Episode 5

...(๑˙❥˙๑) *Isabella* (๑˙❥˙๑)...

A week had passed since the wedding. Seven days since I signed that contract and officially became Isabella Moretti, all because I needed money.

So far, nothing had changed.

There was no romantic dinner. No honeymoon. No photos for the press. And, frankly, I hoped it would stay that way.

Lorenzo Moretti still didn't know I was his wife. And, to be honest, I didn't know if I was ready for the day he would find out. Because I know the last person he wants to see in this world is me.

But, while that moment didn't arrive, I enjoyed the only good thing that wedding provided me: enough money to rebuild my life.

The first thing I did after the contract payment landed in my hands was to pay off my debts. Every penny.

The feeling of freedom was indescribable. For the first time in a long time, I could breathe. Then, I turned my attention to the company.

The employees were unmotivated, the clients doubtful, the suppliers threatening to cut the contract due to lack of payment.

But, with money and strategy, I managed to reverse the situation.

I talked to the suppliers. I renegotiated contracts. I made accurate investments. And, at the end of seven days, the company was finally stable again. And as Dona Eleonora said, I still had a lot of money in hand.

That was reason enough to celebrate.

That night, I decided to go out for a drink and relax.

It wasn't something I did often, but after a week of financial decisions, meetings, and reconstruction, I needed to turn off my mind for a few hours.

I chose a bar near my apartment, a small but cozy place. The atmosphere was sophisticated, illuminated by low lights, with a slight aroma of whiskey.

It was the kind of place where people came to drown their sorrows or celebrate discreet victories. And, at that moment, I didn't know exactly which of these categories I fit into.

I sat at the counter and ordered a drink.

"Something strong, please."

The bartender nodded, and soon a glass of bourbon slid across the counter to me.

"Here you go, miss!"

"Thank you!"

I picked up the glass and took a sip. The hot liquid burned down my throat, but the feeling was liberating.

For a few hours, I wanted to forget that I was married to Lorenzo Moretti. It was strange, because five years ago, I was organizing to marry him, until he himself decided not to trust me and kicked me to the curb, without wanting to know the truth. It hurts me a lot, living a lie.

I was on my third drink when I heard a familiar male voice behind me.

"Isabella?"

I recognized that tone right away.

I turned slowly and my gaze met a pair of dark, analytical eyes.

Danilo. Lorenzo's best friend.

I swallowed hard, keeping my posture.

"Danilo…"

He raised his eyebrow and walked to the stool next to me, sitting down without asking permission.

"What a coincidence," he murmured, calling the bartender with a wave of his hand. "I didn't imagine you liked going out for a drink alone."

I let out a weak laugh.

"I don't think anyone really knows me."

He narrowed his eyes, as if trying to decipher me.

"Maybe."

The bartender brought his drink and Danilo took a sip, keeping his eyes on me.

"So, what are we celebrating?"

I sighed.

"Let's just say… I survived a tough week."

He smirked.

"That deserves a toast."

We raised our glasses and drank together.

For a moment, the comfortable silence between us made me remember the old times, when Danilo was just a friend, someone who treated me with respect and humor. He, Lorenzo, and I, went out to drink and have fun together several times.

But then, the alcohol started to weigh in, and my tongue got too loose.

"You know, Danilo… sometimes I wonder what would have happened if things had been different."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Different how?"

I laughed, swirling the ice in the glass.

"If things had been clarified back then. If Lorenzo had listened to me…"

My voice died before I finished the sentence.

Danilo was silent for a moment.

"Do you still think about him?"

My chest tightened. I think about him every day. But I couldn't admit it.

"Of course not," I murmured, but my tone was not convincing.

Danilo let out a sigh and took a long sip of whiskey.

"I never fully believed that story, Isabella. But Lorenzo… he's not the type to forgive. And besides, I thought you had already forgotten about him. I don't know if you saw the newspapers, but he got married, and it seems like you did too, since you're wearing a ring."

I closed my eyes for a moment, when I opened them again, I realized that my vision was a little blurry. I had drunk too much.

I rested my hand on the counter to balance myself.

"I think I overdid it a little."

Danilo chuckled.

"Looks like it."

I tried to get up, but my legs faltered. Before I could fall, I felt firm arms around me.

"Okay, I think we've had enough for today," he said, holding me with ease, his lips almost close to mine.

"I can walk," I protested, but my voice came out slurred.

Danilo just shook his head, amused.

"Of course you can. But let's make things easier."

And then, before I could react, he picked me up in his arms.

"Danilo! Put me down!"

"You're too drunk to fight with me, don't you think?" he laughed.

I let out a defeated sigh, resting my head on his shoulder as he carried me out of the bar.

...(๑˙❥˙๑) Next day….. (๑˙❥˙๑)...

I woke up feeling my head throbbing. The light in the room was low, and the familiar smell of my apartment made me realize where I was.

I tried to sit up, but my body was still heavy. That's when I noticed that my sandals were on the floor, carefully removed.

I blinked a few times, trying to process what had happened. Then I remembered:

Danilo.

The bar.

The drinks.

Him carrying me home.

"Damn it!"

I ran my hand over my face and followed the aroma of coffee, walking towards the kitchen.

As soon as I crossed the door, my eyes widened.

Danilo was there.

With his back to me, wearing the same shirt as the night before, he was stirring something in a frying pan while holding a cup of coffee.

