Chapter 30: I must keep this lie.

Ana
The day began with a deceptive calmness. The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains of my room, illuminating the space with a warm glow. I rose slowly, still processing the events of the previous night. I had to keep up the façade, I had to keep acting as if my only memories were those of Dante. The truth was a weapon that I needed to handle with care. Yes, I must keep this lie.
I went downstairs and found Dante in the kitchen, preparing us a simple breakfast. He smiled at me when he saw me, and although I tried to return the smile naturally, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about the lie we were living.
"Good morning, Ana," he said, approaching with a plate of toast. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, quite well," I lied, accepting the plate. "Thank you, Dante."
"They're your favorites."
"I think that's something I couldn't forget."
We sat at the table and ate in a relatively comfortable silence. But I knew I had to keep the conversation going to avoid any suspicion.
"What are your plans for today?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Dante smiled, with a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"Actually, I had a surprise for you. I thought we could go out to dinner tonight, to a special place. I think we deserve a break from the chaos, don't you think?"
My mind raced. A date with Dante could be the perfect opportunity to observe him closely and perhaps get more information. I nodded, pretending enthusiasm.
"That sounds wonderful, Dante. I'd love to."
The day passed with an unsettling normalcy. Dante still believed that my only memories were those I had with him. I spent the hours doing mundane tasks, trying not to raise suspicion while my mind worked tirelessly to remember more. Finally, night came and I got ready for our date. I chose an elegant dress and dressed carefully, wanting to maintain the illusion.
Dante picked me up at seven, looking impeccable in a dark suit. He took me to a luxurious restaurant, one of those places where everything seemed to shine under candlelight and conversations were kept in a soft murmur. We sat at a window table, with an impressive view of the illuminated city.
"This place is amazing, Dante," I said, admiring the view. "Thank you for bringing me here."
Dante took my hand on the table, his touch warm and comforting.
"I wanted you to feel special," he said, looking into my eyes. "You deserve the best, Ana, and I want to be the person to give it to you."
I tried to smile sincerely, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The food arrived and we chatted about trivial things, trying to keep the evening light. But deep down, we both knew that there was much more at stake.
"Dante," I finally said, breaking the silence. "I've been thinking a lot about all this. It's hard not to have my complete memories, but I feel safe with you."
He squeezed my hand, his gaze intense.
"You are, Ana. I will always protect you."
The intensity of his words made me tremble. I wanted to believe him, but I knew I had to be cautious.
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a pang of guilt for the lie I was keeping. "I hope everything goes back to normal soon."
Dante smiled, though there was a shadow in his gaze.
"Me too, Ana. Me too."
Dinner continued with an air of false serenity. After dessert, Dante took me back home. As I entered, I stopped at the door, looking around. The house felt different, as if a veil of falsehood enveloped it.
"Dante," I said softly. "I need some fresh air. Just a moment."
He nodded, though I could see the concern on his face.
"Sure, Ana. Take your time."
I went out into the garden and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in my mind. I knew Dante didn't suspect anything yet, but keeping this lie was harder than I had anticipated. I looked up at the stars, seeking some kind of answer in the night sky.
I went back inside after a few minutes, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety. I had to keep up this façade, at least until I had all the pieces of the puzzle.
Dante greeted me with a smile, but his eyes revealed a lingering concern.
"Everything okay?" he asked, approaching to hug me.
"Yes, I just needed a moment," I replied, letting myself be enveloped in his embrace. "Thank you for understanding."
We stayed like that for a moment, in an embrace that seemed both a promise and a trap. I wondered how long I could keep up this charade before everything fell apart. But for now, I had to keep moving forward, one step at a time, until I could recover my memory and face the truth.
The drive home in Dante's car was quiet, but I could feel an underlying tension in the air. The evening had been pleasant, but my mind was still wandering, trying to process the fragments of information I had obtained so far. The roar of the engine and the hum of the road seemed to accentuate the silence between us.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my purse, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked at the screen and saw that it was Martin. My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to remain calm.
"Excuse me, Dante, I need to take this call. It's about a deal I'm trying to close," I said, trying to sound casual.
Dante nodded, with a slight smile.
"Sure, Ana. Take your time."
I answered the call and forced myself to keep my voice neutral.
"Hello, Martin," I said, knowing Dante would be listening.
"Ana, I need to give you an urgent update on Paolo," Martin's voice sounded tense and urgent. "His condition has worsened. The doctors are doing everything they can, but things don't look good."
I felt a pang of concern, but I couldn't let Dante notice it.
"I understand, Martin. What else do you need me to do to close the deal?" I replied, trying to sound professional.
"Ana, there is something you need to remember, something crucial," Martin continued. "You and Paolo are in love. That connection is what has kept the alliance between your mafia and his standing. You need to remember this to be able to handle the situation correctly."
I glanced at Dante, who was still driving without showing any signs of suspicion.
"Of course, Martin. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly," I replied, hoping my words wouldn't raise suspicion.
"Thank you, Ana. Stay strong, and remember that we're here to support you," Martin said before hanging up.
I put my phone away and tried to calm my mind. Dante looked at me with curiosity.
"Is everything okay with the deal?" he asked.
I nodded, forcing a smile.
"Yes, everything is fine. Just some details that needed to be adjusted."
Dante smiled and turned his attention back to the road.
"I'm glad to hear that. You know, Ana, you're incredibly strong. Despite everything you've been through, you keep going."
His words made me feel a mix of guilt and determination. I couldn't let my façade crumble now.
"Thank you, Dante. I'm trying my best," I said, looking at him with a sincere expression.
We arrived home and got out of the car. We went inside and I was overwhelmed by the mix of emotions. I knew I had to keep up the lie, but I also needed to know more about my relationship with Paolo.
Dante walked me to the living room and sat down next to me on the couch.
"Do you want to talk about anything else?" he asked, with a concerned look.
I shook my head, trying to remain calm.
"No, I'm just a little tired. It's been a long day."
Dante nodded and gave me a kiss on the forehead.
"Rest up, Ana. Tomorrow will be a new day."
I nodded and went upstairs to my room, closing the door behind me. I fell onto the bed, feeling the weight of the night on my shoulders. Martin was right, I needed to remember. But I knew I couldn't do it alone. I needed to find a way to balance my lies with my search for the truth.
I looked at the ceiling, trying to find some solace in the darkness. I couldn't help but think about Paolo, about our connection and what it meant for my life and my future. I knew I would have to face the truth sooner or later, but for now, I just wanted to rest and prepare for what was to come.
The next day promised to be as challenging as the one before, and I knew I needed to be at my best to face whatever came my way, keeping this lie going for as long as I could.