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5.

Angelo

"Good morning, Mr. Saville."

I grunted in response as I passed her desk. I had to do it quickly, her scent was just too much. If I stayed just a moment later, Lykos will definitely be on the loose giving in to our primal urges.

Keep her close he says.

His job was to get her away from me. Lykos and I were furious after my brother's call last night. As I was calm he just had to take it all away in one minute.

My men sensed my mood and stayed away from me as soon as I went behind my desk.

It didn't take five minutes for her to come in. She looked beautiful as usual in a red silk blouse and a skirt just above her knee. She had her hair in a ponytail with a few tendrils framing her face.

I took a deep breath and went to the window trying to calm myself.

Why does she have to look like Elise? Their blonde hair and captivating blue eyes were almost identical.

Though Elise and I were teens, I saw just how even more alluring she would have been if she was here with me now. Amelia had the beauty and allure of a woman who is blind to her worth.

"Your meetings from yesterday have been rescheduled, I have sent it to your phone. Your project manager on the Hilton site has requested your audience today at 3 pm. He says it's of utter importance.

"The MacLaren and James projects have started yesterday you need to visit them today, the safety officer says he will be available to you by 10 am. There is also a client by the name of Miss Janine Redbrook of California, she will like to have a meeting with you. She wants you to design her new Salon and Spa, she shall be in New York for the next four days. I penciled her in for Thursday at 9 am."

She was efficient, I would give her that because I completely forgot about my meetings from yesterday. I turned towards her and tried to keep my heart from racing so fast. My hands were deep in my pockets as I looked at her appreciatively.

I took a look at my watch and saw it was just after eight then tapped it. She looked at her watch in confusion also then looked back at me.

I was tempted to actually speak to her but my tongue and mind weren't co-operating.

Jace was about to tell her what I mean when an alarm sounded from her iPad she looked at it for a second then smiled.

"You have an 8:30 meeting with the Marketing department. I shall remind you of your first project site safety check," she said.

I looked at Jace then her.

"You will be accompanying us at these safety checks. Our operations manager will have your safety gear ready," he said to her.

She looked nervous yet shocked by the words of my sentinel.

"Why?" she asked looking at me as if I would answer her then. This time Zhee was the one answered.

"Wherever he goes, you go. Forward all the office calls to your mobile whenever you leave the office. You are his assistant."

She wanted to object but closed her mouth and looked at me intently.

Sorry sweetheart I don't want this as much as you do.

I think this would be a challenge for both of us. Being so close to her in that car would be torture and I know it will be for her too. She found me intimidating, her nervousness showed by the way she was rubbing a thumb and index finger harshly together.

"That will be all Miss Starkov," Jace said to her as I went to get my iPad and phone.

**

"Your majesty?" Zhee called to me. The door clicked closed informing me of her departure. I turned and saw both of them standing before me at ease with questioning looks.

I knew they recognized my strange behavior from my first encounter with her and how much it affected Lykos.

"She is my mate," I confirmed to them.

"That's great sir."

They were truly happy for me. I heard it in their voices and saw it in their eyes.

My people have been waiting for this to happen for so long but they were robbed of that without their knowledge.

A second princess could have been introduced to them but I robbed them of that also. With my family knowing about Elise, I guess the men who have sworn their loyalty to me should know the truth.

"She's my second mate, technically my third. Your first princess was killed when I was seventeen and I refused the second one Mother placed in my path," I said softly.

I don't even think they heard it but they did.

"How.... Why...." Jace started to ask but I turned away from them quickly and walked out the door. I didn't want to see the pity in their eyes. Pity won't bring her back.

Their 'I'm sorry' comments won't bring my Elise back.

"Sir. The budget report," Amelia said holding out a green folder to me. I took it and nodded my thanks.

'She does look beautiful today,' Lykos said to me as we walked away taking her scent with us.

**

The meeting took longer than usual because no one within this department reports was of any use to us. Nor was it to what our clients wanted.

My company was Eco-friendly from building materials to our construction workers' safety gear. No one was organized which irritated me a lot, even my easy-going friend was annoyed by this.

