Chapter 13: A fleeting moment

Ana
We arrived at Paolo's house shortly after leaving mine. The mansion was impressive, an opulent display of his power and wealth. Upon entering, the atmosphere was calm and welcoming, with soft background music and the light of the lamps creating an intimate atmosphere.
"Make yourself at home, Ana." Paolo smiled as he guided me to an elegantly decorated room. "I brought you some wine. I know it's your favorite."
He offered me a glass, and although I was still hesitant at first, I accepted. I took a sip and felt the smooth, familiar flavor relax me a little. Maybe I was getting nervous for nothing. I had to stay calm and act cautiously.
"Thanks, Paolo. It's good wine."
"I'm glad you like it. Do you remember the first time we drank it together?" He sat down in front of me, his gaze fixed on mine, but I just let out a muffled laugh.
"Right, we stole the bottle from my dad. It's a miracle he didn't notice it was missing."
"He had tons of liquor, of course he wasn't going to notice."
I smiled sideways, thinking that this is the kind of relationship I would have liked to have with Paolo, before blood and chaos entered our lives. For a few moments, he forgot that before all of this, we were just young lovers and that's it. A feeling that, luckily, has died.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.
"Like what?"
"So happy."
"I had forgotten how much I enjoyed spending time with you. It seems like we haven't done it in years." I cleared my throat a little. "Now, let's talk about the proposal. I know you have doubts, and I want to clear them up."
I nodded, leaving the glass on the table. I took a deep breath before speaking.
"I need to know what you're really offering, Paolo. What's at stake here?"
Paolo leaned forward, his imposing presence filling the room.
"Ana, our family faces many threats. The proposal I made you is not just a strategic alliance; it's an opportunity to strengthen our positions and protect each other from common enemies."
"And what guarantees that you'll keep your word?" I asked, looking for any sign of falsehood in his eyes.
He smiled, a smile that was both seductive and dangerous.
"My word is my honor. Besides, your interests are mine. Together, we can ensure a future where our family thrives."
I took another sip of wine, processing his words. There was something about his tone, his confidence, that made me uneasy.
"Paolo, I know you're working with my uncle Marco," I finally said, watching his reaction.
To my surprise, Paolo burst out laughing, a deep, genuine laugh.
"Ah, Ana. You're as perceptive as ever," he said, still smiling. "No, I'm not working with Marco, I assure you I'm not doing anything like that. You should trust me a little, I'm not the one hiding things from you."
I felt a little disconcerted by his reaction.
"What are you talking about?"
"The alliance I want to form is with Salvatore, but not just anyone, I want it to be with you, because you're the only one who has a cool head to be able to work in a world like this. I'm looking for the same justice as you, but my men have given me important information. Have you ever wondered how much your uncle might be hiding?"
"If you're trying to distract me from the topic, I swear..."
"That's not it," he interrupted. "They inform me that Marco Salvatore's plans are centered on finding a woman." I frowned, confused. "A mysterious woman who apparently wants your position in the Italian mafia. She wants what is rightfully yours."
“It’s impossible, my uncle would have mentioned something about this to me. He would have asked me to be on alert.”
I know he would, Marco couldn't be acting alone. He needs to tell me these things. He's supposed to be preparing me to be the next leader. Hiding information from me wouldn't make sense.
"Is he working alone?"
"I see you believe me then."
"Paolo, I'm serious."
"As far as I know, he has two accomplices."
"And I guess you won't tell me their names."
"You're not ready yet. Try to check what I'm telling you on your own. You'll know I'm not lying."
I decided I would do it in due time, but if Paolo is telling me the truth, then I can't trust anyone in the house.
"Marco and I share a common goal: to protect our family from a threat you can't even begin to comprehend. A formidable enemy, one who has been moving his pieces in the shadows for years."
Paolo's words resonated in my mind, making the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. But there was still something that didn't add up.
"And why keep me out of it? Why not tell me the truth from the beginning?"
"Your uncle must think this is too dangerous for you. He doesn't want to put you in danger, or maybe he's just waiting for the right time to get rid of you."
