Adele had lost track of time. She had no idea how long she had been watching television for alongside Francesco. Ever since Antonio had been instructed to leave the room, Francesco had decided for them to watch TV and there had been no sound in the room for so long except for the television.

Adele and Francesco were sitting side by side on a sofa while Francesco had his arm possessively and tightly wrapped around Adele's lower back and had made her lean on to him. They were watching a comedy show now after they had finished watching their second game show. Adele could see that this comedy show had no effect on Francesco at all. He had a blank expression on his face staring straight at the television with his cold stare just as he was during the two game shows they had seen. But Adele really expected a smile out of him while watching this comedy. This worried Adele. It was as though he had no emotions at all.

Adele cleared her throat " Francesco ..."

Francesco looked at Adele with a softened expression that made her believe Francesco had some feelings inside. He spoke in a husky voice " Yes sweetheart."

Adele spoke " Why don't you show any emotions. You are not even reacting to this show. This is a comedy. You don't even laugh at the funniest jokes that would make anyone laugh."

Francesco turned to Adele " Why would I laugh when the whole time I have something else on my mind."

Adele asked "Like what kind of things?"

Francesco laughed "What kind of question is that? You of course. I only think about you. I get to touch you. I get to have you right next to me. There is so much on my mind. How can I think of what's on the television, when my first love is sitting right next to me. I think touching you is all I want and need. You make me breathe easier sweetheart."

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

Francesco spoke "You are so innocent. You know when couples watch movies or watch television, most of the time, they don't watch anything. The thought of the movie don't even cross their mind. They ...... do other things except watching their movie."

Adele blushed "But what kind of things? What else can someone do except watch?"

Francesco took a deep breath and his body relaxed "It sounds like you have never been to the pictures in your life. Have you?"

Adele shrugged "I have actually. I always sit on my usual seat at the front row. I love being close to the screen."

Francesco smiled "No wonder you don't know what happens with couples then when they are left in the dark and no one can disturb them. Do you want me to .... show you?"

Adele bit her lip "I don't know .... Does it hurt?"

Francesco spoke "Of course not. Lets try it. Tell me to stop when you don't want me to go on." He then wasted no time and leaned closer towards to Adele who was staring straight at the television. His breath was on her neck now. Adele wasn't sure what he wanted to do. She kept staring ahead and tried not to react. She closed her eyes tightly and let out a breath she was holding as she felt Francesco touched his lips to the spot where her shoulder met her neck and he kept planting kisses on her until he got to her jaw line. He then gently touched her chin and turned her face towards him.

Adele felt Francesco's lips against hers. She tried to kiss him back and met his rhythm with her own kisses. But then she was shocked. It was getting too much. She trembled and wanted to move away as Francesco's kisses were getting too intense. But she couldn't move away since Francesco had her waist in firm grip. He also was slowly reaching up his free hand and started unbuttoning her cardigan that she had worn over her strapless dress.

Adele opened her eyes and reached her hand over to Francesco's and held his hand. It stopped Francesco immediately. He gave Adele his deepest kiss and then pulled away slowly. He was still holding her waist and they were sitting closely. He looked at Adele with his piercing eyes so intensely that made her look away.

Francesco whispered "Look at me Adele. Don't you want me to go on?"

Adele reluctantly looked back at him. She whispered "I am sorry. I am .... just not ready for ...... any more than this. I cant take any more."

Francesco looked at Adele lovingly "Why do you say sorry sweetheart. Its alright. We don't have to go too fast. I was hoping you were ready for more. But I don't mind waiting. We can practice from time to time. You know as I told you before, I am decorating the third floor so its just for us and any .... children we may have. The third floor is very different to other floors. I have built many things on that floor that other floors don't have including a .... cinema theatre."

Adele was surprised "Really. You have a cinema theatre upstairs?"

Francesco nodded "Of course. I want us to have our own privacy when we watch movies and you know not be shy when we kiss. When its dark, they say its ... romantic. Do you want me to show you the cinema and some of the other rooms on the third floor? Some of the rooms are not finished but you can see the ones that are."

Adele would have done anything at that point to leave their bedroom. Hours of watching television had taken its toll on Adele. So she nodded enthusiastically "I would love to."

Francesco kissed her forehead and stood up and offered his hand for Adele to take and smiled "I wouldn't tire you out. Its just a quick tour and then we can have dinner."

