Adele lifted her head up and Looked into Francesco's eyes. She swallowed hard as her chance came along to tell Francesco the truth. She tried to keep a streaky voice and avoid trembling but her body shook anyways as she muttered " I wanted to say something actually ......I love you. I always have. I have been too afraid to admit it. I still am afraid of how it would change everything."

Francesco froze. He stopped moving and looked into Adele's eyes with surprise. He expected to hear anything but Adele's declaration of loving him. Did his angel just say that?

Francesco spoke " Adele ..... Did you mean that?..... Do you really mean it? Have I pressured you to say you love me? If I have... then sweetheart, you must know I am willing to wait. I won't be happy about it if I have to wait but I will wait if you .... ask me to. So sweetheart you don't have to say it. Take it back if you didn't mean it."

Adele didn't know where her courage were coming from. Something inside her was telling her bit to hold back and let it all go. A voice inside her was telling her that waiting was over. Francesco had waited long enough and she had done enough waiting too. Something inside her was telling her to listen to Anna who had jumped on the first chance she had at love. Maybe Francesco was right. She was his first love and his last. Maybe it was true in her case too and she couldn't see it. Maybe Francesco was also her first love and her last because she was sure she definitely didn't love anyone else. She didn't even love Michael. He was her best friend and that was all.

Adele took a deep breath " I refuse to take back the truth. I love you too Francesco. I always have..... But there are many things I wish you could change..... like your life style choice."

Francesco whispered " You will get used to it sweetheart. You would learn to get used to it...." He then leaned close and brushed his lips against hers. His hot breath was tingling her lips and his intense stare was making her blush. He whispered " But I can't believe you said you loved me back when I expressed my love to you. Do you have any idea how happy you have made me feel?..... Let me show you." He then attached his lips to hers and kissed her deeply and passionately but with a gentle touch that Adele loved.

As Francesco was kissing her and Adele was struggling to keep up as the pleasure was getting too much, from the corner of her eye, Adele noticed that Costanzo was looking more cheerful now. He was staring at them with a smile from his table and even giving them a wave. Of course this was what he wanted. He wanted Adele's relationship to work since his past relationships hadn't been successful and were rather tragic in many ways.

Costanzo was indeed feeling content to see his brother and Adele happily dancing with each other and looking like they were loving each others touch. He kept smiling at Adele and waved at her. Then Anna's voice brought him out of his thoughts "They look great together don't they."

Costanzo looked at Anna who just took a seat at his deserted table. He raised an eyebrow " Yes. They do.... Where is Angelo?"

Anna smiled " He is getting me a cup of coffee. I asked him to get me a fresh coffee so he would be a while. I wanted to speak to you."

Costanzo looked back at Francesco and Adele who were continuing to hold each other and kissing. He muttered " Anna. Right now I am not in a talkative mood."

Anna reached her hand to Costanzo's arm and held it gently " I know. But since when does that stop me Costanzo. I have things to say to you and you have got to hear it. I want to talk about how you are feeling right now ..."

Costanzo turned to Anna and sighed " Fine. I forgot you have total disregard about my reluctance to share my feelings."

Anna spoke " Costanzo. You have to stop this. I want you to stop hurting yourself. I want you to get over her."

Costanzo spoke " What do you know about her. I love Elize."

Anna shook her head " I am not talking about Elize. I am talking about Sancia. Don't you dare deny it. I know you love her. You love her badly. Even after she got married. Don't let her do this to you please. She is a married woman. Her husband is in a coma and could regain consciousness. Did you know that?"

Costanzo was looking at Anna with disbelief " He is .... Alive? Really? It can't be. O'Neil is said to be dead."

Anna shook her head " He is alive. But that's not the point. The point is that you love Sancia too much. She is taken. She is married. I would have thought you would have gotten over her by now but it seems nothing has changed after all these years. When are you going to open your eyes and see that chances of happiness are slipping away. You loved Sancia. She refused you to hurt the Rosarios by marrying the man you despised. It's over. Why can't you start a new life with another woman. For heavens sake, any single woman in this room would say yes to you. No one would refuse your charms. What are you waiting for exactly."

