Chapter 332: A Future Built for You

As they walked up to the front entrance, a pair of armed security guards stationed at the heavy glass doors snapped to attention, nodding respectfully as Matteo flashed a digital pass.

They stepped inside, and Adrian’s breath instantly hitched.

The ground floor was a breathtaking, open commercial space. Polished marble floors stretched beneath high ceilings, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows filled the empty interior with warm morning light. The spacious layout was untouched, waiting to be transformed into something extraordinary.

Adrian slowly turned in a circle, taking it all in. "Matteo... what is this place?"

Matteo stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Adrian’s waist from behind and resting his chin on his shoulder.

"I’ve been thinking," he said softly. "People buy cars every day, baby. Even if an art gallery has a quiet week, a car showroom would still bring in a steady income."

Adrian frowned slightly as he looked around the empty floor. "You... brought me to an empty building?"

Matteo smiled. "Not just any building."

He gently took Adrian’s hand and led him toward a private elevator at the back. After entering a security code, the doors slid open.

"Come on. There’s more."

They rode to the second floor.

As the elevator doors opened, Adrian found himself staring at another large, empty space.

Bright natural light poured in through the tall windows, illuminating the white walls and high ceilings. The entire floor was open and spacious, ready to become whatever its owner envisioned.

Adrian looked around in confusion before turning back to Matteo. "I don’t understand."

Matteo smiled softly. "This is where I imagined your art gallery."

Adrian’s eyes widened.

Matteo turned to him with a gentle smile. "You can design it however you want, baby," he said. "Portraits, landscapes, private exhibition rooms, studios... anything you dream of. This place is yours to create."

Adrian stood frozen, struggling to process everything he was hearing.

Instead of saying anything else, Matteo glanced toward one of the bodyguards standing a respectful distance away.

The man immediately stepped forward, carrying a thick leather portfolio. He handed it to Matteo, who accepted it before turning and placing it gently into Adrian’s hands.

"Go on," Matteo said with a soft smile. "Open it."

With trembling fingers, Adrian opened it.

The very first page was the property’s deed.

His eyes scanned the document before widening in disbelief.

He quickly turned another page. Then another. His breathing became uneven.

Matteo watched him quietly, a gentle smile resting on his lips. "Every document is in your name," he said softly.

Adrian slowly looked up. "The... building is mine?"

Matteo nodded. "Keep reading."

Adrian turned another page and found the registration documents for the commercial property.

"I’ve been thinking about turning the first floor into a luxury car showroom," Matteo explained. "It would give you another successful business and a steady source of income."

He gently squeezed Adrian’s hand. "But if that’s not what you want, we’ll change it. Every decision from this point on is yours."

Adrian looked back at the documents, his eyes filling with tears. "You... bought all of this for me?"

"I didn’t buy you a workplace," Matteo said softly as he cupped Adrian’s cheek. "I bought you a future. And this is only the beginning. There’s so much more to come."

His thumb brushed away the tear that slipped down Adrian’s face. "Your paintings are your passion, Adrian. I never want you to feel like you have to paint just to pay bills or survive. I want you to create because you love it. This building gives you that freedom. Whatever you choose to do with it, I’ll support you."

The words shattered the last of Adrian’s composure.

He threw his arms around Matteo’s neck and held him tightly as a quiet sob escaped his lips.

Matteo immediately wrapped his arms around him, holding him close as he gently stroked his back. "It’s yours now," he whispered into Adrian’s hair. "All of it."

Adrian held him tighter, his shoulders trembling as he tried to steady his breathing. He slowly pulled back, his eyes red with tears, and looked at Matteo as if he still couldn’t believe any of this was real.

"Why?" he asked softly, his voice breaking. "What did I ever do to deserve all of this?"

Matteo frowned slightly.

Adrian shook his head, another tear slipping down his cheek.

"No, I’m serious." He let out a quiet, shaky laugh. "This is... too much, baby. You bought me an entire building." His gaze dropped to the folder still in his hands. "Everything is in my name."

He looked back up at Matteo, his eyes full of gratitude.

