Luca sat behind his desk listening to the man continue to jabber on his ear however all he could do was stare out the open door to Sophia's desk. He has deemed it 'necessary' to continue keeping the door open now with her being so near. He had considered the possibility of her desk being moved into his office but three reasons came up in his head. 1) It was not appropriate for the 'assistant' to be located in his office. 2) He didn't want to come off overly possessive. 3) Sophia would probably hate it.

Hearing the elevator ding, his eyes automatically snapped to find her walking over to her desk with her lovely auburn hair flowing around her. She is speaking into the Bluetooth earpiece he had bought for her. It has been a few days now since the events from last Friday. Just the thought of her lips makes his fingers come up to trace his lips. He can practically still feel her tender lips attached to his. It was unlike what he had experienced previously... not that he had too many to compare to.

She sat down at her desk unaware of his gaze still glued on her. The man on the phone long forgotten as he watches her switch on her computer before walking towards his office. Her emerald eyes finally noticing him standing there looking at her. She blushes before lowering her head biting her lip. His muscles tensing loving that he has such a reaction on her. The way his body practically hums with energy when ever they are near each other. It feels almost electric. She walks around him still looking anywhere but him.

"Mr. Sanford? Are you still there?"

"Mmmhmm"

He doesn't even bother past that as he watches her. The man continues rambling on unaware that he is not being heard. Sophia's back is to him as she sits down a cup of coffee on his table followed by some files. She lays them open ready for his signature. It has become a routine for them. She is highly efficient in her work. He truly did believe she was an asset to the company and still was trying to figure out why she didn't want to stay on after her sister returned. She lifts her gaze to him as he still has his phone to his ear. He holds her gaze loving the red that creeps up her neck slowly. He could truly say he was mesmerized by the enigma that is Sophia Andrews.

"Luca... Do you need anything?" She whispers as she steps closer.

Her green eyes catch the light making them appear to glisten like a rare gem. He doesn't even think as his hand comes out to her taking her hand into his own. Finally realizing the man on the phone is still talking, he interrupts him.

"I'm going to have to call you back."

With out another word, he ends the call pocketing his phone as he tugs his Tesoro closer to him. His other hand coming up to cup her cheek. The softness of her skin reminding him of silk beneath his thumb.

"Good Morning Tesoro"

Her smile appears making the sun appear less in comparison. His heart races as he comes forward kissing her cheek. Pulling back he smirks finding her red as a fresh tomato. He has learned that she is not accustomed to affection. He will have to work on that.

"Morning Luca"

Her voice siring him in like the mythological creature she is. His phone begins ringing again and he sighs. She smiles before pecking his cheek and leaving his embrace. He looks over his shoulder watching as she retreats back to her desk. He reluctantly pulls out his cellphone answering the call however doesn't tear his gaze away from the beauty that has trapped him.

"Brother?"

"Cassidy?" Luca blinks listening to his sister's voice.

"Hey Luca, can I come by the office?" Her voice wavering.

"Yea, is everything alright?" His attention now solely on his sister.

"... yea, I'll be there soon."

"Alright, I'll let Sam know."

"Love you"

"You too Cass"

He hangs up and looks to his phone confused. Cassidy is the youngest of his siblings. The twins were still traveling as far as he knew. Cassidy was currently in still in her schooling and in that stage of 'bad boys'. He is hoping that is not with this is in regards to. He walked over to his desk ringing down to Sam letting the man know to expect the youngest of the Sanford family. He looked up to find Sophia typing away at the computer. A few more contracts sitting on her desk. He smirked thinking about all the notes she makes on each of them. After the Stonewall Inc. incident, he would be a fool to not allow her to continue advising the deals. She has had lucrative ideas which he has inserted into some of the contracts.

He gets up from his desk walking over to his door. He stands there and listens as she finishes adding an apt to his calendar before transitioning into some other work she was on before the call. Her eyes are glued on the computer and he realizes she is so focused, she doesn't even realize his arrival. He peers over her shoulder and raises a brow. On her screen is some type of math problem and she has a yellow legal pad in front of her where he can tell she was working something out. He leans down closer to her head. Her scent of strawberries wafting through his nose.

"What are you doing?"

She jumps a mile screeching as she whips her eyes to him. Her eyes wide before narrowing as Luca couldn't help but chuckle. Her hand comes up to shove him making him laugh at her antics. She treated him like a friend and not her boss... he liked that a lot.

"DON'T DO THAT!"

He grinned still chuckling as she gathered herself turning back to the computer. He stood behind her leaning ever so close. He could see how her breathing changed due to how her chest began to move rapidly. His own body responding to the closeness. She cleared her throat before bringing something up on his computer. He realized it was a spreadsheet.

"I was pulling up some of the companies you are working with. The files looking into how well they have been doing since the partnership. I ran a basic algorithm that is projecting the earnings you were predicting them to have vs. where they currently stand. This-" she points to a list of names in red, "are the groups that are below the projected earnings."

He leaned closer utterly surprised again as she has found another way to look over his company. He had the financial department keep a close eye on them but usually it was only every quarter that we looked into the companies. The system she had created can keep track of them in real time.

"Tesoro, how did you-"

DING

Luca stands up turning towards the elevator finding a familiar curly blonde stepping off. She smiles tightly walking towards him. He instantly walks over to her before throwing his arms around her bringing her into a hug. He feels the way her body stiffens before clutching him back. Her head pressed to his chest before hearing a sigh. He continues holding her to his frame allowing her to relax against him.

