Chapter 118

"I still can't believe all that happened," Penelope whispered, her eyes drifting to the window. Her voice came out barely in a whisper but with an underlying weariness, as if she had battled and kept secrets for a lifetime.

"Nonna," Romano said softly, bending to take her hand gently. "I know it has been hard, but all is going to change now. I promise."

Across from them, Ariel sat staring at Romano's face in silent curiosity, as if seeing new depths, layers she hadn't known. There was undeniably something mysterious about Romano-something that intrigued her, yet placed wariness in her.

"So… what's the plan?" Ariel tried to ask, lightening the mood with a small smile.

The moment was interrupted as Romano's phone buzzed on the table. He looked down at the screen, identifying the caller; it was one of the many men working for him. His jaw clenched as he answered the call.

"Yeah, what's up?"

A gruff voice replied on the other side, "Boss, your business partners are here. They are ready to begin negotiations."

Romano let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Tell them to proceed and get the preliminaries out of the way. I have more important things on my mind right now."
"Roger that, boss. We'll keep you posted." The line clicked off.
He set his phone down, his attention returning to the two women in front of him. Penelope's gaze was firmly fixed on him, sharp and intuitive, while Ariel regarded him with much milder curiosity.

Fine?" she asked him. "I did it."
Romano nodded. His expression was bleak even so, and a serious one to say the least. He clasped her hand in his and used his thumb to gently rub her skin in circular motions.
"Ariel," he began carefully, with a focus he hadn't achieved in far too long, "you must listen carefully to what I have to say now.

He took a steadying breath, choosing his words with care. "From now on, I want you to be careful-really careful. I need you to let me know where you are at all times, all right?"

Ariel's eyebrows furrowed and a flash of confusion crossed her eyes. "Why? I don't understand. You think something's going to happen?"

Silenced, Penelope had merely listened. Now, reaching across the table, she was drawing closer to Ariel, patting her shoulder soothingly. "Ariel, you're with Romano now, and there are… certain realities you need to be aware of."
Romano looked at his grandmother, his eyes appreciative of her backup. "My rivals… they'd stop at nothing to get to me, Ariel. That includes using people close to me.".

Ariel stood a moment longer, the shadow falling across her face with his words. "But. Romano, you're just a businessman. Why would anyone go to such lengths?"

Penelope chuckled softly, her tone containing the hint of humour that was tinged with sadness. "Oh, my dear," she said, her eyes fastening on Ariel's. "He's not just a businessman.

Ariel's eyes darted from one to another, a trace of incredulity mingling with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Penelope leaned back, hands serene in her lap, observing Ariel's face. "Romano is the leader of a mafia," she said, her words soft, yet leaving no room for doubt.

Ariel's eyes blinked in dumbified silence as she stared on, wide with incredulity. She turned to Romano, her voice low, a whispered shock. "Is… is that true?"

Romano held her gaze, his face sombre. "It's true, Ariel," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of regret. "I didn't want you to find out like this, but you have a right to the truth.

With each passing second, the revelation settled within Ariel's mind. Her mouth opened, yet words seemed to fail her. Her mind whirled in a vortex of confusion, fear, and incredulity.

"All this time." she began. "I thought. I thought you were just running some business."

Penelope let out a melodious laughter that coursed through the room. "Oh, Ariel, appearances can be so deceiving. The world that Romano is part of doesn't happen in daylight.".

Romano's hand found its way to Ariel's, grounding her in the chaos of her thoughts. "Ariel, I know this is a lot to take in, but I need you to understand why I'm telling you now. You are a part of my life. I just can't keep you blind, not when there are risks involved."

Ariel jerked her hand back, her eyes racing frantically over his face, searching for any indication that this was some kind of wicked joke. Instead, all she saw in those eyes was sincerity and just a traceline of vulnerability.

"Romano," she said slowly, her tone still trying to get this whole thing into one piece, "why never before did you tell me about it? I mean, I have been by your side, but I never suspected.

Romano nodded, catching the hurt in her voice. "Because I wanted to protect you from it," he said quietly. "I didn't want to drag you into a world that's dangerous, one that's brought me a lifetime of scars and enemies.

Penelope nodded in affirmation, her eyes warm but watchful. "He's always had a protective streak, even when he was just a boy," she said, a fond smile crossing her lips. "But, Ariel, you have to understand-this life comes with consequences. There are people who would hurt you just to get to him."

Ariel's heart was racing, veins full of fear and love. She looked into Romano's eyes, hers begging with a question. "I don't know if I can-I don't know if I can handle all this. It is too much.".

His face softened; he took her hands into his and gave them reassuring squeezes. "I'll never let anything happen to you, Ariel," he said with a calm, full-of-promise tone. "But I need your trust. I need you to be more careful, for you to let me know where you are, and to understand that some parts of my life… they are not simple.".

Ariel looked down, weighed down by his words. A long moment went by, and she gazed back up at him, her expression torn. "But I need to know, Romano… what kinds of things have you done?"

It was as if the smile fell from Romano's lips, and his expression became as sober as stone, his eyes clouded by a trace of sadness. "Things that I'm not proud of," he confessed in a voice a little louder than a whisper. "Deals I had to make, people I had to…confront. But I've always done what I believed necessary to keep those I care about safe.

Penelope watched them both with a knowing expression, her silence holding the wisdom of someone who had seen and endured more than any person could ever imagine. "Ariel, you don't have to understand all of it now. If you care for him, give him a chance."

Ariel took a deep breath, her head still reeling from the enormity of what she'd just heard. She reached out, her hand resting atop Romano's. "I just. I need time," she whispered. "This isn't easy."

Romano nodded, his eyes soft. "I understand," he said softly. "And whatever you decide, I'll respect.