Cesar Proposes to Anna
Under Cesar's watchful eye, Sean, Anna and Robin attend Dawn & Ned's wedding at the Quartermaine mansion.  An anxious Sean and Anna are devastated when their surprise guest, an enemy of Cesar's, backs out out of fear.  Cesar realizes something's up and sticks close to Anna.  Not realizing what's going on, Robin's have an nice time at the party and mentions Cesar's attraction to her mom.  Anna, on the other hand, upset their plan fell through, informs Cesar she wants to leave the party.

Anna (upset, she walks toward the door, giving Lucy a nasty look on the way): "I'm ready to go now."

Cesar (following her): "So am I. I have a special treat for you at Wyndamere."

Anna (stops and turns to him): "No. I can't go out there tonight. I'm too tired to do..."    

Cesar (gives her a stern look): "But you'll extend yourself... if you want me to care about you and Robin.  Ask your friend.." (With his head, Cesar motions toward the Donelys who are seated at the bottom of the staircase watching Cesar and Anna.) "...Sean Donely and his wife to take her home."

Anna (gritting her teeth, angry): "All right."  (Sean and Tiff realize something's up, and rise as Anna comes over to them.  To Sean, Anna asks) "Can you take Robin home?" 

Scene switches focus to Frisco & Felicia, then fades out.  Returns to Wyndamere as Anna is entering the studying, with Cesar following. He closes the sliding doors behind them, watching her intently.

Anna (dropping her purse onto the chair): "Uh, I can't stay long.

Cesar (pauses, then puts his sunglasses in his pocket): "Please don't talk about leaving. We've only just arrived home."  (He loosens the top of his tie and unbuttons his collar.)  

Anna (smiles and looks around the room): "No, this is your home... mine's across the harbor."  

Cesar: "It doesn't have to be."  (He smiles shyly at her.)

Anna (walks away from him, trying not to face him): "It was a shame Dawn got sick."  

Cesar (coming up behind her): "Yes. On the other hand, it gave us a chance to slip away from those tiresome people."  

Anna (nods quietly in agreement): "Yeah."  (She then notices a mailbox full of letters on his desk and picks up a few.)  "What is this here?"

Cesar (bragging): "Fan mail. Thanks to Robert, the world seems to think they can invade my privacy."  

Anna (smiles and looks up at him): "What a strange concept that is. You're lucky they left you alone at the wedding I guess."  

Cesar: "Yeah. Thanks to you. You're friends seemed surprised to see you on my arm."

Anna: "Oh. Well, they didn't realize we knew each other."

Cesar: "Um."  (He softly runs a finger along her cheek and chin.)   "If only they knew how long we've known each other and how much we've been through together."  (He tilts her chin up to him, staring into her eyes.)

Anna (smiles uncomfortably): "You have any brandy?"

Cesar: "No... Champagne."  (She walks over to the bar and starts quickly uncorking the champagne, in desperate need for a drink.)  "I have a very rare vintage I've saved."

Anna: "Well, you should save it for a special occassion."

Cesar: "I have."  (He pauses.)  "For a very special evening with you." 

He smiles and raises his eyebrows at her.  He then walks away and she quickly gulps down her drink [while chilling background music breaks the scene away to commerical]. The scene then returns to Cesar offering Anna another glass of champagne.  She hesitantly puts down her half-drunk glass and takes the full one from him.

Anna: "Um, I don't want anymore, you know.  I'm tired as it is."

Cesar: "Champagne will do you good."  (He then grins widely and gushes at her)  "God, you're beautiful!"

Anna (laughs embarrassed): "Oh!  I... I... You know, you have to just stop..."  

Cesar (interrupting): "Why? You better, you better get used to it. I can't imagine a day going by without me telling you how beautiful you are, how much you mean to me."  

Anna (nervously fidgeting with her earring, tries to change the subject): "Did you enjoy the wedding?"

Cesar: "Yes. It must have been rather difficult for you though. All your friends asking all sorts of questions."  (She stares quietly at him, worried where this is leading.)  "I've been thinking.  It's not quite fair of me to put you under that kind of pressure.  So... Well..." (He takes a sip of champagne.)   "..I don't really see how our relationship can continue here in Port Charles."

Anna (surprised): "You don't?"  

Cesar: "No. Thanks to Robert I can't go anywhere without being harrassed by fans of P. K. Sinclair. You shouldn't be subjected to that."

Anna (relieved): "No. I hate being the topic of conversation like that."  

Cesar: "Besides here, we're burdened by too many ghosts of the past, too many secrets. Our love can't grow in such an environment."  (Anna quietly lets out a deep breath in relief, but Cesar interrupts her before she can answer.)  "So, I've come up with a solution."

Anna: "What?"

Cesar: "It's quite simple. Marry me."  (Anna stares at him stunned speechless.)  "I have a beautiful estate in Switzerland. It's peaceful, it's privacy. I'm sure you'll love it. Robin too. We could be a family. And you and I could live together forever."

Anna (looking like she's about to burst into tears): "I, uh..."

Cesar: "Just say yes."

Anna: "I..."

Cesar (upset at her reaction): "You lead me to believe this was what you wanted, Anna. And I would be very upset.... (He leans forward.) "You not been lying to me, have you Anna?"  (She smiles weakly at him, freightened to answer.)   

Scene fades out, then returns....

Cesar: "Well?"  (He takes her hand.)

Anna (sighs): "Uh... just a... just a minute."  (She softly pulls back her hand, shaking a bit, walks over to grab her glass and takes a large gulp of champagne.  Her backs to him so he can't see her expression.)

Cesar (confused): "I'm sure you must have known I would ask."  

Anna: "No."  (She laughs shakily.)

Cesar: "Really? After all I've said to you?"  (He takes a sip from his glass.)

Anna: "Yeah."  (Then in a lower voice, she adds sarcastically) "I think you've probably said a lot of things to a lot of women."

Cesar: "You doubt I'm serious?"  (She takes a deep breath and shakes her head at him. He then pulls out a jewelry box.)  "I hope this will convince you. I thought a diamond would be far too common so I bought you a sapphire... to reflect you rare beauty."  (Anna stares at the ring, totally speechless.)  "Please wear it.  Say you will marry me?"  (She jumps as the phone then rigns.   He ignores the phone as she keeps hoping he'll answer it.)

Anna (desperate for the distraction): "It could be Robin."  (She motions for him to answer it.)

Cesar (slowly picks up the phone): "Yes?"

Monica: "Mister Sinclair?"  

Cesar: "Speaking."

Monica:   "Uh, this is Monica Quartermaine. Is Anna Lavery there? I need to talk to her."  

Cesar: "Just a moment."  (He hands the phone to Anna.)  "Monica Quartermaine."

Anna (gratefully): "Oh."  (She takes off an earring to speak into the phone.)  "Hello, Monica. Yes, what can I do for you?"  

Sean (grabing the phone from Monica): "Anna, don't mention my name."

Anna (covering her surprise so Cesar doesn't notice): "Uh... What's the problem?"  

Sean: "Dawn has disappeared."  

Anna (thrown): "What?!"  

Sean: "I'm still at the Quartermaines. I'll explain everything when you get here. Ned and Monica have hired us to find her. I'm sure you won't be too unhappy to leave there."

Anna (almost blowing her cover): "Oh good... god. I'll be right there."  (She hangs up and puts her earring back on.)

Cesar: "Something wrong?"

Anna: "Yes. