Hello! I hope you are all safe during these hard times! I'm having a day myself...but no worries! All is well! I hope you enjoy this very very very long chapter! It's 5, 191 words without the author's notes! Just for you! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! They always make my day brighter! Muah! Also... yes, Rosario was hella annoying, but I do love the actress though. She's cute! Also... it broke my heart when Ms Klaus' mom passed. RIP! My prayers are with her and her family.

Happy reading!

(I do not own this Novela!)

Chapter 33

Franco paid no mind to Rosario's scorned threats as he finally drove to his meeting, but what really bothered him was the conversation he was about to have with his brothers later in the day. Franco did have a feeling Juan had known about him and Sara, but he didn't feel ready to come out into the open just yet. It was his business. He shouldn't feel so much pressure to confess all the details of his new and profound love interest.

After delivering the certificates, Franco sighed on his way back home. He was dreading what his brothers would say to him. He could imagine Oscar's disapproving face and Juan's rough sermons. But then again...it was to be expected of them to behave in such a way especially since it had been Franco who'd complained so many times about how much he detested Sarita Elizondo.

That was all in the past.

Out of all the constant bickering and petty fights, Sarita had become a beacon of hope for Franco. With her, there's a promise of a greater and safer future. Before, he had been relentlessly lost, but now with Sarita by his side, he finally found peace and happiness.

He swore under his breath once he made it home. He hoped that this talk with his older brothers would go by quickly. The palms of his hands started to grow sweaty when he got out of his car and started to make his way inside his house. True to his word, Juan was waiting on his favorite armchair. He nodded slowly at Franco, who staggered nervously to take a seat on one of the couches.

Just after he was seated, both Franco and Juan heard a door close, followed by a couple of footsteps and merry whistles. Oscar had made it home, looking all relaxed and content as he whistled to himself, twirling his black hat around his fingers while attempting to climb up the stairs.

"We were waiting for you." announced Juan, interrupting Oscar's merry moment.

Oscar eyed both his brothers curiously and then joins them in the living room. He checks his watch, a cunning smile playing on his lips.

"What are you both doing up so late?" he asked.

"Juan wants to talk to us." grumbled Franco, really hoping to get this entire thing done and over with.

"About what?"

"This idiot." answered Juan, gesturing to Franco who looked back at him. "And Sarita Elizondo."

Franco's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. He felt his shoulders slump over, already sensing the tension coming soon.

Oscar raises his eyebrows questionably at Franco, who began to stare at the ground while scratching his temple.

He heard Oscar sigh in what seemed like disappointment and took a seat on one of the chairs across from Franco. Juan is now standing by the window, his dark eyes never leaving the back of Franco's head. Franco just sat there in silence, just waiting for this entire conversation to come to an end. Juan fills an astonished Oscar about what had happened earlier with Rosario Montes and then informs him of Franco's new affair with the feral Sarita Elizondo. Franco just sat there, wishing he could disappear under a rock while both his brothers continued throwing him disapproving and concerned looks.

"Franco…" began Oscar. "All Juan and I care about is your happiness."

Franco's eyes finally look up from the ground to Oscar. He scowled.

He was happy.

He knew he was. Especially with Sarita.

"And my blood boils," gruffed Juan, "just thinking you can live with something like you did with Rosario Montes."

"Don't worry." Franco said, trying to understand what Juan is trying to imply. "That's all in the past."

"Don't give me that shit!" shouted Juan. "There's nothing in the past! That bitch is after you! Who knows what her plans are. I don't like it one bit!"

"Look, if that's what you're worried about, don't." assured a distressed Franco. "I know how to handle this situation."

"Franco." Juan said, his voice less aggressive but still stern. "I'm only worried that you could be playing with Sarita's feelings."

Franco frowned. He knew he was doing no such thing. He honestly cared about Sara. Why would Juan go on about such bullshit?

"Juan, stop spinning things around and clear this whole shit out?" argued Oscar, standing up in front of Franco. "Things are like this, Franco. Juan and I are about to win Norma and Jimena back, right? After all the troubles we've had, it's a miracle that things are looking up."

