Love in Red Numbers

Daniel Busch checked his watch for the third time, anxiety and anticipation gnawing at him. He was about to meet his former business rival, and to make matters worse, his ex-lover, Karen Hastings; she had summoned him for an important meeting.

The last time they spoke was at a conference in New York, and it didn't end well. Now, they were meeting at an elegant restaurant in the heart of Barcelona, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He knew she had something up her sleeve.

As he entered the restaurant, he was greeted by the aroma of delicious food, the clinking of glasses, and the sound of a beautiful piano melody in the background. The hostess directed him to a table near the window, from where he could see the bustling street outside. Daniel sat down and waited for Karen Hastings, his mind filled with thoughts of the past and the present.

Suddenly, he noticed a young woman approaching his table. She was petite and beautiful, with long, curly hair and a warm smile.

"Good evening, sir. My name is Ava López, and I'll be your server tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?" she asked.

Daniel was momentarily taken aback by her beauty, but quickly composed himself.

"Uh, yes, please. A glass of red wine," he replied, trying to maintain his composure.

The girl nodded and took his order, but as she turned to leave, Daniel noticed her trembling hands and a hint of desperation in her eyes. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy that bordered on attraction for her.

While he waited for his drink, he noticed Karen entering the restaurant, dressed in an impressive black dress and heels that accentuated her curves. He watched as she approached his table, their eyes meeting.

"Dani, it's good to see you again," she said in a seductive voice, taking a seat across from him.

"Karen," he responded, his voice lacking enthusiasm. "Let's get straight to the point, shall we?"

"But how abrupt... I thought seeing me, even if just for old times' sake, would please you," she said in her sensual voice.

Daniel raised an eyebrow, not wanting to revisit those times.

"How about we talk business?" he suggested, and Karen laughed brazenly.

As they delved into the details of their meeting, Daniel became distracted by Ava's presence.

He couldn't help but glance at her from time to time, intrigued by her beauty and curious about her story.

He noticed her struggling with a group of unruly customers at a nearby table and couldn't help feeling protective of her.

Amidst their discussion, Karen leaned closer, her lips almost touching Daniel's ear.

"I know you still feel something for me, Daniel. Let's forget about business for a moment and relive what we once had," she whispered seductively.

He instinctively pulled back at her words, a mix of anger and disgust welling up in him. She had promised a different kind of conversation, especially given the financial mess she was in.

"Karen, we're here to talk business. Nothing more, nothing less. Never mention that again. I warned you before agreeing to this meeting," he replied sternly, and she pouted rebelliously.

"Well... It's clear then that you don't want to do business with me. I hope your company goes under soon. You know rebellion doesn't suit you. Enjoy your bankruptcy," she retorted, getting up abruptly. "Goodnight."

When the meeting came to an end, Daniel noticed Ava struggling with a tray full of dishes, trying to navigate through the crowded restaurant. He got up from his seat and approached the young woman who had captured his attention.

"Let me help you with that," he offered, taking the tray from her hands.

Ava smiled gratefully, and Daniel couldn't help feeling a sense of warmth and happiness in her smile. But no... He thought he had rid himself of those Cupid-like sentiments. This couldn't be happening again. A part of him wouldn't forgive himself, yet he had undeniably been swept away by what this young woman evoked in him.

Daniel decided to wait for the young woman to finish her shift, and in the meantime, he ordered another appetizer. He couldn't take his eyes off Ava as she served customers in the restaurant. Every time she approached his table, his heart beat faster, and his mind went blank.

Finally, the moment came for Ava to approach his table to deliver the bill. Daniel seized the opportunity to inquire about her.

"And you? Do you work here full time?" Daniel asked with a broad smile.

Ava blushed upon hearing the question, surprised that such an important man would be interested in her. His demeanor said it all; he looked like a man of influence and power.

"Yes, I do. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it," she replied with a shy smile.

"You do it very well," Daniel replied with a seductive smile. "I know it might sound crazy and hasty, but... could you give me your phone number? I'd like to see you again soon and chat with you more. You've left me impressed with your service."

