Continuation of chapter 2

Veronica wasn't alone for too long. Close to noon, her aunt called on her mobile, asking about Veronica's health over the past two weeks. They had a nice conversation about everything, and Henrietta had to admit that she was very glad for Veronica and her baby. She apologized for reacting the way she did the last time they spoke on the phone, but Veronica never held a grudge against her aunt. She knew that the news of an unexpected pregnancy would shock anyone. So, everything was quickly forgotten.

Aunt Henrietta told Veronica that she would like to visit her for a short time, but unfortunately, her boss wasn't giving her a vacation from work. He warned her that if she goes on vacation right now, she definitely wouldn't be getting back to her high paying job at the chocolate factory. And a position like hers certainly wouldn't be empty for too long.

Henrietta was saddened by the fact that she won't be able to follow up on Veronica's condition and can't be near her in the coming months to take care of her girl like she should be. Veronica, in turn, soothed Henrietta stating that here she had friends whom she recently met in Rome and who will never let her down. And second cousin to Aunt Henrietta – Signora Carmela will always be able to help Veronica. Henrietta was pleased that her cousin could care for Veronica in her place, and inform her about how things are working.

But Henrietta's heart was still in pain. Her girl was so far away. She had to pray to God that everything would go well, and that Veronica's man wouldn't change his decision regarding their impending marriage and wouldn't leave her in the lurch, totally alone in a foreign country. She was unwilling to let her only-begotten niece suffer all her life.

In the afternoon, Lucenzo went to the cottage and Veronica had more fun. They talked a bit about Lucenzo's eventful day and didn't forget to mention Milano. Lucenzo, of course, was disturbed by the behavior of his older brother, and he thought about how fast he could put pressure on him to make his brother's attitude softer towards Veronica. But she convinced Lucenzo that for now it's necessary to continue to "play" on Milano's playground. The girl had worked out her plan: to push Milano so that he can be re-educated, looking for a way to the light himself. What was needed now was to lead him in the right direction.

But did Veronica and Lucenzo know how serious the psychological state of Milano was? Maybe they didn't. The older couple of the Veneziani family never made it known to any of their children or their relatives about Milano's bipolar affective disorder.

Drawing the small sketches of the lines of the summer evening dress's style, Veronica suddenly heard the phone ring in the living room. She picked up the phone, wondering who it could be.

"Buon giorno. Are you Miss Ledyanova?" The woman on the other side asked Veronica, lightly clearing her throat into the phone.

"Buon giorno, signora." Veronica greeted her. "And how did you know my name?" she cringed, not knowing what this call was about. And how did they know where she lived? What's going on?

"This number was given to me by my director, Milano Veneziani. I am an employee from the personnel department. Mr. Veneziani asked me to convey to you that you should go to his office at lunch time. He wanted a home-cooked meal; he is fed up with the sandwiches."

The woman's voice was strained, as though she was trying to keep up her appearance.

"And at what time should I go?" Veronica questioned.

"The sooner, the better. Mr. Veneziani demanded that you don't linger. Otherwise, he will decrement my salary."

"What!?" Veronica broke out. The behavior of her Demon has already passed all bounds. How to cope with this? She has to come up with something more effective.

"I expect that you will come, miss." With hope in her voice, the stranger told Veronica. "I don't want to be fired yet."

"Of course, Signora. Don't worry." Veronica gently ensured the nice woman. "I will come as soon as possible."

Slapping the phone on the base unit, Veronica muttered. 'Is this some kind of a slave system? Well, I'll teach him some manners during lunch!'

Putting the big sheets of sketches which were executed in pencil into a folder, Veronica gently put the folder on the dresser. Grinning mischievously at her reflection in the mirror, she thought of a way to punish her impertinent Demon.

Soon descending down the stairs, Veronica noticed Lucenzo, calmly dining at the kitchen's table. Veronica shifted the food that was left in the pan which he cooked for lunch into a plastic container. Lucenzo understood everything. Veronica wasn't going for a walk. She was going to his family office, because of the quirks of his older, self-centered brother.

"Veronica. Don't tell me this is for Milano."

"Yes, it's for him. You get a hundred points for hitting the target!" Veronica made an involuntary gesture with her hand, a throw of a dart at the wall. Lucenzo laughed at her sarcasm.

"Is he crazy? After all, he already has lunch!" Lucenzo was overwhelmed by his brother's orders and his desire to manage Veronica as he wanted.

