57. A Thanksgiving ( Part 21)

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Angelo sighed and walked to the drinks table. He wasn't even thirsty but he just needed an excuse to occupy himself. He didn't like how Arturo was giving him hateful looks from across the room as he was talking to Sancia and Emanuelle. He couldn't tell what Arturo was saying to them even if he tried. There was still live music playing in the room as the guests were waiting for Francesco and Anna to return so they could all go to dinner.

Arturo kept glancing at him in the middle of his conversation and Angelo had a bad feeling about it. Arturo seemed like a strong, dominant character who radiated authority from meters away. Angelo definitely couldn't see himself getting along with him. But he could see Anna with him. She could handle him. They matched well. At the thought of Anna he sighed deeply. Maybe if Arturo didn't exist, him and Anna could have a chance together but Angelo knew that he just wasn't Anna's type of man who could ever make her truly happy. He didn't deserve her, he thought. He wished he could to talk to her and clear the air. He wished he could tell her he just wanted to see her happy with Arturo. There was just too much chemistry between Anna and Arturo. Anyone who saw how Anna and Arturo looked into each others eyes could understand that.

As Angelo put his empty glass on the table and contemplated which drink to have, he heard him from behind "Angelo. Is it?"

Angelo turned around and saw non other than the devil himself, Arturo Agostini. Angelo spoke " That's me sir. Nice to meet you."

Arturo spoke " I can't say likewise Angelo. I have heard so much about you from different sources. But I would like you to tell me about yourself. I know you danced with my Anna at the Hollywood ball. I know you tried to take over her heart. There is no need to deny that. But I wish to know what is special about you. Who are you really? I have heard enough about you but wish to hear it from you too ." He then looked at him expectantly.

Angelo spoke " There is nothing to tell. I am just a doctor working for my sister's fiancé at this compound. There is nothing special for me to tell you about myself. But let me inform you that .... actually sir, I have heard so much about you too prior to tonight...."

Arturo spoke " Really? Who has been informing you about me?"

Angelo replied " Anna, of course. At the dance, she told me so much about you and how you have known each other since childhood."

Arturo narrowed his eyes " Go on. What else have you heard?"

Angelo spoke " Anna told me enough to know that .... I was competing with a man I could never beat. She made me realise how special she is and how special her relationship with you has been. It made me realise, what a formidable woman she is and I realised I could never make her happy but I know you can."

Arturo asked suspiciously " What makes you think that? You met my woman on one night and you pass on such judgment."

Angelo sighed " Because when she was really smiling and giving me a look of joy and excitement was when she mentioned you. She talked of you in a manner that made me feel I was a stranger in the presence of a woman who was already taken. You have a special place in her young heart. I wish I was the one for her but I am not."

Arturo was taken back. He didn't expect Angelo to respond that way. He just wanted to have a short conversation with him and let him know he was not happy for Angelo having eyes for his woman but then came the revelations from Anna that Angelo mentioned. Anna actually had talked about him. She remembered him at that party as she had danced with Angelo. Arturo needed to hear much more now. As he was about to push for more information, he was interrupted by O'Neil who stood next to him and faced Angelo.

O'Neil spoke " Hello there doctor. I am sorry, I haven't been able to catch up with you till now." He then put his hand on Arturo's shoulder and whispered in his ear " Become allies with Francesco and I. Then you can borrow the doctor. What do you say?"

Arturo ignored O'Neil's question and turned to Angelo "I think you would find company of Mrs O'Neil very interesting if you work for the O'Neils at any occasion. Best of luck." Then he tried to side step O'Neil but he blocked Arturo's path with his body.

O'Neil asked " What are you implying?"

Arturo looked at O'Neil " I am implying that your wife's company is interesting. How many doctors has she sacked in the past few months? Fifteen?"

O'Neil spoke "Twenty five actually. My woman has high expectations. But anyone who is Francesco's trusted doctor is good enough for us. We have been trying for a baby for a while. It's important to have a trustworthy and reliable doctor. We both know how important it is to have heirs Arturo. Don't you?"

Angelo noticed how Arturo's expression changed slightly. It was as though he agreed with O'Neil for the first time. How was that possible? The two of them didn't seem like they agreed on anything.

Just in that moment Francesco followed by Anna entered in the room and he signaled for the music to stop. He announced as he walked to Adele and took her hand " It's dinner time, Ladies and gents. Lets make our way." He then took Adele's hand and lead her to the entrance of the dining room as the guests followed. He opened the door and Adele was lead inside followed by the guests.

