104. It wasn't fake

ERICA

Unlike me Antonio slept fitfully. His sleep was riddled with nightmares and past memories. I knew it because I woke up twice from his distressed murmurs and the way he tensed in his sleep. The first time I didn’t want to wake him up but then the second time when I realised he was dreaming about me, it broke my heart. I cried as I heard his tortured groan and his whispered words filled with so much pain, that he didn't want me to leave him. I had to wake him up then, and I did so with gentleness that he deserved.

When he opened his golden eyes to my soft touches and saw me, I watched relief filtering into his gaze. In his eyes I saw that he was also afraid of the possibility that this might be a dream. I kissed him with everything I have and when we parted, breathing heavily, I couldn't stop the rush of words that came out without a pause, “Ti amo, my Antonio. Ti amo tanto. Non voglio passare nemmeno un secondo della mia vita senza di te. Voglio essere tutto ciò di cui hai bisog