Tower of Paradise

The blurry vision of a vaguely familiar environment made me blink several times to confirm that what I was seeing wasn't a dream. From what it seemed, I appeared to have returned to my old body on Earth.

I was sitting in my office when I heard Alessia's voice calling me.

—Honey, are you there?

—I'm in my office.

I responded, and a few seconds later I saw her beautiful figure appear in the doorframe. As always, Alessia radiated beauty. I noticed that her belly seemed even more rounded that morning.

—Sorry to bother you, honey, but it's your birthday and I have a surprise for you.

—A surprise?

I asked intrigued. Alessia came closer and sat on my lap, giving me a kiss on the cheek. A strong citrus aroma tickled my nose.

—You're heavy, you should stop eating so much, honey. You're getting fat!

I joked, and she looked at me mischievously.

—I was reflecting this morning, you know? About the baby's name... What do you think about Violet?

She asked while thoughtfully caressing her belly.

—For a baby boy, it's very ugly.

—If it's a girl, my love!

She exclaimed laughing.

—I know we decided not to know the baby's sex, but that doesn't stop us from finding a name. It's coming soon, you know? Maximum three weeks.

—Yes, it's pretty... Violet. I don't want to ruin the mood, but I'd like to finish my chapter. I'll take 30 minutes at most.

—No way! You'll have to postpone your work until tomorrow. Besides, the doctor told you to rest your hand.

—Listen, Ale. I have to deliver this damn novel in just a month and I haven't finished yet. I'll meet with you a bit later, for now I have to...

—You can do it, honey! You always do, but not today! Tonight we're going to dinner!

—I'm sorry, honey, but I don't have much appetite.

I weakly protested. Alessia softly put her mouth on mine, ending the discussion.

—I don't remember asking for your opinion.

She spoke with a radiant smile.

—Besides, don't they say that appetite comes with eating? We're going to dinner for your birthday and you need to get ready. I have a reservation at 7 PM and it's almost 5 PM and you're dressed like a lumberjack. We're half an hour away!

Alessia stood up and walked towards the door while I protested:

—Like... a lumberjack? I don't have lumberjack clothes.

She turned and looked at me with a compassionate smile.

—It's true! I can't imagine you as such a dirty lumberjack. That's not very respectful to forestry work. I'm going to prepare you a bath.

Already in the hallway, she shouted at me:

—And shave your beard, it's prickly!

I sighed, resigned.

—Looks like we'll have to postpone work until tomorrow...

While I immersed myself in the hot bath that Alessia had prepared for me, I felt how my sore wrist slowly relaxed. I had been sharing my life with Alessia for 4 years, but we had known each other since we were children. I still clearly remembered our first exchange of glances, both sitting on the grass in the field. Her mischievous smile was forever etched in my memory.

That smile that made hope arise, that smile that always said: —You and me, it's possible—. I remembered our first kiss, her fruity scent, the first time I admired her naked under the pale and delicate moonlight that filtered discreetly through her bedroom windows many years later.

I had always lived with an apathetic and boring attitude, in a state of constant depression. I was never a good son, and now that my parents were gone, I felt deeply regretful.

The damage I had done... the people I had hurt and wounded, they couldn't forgive me.

Bad attitude was like ink spilled on absorbent paper, spreading over my existence like a dark and sticky mask that clumped and spread until it covered everything. Today I turned 25 and would be a father in a few days. This thought made me smile.

Only now, I had realized that it is, neither more nor less, loneliness that drags us into the mud like a diabolical melody. Loneliness is the edge of the mud where any human being's fall begins... Once in it, the mire begins to drag us to greater depths...

And it should be well understood: loneliness doesn't mean being physically alone, it means lack of affection...

One can create, meditate, plan and work while being physically isolated and feel very happy, if in the most intimate part of their being they have the energy of knowing they are loved by someone... even if that someone isn't there...

In contrast, another person can find themselves surrounded by many people and feel mortally unhappy knowing they are ignored. Loneliness leads to alcoholism, drugs, adultery, suicide...

—Hurry up, honey! I don't want to be late!

Alessia's voice resonated from downstairs, pulling me from my reverie. I had been soaking in the hot water for quite a while.

—Coming.

I responded, getting out of the bath and dressing quickly.

When I went downstairs, I saw Alessia in a sumptuous red dress that perfectly adapted to the curve of her abdomen.

—What do you think? My mother gave it to me, it was a dress she used when she was pregnant with me.

—You're beautiful.

I told her sincerely. From her small height, Alessia stood on her tiptoes and gave me a tender kiss on the cheek.

—I'll drive. With your tendinitis it's not prudent for you to do it.

—That's ridiculous, I can drive perfectly. I've never needed two hands to drive anyway.

—Very well, but be careful, my love.

We left the house and got into the car. The winding road serpentined between the hills, and a dense fog slid over the road and spread over the mountains. The sun was barely a reddish and lazy light on the horizon. From the corner of my eye, I noticed that Alessia was watching me smiling.

—What makes you smile like that?

—You've changed, Noah. It makes me happy to see you like this. And, besides, soon we'll be three, that makes me happy.@@novelbin@@

I returned her smile, feeling a pleasant warmth in my chest.

The darkness, at first timid and fleeting among the hills, enveloped the trees along the road. Now impregnated with the opaque ink of the nascent twilight. The rain suddenly fell in straight, silver filaments, roaring over the car, suddenly drowned by the sound of the downpour.

—It's seven o'clock, we're going to be late.

Commented Alessia, looking at her watch.

—It doesn't matter. They won't cancel our reservation for just 15 minutes late.

When turning a particularly tight curve, I distinguished pale lights approaching at full speed. Lights that seemed to zigzag dangerously. The dense fog was deceptive and the car that I thought was at a good distance suddenly jumped out of the darkness.

—My God, he's not in his lane.

I muttered, feeling how fear took hold of me.

I turned the steering wheel to the right. The other vehicle's engine roared and coughed, approaching quickly, too quickly. As if time had become encrusted in thick syrup, I slightly turned my head and saw, as if in slow motion, Alessia's horrified face.

—NO!

BOOM!!

...

[Insufficient authority to continue.]

[Assimilation rate: 15%]

[Successor's Eyes (SS)]

[Will provide the user with the most available information for their survival depending on their situation. Allows the user to remember the memories of their past life selves, and is capable of strongly influencing the current user's thoughts and actions...]

[Now you will leave the Paradise Tower]