"This company is based on efficiency to our clients. We can't have that if our own workers can't find us a simple thing such as a good Eco-friendly yet highly economical material to build our client's buildings," Josiah snapped, "I don't care how long it takes you but we need this done by the end of the week. We have new clients who are very environmental and this is needed."

I rocked back and look at them, they seemed surprised when he snapped a few were twiddling their thumbs while the rest were avoiding my gaze.

I don't know how J handled this whole company in my absence with such petty nonsense but I now have a higher respect for him.

A text came in on my phone from my assistant, 'The car is here. First safety check at James' project'.

I stood up abruptly and looked at them.

"Friday at 10 am is your deadline" was all I said before leaving the room.

Zhee met me at the elevator doors, he avoided my gaze and allowed me to enter. The quiet was deafening but I was thankful he didn't bring it up.

Jace and Zhee have been with me since college and we had a simple trust between us, I know they will keep Amelia safe in my absence.

It wasn't lost to me that they accepted her as their princess. I was the one in denial.

**

The car ride to the project site was bearable only her soft melodious voice was heard through the car as she answered calls and scheduled meetings.

I was inwardly smiling by the way my name sounded on her tongue even if it was just Mr. Saville. I caught myself trying to imagine hearing her say, Angelo.

Why am I thinking this way about her? I didn't want her. I do not need her.

'The bond is getting stronger, the harder we try to fight it' Lykos said whimpering.

With her always being around me I don't think I can control my actions around her. My heart ached at that thought, she is your replacement, love. I'm not ready to replace you no matter how much she reminds me of you.

"Sir?" I heard her calling out to me while touching my hand.

I quickly pulled away from her, that simple touch from her burned me like fire, causing me to feel so calm and contented. I looked at her in question.

"We are here" she answered. She was holding her hand also with a confused expression but her eyes showed a bit of hurt. I knew I was the one that put it there by my action but I couldn't be bothered.

Zhee opened the door and I quickly climbed out of the car not caring if she was following. Taking a hard hat from Jace, I made my way to the awaiting safety officer.

"Good morning Mr. Saville it's good to see you again. This shouldn't take long as I know you are always above our conditions," he said shaking my hand.

I nodded and followed him through the gates of the site. As we were going over the safety procedures for the use of heavy machinery the site erupted in wolf whistles, I looked for the reason why and I saw it.

My mate was being escorted onto the site by my men while every male construction worker stopped to watch her walk on by. I must say she looked so adorable with a pink hard hart and tan construction boots.

"I won't mind you working here with us babe," one called out.

"Working those boots cupcake." They began to call her lots of endearments and made lewd comments which made her blush and laugh out loud.

Lykos and I didn't like that one bit, no other man was allowed to call my mate that nor be the reason she was blushing like that.

A low growl escaped my lips as I stalked towards them, her eyes widen in shock as she saw me coming. Picking her up bridal style, I ignored the pleasurable feeling that coursed through my body as I held her close.

Her hair was brushing against my arm it took everything I had in me not to stop right there and run my fingers through it. I can hear how fast her heart was beating.

Lykos was loving how she felt in our arms and how beautiful her heartbeat sounded.

"Mr. Saville, put me down," she pleaded weakly but I ignored her.

I got to the car and opened the door with one hand and placed her inside. She was about to protest when I slammed the door shut in her face and willed the doors locked. I snapped my fingers and the air-condition came on.

Stalking back to the site, everyone's eyes were wide with shock by my actions.

"Get back to work," I yelled.

"You have no right to manhandle me like that Mr. Saville. You practically embarrassed me in front of your workers. I am not your property. I'm your worker and I expect you to treat me with some respect."

Her full-on rant began as I got back into the car, I tuned her out by going over the suggestions the safety officer gave me in moving materials up and down faster and safer.

"Are you even listening to me?" she shouted at me.

Turning to her, I watched her intensely until she lost the fire she had in her before.

"I-I'm sorry it's just you caught me by surprise and... and...I'm sorry" she rambled on.

