My head spun as I made my way towards the elevator. I could feel Luca watching me with a smug expression. Dante had explained some more about where he came from and I was floored. I couldn't decide if I was scared or excited.
The idea that my family could be witches was confusing. If they were, why would they leave me behind? Surely, growing up without some kind of magical guidance could have been disastrous.
Just take Tom Riddle from Harry Potter for example. He grew up in an orphanage and developed a weird twisted view of his magic. Which meant that he became evil … then again Harry grew up in a terrible place too and he was one of the bravest and most selfless wizards in that story.
As the elevator pinged open my head was still fuzzy. The short ride down did not help to clear it before opening on my floor.
I walked into the room and instantly heard whispering which stopped the minute they noticed me. Since my block wasn't up I could tell they were excited as they all hovered around my desk.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" I asked cautiously.
"Well, we've been waiting for you to come down. You were up there a long time," Ella beamed before elbowing Mac.
"Oh yeah, we were a little worried at first but since you're here I'm guessing it went ok?" he asked with his hands behind his back.
"Erm … yeah it went … well, I mean why wouldn't it? Why were you worried?" I asked.
I didn't think they knew about what Dante and Luca were but why would they be worried?
"Well, Mr Astello can be quite an intimidating man when you first meet him," Tony started. "The first time I met him, I was shaking from head to toe then when he held my hand I was a puddle."
I laughed as the others told me of their encounters with him.
"Well, he was very scary looking when I first met him so, of course, I ran away," I laughed. "Luca took me back and then Dante apologised and told me what he wanted me for."
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at me with open mouths.
"What?" I asked as their collective shock was becoming too much.
I quickly threw up my block and sighed with relief as the queasy feeling slid away.
"They let you call them by their first names?" Yumi asked.
"Well, yeah. Dante said I should since I'll be working with him a lot on the new project," I didn't realise it was such an unusual thing.
Reminding them of the new project broke them out of their collective trance. Ella elbowed Mac again. He shook himself first before he held out a small box tied up with a bow. With a smile, he handed it to me and with raised eyebrows and wide eyes I looked at him.
Mac smirked and nodded down at the box, so I cautiously started to open it. The red bow came off fairly quickly as did the lid. I gasped when I saw what was inside.
A brand new set of top-of-the-range artist pencils. The kind that I knew weren't cheap. I've always dreamt of owning my very own set, just like these.
"What is this?" I asked in amazement.
"We noticed the pencils you were using were running down and we needed to get you a welcome gift. So, we got you these!" Yumi was so excited she started uncharacteristically jumping.
I stared down at them in awe, a tear started to form in my eye but I blinked it away. No one had ever gotten me a gift before.
The nuns could only manage a birthday or Christmas card for the kids since food and the bills were more important. At least that was the excuse they often gave.
In school and college, I had been a bit of a loner, so I didn't have any friends. So, this really was my first ever present.
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling shy.
Everyone suddenly became quiet. My block wavered a little and I could sense that they were worried about me again. Maybe they thought they had insulted me or something.
"Is everything alright?" Mac asked with concern. "Is the gift not right? We can take it back if you want and get you something else."
Quickly, I shook my head and clutched the present to my chest. No way would I be giving this back.
"No! It's not that! It's perfect, I really like it, I just…" I wasn't sure how best to say it without looking like a pathetic loser. "I grew up in an orphanage raised by nuns. They never had any money for gifts and I wasn't good at making friends. So, no one has ever given me a present before."
All three gave me a sad look and I could feel their pity but it wasn't the type that I was used to. The type that most people have when they hear you were an orphan is more pitying with an edge of indifference.
Theirs was a feeling of sadness for me. Yumi and Ella both came to hug me, before stopping themselves. Mac had told them about my aversion to being touched and I smiled at their consideration. They didn't think I was weird because of it like other people did.
Mac cleared his throat forcing all our attention back on him.
"Well, anyway, I bet you're excited about starting your first project and now you have more tools to get started."
Everyone nodded with teary smiles before going off to their desks. I collected my things and went back to the elevator when Tony stopped me.
"Where you going, Sorin?"
"Oh, I'll be working with Dant… I mean Mr Astello on this as it's top secret until it's revealed. So, he has set up a room for me to work in, on his floor. I'll come down for lunch or if I need to get anything but otherwise I am up there. You can message me if you need me for anything," I explained with a wave.
"Wow!" was all I heard as the doors shut.
Luca showed me to one of the conference rooms I had seen earlier and I gasped. It wasn't actually a conference room but a design studio. It had all the latest equipment from the high-tech computers to craft stations. Along one wall there were all of the state-of-the-art crafting tools and materials I could only dream of.
Alongside the wall of windows were several drawing tables I would kill to have. It felt like I was in a dream.
"Will this do?"
I jumped and spun to see Dante leaning against the door frame with his arms folded. He smirked as I blushed. His arms showcased his firm chest as it strained against his shirt.
Dante quirked an eyebrow at me and I felt the heat travel down my neck as I realised he was waiting for an answer.
"Oh yeah, sorry. Yes, it's perfect! I've always dreamed of a design studio like this."
Dante nodded and walked closer. He grabbed the stuff from my arm and placed it on the large table in the middle of the room.
"Well, you should have everything you need here. If I have missed anything let me know," he asked.
"A coffee machine, too much to ask?" I teased awkwardly.
Dante smiled before pointing to a small table near the door. The small table held one of those fancy coffee machines that takes pods, next to it was a wide selection of pods plus a mini fridge.
"Anything else?" he smirked at me.
"Not that I can think of right now," I blushed.
"Good, well let me know if you think of anything."
Dante left and I felt the tension leave my body. Despite knowing he was a bloodthirsty monster that could kill me whenever he wanted, my body was craving him desperately. I'd never wanted someone this much before or ever.
I slumped onto one of the computer chairs and groaned. My erection was pushing against my jeans and it was almost painful. With a glance at the closed door, I wondered if anyone would know if I relieved myself right here.
The image of me stroking my cock and Dante walking in made me groan and my cock jerk. My mind started to reel off the scenario as I freed my erection.
Dante would walk in and his eyes would land on my cock. With a thirsty look, he would close the door and come and kneel between my legs. His mouth would wrap around my shaft and suck hard.
My hand swept around the head as I bit my lip to stifle the moans.
He would pull me up, turn me around and plunge his cock into my waiting hole. My arms would brace on the table as he would fuck me without mercy.
I came much too soon but with a deep satisfied sigh. Luckily I only managed to dirty my own hands, which was easy to clean up. With the hope that no one heard that I got to work.