Luna's Rejected Vengeful Mate
Luna’s Rejected Vengeful Mate Chapter 28

Isola, Italy

Lisa

It had been over two months since I took over the files of the Azzarello company. I worked nonstop on the contracts Massimo had signed with his new partners. The goal was to amend some terms for the partners’ benefit as per Massimo’s request.

He was a brilliant businessman. Knowing that raising all his partner’s benefits would be to his detriment, he decided to amend the contracts and put a time limit on his losses, which would be more profitable for him in the future. Massimo had no money issues because his family was one of the wealthiest in Italy.

I was now working on the newest contract with his latest partner in the United States, Hunter Construction and Renovation. From what Fabrizio told me, Blake Hunter, the owner, was another shrewd businessman.

When Massimo’s subordinates in the US made an expensive mistake, Hunter took over personally and made sure all down payments were made on time. Blake then called Massimo and asked for an immediate refund and a different team to work with from Azzarello, a more efficient one, in his words.

That was why Massimo had travelled to the United States and stayed there for a month; Fabrizio explained all that while handing me the last few files with Blake Hunter’s final requests.

“Massimo called me today. He is coming to Isola and wants us to have a business lunch with him tomorrow. Check your schedule and make sure you have at least two free hours. We have a lot to discuss regarding the new contracts.”

Fabrizio patted my shoulder in a fatherly way and left my office, not waiting for my reply, making sure I would oblige.

It was the fourth time Massimo had asked Fabrizio out on a lunch appointment. For the previous three times, I have found all sorts of excuses, like I am too busy, I have a court case to attend to, and so on.

Frustrated, I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair. What sins did my ancestors perpetrate for me to get punished like that?

I had been avoiding the meetings Fabrizio had with Massimo successfully so far. I didn’t want to meet with that jerk. But then again, I was in charge of his legal affairs, and it was utterly inappropriate on my behalf to keep avoiding those meetings. And most of all, I was a successful businesswoman and corporate advocate. That kind of behaviour didn’t suit me.

I spent the rest of the day working and pondering how to react to Massimo’s presence the following day. I didn’t even realise that I had skipped lunch.

By the time I finished work, it was already eight in the evening. Yes! I had become addicted to working. Ever since Natalia left Italy, I wanted to spend fewer hours in our apartment. It felt empty and cold without my best friend.

My eyes filled with tears, and out of the blue, I started crying. For God’s sake, what was wrong with me?

It must have been the many hours of work that had affected my mood. Nodding in acknowledgement and wiping the tears from my face, I left my office and headed to the parking lot.

I drove my Mini Cooper onto the busy roads of Isola with the windows open, allowing the night breeze to cool my confused thoughts.

I entered my apartment and headed to the bathroom. A nice warm bath would help me relax and sleep my worries away.

I filled the bathtub with my favourite essential oils and soaked myself in the water until I felt my skin tingle as the water temperature changed. Wrapped in a fluffy bathroom towel, I decided to sleep in Natalia’s bed to feel closer to her. I had left everything as she had decorated it, and her room still radiated her positive energy.

The last thought before my eyes closed was that I should call Natalia and tell her everything that happened between me and that handsome Italian jerk, Massimo Azzarello.

I woke up the following morning feeling under the weather. My stomach ached, and I felt nauseous. I had slept with the air-conditioning on and must have been cold without realising it.

I made myself a cup of chamomile tea and sat on the sofa. I needed to feel a little better before leaving the apartment and be strong and healthy to deal with Massimo and his effect on me.

My stomach growled in protest, reminding me that I had eaten nothing the entire previous day, so I decided to make some toast to ease my hunger.

I put the bread in the toaster and sat back on the couch. When I smelled the toasted bread, I had the sudden urge to vomit. I rushed to the toilet and spilt my guts out.

I sat on the cold floor tiles, exhausted, waiting for my heartbeat to return to normal.

Perfect! Today, out of all days, I decided to get sick, I thought, irritated.

It took me a while to return to my senses and leave the toilet. I skipped the tea and slowly ate half a slice of toast to settle my stomach. I lay on the sofa for twenty minutes or so, and when I felt better, I went back to my room to get ready for work.

By the time I was ready, I was already feeling much better and considered the whole episode random, not paying any more attention to it.

I reached the office in high spirits, determined not to let anyone spoil my mood, Massimo included. The man was a simple one-night stand for me. It could have been anyone that night, and it happened to be him. Big deal!

I had a busy morning with meetings and a court case that had me on my toes until noon. I entered my office, closed the door, exhausted, threw my bag on the sofa, and took my high heels off. I sat on the couch, closing my eyes and curling my toes to ease the exhaustion of my feet and the tension I felt.

Fabrizio found me in the same position when he came looking for me.

“Lisa, are you feeling all right, my child?”

