Another Man's Reality

Oh, if only Don Giovanni's dreams were true. Truth is, he never recovered from the terrible wounds he sustained when the Hellfire missile struck. Though the doctors tried their best to save him, he was too far gone by the time he reached the hospital. There was simply nothing they could do. Most of his Soldatos were willing to work with Don Burnett, given how much they admired and respected him. But his most loyal men refused to cooperate.

They created a splinter organization, one which was quickly wiped out in a short but bloody confrontation. When he finally wiped out the last of those who remained loyal to his former friend, James found himself in a position his father could only dream of. All of Elysium belonged to him. From the British Isles all the way to Poland, and stretching down to the island of Sicily, the whole of the Elysian continent, these were the territories now under his control. Those on his payroll almost doubled and many associates wasted no time visiting the one and only Don of the Elysian Mafia to show their loyalty.

But for James, things were just not the way he liked anymore. Though he was now officially the only Mafia boss and the most powerful criminal of the underworld, he knew what he did to achieve such a position. Many innocents he killed just to keep secrets and while he knew he helped plenty of friends, most notably Littlefoot the Apatosaurus, James knew he killed more innocents than those who actually deserved to die. The only reason he never felt like this before was because he had a loving wife.

Madame Charmaine, the most beautiful and seductive lady he had ever met, helped him through each day. Her unwavering loyalty and devotion to him was what kept him going even after he did something no one would forgive. Now it seems even she was prepared to ditch him. That argument they had in the Aston Martin was the only conversation they had for the entire trip. And as they drew nearer to the glorious looking Villa in Palermo, James felt a great urge to shoot himself in the head.

"Don Burnett." The chief who commanded the Soldatos tasked with keeping the villa safe greeted him. "Welcome to your new home."

"Take my wife and kids for a walk." He replies with a smile. "I'll need some alone time."

"Roger that."

Once James had his Aston Martin Rapide parked in the driveway, he sat patiently as he waited for his wife to ready up. The chief came by and opened the door for her and the kids. As instructed, he began the tour as soon as they were ready. James on the other hand went straight for the kitchen and fetched himself a bottle of Gran Riserva before heading out into the pool area. It wasn't because he wanted to drown himself after downing a full bottle but because the view from here was simply amazing.

He places his arms against on the top of the glass and took a gulp of beer. From here he could see the hills and the ocean; quite a majestic view indeed.

"James." Charmaine said as she wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. "I'm sorry about the argument."

"I don't blame you, my dear." He sighed with a smile. "Truth is, I'm not a role model father at all."

"And I'm willing to accept your faults."

"Well that's a sudden change in attitude."

"Marco, the chief who is responsible, talked to me about the importance of a Don's woman. He told me you were facing a lot of pressure."

"Many things I've done I wish to remain a secret."

"And I'm not going to be nosy and ask you about it." She gives her old seductive smile, one James hadn't seen on her face in ages. "Come on, I'm cooking dinner tonight."

Her determination and will to live was all Ali needed to survive. Though water did rush into her nostrils and she did choke, Littlefoot's former girlfriend eventually broke the surface once more. And by then, the coast guard had come to her aid. One of the crew members on board the RHIB pulled her on board and wrapped her in a blanket as they moved the boat towards the docks. More men could be seen rushing down the dock itself, among them three police officers of the Federal Police.

Once they dragged her ashore, the police officers took control of the situation. Due to the terrible conditions, they did not place her in leg cuffs but they did mention they were taking her away, not to prison but to Elysium's psychiatric hospital for war veterans to give her a full checkup. Littlefoot caught up with her at the entrance to the dock and he told the cops to leave them be momentarily.

"Why didn't you just let me drown?" She asked.

"Truth is, Ali. I still have feelings for you." He answers. "If I didn't, Don Burnett might've been the one visiting you."

"So you still love me?"

"As a friend, perhaps a mistress, but not more."

The driver of the van which would take Ali to the hospital beeped the horn; it was time for her to go. Before she departed, the female Apatosaurus and her former boyfriend made sure to embrace one last time and they did not forget the Nuzzle of friendship. Soaked by the rain and hearing the sound of waves crashing in the background, Littlefoot watched his ex-girlfriend hop into the back of the white van and disappear round the corner.

Not too long after, his driver came and picked him up. During the short drive back to his office, the Apatosaurus pondered about what he said earlier. "Perhaps a mistress", those three words were highlighted in his mind. Ever since he founded Great Valley Airlines, his pal James Burnett had reminded him that all businessmen tend to have mistresses one way or the other. They could be his secretary or a longtime friend.

Cera would certainly disapprove of this, Littlefoot thought.