CHIARA POV
As I find myself immersed in the inviting ambiance of my boutique, diligently attending to my work, I can't help but reflect on the whirlwind of events that unfolded yesterday. When I woke up in the living room, I swiftly changed back into the outfit that I wore when Alexa, Sanya, and I ventured to Club Z. It was a conscious decision on my part to distance myself from anything associated with Alex, which is why I decided not to bid farewell to them.
Upon stepping out of the guest room, I was greeted by the scene of two slumbering figures outside. Silently, I tiptoed into the living room, cautiously hoping not to awaken Luis and Xander from their deep sleep. To my relief, both gentlemen were blissfully unaware of my presence. Aware of the scattered beer bottles that littered the room, I opted not to disturb their peaceful repose. It seemed more prudent to slip quietly away without initiating a potentially awkward confrontation with Xander.

Instead of returning to our shared abode with my two best friends, I decided to seek solace in the familiarity of my boutique. Knowing them, I am sure that venturing home would only result in Alexa and Sanya bombarding me with countless questions, and my weary state wasn't conducive to providing them with the answers they sought. Consequently, I had already taken the initiative to keep them informed of my whereabouts through a considerate text message, providing them with the knowledge of my presence in this comforting sanctuary. As such, I momentarily find respite here, far removed from the prying eyes and probing questions that await me elsewhere.
Gratitude pervades my being as I appreciate the blessing of having a personal room nestled within the confines of my cherished boutique. This intimate space provides me with the opportunity to cleanse myself of the burdens accumulated throughout the day. Availing myself of a refreshing shower and meticulously selecting an outfit that resonates with my individual style, I feel a renewed influx of vitality coursing through my veins. The act of slipping into this carefully chosen attire instills within me a sense of empowerment and confidence, fortifying my resolve for the responsibilities and tasks that lie ahead.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
As I sat at my desk, engrossed in my thoughts and attempting to find solace in the tranquility of my office, the piercing ring of the telephone jarred me from my reverie. With a sigh, I reached for the receiver and brought it to my ear, answering with a polite yet slightly exasperated tone.
"Yes?" I responded, my voice tinged with weariness. Sarah, my assistant, was on the other end of the line, her voice filled with cautious concern.
"Sorry, Ma'am Chiara," she began apologetically, "I know you don't want to be disturbed because you were planning on resting, but someone is waiting for you."

I felt a twinge of frustration rise within me. Who could possibly be seeking my attention now? I had made it abundantly clear to both Alexa and Sanya that I desired some peace and solitude, especially considering the tumultuous events that had recently unfolded in my life. Despite my annoyance, I maintained a gentle tone as I inquired, "Who is it?"
"He said his name was Luis, Ma'am Chiara," Sarah replied, her words causing my eyes to widen in surprise. How did Luis know I worked here? What could he possibly want? These questions swirled through my mind, momentarily eclipsing my annoyance.
"Let him into my office," I conceded, instructing Sarah to grant him access before abruptly ending the call. As the line went dead, a wave of anticipation washed over me, mingled with a sense of trepidation. Minutes later, a knock echoed through the room, signaling Luis's arrival at my doorstep.
Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in," I replied, my voice warm and inviting as Luis entered the room, a bright smile adorning his face. In his hands, he held a beautiful bouquet of flowers, which he presented to me with a kind gesture. Returning his smile, I graciously accepted the fragrant offering before motioning for him to take a seat.
Curiosity brimming within me, I couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing here, and how did you know that I work here? And thank you for the flowers by the way, they're lovely."
Luis's smile widened as he explained, "You mentioned to me before, back when we were at my condo, that you are the owner of CMA fashion boutique. Your boutique is quite famous, so it wasn't hard for me to find you."
His response struck a chord, reminding me of our previous conversation. I recalled sharing details of my professional life with him, unaware at the time of the events that would subsequently unfold between him and Alex. Shaking off those thoughts, I continued, "But why are you here? Surely, you didn't come all this way just to give me flowers?"
With a sincere expression, Luis offered an unexpected apology, saying, "I'm sorry, I had no idea that Alex was going to my condo, nor did I realize that the two of you shared a past. It was never my intention to cause any harm or discomfort."
Feeling a pang of guilt, I quickly interjected, "No, please don't apologize. I should also say sorry for abruptly leaving your condo without saying goodbye properly. I shouldn't have acted that way."
Then, unexpectedly, Luis asked a question that caught me off guard, causing me to avert my gaze. "Do you still love him?"
Apologizing once again, he regretfully added, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."
Taking a moment to compose myself, I met his gaze and shook my head gently. "No, it's alright. I've moved on from that chapter of my life. The past is the past, and he remains a part of that past."
As if attempting to break the tension, Luis mustered up some courage and proposed, "How about lunch?"
Caught off guard by his sudden question and the shy demeanor he exhibited, I couldn't help but laugh. "Hmm, sure!" I agreed playfully, standing up and taking his hand, leading him out of my office.
