Daniel Busch checked his watch for the third time, anxiety and anticipation gnawing at him. He was about to meet his former business rival, and to make matters worse, his ex-lover, Karen Hastings; she had summoned him for an important meeting.The last time they spoke was at a conference in New York, and it didn't end well. Now, they were meeting at an elegant restaurant in the heart of Barcelona, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He knew she had something up her sleeve.As he entered the restaurant, he was greeted by the aroma of delicious food, the clinking of glasses, and the sound of a beautiful piano melody in the background. The hostess directed him to a table near the window, from where he could see the bustling street outside. Daniel sat down and waited for Karen Hastings, his mind filled with thoughts of the past and the present.Suddenly, he noticed a young woman approaching his table. She was petite and beautiful, with long, curly hair and a warm smile."Good evening, si
—Hello? Hello? —said insistently before realizing that the call had cut off with her phone falling.Ava felt overwhelmed by the proposal Daniel had just made to her over the phone. She knew her answer would affect not only her life but also Daniel's, her family's, and their entire world in general.She went to bed without having dinner, her heart pounding. Her mother noticed her strangeness, but soon returned to her usual concerns and decided not to question her. Maybe it was nothing serious.After a night of waking up unable to get a good sleep, in the morning Ava knew she needed fresh air and to go for a walk to clear her mind. So, she got up much earlier than usual. Her mother was still asleep, exhausted from taking care of her husband, who was sick.As she walked through the park, she remembered how it all started, how Daniel had fallen in love with her from the first time he saw her in the restaurant where she worked as a waitress.How could she, a working-class girl, accept marr
Ava felt overwhelmed by the responsibility she had taken on by accepting Daniel Busch's marriage proposal that same morning. After finishing work, she arrived home, greeted her family quickly, and headed to her room. Anxiety quickly set in, her heart racing.She felt her hands becoming sweaty and cold, and the weather wasn't helping with all the nervousness about her future decisions. She was about to tell her family about her fake engagement, but she didn't know where to start. What were the right words? As she prepared to leave the house, her phone rang, and she answered it immediately."Ava? How are you?" It was her father's weak voice. He was still in the hospital, recovering from cancer treatment."Don't worry about me; I'm getting better every day," she told him.Ava felt a lump in her throat, hearing her father's voice, knowing that her mother had told him how sick he was. He had always been her rock, her source of support in difficult times, but she couldn't understand why he
They were mere millimeters apart; Ava felt like her heart was about to burst from her chest when Daniel noticed her nervousness. He pulled back slightly to get a better look at her and scrutinized her with his beautiful jet-black eyes.He gently took her hands in his while caressing the diamond on the ring he had placed on her ring finger, sighed, and said:"Ava, I know this is a fake engagement, but I want you to know that I will respect and care for you deeply."She nodded, feeling overwhelmed by Daniel's gesture.Suddenly, without saying anything, he leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, pressing gently, and a sigh escaped him involuntarily. Ava tried to hide her surprise but couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable, unlike him.When Daniel pulled away, his lips made a smacking sound. Ava discreetly looked around, making sure no one was scrutinizing them closely. Daniel smiled and dared to ask:"Tell me... Did you like that, Ava?"Ava bit her lower lip and replied with a
After a few days and a long workday, Daniel and Ava arrived at the businessman's apartment, located in one of the city's most luxurious buildings. She had never been inside, so nervousness settled in her chest. He noticed it immediately and smiled, taking her hand as they both began to explore the premises.Once inside, Ava was amazed by the opulent and elegant decoration, which was in stark contrast to her humble and modest home. Daniel led her to the bedroom he had set aside exclusively for her and showed her a collection of haute couture dresses, each more beautiful and sophisticated than the last.Ava felt a bit intimidated by the situation but tried to maintain a positive and grateful attitude."These are for you," said Daniel, pointing at the dresses. "I want you to look spectacular at our upcoming business dinner."Ava was overwhelmed by the attention and money Daniel was spending on her. However, she felt a bit uncomfortable when she saw the etiquette governess who was there t
The restaurant staff, elegantly dressed in traditional Italian suits, moved with grace and efficiency, attending to diners with courtesy and professionalism. Each dish was presented with exquisite detail, reflecting a passion for Italian gastronomy.In reality, the whole ambiance would be a dream come true if it weren't for Karen's presence, which was beginning to spoil Ava's stay in this pompous place."Karen, this is a surprise. What are you doing here?" Daniel asked, with a forced smile."Daniel, it's quite a surprise for me to see you here. And with beautiful company," Karen replied, casting a disdainful glance at Ava.Ava smiled, trying to maintain her composure, but her discomfort was starting to gnaw at her soul. Nevertheless, she made every effort not to break her demeanor."Hello, nice to meet you, Karen. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," she said politely.Karen arched an eyebrow and turned to Daniel again."She's your assistant, right? I didn't know you were hiring mode
Ava sat in silence in the spacious limousine on the way back to Daniel’s luxurious apartment. Her eyes shifted from her lavish dress to the cityscape, to Daniel, who also remained silent, lost in his thoughts. The atmosphere was tense and anxious after the incident at the business dinner. Ava was filled with remorse for her impulsive reaction towards Karen and worried about the potential consequences this could have for her relationship with Daniel and her reputation at the company. She glanced at Daniel again and saw him gazing out the window, his face displaying clear signs of annoyance. She could tell by his tight lips and furrowed brow. Seeing him that way squeezed her chest, not helping to calm her feelings. Determined to clear the air and apologize, Ava took a deep breath and broke the silence. “About what happened at dinner... I want to apologize, Daniel. I shouldn’t have let myself react that way. It was an impulsive act, and I feel bad for reacting that way,” Ava expressed
Ava slid into the luxurious bed, feeling restless and fearful after the argument she had overheard between Daniel and Miss Franklin, although she wasn’t even sure if it was Miss Franklin, everything seemed so confusing in her memories. Daniel’s thunderous voice resonated in her mind, a side of him she had never experienced in the month they had been together as fiancés. Despite her exhaustion, her mind was filled with worry and anxiety. She tried to find a comfortable position, but her tumultuous thoughts prevented her from relaxing. Several attempts passed before exhaustion finally overcame her, and sleep began to pull her in. However, her rest was far from restful. In her dream, she was back in the business dinner, but this time Karen surrounded her with a malevolent smile. Ava could feel the contempt and humiliation emanating from her presence. “Do you really think Daniel loves you? You’re nothing compared to me. I am the woman for him, and you are nothing more than an obstacle,