Franco slumped sadly, now understanding Oscar's point of view. Oscar kept on going.

"The slightest mistake you make with Sarita, you can screw everything for us. You understand that?"

Juan nodded in agreement. Franco, on the other hand, bowed his head. He had to think for a moment. Before he started to get serious with Sarita, he did think of his brothers and the problems they've been going through, but he didn't think about how his involvement with Sarita would affect their relationships with her sisters. Oscar did have a point, but Franco can't help how feels about the most difficult of the sisters. He was falling in love with Sarita and there's no one who could tell him otherwise.

"Of all the women in the world…" growled Juan. "You just had to set your eyes on Sarita!"

He flinched in his seat when Juan threw a cushion at him.

"Fuck, Franco!" shouted Juan, scratching his head. "As if we didn't have problems already! And here you go giving us another one!"

Franco didn't have a bone to bark back at Juan. Instead, he stayed silent, staring hard at the ground again. He didn't mean for his new love affair to upset both his brothers. It wasn't his intention. He fell in love, what could he do?

Oscar took note of his younger brother's distressed expression and sat next to him.

"Franco, hey…" Oscar said, tapping Franco on his slumped shoulder. "Why don't you go for another girl, huh?"

Franco tore his sad gaze from the ground to throw his deranged brother a bewildered look.

"With all the money and good looks you have, I'm sure you'll bag other girls!" he went on, but faltered when Franco looked back down again. "Juan and I are already promised to Norma and Jimena...but do you have anything serious going with Sarita?"

Franco continued to stay silent, his mind racing with Sarita. Oscar took a good look at his rattled little brother and raised a worried brow.

"Do you?" Oscar pried.

"Stop saying stupid shit, Oscar!" growled Juan, smacking Oscar on the back of the head.

"But that-"

"Enough of that!"

"But that's the truth!" argued Oscar. "We have to leave the youngest brother to ruin everything!"

Franco decided to break the tension and to dismiss another possible brawl between his older brothers, who appeared to be quite determined on attacking each other.

"Look.." he finally said, looking back at Juan and Oscar. "I want you to know that I also don't understand from all the women in the world, I happened to like Sarita."

Juan scoffed and Oscar threw him an exasperated glance.

"I even find this pathetic!" Franco went on. "The three little brothers and the three little sisters!"

"Right?" agreed Oscar, earning a disgruntled look from both Franco and Juan.

"But…" Franco sighed, the corners of his lips tugging into a small smile. "I'm very interested in her."

He heard both his brothers groan, but Franco didn't care. Even if his brothers could never approve of this, he loved Sarita.

The tension he felt throughout the conversation faded when he thought more about her. Her radiant smile she'd give him when he whispered sweet words to her, the twinkle in her eyes when they saw each other, and those adorable blushes he'd earn when he would tease her.

"I don't know…" he carried on, reminiscing on the day she saved his life. She was so feral, strong, and brave. "I like her temper…"

He smiled widely, remembering how he couldn't stand her constant scowls and fiery character. Now he finds it alluring and even endearing, because that temper is what makes her who she is. And when that temper softens, and he knows how to...she's even more beautiful, sweet, and tempting.

"I think she's cute…" Franco added, his mind racing on all those times he held her and kissed her as if his life depended on it. "Every time I see her, I die for her."

He meant it. Sarita Elizondo, the most difficult of the sisters, had stolen his heart. And he had stolen hers. He truly loved her.

Franco paused, realizing his brothers were staring at him as if he had more than one head. He felt his face growing hot, knowing that he could've gone on and on about his affections for Sarita.

Oscar laughed and Franco frowned, his face glowing with embarrassment.

"Well…" Oscar said, clearly amused by his younger brother's confession. "There's nothing else to talk about."

Juan, on the other hand, looked more calm. He was now sitting down across from his brothers.

"That's what they call chemistry, right?" joked Oscar. "In Reyes' blood or the Elizondos'."

Oscar raised his brows again, analyzing their relationships with the sisters.

"One in love, alright. Two, fine. But three?" he exclaimed, looking at Franco. "Welcome to the club, little brother!"