As Adele was lead inside the dining room hand in hand with Francesco, she gasped at how nicely decorated it was. It was the most beautiful thanksgiving dining room Adele had ever seen. The walls were covered with sparkling ribbons and fresh flowers with a heavenly scent. Colourful, beautiful flowers were nicely placed in vases around the room brightening up the place. The crystal chandeliers were shining into the room and reflecting off the silver cutlery on the table. The table was so nicely laid out. There were various traditional dishes with touch of luxury on the table. The special meals included a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables. There were a variety of drinks around the massive table too. Adele couldn't help keep looking around in awe as she was lead to the table and sat down as Francesco held a chair out for her.

As the guests sat down, they looked at the seating form of Francesco waiting for him to say something. It was thanksgiving and he was the host.

Francesco poured himself a drink and poured Adele a drink. The guests mirrored his actions. Francesco then held his wine glass up and spoke "I would like to drink to my family, my allies and those who are soon to become part of my family." He then drank up and so did the guests. He then spoke "Why don't we help ourselves and make a start?"

As Francesco reached for bread and butter, so did the guests. All except Arturo. He was looking at Francesco thoughtfully.

Francesco looked up at Arturo "Is there something the matter? Would you like something else?" He then took a bite of his bread.

O'Neil laughed "Arturo, I am sure, we could order some pizza for you if you miss Italian dishes. Can you live without Mozzarella and green peppers for a day?"

Arturo turned to O'Neil " The food is fine O'Neil. I think if Francesco should order anything extra for anyone, he should order some Irish cream to go with the pumpkin pie for you. Don't you think?"

O'Neil spoke "The roasted potatoes are my favourite. I can live without Irish cream for a day."

Francesco spoke "I have an Irish cream based drink in the corner of the room on the drinks table Emanuelle."

Emanuelle spoke "I am fine Francesco. Its a fantastic feast you have here."

Anna turned to Arturo who was still not eating "Why don't you have some of the fresh bread. its nice to start the meal with bread and butter. Its from one of the finest ranges of French baguettes from one of Francesco's bakery chains"

Arturo nodded and reached for the bread. He took a bite and smiled at Anna who obviously was trying to distract him. "Of course darling."

Arturo then looked back up at Francesco who was eating as watching him expectantly. Arturo started buttering his bread "I was just thinking about how I would like to see us being loyal to the American traditions tonight. Tell us what you are grateful for Francesco. As the host, I thought you would start us off with that. That is why I was waiting."

Francesco spoke "I don't think that would be necessary. I know what I am grateful for. I don't need to state it in front of family and friends."

O'Neil turned to Arturo "Francesco doesn't do thanksgiving talks. You should know that..." He then looked around the table "I will start us off. I am grateful for having survived an assassination mid air and I have a woman beside me who has my ring on her finger." He then looked directly at Arturo as he spoke the next words " I am sure many people are not as lucky as I am and don't have a woman in their life that they can call theirs. Lets hope the Lord shows mercy on them and a woman agrees to be theirs after many failed attempts they may have had to get themselves a woman. There is nothing more important in life for a man than having a woman by his side who he can trust...." He then turned to Sancia " What do you think darling?"

Sancia was looking directly at Anna as she responded "Of course. I think a husband and wife share a bond that anyone staying out of wedlock could never understand. the sacred bond of marriage is there for a reason. But as you said darling, many are unfortunate and are not blessed with it." She then turned to O'Neil "I am grateful to have you and hope that next thanksgiving there will be a new addition to our family."

Georgina suddenly started coughing.

O'Neil leaned close and kissed Sancia's lips.

As they broke apart and got on with eating, Arturo was looking at the couple with a disapproving look and was about to voice his thoughts but then noticed as Georgina was still coughing.

Georgio's fiancé, Flora poured some water in a glass and handed it to Georgina "Are you well?"

Georgina rolled her eyes and took the glass. She took sips of water as she smiled "I am fine."

Georgina then turned to Sancia "I was just picturing what an extraordinary mother you will make Sancia. I just had that picture in my mind..."

Sanica spoke "And you started suffocating with a cough right after picturing it? Really Georgina?"

Antonio was worried now. He spoke "Well, what can I say? Georgina was so excited when she heard your wishes that she choked on her wine. She is sensitive when babies are mentioned. Aren't you?"

Georgina turned to Antonio and gave him a forced smile "Of course."

O'Neil eyed Antonio "What are you grateful for?"

Antonio spoke "Rosarios don't do thanksgiving talks as you know O'Neil. But, I am grateful that I don't live in London alone with my mother anymore away from my family. Those were fourteen years of my life I never wish to go back to."

