Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN HE CHOSE WITHOUT AN ULTIMATUM
Dante waited until Elena no longer worked directly for him before asking her on a date.
He offered to help her find a position elsewhere.
She refused.
Then she surprised him.
“I want to start my own business.”
Dante looked up.
“What kind?”
“Restoration.”
He frowned.
“Restoration?”
“Music boxes. Clocks. Old mechanical things.”
She smiled.
“I used to help my grandfather repair them.”
Dante remembered the music box she'd fixed at his estate.
“That's why you knew how.”
She nodded.
He smiled.
“Then you should do it.”
Elena hesitated.
“I don't have enough money.”
Dante leaned forward.
“I could invest.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He laughed softly.
“Of course.”
She smiled.
“I want to build it myself.”
Dante nodded.
“Then I'll be your first customer.”
Three months later, Elena opened a small workshop.
Morales Restoration.
Her first customers were collectors, antique dealers, and families who wanted treasured objects repaired.
Dante visited one afternoon.
Elena stood behind the counter wearing jeans and a blue apron.
He smiled.
“You look happy.”
She laughed.
“I am.”
He stepped closer.
“Elena.”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
“Would you have dinner with me?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“As your employee?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“As your charity project?”
“No.”
She smiled.
“Then as what?”
Dante took a breath.
“As a woman I've fallen in love with.”
Elena went still.
He continued.
“I don't want you to owe me anything.”
His voice softened.
“I just want a chance to know you.”
Elena looked at him for a long moment.
May you like
Then smiled.
“Dinner sounds nice.”