He laughed and thumped Franco hard on the shoulder. Juan, however, was still worried. Calm but worried.

"Franco…" he said, scratching his head again. "It soothes me to know that your feelings for Sarita are honest and I wish you the best of luck to make her happy."

He then shot Franco a stern look.

"But be aware…" he cautioned. "That bitch Rosario won't rest until she makes your life a living hell. And Sarita's too."

Franco's brows furrowed with worry, knowing that Juan could be right. He would never forget how Rosario stormed back and mysteriously knew about Sarita. Knowing that woman's dangerous games and her brazen behavior, Franco wouldn't doubt that Rosario could possibly go to those extremes. Damn…

Now more than ever, he needed to see Sarita. He needed to warn her and keep her safe from anything that could possibly happen.

Franco was meeting with Sarita the next night. He felt a little lighter after finally admitting to his brothers about his feelings for her, but he couldn't help but feel agitated. Juan and Oscar were breathing down his neck, putting so much pressure on him as he got ready for his date. He understands if anything goes wrong between him and Sara, his brothers would never forgive him. The pressure was unbearable even when they followed him to his car, badgering him on how to address and treat a woman properly.

He wanted to tell them to fuck off and that it wasn't the first time he'd went out with her, but they just kept pestering him. Franco finally had enough when Oscar attempted to tousle Franco's already neatly coiffed hair as he got into his car.

He was finally able to breathe once he was on the road, his sour mood lifting at the thought of Sarita, who could already have arrived at the restaurant. He drove a little faster, but carefully, given that it was night and the roads were completely pitch black. As he drove he noticed two motorcycles driving by his side. Franco recognized the drivers. They were his newest employees, Manolo and Miguel, enjoying their night off from work. They both informed Franco that they were going to visit their parents at the market and even offered to accompany Franco on the highway. Franco laughed and accepted their offer.

As soon as the three men made it to the restaurant, Franco bid farewell to Manolo and Miguel and made his way inside the restaurant for his date.

He looked around for any signs of Sarita, and his heart hummed softly when he finally saw her sitting alone with a thoughtful expression. He smiled at her as he approached the table she had reserved for just the two of them. He noticed her eyes weren't twinkling as they usually would, instead they seemed serious and a little anxious.

Although she may seem serious, she still looked so beautiful to him. Sarita wasn't one for light colors, not that he complained. Dark colors suited her very well, for they enhanced her natural porcelain complexion. Her dark hair was out in soft waves, framing her doll-like face.

Franco internally swooned for there isn't a woman as precious as Sarita.

It broke his heart when she couldn't return his smile, even after he kissed her cheek. His lips had already begun to ignite at her softness.

"I'm sorry I'm late." he told her, noting her silence. "I had to take care of some business at the ranch."

He could feel something was off with her when she solemnly looked down at her hands.

"I'm very sorry I kept you waiting." he added, wondering if his tardiness is what bothered her.

"No, don't worry." she finally responded, offering him a weak smile. "The important thing is that you're here."

He smiled again at her and took his seat next to her. He furrowed his brows when he heard her sigh. He observed her more closely. There was something else bothering her. From all those times they'd spent together, Franco learned how to read her expressions and body language. The first thing he noticed whenever she was in deep thought is that she'd always look down and slightly purse her bottom lip. He always thought it was adorable when she was lost in her thoughts, but seeing her now like this worried him. Something must've happened because her hands were nervously fidgeting and he could even feel a wave of sadness airing off her.

"Is something wrong, Sara?" he asked her, his big blue eyes glistening with concern. "You seem a bit strange."

She bit her bottom lip and looked at him, her sultry brown eyes serious.

"I need to speak properly with you, Franco." she answered. "We need to clarify many things."

Franco felt his heart drop to his stomach as dread began to eat at him. He began to think of the worst at this point. Was she scared about something? Did she no longer trust him after all their time together?

"It's always best to know what's happening and how we should avoid unnecessary problems." she added.

Franco nodded in agreement and tried to not think of the worst.

