My Blind Fiancée

“The other businessmen in the room couldn’t make up their minds. The cost seemed excessively high to them, and it didn’t make sense as customers or as investors. It was too much of a risk. If it didn’t work out, they would incur significant losses. They found it surprising that Mateo had accepted so readily. Typically, he would take his time analyzing the pros and cons of new investments, but this time, he had quickly agreed.

One by one, the men bid their farewells until only Mateo and Teodoro, along with his assistant, remained in the room. Teodoro stepped out for a moment to use the restroom, and the assistant took the opportunity to flirt shamelessly with Mateo.

“Now that you’re going to be a partner in my boss’s business, it will be as if you were my boss too. So, if you ever need anything, no matter the hour, don’t hesitate to call me,” she said, extending a business card toward him while leaning forward, accentuating her ample attributes.

Mateo felt uncomfortable. The woman’s vulgarity and brazenness were too much to bear. Minutes later, Teodoro returned, and Mateo noticed that he had conveniently taken his time in the restroom. He was undoubtedly a sly old fox, and Mateo was no fool; he knew exactly what this pair was up to.

“I appreciate your acceptance of the investment in my company’s new project, Mr. Licciardi. I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. You will see the benefits of having placed your trust in us very soon,” Teodoro said.

“I hope so because just as I entrust my confidence, I can also withdraw it,” Mateo replied, staring at him intently.”

“I assure you that won’t happen. You will be very pleased with us, don’t you think so, Daría?”

“Absolutely, Mr. Miller,” the shameless woman ran her tongue across her lips as she looked Mateo directly in the eyes. Teodoro pretended to turn his attention elsewhere and not notice his assistant’s brazen behavior.

“My lawyers will contact yours to review the contract clauses. Any specifications you wish to make can be discussed with them; they will be in charge.”

“That sounds perfect. We will do what is necessary.”

Shortly after, they bid their farewells. The woman walked toward the exit, exaggerating her hip movements. Mateo furrowed his brow as the woman’s overpowering perfume lingered in the air.

He remained seated for a while. When he finally stood up to leave the boardroom, he came face to face with Daría, who was returning.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Licciardi, I forgot my purse,” she apologized, nearly bumping into him. Mateo noticed that she had intentionally left some buttons on her blouse undone, revealing almost her entire chest.

“Don’t worry, miss,” he replied, trying not to sound annoyed.

They left the boardroom together, taking the executive elevator. Mateo’s office was one floor above. The woman would have to descend twenty floors to exit the building. Suddenly, she pressed herself against him, her breathing was labored.

“I’m so sorry, could you please hug me? Elevators trigger severe anxiety for me,” she said. Mateo stepped back, but the woman closed the gap again, pinning him against the wall.

“Please, I need you to hug me or I’m going to faint,” the woman placed her hand on her forehead to appear more convincing.

Mateo couldn’t believe it. This had to be some kind of sick joke. That woman had no boundaries. He tried to restrain himself, but his displeasure was so overwhelming that he pushed her away from him.

“How dare you? I can’t believe your audacity,” Mateo said. His patience was wearing thin.

“I’m sorry, I must have misunderstood your signals,” Daría thought her assets would have him eating out of her hand.

“What signals? I’m going to ask you not to come near me again.”

He said this in a loud tone. As soon as the elevator door opened, the woman rushed out.

“Damn it! They’ll think I did something to her,” Mateo muttered under his breath.

He exited the elevator, visibly annoyed. Employees who were present had witnessed the scene, and the gossip started immediately. They had misinterpreted what had happened. The woman had hurriedly exited the elevator, crying, with some buttons of her blouse undone. What had her boss done to her? Meanwhile, Mateo believed the woman enjoyed attracting attention.

He couldn’t focus on work; he was too upset. So, he asked his secretary to cancel his afternoon meetings. He needed to be with Ava, to find the peace she always brought him.

Máx was waiting for him, and when he got into the car, his expression was serious. That girl had pushed his buttons, but he thought he would have to deal with her eventually, especially given her role as Teodoro’s assistant. She might prove useful in the future.

When he arrived, he immediately went to Ava’s room. Lola left to give them some privacy.

“Ciao bella.”

“Hello. How did it go?” Ava asked with a smile.

