Chapter 5: Madam Eve

Bella arrived at the house, Madam. Eve was not waiting for her on the doorstep, this is good, no, this is strange, she went in and searched the house, she was not in any of the rooms, it is really strange, she opened the door to her room, Madame. Eve was sitting at her desk looking at one of her drawings and reminded her: With it, Bella, you don't draw anymore, you were so good at it.

  Yes, madam, I was, but you threw away all my drawings. Ah, Bella, I knew that there is no point in fighting you, you will always do what you want, even after a while. Ah, if I did what you are doing now, my whole life might have changed. Who knows?

  Madame. Eve began to tell Bella of her adventures and how talented and ambitious she was when she was her age, but it all went in the wind when her family decided to marry her off. Mixed feelings were controlling Madam. Eve kept her talking for hours. Well, madam, you don't look alright I'll take you to your room now and Bella went back to sleep quickly without having her dinner, she was too tired to sleep standing up.

  Bella woke up to strange sounds that were filling the house. She got up quickly. Something strange must have happened. The doctor and two neighbours had gathered around Madam. Eve's bed and she was lying there motionless. Bella screamed, "What happened?". Is Madam Eve okay? 

 The doctor replied that she is fine now, I gave her medicine, and she should rest today, and miss tomorrow, you should take her to the hospital for more tests, we have to make sure before we give an accurate diagnosis, it may be just a little tiredness or spoiled food she ate anyway you have to stay Besides her, she must be bedridden for at least two weeks, her vital signs are not good, and as I said earlier tomorrow in the hospital we will know more, someone has to watch her for this period and I don't think she has anyone but you, right? 

 Yes, sir, it's just me. May I ask you a question? Bella motioned for the doctor to come out of the room, looking like she wanted some privacy away from those curious eyes circling Madam. Eve.

 he Steps out of the room, sir. 

Is it possible that psychological problems and stress cause physical illness or produce similar symptoms? What do you mean, Bella, does the lady have a history of mental illness? Did she enter a sanatorium before?

  No, sir, that's what I don't know, but I can give you all her files, She used to be in the hospital a lot in the past, perhaps it would be better for you to know her, except that yesterday she was not as usual, she sat and she never spoke two words to me without scolding, but yesterday she sat like a five-year-old girl complaining about her concerns to me, I, sir, I assure you, doctor, She always complains, but not in that way.

 She started complaining and wailing about her previous life. She did that many times when others were here, you have no idea how much we suffered at the doors of hospitals, she used to enter the doctor's room asking him what he should do, perhaps she memorised more diseases and medicines than the doctor himself, her behaviour always embarrassed me, and if she heard on the radio about a disease, in the next hour she would confirm that she has it, she may also have symptoms.

  Well, miss, now you confirm my suspicions,  you should go to a specialist and tell him what you said now in detail, do not leave one thing, that is all-important, and take those files that you talked about with you tomorrow.

  One last question, Mr. Doctor, you have always been the doctor who used to come to our house and excuse me for my rudeness. You cannot come for free every time. Who pays you? 

 I am very surprised by your question. Everyone knows that Father Giovanni pays Madam. Eve's bills, even in the hospital, and they sure are expensive.

Bella did not hesitate to follow the doctor's advice, as the next morning she and Madam. Eve, who was barely able to stand, went to the hospital. And after hours of waiting in the town's only hospital, the doctor finished meeting Madam. Eve. Bella tricked her and entered the doctor's room without realising it, and she began explaining to him for half an hour without interruption, as she handed him the files, then she asked the doctor what Madam. Does Eve suffer from this?

  First, Miss, I want to tell you that you have good instincts and an eye for details that helped me reach a diagnosis more quickly, but you should know that this is A preliminary diagnosis, and I have to follow her and meet her for the coming weeks, and you may have to accompany her well during this period, miss. I have heard that you are unrelated to her, so we understand if you refuse.

  Of course not, doctor. She is like my mother whom I never met. I will take care of her, but you have not yet explained to me what is wrong with her.

 As I told you earlier that this is only a preliminary diagnosis, I looked at her medical history and she did not have any serious illness that necessitated all these medical procedures and interventions that she underwent. And I said it was all because of exhaustion and fatigue and that she should rest..  come back later to follow up, you have to act on this basis.

Well, thank you, DoctorAt the other end of the city, Paolo was sitting in confusion. Three days had passed since his last meeting with Bella, and she had promised him to come the next day. To forget something so important as this, did she back down? Does Eve change her mind? She does not remember anything from her life until about a month ago, and yet she goes on as if nothing had happened, something must've happened for her to take this long to come, even if she had warned me not to go to her house, I had to check if she was okay.

Paolo got up determined to go to her house. This is the first social visit he will have in his life, as he has never had any kind of friends.