The shock was so great that my heart almost jumped out of my mouth.

"Damn, you scared me!" I put my hand on my chest, trying to regulate my breathing.

Danilo turned slowly, raising an eyebrow and holding back a laugh.

"Good morning to you too, Isabella."

I blinked a few times, still processing the scene.

"What are you… What are you doing here?"

He took a sip of his coffee before answering.

"I slept here. You weren't well and, since there was no one to take care of you, I decided to stay."

My chest tightened. There was no one to take care of me. And the insinuation he made was clear.

I cleared my throat, looking away.

"I… my husband works a lot."

Danilo swirled the spoon in the pan, as if waiting for more.

"Is that so?"

I knew he was suspicious.

My mind worked fast to make up an excuse.

"He works as a security guard. He leaves at night and only arrives at noon."

Danilo's expression remained impassive, but there was something in his gaze that told me he didn't believe my lie. Even so, he didn't argue.

"I see."

The atmosphere in the kitchen became strangely charged. The sound of coffee dripping in the coffee maker was the only thing that filled the silence for a few seconds.

I crossed my arms, not knowing what to say.

"You… were taking care of me all night?"

"It wasn't that hard. You passed out as soon as you left the bar in my arms."

My face flushed.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Relax. I just found it funny to see you so… vulnerable. So many years of friendship, and the first time I see you like this."

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile escaped.

Danilo and I had a strange relationship. Despite what happened in the past, he never treated me with contempt. He always knew how to separate friendship and what happened between me and his best friend. He was always Lorenzo's loyal friend. But, at the same time, he never seemed to hate me.

And, now, here we were. As if nothing had happened. As if we were… friends again, after spending a long time without seeing each other.

I sighed and pulled out a chair, sitting down while he served the coffee.

"So… besides being a security guard, what else does your husband do?" he asked, casually.

I cleared my throat before answering.

"His work requires secrecy. He doesn't like to talk about it."

Danilo let out a low laugh.

"Interesting. I never imagined you liked men who worked in that profession. If I remember correctly, you once mentioned that this profession is very dangerous."

The cup I was holding trembled slightly in my hand. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

"Yes, I remember saying that, but it was just a comment."

"Of course, I understand!"

He brought the cup to his lips and analyzed me over the rim.

I needed to change the subject.

"And you? What have you been up to lately?"

He rested his hands on the table and smiled.

"The same as always. Working, traveling, observing certain mysterious weddings happening."

My back stiffened.

Danilo noticed my reaction and laughed.

"Relax, Isabella. I'm not interrogating you. I just found it all… unexpected and suspicious."

I swallowed hard.

"I thought so too, but coming from your friend, everything is a surprise."

He watched me for a moment before looking away.

"You've changed."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Change is inevitable."

He nodded slowly.

"Yes… But I don't know if that change was for the better."

I remained silent.

Danilo watched me with intensity. It wasn't an accusatory look, but an analytical one. As if he were putting together a puzzle and, with each second, the pieces were falling into place.

I held the cup tighter, feeling a strange chill run down my spine.

"Remember when we were such good friends?" he asked "That you told me everything, that you trusted me?"

"Danilo…"

He raised one of his hands, as if asking me not to continue.

"I get it, Isa. Don't worry."

The nickname Isa, which I hadn't heard in years, hit me like a small memory of the past.

Before, he called me that when we played, when we sat together to talk about anything without worry.

But now… he said my name with a different weight.

He looked at me intensely and then continued:

"I found it a big coincidence that you were in the city precisely on the days when Lorenzo got married."

"So what?"

Danilo swirled his coffee cup between his fingers, as if organizing his thoughts before speaking.

"Everything is strange when the bride doesn't appear in any of the newspapers. When the groom doesn't even know who the wife is."

I pursed my lips, but I couldn't look away.

I let out a forced laugh, trying to disguise it.

"You've always been good at creating conspiracy theories."

He chuckled.

"And you've always been terrible at lying, Isabella."

Danilo leaned a little closer, resting his arms on the table.

"We know that his grandmother adores you, and that she arranged everything very quickly," he continued, without giving me room to escape.

My breath caught.

With each word that came out of his mouth, my body stiffened.

He was connecting the dots, I knew he wasn't stupid.

He was too close to the truth.

I tried to take a deep breath, but I felt like the air around me was getting heavier. I needed to get out of this conversation.

So, I took a deep breath and let out a short laugh.

"You know what I think, Danilo? You're worrying too much about your friend's wedding."

He blinked slowly, without looking away.

"Maybe I'm just curious."

I got up, grabbing my cell phone to imply that I needed to end that conversation.

"Curiosity can be dangerous."

"You're right. But you know what else can be dangerous?"

"What?"

He looked at me steadily.

"Hiding something from Lorenzo."

My breath hitched.

There was a warning in his voice.

Something that made me feel a shiver run down my spine. Danilo knew.

Maybe he didn't know the whole truth, but he already had strong suspicions.

And that was dangerous. Very dangerous.

I lowered my head for a second, gathering the strength I needed to continue my charade.

Then, I turned to face him again and smiled.

"There's nothing to hide."

He held my gaze for a few seconds before letting out a sigh.

"If you say so…"

Danilo stood up, grabbed his coat, and walked to the door.

Before leaving, he stopped. He looked at me one more time and said, in a serious tone:

"Just be careful, Isa."

I just nodded. And then he was gone.

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