Ava moved closer to him to greet him with a kiss, but as she did, she noticed a scent that didn’t sit well with her at all. It was a feminine fragrance, and a woman must have been very close to him for the scent to be so strongly infused in his clothing. She didn’t say anything, but she felt an immense sadness. Mateo, unaware of her reaction, began to tell her what had happened.

“Everything’s fine. Gaining your uncle’s trust will be easy. I agreed to invest with him, but what he doesn’t know is that I won’t do it through the corporate office. I don’t want to compromise the company.”

“You’ve planned everything very well,” Ava commented, but Mateo noticed her expression, and it seemed like she was on the verge of tears. Perhaps mentioning her uncle had made her feel upset.

“Carefully. When he realizes what’s happening, it will be too late. Afterward, I’ll help you rebuild the businesses. They’re your inheritance, and we won’t let them be lost.”

He pulled her close and gave her a tender kiss. However, Ava pulled away from him, leaving Mateo puzzled.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, concerned about her change in attitude.

“No, it’s just that I’m afraid my nanny might come in at any moment.”

“I think we should talk to her, as well as my mother and grandfather.”

“No, it’s not the right time. We need to wait until your grandfather’s innocence is proven,” she replied in a tone that didn’t sit well with Mateo.

“Tell me the truth. Is it because of what you said that you don’t want us to talk about our relationship yet, or is it because I’m much older than you?” He wanted her to be honest; he was eager to shout his love for her from the rooftops.

“Do you doubt my words?” Ava’s tone became even more serious.

“I don’t doubt them; I just want to be sure about you.”

“Your age doesn’t matter to me at all, but tell me, can I trust you enough to feel safe with you?”

“Ava, do you doubt my love for you? Is that why you don’t want us to talk to them about us?”

Ava remained silent for a moment, then decided to tell him what was bothering her. It was better to confront it.

“Mateo Licciardi, I just want you to tell me, who is the woman you’ve been with?”

Mateo was surprised. How did she find out that another woman had been close to him? It was true that women seemed to have a sixth sense.

“How did you find out? Who told you?” he asked, puzzled, thinking someone had spoken to her.

“Just answer me, please. I don’t want you to feel obligated to be with me because of what happened between us. If you’re interested in another woman, I’ll leave right now.” Mateo looked at her, feeling infinite tenderness. Even when she was upset, she looked adorable.

“Ava Miller, the only woman I’ve been interested in since the day you crossed my path is you, and I assure you that you always will be,” he said with a big smile.

“So, that woman?” Ava crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for an answer.

“She’s Teodoro Miller’s assistant. She rode the elevator with me after pretending to forget her purse. She also pretended to have an elevator phobia, which miraculously disappeared as soon as I pushed her away.”

“You really pushed her to keep her away from you?” The girl’s face lit up when she heard this.

“Yes, you should have seen her face.” Mateo was laughing, but when he realized what he said, he felt terrible. “My love, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.”

“Mateo, I’m not fragile. You can’t think that anything you say would hurt me. What you said is a common expression, so forget about it.”

“Are you still mad at me?” As he said this, he moved closer to hug her. Ava gave him a tender kiss.

“That answers your question.”

“Uhmmm, I think I need a little more to understand.”

“Haha, you’re a trickster.”

Mateo jumped back almost immediately when he heard the door open. Lola entered and stared at them.

“Is something wrong, my dear?” Lola fixed her intense gaze on Mateo.

“No, Nana, we were just saying goodbye. Mateo is leaving.”

He left quickly, and fortunately, Lola didn’t notice that he had kissed her. Ava smiled at the thought that Mateo was afraid of Lola.

The next morning, when Ava came down for breakfast, Mateo, his mother, and his grandfather were already in the dining room.

“Buongiorno,” she greeted timidly.

“Buongiorno, bella,” Mateo greeted her with a big smile.

Ava blushed. She would talk to him about it later. She didn’t want him to call her that in front of them. Guido and Aurora turned to look at each other, noticing Mateo’s strong interest in the girl.

Mateo just smiled when he saw the bewilderment on his grandfather’s and mother’s faces. He didn’t plan on keeping it a secret for long. He wanted to shout to the world that he had fallen in love for the first time in his life. Hiding it wasn’t in his plans.