All the while Sarita confessed to what had been troubling her, Franco tried his best not to punch the table. True to her words, Rosario had managed to mess with Sara. She told him that the shameless woman had the nerve to show up at Elizondo ranch without an invitation solely to intimidate Sarita. What truly angered him was that Sarita did in fact feel intimidated. In the past, Franco did think that no other woman could ever compete with Rosario. She had the entire package. She was beautiful, talented, and oozed so much sex appeal that could make a nun blush. Knowing her very well now, underneath all that beauty, Rosario was spiteful and selfish. Those qualities are what made her so hideous to Franco.

It pained him that Sarita had to have an unwanted encounter with her. It also pained him that it may have shattered her self-esteem and self-worth. He regretfully thought back to when he considered Sarita as an ugly, bland, and hateful woman. He hated himself for thinking and saying those things now that he fell irrevocably in love with her.

As Sarita kept talking, Franco looked at her and listened to her every word. He wanted so much to tell her that she was beautiful. Heck, everything about her was beautiful. Her smile, her expressive brown eyes, those pouty full lips, those adorable light freckles delicately sprawled on her button-nose and cheeks. In truth, what he found so incredible about her was her heart. It was selfless and true, to him, that was the most desirable of all. Sarita was perfect and there could be no other woman who could compare to her.

Listening to her mention Rosario's threat about reclaiming him, worried him, because Sarita thought that woman could actually stand a chance.

"Sara, I want you to know that my history with Rosario is over." affirmed Franco, staring intently into Sara's despairing eyes. "It's in the past. I have no feelings for her whatsoever."

Sarita sighed and looked down at her hands again, which continued to fidget nervously.

"Apparently she doesn't feel the same way, Franco." she uttered, her voice soft and solemn. "She dared to come to my house and had no problems threatening me about getting you back. The worst thing is that she seemed so confident…"

He heard her voice slightly breaking at the end, and it angered him. That Rosario is playing with fire.

"I don't give a damn about that, Sara." he told her, his tone a little harsh, but he needed her to know that she was the only woman he cared for. "She came looking for me and I was very clear. I told her my feelings have changed and the only things I feel for her are rejection and disgust."

Sarita dropped her gaze and let forth a lamenting sigh. Franco reached for her small hand and held it up to his lips. He placed a soft kiss on them before looking into her eyes.

"Sara…" he said, still holding her hand. "You are the only woman I care about."

He noticed her cheeks tinting into that pinkish hue he loved so much. He caressed her hand and pressed another kiss on it, his eyes still boring into hers.

"I don't have eyes for other women." He added. "Please believe me. Please trust me."

Her eyes settled on her hand which trembled slightly when he caressed her fingers. She meekly smiled when he brought his free hand to caress her cheek.

"Don't let others confuse your thoughts." He told her.

He yearned to pull her into him and kiss her worries away, but instead he felt her take her hand away and his heart strummed pathetically in his chest at the dismissal.

"Look, Franco…" she said, her eyes brimming. "I want to be completely honest with you…"

Franco stared at her, his heart nearly breaking. There was something else brewing inside her mind and from the sorrowful expression written on her angelic face, it was not good.

"I'm not interested in getting into that sort of trouble." she sadly confessed. "And...well… if you're still going to see that woman…"

She paused and looked intently into his now wide eyes. She let out a shaky breath and Franco felt himself slowly turning cold.

"I'd prefer to forget your existence and go back to my old life."

He gawked at her, now feeling his heart breaking into pieces.

She can't mean that.

"Sara…" he began to say, refusing to accept her words. "Please..."

"You need to understand me, Franco." Sara kept on. "If being with you is going to be such a headache, I'd rather be alone and save myself the trouble, especially from Rosario Montes."

Franco winced at that scorned name.

"I won't let you or anyone else make my life miserable." she added, averting her eyes from a distressed Franco to the other side of the restaurant.

Franco noticed her eyes narrow for a mere second and then flashed dangerously when she looked at him again. He opened his mouth to question her but she cut him off, her voice suddenly loud and vicious.

