LOGINLucia woke up earlier, put on a cream-colored house dress, and headed straight to the dining room with a long list in her hand. Alexandro, accustomed to quiet mornings, could only sigh at the sight of his wife already moving as fast as the wind."Ale, wake up! We have a lot to do!" Lucia called out while dragging her husband out of bed."Darling, it's only six o'clock. What has to be done?" Alexandro rubbed his eyes, half-conscious."The wedding! We have to prepare Marco and Silvia's wedding! There's no time to be lazy!" Lucia pushed Alexandro toward the bathroom. "Take a shower quickly. We're going to visit five caterers today, three decorators, and two makeup artists. I want this wedding to be perfect."Alexandro let out another sigh, but he didn't dare argue. He had learned that when Lucia had taken over a project, nothing could stop her, and Lucia had already considered Marco's wedding her personal project.Lucia was indeed the most enthusiastic. Since morning, she had been callin
The next day.The sun had just risen, its light piercing through the large windows of Alexandro's study. Alexandro stood in front of his desk, his hands holding a stack of documents for the new hospital project spread across the mahogany surface."This is unacceptable, Ale!" Lucia raised her voice, something she rarely did. "You approved this budget without consulting me? This hospital is my project too! My name is on the board of directors, or did you forget?"Alexandro let out a long breath. He had expected this morning to be heavy. Lucia was indeed at the peak of her anger, and he knew, once his wife was angry, there was no point in fighting back."Darling, I haven't forgotten you. I just thought...""Thought? You thought? You didn't think. You just made a decision on your own, as usual. You're always like that. Always feeling like you know best, always feeling like you're the most right."Alexandro opened his mouth to defend himself, but closed it again. He knew, from years of exp
Marco looked at Silvia with an expression that was hard to explain."Silvia, listen to me carefully. You are not a 'fat woman.' You are Silvia, who is beautiful."Silvia lowered her head, her lips trembling."Other people can say whatever they want. They can insult, they can judge, but they don't live in your body, they don't feel your heart, and they have no right to determine who you deserve to love or who deserves to love you. I chose you, not because I couldn't get anyone else, but because out of all the people I've ever known, only you made me feel like an ordinary human being. Not Marco Alessandro, the director who has to be perfect."Silvia lifted her face. Her tears were still flowing, but this time there was no fear in her eyes."You're right, I let other people determine my worth for too long. From now on, I will be the one who decides."Marco smiled. "That's what I wanted to hear."He stood up and extended his hand."Now, how about we eat? I haven't eaten since morning and
Marco fell silent. Gay? The word hung in the air, feeling foreign and ridiculous at the same time. He stared at Silvia, trying to process what he had just heard. His mind spun, trying to connect the scattered pieces of the puzzle."Gay? I'm not gay. I like you. I like a woman. I like you."Silvia shook her head, her tears falling again."That's what doesn't make sense. You're a handsome man, you're rich and you could get any woman you want. Why would you like me? I'm just a tutor. I'm not pretty, I'm fat, I'm a nobody."Marco felt his anger rising, not at Silvia, but at the situation, at whoever had planted doubt and fear in this woman's heart. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Gently, he took both of Silvia's cold hands and held them tightly."Listen to me, beauty is not measured by body size or social status. You are beautiful, you are beautiful when you teach Leo with such patience. You are beautiful when you smile. You are beautiful when you laugh. I like you
Marco stood in front of Silvia's apartment door for several minutes, staring at the gift he had placed there. The white rose had completely wilted now, its petals beginning to dry and curl at the edges. He hoped Silvia would open the door, see the gift, and contact him, but he knew that hope was too great.He turned and walked toward his car. Marco started the engine and drove home, but he couldn't stop thinking about Silvia. Something was wrong. Something had happened, and he was determined to find out.The next morning, Marco woke up with renewed determination. He would not give up. He would go to the mansion, and if Silvia came to teach Leo, he would wait for her. He would talk to her, no matter what.He arrived at the mansion at eight in the morning, earlier than usual. He sat in Alexandro's study, but his mind couldn't focus on work. Every time he heard the sound of footsteps in the hallway, his heart pounded.At nine o'clock, Marco heard a voice he recognized. A soft voice that
Marco smiled, then got ready. He couldn't wait to see Silvia's reaction when he gave her the gift.He showered quickly, put on a clean white shirt and a dark blue blazer that made his eyes look brighter. He sprayed on a little perfume, something he rarely did. Then, he took the gift and looked at it once more.Marco left earlier than he should have. He wanted to make sure he wasn't late, wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. He even stopped at a flower shop and bought a single white rose—not red, because red felt too excessive for someone like Silvia. White felt more sincere, more pure.He arrived in front of Silvia's apartment at half past six. He parked his car, then stared at the building. The light on the third floor was still off. Maybe Silvia was still getting ready.Marco waited.He waited until seven o'clock. The light was still off.He took out his phone and sent a message."I'm already outside. Are you ready?"No reply.Marco waited again. At half past seven, he bega