Adele stood up and let Francesco lead her to the door and through many corridors and up the stairs to the third floor. Francesco had been right. The design of this top floor was totally different to the rest of the mansion that had dark colour wall papers, carpets and curtains. This floor was of course decorated with white and red colours. Adele of course knew it was because Francesco's mother loved red roses and white orchids. It made Adele feel sorry for Francesco. There was so little Francesco knew about his mother but with the little knowledge he had of her, he was trying to feel close to her, even if it was through decorating his residence with red carpets and white curtains.

Francesco spoke "The first room in this corridor is ours." He opened the door and spoke "After you my angel. Go inside."

Adele smiled weakly and walked in. She gasped and turned to Francesco as he entered behind her. She could hardly speak "Is that ..... my painting? You have had me painted. Its a massive and beautiful painting. I am even in my hospital uniform. It looks identical to a picture that was taken at a charity dinner. The photographer told me he had lost my picture. I never got it." She then noticed a framed picture of herself identical to the painting on a desk in the corner of the room. She turned to Francesco who was smiling silently at her standing at the door "You took my picture away and then you had it painted?"

Francesco walked to Adele "Actually it wasn't me. It was Costanzo who did it. He ordered some people who watched you to seize any opportunity to get a picture from you for me. Well, they didn't want to follow you with a camera around. they didn't want to scare you that some one is after you. They had orders not to let their presence known to you so you didn't feel like you were being watched and could lead a normal life. So when they saw a photographer taking pictures at your hospitals charity event, they paid him to ... lose your picture."

Adele spoke "Wow. I am in awe of this painter. This painting even looks better than my picture you know." She then noticed the signature of the painter at the bottom of the painting. She laughed "So coincidentally the name of the painter is Costanzo. Interesting. So is he a famous Italian painter."

Francesco rolled his eyes "Costanzo painted it. My brother Costanzo."

Adele turned around and looked at Francesco with wide eyes "You are not being serious. Are you? Is he really this talented as an artist? I cant believe it. I never knew. He was in the same class as me in art in Oklahoma but I never noticed how well he drew. Come to think of it .... he never drew. He was always sat there unmoving refusing to do anything in that particualar class. But why? Why did he hide his talent?"

Francesco spoke "He was afraid to. My father once caught him drawing a painting of our house when he was 8. He had borrowed paints, painting brushes and a frame from our school. Our father told him drawing was for people who are soft and burnt the painting of course and asked Costanzo where he got the colours and frame from. Lets say his art teacher was in hospital for a long time after that and didn't return to the school. So Costanzo blamed himself for that. He was so upset by the experience he never drew again. That was until he went to college to study law with Antonio and our cousin persuaded him to join the art club." Francesco shook his head and laughed "The funny thing is, Antonio cant even draw to save his life. He joined to flirt with girls. Most members of that art club were girls for some reason. I don't know I think one of the sororities demanded joining this art club or something like that. So yeah, that's how Costanzo started drawing again and he drew this for me."

Adele was looking at the painting again "Its so beautiful. He can be a painter. He should take a course in college about art and travel the world. He could be a world famous painter with this talent."

Francesco spoke in an irritated tone "But he already has gone to college and he graduated top of his class. He is a high class lawyer. He already has a career. Why should he waste his time in college again. Now lets go sweetheart. I want to show you the other rooms. You definitely might like to see the cinema theatre. But let me check the time." He then shook his head as he looked at his watch "I think I can show you the other rooms later. Maybe we can watch a movie next time in the theatre. How about that sweetheart. Its dinner time. I don't want the meal to get cold. My chefs get everything ready at the hour I request them to. Not a minute later or earlier so I cant let your food get cold." He then grabbed Adele's hand and lead her outside the room and down the stairs to the ground floor and went past multiple corridors until they reached the dining room.

As the door opened, Adele felt her heart sank as she saw the disturbing sight of Costanzo with a cast on his left arm and a few bruises on his face. Costanzo was standing next to Antonio formally looking down close to the entrance of the dining hall.

The dinner table was nicely set behind them a few steps away from the door.

She looked at Francesco and trembled as she saw visibly the change in his expression as he saw his brother and his cousin. His playfulness had gone out of his features and he looked firm and cold. Francesco was walking slower now and leading Adele closer to the two statue like figures of Antonio and Costanzo.

