L went downstairs, and when Mateo asked about Ava, she told him what Ava had said. He immediately went upstairs to see what was happening.


    “Ciao, amore,” Mateo observed her strangely.


    “Hello,” Ava replied weakly.


    “Why haven’t youe down for dinner?”


    “I’m feeling a bit tired.”


    “Have you been crying?”


    “No, I just have a little headache.”


    “I’ll ask them to bring you some dinner,” Mateo said, concerned.


    “No, thank you.”


    “You have to have something to eat,” he said with tenderness.


    “I really don’t have an appetite,” she replied, trying to hide her sadness.


    “Alright, I’ll let you rest. I’lle by early in the morning before heading to the office. If you’re still unwell, I’ll call the doctor.”


    He gave her a warm kiss, and she hugged him tightly. Her heart ached knowing that she wouldn’t see him anymore soon, that these would be theirst moments together.


    The next day, Mateo went to his room. When he entered, Ava was sitting on the edge of the bed, herplexion pale, and dark circles under her eyes.


    “Buongiorno, be,” Mateo greeted her. “Later, I’ll send a doctor to examine you. You don’t look well.”


    “It won’t be necessary, I just couldn’t sleep well.”


    “At night, when L falls asleep, I’lle and stay with you.”


    “No, are you crazy? Imagine if they find out, how embarrassing it would be, what would they think of me.”


    “Haha, you turned red. Don’t worry; I’ll enter through the balcony so no one will notice. For now, I have to leave; I’ll be backter in the evening. I have a busy day ahead.”


    He gave her a kiss on the forehead and left in a hurry. Being close to her evoked many emotions in him. If it were up to him, he would stay with her all day. When he arrived at thepany, his secretary brought him the documents sent by Teodoro’swyers.


    “Tellwyer Rippoli toe in, please.”


    “Right away, Mr. Liardi.”


    Lawyer Rippoli was someone he trusted entirely. He arrived promptly and reviewed the documents sent by Teodoro Miller.


    “Mr. Miller is in a hurry to partner with you.”


    “Yes, that’s right. What he doesn’t know is that my name won’t appear on the documents. The partnership will be with a newpany I’ve acquired, not with the Liardi Corporation.”


    “Are you willing to sacrifice thatpany?”


    “I bought it for that purpose. It’s a smallpany, and I didn’t incorporate it into our conglomerate for the same reason. Mr. Lara is in agreement; he will be the one to sign these documents. We need to find a way for him toe out of this clean.”


    “Understood, sir. It will be done.”


    In the afternoon, he had a boring business lunch with some partners. Afterward, he returned to the corporation, impatient to be back with Ava.


    When he arrived at the mansion, his mother and Ava were waiting for him for dinner. He couldn’t help but notice a profound sadness in Ava. After dinner, they all retired to their respective rooms. He took a bath and then went out onto the balcony.


    Ava’s room was right next to his, and L’s was across the hall, so it was impossible for anyone to notice. He climbed over thettice that separated their rooms.


    He tapped on the ss door of her room, and she immediately utched it.


    “Amore.”


    “I thought you wouldn’te. I didn’t think you were serious,” Ava said, thinking that he might not show up even though she wished he would.


    “I don’t make jokes, especially when ites to being by your side,” he repliedpletely serious. He approached her and caressed her chin.


    He kissed her with such passion, but he had a bad feeling, though he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. He felt a tightness in his chest. He guided her to the bed, slowly removing their clothes. Then, he made love to her with passion, with abandon, needing her so much. In the end, they were both exhausted.


    After a while, Ava woke up. Mateo held her tightly, wanting to freeze time and stay like that forever. She felt him move his hands downwards, giving her buttocks a squeeze.


    “Ouch,” Avained at the sensation.


    “You know I love them,” Mateo said yfully.


    “What?” Ava wasn’t sure what he was referring to.


    “Your buttocks are firm and round, a very nice size.”


    “Mateo, don’t say those things,” Ava said, feelingpletely embarrassed.


    He smiled, noticing how she turnedpletely red. He slipped one of his fingers inside her and began moving them rhythmically. With his other hand, he took hold of one of her breasts and began to suck forcefully. Ava let out a moan, and he silenced her with his mouth, not wanting anyone else to hear any unusual noises.