Ava was left speechless. Was this really happening? Was a man like him interested in her? Something urged her to decline firmly. However, for some reason, she didn't want to disappoint Daniel and gave him her phone number with a timid smile.

"Thank you. I hope you'll call me soon. I'll be happy to chat a bit," Ava said before leaving, her heart beating faster than ever.

Daniel stood there for a moment, running his hand through his sleek black hair, feeling excited for the first time in a long while. There was something about Ava that attracted him powerfully. He knew he wanted, no... he had to see her again no matter what.

As Ava walked down the street, her mind filled with questions and doubts. Why would someone like Daniel be interested in her? What did he really want from her?

The next afternoon, he arrived and sat in the same spot, but this time, that extravagant woman hadn't shown up. As expected, he patiently waited to talk to her on the bench in front of the restaurant. There, they talked about a bit of everything, and Daniel learned about the chaotic life of this walking beauty.

He didn't want to delve too deep into her life because at that moment, he had received a terrifying notification. He had been given an ultimatum regarding his company.

"They either increase production numbers at the company, or you commit to Anahí, or alternatively, get back together with Karen. We all depend on this fortune, remember," his mother had warned him.

Daniel didn't want any of those options, and most of the wealthy young ladies were already engaged. Moreover, he had sworn not to think about love anymore. He ran his hands through his black hair in despair, with the angelic image of Ava being the only thing crossing his mind. He felt overwhelmed!

He had to come up with a plan, something that would help rescue the company while also getting rid of his mother's pressure to settle down with whomever she wanted to impose on him. That night, Daniel pondered his plan, which had to be perfect.

Days passed, to be precise, a week during which Ava arrived home tired from work, wondering when things would change. Her life was a mess, and her father's health was deteriorating.

To Ava's surprise, one night, as soon as she got home and greeted her mother, who had been alone lately, a phone call surprised her, and she rushed upstairs to answer it better.

Daniel, who was already in his luxurious apartment, couldn't resist any longer. He picked up his phone and dialed the girl's number with determination.

After several rings, she answered with a timid voice.

"Hello? Yes?" that angelic voice reached his ears.

"Ava, it's Daniel Busch. Do you remember me? I couldn't wait another day to talk to you about something I have in mind," said the man urgently.

Ava was taken aback by his call, but her heart raced as she listened.

"But... What's it about, Mr. Busch?" Ava asked curiously.

"Please, Daniel is fine. Ava, I've been watching you at the restaurant for a long time, and I can't get you out of my mind. I want to make you a proposal, something that will change your life forever," Daniel said with a soft yet determined voice.

Ava fell silent, wondering what could be so important that Daniel would call her in the middle of the night.

Suspense hung in the air as she waited for Daniel to reveal his proposal.

"Would you... marry me?"

Ava was breathless, and in a split second, her phone clattered to the ground.

-Hello? Hello? -said insistently before realizing that the call had cut off with her phone falling.

Ava felt overwhelmed by the proposal Daniel had just made to her over the phone. She knew her answer would affect not only her life but also Daniel's, her family's, and their entire world in general.

She went to bed without having dinner, her heart pounding. Her mother noticed her strangeness, but soon returned to her usual concerns and decided not to question her. Maybe it was nothing serious.

After a night of waking up unable to get a good sleep, in the morning Ava knew she needed fresh air and to go for a walk to clear her mind. So, she got up much earlier than usual. Her mother was still asleep, exhausted from taking care of her husband, who was sick.

As she walked through the park, she remembered how it all started, how Daniel had fallen in love with her from the first time he saw her in the restaurant where she worked as a waitress.

How could she, a working-class girl, accept marrying a rich and powerful man? She knew his offer could bring the necessary money to her family. How could she refuse to help her mother and father and improve their lives?

But she also wondered if Daniel really loved her, as he claimed, or if he just wanted to play with her. Could she trust him? After all, she felt he had hidden details about his identity and life while they were casually talking.

