"When you feel the urge to cry, do it now. Don't hold it back for later, only to weep over a stolen piece of candy."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rome, 9:00 AM
Newspapers, social media, television, and all media outlets were reporting the news announced just minutes ago: Serani & Co. had suddenly unveiled a new project without any prior announcement or promotion—a smartwatch equipped with GPS and artificial intelligence.
Alejandro and all of Serani's senior descendants were surrounded by journalists bombarding them with questions. Alejandro stood at the center of attention, with all cameras and microphones focused on him.
"Our motto is: 'Travel is your concern, and the road is our mission.' Our product is equipped with the latest technology that makes getting lost virtually impossible. It also features an automatic system that connects to the police, civil defense, and ambulances if you need assistance, ensuring your travels and outings are completely safe. With the SR Smartwatch, you are in safe hands," Alejandro concluded the press conference amidst thunderous applause from the audience, who exchanged congratulations and celebrations.
Celia tossed and turned in bed, fast asleep and oblivious to the chaos in the outside world. The sound of her phone, which had been ringing for almost an hour, finally woke her. She grabbed it, cursing Bianca, who seemed determined to ruin her sleep every single day.
Damn it!
She jumped up, rapidly scrolling through the news, messages, and missed calls from the company. What the hell was this? It was a complete disaster! She quickly threw on the first clothes she could find, barely washed her face, and rushed to the company.
When she finally arrived, the commute had never felt so painfully long. The building was filled with noise; engineers and staff were visibly frustrated and angry. Her eyes searched everywhere for Rodolfo. She went up to his office and burst in without knocking, only to freeze at the scene before her.
Rodolfo was sitting at his desk, facing his computer, listening to Alejandro's statements. His hand was clenched into a tight fist over his mouth, his eyes glued to the screen. His face was cold, entirely devoid of emotion. Well, this certainly wasn't one of the scenarios she had envisioned.
She hesitated, trying to speak. "Sir..."
"Get out, Celia."
That was all he said, without even looking at her. She was about to say more, but hesitated, nodded, and left, closing the door behind her.
She remained standing outside... How did this happen? How could they steal our project? Has all the fatigue of the past months just gone down the drain? Damn it... She was spiraling in her thoughts until she saw Alfredo walking towards her, waving.
"Celia! Hey... Are you okay?"
She nodded numbly. "I don't really know what to say, Alfredo..."
"Those scoundrels... they will pay the price," Alfredo said, his tone dripping with hatred. "But first, we must find the traitor who leaked the information."
"Yes, but... Rodolfo... He's been like this since this morning. What do you think he'll do?"
"I don't know, Celia. I really don't know. This silence of his does not bode well." Alfredo sighed, and a heavy silence fell between them.
This is not fair at all, Celia thought bitterly. How dare they steal other people's hard labor and celebrate it so casually, as if it were their own achievement?
Rodolfo's sudden exit from his office interrupted the storm of thoughts inside Celia's head. A heavy silence fell over the entire floor as everyone waited to hear what he would say. Celia quickly pulled her hand away from Alfredo, who had been comforting her while they talked.
"Sarah, there is a meeting in five minutes," Rodolfo announced coldly. "To the rest of you: an open-ended leave of absence until I decide to return."
Sarah and the others nodded. He turned back and retreated into his office.
Celia and Alfredo headed to the conference room with the rest of the managers. Within minutes, the rest of the company was completely empty. This was undoubtedly a nightmare—that was all Celia could process.
The meeting lasted almost two hours. New decisions and strict protocols were to be implemented immediately, and just listening to them made Celia feel suffocated. But first and foremost, they had to find the traitor. Just remembering Rodolfo's words about the culprit sent shivers down her spine. His end would be miserable... very, very miserable... because the boss had sworn to make an example of him.
"This is just the beginning," Rodolfo concluded, addressing the room. "It is true that our project has been stolen, but that does not mean a setback for Larsen. Finally, thank you for your efforts over the past months. I don't expect anything less in the future. Have a good holiday."
Everyone applauded him, promising to give their absolute best. This ordeal had only fueled their enthusiasm and resolve.
