Francesco arrived at his mansion with his son after a lengthy trip to the Irish side of town negotiating with the O'Reilys on release of Angelia's cousins. He didn't think they were going to back off from their high price very easily and he wasn't disappointed. But even as an Irish family they knew when to start giving into his demands. He never lost a deal. It was impossible.
As they got off the car, he saw Adele walking to him. He walked to her "Sweetheart. Why are you outside?"
Adele walked to her husband "Vincenzo ... He is back..."
Francesco looked around "Where?"
Adele said "He is with Tristan and ... Nolan at the archery grounds."
Francesco sighed. What a day? He had to attend hours of a meeting with one hostile Irish family and now he had to deal with the son of his arch nemesis befriending his younger son in a business deal. The not so welcome Irish kid was having a social time at his home with his son and his god son right now. What was his world coming to when he took a step back from running it? However, Nolan O'Leary was viewed more like an unwanted Christmas present at that moment. He was his enemy's son getting close to his family that he could exploit but again he could use him as he was intended to by his son for now. However he was still as unwelcome as a Christmas present that was never wanted. Nolan was useful but was it worth allowing the business deal his son was going to have with the O'Learys to go ahead? It depended on his son's negotiations that day. This was a one off. This was his younger son's venture and not his own. Right now, Francesco wanted that kid off the premises as soon as he signed the papers. Nolan was taking over his father's business and he surprisingly wanted to do business with rosarios unlike his father, Nixon O'Leary who blocked every deal Francesco ever put on the table with any Irish family for that matter except with the O'Neil's. Nothing made O'Neil push away Francesco. Now Viggo badly wanted to invest in businesses in Chicago but the areas he wanted to take over were under the clutches of O'Learys. He didn't think they were going to budge but surprisingly their heir, Nolan was interested in doing business with Viggo even though his father, Nixon wasn't. As soon as Nolan signed the papers he wanted him out. Then he was going to sit Viggo down to lecture him on his future decisions. O'Learys were working with the O'Kanes but were not influential in the business world in ways that the O'Kane's were. Their wealth was equal but not power. The O'Learys were influential in businesses involving narcotics that Francesco didn't go near. They were into drugs too that neither him or anyone in his circles touched. Francesco knew that the O'Learys were going to be right beneath the O'Kanes in terms of wealth one day unless they sorted their businesses out. FBI was on their trail. It was a matter of time. They owned a ridiculous area of land which was bound to be sold once the narcotics business and drugs failed. He didn't care either way to help them out when the FBI crashed on them. The only Irish family he cared for were the O'Neil's. Others meant nothing to him. Tristan had to prove to him he was more of an O'Neil than an O'Kane otherwise he wasn't going to let him be with his daughter. Nothing mattered to him but his wife and children. If he had to show them tough love for their own protection then he had to. But he was certain Tristan was going to continue to be his father's son rather than become O'Kane's puppet. He had almost become one recently but Francesco was convinced that his rash decisions were because he had thought Vienna had died. He was young. He had so much to learn. Did he really think he was going to be calm if his daughter was killed?
Francesco looked into his wife's eyes "Did Vincenzo do anything to upset you sweetheart?"
The serious tone hit Viggo hard who was watching his father silently while leaning to the car. Him and Vincenzo were counted as kids to their father no matter who they had become. They were not to break their father's rules under his roof. His father didn't care for business as much as he did for family. Business issues could be resolved easily. But family was blood and his father was harsher about it.
Adele shook her head as she hugged her chest with her hands "No."
Francesco asked "Did he refuse anything you had asked for? Like staying for dinner?"
Adele shook her head "No."
Francesco nodded "He turned to his son "Go get that Nolan kid inside. I want this business deal done before dinner and he is not staying for dinner. It's bad enough I have to endure him at my home because you went to their home. This exchange is pushing my limits son."
Viggo understood "Yes father."
Francesco then turned to his wife "Let's go inside while the kids do the work. That makes a change." Francesco then turned to smile at his son and then walked away hand in hand with his wife whispering comforting words to her. But before she disappeared, Adele turned around and said "See Angelia before you go to attend to business. She has been so lonely all day with only your sister as company."
Francesco turned to Viggo. "Listen to your mother." He then held his mothers hand and lead her away.