What else could he be hiding?

Ava stopped at a park bench and sat down to reflect, sighing without really knowing what to do. Suddenly, she heard a voice that snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Could you give me a little help, miss?" a disheveled woman asked her.

Ava patted the pockets of her skirt, but she didn't have any money with her.

"I'm sorry, I don't have any at the moment." The woman made a gesture of pain and disappointment to leave, and Ava couldn't help but picture herself in that situation. Could... financial troubles lead her to that?

Obviously, she saw herself in that mirror in a distant future, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that it could become a reality.

She snapped out of it immediately, trying not to think chaotic thoughts, and decided to go back home.

Ava entered and found her mother in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Her father, suffering from cancer, was still under observation in the hospital, but she knew her mother would visit him every day.

"Mom, how was dad yesterday? I'm sorry we didn't talk much, but you know I'm always keeping an eye on him," Ava asked with concern.

"Yesterday wasn't a good day for him, my daughter. Your father could barely sleep the night before, and his pain hasn't stopped," her mother replied sadly.

Ava felt desolate hearing this. In addition to her father's illness, the mortgage he had taken out on the house was due, either they paid or they would be out on the street, and she needed to get money immediately.

"Mom, I have to go to work. I need to do everything possible to get money and help pay the debts," Ava said with a worried expression.

"I know it's hard, my daughter, but I believe you'll succeed. Have faith," her mother replied with an encouraging tone.

Ava quickly got ready and left the house in a hurry, without having breakfast. As she walked to her job, her mind was filled with thoughts and doubts about Daniel's marriage proposal.

Would it be the solution to her financial problems? Was she willing to marry someone she didn't know, let alone love, just for money?

She arrived at the restaurant where she worked and started her shift. But her mind kept wandering to his proposal, even as she served the customers.

"Damn, why does it have to be so difficult?" she complained silently.

Ava knew that Daniel's proposal was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but she also knew it wasn't the way she wanted to live her life. But then, the memory of seeing her sick father and the mortgage about to expire came to mind, and she began to wonder if she really had a choice.

Ava felt overwhelmed and confused by her situation, but she knew she had to find a solution soon. Just like that, her shift ended without much trouble.

Upon arriving home, she greeted her mother, who was crying this time because Harry, her father, had taken a serious turn for the worse. He was at risk of passing away at any moment, his body couldn't take it anymore.

Ava went to her room to cry, and suddenly her phone vibrated. She was surprised to hear Daniel on the other end of the line.

Although she had spent the entire day thinking about his proposal, she didn't expect a call so soon. She remained silent for a few seconds before responding.

"I'm sorry I hung up on you last time. Thank you for calling," Ava said in a somewhat cold tone.

"Ava, please, listen to me," Daniel responded urgently. "I don't want you to feel pressured by my previous proposal. I know it was impulsive, and I didn't give you enough time to think it over. But I need you to know why I asked."

Ava lay down on the bed, unsure of what to say.

"My company is in serious financial trouble," Daniel continued. "I urgently need a solution to avoid bankruptcy. At first, the idea of a business marriage seemed terrible to me, but after talking to you, I realized that what I want most is to be with you... forever. This feeling I have for you is not even remotely normal; you've got me crazy."

"Daniel, I... I don't know what to say," Ava said sincerely. "The truth is, I'm very confused right now. I'm not sure if accepting would be the right thing to do. Besides, what would you benefit from it? I don't have assets, I'm not rich or anything like that."

"Ava, your social class doesn't matter right now, and I'm not asking you to decide right away," Daniel replied. "Take all the time you need to think it over. I don't want you to feel pressured."

Daniel sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He was overwhelmed by all the emotions he was feeling right now. On one hand, he was talking to an almost stranger. On the other hand, there was his family, who urgently needed his financial help.

"Daniel, there's something else you need to know," Ava finally said. "My family is going through a very tough time. My dad is sick, and we have a mortgage that's due in two weeks. I need to work more hours to be able to help, one of my brothers is unemployed, and my mother is fully focused on taking care of my father."

