Chapter 39 - Half Truth & Gaining Trust

"After they finished eating, Alessandro decided to try and explain their situation to the old man. He knew he had to be careful, to reveal only what was necessary.'My name is Alessandro,' he said, his voice calm and steady. 'And this is Clara. We're... in trouble. We're being hunted.'The old man raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. 'Hunted, you say? By who?'Alessandro hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth. 'By my father,' he said. 'He's a powerful man, and he wants us dead.'The old man stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. 'Why?' he finally asked.'It's complicated,' Alessandro said. 'But it comes down to this: I chose Clara over my family, and he doesn't approve.'The old man nodded slowly, as if he understood. 'I see,' he said. 'So you're on the run.''Yes,' Alessandro said. 'And we need your help. We need a place to hide, a place where my father will never find us.'The old man was silent for a long moment, considering their request. Alessandro held his breath, waiting for his answer.'I don't know,' the old man said finally. 'Helping you could be dangerous. Your father sounds like a ruthless man.''I know,' Alessandro said. 'But we're not asking you to fight him. We just need a place to stay, a place to rest and recover. We won't cause you any trouble. We promise.'The old man looked at Clara, his eyes softening slightly. He seemed to be moved by her vulnerability.'Alright,' he said finally. 'You can stay here for a while. But you have to follow my rules. And you have to tell me everything. I want to know exactly what I'm getting myself into.'"