Costanzo looked saddened. He spoke weakly " If I approach any woman, Sancia would hurt them."

Anna chuckled " Don't play that game with me. Take my advice. You shouldn't open your old wounds. Forget Sancia. For the last time... She is married. She is pregnant. You need to find yourself a girl. You must start a family."

Costanzo spoke " I am not playing games. Sancia threatened me."

Anna rolled her eyes " I know. I know all about it. She used some colourful words earlier when she came to see me in my room. She gave a speech on how I am taking side with her love rival. Of course she didn't refer to Elize so politely but to cut the story short, she told me that she has sent you flowers and a note to warn you, any girl is in danger. I know all about it. Let me tell you ...., That's not the answer to my question. Tell me why on earth you are sitting at this table all alone when you could dance with any single and available girl in this room? I want you to confess with your own words. I know the answer but I want you to admit it. It's part of the healing process."

Costanzo was becoming impatient " Again. For the last time..... Sancia threatened me. I don't want anyone to get hurt just because I dance with them."

Anna spoke " Come on Costanzo. We both know its not true. If you want something you get it done. Who is Sancia to matter. Her threats are meaningless. I know you are fully capable of protecting any woman you date."

Costanzo spoke " But not Elize. I can't protect her from Sancia. I am not allowed. Francesco wouldn't let me."

Anna spoke " But you know that I am protecting Elize from her. I said i would. My personnel are not all useless you know. They are my fathers best trainees. No one would touch Elize. I promise you. But again. We both know, Sancia's threats are irrelevant if Elize was the only one on your mind...... Don't look at me like that as though I am talking gibberish. Lets go back in the memory lane. Do you remember how you used to break into warehouses of targets when you were sent on missions. Do you? How did you do it? You broke down the walls, or smashed the windows or went in through the chimney or Would have brought down the roof..."

Costanzo spoke " And your point is ...."

Anna sighed " My point is that Costanzo, you are a strong character. If you want something done, you get it done. If you want something done you try every way possible except the route that would get you into trouble. When you broke into a warehouse, you didn't break down the door. Ever. You went in, by other means. By other safer means that guaranteed your passing."

Costanzo spoke " You make no sense."

Anna spoke " Really now? Don't I make any sense? Admit it. You have never gone after Elize to get her back. I am not talking about confronting Francesco and risking his wrath. No. That's not what I mean. Think about it. How many times did I tell you to find a way to convince her father to resign as a senator and retire. He is a wealthy shareholder in Wall Street. He could retire any day. Tell me. Why did you not encourage him to sit out of politics. Answer me. That would have convinced Francesco of letting you have Elize."

Costanzo stood up " I think I have heard enough. You have no idea what has been going on in my mind all this time. You don't know anything."

Anna spoke " For heavens sake. Give up on her. Give up on Sancia. Move on with your life. Admit it, you didn't get Elize back successfully because you didn't fight for her just hoping there was a way you could get Sancia back. You love Sancia so much, you are missing what's right in front of you. I warn you, every man is given a chance at love. If they don't take it, something or someone would take it away from them. Don't tell me I didn't warn you when you lose both Sancia and Elize. Oh guess what, you already have. Elize is dancing with that famous actor over there. It may be even too late now. Who knows. But ..... Let me tell you one crucial thing I have learnt Costanzo. When love happens, it happens for a reason. If you let it slip away, your love maybe taken away from you by different possible ways. You get a reasonable number of chances in finding love. If you don't take your chances, then someone else will. Then it would be too late."

Costanzo sighed " I need to think. I need to clear my head. Excuse me. I need to go to the balcony or lobby or my room or somewhere away from here to breathe. If I don't return before you make your way to your room, to sleep, let me say, see you in the morning. Good night." He then turned around and walked towards the ballroom's exit.

Anna spoke in a sad tone" Good night and good luck."