Chapter Thirty-One
Author's Pov
THE DATES
Picasso sat down in his office, the paper document still in his hands, and his mind kept contemplating what exactly to do next.
His mind wanted to go back to the bad old Picasso, but his heart kept telling him it wasn't the way. Moreover, it was the same old Picasso who ruined everything up until this moment.
After spending several hours alone in the dark, quiet office, he finally came to a conclusion about what exactly he was going to do.
He drafted his plans and looked over them one more time before calling it a night and exiting the office.
Three days later...
Picasso's first move was to whisk Rico away on a romantic cruise. He booked a luxurious suite on a magnificent ship, complete with breathtaking ocean views and gourmet dining. As they sailed through the azure waters, Picasso showered Rico with love and attention, hoping to rekindle the flame that once burned between them.
Rico felt so warm and peaceful, staring at the endless sea from the cruise ship. Even though his mind didn't want to accept it, he knew that this was one of the most relaxing moments he'd had in a long time.
He still couldn't believe Picasso could think of something like it. Honestly, he thought he was going to go back to his old ways of ignoring, manipulating, and commanding him.
But seeing the amount of patience the guy showed him over the week makes him wonder if he was really serious.
The question kept bugging his mind. His heart wanted to believe that Picasso had changed, but his mind and conscience were strong, deciding not to fall for any of his tricks.
Picasso looked down at Rico from the captain's cabinet with a smile attached to his lips, showing his dimples on each side of his cheeks.
He really wanted Rico to see how serious he was, and he was ready to do anything to make him see he was here and ready to stay, making him think of his other plan.
The next day...
Picasso wanted to show Rico how serious he was about their relationship, so he decided to arrange a meeting with his parents.
He believed that introducing Rico to his family would demonstrate his commitment and desire to build a future together.
Nervously, Picasso called his mom, arranging a meeting with them under the disguise of bringing over an important friend and business partner for dinner.
Yes, he wasn't ready to introduce Rico as his lover, as he would spoil a lot of things and plans with his parents. Moreover, he was sure his mother would have a heart attack, and his father was definitely going to do everything in his power to separate them. He couldn't afford all this at the moment, so it was better to play it safe than sorry.
He brought Rico to his childhood home, where his parents welcomed them with open arms.
Over a home-cooked meal, Picasso's parents shared stories of their young lives, with Rico trying to make him as comfortable as he could.
Picasso's father asked his son under which business sector Rico was working, but he quickly silenced his father, telling him it was a secret he was working on.
After that day, Rico wasn't going to lie; the voice in his head telling him Picasso had changed grew stronger with each passing day.
He sat down with a smile on his face. He couldn't deny the fact that he had really changed a little; unlike before, he knew ways to get to a man's heart.
..............................
Picasso knew that grand gestures were necessary to win Rico's heart back completely.
He secretly purchased a private island in Rico's name, a secluded paradise where they could escape from the world and rediscover their love if possible.
With the help of a trusted friend, Picasso arranged for a surprise visit to the island. As they arrived, Rico was astounded by the beauty of the island, not knowing what Picasso had in store for him in the future. The island became a sanctuary of peace for Rico; he felt connected with it; it was like a place where he could come for peace and to rebuild all the thoughts he had once lost.
On the private island, Picasso let Rico spend days exploring, laughing, and discovering places there. He took pictures, painted some, and created masterpieces that reflected his journey of healing and growth. As he immersed himself in the beauty of the island.
Picasso's efforts to win Rico's heart back had started to bear fruit.
As for Rico, he saw the tiny bit of sincerity that Picasso had in most of his actions; it was almost like he could feel the love he once caved for.
Two weeks later,
They were now back from the island, and Picasso still had different plans up his sleeves.
He wanted to make every moment count during the year that Rico had agreed to spend with him. He knew that he had to go above and beyond to impress Rico and make up for the pain he had caused. So he decided to take Rico on a special date to an art gallery.
As they walked through the gallery, Picasso pointed out his favorite paintings and shared stories about the artists behind them. He watched Rico's eyes light up with curiosity and admiration, and it warmed his heart to see him genuinely interested.
Picasso had always been captivated by art, and he hoped that by sharing this passion with Rico, he could create a deeper connection between them. He wanted to show Rico that he was more than just a source of pain but someone who could appreciate beauty and creativity.
Rico listened intently, asking questions and engaging in thoughtful discussions about the artwork. Picasso was impressed by Rico's insights and observations, realizing that there was so much more to him than he had initially realized.
As they reached the end of the gallery, Picasso turned to Rico with a hopeful smile. "Did you enjoy the evening, Rico?"
Rico nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. Yes, I guess I did. Thanks," he replied dryly, trying to keep his emotions intact.
Picasso smiled through the pain in his heart but said nothing, his heart deciding to dwell on the flash images of Rico's smile from the past days.