Hi! Okay! Now time for one of my most favorite moments! Sara's confession! It's such poetry! I love it!

(I do not own this Novela!)

Chapter 24

Despite the pain on his left rib and the possibility that his stalkers are on the loose, Franco slept well that night. He dreamt about the woman who'd saved his life. Sarita.

In his dream, she was in his arms allowing him to ravage her slender neck like a starving man as his hands gripped the back of her dark blue dress. He yearned for her supple petite body to be pressed against his. He yearned for her softness and her passionate kissable lips. He wanted her. He needed to see her again.

Franco regretfully woke up from his vivid dream and swore under his breath when he realized he had business to attend to. He took a cold shower to wash away the effect of his nightly visions of the young woman he used to quarrel with.

He met with Juan and Quintina in the dining room. Quintina provided them with a nutritious breakfast.

"This needs more sugar." complained Juan, glancing down at his orange juice Quintina had poured for him.

This made Franco chuckle, for he knew Quintina only wanted them to live healthier lives. She then came out with a tray and sat down a bowl of sugar in front of Juan without any complaints. She seemed to be in a good mood too.

"I imagine you had a great time at the party!" she gushed at Franco. "I didn't hear you come in until sunrise!"

"Yes." he answered her, his thoughts on Sara Elizondo. "We had a great time."

"Why didn't you sleep in?" she asked. "I would have gladly served you while you were still in bed!"

Franco smiled at her. He always liked Quintina, even though she's very talkative, but he knew she meant well.

"Because I didn't feel like sleeping in, Quintina." he told her. "I have so much to do."

Quintina shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well…" she started to say. "Sometimes laziness is good for you. Your brother, Oscar, is still in his room sleeping like a log!"

"That's because that fool isn't really tired." scoffed Juan. "He's just shameful."

Franco lifted his brow in curiosity.

"What do you mean by that, Juan?" he asked.

Juan didn't answer just yet. He simply asked Quintina to bring more juice so that he could speak privately with Franco.

"I should not tell you.." Juan whispered, making sure Quintina was fully gone in the kitchen. "But I have to tell you because you're my brother and you need to know this."

Franco couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was impossible. It turns out that while he was out there fighting for his life with Sarita, Oscar was almost nude with none other than their business partner, Leandro Santos. Juan was clearly disgusted, but Franco was more concerned. He wouldn't judge Oscar, but he knew that he respected him. Perhaps it wasn't what Juan possibly thinks? Looks like he's going to have to speak with Oscar on that matter.

So then he did. He found Oscar bathing in his tub like the Roman Emperor Tiberius. He didn't want to badger his older brother but he was thankful Oscar filled him in on what had happened that night at the fashion show. As Franco thought, it was nothing Juan would've guessed. That Jimena Elizondo was a jokester.

Later on that day, Franco's thoughts were back on Sarita as he managed his meetings. He thought about what she was doing and how she was feeling. He even wondered when he'll see her again and how to reach for her.

The point is… he needed to see her again. But first, he wanted to show her how important her favor was to him. If it weren't for her, he'd be buried somewhere. He owed his life and breath to that woman he'd always swore to hate with all his heart.

On his way back home, Franco made sure to stop by a local florist. He picked out a couple of wild roses, for they reminded him of her. Wild, valiant, and tempestuous, but beautiful, honest, and passionate...just like Sara. Franco smiled in endearment as he signed to have them delivered to her house. This was the first time he'd ever sent a woman flowers, especially for Sara. He hoped she'd receive them. He prayed on it.

The sun began to set and he decided to take a ride on his horse over the fences. He inhaled the fresh breeze as his horse galloped freely into the open fields. Just over the fence, he saw her and his heart hummed softly.

There she was. Sarita.

He signaled his horse to move further towards the fences and he felt a warmth enveloping his body at the radiant smile she gave him. She had no idea what that smile could do to him.

He wanted to ask her if she'd received the flowers, but she stayed where she was on her horse, her smile never leaving her angelic face.

When he finally approached the fence, Sara signaled her horse to turn back to the direction of her house. Franco felt a little remorseful because he so desperately wanted to spend time with her. Little did he know, Sarita threw a teasing kiss over her shoulder followed by the most tenderest smile he'd ever received from her. Damn her. Sara was unbelievably beautiful.

He nearly swooned off his horse. Sara was something else. He was infatuated, there's no doubt about it.