MAXIMO POV
I am currently seated in the car with Mia, feeling a mix of confusion and uncertainty. I find myself at a loss, unsure of what to make of my emotions or how to navigate this situation. When Mia is with me, a sense of completeness washes over me, and her presence by my side brings me immense joy. My deepest desire is for her to remain by my side always, as she is an integral part of my happiness. However, memories of my past relationship with Rhian, my ex-girlfriend, cast a shadow of fear within me. I am apprehensive that history may repeat itself, causing me further pain and heartbreak. But in the presence of Mia, something shifts within me. I feel a newfound willingness to give love another chance, to dive into this relationship with her. Yet, I can't help but wonder, what if I get hurt once more? These doubts weigh heavily on my mind.
My chain of thought abruptly comes to a halt as Mia utters my name. I turn towards her, ready to listen and respond. "Luis," she calls out, capturing my attention.
I reply with a hint of hesitation, asking, "Yes?" Mia's face bears a slight frown as she expresses her concern. It seems she had been trying to get my attention for a while, but I was lost in my own thoughts.
Seeking to explain myself, I offer an apology, "Sorry, I was just caught up thinking about something." She nods, understanding my distraction.
As we continue driving, Mia raises the question of where we will be eating. It dawns on me that I had unknowingly passed the restaurant we had intended to visit. The realization surprises me since I was so preoccupied with my internal musings. Feeling remorseful, I admit, "Sorry, I didn't notice." I swiftly turn the car around, unaware of the small sigh that escapes Mia's lips.
As we arrived at the restaurant, I took the initiative to step out of the car first and graciously opened the door for Mia.
"Thank you," she expressed her gratitude, to which I simply responded with a warm smile.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were promptly greeted by the staff with a polite "Welcome Ma'am and Sir." It was a small gesture that made us feel welcomed and valued as customers.
In the midst of our entry, Mia unexpectedly broke the silence by delving into my earlier state of contemplation. "What were you thinking about earlier? It seemed so deep," she inquired curiously.
For a moment, I hesitated before responding, still grappling with the remnants of my thoughts. "I'm sorry again because-" My words trailed off abruptly as my eyes caught sight of someone familiar.
There, across the room, stood Rhian, accompanied by someone whose face remained obscured from view. Despite her back being turned towards me, I felt an immediate sense of recognition. It was undoubtedly Rhian. I couldn't help but wonder when she had returned.
"Huh?" Mia's voice jolted me out of my thoughts, and I noticed in my peripheral vision that she turned her attention towards the same direction where I'm looking at.
To my surprise, Rhian spun around to face me, her eyes widening in recognition. "Maxi?!" she exclaimed, clearly taken aback. Her companion also turned to look at me, equally shocked.
"Maximo? Chimi?" Alex called out, a mix of disbelief and confusion evident on his face.
"Why are you together?" Rhian questioned me, her voice filled with shock and disbelief.
Returning her question, I asked, "Why are you together? And since when did you come back?" Confusion and curiosity swirled within me as I tried to make sense of the unexpected encounter.
Before I could comprehend the situation fully, Mia's voice broke through the tension. "Sorry, but I need to go," she expressed, her tone hinting at a mixture of surprise and dismay. Without wasting another moment, she swiftly left the scene.
Determined to catch up with Mia, I moved to follow her, but Alex called out to Mia, halting her in her tracks. Sensing the urgency in my friend's actions, I intervened. "Don't follow her," I urged Alex, my voice firm with conviction.
As I prepared to chase after Mia, Rhian reached out, gripping my arms tightly. "Maxi, let me explain!" she pleaded, desperation lacing her voice.
"You don't need to," I replied tersely, shaking off her hold and continuing my pursuit of Mia. I couldn't let doubts cloud my determination to reach her.
"Mia, wait!" I called out, catching up to her and grasping her arm gently. As she turned to face me, her expression was unreadable.
"I'm sorry, but I have to leave," she stated calmly, extracting herself from my grip. Feeling uncertain about what to do next, I made a spontaneous decision. I scooped her up into my arms carrying her bridal style, refusing to let her escape my grasp.
"Hey, what the hell?! Put me down!" Mia protested, her voice filled with irritation, but I paid no heed to her protests and continued carrying her towards my parked car.
After reaching the car, I opened the door and gently placed her inside. "Luis, what the hell?!" she exclaimed as she settled into the seat.
"Stop shouting, or else I'm going to kiss you," I playfully threatened, a mischievous smile gracing my lips. I noticed how her gaze flickered towards my lips momentarily before she looked away, swallowing audibly. It only added to my amusement. Closing the car door, I moved to the driver's seat and started the engine.
"Where are you taking me?" she inquired, avoiding direct eye contact as I drove. Instead of answering, I simply grinned at her, focusing on the road ahead once again.