"You are nothing but a leech, Franco!" she shouted, confusing the hell out of him. "Just a jerk who only played with my feelings! But this is it, Franco Reyes!"

Franco was shocked and even hurt to hear her shout all these horrible things at him. He thought her hate for him was in the past. Had she been harboring all those times they spent together?

The entire guests in the restaurant turned their attention from their dinner to stare at a sudden feral Sarita standing from her chair, her voice getting louder and louder. Franco could feel his face growing hot with embarrassment, wondering what on earth had her acting this way.

"Because I won't let you walk all over me! I won't let you!" She yelled, suddenly grabbing his drink and tossing it over his head before pushing him out of the way. "To the ground, Franco! NOW!"

He heard a man grunt when Sarita threw his drink and a gunshot firing. Realization dawned on him when he saw Sarita quickly flipping their table over to cover them from the two men who had approached them with guns. Franco recognized them right away. They were the same men who had kidnapped and tortured him.

In a matter of seconds, Franco lunged at one of them as the rest of the customers and waiters clamored in fright. When the one named Rubinski was decked down and disarmed, Franco turned around to see that Sarita had covered the other man with a dining cloth and struggled to have him in a headlock. All the while Sara struggled with the one thug, Franco noticed he had a gun clasped in his hand.

Franco couldn't forgive himself if that asshole were to harm Sara. He hurried over to her and helped her disarm the thug by throwing in a couple of punches while Sarita held him still.

In doing so, the nameless man pushed Franco into Sarita. She held onto him for dear life as they watched the two henchmen run out of the restaurant along with the other frightened customers.

"On the ground! Everyone!" Franco heard one of them yell from outside.

He locked his protective hold on Sara when another round of gunshots were being fired from outside, followed by more screaming and panic.

"We need to leave." he warned her, as he felt her tremble against him. "Now."

Through her own fear, Sarita nodded in agreement. Franco cautioned her to stay behind him as he took careful steps to see if the coast was clear. He could still hear the customers shouting and screaming, all scampering to hide under the tables and chairs. He heard a car revving and he thought that the two thugs were trying to escape.

With Sara close behind, Franco made it to the front of the restaurant, but to his dismay, the two thugs were still there.

"Herzog, there he is!" shouted Rubinski in the driver seat once he saw Franco.

The nameless man named Herzog pointed his gun at Franco and began to shoot before jumping in the car. He was still shooting as Rubinski started to drive away.

Franco immediately fell to the ground, dislodging the bullets. He remained perfectly still when he heard Herzog and Rubinsky disappear completely into the distance.

"FRANCO!" he heard Sarita cry from behind him. "FRANCO!"

He felt her small, trembling hands on his hair and face. He opened his eyes and instantly pulled a panic stricken Sarita into his arms. He held her to him, realizing how close he could've lost her, and his heart filled with tremendous warmth and gratitude, for Sarita had managed to save his life for the second time.

This valiant woman.

He inhaled her scent as his arms constricted around her trembling form.

"Are you hurt?" she asked softly, her voice breaking at what could've happened to them. Her hands felt for any wounds on his chest and arms. "Did they hurt you?"

"No, I'm okay." he rasped, taking her face in his own hands. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, her eyes brimming as her hands covered his. He caressed her fingers, his eyes looking her over in search of any wounds or bruises.

He was relieved she was unharmed, but still held her as if it would be the last time.

She let out a shaky sigh of relief as she held him, and Franco melted in the comfort of her embrace when she placed a protective but affectionate kiss on his forehead.

Once it was safe to move, he and Sarita walked quietly to their cars, both shaken at what could've happened to the two of them.

His heart was hammering in his chest as his head tried to register everything that had occurred.

Those men were trying to kill him. And what triggered him the most… Sarita could've been harmed.

"These people will never leave me alone!" he shouted as Sarita held a pained expression in front of him. "They'll keep chasing me until they succeed-"

He cut himself short, thinking about Rosario. Every time she crosses his path, a disaster follows him like a bad omen. It made him even angrier that Sarita is targeted after him.

"And it's all thanks to Rosario," he spat. "That's why they're trying to kill me, Sarita."

