Francesco shrugged " I told you from the beginning, if you don't believe in marriage then we can call it off when the time comes that we are ready to ..... you know .... take the next step. We don't have to seal our love by getting married if you don't want to but .... we will be together and we will have children. I talk about marriage and weddings because ..... I would like to see you in that white dress and more importantly ... I want to tell the whole world in front of an audience that you are mine. Getting married will make it official that you are Mrs Rosario. Even though you are already my woman, our society wants more than that. But if you don't want to, we won't get married. We just can be together. We don't need a marriage contract to make our bond official. We don't need a piece of paper to make us be bound to some woes. I know all I want in my life is to honour and cherish you. All I want is to spend the rest of my life with you. All I want is to hold you in my arms when you are sick and take care of you. All I want is to spend every waking moment with you and try to make you happy. All I want is to prove to you that I am a loyal man and would never cheat on you. I would cut out my own heart if I ever lay eyes on another woman and feel anything for her that I feel for you. You are the only woman for me. Always have been and always will be. Now tell me sweetheart. What do you want?"

Adele took a deep breath and looked away. She was finding it hard and nerve wracking to look into Francesco's eyes and to feel his closeness if she was to answer him. But Francesco was having none of that . He reached his hand and grabbed her chin gently and turned her facing him. He looked into her eyes " Go on. Answer me sweetheart. Tell me what you really want. But you must look at me or I would not be happy. I want to see your beautiful eyes. Why do you keep looking away?"

Adele didn't know how to tell him that she feared seeing his reaction as reason for looking away. She also felt overwhelmed with emotion being so close to him. But she tried hard to focus and not stutter as she spoke even though she was trembling from being nervous " Francesco ..... firstly .... I like weddings. So lets be clear on that."

Francesco spoke " I like weddings too." He then pulled his hand away from her chin and started kissing her collar bone and her neck. He had chosen so many strapless long dresses for her for a reason. He whispered " I heard what I wanted to hear. Go on sweetheart. You were saying." He then carried on planning kisses on her collarbone up to her neck.

Adele sighed. At least his penetrating stare wasn't haunting her. It made it easier for her to speak. She took deep breaths and spoke " Where was I? Yes. I like weddings. I don't mind that. But what I do mind is what happens after that. I want a life with the man i love that is peaceful. I want peace. I don't want to be surrounded by armed men. I don't want to be the wife who every time I go out with my husband, I fear getting shot. I want peace and more importantly I want peace for ...... my children if I have any."

That stopped Francesco from kissing her. He pulled away and to say that the expression on Francesco's face was intimidating was an understatement. He looked like he was in his business mode " Let me correct you sweetheart. That's our children and we will have children. There are no ifs. I need heirs Adele. Sweetheart. You also now live in my world or rather underworld. I am a crime boss. There is never no danger but i wont let any danger to cone to you pr our children. I promise you. Don't I look strong enough to protect you? Answer me."

Adele remained silent. She didn't want to make things worse. But she panicked as he raised his voice. " I asked you a question Adele. Don't keep me waiting. Do I look weak to you that you doubt that I provide a peaceful life for you?"

She shook her head " I didn't say that. I said that I want peace. I didn't say you can't give me peace. I meant that I want you to quit being a criminal so we can have peace."

Francesco's reaction surprised Adele. He laughed. He laughed hard and his expression came back to his usual self from the business mode he reserved for when speaking to others. He sighed and spoke " For a second I thought you meant I am too weak to protect my family. That hurt my ego and made me want to prove to you I am not weak. So now that's resolved. Lets make out. This time. Kiss me back."

Adele spoke " Wait .... What about what I said about wanting you to quit."

Francesco spoke " I was pretending that I didn't hear that. I know you don't like this criminal life. It's not news to me. But you have always known this. I told you when I met you that I aspire to be a mob boss like my father and my uncle. Do you remember?"

Adele nodded " Yes I do."

Francesco spoke " Good. If you remember that then you must remember me saying to you also why I want to be a mob boss."

Adele knew where this was going " Yes I do remember that. You said you wanted this so you could protect me and your family. But what you do as profession makes enemies and they would want revenge. Other criminals would never leave our family be."

Francesco smiled " But they will .... Because I never leave any enemies alive unless they are underage of course. I normally put them under surveillance and then strike if they do anything that could imply they are after revenge. So that argument is off the table. Any thing else?"

Adele pushed on his hard rock chest and spoke " Actually there is. What about your soul."

Francesco sighed " Adele. I don't even know what you are talking about."

Adele spoke " Stop killing people. You lose your humanity when you kill people? Don't you see? That would be affecting our family.

Francesco stated simply " No. I don't see. That's my business. Don't talk about it. Or I may get angry sweetheart. But lets get to the point. I love how you said " Our family"." He then leaned over and kissed Adele's forehead.

Adele spoke " Francesco. We need to talk about important things? Our family ....."

Francesco chuckled " You said it again. I love you. Since you want to talk about our family why not discuss what we will name our children?"

Adele spoke " Francesco .... I really don't know what to say now...."

Francesco spoke " I like the sound of that .... Francesco. We can name our first born son " Francesco Junior." What do you think?"

Adele spoke " Francesco..."

Francesco spoke " Since you are warming up to us, maybe this is the best time to do this. I wanted to do this later but seems like you are ready." He then got up and walked to the sofa to his coat to Adele's confusion.

As Francesco picked up his coat and reached into his pocket, the was a knock on the door. Francesco gave out a frustrated sigh and shouted " Who is it. This is a freaking bad time to interrupt me."

It was Antonio's voice " Apologies. This is very urgent."

Francesco rolled his eyes and turned to Adele " I am sorry sweetheart." He then walked to the door and opened the door. He spoke firmly " Come inside and Speak."

Antonio spoke " I don't think it's best to talk about this in front of your lady. Trust me boss. Can I talk to you in my room or Costanzo's room."

Francesco shook his head and turned to Adele " I will be back baby." He then left with Antonio without another word.

Adele sighed deeply and glanced around the room. She was curious about what was in Francesco's pocket. So she walked to the sofa and picked up the coat and looked through its pockets. She gasped as she pulled our a velvet box. Her eyes widened and put it back in his coat quickly.

Adele took stepped backwards and sat on the bed. She knew it. She just knew it. Francesco was running out of patience. They had hardly been together for a few days and he had bought a ring already. She had no idea what she was going to say if he popped the question that day. She really didn't know. She knew one thing. She had to start thinking fast about an answer because the question was coming soon.