscles tense.
    Tears rolled silently down
her cheeks. She hated being weak, but she couldn’t control herself.
Crying in her boss’ office with Alessandro present was the last thing she wanted.
Alessandro handed her a box of tissues, but she pretended she
didn’t see it. Instead, she wiped off her cheeks with the back of
her hands.
    “ Tessa…please…it isn’t easy
for me and, believe me, I dreaded this moment, you have no idea…”
Victor paused for a second, then finally looked at her. “Look, I
know how difficult these past weeks have been for you, I know
you’re still trying to cope with losing your mama.” He sat on the
chair next to hers, covering her hands with his.
    They had known each other
for so long, built together a team of strong and very capable
people. They’d developed a relationship beyond work, becoming close
personal friends. The two of them could communicate just by looking
into each other’s eyes and no one and nothing could alienate their
relationship—or so she thought. They could talk about everything,
no matter the subject, but this one was beyond anything they’d
encountered since the beginning of their collaboration.
    She took a deep breath,
shook her hair and straightened her jacket in an attempt to regain
her bravery. “I’m very disappointed and I’d be lying if I don’t say
I’m also very hurt. The fact that you worked behind my back and
talked to people in our company about taking