Viggo said with an edge to his voice. "I will go now." He was frustrated. He was losing Angelia and now his brother had decided to come home unannounced and then had disappeared with his business opponent to play archery with Tristan and Nolan.
He didn't want to see Angelia. Not now. He was worried he was going to do something he would regret, like propose to her. He wanted her and only her. He didn't see himself with anyone but her. To the world, him and Reagan could be the perfect couple. He had lost count of how many times she had tried to flirt with him on his visit to her home today. That was a meeting full of tension. She didn't get the message that he never could love anyone but Angelia. Reagan was perfect in many ways. More perfect than Angelia in many areas. But he didn't love her. He loved Angelia. It didn't matter that Angelia wasn't perfect. He didn't need a perfect woman. He needed a woman he loved who could just hold his hand. That was all he wanted from her... to hold his hand in life. He didn't need her to be strong. He didn't need her to stop grieving. He didn't need her to get well soon. He only needed her to be alive. She could have anything she wanted. She could have as long as she needed. But he needed her in his life. Just her presence was all he needed.
Viggo found himself in front of her door standing staring at the handle. He had to go in. His mother had demanded it. He didn't want to. What if he lost his patience. He wasn't going to put up with it if she pushed him away again. He knocked and entered. He walked in slowly and didn't see her in the front room. He closed the door and walked to the bedroom. He smiled as he found her peacefully sleeping. He walked to her bed sleeping. Her sleeping pattern was messed up but he loved it when she slept. It was the most attractive sight to him. He never saw her taking care of herself. He never saw her like how she used to be. She was always sad. But when she was sleeping glimpses of the past Angelia was there for him to see. When she slept and her chest rose and fell under the blanket his heart skipped beats. How beautiful and peaceful she was? He loved her so much. He just wanted her to be happy. But of course happy was not an option for her for now. Being free was an option but not happiness.
He sighed and walked away but then her voice stopped her "Viggo."
Her voice was weak. It was hardly a whisper. But it was a pleading voice. He turned around quick. He thought to himself "You should not push me away again. I might kill someone today."
Angelia sat up on the bed "Viggo... You are back?"
Viggo smiled and walked to her "Yes. I am back. Did I wake you?"
Angelia said "It doesn't matter. I wanted to talk to you."
Viggo sat down on a chair across from her "All right. What is it?" He wasn't going to like it if she pushed him away. He wondered if killing Nolan who was the closest one in his reach could start a big war. He had to let out the pain if she started again. Without her his life had no taste. She was what gave his life colour and texture. Without her he was leading just a tasteless life and not a meaningful one either.
Angelia looked away "I just wanted to say ... I shouldn't give up on us like I did before. I am sorry. Next time I will fight harder for this relationship. I promise." She then looked up "Will you forgive me?"
Viggo looked at her and blinked. He didn't expect this. He didn't need no apology "You never need to apologise to me. I love you Angelia. I live to make you happy."
Angelia let out a shaky breath and fought of tears as she spoke "I know that. You have tried everything. You have done everything for me. I know when you think I am a sleep you talk to me without holding back. I hear you sometimes when I am hardly awake. I hear you saying how badly you wish you could give me everything I want. I have lost my family and I know you wish you could prevent my family from getting killed but you could not prevent it. No one could. It was bound to happen. Death happens." She then starting wiping away her tears "I miss them so much Viggo. I really do."
Viggo slowly stood up and approached her "May I?"
Angelia shook her head "You don't have to ask. Your warmth makes the pain less. Much less. I want the pain though. You soothe it but I want to suffer." She then hiccuped over her tears.
Viggo sat down at the edge of the bed as he slowly wrapped his arms around her "Shhh. It's ok. Let it out. Talk to me." He hugged her tight and listened to her as she sobbed. He closed his eyes as he listened. She was so lonely. She had no family. He couldn't wait to marry her so they could have children. Maybe starting a family could help.
Angelia was calming down now "I am sorry Viggo... All I do is cry. I hate it."
Viggo whispered "I don't mind it when you cry. You are alive Angelia. I need you. Just keep living. Life without you is meaningless."
Angelia whispered back "I will fight to stay alive. I will fight for you Viggo."
Viggo smiled "I love you, my fighter."