His worried tone made me smile. Fabrizio was like a father to Natalia and me.

“Yes, a little tired and maybe a bit cold, but other than that, I am fine, Fabrizio, don’t worry,” I smiled at him and got up.

“Is it time for our appointment?”

Despite my wildly throbbing heart, I tried to sound as indifferent as possible, which increased my pulse to the highest level. I could sense the vein in the nape of my neck trying to replace a way out of my skin, betraying my true feelings.

“Yes, we should be going,” Fabrizio replied and guided me to the exit.

“We are taking my car,” he informed me, and I followed him.

We reached the restaurant fifteen minutes later, and a waiter led us to our seats. Massimo had reserved a private room specifically designed for business lunches.

“Mr Azzarello is on a business call. He won’t be long,” the waiter informed us and asked if we wanted something to drink.

I declined his offer, and so did Fabrizio. We would wait for Massimo to arrive.

“We should start serving then. Mr Azzarello has requested us to present a certain menu today,” the waiter smiled and left the room.

“What does this mean?” I asked, and Fabrizio smiled.

“Massimo knows my favourite food and has ordered it, I guess,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

I didn’t say anything and just scrolled down my phone to check my incoming messages.

Suddenly, the air in the room became stiff as I felt Massimo’s presence. I looked up; he was sitting opposite me, his eyes on me.

When did he come? And why did I not notice his presence?

“Hello, Miss Robustelli. I am glad you managed to squeeze me into your busy schedule.” He offered his hand, his voice full of sarcasm.

“Nice to see you, Mr Azzarello. I am glad to have made it as well. But as you know, you are not my only client. I need to attend to other cases as well,” I gave him a curt reply, shaking his hand and looking into his eyes.

And that was when it happened.

The waiter came into the room carrying the trolley with the food Massimo had ordered.

A strong smell hit my nostrils, one of beef stew, making me want to vomit. I tried to control the feeling and excused myself, rushing out of the room to the nearest bathroom.

I barely managed to reach the place when I started throwing up. Fu.ck, I was sick big time.

After I felt better and cleaned myself up, I walked back into the room where Fabrizio and Massimo had been waiting for me.

Fabrizio had a worried look, but Massimo’s gaze was scary. His eyes were brighter than usual, and his full sexy lips were now a thin line. Why was he upset?

“I am sorry to spoil your lunch, but I haven’t been feeling too well today. I think I have got a cold. I should get a taxi and go home. Maybe we can take a rain check?”

I turned and faced Massimo.

“No need for a taxi, Miss Robustelli. I will take you home. Uncle, you can stay and enjoy your favourite food,” Massimo said coldly. He then turned to me and, not giving me time to react, took me by the hand and pulled me out of the room.

I wanted to resist, but I was weak and decided against it.

I followed him to his car and got into the passenger seat without saying a word.

Massimo switched the engine on and drove away, not even asking for my address.

I turned to tell him my address, but he faced the road with a murderous glare.

“Where are you taking me?” his expression was terrifying, and despite being brave, I was scared of him.

“Hospital”, he replied drily.

“I don’t need a hospital. It’s a simple cold, nothing else,” I protested, but the way Massimo looked at me made me avert my gaze.

No reply.

What the hell is he doing? I wondered, trying to figure out his actions.

We soon reached the hospital, and Massimo led me inside, holding me by the arm tightly.

Ouch! That hurt!

“What are you doing?”

I tried to pull back, which made him loosen his hold on me.

“Sorry,” he apologised in a rough voice, making me doubt his sincerity.

We entered the hospital, and a doctor was waiting for us. After exchanging pleasantries with Massimo, he led me into an examination room. After checking my pulse and vitals, he took my b***d to run some tests.

“Doctor, is this necessary? It’s plain cold, and I have no other symptoms,” I protested, and the doctor smiled at me.

“We will soon replace out,” he patted my hand and left the room with Massimo.

Too much fuss over nothing, I thought and closed my eyes, exhausted. I didn’t even realise that I had fallen asleep.

When I opened my eyes, a stony-faced Massimo stood by my side, holding my results and talking to the doctor.

I sat straight up on the bed, and the doctor came over to check my pulse.

“How do you feel, Miss Robustelli?” he asked gently.

“Much better, thank you,” I replied, waiting for him to continue.

“May I ask when was the last time you had your period?”

What? What kind of question was that?

“I am not on a steady cycle, doctor. But what does this have to do with me being sick?” I was so embarrassed and averted my eyes from Massimo, my face red.

“Well, since you are eight weeks pregnant, Miss Robustelli, I would say that it matters,’ the doctor said, smiling at me.

I was what?

And then realisation hit me! I never got to the pharmacy to get the damn morning-after pill after my s****l intercourse with Massimo.

Fuc.k.

I felt the room spinning around me, and the last thing I remembered was Massimo calling my name before I passed out.