I said nothing as usual but just looked at her bright blue eyes that held an uncertain look. She was twisting her fingers again. Her pale cheeks now had a shade of red from her outbursts.

Unconsciously, I brushed my fingers against her cheek, I no longer saw Amelia but Elise with those playful blue eyes of hers.

I saw my mate when we first met how her eyes lit up when she realized I was hers.

"Elise. My beautiful princess," I breathed out tucking her hair behind her ear. Her eyes soften then it was gone. She pulled away from me. My heart ached to know that my Elise was rejecting me.

"I'm Amelia, sir. Not Elise" she said.

I pulled back my hand, closing my eyes and opening them once again. Hoping it was a lie.

It was truly, Amelia.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat beside me as I just looked at her in confusion.

What just happened? I swore it was Elise. It had to be my Elise.

I roughly rubbed my face with my hands and looked out the window. I just called Amelia her name why did I do that, she can't be near me anymore. For the sake of my sanity, she has to go.


Amelia

We drove on in an uncomfortable silence after that confusing moment that occurred between us.

I loved the way how his fingers felt so good against my cheek. I was about to lean into his touch when I heard him speak.

His voice was the same voice over the phone at the restaurant so sensual and deep but what actually made me stop were the words that left his lips.

His eyes showed that he was caught up in a happy memory as he called me Elise.

My heart ached painfully and I don't know why. He's my boss and nothing more, I shouldn't be wanting him to touch me more or even hear him say my name.

He's nothing to me and would never be anything to me.

He was too in love with this Elise. Why did he call me her name though?

At that moment I got a glimpse of a happy Angelo Saville maybe she broke his heart and he hasn't moved on. Is this why he was so cold to everyone?

The slamming of a door notified me that we were at the other project. I was about to open the door when the locks were set, "I'm sorry Ms. Starkov, but Mr. Saville has given me orders to take you back to the office." his driver said.

"Um... Oh...okay" I mumbled. In other words, he doesn't want me around him, I can handle that perfectly.

I returned to the office in record time and went straight to the 60th floor with my thoughts all over.

His touch was still lingering on my cheek and I wanted more. I wanted him to see me, I wanted to see him smile, see happiness in his eyes.

I frowned at my thoughts why do I want all these things with him. Maybe it’s just lust. He is a highly desirable man who can have anyone he wants

'But he still loves this Elise' I heard my subconscious say, funny it never sounded so realistic to me.

Brushing it off, I sat at my desk and start to file documents of closed projects. I knew he won't be coming back in because the rest of his day would be on sites so I worked through lunch.

He had some contracts to sign. I dutifully went into the office to leave them on his desk. I've never been in here in his absence and it felt so cold. When he's in here his whole presence filled the room and all I see was him.

Going behind his desk to place the files, I noticed three picture frames it was of him and his family.

What really caught my attention was one of him and a beautiful green-eyed woman with long brown hair and he was smiling so brightly.

It actually reached his eyes. This was probably his mother Emma Saville after all they do have similar features especially their eyes and nose.

She looked so young. Probably countless plastic surgery procedures they can afford the best.

I scoffed in disgust and placed the picture back in its place and looked at one with his brother and father.

They all were so handsome. Great genes I must say even his father had striking good looks. The last one I had to roll my eyes.

"These people are so full of themselves" I muttered.

This picture was of five of them on something like a platform with his mother and father on thrones holding each other's hand while their three kids stood above them what caused me to roll my eyes was the fact they were all wearing crowns. I think they were real jewel-encrusted crown not the fake ones at a costume shop.

Do they think they are royalty? Money sure inflates people's ego. No wonder he struts around all high and mighty and looks down on people.

Writing instructions on a sticky note I stormed out of his office, gathered my things, and left for the day.

Any feelings that were forming for this self-proclaimed prince now vanished. I promised myself never to fall for another man like that, with money comes power, a power that corrupts the mind. I won't let that happen again.

I shivered in the evening sun thinking of him then reassuring myself that Bryan won't find where I'm at.

He can't.

I hope.

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