Adele was nervously waiting with Francesco and Costanzo in the dining room for Piero Rosario to enter. It was now midnight and the long overdue dinner was going to be served. The three youngsters were standing behind their chairs waiting for Piero to appear so they could sit.

At last Piero entered with delay. Adele looked down immediately. She couldn’t trust herself not to give him her most hateful glare. She had asked Francesco not to make her go to dinner but Francesco didn’t have a choice. His uncle had insisted for Adele to be there.

Uncle Piero walked to his seat and sat down that sent the signal it was ok to sit for all of them. he said his meal time prayers as usual and started eating without another word. Minutes passed in silence as Adele was sitting unmoved. She had no appetite. She couldn’t get over the shock of the events happening in the mansion that day.

Piero’s voice startled her “Remind me of your name girl. I have forgotten.”

Francesco sighed and spoke “Her name is Adele uncle.”

Piero raised his eyebrows “I believe she has a tongue. I am sure Adele can speak for herself without problem. She is your girl after all. I am certain you haven’t picked a weakling for yourself. Lets find out. Are you a weakling Adele?”

Adele looked up at Piero. She was enraged but tried to keep her voice steady “I am not a weakling.”

Piero spoke “Very well. That’s more like it Adele. Look me in the eye and answer my questions. Firstly tell me why you are not eating? Is there something wrong with the food we have prepared fro dinner?”

Francesco looked at Adele and held her hand in his trying to comfort her, hoping she could give a polite response. Adele looked at Francesco and then to Piero “I am not hungry Mr Rosario. I am sorry. I did tell Francesco that I have lost my appetite and don’t wish to join you for dinner but he said that you ..... insisted.”

Piero smiled “Of course. Why didn’t I guess that not feeling hungry was your reason. We can fix that for you. I will ask for some entertainment to be brought into the room by my guards.”

Francesco and Costanzo both said in unison “No”. Then Francesco spoke “Uncle. That wont be necessary. Please don’t bring any entertainment. Uncle. I think Adele will start eating now. Wont you Adele?” He turned and looked at her with narrowed eyes.

Adele was baffled. What kind of entertainment was their uncle referring to that had made these two brothers panic? It must have been something bad. So Adele spoke quickly “I think the food looks too lovely. I have to try it. Thank you Mr Piero. With your permission I start.”

Piero nodded “Good. Eat now. I don’t like it when my guests don’t respond to my hospitality. It makes me feel as though I haven’t provided enough for them to enjoy themselves. Tell me if you need entertainment to gain some appetite.

Francesco asked Adele quietly “What would you like? Do you want to have some lasagne? Its our chef’s specialty dish.”

Adele spoke in a whisper “Yes Please.” As Francesco placed food on her plate, she then started eating slowly and reluctantly. She was hoping for this dining hour to end soon. She hated sitting in such close proximity to a man who had caused her family pain and distress. But then she reminded herself that her family had a lucky escape by being spared for now thanks to Francesco. There were numerous families of doctors who had co-operated with FBI held in the cellar at that moment and they were destined to die. Adele couldn’t help but let her tears fall. She took a napkin quickly and wiped her tears but she couldn’t stop crying.

Costanzo was looking at Adele worriedly but didn’t dare say a word. He knew his uncle didn’t want to hear his objective voice very much after their confrontation so he was trying to act as the obedient nephew for now hoping his uncle wont turn on him again.

Francesco whispered “What’s the matter Adele? Are you okay?”

Piero sighed “I guess she is depressed. Losing your appetite is a sign of depression. Francesco I think you should take better care of her. Our guest needs some livelihood here. She is depressed since she has become bored sitting in your room the whole day. I suggested already that some entertainment may do her good but you did not appreciate my offer.”

Francesco sighed “Uncle. Its a bit late in the day for such activities. Don’t you think? I think Adele will be fine.”

Costanzo spoke carefully ” If you don’t allow her to go back to her room, would you at least excuse her to go to the rest room and freshen up with some cold water. She is in tears.”

Piero spoke ” You know the rules in the dining room in this house. Do I have to repeat it for you? I say who sits at my dinner table and they should be present with no fail. Also no one is allowed to leave the table until their meal is finished. Its disrespectful to abandon a table for any reason. Its an unforgivable crime in my eyes. But what can I say. Young people have no manners these days, they suggest such outrageous actions. No one leaves my dinner table unless ... its over my dead body. But young man, I am surprised that you have some nerve to speak to me at all after your behaviour at lunch time. You were lucky, I let your brother take over from me in teaching you manners after your insults. If you are wise, you would refrain from speaking unless you know what you say wont offend me again. You crossed the line Costanzo today. Don’t test me like that again.

Adele gasped and in between sobs she turned to Francesco and spoke “You did that to his face? How could you?”

Francesco spoke “It was for his own good. He deserved it. I would do it again if I have to beat his rude behaviour out of him.”

Adele spoke “This is just cruel. How can you do this to your own brother ?”

Francesco spoke “Be quiet Adele. Eat now.”

Piero spoke in threatening voice that brought chills down Adele’s spine “You need to learn manners Adele. Its one thing to refuse to eat but its another thing to question my nephew in my home and at my dinner table. Offending a Rosario is seen as a sign of disrespect in my eyes. You are not allowed to interfere with any matters that are no concern to you. In case you haven’t noticed the role of a woman in a Rosario household is to keep their men happy and satisfied. You are no exception to the rules. I am sure Francesco won’t let your rant go unpunished. But I would like to hear you giving Francesco an apology right now. Go on.”

Adele was mortified at the tone Piero had used. She thought she got off likely with an apology. She looked at a furious looking Francesco. He was reprimanding her with his eyes. He had made her promise him to not do anything to aggravate his uncle and she had just done that. Her apology came out quite sincere. She was apologising for letting Francesco down more than anything “I am so sorry Francesco. I didn’t mean what I said to cause offence to anyone. Forgive me.”

Francesco whispered “Apology accepted.”

Piero spoke “This behaviour cant continue Adele. I have rules in this house. You will be here for a while before your family is set free. Also you will be visiting this mansion frequently from now on since you belong to my nephew.” he then turned his gaze to Francesco ” Its her first day and I am going easy on her by letting her off with one apology. But Francesco, you know what to do when you take her back to your room. Francesco if you want her to never suffer at my hands when she is in my mansion, you teach her to be respectful or I will. She is your responsibility. But Francesco. From what I can see she is not suitable for our way of life. She is more American than Italian. Get rid of her.”

Francesco looked up and spoke “She is the only one for me uncle. Any other girl is out of question for me. She is not used to our way of life. That is all. She will learn to be like us. soon.” Francesco then turned to Adele “Now get on with eating or you wont like the consequences Adele.”