Chapter 11

Adella put her flute back in its case and closed it with a triumphant smile. She knew that she put on a good performance today, but that was not that made her feel good. She had finally gotten over the fact that Zolo didn't love her. After a week in Sanji's care, she forgot about the past and accepted the truth.

"That was really good today," complimented Sanji as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks. I thought so too," said Adella with a cheery smile. She looked around at her crewmates headed for bed. "A nighttime performance seemed interesting, so I thought I'd try it."

"It was a good thing you did." He smiled.

Adella laughed lightly. She looked back at him, his features finally visible to her. They were actually kind of…charming. His uniquely shaped eyebrow, the cutest twinkle in his eyes, a little bit of stubble on his chin, the way his golden hair covered one of his eyes giving him a mysterious look, and that smile of his that said it all. He was a good guy, caring and sweet. She ran one finger down his right cheek. "Thank you Sanji for everything. Without you, I don't know what I would have done." She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek and hugged him.

Sanji was bewildered. "U-Uh…I um, have to go now." He hugged back lightly and then dashed off.

Adella shook her head and smiled. "That Sanji. He's really funny." She headed for the door to the girls' room.

"Adella." She turned around to face Zolo. "Can I speak with you?"

Her heart skipped a beat. I can do this. "Sure!" She walked over to him. "What do you wanna talk about?"

"About a few things." She cocked her head to one side. "Adella, I've noticed that you spend a lot of time with Sanji. No doubt he knows about…us."

"Us? What do you mean by-"

"Please, let me finish. I've noticed you a lot lately. The way you smile, the way you talk, the way you laugh, everything. I've noticed that you act differently around Sanji than you do around everyone else…"

"Zolo, where are you going with-"

"Adella…" He put his head down. "I'm sorry for all of the pain that I've caused you. I am so sorry."

What! He's sorry? "Zolo…I…"

"You must hate me for what I did."

"Actually Zolo, I've forgotten the whole thing."

"You…have?" He looked at her.

"It took some time and there was a lot of tears and pain, but I managed. I had someone strong helping me through it all."

Zolo gently put his hands on her shoulders. "Adella, it's true about what they say. You never really know what you have until it's gone. I was a fool, and I've been regretting everything from that day. I didn't examine my heart right, and that was the first time that someone had told me that they loved me. I couldn't believe it, so I didn't. My dream was all that I cared about, but after I saw how much you suffered for me, it was then that I knew how I felt. Adella I…I love you!"

Adella's eyes became wide. "You…"

"I do, I love you. I didn't want to lose you to someone else, so I had to tell you."

She looked down. "Zolo…" She turned her back on him. "I…I'm over you. I can't let you back into my life like that." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I can't love you." She shook her head.

Zolo was confused. "You can't…?" He looked down, then at her. "Why not!" He grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Because you already broke me heart once!" She screamed those words and made sure that he heard. "You broke my heart and you didn't do a damn about it!" She began to cry. "I suffered beyond what you know and the only person who actually cared about me was Sanji!" She pushed him away and ran to her room.

Zolo just stood there, speechless. He tried to think, but nothing came. After a while, words crossed his lips. "She can't…love me?" One tear. Two tears. He put one finger under his left eye. "Huh?" He shut his eyes, but it wouldn't stop. "No…I don't cry…I don't…!" He fell to his knees. More tears.