Chapter 8 Chapter Eight

• The next day, Dante got up at 5 in the morning. He looked for a place to hide the sleeping pad, carefully rolled up the sofa, and tucked it behind. He went to the bathroom, freshened up, found a work bandana, and put it on.
• Ava, upon hearing noise, got up, lazily opened the door, yawning, and asked, "Are you leaving so early?"
• "Yes, I have two hours to get to work. I'm going to catch the first bus to the city."
• "Remember to go with your friend to get rid of that ugly beard," Ava said, disregarding his expression.
• "Fine," he replied, eyebrows furrowed. He turned his back and left the apartment.
• Ava returned to her bed and covered her face with the pillow, deliberating on what to do with this man. It was evident that his appearance was horrible at first sight. Analyzing him, she speculated, "That blond guy has a good build. I imagine it's because of the effort he puts into carrying trash at work. The only beautiful thing about him is those honey-colored eyes." She scolded herself, "For God's sake, Ava, what are you doing fixating on a man like him? Who knows what quirks he might have."
• Then she remembered her father and the inheritance. She had no choice but to resign herself to being tied to Dante for a year. She would have to take drastic measures to escape this marriage unscathed if he tried to overstep. She jumped up suddenly and exclaimed with regret, "Oh, God! What a terrible wife I am. I didn't even offer that poor man any coffee. I'll have to prepare some food so he won't spend money outside. Whatever little he earns will go towards food."
• Dante walked a block, and at the corner, a black car was waiting for him. He opened the door and got in.
• "To the house. I need a bath and sleep," he said.
• "Yes, sir," replied Luis, holding back his laughter. He never imagined seeing his boss in such a state.
• Dante got out of the car firmly and headed straight to his room. He shaved off his beard and mustache and tossed them on the table. He undressed and walked to the bathroom, prepared the tub with hot water and fragrance, and eagerly submerged himself. With his eyes closed and his head resting on the edge of the tub, he sighed in satisfaction. "This is the life! I don't know if I can stand a year in that uncomfortable apartment."
• After relaxing for a while, he got out with a towel around his waist and called his assistant.
• "Benjamin! Take care of my schedule. I'll go to the office in the afternoon."
• "How's married life treating you?" he asked with a smirk, imagining his boss, usually so arrogant, in the role of the poor husband.
• "I'm already thinking of getting a divorce. I don't think I'll be able to unmask that little woman," he said without any emotion.
• "Did your wife treat you so badly on the wedding night?" he chuckled.
• "Let's just say she's indifferent to me. See you at the office," he hung up the phone and lay naked on his bed, not lasting long before falling asleep.
• Dante entered one of the most imposing buildings in the city. Employees felt intimidated when they saw him arrive. He went into his office and asked his secretary not to be disturbed. He was focused on his computer when he received a call.
• "My dear grandson! How's it going with Ava?" Greta asked, amused.
• "That little woman had the audacity to make me sleep on the floor. She also wants me to shave my beard. I could see her disgust towards my appearance," he grumbled with a cold voice as he recalled the bad night she made him endure. His eyes darkened with anger.
• The old woman burst into laughter at the thought of her grandson's somber expression.
• "What did you expect? To be received like a king? No one told you to hide your true identity. I don't know why you're so distrustful of people."
• "Because some people take advantage of others' good hearts. Who guarantees me that she doesn't want my money through you? What I can't assure you is that I'll be able to endure a year of marriage."
• "Dante! I promised that young lady a husband for a year, and as your grandmother, you have to keep your word."
• "We'll see about that," he replied grumpily.
• "Alright, dear, I'll let you get back to work."
• "Bye, grandma," he hung up and started to review some documents.
• Two police officers entered the cafeteria. Ava was terrified. She muttered to herself, "They're coming for me! They can't take me to my dad! Now that I'm a married woman, how do I tell Dante?"
• As they approached, Ava became more nervous, her hands starting to sweat.
• One of the officers, standing in front of her, asked, "Miss, can I have two large coffees without sugar, please?" He handed her a card. "Here, charge it."
• Ava felt her soul returning to her body. She breathed a sigh of relief and took the card with her still trembling right hand, charged it, and quickly served the coffees. She didn't relax until she saw them disappear through the door.
• Then she asked Catalina for permission and went out to buy a mobile phone and some clothes at a nearby second-hand market. She didn't have much money, so she browsed through several clothing stalls and bought two shirts and two pants for Dante. Earlier, she had checked the bag he left in her apartment; there were only two worn-out outfits in it, so she knew the sizes she needed.
• She didn't have much money left for a phone, but she found one that only made calls. "For someone who has nothing, this is perfect." She took the opportunity to get a phone line, paid, and returned to her apartment to prepare dinner.
• Meanwhile, in Dante's office, Benjamin entered with a folder in hand.
• "Here's all the information you asked for about Ava Hayek," he said.
• Dante snatched it from his hand and began to read each paragraph carefully. He frowned when he read about 20 suitors and one about to get married. When he read the name William Davis, he exclaimed furiously, "This is a joke!" Ava's ex-boyfriend was his rival in business, and he was furious at the thought that Ava might be a spy.
• "Get the plane ready. We're going to Chicago."
• "Dante! You're a married man now. What will your wife think?" Benjamin asked.
• "Nothing! She won't care if I miss the weekend. All she can say is that I'm a drunkard and stayed out in the streets drinking," he said, wanting to vent his bad mood at that moment.