"Apparently, he ceased to want to eat sandwiches. And besides, he threatened to cut his employee's salary if I didn't get there." Veronica rolled her eyes. She knew that she would forgive any antics of her Demon even they've begun to exhaust her.

"Oh, gosh! A real narcissist!" Lucenzo was lit with his own domestic discontent, not having realized this behavior of his older brother.

"What can I do if he is this way?" Veronica shrugged; a strange light already played in her brown eyes. She had planned something in her mind; new workarounds in the war against her Demon.

"I would go to his office now and kill his desire to mock you, but... I see that you like to care for Milano."

"Thank you for your concern, Lucenzo." Veronica smiled, hugging the young man and rejoicing that she had such a friend. "You're right. I am happy to care for Milano, although I will never give up. I will continue to play, but only in my own playground."

"You scare me." Lucenzo raised his hands in surrender.

"Don't be." Veronica laughed, assuring him that he shouldn't be afraid of women's ruses.

"Wait. Pietro will take you." Taking out a mobile phone from his jeans, Lucenzo called his family's bodyguard, Pietro to ask him to drive Veronica to Milano's office.

In a few minutes, the bodyguard was standing at the door waiting for orders from the owners of the cottage.

"I understand why Fra chose you. You're an angel." Veronica felt shy when Lucenzo embraced her gratefully like a brother.

"Thank you, dear. But I'm no angel. Sometimes I can be a devil as well." Criticizing his own personality, Lucenzo grinned at her.

"You are not at all like your brother."

"I am, but Milano has a good heart," the young man assured Veronica, seeing her to the door. "Just give him a chance to prove it and you'll see."

Giving Veronica the lunch package for his older brother, Lucenzo put the girl into the car. The car slowly pulled away from the house as she waved, merging into the flow of the city cars.

Looking at the "Chevrolet Camaro", the young man was thinking about the relationship between Veronica and Milano. He was afraid the girl would run away from his elder brother, and his elder brother would ruin their relationship. 'Milano's so straightforward but while dealing with a woman, a man has to be sensitive and patient. There are some things that a man shouldn't tell them. Girls are vulnerable in nature, and if Milano has the desire to continue the relationship, he should have a gust of the woman's soul and not to go ahead.'

Heading in the direction of his office, Veronica was really glad. Soon she will see the building where her beloved man worked. On the way, the girl enjoyed studying the beautiful architecture of Italy's capital, which always struck her mind and heart. Residential and office houses swept past her one after another, and it was impossible to fix the eyes on at least one of them: everything was so beautiful.

Soon they arrived at a five-storey building with his modern architecture, which Veronica looked at with admiration. Veronica was so dreamy that she didn't notice when the door opened, and Pietro called her.

"Signorina Ledyanova."

The girl perked up hearing her name.

"Veronica." She corrected him, slightly crinkling her nose. "It's not necessary to show me such respect, Pietro. I'm a simple girl."

"But you're the bride of Signore Veneziani. I can't speak to you any differently." Milano's bodyguard notified her.

Scowling with displeasure in response to Pietro's clarification, Veronica snorted. She willingly gave her hand to him, slowly, like a king-bird, getting out of the car.

"It doesn't matter. I wish we were good friends, Pietro."

"But we are friends, miss."

The bodyguard showed her his perfect smile, and Veronica returned his smile. Pietro was almost like her uncle.

"Signore Veneziani's office is on the fifth floor, at the end of the corridor. Secretary Susan will take you there if you get lost, miss." Pietro explained.

"Okay, Pietro. But I think, I can find his office myself even if I get lost. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Here you are."

Taking the lunch from Pietro, Veronica said "good-bye" to him and quickly walked through the glass doors of the building. The old man was a little wondered about Veronica's temper, but immediately understood why his boss was so chained to her. Veronica was different from other women; she had her own opinions and was ready to defend it, compared to the other mistresses of Milano Veneziani.

Going up the elevator, which was pouring with the beautiful classical song from the great Russian composer Alexander Borodin, "Fly away on the wings of the wind", Veronica soon came to the fifth floor. Straight ahead, a few meters across, she saw a lacquer table, behind which sat Milano Veneziani's secretary. The long haired, skinny blonde was filing her elongated nails, at the same time pressed the button on the printer and was printing the necessary documents for her boss. The girl looked very stylish, but at the same time seductive: the light gray pant suit definitely emphasized her figure and a white sheer blouse, with three undone buttons hinted at her sexuality. She was more like a model than Milano Veneziani's secretary.