Franco was still in a good mood when he came back home, but it was almost ruined when he noticed Juan arguing with Oscar in his room.

"What are you two arguing about now?" he sighed, taking his hat off and tossing it on Oscar's bed.

"This asshole.." growled Juan at Oscar. "Went to the Elizondo's and almost caused a riot with Jimena."

Franco blinked in disbelief and turned to look at Oscar.

"Look, Oscar", he told him. "I know what happened to you was unpleasant, but there wasn't any need for you to do that."

"Okay!" Oscar yelled, his annoyance spiking. "That's enough! I know what I do! I know how to sort things out! Is that clear for you?"

"It is clear!" shouted Franco. "But try to calm down, okay?"

Oscar calmed down and proceeded to walk to his bathroom.

"Look, I'm going to bask in that tub and I don't want anyone bothering me!" he yelled. "And I don't care if I look like Emperor Tito, Timothy… whoever his name is!"

"It's Tiberius!" corrected Franco.

"Timothy! I don't care, shit!" snarled Oscar before disappearing into his wondrous bathroom.

Franco and Juan shared a look and then started laughing. It turns out, Jimena left him high and dry the night of the fashion show. She managed to trick him into sleeping with her, but then she took off with his clothes like nothing ever happened.

Franco chuckled. It was very funny. It seems like all the Elizondo women are troubling in their own way. Norma takes Juan's heart, Sarita was on the verge of taking his, while Jimena takes Oscar's and his clothes.

He stops laughing when Sarita plagues his mind. He gave it some thought throughout the rest of the night. Was she truly taking his heart? Like his brothers, could he too be following their footsteps? Could he suffer as they are suffering?

He prayed nothing like that could happen to him. The more he thought about Sara, the more he could only think of her tenderness when she rescued him. He had never met a woman like her, so selfless, brave, and… relentlessly feral.

When he lavished his new life, he did mention that he won't ever take another lover, but when it came to Sara, who was he fooling?

He needed her. What could be wrong about desiring a woman like her?

The next day, apart from Sara, Franco never forgot the attack set on him. He had a feeling that it had something to do with Armando because one of the thugs mentioned he was messing around with some man's wife. He never would do such a thing. He respected others' relationships and marriages.

He especially remembered one incident involving Armando when he visited Rosario's apartment in the past. He received a horrible beating from his men that nearly sent him to a coma.

It had to be Armando Navarro.

Before, Franco couldn't do a thing, but now that he was a powerful rich man, he can work with this new advantage.

Franco gathered his newest employees, Manolo and Miguel and had them accompany him to the bar Alcala, where he knew he'd find Armando Navarro. He was very impressed by Manolo and Miguel's loyalty when they arrived with Armando in their car to the warehouse where Franco was held like a prisoner.

Franco glared at Armando, his eyes keen and wary as Armando stepped out of Manolo's truck.

"We meet again." snarled Armando, his eyes dark as they glared at Franco with so much malice.

"Trust me.." began Franco, circling Armando like a shark. "It's not for pleasure, but for a simple duty."

"I don't understand," laughed Armando. "I'm the one who was forced to come here. Your men practically dragged me here!"

"You don't feel at home here?" taunted Franco. "Does this place remind you of anything, Armando? Wasn't it this place here that you sent your thugs to kill me?"

"I don't know what you mean." Armando lied. "I'd almost forgotten you existed."

Franco scoffed at him in amusement. This man is an exceptional liar. He was very determined to make Armando pay.

"Look, I'll remind you that I have no problems with anyone at all." warned Franco. "I live peacefully with my brothers and all I care about are my work and obligations! The past is buried, sir. Just like my story with Rosario Montes."

Armando clenched his jaw.

"Are you sure?" challenged Armando, stepping forward. "Because I don't trust you."

"Then you set me up because you don't trust me?" taunted Franco again.

"I don't know what you are talking about, asshole." sneered Armando and then went in to throw a punch at Franco's face.

Franco dogged it and landed Armando a nice clean punch to his nose, causing him to fall back. Manolo and Miguel caught him and then threw him back into Franco, who proceeded to whoop his ass.

Armando was almost knocked out but Franco decided not to harm him any further.

"Listen, Armando.." rasped Franco, his knuckles bloody. "I'm not the same man as before, but you need to take better control of your cheating wife. I'm not the problem."