Celia felt a strange mix of emotions, but one thing became crystal clear: Rodolfo's intelligence and composure were exemplary. She had expected a bloody massacre in the company given his rage, but he had acted with a calculating wisdom befitting the CEO of Larsen Companies—and a senator of the Italian Mafia.
She was the last to leave alongside Alfredo.
"Well, now we can finally talk about how you look, Celia. Seriously," Alfredo said, struggling to stifle a laugh.
Celia glanced at her reflection in the full-length mirror opposite the door. Her hair was thrown into a messy bun; she was wearing blue denim shorts that reached her knees, paired with a pink t-shirt that read "I Hate Summer."
"Is this really the time for this, Alfredo?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry! You just look... a bit disheveled."
"Maybe because our hard work was stolen a few hours ago?"
"It happens, Celia. We don't live in the rosy world you think we do. What did you expect?"
"Shut up! And what's wrong with my clothes?"
"Nothing! You just look like a girl who got lost between Larsen & Co. and the grocery store."
Celia burst out laughing, completely failing to control it. Well, he was right after all. She was the only person who had turned up to this disaster looking like this—literally everyone else was dressed to the nines. But she...
The door clicked, and Rodolfo stepped out of his office.
"What's so funny that I can hear laughter out here? Share it with me, because I really think I need a laugh right now."
"It's nothing, bro, just—" Alfredo began to explain.
"Celia, in my office. Now."
"Stop, man. What's your problem with her? You can't blame her for everything, okay?" Alfredo stepped in.
"Shut up, Alfredo, and get out of here. We are in a corporate office, not a bar," Rodolfo snapped.
Alfredo opened his mouth to argue, but Celia looked at him with pleading eyes, silently begging him to let it go. She turned and followed Rodolfo into his office.
"Well, I assume you heard the new rules clearly, so there's no need to repeat them," Rodolfo began, scanning her from head to toe with open mockery. "Furthermore, I do not want to see such informal appearances here again," he added, his voice laced with disapproval.
Celia's heart rate spiked. Is he seriously insulting me right now?
She clenched her fists and stood her ground. "First of all, Mr. Larsen, I know you are angry and stressed, but that does not give you the right to take your frustration out on me."
He raised his eyebrows in genuine surprise at her audacity.
"Secondly, this 'informal appearance,' as you call it, was the direct result of being shocked by today's news—"
"Stop making silly excuses," he cut her off, his tone sharpening. "And don't bring your 'extra' relationships with your managers into this building, thinking you can use them to your advantage."
Celia's brows furrowed in disbelief. "What are you implying? Alfredo spoke to me first, and I certainly don't need him to defend me. If that's what you think, rest assured I can defend myself!" She found herself raising her voice at him for the very first time.
"The laughter, the touching, the subtle physical affection—where do you think you are?" Rodolfo raised his voice, stepping closer. "This is Larsen Companies! Here, we work in silence and seriousness." He sneered, adding, "At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you were the one who leaked the project information."
Celia's mouth fell open in utter shock. Did he really just accuse me of being the traitor?
"I can accept your harsh criticism and your rules, but suspecting me of treason? That is something I will never allow. Do you understand me?" Celia pointed an index finger directly at his face, speaking in a fierce tone he had never heard from her before. "I know my boundaries very well, and I will never let you cross yours!"
"I say whatever I want because I am your boss!"
"Oh, really? Well, I resign. Right now. You are not my boss anymore!"
Rodolfo let out a dark, booming laugh. "Resign? Where do you get the right to resign, little girl? Have you forgotten that you—"
"Your money will be returned to you within a week!" she interrupted sharply. "And as for the right to resign, I don't recall reading any clause in my contract that forbids it. So, what do you have to say now, Boss?" she spat sarcastically.
Rodolfo went completely silent, caught off guard. "Okay, Celia... Listen—"
She turned on her heel toward the door. Before stepping out, she paused and threw one last glance over her shoulder.
"And if you care that much about appearances, you'd better start hiring models."
She slammed the door hard behind her, fighting with every fiber of her being to keep her tears from falling.
Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry...
༺༽ End of Chapter ༼༻