    He was captivated by everything about her. Her body drove him wild, a mix of tenderness and sensuality. He felt like he had finally found what he had longed for-a woman who didn’t make him feel empty, who stirred emotions in him, emotions that had been unknown to him until now.


    Ava had awakened in him the desire to start a family. He was deeply in love.


    In the morning, Ava woke up, looking for Mateo, but he was no longer by her side. She got up, tidied her bed, and after spraying air freshener on the sheets, she unlocked the door and went to take a shower. She knew L woulde in to check on her, as she did every morning. Just a momentter, the nanny entered.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    “Good morning, my dear.”


    “I’ll be out in a moment, Nanny.”


    “I thought you’d still be asleep.”


    “Nanny, has Mateo left?”


    “Yes, he left very early.”


    “Please, call a taxi, Nanny.”


    “Where are we going?”


    “We’re looking for an apartment.”


    “My dear, there’s surveince at the entrance. We won’t be able to leave on our own; they’ll inform Mr. Mateo right away.”


    “We have to find a way. I don’t know anyone outside of this house or my uncle’s. Wait, Nanny, I do know someone-the detective Bludosky. Perhaps if I reach out to him, he might be willing to help.”


    “Mr. Mateo won’t like that at all.”


    “He doesn’t have to find out. In my bag, there’s the card he gave me. Could you please make the call?”


    “Okay, although I don’t agree with what you’re doing.”


    Reluctantly, L dialed the detective’s number. Ava hadn’t wanted to tell her the reason for wanting to distance herself from Mateo, but whatever it was, L would support her. As soon as the call connected, she handed the phone to Ava.


    “Hello,” came the detective’s raspy voice from the other end of the line.


    “Detective Bludosky?”


    “That’s right. Who’s calling?”


    “Ava Miller.”


    “Hello. Is there something wrong? Can I help you?” The detective was d she called.


    “I know we’ve just met, but I have a problem, and I need your help,” Ava said apologetically. She had only recently met him and was already asking for his help.


    “Tell me anything; you can count on me,” he replied sincerely.


    “I need to find an apartment, but I don’t want Mateo to find out.”


    “Ah, I see. Just in my building, the apartment next door is avable for rent. It’s a very nice ce, elegant and practical.”


    “That’s great!” Ava eximed excitedly.


    “Whenever you like, I can take you to see it.”


    “That’s not necessary; it would be just to finalize the contract.”


    “The owner is my friend; there won’t be any problem. If you’re in a hurry, you can drop by, and we can sort out the contract there.”


    “Is it furnished?”


    “It is.”


    “Tomorrow would be perfect.”


    “Do you want me toe pick you up?”


    “Yes, please. But it’s a bitplicated. Could you wait on the road before the entrance? I’ll send you the location.”


    “Perfect. Around noon?”


    “Yes, thank you so much for your help.”


    “You’re wee. I had a lot of respect for your father; I’m doing this dly.”


    Tadeo was in a bad mood when he received the call, but hearing Ava’s voice brightened his day. He had remembered that girl ever since he met her years ago.


    Ava cried all day, and L didn’t know why she was so upset, considering that she was the one who wanted to distance herself. This would be theirst night together, and her heart ached. Guido had been right; she couldn’t tie him down. Perhaps he didn’t feel burdened by her now, but he might in the future. As for children, because she was sure Mateo would want them, how could she ever take care of them?


    Mateo returned home at night, and Ava waited for him to have dinner. He talked about a thousand things during dinner, but he noticed she wasn’t smiling as she usually did. Maybe she was tired, as he hadn’t let her sleep much the night before. Remembering those moments, he couldn’t help but feel excited.


    After dinner, they went to their respective rooms, and he waited a little while to make sure L was no longer with Ava. He went out to the balcony and entered her room again.


    Ava gave herself to him once more without reservations. She was struggling to hold back tears, wanting to remember every part of him. With her hands, she explored his entire body, and Mateo smiled. This time, she had dared to touch him.


    Later, shey on his chest, enjoying the rhythmic beating of his heart, while her fingers traced small circles over his well-defined muscles.


    “Ava, please tell me, is something wrong? I’ve noticed you’ve been acting strange since yesterday. You know you can tell me anything that’s bothering you.”


    Ava would have liked to tell him everything that had happened, but the decision had already been made, and she made a great effort not to cry.