Armando could only glare up at Franco, who then left with his employees. On his way back home, Franco felt exhilarated and amped up, knowing that he left fear and shock in his enemy's face.

The following day, Franco was in higher spirits. His employees greeted him with the utmost respect from the rough events of last night and breakfast with his brothers, Eva, and even with Quintina went splendidly well. What could complete his day was seeing Sara again.

He managed to take his time that morning to send her another batch of wild roses, this time writing her a very personal but simple note. Perhaps this little note would inspire her to spend more time with him. He missed her. He missed everything about her. Her fierceness, her temper, her soft kisses, and even that breathtaking smile of hers that made her eyes gleam like two small fireflies.

He had a foolish grin on his face on his drive to an important meeting, the thought of Sarita's angelic face running through his head. Damn, he needed to see her, even for a mere second.

The wonderful mood he had was cut short when he found out that Dinora Rosales was messing with Juan's severing relationship with Norma. Franco felt incredibly sorry for him and his distrust in the Rosales family began to grow. He had a feeling something terribly wrong was brewing within that family. He just couldn't point a finger to it.

For the next three days, Juan began to grow into a great depression and there was nothing he and Oscar, not even Eva, could do to lift his spirits. He only requested solitude and peace. Franco, Oscar, and Eva respected his wishes.

During that afternoon, Franco got on his horse and decided to go for a ride on the open pastures to ease his mind. Much to his pleasure, he saw Sarita also riding on her horse. Instead of her radiant smile, he noticed her sad expression. He slowed the speed of his horse, wondering could have happened to her.

She caught his eyes and signaled him to meet her somewhere past the fences towards the hills. He silently followed her command, desperate to finally have her at his side.

He galloped until he could see her petite form sitting on a massive boulder a few miles away from him. He was amazed at her speed and talent at riding horses. It seems like Sarita would never seize to surprise him.

He finally reached her. He noticed her sitting perfectly still, her eyes sadly staring into the distance. He left his horse to rest by hers and climbed up the boulder to join her.

She didn't budge when he stood by her, out of breath. It was a lot of work finally trying to get to her.

She had her back to him, her eyes still staring out in the distance. Franco started to get extremely worried and hoped she'd finally acknowledge his presence.

"I got scared when I didn't see you." he admitted, his breathing regulating. "I thought your horse ran off. Luckily you are safe and unharmed."

She remained silent. He could feel so many emotions radiating off from her. Sadness, fear, and nervousness.

He sighed at her silence, carefully taking a seat next to her. She still wouldn't look at him. This worried him more and even confused him. He thought she'd be happy to see him as he was happy to see her.

What is going on in that head of hers?

"You're a very talented rider, Sara." he told her, his voice tender while his hand was dying to reach out to touch her.

She finally spoke, and the sadness in her voice troubled him.

"Please don't send me anymore flowers, Franco."

Her voice sounded so wounded like he had done something wrong. Franco was very confused. What happened? Did he send the wrong flowers? Didn't she like them?

"Look, Sarita.." he began to say, "I sent them as a thank you for what you did for me."

She finally looked at him and he felt himself dissolve into a puddle at the sight of her sultry brown eyes.

"The first ones were enough." she told him softly, her eyes glistening sorrowfully. "I don't need more."

Franco felt his heart crumbling in his chest at the sound of her pained voice. What is going on? Why is she acting this way? What could he do to ease her?

"The rest I sent because I wanted to, okay?" he whispered to her, his eyes transfixed on her full pouty lips.

He felt himself lean in and bestowed a chaste, but tender kiss on her lips. He nearly melted at their softness. He could kiss her perfect pouty lips forever and never grow tired of them.

She responded by slowly turning her head away. Franco felt his gut wrench at the loss of contact.

Why is she refusing him?

"Don't do that again, please." she pleaded, her voice breaking.

He noticed a couple of tears forming in her eyes as they stared down at her small hands.

"I didn't kiss you to thank you, Sara." he said. "Did I offend you?"

"No.." she whispered, closing her watering eyes. "I just feel strange."

She then met his curious gaze again.

"So strange." she added. "I don't know why I let you kiss me after hating you for so long."

Franco smiled tenderly at her but she wouldn't return it. He was saddened by this.

"Maybe we're just seeing each other in a new light." he tried to explain to her. "You don't think it's funny."

She looked at him again and he was thankful he was able to hold her gaze. He studied her angelic face as if he's seeing her for the first time.

