Adele was lead to Francesco's meeting room and was left alone by Antonio to knock on the door. Adele sighed. How Antonio trusted her to do anything for him was baffling to her. How come he was trusting her now? Even though he knew how many times she had made things worse by interfering even within the short time she had been there. But again as Antonio had pointed out, this was not really business and more of a personal matter.
Adele took a deep breath and knocked on the door under the watchful eyes if the statue like guards who avoided eye contact with her at all times.
Francesco shouted from the inside " Who is this? I said no visitors."
Adele cleared her throat " Sorry. It's me."
Seconds later, she heard the key turning in the lock and Francesco opening the door. He looked surprised " Sweetheart. Shouldn't you be at breakfast now. I told Antonio to take you. Did he forget?"
Adele whispered quickly " Antonio didn't forget. He came to see me. I asked him to bring me to you. I wanted to go with you."
Francesco spoke " Fine then. Come inside. I am almost done here. We will go together."
As Adele came in, Francesco closed the door behind him and spoke " You remember Georgio sweetheart?"
Adele looked at Georgio who was standing and looking at Francesco with a passive expression. He wasn't even looking at Adele. She remembered that she had to be the one to acknowledge him sooner Francesco didn't like anyone to communicate with her without her prior approval or interest. So Adele cleared her throat " Yes. I remember. Hello Georgio. How is Georgina."
Georgio looked at Francesco and as he nodded, he turned to Adele and spoke " Hi. Thank you. Georgina is fine. I will let her know you asked about her. You may see her at the Hollywood ball tonight. She hopefully won't be causing trouble like she did earlier." He was looking at Francesco apologetically as he was saying the last sentence."
Francesco chuckled as he spoke " Georgina is single. She is not a lady yet until she is married. She can be excused for her behaviour at this mansion. Antonio taught her a lesson from what I hear. So I am sure she won't cause the troubles she caused the day before yesterday ever again when she is at presence of Rosarios. But I don't despise her behaviour at the ball last night. It was reported to me that she stood up to Sancia Giovanni. I have no problem with that at all and I am glad to see you have decided for the Canavaros to drop by at the ball tonight as well. Sancia won't back down and neither should Georgina. Having said all this, you know what I think of your sister overall. Don't you? She is too defiant and has too much fire in her. I feel sorry for her future husband that has to put up with her for a lifetime. Lets hope it won't be a Rosario." He then laughed harder. Then he gestured to a seat in front of Georgio and turned to Adele "Sit down sweetheart. We are about done here. But there are a few things left. Also there is a topic that came up at the end that may need your input too."
Adele walked to the spot on the large sofa Francesco pointed at and sat down. Francesco sat down next to Adele and as usual wrapped an arm around her waist holding her tightly. He then spoke " Georgio, be seated and lets finish the businesses we just discussed. Carry on where we left off."
Georgio sat down and spoke " Thank you for allowing me to bring this up in the first place. I really needed help about this. As I was saying, I secured an appointment with one of the movie making giants. If that meeting goes well then the Canavaros and Rosarios can co-own that movie making company. It would be worth millions and it would be legal."
Francesco spoke " Almost legal. We both know what goes on in the background as movies are made. Alot of behind the scenes happens that won't be running so perfectly if mobs like ours don't put some finishing touches here and there. As I said I either will be in that meeting or will send Antonio to attend it with you. They would sell off that movie studio or they would go bankrupt with plans I have in place. They won't like it if we make every actor and actress resign because of ill health or personal reasons would they. When they are left with no movie stars, then they would sell the place with half the price even. Trust me. So they would say yes to avoid losing money. Now, business talk is finished. Tell Adele about what you told me."
Georgio nervously looked between Adele and Francesco as he spoke " Ah. It's ..... nothing big really. It's just that I am ..... getting married to my fiancé in a few weeks. Flora is very impatient and wants the wedding within the next month. I told her the earliest we can get married is within about 2-4 weeks. My father was just assassinated three days ago so I think I need some time in between. So ...... If my wedding happens in 2-4 weeks would you be able to attend. I would feel immense gratitude if you do."
Francesco turned to Adele and kissed her on the cheek. He then whispered " What do you think sweetheart. Would you want to go to this wedding?"
Adele spoke " Of course. I love weddings. I love any excuse for a party."
Francesco turned to Georgio " Adele is interested. So all Rosarios will be there. I don't like attending weddings since they don't mean much to me personally. You know my history Sergio. My parents didn't get along well even though they were married. So I don't think a wedding defines love between two people. But I hope your fiancée loves you. Be assured that we Rosarios will be there since Adele thinks its a good idea. Is the wedding in New York?"
Georgio nodded " Thank you for accepting. And yes. The wedding will be held at the Canavaro mansion in New York."
Francesco spoke " Any other business Georgio that you want to tell me now?"
Georgio shook his head " No. Thank you for seeing me at such short notice. I think I should take my leave now. I am sorry for disturbing your breakfast time.
Francesco nodded " Very well."
It was Adele who turned to Francesco and quickly spoke " Actually, there is something I would like to say to Georgio."
