Chapter 15 - Locked Memories

CHIARA

I sat in stunned silence, trying to process the revelation. Massimo's words hung in the air like a challenge, daring me to confront the truth. I feel like I've been punched in the gut. My mind is reeling with questions and emotions. Why would my father do that? What memories were so bad he had to get them out of my head? I am guessing they are memories related to Massimo, but what really happened?

My mind racing, I thought back to my childhood, trying to recall any memories of a psychologist or doctor. But my memories seemed hazy, unclear.

Suddenly, a faint image flickered in my mind. A woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. I remembered sitting in her office, playing with toys while she talked to me in a soothing voice.

But the memory was fragmented, incomplete. I couldn't grasp the details, no matter how hard I tried.

Massimo's voice cut through my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. "You're getting close, Chiara," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But you're not quite there yet."

I glared at him in frustration, "You know, you could just tell me and get this over with!"

Massimo chuckles and stands to his full height, " I could. But you would just have my side of the story. I need you to remember how you felt back then and what we had."

I felt a surge of frustration, but I pushed it aside, determined to uncover the truth. "Have you thought of the fact that telling me could help me rem?" I asked, my voice steady.

Massimo smiled, his lips curling up in a sly smile. "No. It doesn't work that way. Your psychologist helped you lock your memories somewhere in your head. Telling you the story won't do anything. You have to reach it yourself. Let's just say that your memories are... complicated," he said. "But I'll give you a hint. Your father is not who you think he is." He paused as if remembering something, "And, don't forget to come down for dinner ".

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me staring after him in confusion. My Papa? What the fuck is going on? I always thought I knew my Papa, but right now, it feels like I don't know him at all.

I sighed, feeling frustrated

I slumped back in my chair, trying to process the bombshell Massimo had just dropped. My father, not who I thought he was? What did that even mean? Was he hiding some deep, dark secret? Or was Massimo just playing games with me again?

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. I was so tired of being in the dark, of having to piece together fragments of information to try and understand what was going on.

I stood up, deciding to take a walk and clear my head. As I strolled through the mansion, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was living in some kind of twisted fairy tale. Massimo, the enigmatic and sinister prince, and my father, the mysterious and possibly evil king.

I laughed to myself, feeling a little hysterical. This was my life now. A never-ending cycle of confusion, fear, and uncertainty.

As I walked, I became aware of my surroundings and how familiar it looked. I also remember finding it familiar when Massimo was showing me around. I am sure I have been here before now. I felt a strange sense of deja vu as I scan my surroundings, trying very hard to remember something... anything. Nothing comes up and I groan in frustration, running my hands through my hair.

"Il Leone Bello e Forte!" I scream as I ran into the arms of... Massimo. A younger version of him but he still has the blank look in his eyes. But right now, the sparkle with something as he looked down at my 10 year old self... adoration.

"Tesoro mio", he replies before placing me down on my feet.

"Tell me Chiara, why did you decide to call me Leone? You think I'm a very brave lion?"

I looked up at him with wide eyes, feeling a little shy but also excited. "Yes! You're the strongest and bravest lion in the whole world! And you're handsome too!" I added, feeling my cheeks flush. Massimo chuckled and ruffled my hair, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Grazie, Chiara. You're very kind to me. He smiled and took my hand, leading me through the gardens.

"Will you marry me when I get older?", I abruptly stopped walking, waiting for his response.

"Hmm, let's see. Why do you want to marry me?", he faked being in deep thought and I giggled.

"Because I love you. Promise me you won't marry someone else?", I stick out my pinky and he loops his around it.

"Okay, I promise",

I squealed with delight, feeling carefree and happy. But as we walked, I noticed that Massimo seemed to be watching me closely, his eyes studying me with an intensity that made me feel a little uncomfortable. I tried to shake off the feeling, telling myself I was just being silly. But the memory of that look in his eyes stayed with me, lingering in the back of my mind like a shadow.

"Chiara! Chiara are you okay? Can you hear me?"

I blinked, feeling a little disoriented. I looked around trying to remember where I was. I saw Irene's face in front of me, her eyes filled with concern. I nodded, still feeling a little dazed. "Y-yes," I stuttered.

Her eyes narrow in concern, "Are you sure? I've been calling your name for a while..."

"Yes I am. Sorry for worrying you. I guess I just zoned out".

Irene doesn't look like she believes me but she nods, " Dinner is ready. Come down soon", then she walks away.

I hold my head, finally allowing myself to react to the banging headache I was feeling. What the hell was that? A memory?

I start walking again, trying very hard to make sense of the many images flashing through my head. A mansion... this mansion, my parents, Massimo, A garden, me crying to my parents for someone.

"I want to see Massimo! Let's go back to uncle's place!"

I cried to my father but he simply shakes his head. I don't really know the concept of death, but I heard Mama and Papa saying uncle Anthony was dead. Which means he went to heaven and he is no longer with us. I can't imagine my Papa going to heaven and leaving me behind, so Massimo must be very sad right now. I should be with him, but Papa has refused to take me back to their home. He said that it is dangerous but it's a lie. We always went there before and nothing ever happened, so why is it danger now?

" Princess, for the millionth time, alot of bad things are going on at Uncle Anthony's home. You can't be there. Let's go have dinner now Chiara."

"NO! I won't have dinner or breakfast or lunch ever again, until you take me to Massimo!"

I stomp my feet and cross my arms over my chest.

And I didn't eat after that. I could see the obvious worry in Mama and Papa's eyes but I did not care.

Then one day, I walked in on my parents having a hushed conversation.

"What if it affects her negatively? We can't risk this...we can't risk her", my mother was trying to reason but Papa wasn't listening.

"This is our only option. She could die of starvation at this rate. If she remembers nothing, then we can leave this city and get to safety".

"Fine, let's do it", Mama finally gave in to whatever Papa was suggesting.

I was confused but I was too weak to pay attention to what they discussed.

Then the next day, Papa said we were going to Massimo's home, but we ended up in a strange building and a strange but friendly looking woman kept talking to me.

The headache got more painful and I closed my eyes and bent down. I fall forward and my eyes snaps open. I'm at the top of the stairs! When and how did I get here? Am I really going to die from falling down the stairs? More memories flash through my head as my body fell and my head hits each step with force.

I guess I am finally going to die now. My body finally lands on the floor and I allow the familiar hands of darkness pull me under.