Between Life and Death

I read the message and scream at my father with all my might:

– Open the television immediately, Dad, quickly!

The air is failing me, I can't breathe anymore, my head is pounding, my chest is crushed by an immense pressure, my hands are shaking, my mouth is dry, and the words refuse to come out. A single word tears through my mind, my heart, my body, a single word I can still utter without being able to stop: Dante... Dante... Dante... Dante...

On all television channels, the message is broadcast on a loop:

Breaking News:

Today around 7:20 AM, a Moretti Holding aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after takeoff en route to Europe. On board were billionaire Dante Moretti and the flight crew, totaling five people. No survivors. Search operations continue. We will keep you updated as events unfold!

In the next second, phones started ringing insistently. I took a deep breath and answered. It's Sebastian, my brother.

– Evelyn, please calm down. According to protocol, I have temporarily taken over the leadership of all of Dante's businesses. My men and his are working hand in hand. We have also initiated our own search. Do not answer any phone calls, HR will handle that aspect. You and Dad stay calm. For anything, call us, your brothers.

I hung up the phone and sat down in the armchair. Dad was already talking on a special phone and initiating a satellite procedure. I got up, kissed Dad on the forehead, and left for the company, accompanied by Marco and Federico, my new bodyguard who forms a great team with Marco... they have been friends and colleagues for over 10 years.

When I enter the majestic lobby, all eyes are turned toward me. I walk quietly through the hall and head toward my private elevator. Behind me, I hear whispers. I turn around as if by accident and all heads drop instantly. I smile and enter the elevator.

I work continuously, I don't stop because if I stop, I will receive the news that will destroy my life.

Until evening, no news about Dante. They found the plane's wreckage, the pilots, the two stewardesses, but not Dante. The searches continued until evening but stopped during the night. I returned home hoping to find answers from Dad or my brothers. When I entered, they were talking animatedly, but seeing me, they stopped talking and surrounded me with smiles, kind words, hopes...

– Stop! I shouted loudly. I'm no longer a child. I'm an adult woman who loves a missing man. I cannot ignore the pain inside me. Words don't comfort me. I need to find him, to have him beside me, to smell him, to...

I really love him. After Adrian, I never thought I would ever be able to love again. But Dante won me over. With his silences, his quiet presence, his little attentions and gestures. With his eternal protection that didn't corset me but gave me freedom, put me first in his life, and made me understand this.

I said these words out loud, with passion, without realizing what I was saying or what I was living as I spoke, without tears, in one breath. They listened to me and smiled gently. I got upset, turned to leave for my room, and ran right into Dante, who was standing behind me. I propped my palms against his broad chest to keep from falling, looked at him, pushed him away, and ran to my room, locking the door.

I felt like I was 18 years old. Small and foolish. And lied to and betrayed. I walked onto the balcony, looking at the distant city. The cold night air did me good. I inhaled deeply. I sat down in an armchair and wanted to think more. I hear knocks on my bedroom door. I ignore them. Dante is calling me. I ignore him. I don't want anything anymore. I am tired. I am sick of games. I want to leave. I want to be alone. I grab a few clothes in a backpack, cash, put on jeans, a t-shirt, a hoodie, and sneakers, turn off all the lights in the room, and sit on the bed. Around 2 AM, I head toward the balcony. I am on the second floor (first European floor), so it's not a big deal. Descending isn't the problem, security is. The dogs are there, though I know some of them. No. I won't run away like that. I will leave without a word in the morning.

I walk quickly down the long hallway in the basement. I walk with my head bowed and a black cap covering half my face. The corridor leads me far away from the house, into the basement of another building I own. In the building's garage, a jeep equipped with everything awaits me, ready to go. I organized everything very discreetly over time, a small refuge, just mine, in case of emergency.

I get into the jeep, start the engine, and operate the garage door to exit. When the door rises, I accelerate and stop abruptly. In front of the garage, a silhouette stands motionless. Dante Moretti. I flash my headlights at him, honk, he doesn't move, I roll down the window and yell at him to get out of the way. He doesn't move. He looks at me and stands motionless. In the next second, Marco and Federico appear on either side of him. They entered the garage and lowered the garage door. Dante came and sat in the passenger seat next to me. For a while, he said nothing. And I remained silent, even though I felt like screaming. Then he turned to me and said:

– After you listen to what I have to tell you, you can leave. But know that you are exposing yourself to enormous danger. They already wanted to and almost succeeded in killing me. Stay close!

Stay close! I'll be back in 3 days. I'm waiting for you with love! I write for you!