Chapter 122: she has a lot on her mind

Romano watched her intently, his hands stirring as if in a desperate search to find a means of comforting her. "Ariel," he began, soft yet full of urgency. "I know that this is all very much to assimilate. I'm sorry you had to find out this way.

She said nothing, her gaze fixed on some invisible point in the room. Her mind was in a whirlwind, flooded by memories of the moments they'd shared-every soft smile, every reassuring touch. However, at this very moment, all those memories seemed to be polluted by the fact that this man, whom she had trusted and believed was different, belonged to the very world she had always wanted to avoid.

He leaned forward, his hand gently clasping hers. "Please, Ariel. Say something."

She blinked finally, her gaze locking with his, yet still so distant. "I… I don't know what to say, Romano," she barely whispered. "This isn't what I expected… I didn't know that you… that you were…

A mafia lord," he finished for her, the weight of the words palpable between them. "I know it sounds dark. Dangerous, even. And I understand if you feel scared or if you… need some space.

Ariel shook her head and pulled her hand away. "It's not that I am scared. It is just. it's complicated. All my life, I have been trying to stay as far away from this world as possible. I grew up knowing what happens when people get involved in this: the dangers, the betrayals." Her voice broke, frustration mingling with fear. "I just don't know if I can be part of it, Romano."

He nodded, swallowing hard; his eyes were full of concern. "Ariel, I didn't mean to keep this from you to hurt you. I was trying to protect you. I wanted you to see me for who I am, not just the world I was born into."

"But you're not just anyone," she whispered almost to herself. "You're… a mafia leader. It's a part of you, Romano, a part you cannot simply push aside.

He listened silently, taking in her words. "You're right; it is a part of me. And I'd be lying if I said that with it doesn't come any risks or challenges or, for that matter, even enemies. Though I want you to know, I am very much the man you fell for. I'm still here, and I still care deeply for you. I don't want this life to come between us.

Ariel let out a resigned sigh, her eyes closing momentarily as she struggled for breath. Torn between feelings for Romano and instinct-which yelled at her to run far from anything to do with the mafia-a voice inside her screamed that this wasn't what she signed up for, that this was too dangerous. But another part-the part that deeply cared for him-wanted to make this work, somehow.

"Romano," she whispered, catching his gaze with hers, "I need some time to think, figure out if this is something I can handle. It's not that I don't care about you, but… I don't know if I can be okay with this."

He nodded, understanding etched on his features. "I respect that, Ariel. I'm not going to pressure you. I want you to be comfortable and safe with whatever decision you make." He took a deep breath. "But I want you to know that I'll do whatever it takes to keep you out of harm's way. My enemies won't touch you; I won't let them.

She gave a small, sad smile. "That's the thing, Romano. Just being associated with you puts me at risk, doesn't it? Your world doesn't come with guarantees of safety."

"True," he agreed, and his voice dropped to a somber note. "But I'm willing to do everything in my power to protect you. To keep you safe from anyone who'd want to harm you.

Ariel bit her lip. She was still so unsure of what was to come. "I just… I need to get my head cleared. Maybe… maybe I'll go see Jacqueline." Her eyes came up to his, barely above a whisper. "I need my best friend right now."

He nodded, slow and guarded, understanding. "Of course. I can arrange for someone to take you there or… you could take one of my cars if you prefer.

She shook her head. "I'll be okay on my own." She forced a reassuring smile. "Thanks, though."

Romano looked away, feeling the silent wall that now stood between them. He knew it could happen, even expected it-that one day she would wake up and realize who he really was and how much that required. Still, this moment, in this knowledge that she was pulling away, hurt in a way he hadn't anticipated.

"Please, Ariel," he whispered, his voice laced with vulnerability. "Just remember I am still here, waiting, if you ever feel ready."

She nodded, not trusting herself to say more, and walked toward the door. But before she left, she paused, glancing over her shoulder. "I care about you, Romano. I really do. I just… I don't know if I can handle the weight of your world."

With that, she was gone, and Romano remained in his silent room with a heavy reality falling upon him.
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-originally from novel "Home Far Away" by Olaf Olafsson ended

The drive to Jacqueline's was silent as her mind replayed everything she had just heard. She couldn't believe that Romano, of all people, had hidden something so big from her. And yet, a part of her understood why he'd done it. That knowledge did little, though, to ease the knot in her chest.

She finally reached Jacqueline's apartment and immediately felt a wave of relief wash over her. Jacqueline opened the door, clearly in a state of surprise. "Ariel! What are you doing here?"

Ariel let out a weak smile as she stepped inside. "I … I had to see you."

Jacqueline's face instantly softened, and she took Ariel's hand, leading her toward the sofa. "Hey, are you okay? You look, I don't know, shaken.

Ariel let out a deep breath, as if words were hard to come by. "It's Romano. I. I found out he's." She stopped then, forcing herself to go on. "He's part of the mafia, Jacqueline. He's a leader."

Jacqueline's eyes stared wide, her mouth dropping open in mid-air. "What? Romano? Are you serious?

Ariel nodded, her eyes cast down at her hands. "Yeah, it's true. He told me everything. And now, I just.I don't know what to think. This isn't the kind of life I ever imagined for myself, you know?"

Jacqueline reached over, squeezing her hand. "Ariel, I get it. I mean, this is a lot to process. But are you? Are you scared?

Ariel hedged. "I don't know if 'scared' is the right word. It's just. I don't think I can live with looking over my shoulder every day, waiting to see if his enemies are coming for me. And the fact that he didn't tell me until now… it's like he kept a part of himself from me.

Jacqueline nodded, her eyes with pity. "I can't even imagine how hard this must be. But Ariel, maybe he kept it from you because he really cares about you. Maybe he was trying to protect you.

Ariel looked up, her eyes a mess of uncertainty. "Maybe. Still, at the end of the day, he's involved in something I've always avoided. And right now, I don't know if I can accept that part of him, no matter how much I may care."

Jacqueline wrapped her arms tightly around her, squeezing reassuringly. "Take your time, Ariel. Whatever you decide, I'm here for you. We'll figure this out together.