Daniel fell silent for a moment, processing this information.

"I... I didn't know any of that," Daniel said softly. "Please, let me help you. If you accept my proposal, you won't have to worry about money anymore. I promise I'll take care of you and your family."

Ava felt overwhelmed by Daniel's offer. It was difficult to resist someone who offered you everything you needed in a time of crisis. But at the same time, she couldn't ignore her own heart.

"Daniel, I... I accept," Ava finally said, her voice trembling. "But only if you promise you'll never hurt me. And if you promise you'll always be honest with me."

The man breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing those words. He had been waiting for two weeks to hear Ava accept his proposal, and now she had finally done it. But he knew his work wasn't done yet.

"Ava López, I promise," Daniel said with his heart racing.

Ava felt overwhelmed by the responsibility she had taken on by accepting Daniel Busch's marriage proposal that same morning. After finishing work, she arrived home, greeted her family quickly, and headed to her room. Anxiety quickly set in, her heart racing.

She felt her hands becoming sweaty and cold, and the weather wasn't helping with all the nervousness about her future decisions. She was about to tell her family about her fake engagement, but she didn't know where to start. What were the right words? As she prepared to leave the house, her phone rang, and she answered it immediately.

"Ava? How are you?" It was her father's weak voice. He was still in the hospital, recovering from cancer treatment.

"Don't worry about me; I'm getting better every day," she told him.

Ava felt a lump in her throat, hearing her father's voice, knowing that her mother had told him how sick he was. He had always been her rock, her source of support in difficult times, but she couldn't understand why he had to get into so much debt. Now she and her sister had to be the strong ones for their family.

"Dad, there's something important I need to tell you," Ava said, then bit her lip.

"What's wrong, daughter?" her father asked with concern.

"There's something I have to tell you... I got engaged to someone," Ava said with a trembling voice. "It's a different kind of engagement, just for business. But if everything goes well, we can save Daniel Busch's company, that's his name... and our family from the mortgage."

Her father remained silent for a moment, processing the news. Finally, he mustered the strength to speak.

"Daughter, I've always trusted your decisions. If you believe this is the best thing for the family, then we'll support you. Just make sure you're doing what's right for you too. At the slightest sign of anything fishy, step back, don't get carried away, and scrutinize everything, please be very careful."

Ava felt partly relieved that her father supported her, but she still had to face her mother and her siblings. She knew her mother had always been very traditional and wouldn't accept the idea of her marrying for business. But she was determined to do whatever it took to save her family at any cost.

She left her room and walked to the living room to talk to her mother and siblings. She was nervous about the impending conversation, but she knew she couldn't postpone it any longer; that would only make things worse and more complicated.

Her mother and siblings were gathered in the small living room, barely fitting comfortably. There was only a rustic table and two uncomfortable sofas. Ava adjusted her chestnut curls, approached them, and took a deep breath before starting to speak.

"Family... I have something to tell you," Ava said firmly. "I got engaged to Daniel Busch, a very well-known man."

Everyone in the room was left speechless.

"What did you say, Ava?" her mother inquired, leaving her dinner preparations aside. "But you haven't even had a boyfriend. If he didn't have the guts to come ask for your hand, I don't think he's worth it."

Her siblings nodded, without words, as they were stunned.

"It's just... It happened about three weeks ago... It's a fake engagement for business purposes. We need the money he can offer to save our family from the mortgage and pay for dad's treatments."

As Ava fidgeted with her fingers due to nerves, her mother's expression changed from surprise to anger.

"Ava, how could you do something like this? Marry for money?" her mother said with a furious voice.

Ava tried to explain, but her mother remained unconvinced.

"I can't believe you've sold your future for money," her mother said with disdain.

Ava felt devastated by her mother's reaction, but she knew she had to move forward with the fake engagement to save her family.

"Mom, I'm really sorry, but this is what I have to do," Ava said sadly.

