A double life

Marc stood on the balcony of his little apartment, looking at the sparkling lights of the city below. The night, fresh and light breeze swept her face, bringing a brief feeling of freedom. Under a new identity, he had built a simple but peaceful life, far from the threatening shadows of his past. He now bore the name of Marc Lemoine, a man without history, without past, and without enemies. At least that was what he hoped.

Marc's apartment, located on the fifth floor of an old building in the Montmartre district in Paris, reflected its new life. The walls were tastefully decorated, decorated with some impressionist paintings and black and white photographs capturing moments of serenity. A well -stocked library occupied a corner of the living room, testifying to his love for reading and the incessant quest for knowledge. Each object had been carefully chosen, helping to create an atmosphere of calm and safety.

In the kitchen, Julie was preparing a light dinner. Her long blonde hair, gathered into a messy bun, contrasted with her bright smile and sparkling blue eyes. Julie was the light in Marc's life, the anchor that kept him in the present and gave him a reason to continue. Their relationship was secret, a necessity imposed by circumstance, but the love they shared was deep and sincere.

"Marc, do you want some wine?" Julie asked, her soft voice mixing with the clinking of glasses.

Marc turned towards her, a smile lighting up his usually serious face. "Yes, thank you, darling. A quiet evening with you is just what I need."

Julie laughed softly, a sound that always warmed Marc's heart. "Perfect. I prepared something special tonight. I hope you like it."

As they sat at the table, Marc couldn't help but get lost in his thoughts. The tranquility of their current life stood in stark contrast to the chaos and violence of his past. He still remembered the sleepless nights, haunted by fear and ever-present danger. His life before becoming Marc Lemoine was marked by difficult decisions and ruthless enemies.

A flashback washed over him, bringing back memories he would have preferred to forget.

**A few years ago...**

Marc, then known as Thomas Delacroix, was involved in questionable dealings, forced by circumstances to make questionable moral choices. He had worked for Victor Moreau, a powerful and ruthless man who ruled the underworld of organized crime. Victor wasn't just a boss; he was a constant threat, a skilled and cruel manipulator.

One particularly dark night, Thomas was summoned by Victor. The latter's office was luxuriously furnished, in stark contrast to the illegal nature of his business. The walls were covered with expensive paintings and the furniture, made of solid mahogany, testified to his taste for luxury.

"Thomas," Victor had begun, an icy smile on his lips, "I have a mission for you. A mission of the utmost importance."

Thomas felt a ball of anxiety forming in his stomach. Every time Victor asked him for something, it meant danger, violence and enormous risk. "What do you want me to do, Victor?"

Victor had approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder in an almost friendly manner, but Thomas knew that this gesture was only a facade. "There is a man causing us problems. He must be eliminated. You are the perfect person for the task."

Thomas had nodded, knowing he had no choice. Saying no to Victor wasn't an option. But this mission would change his life forever. The man he was supposed to eliminate had turned out to be a key witness in a massive corruption case. Thomas had managed to approach him, but at the last moment, a crisis of conscience had prevented him from committing the irreparable. This decision to let this man live had made Thomas a target for Victor, marking the start of his escape.

**Back to the present...**

"Mark? Are you okay?" Julie's worried voice brought him back to reality. She looked at him with worried tenderness, one hand placed on his.

Marc shook his head slightly, chasing away the dark memories. "Yes, sorry. I was just thinking about... some things from the past."

Julie squeezed his hand. "I'm here for you, you know that. No matter what happened before, I love you for who you are now."

Marc smiles at her, grateful for her presence and her unconditional love. "I know. Thank you, Julie. You are the best thing that ever happened to me."

The dinner took place in a peaceful atmosphere. They talked about everything and nothing, sharing moments of complicity and laughter. After the meal, they sat on the sofa, Marc putting a protective arm around Julie.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Yes, why not? Choose the one you want," Marc replied, feeling soothed by Julie's simple presence.

As the film began, Marc felt overcome with a feeling of gratitude. His life had taken an unexpected turn and despite the ghosts of his past, he had found a form of peace and happiness with Julie. But he also knew that this tranquility was fragile, always threatened by the possible return of Victor or other enemies from the past.

In the darkness of the living room, while Julie was absorbed in the screen, Marc thought about his next steps. He had to remain vigilant, protect what was most precious to him. Life may have wanted to give him a second chance, but he was aware that this chance could be taken away at any moment.

The next morning, Marc woke up early, as usual. Daylight peeked through the curtains, heralding a new day full of promise and challenges. Julie was still sleeping, her face peaceful under the covers. He observed her for a moment, touched by her serene beauty. She was his anchor, the person who gave him the strength to continue despite everything.

After taking a quick shower, Marc got dressed and got ready for his day. He worked as a computer security consultant, a job that allowed him to remain discreet while using the skills he acquired during his years on the run. The virtual world offered a certain security and anonymity, essential elements for survival.

He kissed Julie gently on the forehead before leaving the apartment, promising himself to come home early to spend time with her. The streets of Paris were bustling, people rushing to get to work, oblivious to the stories and secrets hidden behind the anonymous faces of the crowds.

At the office, Marc greeted his colleagues with a smile. Among them was Paul, his new friend who was beginning to suspect that Marc was hiding something. Paul was intelligent, insightful, and Mark knew he had to remain vigilant.

"Hi Marc! Sleep well?" Paul asked, sitting down next to him.

"Yes, thank you. And you?" Marc replied, trying to hide any trace of nervousness.

"Not too bad. I've been thinking about this project we're working on. I think we could improve security by adding an extra layer of encryption."

Marc nodded, recognizing that Paul was competent in his field. "Great idea. Let's work on this today."

The day passed quickly, punctuated by meetings and technical discussions. But in the back of his mind, Marc remained constantly on guard. Each unexpected phone call, each prolonged look from Paul or another colleague, reminded him that his new life could change at any moment.

When he returned home that evening, Marc found Julie waiting for him with a smile. "So, how was your day?" she asked, kissing him.

"Good. Paul had a good idea to improve the security of a project," Marc replied, taking off his jacket.

"That sounds interesting," Julie said as she made some tea. "You know, I thought about something today. How about we take a weekend trip to the country? Just the two of us, to escape the city and relax a little."

Marc thought for a moment. The idea of leaving the city, even for a short while, was tempting. This could give them a chance to recharge their batteries, away from prying eyes and potential dangers. "That sounds like a great idea. Pick a place and we'll

going there this weekend."

Julie smiles, delighted. "Perfect! I'll look for a lovely place. It'll be our little romantic getaway."

As the evening wore on, Marc felt enveloped by a sense of normalcy, something he deeply cherished. Despite the shadows of the past, he had found refuge in Julie's love and companionship. But deep down, he knew that the past was never really far away, always ready to resurface and turn everything upside down.

For now, however, he allowed himself to savor these moments of happiness, promising himself to do everything to preserve them.