Francesco spoke " Yes. Sweetheart. What is it?"
Adele looked at a worried looking Georgio who was trying to avert his gaze from her and looking nervously at Francesco. It was obvious he didn't like' being addressed by her.
Francesco spoke " Relax Georgio. If my woman addresses you, it is ok to look her in the eye. I don't mind that. Besides, you are engaged to be married. You are not single to be a threat."
Georgio turned to Adele and smiled nervously.
Adele sighed and rolled her eyes. Then she spoke " I was going to ask you where are you going for thanksgiving? I am sorry if its too forward. I know you suffered a loss in your family so it makes sense if you wish not to celebrate."
Georgio spoke " Georgina and I are going to go to my fiancées parents house in Rhode Island on Thursday. We are going to the airport and would be flying there tonight after the ball."
Adele turned to Francesco " I think we should invite Georgio and Georgina to thanksgiving for Thursday night. I know you said to Angelo yesterday that I can invite my parents to thanksgiving since I was feeling so ..... down last night. But him and I don't wish to do that since our parents have to go to the nursing home my grand parents are residing at in California. They can't possibly come and I don't want them too. But I was hoping we could invite the Canavaros since I feel very close to Georgina. I just met her once but she was acting like a sister to me. So can we invite the Canavaros."
Francesco spoke " Sweetheart....... I didn't know you felt so close to Georgina." He then turned to Georgio and spoke firmly " You will cancel your flight tonight. Just call your finances parents on your way out. Use the telephone at the gate. Tell them you can't go because of business commitments. I will see you, your fiancé and Georgina on Thursday. Goodbye now. See yourself out. I need to have a word with Adele now."
Georgio spoke " But ....Are you sure? .... I mean .... I would like that but ..... Georgina .... is troublesome."
Francesco spoke " Are you refusing me?"
Georgio's eyes widened. He knew full well what it meant of anyone refused Francesco. Georgio was the head of Canavaros and an influential mob boss even though his business was now under Francesco's protection. But he knew if Francesco wanted someone dead, no matter who they were he could kill them. Even the president was not safe from Francesco. Even though he feared his sisters safety and didn't have any intentions of bringing his only relative to Francesco's again he had to smile forcefully " Of course not. I am not refusing. I just don't want my family's presence to bother you on a special night like thanksgiving."
Francesco laughed " Cut that out. We both know how much I hate festive seasons. It's no special night but .... the woman I share that night with makes it special. Now goodbye. Make sure to make that phone call and cancel that flight."
Georgio nodded and smiled weakly and spoke "Thanks for having me." He then stood up and walked to Francesco, leaned over and kissed his hand and after giving Adele a respectable nod, walked to the door.
As Georgio left the room, Francesco turned to Adele and without warning picked her up and sat her on his lap. As Adele was about to protest, she swallowed her words. Francesco was looking at Adele with what she could only describe as a dangerous glint in his eyes. He spoke in a firm tone "Sweetheart. Explain your actions to me."
Adele spoke carefully "What do you mean?"
Francesco spoke "Why did you invite the Canavaros. Since when are you interested in communicating with people involved in my business?" He was rubbing circles at Adele's back with his hand and looking at her intensely.
Adele shrugged nervously "I told you. I like Georgina's company."
Francesco spoke "Really sweetheart? You mean Antonio didn't put you upto this. Tell me the truth sweetheart." He then leaned close and planted a kiss on her cheek. He then leaned back and spoke seriously " Did Antonio ask you to invite him?"
Adele tried to keep a straight face "Why do you think that?"
Francesco spoke "Because sweetheart. You hate my business and anything to do with it. You saw Georgina stabbing her former lover. He ordered her father to be assassinated but that's not the point. She is quite violent and not really the type of woman that you would like to spend time with. I can only imagine Antonio asking you to invite the Canavaros. Tell me I am wrong."
Adele spoke "If you are going to act so suspicious then I wont speak next time when meeting other people in your presence. Now lets go to breakfast. Forget I said anything. take back the invite then. I just don't like being the only woman on the thanksgiving table. There is you, Costanzo, Antonio, Angelo and me. That's it. No other women. It can get lonely sometimes. But of course you don't get it.' She then tried to get up but Francesco didn't let her get up from his lap as he pulled her closer and whispered "Hm. I am afraid I need more convincing."
Adele spoke "What do you mean?"
Francesco smirked " This is what I mean." He then pushed her back gently on the sofa and started tickling her making her laugh and turning from side to side.
Francesco spoke as tickling her "Admit it to me sweetheart. Did Antonio put you upto this?"
Adele spoke in between as she was laughing "I ..... like ..... her company.... Believe ... me."
Francesco sighed and stopped tickling her. He then stood up looking at the lying form of Adele on the sofa. He was staring deep into her eyes as he spoke "Last chance sweetheart. Tell me if Antonio did this."
Adele spoke as she bit her lip "What makes you think Antonio put me upto this?"
