Chapter 35: A missing piece of my life

Ana
Adjusting to my new life with Paolo was a constant challenge. Although many things were still a mystery to me, Paolo made sure to remind me how much I meant to him. His words were sweet, filled with promises of a future together, and although my memory was still fragmented, I was starting to believe in his vision.
One afternoon, while we were in the house that Paolo had prepared for us, he approached me with an enigmatic smile.
"Ana, I have a proposition for you."
"What is it?" I asked, intrigued.
"I want you to come with me on a mission. We will work together, just like before. It will be an opportunity for you to recover more memories and for us to show that our alliance is still strong," he explained, his dark eyes fixed on mine.
I nodded slowly.
"I'm willing to give it a try. I want my life back, and if this can help, I'll do it."
Paolo smiled and took my hand.
"Perfect. I've already talked to Martin and the others. They're ready to support. It will be a joint mission with your mafia as well."
I was more worried about what might happen today than the time passed very quickly. Upon reaching the meeting place, Dante and my uncle Marco were already there, their faces tense at seeing us together. The tension in the air was palpable, but I did not let myself be intimidated. I knew this was necessary.
"So here we are all," Marco said, his voice full of disdain. "How are we going to handle this?"
"We will work as a team," Paolo replied calmly. "Dante will go with Ana, and I will go with you, Marco. It's the best way to ensure that everything goes well."
Dante looked at me with concern, but nodded.
"Alright. Ana, we'll be in this together, we'll have to cooperate."
The mission was to recover an important shipment that had been intercepted by a rival faction. We divided into two teams and headed to our respective points.
As we walked towards the target, Dante studied me closely.
"Ana, I know this is hard for you. I want you to know that I'm here to protect you," he said, his voice full of sincerity.
I appreciated his words, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
"I know, Dante. I appreciate your support," I replied, though my mind was racing in a thousand different directions.
The night seemed calm as we returned to base, but an unsettling feeling settled in my chest. Suddenly, a deafening noise filled the air and the car jolted violently. An explosion had hit us full force.
"Watch out!" Dante shouted, throwing me to the ground just before a hail of bullets started to pierce the air.
We took cover behind the car, the shots echoing around us. I could see Paolo and Marco in the distance, facing their own attackers. Dante and I exchanged determined glances. This wasn't just a mission, it was a fight for our lives.
"We have to get out of here," Dante said, his voice tense but controlled.
"I'm with you," I replied, my heart pounding in my ears.
We moved with precision, returning fire as we advanced towards safer cover. But the attackers were numerous and well-organized. At one point, a bullet grazed my arm, making me cry out in pain.
"Ana!" Dante exclaimed, his eyes full of concern.
"I'm fine, just a scratch," I lied, gritting my teeth.
Finally, we managed to find temporary refuge behind a concrete wall. But there was no time to relax. Dante looked at me intently, his breathing heavy from the exertion.
"Ana, listen," he said, his voice low but firm. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Trust me."
I nodded, my confidence in him renewed by his determination.
"I know that after all, part of your job is still to protect me. You may think I don't deserve it, but I appreciate you still doing it."
"I always will."
With one last burst of effort, Dante charged forward, covering me with his body while firing with deadly accuracy. We managed to take down the last attackers, and a tense silence fell over the scene.
"We did it," my voice barely audible from exhaustion and pain.
Dante looked at me with a mixture of relief and something deeper, something I hadn't seen in a long time. We embraced briefly, feeling the reality of our survival.
"Thank you, Dante. Really. I don't know what I would have done without you," I spoke, my breath still catching.
"I'm sure Martin doesn't have as much coordination as I do. I'm starting to question if he'll be a good bodyguard for you. You still have a chance to reconsider and come back with us."
We stood there, in that moment of quiet after the chaos. I admit, I stopped to think about it for a few seconds, but a single moment of peace and support won't change what I really think. The further I keep myself from Dante, the better things will be for everyone. Paolo has told me that Dante's loyalty has never been clear.