 Bella heard a knock on the door and muttered on her way to the door She thought she was one of the chatty neighbours, but she opened the door to find Paolo standing in front of her, that was the last thing she expected and she had completely forgotten about their meeting, she closed his mouth with her hands before he spoke, she took him outside, closed the door, lower your voice, Paolo, Madam. Eve is ill, I'll tell you everything later, but please you have to go now, it may take a long time, but I promise I'll come when it's over, come on, go before she sees you, please Paolo. he went without understanding anything he could have helped, wandering in his thoughts Paolo collided with a man in front of him, it was father Giovanni, he scolded him saying you have to look in front of you boy, but Paolo paid him no attention, that was strange because the father used to have long arguments whenever these two meet.  

This aroused his attention and he asked Bella if everything was alright and if Paolo was alright .... 

She replied  Yes , everything is fine, did you care? Anyway, you must stay here till I come back. Madam Eve is sleeping now. Be careful, she must not get out of bed, I'll be right back. 

Bella ran after Paolo and explained to him that Madam. Eve is not well, I have to stay with her for a period that will prevent us from meeting, but there is another matter, the doctor who is supervising Madam. Eve is helping me to recover my memory,  parts of it have returned On its own, you were right. Stella was staying with us,  she is Madam Eve's daughter.

 no, it's impossible, if she is, why would Stella hide this from me?? Whoever told you that, that can't be true, I still think you and Stella are related if not sisters.

Well here's the thing Paolo, I still have all the memories of my life except those related to Stella's leaving, most of the memories related to her are non-existent, I barely remembered her.

Well, Bella, it's good to hire a professional, but you should know that if you decide to let go of those memories, it will only be for a good reason. Our will is very strong. I don't think those memories are easy to return. Are you even sure how real they are? Those memories are probably false memories, isn't it possible that your fragile mind longs to fill a void in it that can make up or receive anything, can't a doctor or anyone else plant it in your mind, all of that is possible, don't you agree with me?

 Well, it's possible and logical, everything is possible But I had to try. There's one thing I haven't mentioned Paolo: I don't trust anyone. 

It would be better if I mentioned it all to Miss Donatti. Everything from that strange forest to our day. This is with all we have discovered, whether true or fabricated. I am in dire need of anything. I want to understand, to know what happened, but I certainly do not want to remember anything that did not happen. but I won't mention any of it to the doctor, they simplify matters, choosing the first solution they could think of, they are all idiots. 

Bella, we won't put it off for more than two weeks at most, and you'll go with me to see Miss Donatti, Madame Eve won't stay like this for two weeks...anyway only two weeks Bella.

  Well, well, Paolo, replied Bella, but I have to ask her first if Stella is her daughter. There are many things that I do not know the truth about in my life. Have you ever felt that you are trapped by your thoughts, that you may spend days wandering everywhere doing whatever you want, may You do things that no one thinks of, or maybe you didn't move a finger, then you go back to asking yourself, did you do it or didn't? How do I know if I'm talking to you right now in the middle of the street or lying on my bed talking to myself? if I now hear your voice, yes your voice,  your voice is my anchor, do you understand me, Paolo?! It's a curse.

 Yeah, Bella, I understand what you mean. It's not a curse but you allow your thoughts to control you, you have to control them, that's all.

Bella got angry and as she did what she usually does when she gets angry she started lashing out, that's all I'm going crazy and here you are simplifying things, I thought you understood me, are you a doctor you have to become one of them, yes they don't feel. the patient my dear doesn't care that you explain to him the matter, you do not have to explain anything, he sees the ant as an elephant, so let it be an elephant, all he cares about is that you feel it, that you get rid of it??

 If you can't do that, what benefit will he get from your explanation?

 I have to go now anyway, see you later.  She didn't let him finish what he started, she didn't even wait for him to say goodbye, she misplaced her anger again.

Paolo didn't mind taking slaps, but he was surprised this time, he went on his way, while there common enemy was watching them trying to hide they're not far from them, but Bella caught a glimpse of him quickly, Father Giovanni stop your childish movements and stop chasing Paolo, you missed that train, or are you chasing both of us now? 

 Father Giovanni came out of the bushes. Well, Bella, I'm just wondering!? Paolo was determined to get out of town, what changed his mind?

  Umm, you want to get rid of him once and for all, surprise, surprise, don't worry whatever Paulo holds against you he won't use it, he's a good guy but as you know he didn't live in a family, he never saw love, that's enough to change a person's character If you understand what I mean, but it doesn't matter, he does not need you, he never did and never will. to come to your question, if you want an answer, answer my question first.

 Well, whatever you want, you little hustler.

Bella's question was ready, you have to answer me honestly. Did Madam Eve have a daughter named Stella?

That's Madam. Eve's business father Giovanni said.

  Bella stomped away, muttering "As you want I'll find out anyway, but it depends If you want me to rummage through your endless secrets, you can end it right now.

  They both know it won't end there, stop Bella, wait, she was like her daughter Madam. Eve didn't have any children, so please don't ask her questions like that, it'll only open her wounds, she's not okay without your intrusions, Stella is gone Now that's all that matters.

Well, I'M a gal of my word, even if I gave it to the devil himself.

 Come on, tell me,  Well old man, it was my idea for Paolo to stay here, and that's all that matters. She smiled a wry smile and on her way. she tried to hide her shock with that smile. Paolo was right. How can I say something that doesn't exist? It's crazy, I'm going crazy.