intended for CEO

ng, I've been awake for hours, just waiting for the official ordeal of the day to begin. I wake up like a zombie, my eyes heavy, my head aching, and

ar-I opt for something casual. A simple blouse that looks like I've put in the minimum effort. Jeans that are comfortable enough to make me feel confident, but not sloppy. My goal is clear: not to look like I got all dressed up for him. Dante Ferraz doesn't need to know that I spent twenty minutes deciding what to wear. As I put on some light makeup-just to hide the dark circles under my eyes and give my tired face a little life-I try to ignore the knot that's forming in my stomach. My phone vibrates on the table, and I know without even looking that it's him. "I'm coming." Of course he won't be late. He's Dante Ferraz. The perfect man on time, while I'm still trying to hide the fact that I'm nervous. I finish applying my mascara and take a deep breath. It's now or never. I walk down the stairs of the building, my footsteps echoing in the silent hallway. When I open the door to the building, there he is: standing next to a ridiculously expensive car, leaning back with that air of someone who is totally in control of the situation. He's wearing a shirt that looks tailored, his hair perfectly styled, and that smile that I wish didn't have the effect it has on me. Why does he have to be so handsome? He sees me, and his eyes light up for a second. Not with recognition-because, of course, he doesn't remember much about the night we had-but maybe with curiosity. And I, of course, am here, trying to look as relaxed as possible, when inside I'm a complete mess. "Ready?" he asks, opening the car door for me. "Ready," I lie, trying to smile back. I get in the car, my heart pounding. I sit in the car seat, trying to pretend I'm calm. My heart, however, has other plans, beating like it's running a marathon. Dante gets in the driver's side, and for a brief moment, there's silence in the air. It's not the comfortable silence you have with someone you know well. It's a tense silence, filled with unasked questions and answers neither of us has. He gives me a calm smile, as if this meeting is just another ordinary Tuesday for him. To me, it feels like an emotional rollercoaster about to go off the rails. "So..." he begins, turning the key and starting the car. The engine hums softly, and he glances my way quickly before continuing. "I know this is all kind of... weird." I almost la