Chapter 4

Early in the morning, Ciro accompanied Bethany to her appointment with Dr. Vitto. They sat in his office at the desk while the doctor looked for the results of X-rays and other tests.

Bethany had been reluctant to speak to Dr. Vitto about the dreams and visions that had recently plagued her. She was reluctant to do so in front of Ciro, who never left their side.

-Is there a problem? -Bethany asked, noticing that Ciro's attention was focused on his cell phone that wouldn't stop ringing.

-Nothing about life or death. It's my job. - He barely took his attention off the device.

-If you have to go, I would understand.

-Not yet. There's something I'd like to show you when we get out of here. - Ciro said.

Dr. Vitto entered, looking through the papers in his hands. It was difficult to decipher his austere face.

-Everything seems to be in order. - The doctor said, finishing with a smile.

-Yes, that's how I felt. - The woman confirmed. Ciro reached out one of his hands and took one of hers in a sign of support. Bethany didn't squeeze it, but she didn't push it away either.

-What about your memory? Have you managed to remember anything?

-No. - She said in a dejected voice. Dr. Vitto frowned. It was unusual for retrograde amnesia to last, at least she should have been able to remember her parents or a detail from her childhood. It would be more difficult with more recent memories.

- Cheer up, my dear. You'll soon recover your memory. - Her fiancé encouraged her, raising her nostalgic face. It hurt his heart to see her like that, unable to recognize her life.

They left the office and got into the Mustang. The Italian had a slightly distant attitude. Serious. Business kept him distracted from his priority: Bethany. He wanted so much for her to recover and to resume their wedding plans that, after the accident, were frustrated. He was clear that once she became his wife, he would take her to the most hidden corner of the world, far from Italy where their happiness often hung by a thread.

The Mustang turned into the main square and continued without stopping.

-Where are we going? -Bethany wondered.

-To your company. -Ciro revealed, controlling his excitement. -It's early for you to start working, but I think it's best for you to familiarize yourself with the environment.

Bethany was thrilled to hear this. Feeling like an outsider in her own life was an unpleasant feeling, and she thought that seeing her business, which she had been led to believe was her dream, would give her a break. And she was right. As soon as Ciro turned right, a tall building jumped into her view, and a rush of memories came over her: She remembered being in a small, yet cozy living room studying about real estate risks, drinking an espresso. She also remembered the day she was preparing the posters that gave her company an image, and the photo that appeared on them. They were hazy, barely visions, but for the first time since she woke up from the coma, something made sense.

She didn't even wait for her fiancé to park the car properly when she got out of it, excited. She ran to the entrance of the building and pressed herself against the glass to look inside.

-Hurry up. - Bethany said, looking behind her at Ciro, who was walking slowly, asking her to hurry him. He had the key that opened the glass doors.

The woman entered, admiring everything, feeling it more vehemently inside her. Ciro went to the electrical room and turned on all the lights.

-Welcome to your company. -He said approaching her.

-I remember. -She said excitedly.

-Really? -He sounded even more excited. Bethany nodded in confirmation.

-Not necessarily, but yes. -She smiled, lost in her thoughts. -I remember trying really hard, studying and preparing for some exam, I guess. In the middle of the night, drinking coffee.

-It's great. -Ciro snapped.

Bethany, with excitement in her eyes, continued to admire the structure of the building. It looked like it had just been built, as if no one had worked there. She wanted to avoid it, four months had passed and work had not yet resumed.

-I know you told me I wouldn't be working right away, but with everything I've experienced here, I don't want to wait too long.

-I would like nothing more than to keep your eyes with that charming look like a girl in a candy store. -Ciro said, eliminating the distance between his fiancée. He caressed her shoulders tenderly without touching her skin, promising himself that the second he perceived her discomfort he would let her go. -But let's not rush. I think you can start by reviewing your profession, and then I will be happy to share with you the files and notes you have pending. Okay?

-I'll accept it for now, but I don't plan on staying like this for long. - She warned him amused, pointing at his face.

-You order. -he added, raising his palms in surrender. He then put them in his pants pockets.

-Thank you. -Bethany blurted out. -You've been so patient and generous with me. I'm starting to realize why I approached you in that lobby in Rome. -Ciro's cheeks flushed and a shy smile appeared on his face. His fiancée made him promise to take her to the hotel where they met, wanting to rescue the memories left in its walls.

