The Perfect Intern

Chapter 37.

Karina

I was proud Dante finally wanted to take control of his life. It may not have been the smartest move, considering he had practically attacked his staff members hours before, but I knew if he found a way to get Ariella back it could be good for him.

I was not aware that they had any actual connection with eachother, my only concern was that she would ruin everything he's ever worked for.

But seeing how they acted with one another, how she calmed him, showed her love for him, and even broke him once she left him. I realized how I wasn't even paying attention. It made me feel horrible because it was indeed all my fault. I took action based off of a simple picture. And now that I knew he was bipolar, and she in fact was not a spy, I could only imagine how much he had broken her, too.

To the point where she no longer saw herself with him. And boy, did it fucking hurt to watch. It made me feel slightly better that I could set the record straight with Maddie, Ariella's friend. I hoped my apology would eventually get to her, somehow.

But now, I had to handle the board members and soon someone else who was really important. Dante would hate me if he found out who I talked to when it came to getting things back on track with the company. I didn't know what happened at SEO in Thailand, but I knew when I was here alone, it was fucking hell. He was my only option and still is with Dante's circumstances.

For his sake, I really hoped he could find a way to get Ariella back. Once I walked into SEO, Madeline was the first to tell of the board of directors' pissed off leave. They probably thought we didn't want to be bothered with them, luckily missing Dante's outbreak. I pulled my phone from my pocket to reschedule with them as I stood at the front desk with a hand on my waist. It made no sense to go up to my office when I'd only have to leave again.

The board was about to get more agitated when they'd find out I didn't have an exact date for when we'd decide on this design. And they'd have to live with it because really there was nothing either of us could do about it.

"I'm terribly sorry about this guys," I lied. "Neither of us had expected for him to catch the flu and it just hurts my heart."

I laughed inside my head, remembering the time Dante gave this same bullshit speech to the A&R Sisters while he leaned his body weight onto a supply closet door to lock me in. I generously partnered them with SEO without his consent and he was sure to call them personally and tell them I was terribly sick when I gave them the contract. He explained to them how much it "saddened" him while I banged on the other side of the door, eventually giving up. In my defense, they were rather attractive and no matter how much people hate to admit it--sex sells, baby.

"Please send him our condolences."

I snapped out of my thoughts at Meghan's words, one of the only women on the board and the only one with a soft side that really works against her for the most part.

Yeah, yeah. Will do.

I nodded knowing they couldn't see the action over the phone. I hung up, nonetheless and headed back out to my car, throwing my keys up an inch carelessly and then catching them right after.

I repeated this action all the way to my parking spot where I stepped into my car and started it up. Felt good to be back in the driver's seat and not ordered to search for random strangers. Also with no one in my backseat asking questions.

Finally pulling out of the parking garage, I made my way to his street. Which didn't take long since the Tuesday traffic was surprisingly slim to none. His rather large house with a pool right there in front wasn't a hard one to spot at the end of his almost secluded street. I'd say it was the perfect place for a retired CEO like himself. No neighbors to bother you, only trees, and maybe small animals from then. Much different from the other busy streets of New York. I pulled into the driveway and walked up to the brown and white house after locking my car. He could see everything from the inside due to his large windows around just about every corner of it. I sauntered up to the door, the marble rock underneath me made my heels click much louder as I did. It smelt of trees and pool water of course, but I wasn't complaining and I'm sure neither was he.