Chapter 159

I spent Sunday in bed, recovering from a hangover. When the headache and nausea persisted into Monday, I knew it was more than just a hangover; I was sick. Would that stop me from going to work, especially with a hot, tall, tattooed boss who had an Italian accent? Of course not.

"Oh, wow. You look miserable," Edward said, his face contorting oddly as I placed my bag on the desk. "Party too hard?"

I frowned. "I'm sick."

"Sick leave is for a reason," he retorted, spinning his chair and throwing a pen at me. It hit my stomach and fell to the floor. "You're supposed to catch it."

"I can't catch anything. I feel sick," I replied, rolling my eyes as I slumped into the seat beside him. I sneezed.

"God bless you," he said, shaking his head. "And listen, I'm sorry about how I left the party."

"No," I interrupted with a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I was a little…out of it Saturday night. I was dealing with something personal."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I had to be. Uncle Damien had called; Mia was in the hospital, and Alex wasn't coping. My parents had left for Philadelphia last night. I would have gone, too, but they insisted I stay out of my brother's mess.

"You can talk to me, as a friend," Edward offered a grin.

"As a friend," I echoed, liking the emerging dynamic between us.

He opened his mouth to speak, but our boss stepped out of his private elevator. The office fell silent as he entered his office without acknowledging us.

Edward sighed. "Let's go."

I nodded, standing, but the room spun.

"Are you okay?" Edward looked at me worriedly.

"Yes. I just need coffee, I think."

Shaking off the dizziness, I followed him to our boss's office after knocking.

"Edward, just get me a cup of coffee to start the day. And order breakfast from the diner downstairs," Luca said.

Edward nodded. "Bacon and eggs? Your usual?"

Luca nodded, his gaze fixed on Edward. He didn't look at me. "Also, we're expecting guests from Madrid the day after tomorrow. Make reservations at the Ritz."

"On it," I said before Edward could, causing Luca to glance at me briefly. He nodded. "That's all. I'll call if I need anything."

We both nodded. Before I could stop myself, I sneezed.

"God bless you," Edward whispered.

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

Luca's eyes lingered on me. "Are you feeling alright?"

I nodded. "Just a cold. But thanks."

He nodded, and we left. Back at our desks, I confirmed the room details and made the Ritz reservations while Edward got breakfast.

I poured myself coffee, but it made me feel worse. My head pounded, and my eyes watered.

"You're burning up," Edward noticed around lunchtime. I lifted my head from the desk.

"Yeah. I…I guess I'm sicker than I thought," I sighed. "I'll stop at the pharmacy on my way back. Get some paracetamol or something."

"Maybe you should go now. It's lunchtime anyway."

"Already?"

He nodded. "You zoned out an hour ago, so I didn't disturb you."

"You're an angel," I said, resting my head on the desk.

"Should I get you anything to eat on my way back?"

I shook my head. "Just going to rest here."

He left. I closed my eyes, and I must have passed out because I woke to a knuckle tracing my forehead.

I blinked, focusing on my boss's face. I sat up quickly.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized, panic rising.

"It's your lunch break, you don't need to apologize," Luca said, frowning. I looked around at the empty cubicles. No one had returned; I'd slept for a long time.

"You should go home. Finish your work from home," he said. "You have a fever."

"No! Absolutely not!" I argued stubbornly. "I don't want to be treated differently."

"I'm not," his frown deepened. "We have important clients arriving tomorrow, and I don't want you to infect others. Go home."

My cheeks flushed.

He added, "I'll have my driver take you to your parents' house. And yes, I don't do this for everyone, but accept it without argument this time, fiorellina."

I perked up at the name, but relaxed when I saw only the janitor around.

I picked up the file I'd been reading and hugged it to my chest. "I'm taking this home."

"By all means."

I stood, licking my lips, my heart pounding. "Thank you, Mr. Romano."

"You're welcome, Ms. Whitlock." The softness in his voice surprised me. I smiled quickly, gathered my belongings, and left with my bag and the file.

I felt his gaze on my back until the elevator doors closed. I ignored the goosebumps until I reached the ground floor and saw his car and driver waiting.

Giving the driver my apartment address instead of my parents', I rested my head, ready to go home and pass out, feeling feverish.