"I need some fresh air," I said, my voice raspy from the exertion. "We should get back to the others."
Dante nodded, unaware of my true intentions.
"Sure," he said. "Your uncle must be worried about you. He must have heard about the explosion."
I walked towards Paolo, who had managed to regroup with Marco. It was clear that they had had their own battle, but both were unharmed.
"Paolo, I'm glad to see you're okay," I said, my voice filled with genuine relief.
"Ana, thank God you're safe," Paolo replied, his eyes mirroring my relief.
Marco approached, his expression stern.
"I'm glad to see you alive, Ana," he said. "I see Dante fulfilled his role as your bodyguard."
"He's no longer Ana's bodyguard," Paolo clarified.
"Whatever. It's time to go. We're done here."
Before we left, I gave Dante one last look.
"I'm staying with Paolo," I said, my voice firm. "As you know, I'm not going anywhere else but with him."
Surprise and disappointment flashed across Dante's face, but he nodded slowly.
"I understand, Ana," he said. "I just want you to be safe."
After the confrontation, Paolo and I returned to a safe house while his mansion was being rebuilt. The property was impressive, though not as grand as the previous mansion, but it was equipped with all the necessary security measures. I felt a mixture of relief and anxiety knowing that we would be more protected here.
"This will be our temporary base," Paolo said as we toured the house. "I've taken all precautions. You'll be safe here."
I nodded, taking in every corner with scrutiny. The house had a cozy feel to it, though the tension from the recent events still lingered in the air. Paolo looked at me, his dark eyes filled with an intensity that was becoming increasingly familiar and comforting to me.
"Thank you, Paolo," I said, trying to hide the mix of emotions I was feeling. "I know you're doing everything you can to keep me safe."
"You don't have to thank me, Ana," he replied, taking my hand with a firmness that made me feel secure. "I would do anything for you."
We settled into the house, and over the next few days, Paolo made sure I was comfortable. We talked about our past lives, trying to fill in the gaps of my memory. Even though my memories were still fragmented, each conversation with him made me feel more connected.
One night, as we were in the backyard, Paolo looked at me with an intensity that made me stop in my tracks.
"Ana, there's something I want to ask you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
"What is it, Paolo?" I asked, feeling a knot forming in my stomach.
Paolo knelt down in front of me, pulling a small box out of his pocket. As he opened it, a dazzling ring sparkled in the moonlight. My eyes widened as the air seemed to thicken around me.
"Ana, from the moment I met you, I knew you were special. You've been my strength, my inspiration, and my love. Although the recent events have been difficult, I know we can overcome anything together. Ana, will you marry me?" he said, his voice full of hope and love.
I was speechless, unsure of what to say. Words escaped me, and my mind was filled with a mix of joy, confusion, and fear. I looked at the ring, then at Paolo, and felt a whirlwind of emotions.
"Paolo..." I started to say, but the words wouldn't come out.
Paolo looked at me with infinite patience, not pressuring me.
"You don't have to answer now, Ana. Take your time. I want you to be sure this is what you want."
I nodded slowly, still unable to articulate a response. Paolo stood up and hugged me, his warmth providing an indescribable comfort.
My silence seemed to be a conversation with him.
"I understand. I love you, Ana, and I'll be here waiting for you," he replied, kissing my forehead tenderly.
We stayed in the garden for a while longer, in silence, enjoying the tranquility of the night. My thoughts were a whirlwind, but I knew that Paolo was a constant in my life. As he held me, I felt that no matter what decision I made, I wouldn't be alone.
That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened. Paolo had proposed to me, a commitment that meant much more than just a union.
I felt a pressure in my chest, knowing that I had to make a decision that would affect not only my life but also the people around me. Could I trust Paolo completely? Was I ready for this commitment?
As I lost myself in these thoughts, my phone vibrated on the nightstand. I picked it up and saw that it was a message from Martin, reminding me that I had to move on with my responsibilities and that Paolo was an essential part of my life, both in the past and now.