            They walked around the building for a while longer, looking around the quaint offices. Bethany couldn't help but notice that most of the furniture, like desks and chairs, were still wrapped in their bubble wrap when the company was supposed to have been in business for about ten years. When that was cleared up, her fiancé told her that he had taken the liberty of replacing the old, worn-out, outdated furniture with new, modern ones. This explanation satisfied her.

            Before leaving the Carter Real Estate facility, Bethany picked up three encyclopedia-sized books that taught her about the subject. She meant it when she said she wanted to get back to work. She stacked them in the backseat of the Mustang so they wouldn't get in the way during the trip.

-I have to stop by the law firm's offices to take care of some minor issues, so I'll leave you at home. - He said regretfully.

-Wouldn't you prefer me to accompany you?

-I'm not at my best during work. Believe me, you don't want to see me there. - He refused without receiving any arguments on the matter.

            Indeed, he left her at the house, just outside the security gate. She watched her fiancé turn and leave, holding the books in his arms. She entered the property through a smaller gate, put up for such occasions. She was welcomed by the three pitbulls who wouldn't let her walk without risking falling. She had to devote minutes of her time to them, throwing the books on the evergreen grass and playing until they got bored. Then she was free to continue on to the mansion.

She locked herself in her room and stripped off her jeans, changing into a pair of more comfortable cotton shorts. She braided her hair to the side, claiming to have a clear view of any wayward strands. She settled into bed, with the three books and a laptop, to research and study about real estate. She was surprised that she had faint traces of some topics, while others were completely new.

Her memory was jolted by the small, cozy living room where she supposedly learned her trade. She also remembered being in the armchair with the books on her lap when suddenly a strong arm tenderly surrounded her neck and soft kisses rained down on her face. She smiled at the beautiful memory. She couldn't be sure it was Ciro. The part of his limb she could see was covered in tattoos and her fiancé didn't have a single drop of ink, at least not on the little she could see of his naked body.

She thought it might have been an ex-boyfriend. She felt sorry when she realized how much of her life the accident had taken away and that might not come back. Memories like her first love or her first kiss. The high school she attended and the friends from her youth. Especially her brother Simon, of whom she didn't even have a photograph.

She heard the gate open and then a car engine. Eager to greet her fiancé and tell him what her mind had recovered, she left everything and went down to the first floor. She was slapped in the face by the mockery when she met Brahim. The youngest of the Tonali, seeing her standing on the stairs, accidentally slid his eyes down his sister-in-law's long legs, feeling the need to taste them. She scolded herself inwardly, out of respect for her good brother.

-Where is Ciro? -He asked rudely.

-At work. - Bethany said, finishing her descent down the stairs with less enthusiasm than before.

-I was just there and I didn't see it.

-Are you a lawyer too? -Bethany asked, interested. Brahim didn't answer right away. He remained thoughtful as he finished analyzing what she had said.

-No, I... Leave it. - He gave up trying to justify himself. He put on some dark glasses and tried to leave, but his sister-in-law held him back.

-You can wait for him here. I don't think he'll be long.

-I'd rather not, thanks.

-I insist, Brahim. - He said quickly. He intended to cut the tension between them. The other sighed, he did not want to form any bond with that woman, especially to avoid biting, again, the forbidden fruit. But he did not feel like returning later to talk to Ciro either.

-I'll wait for him, but not with you. Go and do whatever you were doing before I arrived.

"Why don't you like me?" She dropped the preamble. Brahim looked her over from head to toe, scrupulous.

-You remind me of someone I once knew whom I really detest. -For Bethany, it was already a step forward to have gotten that powerful revelation out of her.

-Are you aware that I am not that person?

-Yes, I know. But you look too much alike. -He said, looking at her legs again with desire, something that didn't go unnoticed by Bethany. She cleared her throat, calling for discretion.

-Who was it? -He continued searching. -Some ex-girlfriend?

-No. She wasn't even a friend. Although Ciro had a great appreciation for her. - Brahim added, sowing doubt in his sister-in-law, who frowned. She noticed that he was talking about that other woman in the past tense, which increased her curiosity.

-Who was she? Did I know her?

-I think I've said enough. I'll be in my brother's office. Please don't disturb me. - It was the bitter farewell she received. Brahim went to the aforementioned place, while Bethany returned to the room, locking the door. Her brother-in-law was a person who exuded mystery and inspired fear.