Little Lily's Love

Chapter 2: Dreams

Franco

I hurry out of Amelia's house, feeling a sudden sense of unease. I was having a good time talking with Amelia, but the presence of little Lily suddenly made me feel uneasy. The way she tried to take my hand reminded me of how Annette used to do the same. She liked us to stroll outdoors, while, embracing or holding hands, we made a thousand plans as we walked. Those were my happiest times, but they will never return.

A tear falls from my eye as I remember her. Ten years have passed since she left this world, yet I still remember our last time together as if it were yesterday. Will I ever be able to forget her?

I get into my car, start the engine and head to the only place where I find peace. On the way, I stop at a flower shop and buy a large bouquet of white lilies. They were her favorite flowers, and I always try to keep her grave filled with them.

When I arrive, I turn off my car for a moment. A year ago, I ended my relationship with Regina. She is an excellent woman, but we were not meant for each other. Our demanding professions did not allow us to spend more time together, and I felt I was only holding her back from finding the man she deserved. So, I set her free.

At first, she didn't agree, but now she understands, and luckily for her, she soon met a man who fulfills her in every way. He dedicates his attention to her, she is his priority, and he makes her feel special. I was just a burden in her life. I'm sure it won't be long before she gets married.

I take a deep breath and get out of the car. I walk slowly down the path that leads to the mausoleum. The place is very quiet as always. I haven't found the peace I feel here, anywhere else.

I stop at the back. On a beautiful, well-kept tomb is the photo of the woman of my life—Annette. My beautiful and sweet Annette. Tears begin to flow from my eyes like a waterfall. A sob escapes my lips.

"Hi, love," I say, my voice low. "I needed to talk to you. I was feeling really lonely and went to visit my friend Amelia. You remember the redhead, right? I feel at peace with her. Not the way I did with you, but at least she doesn't make me feel the turbulence caused by the anxiety of not having you." I pause, taking a deep breath to calm my emotions before going on.

"The problem was with her little daughter. She tried to hold my hand just like you used to, and suddenly, I felt a little electric shock, just like with you. I was very scared and came to tell you. I think from today on, I'll keep my distance from them."

The leaves on the trees begin to sway rhythmically, creating a slight whisper. I know she hears me, wherever she is.

***

That night I couldn't sleep. My dreams were a jumble. I could hear the laughter of someone very young dancing around me, but I couldn't see their face.

"Come on, Franco, dance with me. You need to get past your pain. She is gone, please, live again."

The laughter and her words echoed in my ears, but I refused to listen to them.

Suddenly, Annette's sweet voice resonates clearly. I see myself standing in front of the tree in that forest where we used to go for picnics. She approaches me, dressed in the same clothes she was buried in. When we are face to face, she stretches out her cold hand and touches my face.

"My beloved Franco. You don't know how much I've missed you. But I'm gone now and my body rests. Please, let me go. Wherever I go, I'll be waiting for you, but I know it will be for a long time. Please, try to be happy; if you are, I will be too, through you." Her hand brushes my cheek one last time, and disappears.

I jolt awake in bed. My heart is still racing. The dream was so real. I get up, put on my slippers, and head to the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Annette. You ask me to let you go. I can do that. But how can I be happy?"

I slowly sip from my glass, and without wanting to, without desiring it, the image of Lily comes to my mind. She is like an angel. I won't let myself see her any other way. I could never betray Amelia's trust. She opened the door of her home to me.

I nod repeatedly to myself. Until recently, I saw my friend as a potential partner, thanks to my godmother's matchmaking efforts. However, as we spent more time together, we realized that it wouldn't work out between us.

To me, she still seems like an incredibly beautiful woman, but I think we're destined to be just good friends. She won't be able to move on until she decides to forget her husband, although it's more likely she'll end up going back to him.

I can't sleep anymore, so I head to my gym. I put myself through an exhausting routine to get rid of the demons that are starting to torment me. The memory of Annette was so vivid, as if she had really come to visit me last night.

After an hour, I decide that's enough, and I go down to my room to take a shower.

As I stand under the shower, another memory comes to mind. It's of the girl whose face I couldn't see. Her words strike me like lightning. 'Overcome the pain. Live again.' Could it be possible?

I shake my head, no, that's not possible. I can't open my heart again. I feel that Annette took it with her when she left this world. I can still feel the warmth of her hands from the last time we were together, and she laid her eyes on me, only to close them forever.

I decide to finish and get out of the shower. When I'm alone with my thoughts, memories tend to overwhelm me, so I try to keep my mind occupied. I put on comfortable clothes and go to the kitchen to make coffee.

While having breakfast, I take one of the folders I brought from the office. It's an easy case: fraud. I smile to myself, I've already found where to channel my restless energies. Apparently, a man is being accused of embezzling funds in his company, but he claims to be innocent. I quickly read through the whole case and decide to go directly to the police station. I'm excited to be able to focus on something.

But as I'm closing the door of my penthouse, the sweet voice of the girl returns to my ears.

'You must overcome the pain. Live again. Dance with me.'

I pause for a moment. I don't know what this is about, but I won't let myself be influenced by meaningless dreams. I'm a mature, practical man. So this nonsense stays here.