It's been two weeks since Luca last spoke to Nadia and the vandalism incident happened. The paint has been washed away and the windows have been replaced on the front entrance. There are a few rumors and whispers floating around about it, most employees assuming random the media has let it die since his father made a statement.

Nadia hasn't spoken to him since that day either and he never answered her message if he was okay. He didn't plan on it and it's best if he keeps his distance anyway. He was stupid to think he could start a friendship with her. Ciara would never allow another woman to come into his life.

Ciara. He grimaced staring at all the unread messages from her. She hasn't stopped antagonizing him about the situation. He sighed, setting his phone on the desk and pinching the bridge of his nose. He picked up his phone again and blocked her number. She'll just message him from a different one, but at least this will save his sanity for a little while.

"Hey, Luca, you ready for our meeting?" Cameron asked as he popped his head into his office.

He cleared his throat and sat up in his chair, "Yeah, I'm ready."

"Are you alright? You've been pretty quiet lately." Cameron asked, sitting in one of the plush leather chairs in front of his desk.

"I'm always quiet, Cam and I'm fine. What's happening with the new clients we've acquired?"

"Yeah, I know but you've been quieter than usual. I know the incident was pretty traumatic but I'm worried about you."

Luca sighed, rolling his eyes, "I'm fine."

"Alright, alright....have you talked to Nadia yet?"

"No, Cameron and I'm not going to, I told you this."

Cameron sighed, shaking his head, "I don't understand why you're doing this to yourself."

Luca coughed out a laugh, "You don't - Cameron did you not see what happened? I went out one time and she vandalized the company and threatened to tell Nadia what happened - her version of what happened," He shook his head, "Everything's better when I'm alone."

"Last weekend was the first time I saw my best friend in a long time. You're not better when you're alone, Luca. You can't keep living like this."

"Like I said, I'm fine," He glared, "Are you here to lecture me or can we get on with this damn meeting?"

"Fine, I won't lecture you but I won't stop being concerned about you," Cameron glared back and sat his reports on the desk, "I want to talk to you about Ono Medical, it's a new business that's looking to get into the US market."

Luca nodded, looking at the company's details, "They're a big pharmaceutical company out of Japan aren't they?"

"Yes and Nadia was an intern for the owner so we have a connection with them that could work in our favor."

"That's promising, I want you to get her whatever she needs to get a meeting with them. A contract with this company would really put us on the map internationally."

"Actually, Mr. Ono and his team are taking expressions of interest from potential marketing firms, they're going to schedule a face to face meeting with the top three candidates."

"Great, I want you and Nadia to work on that and submit it as soon as possible. We need this contract."

"Yes we do. I also want to talk about hiring more reps under Nadia too."

Luca raised an eyebrow, "Under her? Has she impressed you that much that you're ready to appoint an International Director?"

"Hell yeah, you've seen her work. I have complete faith in her to take on this role. I want to see how she does with this Ono medical pitch, but either way I want her to head that marketing sub division. She'd make a great partner for me and I need your blessing before I have HR formally create the role."

A slight smile tugged at his lips, "You really like her don't you?"

Cameron nodded, "Yes, I do and you do too. It's written all over your face," he shook his head, "You're going to fuck up and let a good woman pass you by, man."

"Well if she's a good woman she definitely deserves someone better than me. I don't want to drag her down with my baggage. She doesn't do relationships anyway."

"So be her friend, it might change her mind."

"I don't do relationships either and from what happened this weekend Ciara won't allow me to be friends with a woman."

"Fuck Ciara," Cameron growled, "She doesn't fucking own you and I'm sick to death of you living your life like she does. You two have been done for years, it's time we figure out how to get rid of her for good."

Luca shook his head, "Not at the expense of the company. I'm not willing to drag Shola's reputation down for my personal issues. It was bad enough going to court with her. I'll just lose again, courts don't take abuse of men seriously."

"One day you're going to get tired of this and when you do, I'll always be by your side to help you get out of this."

"Thank you, Cam. If that day comes you'll be the first to know."

"Alright," he sighed, checking his watch, "I've got to get going. I'm meeting Minerva for lunch."

"Two weeks on and you're still seeing Minerva? This is new for you."

Cameron smiled, nodding his head, "Yeah, I know I usually hit it and quit it, but we haven't had sex and I don't want to ruin it with that yet. I'm trying something new and taking it slow. I...I really like her and I want to get to know everything about her."

Luca laughed, "Look at you being a respectable gentleman. I'm proud of you, I hope it works out."

"Me too, I know it's early days but I might fuck up and fall in love her."

"That wouldn't be fucking up, Cam. You deserve a good woman too."

"You need to start taking your own advice," He chuckled, gathering his notes, "I'll keep you updated on the Ono medical stuff and seriously talk to Nadia, do it in secret if it makes you feel better, but talk to her. She might surprise you."

"Yeah, alright. Enjoy your lunch."

Luca shook his head as he left, Cameron's not wrong. He should find a way to get Ciara out of his life. He thought settling that lawsuit and finally ending their relationship was enough, but he should've known better. Three years later and she's still controlling him, he tried to have one other relationship a year after everything was settled and she ruined that too. So he just gave up.

But it's not fair, his family is right, Cameron's right. This is no way to live his life. Even if he doesn't want to have a relationship he should be allowed to be friends with a woman.

He sighed, picking up his phone, he stared at Nadia's message again. He took a deep breath and answered her.

>>Hey, I'm sorry I haven't responded to you, but if you're free tonight would you like to meet me for dinner? I completely understand if you don't want to, but I think I owe you an explanation.<<

He's not even sure she'll answer him after he's ghosted her for this long. But the least he can do is take Cameron's advice and talk to her. He dialed a number on his phone and pressed it to his ear, "Hi Jack, I need a favor..."