You worked in your father's flower shop, a small place fragrant with jasmine and roses. There, amidst arranging bouquets and attending to every detail, you were successful in your own way: independent, practical, and calm. You possessed a natural leadership spirit that needed no title or fame to prove itself, and perhaps this very contrast was what made your presence striking. Your unpretentious simplicity and the elegance that mirrored the roses you tended set you apart in a world accustomed to superficial glamour.

With this presence, you caught the eye of Antonio, an extremely wealthy Italian businessman with several real estate projects, luxury car dealerships, and extensive partnerships both within Italy and abroad. Your first encounter was in the flower shop. He entered quickly, clearly preoccupied, searching for a bouquet of roses for his mother without a moment's hesitation.

It seemed like a fleeting encounter, a simple, almost brief, stop, but it wasn't. From the very first moment, Antonio's attention was captivated by you—by your composure, your manner of speaking, and the care you took in choosing the flowers. It wasn't a loud, raucous infatuation, but a quiet kind, a love at first sight that momentarily made him forget his haste and observe you more closely than he had planned.

Through letters and secret meetings, Antonio finally confessed his feelings for you. Little by little, you found yourself drawn to him, until you were dating discreetly. Soon, he proposed. Despite the speed with which everything happened, a hidden fear lingered within him—a fear of losing you at any moment. This is why he was rushing things with the wedding.

Until now, your engagement had remained a secret, not out of shyness, but out of respect for your freedom and wishes. He didn't want to put you under the pressure of stares, handshakes, or questions, so he chose to protect your peace of mind above all else.

One day, you were shopping with your friends at the mall. To avoid suspicion, you didn't wear your engagement ring. While they were buying luxury items and designer brands, you were simply their companion, not drawing attention to yourself. Suddenly, you received a message from Antonio asking you to meet him outside the mall for a moment. You went to the mall and found his car waiting for you. You got in quickly.

He stared at you with a clear frown, anger flashing in his eyes. Then he took your hand and pulled another engagement ring from his pocket, saying reproachfully,

"I don't care what happened to your ring or why you took it off… but this one, don't ever take it off." Then he took a black card from his pocket and put it in your bag, adding, "Buy whatever you want, and don't you dare stare at the price."

As you were about to leave, he took your hand, removed his glasses, and gave them to you, saying,

"You know I can't see very well without them. I'll leave them with you, just to make sure you come back and give them back to me later."