I stood up too, approaching him.
"I need to know everything, Paolo. I can't stay in the dark."
He turned to me, his gaze intense and sincere.
"And you will, Ana. I promise I'll tell you everything. But first, we need to solidify our alliance. Only together can we face what's coming."
I took a moment to consider his words, weighing the truth in his eyes. Paolo had always been an enigmatic figure, but now I saw a vulnerability and determination that made me reconsider my reservations.
"We have a deal then."
As we sealed our alliance with a handshake, I felt a palpable electricity in the air, a tension that seemed to increase with every passing second. Paolo leaned in towards me, his imposing presence enveloping me completely. I could feel his breath on my skin, his piercing gaze seeking mine with an intensity that made me tremble inside.
"Ana, there are no secrets with you," he whispered, his voice echoing in my ear like a promise. "We will lead together, hand in hand, facing whatever comes."
His closeness left me breathless, every fiber of my being yearning for more of him, but also fighting against the storm of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Paolo..." I muttered, barely able to articulate a word.
We were so close that I could feel the heat of his body, the intensity of his gaze burning me from within. My eyes met his, and in that moment, I knew we were on a precipice, about to fall into something unknown and dangerous.
Paolo leaned towards me slowly, his face approaching mine with palpable determination. He was about to kiss my lips when he suddenly stopped, just a couple of inches away.
The silence that followed was deafening, each of us caught in the uncertainty of the moment. I didn't know what to expect, what reaction he would have to my next move.
My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I fought against the overwhelming desire that threatened to consume me completely. I wanted that kiss as much as he did, but I also knew it wasn't right, that there was too much at stake.
However, in the face of the overwhelming urgency of the moment, my instincts took over. I closed the distance between us, my lips seeking his with a desperate need. And when our lips finally met in a passionate kiss, the rest flowed.
The kiss was a whirlwind of emotions, a frenzy of passion and desire that consumed us completely. We lost ourselves in the moment, forgetting the world around us for an instant, and there were only him and me, united in a bond that transcended words.
When we parted, our breath escaping our lips in a whisper, I found myself looking into his eyes, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Ana," Paolo murmured, his voice filled with surprise and desire. "I didn't expect..."
"Neither did I," I whispered, my voice barely a whisper in the tension-filled room.
We stood there, caught in the moment, knowing that we had crossed a line that we couldn't undo. But despite everything, I couldn't regret it. Because in that kiss, I found a truth I had been searching for for a long time: that Paolo was not only my ally, but also my equal, my partner in this dangerous game of power and betrayal.
Though the moment was fleeting, it left an indelible mark on my heart.
"Would you like to stay tonight?"
His proposal took me by surprise, but I couldn't help but feel a tingling of excitement at the thought of spending more time with him, away from the weight of our responsibilities in the mafia.
"You mean... stay here with you?" I asked, seeking clarity in his dark eyes.
Paolo nodded, his expression serious but warm.
"Yes. We can go out, enjoy the city, or just stay here and relax. I won't take you to bed, unless you want to."
His honesty surprised me, but it also made me appreciate his consideration for me even more. It was an unexpected gesture of care and kindness in a world full of intrigue and danger.
After a moment of thought, I nodded with a smile.
"It would be nice to have a break from all this, at least for one night."
He returned my smile, his gaze sparkling with a mix of gratitude and complicity.
We spent the rest of the night together, exploring the city under the stars and sharing stories and laughter. It was a moment of calm in the midst of the storm, an oasis of tranquility in a world full of danger.
When we returned to Paolo's mansion, we said goodbye with a sense of satisfaction and joy. We hadn't talked much about what had happened between us, but we didn't need words to understand what it meant.
As I drove home in the darkness of the night, a sense of peace washed over me. It had been an unexpected night, but also a revealing one. Valeria was right; my feelings for Paolo hadn't disappeared, and maybe they never would. It was a terrifying thought, but also an exciting one. Because in Paolo, I found something I had been searching for without knowing it, something that had been there all along, waiting to be discovered. And now that I had found it, I wasn't sure I wanted to let it go.