Ava watched the outside world through the car window, her stomach in knots and her chest pounding. Picturesque landscapes passed before his eyes, but his mind was too busy with nerves and anxiety.The bright colors of the villages and wooded areas contrasted with their inner turmoil, turning what could have been a delightful walk into an overwhelming experience.At her side, Daniel tried to appease her, offering words of encouragement that resonated in Ava's ears like a soothing melody, without letting go of her hand, which was already slightly sweaty from so much tension she felt."You're going to be okay, Ava. I'm here with you, and everything will go as planned," Daniel said calmly, although Ava could see a trace of concern in his eyes.Ava nodded slightly, trying to believe those words while trying to control her heavy breathing. She had changed her last name to "Spencer" to keep up appearances, and the simple act of doing so made her feel like she was hiding something very seriou
Already a few seconds had passed since they entered the grand mansion. The couple had been welcomed by the butlers and housekeepers and began walking down the main hallway leading to the hall.Ava tried to muster a proud expression, unsure if she was pulling it off completely, though inside she was more than amazed by the opulence of the place. She supposed that if she were doing it wrong, Daniel would have let her know, so she kept her head held high, trying to look ahead."Listen, I know this might be overwhelming, but I'm here with you. Just follow my lead, and everything will be fine. Besides, after the litmus test, you'll be able to see the quite varied activities available inside here. I'm sure after your introduction, you can enjoy something you like."Ava raised an eyebrow, trying to read into Daniel's dark eyes about what he meant."What do you mean?" inquired Ava."Well, for instance, my sister Natalia is passionate about horseback riding. She has her own stable and spends a
In the elegant main hall of the Busch mansion, the atmosphere was charged with tension. Mrs. Daniela, with a disapproving expression on her face, didn't hide her annoyance in the slightest. Her words had resonated in the air, filling the space with a heavy air of discontent."Daniel, are you even listening to me? Look at me when I'm talking to you, son! I can't believe you lied about that girl's age, I'm telling you," Daniela continued, her voice as cold as ice — "I've told you time and time again that it's not appropriate for you to be interested in women this young. It's disrespectful and goes against the values of this household. You know this, and yet it's always the same with you!"The comment about her age made the girl feel vulnerable and exposed in front of Daniel's family. He didn't stay silent and intervened in her defense, explaining the reason behind the lie about her age and how it had been the only way for them to connect and get to know each other.Daniel, standing in f
As soon as the Busches rose from their seats and moved towards the dining room, Daniel, noticing Ava's discomfort, placed a hand on her back in a gesture of silent support, although she was genuinely startled; it was evident that her nerves were on edge."Don't worry, sweetheart," he whispered softly. "You're doing great. Keep it up, and you'll earn heaven, I swear."Nervously nodding, Ava attempted to control her emotions. She watched as the servants, at a respectful distance, began to move, guiding them towards the main dining room of the Busch mansion. The atmosphere seemed tenser than ever, and Ava could feel the Busch family's gazes on her as they moved forward.The dining room was a masterpiece of elegance and luxury. The table was adorned with exquisite details, and the silverware gleamed under the dim light filtering through the windows."Your place is over there, young lady," directed Mrs. Daniela."Ha... young lady, huh?" thought Ava. Without a doubt, that word had offended
Ava watched as Daniel's limousine drifted away from the majestic Busch Mansion. On one hand, she felt a profound relief knowing she wouldn't have to face Mrs. Daniela for a good while. She sighed in relief, her mind wandering back to her home. Finally, the mortgage was in the process of being paid off, and Ava had a sense that the sun would begin to shine with the passage of time.Daniel, pleased, congratulated her with a deep kiss that stole her breath away. Ava smiled because somehow, seeing him happy made her feel good too, and vice versa.How was it possible that they were starting to connect on a deeper level? Why did she feel like she was gradually opening up to him emotionally? God... those gestures were starting to have an effect on her; he was seriously beginning to earn her affection, though she couldn't yet say she was falling in love, not by any means.As Ava lost herself in her thoughts within the limousine, Daniel noticed her introspection and decided to pull her out of
Daniel remained firm and composed, although clearly uncomfortable with the situation. His demeanor showed determination and respect, despite the evident displeasure on Mrs. Rosaura’s face. She saw him hesitate for a couple of seconds and head towards Martín. “Well... I hope it starts now, leaves, and spares me embarrassment here,” Ava implored to God, the universe, or whoever might be listening to her on a spiritual plane. She nervously bit her lip, watching the scene with concern. The tension in the air was palpable, and a knot formed abruptly in her stomach when, instead of starting, the limousine shut off, and the sound of the vehicle’s door opening was followed by Daniel’s polished shoes resting on the curb. “Ma’am, I understand that our encounter was unexpected and perhaps uncomfortable,” Daniel said calmly. “Please, allow me a moment to assure you that my intentions towards your daughter are genuine and full of respect. I am willing to do whatever it takes to show you how much
Ava “woke up” earlier than normal, getting out of bed heavily and standing on tiptoe so as not to wake her mother, who was sleeping in the next room. She headed to the bathroom and when she locked herself there he could see her haggard face... Apart from the fact that her eyes were still swollen from the event of the previous day, she also had large dark circles under them from that whole sleepless night. She thought that if sleeplessness and crying became a habit, at that rate she would look much older than she really was. In a matter of seconds she lifted his spirits a little and washed her face, quickly undressed and got into the shower. Ava continued under the refreshing stream of water as her thoughts raced through her mind. The steam took over the bathroom, creating a cozy atmosphere that contrasted with the worry that tormented her. With each drop of water that fell on her skin, she felt more awake and alert, but also more vulnerable and exposed to her chaotic thoughts. She s
Ava didn't even dare to wait for Daniel's limousine; she preferred to walk to the metro stop. Something inside her didn't want to experience or endure his indifference; she didn't want to feel forgotten. So, she chose to do things her way.Without a second thought, she boarded the metro, her mind in turmoil. The starkness of the place contrasted immensely with Daniel's comfortable limousine, obviously. The air was laden with the characteristic smell of the crowd, a mix of sweat and cheap perfumes that made her nauseous. She hadn't been in the limousine for long, but this experience reminded her of how different her life had been up until that moment.The train was filled with people of diverse backgrounds and occupations. The amalgamation of scents and sounds momentarily overwhelmed her. As she navigated through the crowd, she felt people watching her, but why exactly? Then she realized why. A man got too close, crossing the boundaries of decency, and boldly groped one of her buttocks