Not Like Ordinary People

The signature playful smile of Elio slowly slips upon hearing his best friend's claim. He then remains quiet for a moment before he rises from his seat and approaches the glass walls, gazing at the breathtaking view of the city. Still, his mind is not there.

"I have nothing to do with her," Elio Corbello mutters after a long silence.

"Are you sure?" Alessio's voice hints at doubt and Elio can feel it.

"She left, Alex," Elio utters, his voice slightly higher than usual. Turning around to meet his friend's gaze, he adds, "She made her choice."

"Have you ever tried to know the reason?" Despite his best friend who appears a bit tense, Alessio's composure is as calm as ever. All the while, he has his gaze on Elio who narrows his eyes, attempting not to lose his composure further than he does now.

"Is that important?" Elio asks his friend back after taking his time with his complicated mind. "What matters is her decision to leave me."

Elio's response reminds Alessio of the similarity between their situation. Elio was abandoned by someone whom he grew up with, someone whom he truly loved and relied on but in his case, he was the one who left someone who was always willing to make sacrifices for him.

Thinking of how much the pain still haunts his best friend even after several years, Alessio can't help but wonder if Alora went through the same.

In his case, he was immediately introduced to a whole new world the moment he left with his father. He was busy learning and adjusting to his new life while taking care of his mother at the same time. As such, he did not even have time to dwell on his own pain. Over time, he became convinced that she would have forgotten him. Not to mention that after he decided to follow in his father's footsteps after the assassination attempt on his father, he does not dare to dream of a reunion with her anymore. 

The more deep he dived into his new life, the more he became distanced from her and the memories they shared. As such, she slowly became just a beautiful memory for him, his past that will never become his present or future again.

"We are not like ordinary people, Alex."

Elio's voice snaps Alessio out of his stupor and the former continues by saying, "We have no future with someone who does not belong in our world. We can only choose someone who can walk down the same path as us. If we disregard this and push through, we both know it will only backfire on us."

His friend has a point and Alessio knows it. After all, his parents had a similar story. After learning about his father, he heard that his parents were both from Osmana, the country where he currently resides with his father. After learning about the nature of his father's family, his mother cut ties with him and ran away to Elentrus. His father looked for his mother who was pregnant with him at that time and never stopped searching for 16 years until he found them in Elentrus.

"Now that I have said it, let me give you advice." Elio breaks the silence once again. As he walks towards his friend, that familiar playful smile is back on his face. He then halts next to Alessio and says, "Just marry Celina. She is the best choice for you."

Alessio looks up at his friend and lets out a heavy sigh, eliciting a chuckle from the latter.

"I am not wrong," Elio Corbello insists. "In our world, you won't find someone like her who is a perfect match for you in every way." His smile turns even more mysterious when he adds, "Besides, I know you will end up marrying her anyway. Your father is very keen on letting it happen after all."

With a victorious smile on his face, Elio Corbello walks out of the room, only to cross paths soon with the woman in question, Celina Vacarelli.

At the sight of the Don of the Corbello crime family, the consigliere of the De Fazio crime family bows her head. "Don Elio."

"Celina," Elio Corbello addresses and nods his head. "I heard you arrived yesterday."

"That's right. I was told that you were out when I arrived."

Elio Corbello simply smiles and eyes the door to his best friend's room before he asks, "I heard you had dinner together last night. Did something happen?" Though he did not say anything about it to Alessio, he can tell that something is bothering him. Alex is not the type to show but as his longtime friend, he always manages to see through him somehow.

Celina Vacarelli briefly recalls their encounter with that woman who seems to be Don Alessio's acquaintance and how the Don appears quite troubled after it. However, she cannot draw a conclusion as she knows nothing about the history between the two. "I am not sure," she responds. "Don Alessio is never easy to read. He rarely shows his feelings either."

Don Elio nods his head in understanding and flashes another playful smile. "I am often out. So, I will trust you to take care of him." He leans a bit toward the consigliere's ear and whispers, "You know, he never listens."

When the Don pulls back, Celina bows her head. "You don't have to worry, Don Elio. I will always do my job."

With a chuckle, Elio Corbello playfully points his finger at Celina and walks past her while remarking, "I know you will."

Once the Don of the Corbello family is out of her sight, Celina Vacarelli resumes her steps and approaches Alessio's room. Once she stands before the door, the incident from the other night flashes before her eyes, making her shut her eyes for a moment. When she opens them again, she eventually knocks on the door and enters when she hears Alessio's response.

Alessio is still sitting on one of the couches and Celina walks toward him before halting a few steps away. She then bows her head. "I come to apologize for last night," she says and continues, "I was a little drunk and went out of line. Please forgive me."

When Alessio shifts his gaze to Celina, he is reminded of what the latter did the other night but almost immediately, he brushes it off his mind. "Forget about it," he says. "Have a seat."

Once Celina sits down opposite him, Alessio asks, "Did Loris brief you on the movement our men report?"