"Why are you so sure she's behind-"

"Because this isn't the first time this happened." he told her, causing Sarita to worry. "It's the same story repeating. Every time Armando Navarro finds out she's trying to reach out to me, he sends his thugs to kill me. But it always fails…"

He sighed when Sarita crossed her arms as her brow delicately furrows with immense concern.

"But you know that?" he went on, his shoulders slumping. "They could finally get it right one day."

"Franco, please." Sarita said. "You can't keep risking your life. You need to report this to the authorities. If you don't do it, I will. I guarantee it, because I won't allow you to keep risking your life for some assholes."

Franco stared at her for a few moments, his mind racing to earlier that evening at the dinner table. Perhaps, she could be right all along. Perhaps it was best to go their separate ways than to see her get hurt or die because of him. It pained him to admit it because he loved her. Everything about her. He's finally met a woman who respects his feelings and supports his dreams, no matter how silly and naive they may be. As painful as it is, Franco couldn't be selfish. If anything were to happen to Sarita on his behalf, he could never live with himself.

"You know the part I hate most, Sara?" he confessed to her, staring intently into her sultry brown eyes, which held so much passion and warmth just for him. "They might hurt you on my account. God forbid, they could've hurt you or even killed you."

He felt his heart hum sorrowfully, knowing that those two horrible men were capable of doing the most. The thought of losing her, very much broke his heart so he gathered her in his arms. He held her for a couple of seconds before she pulled back from him.

"It kills me to think that, you know?" he went on, feeling his eyes stinging. "If something happened to you because of me… I couldn't forgive myself."

She looked up at him sadly, and his heart strummed painfully in his chest. He needed to keep her safe...especially from him. If his life was endangered, her life shouldn't be.

"Sara.." he said softly, his regret welling inside him. "I.. I think we should stop this relationship. I don't want to expose you anymore."

Her eyes went wide as they shone with her own heartbreak at his regretful words. He felt his own welling up with his own tears, deeply knowing that separating would be the best solution to keep her safe. Just when he finally found a love as pure as theirs, others sought to make his life and hers a living hell. Life is cruel when one finally finds happiness.

"No…" she whimpered, her little hand reaching out to touch his. "No, Franco…"

His fingers wrapped around hers, relishing the soft feel of her skin as though it would be the last time he'd get to touch her.

"I don't care, Franco." she told him, looking into his watering blue eyes. "I won't step aside. I'm willing to stick around whatever it takes. I won't let some thugs set us apart."

He gave her a watery smile, feeling a tear slide down his face. He really didn't know such a woman like her existed. She would always and never seize to surprise him. He didn't want to be selfish because he only craved her safety, but hearing her words gave him a new sense of peace and relief.

"Thank you." he told her, loving her more as he stared into her teary eyes. "Even though I'll be worried sick… I like to hear that, you know?"

She smiled meekly at him. He continued to look at her, his heart throbbing warmly for her as he gathered her back into his arms. He thanked the Lord for taking his time on making someone so precious and loyal as her. Sarita, despite their troubles, had proven to be more than what he deserved.

"Thank you." he whispered to her, leaning his head down to hers. His hands gripped the back of her dark blouse when his lips touched hers. He kissed her slowly and tenderly, feeling her hands coming up to cradle the sides of his face. He could melt in her arms every time he held her like this. How could he ever let go of this angel?

Sarita gave him one last peck on his lips before pulling away.

"I think we should go back home." she told him, wiping at her eyes as she smiled at him. "It's getting late."

"Yeah.." Franco agreed, grinning at her. "After all this excitement, we should both head home."

Before leaving, Sarita wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. Her lips lingered when he wrapped his arms around her. He sighed in their embrace, his entire being overwhelmed with love and devotion he had for this petite young woman, who bravely saved his life yet again.

Franco owed his life to her and will forever be grateful to have her by his side.

Omg... this was the longest chapter of this story! It's not the sexiest though, because I wanted Franco to focus more on his heart rather then his AHEM...He's growing very well. Sara is definitely good for him. Tehehe! Thank you so much for reading! Now... onto 34!