Chapter 8: A Great Change

Ana
My eyes fluttered open, still clouded by sleep. The first rays of sunlight crept through the cracks in the blinds, dimly illuminating the room. I felt something heavy, so I rolled over to my side and found Dante's gaze, so warm yet piercing at the same time.
It seemed like yesterday we lost any fear we might have had. His eyes sparkled with an intensity that made my stomach flutter.
"Good morning," he whispered in a husky voice.
"Good morning."
"I think we had a bit too much to drink last night, huh?"
I glanced around to notice a few bottles of wine scattered about. It's true, I don't remember much of what happened last night, but I'm sure I don't regret it.
We lay there in silence for a few seconds, basking in the warmth of the moment. It had all been a beautiful experience, full of passion and desire, until the alcohol had kicked in.
Dante got out of bed and walked over to the window.
"Today is a special day," he said without looking at me.
"Why?" I asked curiously.
"Because I'm going to show you something."
I was intrigued to know what Dante had planned.
I got out of bed and walked over to him.
"What is it?" I needed answers; I wasn't very patient, to say the least.
"I can't tell you. I have to show you."
"Then we'll have to hurry before my uncle finds out my bodyguard spent the night in my bed. Believe me, you don't want to be Marco's next victim. He takes his torture to a whole new level."
I tried to suppress a laugh as I saw Dante's face. Something told me that even if he found himself in a compromising situation with my uncle, he would know how to get out of trouble.
As we headed outside, my mind was racing with thoughts. First, I had to update my best friend about what had happened. I would have to give her as many details as I could, although maybe work was keeping her busy right now. Second, I needed to know where I stood with Dante. I mean, was this something serious? Or was it just a one-night stand?
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, don't worry."
"Ana, you have that worried look that you always get. Come on, tell me, what's going on in your head right now?"
"That I have to trust my bodyguard when he might actually be leading me to my death."
Dante let out a laugh so loud and genuine that his happiness was contagious somehow. I knew I was in good hands.
I smiled and nodded, knowing I could trust him. Finally, we reached his car. It was a bit less flashy than the trucks we usually rode in; it looked like a normal day with a normal person in a normal car. Sometimes I liked to imagine that's what my life was like, quiet and ordinary.
Instead, I have to be involved in mafia business and a never-ending cycle of death, blood, and chaos. It was hard to deal with that often.
"Your chariot awaits, Miss Salvatore," he said as he opened the passenger door for me.
"Oh, how chivalrous you are, Mr. Romano."
As we got in, he started the engine and took off, without a word. I didn't know where we were going, but I didn't care. I was with Dante, and that was all I needed. Besides, I could use some fresh air and a break from my uncle's responsibilities.
"Dante?"
"Yes, Ana?"
I had noticed it for a while, but my senses went on high alert when I saw in the rearview mirror that the driver behind us was loading his gun.
"I don't want to panic, but we're being followed by a black car. The people have guns."
"Do you recognize any of them?"
"I think they work for Paolo."
The mere mention of his name was enough for Dante to speed up the car, but even so, we couldn't lose the car behind us. We took a sharp turn and the black car almost hit us.
"Hold on!" Dante shouted as he turned the wheel abruptly.
The car skidded and we almost went off the road. We managed to straighten the car out, but the black car was still behind us. Dante looked in the rearview mirror and cursed under his breath.
"We have to lose them. I'm not going to let them get close to you."
Suddenly, I saw a sign indicating a road to an abandoned place.
"That way!" I said, pointing to the sign.
Dante turned the car down the dirt road and drove at full speed. The road was narrow and full of potholes. The black car followed us closely, but it couldn't go as fast as we could.
When we reached the abandoned place, we got out of the car and tried to escape from those men. Dante was armed.
"Stay close to me, but if I tell you to run, don't question me and do it, okay?"
"Dante, I can take care of myself too."
"I know that, Ana, but it's my duty to do so, that's why they hired me, to watch over your safety."
The inside of the warehouse was dark and dusty. We could barely see around us. Suddenly, I heard a noise behind me. I turned around and saw a hooded figure attacking me.
I couldn't see who it was and the figure hit me on the head and I fell to the ground. I tried to defend myself, but it was too strong.
Just when I was about to lose consciousness, I heard a scream.
It was Dante.
He lunged at the hooded figure and knocked it to the ground. They were fighting hand-to-hand, but I couldn't see who was winning. Everything went black. I could only hear distant voices and one particular voice that I immediately recognized.
I blinked several times, trying to focus my vision. The dim light of the abandoned place filtered through my eyelids, revealing a familiar face. It was Paolo.
His eyes sparkled with a mixture of relief and concern as he looked at me.
"Ana?" he whispered my name, his voice soft and husky. "Are you okay?"
I tried to speak, but a sharp pain in my head made it impossible. Paolo leaned in towards me, his face only inches from mine, his eyes locked on mine, an intensity that took my breath away.
"What are you doing here?"
I wanted to move, but he stopped me.
"Don't strain yourself, my dear, you'll hurt yourself."
"And Dante?"
"It should be the least of our worries."
A whirlwind of emotions swept over me: confusion, doubt, worry, and fear.
"Why?" I asked with a trembling voice. "Why are you here?"
Paolo looked at me with a pained expression on his face.
"Because I love you. And I will never stop."
Paolo's words echoed in my mind. Could it be that what he was saying was true? I didn't know. All I knew was that I needed time to think.
Everything happened so fast, I don't remember when I ended up in a hospital bed. When I woke up, a slight headache invaded me and I had the feeling that something had changed.
I looked over and saw Dante sitting in a chair, staring into space. He looked uncomfortable, tense.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice still raspy from sleep.
"Nothing," he replied with a forced smile. "I'm just worried about you."
I sat up in bed and he came over to me.
"Why are you acting so strange?"
"It's just that... I can't help but think about what happened. How I almost lost you."
"I'm fine, Dante. Thanks to you."
"You're hurt because of me, Ana. It's different."
At that moment, a doctor entered the room.
"Good morning, I'm here to check on Miss Salvatore."
He examined me and told me that everything was fine, that I had only suffered a mild concussion and that I would make a full recovery in a few days.
Dante drove me home after I was discharged from the hospital. The car ride was silent and uncomfortable. I felt like Dante was pulling away from me.
When we got to my house, I said goodbye to him.
"Thank you for everything, Dante. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"I'm glad you're better, seriously."
He gave me his best attempt at a smile, the most forced one yet, but it wasn't enough for me. I had to know what was going on. As he turned to walk away, I said, "Wait."
He turned back and looked at me.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I don't understand," I said, my voice filled with confusion. "First you kiss me and then you treat me coldly. What's wrong with you?"
Dante was silent for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry, Ana. It's just that... I'm confused. I don't know what I want."
"Does this have to do with Paolo?"
"It's more than that. It's hard to explain."
"Try," I pleaded, but got no response. "Don't ask me to leave."
"It's just that..." he thought about it for a few seconds. "Ana, I don't love you."
That hit me like a bucket of cold water. Message received. I told my mother a long time ago that I wouldn't waste my time on someone who wasn't worth it.
"Fine, then I'll be the one to ask you to leave. I don't need you."
"Ana..."
"I don't need someone who doesn't love me."