My Blind Fiancée

Mateo began to explain to her what they would do next, and Ava listened attentively, her nerves getting the best of her.

“We’ll glide for three kilometers at a speed of 250 meters per hour. I’ll extend my arms to achieve that, but you won’t have to, since your arms will be free. The harness will secure your chest and legs. After a few minutes, I’ll open the small parachute on my back. You don’t have to worry; I’ve been doing this for many years.”

“I think it’s better if you jump alone. I’ll wait for you down there. Well, I mean, I’ll wait for you, because saying that I’ll see you isn’t quite accurate, haha.”

“Ava, come on, show me you’re not a coward. Have you ever dreamed of being able to fly?” He moved closer to give her a gentle kiss, effectively breaking down her defenses.

“Okay, but if anything happens to me, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Deal, haha. The adrenaline you’ll feel will make you more alive than ever. You’ll experience a strong mix of emotions from the jump, even without sight.”

Soon they were ready, having put on everything necessary, including the communication headsets. Someone who was with them came to open the door. Ava felt the rush of air immediately. She was about to say something, but Mateo didn’t give her the chance. She felt him rush towards the door and jump right away. She let out a loud scream of terror due to the fear she was experiencing.

Shortly after, she stopped feeling like she was falling. Instead, she felt like her body was floating while sliding.

“You were right. This is incredible. I feel alive, free, hahaha.”

“I told you,” Mateo said with a smile.

“Please tell me what you’re seeing. How does the landscape look from up there?”

“It’s wonderful. I’m seeing these incredible green fields, and in the distance, there are white-covered peaks. You can also catch a glimpse of the blue of the glaciers, which from up here seem to blend with the beautiful sky.”

Ava took a deep breath; she had never experienced anything like this. Clean and pure air filled her lungs.

“What you said is true. I don’t need to see to feel so alive.”

Shortly after, Mateo pulled the toggles to open the parachute, asking Ava to lift her feet as they approached the ground so that he could guide the landing.

Ava felt a moment of sadness that it was ending. They landed gently; Mateo proved to be quite skilled. She felt him carefully remove the harness and then he hugged her tightly.

“Hahaha, this has been completely insane,” Ava laughed euphorically due to the adrenaline.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now we’ll be staying in a cabin nearby, and another surprise awaits you in the morning.”

“I won’t ask what it is because I know you won’t tell me.”

“Hahaha, exactly, I won’t tell you.”

Shortly after, they got into the car, which took them to the cabin where they would be staying. The place had two rooms side by side. Mateo showed her where everything was.

“I’ll take a shower. I’ll be with you in a few minutes, and then we can head to the village for breakfast. It’s a small and picturesque place. Do you need any help?”

“No, thank you.” She felt nervous, but she didn’t want to seem helpless. In unfamiliar places, she often felt lost not knowing where things were.

“I’ll be in the next room. If you need anything, just call me. The place is small, and I’ll be able to hear you.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Ava quickly took a shower; the place was small, so it wasn’t a big issue. She decided to wear a light and short dress that exposed her shoulders a bit. Fortunately, during this time of year, the weather was warm, even though the peaks in the distance were covered in snow. She slipped on sandals and left her long hair loose so it could dry in the wind. Then she grabbed her purse; she had taken some of the money that Mateo had taken from the safe. She felt embarrassed that he would be paying for everything.

A couple of minutes later, Mateo knocked on the door. Ava immediately sensed the delightful scent of wood from his cologne.

“Ready?” he asked as soon as she opened the door. He couldn’t help but glance at her, then quickly averted his gaze, feeling embarrassed for looking at her that way.

“Ready,” she replied with a smile that he found truly beautiful.

“Then let’s go.” As she exited the room, he placed his hand on her waist. He knew she might feel insecure in an unfamiliar place. Ava missed the electronic cane that she had left at the Miller mansion.

He guided her to the nearby restaurant. When they were assigned a table, he pulled out the chair for her to sit. Even though Ava couldn’t see, she could feel the stares of people around her. Losing her sight had enhanced her other senses, like smell and hearing.

“This place is wonderful. They have a Braille menu, so you can read and choose to your liking.”