Francesco spoke "Because I know my own cousin. He has tried hundreds of times before getting close to Gerogina through different means. I wouldn't be surprised if he asked you to invite her in this time. I don't mind it that you invited them but I don't like thanksgiving dinners. I just don't. I prefer to have a turkey in peace just for the sake of seeing my brother and my cousin at this time of year. That is all. Now tell me baby. Do I have to have an unnecessarily noisy turkey dinner with a crowd because Antonio can't stop his crazy obsession with Georgina."
Adele sat up on the sofa and sighed. She looked up at towering form of Francesco and spoke "You call two more people at your dinner table a crowd?"
Francesco spoke "I call Georgina a crowd because she never stops talking but Georgio is fine. I go way back with him and Sergio Giovanni through my college days."
Adele stood up and spoke "Do you regret cancelling the peace treaty with Sergio then?"
Francesco shook his head "No. This is for keeping Sancia away from Costanzo. I would rather Costanzo stays single all his life rather than becoming associated with Sancia in any way."
Adele was baffled "But you have rules for him to have a wife by the time he is thirty but you even forfeit that to keep Sancia away."
Francesco spoke "Correction sweetheart. My rule is for him to have an heir by the time he is thirty and yes I don't want to be related to Sancia in anyway. I can't accept her as my sister in law. Ever. Even the kickboxing, knife throwing Georgina is more trustworthy and reliable than Sancia. Anyways lets get back to our talk. Are you ready to confess to me it was Antonio?"
Adele spoke "No."
Francesco spoke "Do you know what I do to liars sweetheart."
Adele spoke "You kill them?"
Francesco spoke "I do. But of course I can't kill you baby. Tell me. Was it Antonio?"
Adele frowned "I am tired of this talk. I told you what I wished for you to know. Lets go to breakfast. You are losing it as you are being paranoid. I am tired of answering the same question."
Francesco spoke "Don't give me that frown baby. I only like to see you smile. But fine I believe you this time. I would drop it for now. Maybe I am paranoid. I give you the benefit of the doubt that it was not him but I am still going to make you pay for making my thanksgiving busy and noisy by inviting the Canavaros. I hate thanksgiving and Georgina being there talking non-stop will be the cherry on top of it. You have alot of making up to do, for me to forgive you." He then picked Adele up bridal style and carried her to a door at the corner of the room.
Adele protested "Where are you taking me?"
Francesco spoke "You will see darling." He then opened the door and carried Adele inside.
Adele noticed they were inside a training room. There were weight lifting facilities as well as large boxing punch bags. She then spotted something else in the room that Francesco was carrying her towards. She gasped at seeing the massive full bath tub at the side of the room "Is this an ice bath?"
Francesco chuckled as he carried Adele in his arms towards the ice bath "Yes sweetheart and I am going to drop you in it as punishment for inviting the Canavaros without my permission and by the way the water is freezing cold and I am going to add some more buckets of ice in there too and keep you here for a while. Next time consult me before inviting Georgina over."
Adele spoke quickly "No. Don't. Please. I don't like cold water. Don't drop me in there. I promise I wont invite anyone again before asking you."
Francesco sighed "Too late baby. I normally use this ice bath for my morning exercise. I have been using it for years now so it doesn't affect me but it seems like it does affect those who don't use it. I think you should get a taste."
Adele screamed "No. Please. Don't do it."
Francesco spoke "And give me one reason not to. Like I said you have to make it up to me forcing me to endure unwanted company on my most hated night of the year besides Christmas eve. I have my worst memories of my childhood from these night so I hate enduring company at these festive times. Now you must be punished unless you do some making up for this now. Those memories are revisited and I relieve those sad moments at every single thanksgiving and Christmas."
Adele spoke desperately "Maybe its time to change those memories. Face your past bad memories of thanksgiving by enjoying your present ones."
Francesco spoke "Why?"
Adele spoke "Because I want you to. But I am sorry. I didn't know something that seemed so insignificant would hurt you this way. I will make it upto you." She then sensed what was needed to make Francesco feel better. She wrapped her arms around his neck and got closer to him. She kissed his lips softly. It was one lengthy and passionate kiss. Francesco froze at this. Adele felt him tense his muscles as she was kissing him and touching his chest. He was still carrying her in his arms standing next to the ice bath while he was getting that warm kiss from her. He also gently responded to her kisses by moving his lips against hers.
After minutes later while they were engaged in the kiss. Francesco gently put her down on the floor and pulled away breathing heavily. He had his eyes closed. Adele didn't know he had pulled away when he had the chance to go further.
Francesco opened his eyes and sighed "We have to stop. Breakfast awaits us and I may lose control sweetheart and if that happens, we will be making out until very late. I think I need to make you eat something. I know you sweetheart. You will do anything to skip breakfast. It wont happen. Lets go."
Adele bit her lip "Wait. Am I forgiven now or you are going to drop me in this ice bath at some point today?"
Francesco spoke "I am not going to drop you in there. You kissed me. I loved it. But now I know how to get a proper kiss from you from now on. I am going to bring you here to my training room and threaten to drop you in this ice cold water whenever I want a real kiss."