Taming Ricardo, The Italian Billionaire

Chapter 3

“You can’t be serious, Rico. Why would you waste your time going to meet with a social worker?” Alfio waved both hands around in irritation. “And for what? Because she’s upset? You don’t know this woman. Why do you care?”

Ricardo eyed his brother with a raised brow. “I believe I can do whatever and meet with whomever I want, Alfio.”

“I’m not saying otherwise. I just don’t want anything or anyone slowing down our plans.”

Ricardo shrugged. “As you said, she is a social worker. I don’t know much about the American system but I doubt she can do anything to affect our project.”

“Then again, why are you going to a meeting with her?”

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Ricardo shrugged. “Technically, it’s not a meeting. It’s more of a surprise visit. I had no conversation with her about any meeting.”

His brother looked at him with disbelief. “It’s official, you’ve lost your mind.”

Ricardo’s mouth twisted into a half smile. What could he say? Perhaps he had gone mad. It would be a good explanation for why he was seeking out a woman he didn’t need to see. He couldn’t explain it, the effect just hearing her voice over the answering machine had on him was mind boggling.  On Friday night, he had returned to the office to pick up a few things. Having just set up a temporary office where he and his brothers could work, he hadn’t yet hired a secretary or any other help. So, he took his own calls and whatever he missed the answering machine got.

Both surprise and amusement had flooded him when he checked his messages Friday night and got to the last one. It was a very irate woman giving him a piece of her mind. Apparently, she wasn’t too happy about the project he was involved in. He replayed the message in his head, as he had done many times over the last few days. Her voice was sultry, smooth like the finest red wine, and full of passion. At first, hearing her voice had transported him to a bedroom with candles and silk sheets, and then he’d replayed the message and really listened to her words. She insulted him several times, yet he couldn’t help the attraction to just her voice. Who was attracted to a woman based on voice alone? He’d gone way too long without female companionship, it seemed.

Kyra Fisher. The only thing he knew about her was her name and her profession. She had introduced herself as a social worker with The Borough of Manhattan Social Services. Sure, he had the resources to find out what she looked like, and everything about her but he hadn’t made any move to do that. For some insane reason, he was enjoying the mystery. He had decided to wait until that afternoon to pay The Borough of Manhattan Social Services a visit and find this Kyra Fisher. One, to let her know just how unhappy he was to receive such a scolding from someone he’d never met and two, to finally put a face to the seductive voice.

“Did you hear anything I just said?”

Ricardo glanced at Alfio. “What was that?”

He slapped a hand to his forehead. “Will you focus? What ‘s gotten into you? You’re the one who’s supposed to be reprimanding me about my lack of focus.”

“I apologize, Alfio. Kindly repeat what you said.” Ricardo had tuned out everything his brother said. He was too busy thinking about a woman he didn’t know.

“I said, forget about the social worker and let’s get things done.”

Ricardo snorted. Forgetting the social worker was absolutely not an option. He couldn’t forget her if he tried. “It’s not like we can do anything more until the residents of the building move out. They have three weeks. Relax.”

“You used your billionaire powers to cut the time down to three weeks. Maybe you can push it down to two weeks.”

“I doubt that will happen, Alfio. I already had to pull a lot of strings to the three weeks. The city won’t agree with less time. Just a little more patience.”

He sighed. “You’re right. I’m just anxious to get started. I see a lot of money coming our way. Why didn’t we do this years ago?”

 “Because you and Mario were too busy partying and being irresponsible,” Ricardo answered casually, reaching for his cell. “It’s time I got going,” he said and stood up.

Alfio scoffed and rolled his eyes just as Mario walked in. “Hey, guys.” He noticed his twin’s disgusted expression. “What’s your problem, Alfio?”

“Our brother has lost his mind.”

“What’s new?” Mario grinned when Ricardo sent him a glare.

“He insists on meeting some social worker.”

With a shrug, Mario gave his brother a confused look. “So? What’s the big deal?”

“She has a problem with us moving forward with our property development project.”

“And your point is? A social worker won’t be able to affect what we’re doing.”

Ricardo opened the office door. “That’s what I told him.”

Before Mario could ask any further questions, Ricardo made his escape.” He had to get to The Borough of Manhattan Social Services before he missed Kyra Fisher. Anticipation welled up inside of him. He attempted to put a damper on the anticipation and excitement swelling in his gut for the mere fact that he was meeting with a woman. He hadn’t experienced such feelings in years.

*****

Kyra nibbled her fingernails nervously. She’d felt ill all day due to anxiety. The weekend hadn’t seen her get much sleep nor did she have a bite to eat for almost two days. Since arriving at the office that morning, she’d been jumpy. Every door that opened and every ring of a phone made her heart leap. Allegra had inquired why she seemed so on edge. Being on edge was an understatement. She was one breath away from a full blown panic attack, a nervous breakdown.

What had she been thinking picking up the phone, Friday night, in her condition? Never in her life had she done anything so foolish. So much for not doing anything to get herself in trouble as she had promised Deborah Griggs. Kyra rested her head in her hand and groaned. Her eyes had been on her boss’s office door all day, waiting for the moment when he would emerge and fire her. That was what would certainly happen if Ricardo Bianchi decided to make a complaint.

The thought of possibly losing her job that day over her stupidity had been like a heavy weight on her chest since she woke up that morning.

“Kyra!”

Her eyes flew to meet Allegra’s. “Huh? I mean, yes, Allegra? What can I do for you?”

Allegra studied her with narrowed eyes. “What is your deal? I’ve been standing in front of your desk, calling you for like two minutes. You were completely zoned out.” She perched on the desk and lowered her voice. “Did you decide to have some fun this weekend and now you’re reminiscing?”

“I wish,” Kyra muttered. “You and I both know that’s not it.”

“I was merely entertaining hope. So, what’s the problem? You have been on edge all day. Don’t think I didn’t see you pacing and talking to yourself in the lounge.”

Kyra sighed. Hopefully, Allegra was the only who witnessed her losing her mind. “I did something really stupid and I’m worried I might get into trouble.”

Interest sparkled in Allegra’s eyes. “You in trouble? I find that hard to believe but do tell.”

Kyra contemplated telling her friend what she had done. After a few seconds, she spilled, wanting to get it off her chest. “Ok, like I said, I did something stupid.” She resisted the urge to slap her palm against her forehead, still silently berating herself for her actions. “It all started on Friday when I visited the Griggs. I found out that their home is about to be renovated and not for their benefit. They’re pretty much being driven out of their home for the place to be turned into luxury condos for rich folks. They were given three measly weeks to move out. It’s not just the Griggs. A lot of people are going to lose their homes. Where are they supposed to go? The people we work with don’t have the means to relocate at the drop of a hat. I was incensed when I discovered what was going on.”