"I don’t even know what to say."

Matteo gently wiped away another tear with his thumb.

Adrian swallowed hard. "I’ve never asked you for any of this. I would’ve been happy just having you by my side." He smiled through his tears. "But you keep giving me more than I ever imagined."

He took Matteo’s hands in his own and held them tightly. "Thank you."

The words were barely above a whisper, yet they carried every emotion he couldn’t put into words.

"Thank you for believing in me... for supporting my dream... and for giving me a future I never thought I’d have."

He smiled weakly, tears continuing to fall. "I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like you, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life appreciating everything you do for me."

Matteo smiled warmly and rested his forehead against Adrian’s.

"You don’t have to earn my love, Adrian," he said quietly. "You already have it. Seeing you happy is more than enough for me."

Adrian closed his eyes, overcome with emotion. He leaned forward and hugged Matteo again, holding him as though he never wanted to let go. In that moment, no amount of money, property, or success could compare to the love they shared.

After a long while, they slowly pulled apart.

Matteo gently tucked a loose strand of Adrian’s hair behind his ear before resting a hand on his cheek.

"From now on," Matteo said softly, "I want this to be the one place where you never have to be afraid while you’re working. You can paint, create, and chase your dreams without fear. And I won’t have to worry every time you’re away from me. I’ll make sure you’re completely safe here."

Adrian smiled through the tears still glistening in his eyes. "Thank you so much," he whispered. "You’re the best partner anyone could ever ask for. You’re just... too perfect to me."

He cupped Matteo’s face with both hands. "I love you so much."

Matteo smiled, his eyes filled with warmth. "That’s enough for me," he said. "Just your love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted."

Adrian let out a soft laugh. "Then I’ll shower you with my love every single day. I hope you never get tired of it."

Matteo chuckled before pulling him a little closer. "I’ll never get tired of your love," he said. "In fact, I’d be the happiest man in the world to have someone like you loving me and standing by my side."

Adrian’s smile widened. "We’re both lucky to have each other."

Matteo leaned down and kissed the top of Adrian’s head before wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"Whenever you decide what you want to do with each floor, just tell me," he said. "I’ll support every decision you make. Personally, though, I still think the first floor would be perfect for a luxury car showroom."

Adrian looked around the spacious floor before turning back to him with a trusting smile.

"Everything you suggest always turns out well. You have far more business experience than I do, so whatever you think is best, I’ll trust your judgment."

Matteo shook his head with a gentle smile. "No. We’ll decide together. It’s your building, and your opinion matters just as much as mine."

Adrian’s smile grew even brighter.

"Then... together."

"Together," Matteo repeated.

Their fingers intertwined once more as they stood side by side in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking out over the city below, they held each other quietly, already imagining the future they would build together—one floor, one dream, and one step at a time.

*********

When they finally returned home later that afternoon, Adrian made a decision.

He wasn’t going to tell anyone about the building. Not yet.

He wanted his friends to see it when everything was finished, when it had truly become the dream Matteo believed he could build.

But one thing had changed.

His determination to propose to Matteo had grown even stronger.

He couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I have to do it this weekend.

The moment Adrian learned that Maxwell had returned home later that day, he practically flew down the stairs, leaving Matteo upstairs in their bedroom.

He hurried into the living room, where Maxwell was relaxing on the sofa.

"Maxwell! You’re back!"

Maxwell looked up, amused by Adrian’s breathless entrance.

"I’ve been back for over an hour," he said with a chuckle. "Is everything okay?"

Adrian didn’t even sit down. Instead, he walked straight over and lowered his voice.

"Maxwell, listen to me." His expression turned unusually serious. "This weekend... during our trip... I have to propose to Matteo."

He grabbed Maxwell’s arm, his eyes filled with determination.

"It’s a must. You have to help me make it happen."

Maxwell blinked, leaning back with an amused, teasing grin. "Whoa, slow down. Why are you suddenly in such a massive rush?"

Adrian lowered his voice to an urgent whisper, leaning in close. "Let me ask you a question..."