Georgina was looking at Antonio with awe. Antonio hardly ever hid anything. Even O'Neil backed off most times when it came to Antonio who always put his feelings out there. He hardly ever hid anything about his personal life so people like Arturo and O'Neil just ran out of things to pick on or taunt him on.

As the table turned silent and guests were having starters, Antonio looked around the table " Now, I think others can take turns." He then looked beside himself and saw Arturo and spoke "Would you share with us what you are grateful for?"

Arturo spoke " I am grateful for Anna, for her presence right beside me. I am grateful that she is the love of my life and not any other woman who could make my life not so great." He was staring right at Amaranta now. Costanzo noticed his stare on Amaranta and wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her back as he looked back at Arturo with a stare of his own.

Arturo continued "There are women I could never live with and would rather they didn't breathe the same air that I do. I would rather they would never be related to me or have anything to do with my family for how their blood could taint my line if they ever mix with my family." He then gave a dark smile to Amaranta.

Amaranta looked at Costanzo who had his arm protectively around her waist and smiled nervously

It was Francesco who spoke as he got up "I should cut the turkey now, unless you want to do the honours Arturo."

Arturo shook his head "No. I think this is your home so its your right to cut the turkey. You do the great honours."

Francesco leaned over the table and picked up a knife pointing it at the turkey "I didn't know it was such an honour to cut a turkey. This is just a turkey. Its not like you are pointing a knife to your enemy which I know you take great joy of doing. But of course there is a place and time for everything." He then got on with cutting the turkey.

O'Neil spoke "I agree Francesco. You see he is just not in the right mood because he is missing something in his life or rather something missing on Anna's finger. She said she wanted to wait until she graduated from college to answer Arturo's proposal but what is going on now?"

As Arturo balled his hands into fists and was about to have a come back, Anna held his hand in hers on the table and turned to O'Neil. " Arturo is not missing anything Emanuelle. I don't have a ring on my finger simply because I have beliefs. Francesco has given me his blessing but I haven't taken permission from my father and haven met Arturo's parents. To me, any marriage proposals prior to that is void. After that then Arturo can ask me to marry him officially and I wont hesitate to say yes. I am Arturo's and no one else's and don't you forget it. But what can I say, I am a traditional kind of girl, you see. I do this the old fashioned way."

Arturo was shocked. He turned to Anna and couldn't believe what she had just said that.

Francesco nodded and spoke "Have some turkey now."

Everyone was frozen in spot as they were looking at Anna after her speech. it was all a revelation.

O'Neil spoke "I think this calls for a toast." As he held his wine glass up "I wish to congratulate you both for staying strong and being patient. Saving yourself for marriage Anna has my respect."

Francesco raised his glass " When Arturo asks you to marry him after you get your permission from your father and meet his father... and if you decide to marry Arturo Anna, i would like you to consider my proposal that Arturo and you should become godparents to my second born child. I have already asked O'Neil to be godfather to my first born ...."

O'Neil froze and turned to Francesco. He then laughed "Have you gone mad Francesco? That would mean, you would have to be godfather to Arturo's child in return. Are you sure about this? I think you can handle being godfather to my child but his blood is something else. Don't go there friend."

Arturo was deep in thought now. He was looking at Francesco in an unreadable expression "That would bind us by blood."

Francesco nodded "It would."

Arturo narrowed his eyes as held his wine glass up alongside others at the table "May I make a suggestion. I was hoping to hold a party in honour of Francesco's and Adele's engagement at my ship tonight after this dinner but I changed my mind. I think there should be a party at my father's mansion. I would like to invite everyone at this table to fly to Italy and stay at my fathers home where there will be celebrations after formalities are done. It is in honour of Anna. I would take offence if you say no. If you say yes, we would become friends or rather remain friends..."

Anna was looking back at Arturo with a hard expression. This was not a good sign. His plan was to take action on his own territory somehow with all these people present. Whether, it was his ship or his father's home it didn't matter. This wasn't a good sign. She was hoping Francesco was going to say no. What was he planning?

Francesco spoke "I would like to accept. There are some unfinished business I have in Italy, in Sicily to be precise either way."

At that moment Adele froze. She knew the business had something to do with his parents.

Arturo nodded "I am pleased to hear that Francesco. I will lend you resources for your unfinished business too. You will have plenty of time to attend to that as my father would prepare the celebrations in coming days."

Costanzo looked at Amaranta with a sad smile. Taking Amaranta to Agostini territory could complicate his situation. But if Francesco went to Italy, he had to go too. But then he also picked up on Francesco mentioning Sicily. This was it. This was the time for Francesco to deal with the Voltolinis, their parents and of course Arturo's new relations with the Rosarios if Anna truly meant her words.

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