Love and Courage in a Village Amidst Mysteries and Conspiracies

by Marco Arezio

Sroies. The Secret of Corenno Plinio. Chapter 1: A Shared Dream

The night sky enveloped Corenno Plinio in a silent embrace, with the stars twinkling like small beacons of hope in the vast firmament. Inside their stone house, situated on the shores of the lake, Lisa's slow and regular breathing filled the air with a tranquil melody.

Her shiny black hair spread untidily on the pillow, creating the illusion of flocks of ravens in flight at the break of dawn.

Andrea, seated beside her, observed every detail of that serene scene. Of course, he didn't know what Lisa might be dreaming about in those moments of quiet, but he noticed every small movement, every slight gasp that crossed her breath.

The drops of sweat on her forehead sparkled in the dim moonlight reflecting off the lake, and he felt an irresistible desire to wipe them away, to talk to her, to tell her trivial things. But the fear of breaking that fragile enchantment held him back, leaving him in silence to contemplate the beauty of Lisa's sleep.

Every night, Andrea found indescribable happiness in seeing her asleep beside him, lost in who knows what dreams. The game of having her so close, of being able to watch her explore unknown dream worlds, filled him with pure and simple joy.

Lisa, with her smiles and whispered words in her sleep, offered him an intimate and moving spectacle. Her words, sometimes strange and senseless, seemed like echoes of happy memories, moments stolen from the flow of time and carried into a dreamlike, fast, and elusive atom.

Andrea couldn't help but smile as he observed Lisa's face, gently caressing her with his hand. That brief flash of happiness illuminating her face seemed like an unexpected gift, although their sky was purely human.

The night, with its slow and steady rhythm, gradually shattered as dawn began to break on the horizon, above the green mountains surrounding Lake Como. The moon gave way to the rising sun, and the new day began to take shape.

When Lisa woke up, her eyes met Andrea's, who looked at her with infinite tenderness. "What are you looking at?" she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

Andrea smiled, still wrapped in the magic of the now-faded night. "I'm looking at you," he replied, with a sincerity that filled the air with palpable sweetness. "I'm thinking about how much I love you and how empty words are to describe what I feel."

Lisa watched him, the smile that appeared on her lips was a reflection of the shared happiness. "What dreams accompanied you?" Andrea asked, eager to know the worlds she had explored during the night.

Lisa closed her eyes for a moment, trying to grasp the fleeting memories of her dreams. "I was in a beautiful place," she began, "where anything was possible. I saw colors and heard sounds that don't exist in the real world. And you were there, always by my side."

As she spoke, the sun outside exploded in a riot of light and warmth, announcing a new day. Andrea listened, captivated by her words, aware that although dreams might be ephemeral, the reality they shared was tangible and precious.

And at that moment, with the new sun shining high in the sky, he knew he had everything he could ever desire: Lisa's love and the promise of endless nights and days together, exploring the mysteries of their hearts and their dreams.

Their refuge in Corenno Plinio, with the lake stretching calmly before them and the ancient cobblestone streets winding through the village, was the perfect place to cultivate their love. And with each new day, they knew they were ready to face the future together, hand in hand.