✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*CORDIALLY LINKED✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

*＊✿❀CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE❀✿＊*

➹THIRD PERSON PERSPECTIVE➷

✾March 17th, 2013- 13:15: Sheffield✾

Giovanni left the nightclub five hours ago, and unfortunately, he lost his sobriety and is now asleep in his car, which is parked eight minutes away from The Obsidian Fortress.

A few minutes had passed since he had fallen asleep when, all of a sudden, a gentle knock could be heard at the window of the driver's side door.

The man became increasingly concerned as he did not receive a reply from Giovanni even after knocking on the window several times, but he did not receive a response.

He was on the verge of giving up, but unexpectedly, he heard the sound of the car door opening. He stepped back and observed as Giovanni exited the vehicle.

"Could you tell me what the issue is?" Giovanni sighed softly as he looked up at Mr. Balestrieri.

"Hello, son." Giovanni sighed as he unlocked the car door and opened it, but before he could step inside, his father gently placed a hand on his arm to stop him.

"Please let go of my arm." Giovanni attempted to gently pull his arm away, but unfortunately, his father's strength surpassed his own.

"May I have a brief moment of your time, please?" Giovanni's eyes briefly rolled before he subtly indicated his agreement with a nod.

"May I suggest a more private setting for our discussion?" Giovanni gestured towards a discreet café situated diagonally across the street from their current location.

The two gentlemen crossed the empty street with a brisk pace, their destination being the café. They arrived at the establishment in under a minute. Giovanni, without holding the door open for his father, entered the café, leaving his father to open the door for himself.

"It appears that you have remained the same over the years." Giovanni politely stated as he approached the counter to order a beverage for himself. His father followed suit and also ordered a drink for himself.

After receiving their caffeinated beverages, they proceeded to an unoccupied table in the corner of the café, where Mr. Balestrieri promptly initiated a conversation.

"I regret to inform you that your mother passed away last week due to Necrotising Fasciitis." Giovanni was taken aback by the unexpected news. He had recently engaged in a conversation with her last week, and her sudden passing came as a shock.

"I find it difficult to comprehend how this could have occurred. I recently had a conversation with her, and now you inform me of her passing. Alternatively, you may be stating this solely to initiate a conversation due to a lack of alternative topics." Mr. Balestrieri was caught in a compromising position, and he was displeased with the level of intelligence his son had attained.

"I must admit, I was not entirely truthful in my previous statement." Despite the passage of time and the absence of physical proximity or communication with his father, he still seems to be dishonest.
 
"I must admit, I had hoped for some personal growth on your part, but it appears my expectations were misplaced. It seems that individuals such as yourself are resistant to change." Mr. Balestrieri lifted his cup and took a sip of his flat white.

"I would like to know more about what is currently happening in your life, if you don't mind sharing. Also, I hope you are doing well. Are you still with that dishonourable man?" Giovanni refrained from causing a scene, particularly in a public setting, as he understood that it would only draw unwanted attention to himself, which he disliked. Instead, he responded with a quiet scoff and a stern gaze directed at his father.

"Excuse me, but he does have a name, and for your information, I am doing quite well. Thank you for your concern." Giovanni remarked with a hint of sarcasm as he also took a sip of his caffeinated beverage.

"May I ask the reason for your presence in Falkirk? I was under the impression that you had relocated to Sheffield in pursuit of your former boyfriend." Mr. Balestrieri was fully aware of his son's deep infatuation with Alistair, and shortly after their separation, an uproarious situation ensued.

Giovanni has undergone a significant transformation. He used to be a person characterized by love, kindness, generosity, and trustworthiness. However, it appears that he has now adopted contrasting traits.

"Would you mind sharing the reason behind Alistair's decision to end the relationship? I would appreciate your honesty and openness in this matter." Although Giovanni had no desire to dwell on the past, he found himself unable to resist the flood of memories that his father's words had unleashed.

"It transpired a few years prior to the occurrence of the incident in Birmingham in the year 2007."