Ava smiled. Mateo was a very considerate man, thinking of everything she might need.

“I know unfamiliar places can be uncomfortable for you. Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“It was easier when I had my electronic cane; it vibrates when there’s a step or an obstacle. I left it at my uncle’s house.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll call right now to have one sent over. You’ll have it this afternoon.”

“I just ask that you let me pay for it. I also want to cover the expenses you’ve been spending on me.”

“You’d make me feel terrible if you did that. What I do, I do willingly.”

“I truly appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

Minutes later, a couple that Mateo knew well approached them.

“Hey, buddy, great to see you again. I thought you might skip this year.”

“You know I never do.”

“Who’s this lovely lady?” Akiro was surprised to see Mateo out in public with a girl. Although he had talked to them about Ava, they hadn’t believed it would actually happen.

“She’s Ava Miller.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Ima came forward to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. “I’m Ima, and this is my husband Akiro. We’ve known Mateo for a while.”

“Nice to meet you.” Ava smiled as she greeted them, her gaze fixed forward. They were already aware of her blindness.

Mateo invited them to join them for breakfast. Ava found the couple very likable; they were pleasant and made her laugh with their antics. Akiro observed his friend closely. Mateo was definitely taken with this girl, and he could tell from the way he looked at her.

“Akiro was the one who accompanied me to your uncle’s mansion. He rescued Lola while I was searching for the box in your room. He’s an expert in martial arts and can hack into anything that can be connected to from a computer.”

“Thank you so much. He saved my nanny’s life.” Akiro could sense the sincerity in her tone of voice.

“It was a pleasure. Count on us to help in any way we can. Ima had fun teasing your uncle while we were at the mansion.”

“Haha, that man thinks he’s quite the charmer. It was easy to slip him a tonic to calm him down.” Ava laughed at her words. Teodoro deserved it for being a coward.

After breakfast, they said their goodbyes. Ava wanted to go back to the cabin; there was no point in wandering around the town without her cane. Besides, without her sight, she couldn’t truly experience it. To her, it would be like walking aimlessly.

“I’ll stay in the room and read for a while. You should go explore the town.”

“No, I don’t want to do it without you. I’ll just lie on the couch next to you while you read.”

And for Mateo, being able to observe her was a delight.

“Tomorrow, we’ll leave just like today, before dawn. After visiting the place I’m taking you, we’ll travel to Milan. Akiro is opening a new club there, it’s a place, you could say, quite different. I promised him I wouldn’t miss it. Would you like to come with me?”

“If it’s an invitation, then yes, I’d love to join you.” She was thrilled to be included in his plans.

“I would love for you to come with me, although I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to do.” She felt disappointed to hear his uncertainty.

“Would you be embarrassed to arrive arm in arm with a blind woman?” She asked with infinite sadness.

“No, not at all. It’s just that things happen there that you might not understand. They are, let’s say, quite intense experiences.”

“I won’t be able to tell if they’re intense until I experience them myself.” Mateo sighed upon hearing her response; he wasn’t entirely convinced about taking her.

“Alright, when we arrive in Milan tomorrow, we’ll get what we need.”

He lay beside her for a couple of hours, observing her closely as she read. Each of her gestures made her seem even more beautiful to him.

Ava had to pretend to be engrossed in her reading, although she couldn’t read more than a few lines. The scent of Mateo next to her made her nervous.

Later, Mateo bid her farewell; they needed a good rest for the morning ahead.

Just like the day before, they set out in the early hours, shortly before the sun peeked over the horizon.

They got into a waiting van and traveled for a little less than an hour. Upon arriving at the location, Ava could hear murmurs that indicated there were more people around.

“Come, I’ll introduce you to my extreme sports companions. We gather here once a year to participate in these activities.”

“Extreme sports?” Ava wondered what new crazy thing he was going to ask her to do.

He introduced her to the whole group shortly thereafter, and a few minutes later, Akiro and Ima arrived.

“Hasn’t he told you yet?” Ima asked.

“Not yet, and you, miss, are far too curious.”

“We’re going bungee jumping.” Ava’s eyes widened as she heard Ima. She had read something about it, and she didn’t like the idea of participating in it herself at all.