"How could you be so selfish, Ava? How could you think only for convenience? Do you realize what you've done? Do you understand that you've sold your future for money?"

Ava's mother fell to her knees, and her sobs echoed within the humble living room's four walls.

"Mom, that's not how I see it. Daniel and I have talked about this. He also needs help with his company, and this benefits both of us."

"I don't care what you've talked about with him. I can't believe you've made such a stupid decision. What will your children think when they find out you married for money? What will your friends and society think? I'm so disappointed in you, Ava."

One of Ava's older brothers helped their mother up and intervened in the conversation.

"Mom, calm down, our sister is right. This is an opportunity to help our family and ensure her future. We should support her instead of attacking her."

The mother opened her mouth slightly; she couldn't believe what she was hearing from her own children.

"Exactly, Mom. Ava didn't do anything wrong. We should be grateful that she found a solution to our financial problems," added the eldest sister of the three.

"I can't believe you all support this madness. What's gotten into you? Do you want to sell your souls for money too? This is madness, and I won't accept it. Do whatever you want, Ava, but don't say I didn't warn you about this nonsense!"

The three siblings fell silent and went to their respective rooms without having dinner. Ava cried most of the night; she hated disappointing her mother like this, but she had already made her decision.

The next day, Daniel Busch arrived early at Ava's workplace to wait for her at the door and surprise her with a romantic dinner at a luxury Greek restaurant. He was dressed in his finest suit and held a beautiful bouquet of red flowers in his hands. When Ava came out of the building, she was surprised to see Daniel there. He offered her the bouquet of flowers and told her it was a special dinner to celebrate their engagement.

Ava got into the back seat of the limousine, swallowed hard, and took a deep breath. She felt very nervous, especially when she saw a green velvet dress. Soon, she realized it was her work uniform and understood what all of this was about.

"Please, princess, change into it, I'll take you to a delicious place."

Daniel's words, for some reason, made her feel a little tingly in her stomach. Where did he intend to take her? She still didn't fully trust him, but those warm words were provoking strange sensations in her.

"Of course," she smiled nervously.

Daniel closed the partition to give her privacy. Ava changed hastily, and as soon as she finished, he drove her in that luxurious car to the restaurant, where he had reserved a table on the terrace with a view of the city.

The chef and other waitstaff watched in amazement at the man who had come to pick up Ava, and they muttered unintelligible things, but it was evident they were criticizing every move of the young girl, likely because the man was much older than her. The gossip had begun.

Daniel whispered words of love to her as they ordered dinner and drank wine. Ava stared at him intensely while he spoke passionately about how happy he was to be with her and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

But Ava still felt insecure and confused. She didn't know if she was doing the right thing by getting involved with Daniel.

When dessert arrived, Daniel took out a small red velvet box and placed it in front of Ava. She opened it and found a beautiful engagement ring with a large, sparkling diamond in the center.

"I want this to be a symbol of our love and commitment," Daniel said, his eyes shining. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Ava remained speechless, feeling a mix of emotions. On one hand, she was impressed by Ava's generosity and romance. On the other hand, she felt guilty for deceiving him and not being sure of her own feelings.

Finally, Ava accepted the ring and the engagement. She promised Daniel that she would love him and be a good wife to him. But in her heart, she still had doubts about whether she was doing the right thing.

As soon as dinner was over, Daniel approached Ava slowly, gently caressing her cheek. She felt a strange tingle in her stomach.

"Ava, I know this is a lot for you, but I need you to trust me," he said softly and longingly.

The young woman felt nervous but couldn't help but be somewhat drawn to him, by his words and his gestures, things that no one had ever done for her.

"Daniel, I... I'm not sure if I'm ready for this," Ava replied timidly.

He looked into her big hazel eyes.

"I understand. But I don't want to wait any longer to kiss you," he said with determination.

Ava was left speechless, not knowing what to do. He was getting closer, and she could feel his breath on her skin. She wasn't ready to kiss him, but there seemed to be no other option. This was only the beginning.