After examining the appearance of the secretary, Veronica realized that she shouldn't have come here. 'American,' She said to herself. 'And Milano probably likes her. She looks stunning. Damn that Demon!'

Noticing Veronica, the blonde contemptuously burned her with her sly blue eyes as if she wanted the girl to vanish out of the office at that moment and to no longer bother her. The secretary was extremely surprised by Veronica's arrival at Milano Veneziani's office, because her boss always decided all of his love affairs in the meeting hall downstairs. And this was his personal space.

What happened to him while he was absent from work for almost two weeks?

"How may I introduce you?" She asked Veronica almost through her clenched teeth.

"Veronica Le..."

She didn't finish her answer when the door creaked in the long corridor. In a second, her Demon came out of the office. A beautiful Demon with all his loftiness, that it was impossible to let him out of her sight. He spoke with his business partners from China with a smile, responding to all their questions smoothly and also asking his own.

They didn't talk for too long. Soon the business delegation said their goodbyes to Milano Veneziani, respectfully bowing to him and smiling as he did the same.

As they passed by Veronica, several men from the delegation nodded at her in greeting, and she responded to them with a nod. As soon as they left, the door of Milano Veneziani's cabinet closed again and Veronica was left to stand still, rooted to the spot. He returned to his office, without even looking at her.

'What's with him?' Veronica thought, not knowing how to react to the indifference of her Demon. 'Do I mean nothing to him? How I hate it!'

She was about to tell the secretary that she had urgent business and leave when suddenly she heard Milano Veneziani's deep voice through the intercom.

"Susan. Please let Signorina Veronica Ledyanova inside."

"Yes, sir." Sitting at the table, the blonde drilled Veronica with her unpleasant and sharp glance, studying her.

Veronica wasn't so stupid and she understood one thing: Susan had seen Veronica as her potential rival and she didn't want to give in.

'Like hell I will lose!' Veronica thought, looking at the beautiful blonde. 'I wouldn't give you Milano without a fight. Or maybe, never!'

The secretary cleared her voice loudly, gesturing Veronica to go to Milano's office, while the blonde was boiling inside with hatred for her boss' new mistress.

'Milano and this vagabond!? I can hardly take it in. What is she doing here? Is it true that Milano – the walking sex machine – has a crush on this unkempt person? It's just awful!'

Albeit, Susan didn't look like a fashionable lady herself. She was just a simple assistant to the 'God' who sat at the end of the corridor and to whom it was impossible to contradict. And if someone contradicted him, then he immediately punished them for their disobedience.

Suddenly the intercom beeped again, and the voice of the person speaking on it wasn't calm at all.

"Susan, I told you! Where's Veronica!?"

"Right away, sir. She's already on her way." Susan began to stammer, hearing the vociferation of her boss.

"Let her come, but ask her to hurry up!" Milano quickly gibbered.

"Sure, sir."

'Even here he commands the women. Monster!' Pondering about the nature of her man, Veronica grinned. She realized that it will be a lesson for Milano's secretary. Susan wouldn't snoop around anymore.

Without waiting for Milano's demon to rebel again, Veronica quickly reached the end of the corridor and froze in front of the three-meter doors. They showed themselves as incredibly ancient Gothic architecture and were representing Milano's office as one of the original offices in Italy. Veronica had never before seen such a style.

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Author's Note: 2390 words

Copyright © OlgaGOA

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Guys, what's up?

Congratulate you with Merry Christmas and give you prezent, new chapter!

So Veronica have a new rival now, Milano's secretary , Susan Devis, ya? How do you think could she handle with this competition? What Susan Devis wants to prove to Veronica? And what about Milano? Could he seduce by Susan or not?

We will see it soon.

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The HIGHEST RANK OF #FIP in Romance - 576 place, guys! Yay!

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FATEFUL ITALIAN PASSION 2 OST ♪: Alexander Borodin - Fly away on the wings of the wind (with lyrics) (push the button subtitles in sets of Youtube video)

Just sense Veronica feelings about her living in foreign country.

Hope you will love and this version. First posted above the chapter ;)

https://youtu.be/4RcEc3qNDiw