Luca was not an affection boy when he was young. His mother made him change, made him open up. He didn't show it to many however his siblings were an exception. He was always protective over them. Cassidy more than the twins due to the twins having each other. His baby sister always felt overwhelmed with the world. She was a wall flower with a soft spoken nature. When she became a teen, her womanly features made her attractive to many young boys. She however wasn't really interested until she met a boy whom she claims make her feel special. He, of course, had to have a piss poor attitude.

"Luca, will you introduce us?"

He pulls back looking down at her to find her looking towards Sophia. His gaze turning to her as she looks back and forth between the two. He nods his head as he walks her over to Sophia's desk.

"Cassidy, this is my assistant Ms. Sophia Andrews." Cassidy waves at Sophia who gives a small reassuring smile. "Sophia, this is-"

"Cassidy Sanford, your youngest sister."

Luca raises a brow as she just waves her hand dismissively. His sister however giggles looking between them before reaching out for Sophia's hand.

"I've heard about you Sophia." Sophia's eyes widen before turning to Luca. He looks just a confused turning to his younger sister. "Our mother speaks highly of you."

"Ahh" Sophia says as a blush creeps her cheeks. Luca smirks finding her innocence amusing.

"Sophia, will you hold my calls for a bit."

"Absolutely"

He turns walking with Cassidy into his office. He closes the door giving a wink to Sophia who quickly looks down. He chuckles lowly turning to find his sister sitting on the couch near the window. He sighs walking over to sit down beside her. Her eyes staring out.

"Mom was right"

"Care to elaborate?"

"She said you have someone."

Luca rolls his eyes knowing his mother has good intentions but he wishes she would wait til he brings it up to everyone. A light giggle makes him look to find his baby sister already looking at him with a smirk.

"She is quite beautiful Luca"

"Stop, " he says holding his hand up towards her. "We are not discussing this right now."

"Please" She pouts playfully towards him.

"Tell me what's wrong and we'll see."

Her face transforms instantly from playful to a sorrowful expression. She looks down to her hands beginning to pick at her nails before taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly looking back at the window.

"You know... I hate it when you and mom are ALWAYS right."

"Elaborate Cass"

She takes a moment and Luca studies her face. She looks as if she is almost in pain. Her eyes glistening as she holds back unshed tears. Her gaze locked outside as she begins to speak.

"I broke up with David. I found him... uhm-" she clears her throat before continuing. "I found out him today with another girl."

Luca remains quiet aware that she has more to say. He has always been in tune with Cassidy. She hates pity, absolutely can not stand it. Rather than apologizing, he remains silent allowing her to work through her issues before realizing it on her own.

"He had the audacity to say it was my fault because I refused to." She says wiping away the tear that began trailing down her cheek. She chuckles humorlessly. "All those I love you and I will wait... seem quite pointless now."

He scoots closer to her before wrapping an arm around her shoulder making her lay her head against him. A deep shaky breath released, "He wasn't right for me. I guess I always knew it otherwise I would have given in some time ago."

"You stayed with him... why?"

"Cuz of mom and dad." She huffs, "I watch them everyday and just wonder if I will ever find a love like that. I mean they look at each other like no one else is there... Hell I'm sure there have been times when they forgot we were even in the room."

Luca nods his head thoughtfully. He understands what she is saying. His parents were practically made for each other. He can recall all those times growing up and especially in high school when he would date hoping someone would look at him the way his parent's look at each other.

"You will someday Cassidy."

She just huffs not wanting to further discuss it. She shakes her head before sitting up turning to her brother. A twinkle in her eyes that wasn't there previously.

"Enough about me, tell me about Sophia!" Luca throws his head on the back of the couch looking to the ceiling. A playful slap to his arm makes him turn to her. "You know our parents have spoken about her. They really like her."

"Really?" Luca asks doubtfully.

"Yep" Cassidy pops the 'p' before glancing towards the door. "She is stunning and seems nice."

"You met her for less than a minute."

"It's in the eyes brother." Cassidy says rolling her eyes. "Just like it is in yours."

"What is?"

"Your character." He just raises a brow waiting for her to continue. "You come off tough and cold to those who don't know you but to me, you will always be my protector... my hero."

Luca feels his heart melt. Cassidy has said it before to him. It doesn't surprise him anymore but it does swell him with pride everytime she says it.

"And you think Sophia is nice."

"I think she has a story to tell but yes."

"A story?"

Cassidy nods her head looking back outside. "The eyes are the windows to the soul brother."

"You going to be okay sis?"

She nods her head giving another deep breath before shrugging. "It wasn't meant to be, that's okay."

She gets up walking towards the door. Luca walking directly behind her as she turns to hug him. He returns the gesture before opening the door. Sophia is still typing away as they walk over to her. The green eyes turning to them giving a smile.

"Sophia, would you like to come to our home tomorrow for dinner?"

Luca snaps his neck turning to Cassidy. She continues looking to Sophia waiting for a reply. He turns back to Sophia for a moment to find her looking at him for an answer. He gives a blank look hoping she wouldn't deny Cassidy.

"Uhm... yes?"

Cassidy beams before turning to Luca with a glint in her eyes. "I'm sure my brother can give you the details. It was nice meeting you Sophia."

"You too Cassidy."

He keeps glancing back and forth between his baby sister and his tesoro before following Cassidy to the elevator. He leans down to her ear as they wait for it to come. "What are you doing Cass?"

She just smirks as the doors open allowing her entry. She turns pressing the button looking him directly in the eye.

"Yours is meant to be. See you tomorrow brother."