Once Francesco stopped in front of the two waiting cousins. Adele stopped too, while looking up at Francesco with worry, anticipating how he was going to treat Costanzo now. Was he going to honour his word and forgive him?

Francesco spoke is a cold voice void of emotion "I am listening Costanzo."

Costanzo whispered "I would like to apologise for my actions over the course of today. Please forgive me."

Francesco turned to Adele and spoke softly "Do you forgive him sweetheart?"

Adele nodded weakly and quickly as she was staring back up at Francesco. She was hoping this moment was going to be over soon. She hated how Francesco was treating his own brother so coldly and formally. She couldn't recognise this side of Francesco at all. Neither could she get used to this.

Francesco spoke bitterly "Since Adele forgives you for ruining our date and coming between us, I forgive you too. The next time you give Adele ideas to bring up with me to interfere with my business I wont be so lenient with you. Consider this a warning. Do you understand "

Costanzo spoke weakly "Yes I understand."

Francesco nodded "Good. Now that this is cleared up, we can get to eat." He then lead Adele to the dining table and pulled a chair out for her. He spoke softly "Sit down sweetheart."

After Adele, Francesco sat down and Costanzo and Antonio followed and took their seats.

As they started having their bread and butter starters, Francesco startled Antonio who was reaching for the wine "By the way Antonio, where is your girlfriend? You kept telling me about her on the phone in the past few months. I thought you were bringing a girl home this year for thanksgiving. You do know we need heirs for this family business. You must do your share and at least have one son before you turn thirty. So tell me what's your excuse?"

Antonio nervously looked at Francesco "She .... was unfaithful. My men spotted her cheating on me out on a date."

Francesco asked "So what did you do about it when you found out?"

Antonio spoke slowly "I let her go. I ... broke up with her."

Francesco laughed bitterly "You mean the man who she cheated on you with is still alive?"

Antonio nodded "Yes. He is."

Francesco spoke "Why?"

Antonio spoke "Since he is one of the most skilled men I have in my organisation. He is just too valuable to kill."

Francesco sounded a bit softer now "So that's why you spared him. You haven't turned soft yet. That's great to see. Now I order you to kill him. Nobody is too valuable to kill."

Antonio was looking at him with horror "I don't dispute your order. I will kill him. But can you give me a few weeks to find a replacement for him, before I do this? He is hard to replace. It may take a while."

Francesco spoke coldly "Nonesense. No one is irreplaceable. I will help find you someone better. He is a dead man. He signed his death when he went after your woman. Now i really don't care how you punish the woman who cheated on you. That would be your choice. She was your woman. But you have to kill those who cross you and go after what's yours. End of discussion."

Antonio spoke in a whisper "I will do it. I will order his death immediately." He then sighed and poured himself some wine and went back to buttering his bread.

Francesco then addressed Costanzo "Don't think you are getting away. look at me Costanzo."

Costanzo put down his fork and looked at Francesco "Yes."

Francesco spoke "What do you mean yes? We both know what I want to ask you. So start giving me the answer. I am not even going to bother repeating my question from many times before."

Costanzo spoke in a sad tone "I haven't met any women who interest me ...... not since the one you rejected. The one who's father was a senator and ......"

Francesco banged his fist on the table and spoke "Will you give that a rest? She wasn't the only woman in this world. I am running out of patience about your single status. You have stopped dating women completely and I am not happy about this at all. Unless you want me to fix your problem for you, then you should go out there and find yourself a suitable wife. Be more social like Antonio and actively look for a wife like him. Have no doubt. I will hear about it if you don't." He then got on with eating.

Costanzo knew he couldn't avoid it for so long. He had to marry a woman or as the head of the Rosario family business his brother could order him to marry any women he wanted. He had heard this threat before. He knew his brother was close to condemning him to a loveless forced marriage with the woman of his choosing on top of how he had condemned him to a life or rather hell he had to live everyday since his brother pulled rank on him time and time again and wasn't willing to let him leave his criminal organisation. Only one thing warmed his heart and gave him hope and that was the compassionate and sympathetic look Adele was giving him from where she was sitting next to his brother. This formidable woman was his only hope. She had blessed his cursed family ever since she had walked into his brother's life and he was hoping with all his heart, his brother wasn't going to break her to pieces before she had any chances."