4- Between Bites and Brown Eyes

POV Isabella:

"It’s official—we’re late!" Lucca made sure to remind us, stressing us out even more.

No way were we late on the first day. That was practically unacceptable. We stood there, waiting our turn, restless and anxious. Finally, the damn metal doors opened, we jumped in, and Raica hurried to press the button—but the elevator didn’t move.

Could it get worse? It did.

"Is it broken?" Raica grumbled, mashing the buttons like her life depended on it. "Guys, it’s not working!"

I checked my wristwatch, stressing even more. We had five minutes to get upstairs, and this thing wasn’t budging. I tilted my head, ready to smash the panel, when a pair of brown eyes paralyzed me. I tried to look away from the magnetic pull, but I couldn’t. The heat in that gaze held me captive.

My God, who is he? I thought.

My eyes timidly scanned the masterpiece in front of me. Jesus… I stared back, dazed, stupid, and a suggestive smile curled on those lips I suddenly wanted for myself. While everything around us seemed frantic, we savored each other like appetizers—until the elevator decided to work.

Damn it!

I took the chance to breathe again… What the hell was that?

I tried to think straight as the elevator ascended, but the sensations flooding my body left me confused. A mix of curiosity and fascination—stupidly interesting.

"Think you’ve got a fan," Lucca whispered in my ear.

"What?" I murmured, afraid someone might hear.

"You see how he was looking at you?"

"Who?"

"The hot executive."

"No… I…"

"We’re here," Renan said, relieved.

The group rushed past me, bold and hurried, while my overwhelmed mind processed that face—intense, attractive, and magnetic. There was something unusual about him, something I couldn’t explain or understand. All I knew was that guy woke something dormant inside me.

We didn’t get scolded—if anything, supervisor Maico was understanding about the elevator malfunction.

The second half of the day flew by. Training flowed with one crucial lesson: quick thinking. They were strict about every detail, which explained the company’s high standards—and the slight headache I got from the overload of first-day info.

We were dismissed.

I took a little longer packing my bag, so I was the last to leave the room. I’d already arranged to go to the subway with Lucca, so it wasn’t a surprise to find him in the lobby.

"Lucca, sorry, I got a little held up…"

"It’s cool, girl."

We used the waiting time to laugh about some awkward moments during training. Again, the elevator took forever—I was starting to hate it, especially as the day’s exhaustion set in.

The panel lit up with the floor number, and the doors slid open…

Holy shit!

Everything I was supposed to do—like stepping inside—vanished, and I stood there like an idiot.

The guy… all of him.

Lucca understood, entering first and pulling me in. My new friend even made space so I could squeeze in—or rather, stand between the men. A devilish cologne filled my nostrils, delicious and provocative. I should’ve looked away, but I didn’t dare, even as my face burned under his conquering gaze.

Elevator, maybe break down now? I thought. That’d be a great idea.

Then again, Lucca was here—what could even happen? I sighed in frustration.

The elevator stopped—unfortunately—forcing us out. Lucca went ahead, and I realized I didn’t have my badge when he tapped his at the turnstile. I stopped to dig through my bag, and he walked past me, on the phone.

A rough voice.

"Yes, it’s Dominic…" I froze my search. So his name is Dominic! "Go ahead… Of course…"

I fumbled for my badge as fast as I could to follow him out. From a distance inside the lobby, I stood there like a fool, watching a uniformed employee hand him a key while he was still on the phone. It seemed like a formal conversation, judging by his serious expression—which I admired even from afar. As soon as he hung up, he pocketed his phone, undid the single button on his sleek blue suit, and disappeared into his Porsche.

"Isabella! You okay?" my new friend asked, sounding concerned.

I turned to him and forced a smile.

"Yeah, I… I…" I stammered like an idiot.

Stupid, Isabella… stupid.

The question was: Why was I still standing there like I needed something to move?

I inhaled and exhaled, searching for the sanity I’d lost somewhere along the way.

Damn it, I’ve lost my mind!

"You’re smitten with the mysterious executive, huh?" the guru teased.

"No… I! Nooooo… Of course not! No way!" I tried to play it off—pointless. He noticed, of course he noticed! Who wouldn’t?

I grabbed a hair tie from my bag’s side pocket and threw my hair into a messy bun.

"Oh, absolutely!" Lucca doubled down, messing with me.

No, no jokes—this was serious. I’d practically been hypnotized by his face… or… Dominic.

"Whatever… Forget it!" I brushed off my friend’s teasing. "I’m just really tired—dizzy, that’s all."

He smirked skeptically but didn’t push it.

Who knew a first day could bring so many new—or maybe irresistible—sensations?