"We met under the worst circumstances and we didn't know each other." he said to her, admiring the light freckles daintily sprawled on her nose and cheeks. "But I suddenly discovered a woman I've never seen before."

"How do you see me now, Franco?" she asked him calmly, her fingers now toying with a sliver of grass by her knee. "The same way you saw Jimena, Eduvina Trueba, or that bar singer?"

Franco sighed in frustration and looked away from her. Why the hell did she have to bring that up?

"Why do you have to mention them? They're nothing like you, Sarita."

"You don't like to remember your mistakes?"

Franco did not want to argue with her since he spent these past few days only thinking about her. He relaxed his tensed shoulders and succumbed to her question. He had to let her know he's not as much of a scoundrel as she may think.

"I know I haven't been a saint...", he confessed, feeling her intense gaze. "I know I've made mistakes but I don't want you to think I'm some shameless bastard because I'm not."

He looked back at her again, to discover more sadness embedded in her soft brown eyes. She offered him a weak smile, a light blush creeping on her lightly freckled cheeks. Franco knew he wouldn't grow tired of those adorable little blushes. It made her seem so innocent.

"Maybe I'm discovering…" she said to him, her voice as soft as a whisper. "A man I never knew."

His heart hammered softly and he remained completely silent as his body shifted a bit closer to hers. The longing and sorrow seeping from her was excruciating.

"The only difference is…" she took a tentative breath, her cheeks slowly turning more into a delicate pink he grew to love. "I've always liked you from the first time I saw you."

Franco could only smile at her in disbelief, remembering her constant glares and the attacks when he once worked for her.

"I don't believe you." he told her.

"I can't lie, Franco." she confessed, her eyes now overflowing with unshed tears. She tore them away from his astonished gaze and focused on her trembling hands. "I always pretended to be indifferent but I liked you the moment you set foot in my home."

Oh, Sarita...

Franco was speechless, just watching her open up to him like a fragile little flower, so honest and innocently bare. But then again...he thought of the night she saved his life and that searing kiss she gave him. It was all was starting to make sense now...

"That's why I was hurt and disliked everything you did." she confessed more and all Franco could do was listen and watch her become more vulnerable.

He saw a small tear slide down her cheek and he couldn't help but feel his own heart aching for her. He didn't know he put her through all that... It all started to make sense. The constant attacks, the horrible looks, and the hateful words she ever threw at him. It all made perfect sense, only he was too stupid to notice, until now. He swore under his breath, scolding himself for all the horrible things he said, thought, and done to her.

In that moment, she reminded him of what he went through with his first love. Rosario had put him through hell and back. And here he was...doing the same to Sarita. He understood how she felt. Pining after someone who wouldn't take even two glances at you with no remorse and no appreciation. It's agonizing. He knew how he suffered, but Sara had to endure the most.

How could he make this up for her?

"Sarita…" he lamented, gently lifting her chin with a single finger so she'd stare into his apologetic eyes. He opened his mouth to say something else, but she stopped him.

"I still don't trust you." she told him, her cheeks stained with her tears. "Because I still don't know you. I don't want to be on your long list of lovers."

She paused, her cheeks now blushing harder and her eyes now permitting more tears to flow.

"I respect myself, Franco.." she added, her lithe fingers twiddling nervously with the slivers of grass by her knee again, "And I want others to respect me."

He furrowed his brows, trying to register those last few words. What could she mean by that?

"Don't worry..." he assured her, his hands dying to just hold her. To calm her. "Tell me what I have to do to get to know you better."

She didn't respond but lowered her gaze. With a gentle and tentative hand, he finally grazed the soft flesh of her chin and tilted her head up to look back at him. She dismissed it again and began to get to her feet.

"Please don't send me any more flowers." she remorsefully told him and then left to fetch her horse so she could go back home.

Feeling light-headed and profoundly heartbroken, Franco was left alone with his thoughts. How could he make this right for Sara?

So... ahem. Was this alright? I really tried to get into their heads here. To me this scene was excruciatingly powerful. Sara's confession in the Novela was so real because I'm sure many of us have had an unrequited love. It's painful, so I wanted to play with her a little bit. Give it that spice it needed..and even when she mentioned how she respected herself (I could imagine being hard for her to admit), revealed her innocence to love and intimacy...which Franco will later discover in the next chapter! Now on to lucky 25! Thank youuuuuu!