My Blind Fiancée

Ava took her phone and showed him a photograph that Tadeo had taken of her while the makeup artist was drawing on her back.

“Yes, I’m that girl,” Ava said. The photographer was pleasantly surprised.

“Incredible to have the owner of such a beautiful back right next to me. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Dante Menessi, an artistic photographer and sculptor. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello, the pleasure is mutual. I’m Ava Miller. I’ve seen your work, it’s truly art, and it provides great visual pleasure.”

“Thank you, beautiful,” Dante replied, a huge smile spreading across his face.

He accompanied her on a tour of the room, describing each of the images. Ava was enthusiastic about Dante’s work; he was a talented guy. For a moment, she forgot about her situation with Mateo.

“Miss Miller, I would like to invite you to a meeting tomorrow night. It’s organized by some businessmen to showcase my work, and some of them are former university colleagues of mine. Of course, the photograph that will be presented first is yours. Although it’s not my original work, I made adjustments to the lighting and texture details that enhance its beauty. It would be my pleasure to introduce the protagonist. I imagine that Mateo Licciardi will attend this dinner, and he’ll regret resigning from this work of art.”

Upon hearing that Mateo would be at the event, Ava decided to accept without hesitation.

“It will be a huge pleasure to be your companion, Mr. Menessi.”

“Dante, just Dante, please.”

“Then call me Ava.”

Ava bid farewell promptly as Dante’s attention was being sought by others. He gave her his phone number so she could send him her location and he could pick her up for the event.

She left to hail a taxi to take her to her apartment. She was determined to make Mateo notice her again. Upon arriving home, Lola met her; little Matt had been calling her incessantly all that time.

“I think he’s starting to miss you. He’s used to being with me, but he’s been calling you all the time. We might have to find him some classes or hobbies.”

“I’d like him to learn to play some instruments from a young age, so I’ll start by teaching him to play the piano. I’ll also look for a French teacher so he can start mastering the language from a young age, making it easier for him to learn multiple languages as he grows up.”

Little Matt occupied her attention all afternoon, and by night, he fell asleep in her arms. He had his own room, but he always slept with her.

The next night, Ava put extra effort into her appearance. She was determined to make Mateo listen to her. Perhaps seeing her next to Dante would make him react. She wore the same dress she had worn on the opening night of Haro’s club, styled her hair and makeup just as she did that day, with the only difference being her hair was now black.

She had sent her location to Dante, so all she had to do was wait for him.

Shortly after, she received a message. Dante was waiting for her in the lobby. She went down immediately, and Tadeo, who happened to be there, approached to greet her.

“Buona notte, bella,” Dante said as he discreetly looked her over. She looked beautiful as always, although he noticed she had put in a little extra effort in her appearance.

“Buona notte, Tadeo. Let me introduce you to the photographer, Dante Menessi.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Menessi. I’ve heard a lot about you. My name is Tadeo Bludosky.”

“Pleasure, Mr. Bludosky.”

“Tonight, Dante will be exhibiting one of my photographs at an event.”

“That’s wonderful, Ava. It will do wonders for your career. This girl is a magnificent concert pianist; she plays the piano and the violin masterfully.”

“You’ll have to invite me to one of your concerts,” the photographer said, smiling.

“It would be a pleasure, Dante,” Ava replied, returning the smile.

Ava bid farewell to Tadeo, who let out a deep sigh. Ava looked truly beautiful, and he recognized the dress she was wearing; it was the one she had on the night he saw her again. With that, he could guess that Licciardi would be at the event.

When Ava and Dante arrived at the venue, she entered while holding his arm. Some people approached to greet them. He was internationally renowned, even though he had spent very little time in Italy despite being born in Milan.

Mateo arrived a bit later, with Camila on his arm. He had invited her to the event to make amends for his behavior the previous day. When he passed by Ava, he was completely surprised by her appearance. She looked very well-groomed, without the oversized clothes she usually wore; she seemed like a different person.

Her hair was loose, forming soft waves at the ends. She wore very light makeup that highlighted her face. She had on a long black dress that hugged her body, with a generous neckline revealing some of her attributes. Stilettos matching the dress completed her outfit.

Dante was surrounded by several people, so Mateo couldn’t approach to greet him. He also couldn’t see who his companion was, but it seemed that those present were quite enchanted with her.

The speaker began his speech and then called Dante. On the big screen, Ava’s photograph appeared, and the photographer explained its origin and the adjustments he had made to achieve that beautiful image.

The audience was enchanted by the image captured in the photograph. The beauty of the girl and the piano in front of her complemented each other perfectly. The delicate lines of the tattoos outlining her back turned her into a marvelous image.

Mateo was surprised when Dante announced that he would introduce the girl who owned that marvelous figure. He had only sent the photograph without revealing who the girl was.

Ava stepped forward, and Dante took her hand and planted a kiss on it. When Mateo saw her outfit, he realized she had done it to grab his attention. She turned to look at him, their gazes met for a moment, and then she turned away, realizing that Camila was by her side.

Dante asked Ava to be the model for his upcoming exhibition, to which she couldn’t say no. The audience applauded. Ava was already known as a concert pianist, and he was a renowned photographer and sculptor.

When they returned to their table, Mateo approached them to toast to their upcoming collaboration. There was a tone of sarcasm and irony in his voice, and jealousy prevented him from thinking clearly.

“Friend, allow me to toast to your new acquisition. Just be careful; some doves turn into hawks,” he said while looking at Ava intensely.

“I don’t know what this mean comment is about, Licciardi. You know we were college buddies, but I don’t appreciate your tone.”

“I’m not saying it about you, Dante. Miss Miller here knows what I mean.”

“I won’t allow you to come and insult my companion. Your behavior surprises me.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Don’t take it so personally. If you allow me, I’ll have a word with Miss Miller,” he said, and before Dante could respond, he took Ava by the arm and led her to the terrace.

“I see you’ve switched to Bludosky. Of course, Dante is much more important. I’ll let him know what kind of woman you are,” Mateo said before they could continue the conversation.

Ava couldn’t bear his insults any longer. She raised her hand and delivered a strong slap to his face. He grabbed her arm tightly and said through gritted teeth in his fury, “Don’t ever do that again, Ava Miller. You don’t really know me, but I assure you that you might regret it.”

She pushed him away. He had become a complete jerk, and she wasn’t sure if she still wanted to fight for him.

“Wait, let’s make a deal,” he said before she walked away.

“What do you want, Licciardi?” Ava stopped to listen.

“Let’s sign an agreement.”

She still loved him, but his wounded pride prevented him from seeing beyond it. He wanted to have her and wouldn’t let her be with anyone else.

“An agreement?” she asked, puzzled.

“Yes, one that would benefit both of us.”

“What kind of agreement would it be?” She felt curious, but something inside her warned her about it.

“An agreement where you agree to be with me under my conditions. In return, I will help you in your revenge against Teodoro. You’ll recover what rightfully belongs to you, and the death of your parents won’t go unpunished.”

“I have no interest in making any kind of agreement with you. You’re not the person I thought you were. You haven’t allowed me to explain the reasons I had when I left.”

“I’m not interested in your reasons. Then was the time for you to explain, the moment when I would have listened, the moment when I would have done anything for you.”