Sitting at the table, Isabella read the note that came with the roses.  As she read, she put her manicured fingers to her lips, rapidly blinking to keep the tears at bay.  He loved her?  He said he loved her!  And in such a romantic way!<em>I can't believe it!</em>She touched the note with a fingernail, as if checking to make sure it was solid and not an illusion.  Then she held it to her chest, a huge smile on her face.  Her father walked over to smell them, teasing her that he knew who sent them and what they meant.  She rose from the chair and hugged him hard, laughing.  "You are right, Daddy.  I am sure they mean I am heavenly!"  She had folded the note and put it in the pocket of her robe.  She wasn't ready to share this with anyone, not even her father.  She had to see Diego and look in his eyes, see if it was really true.  Then, and only then, she<em>might</em>tell someone.<br/><br/>She followed her father to the foyer to see him off.  He explained that he might be out of the office most of the day, and to call first before coming.  He was wearing one of the vamp roses in his lapel, and Belle fingered it carefully.  "You are going to perfume the whole office with that, if you go," she smiled.  "It is truly the most glorious thing I've even seen, or smelled.  We are so lucky to have our gardener, aren't we Daddy?"<br/><br/>He handed her a sealed envelope, asking her to give it to the Ambassador if he was not able to meet with him before their date.  She watched him leave, waving goodbye as his car pulled away.  Then she pulled the note out of her pocket and read it again.  She squealed loudly, then ran up the stairs, thinking about what she would buy today that would be just right for their first evening alone.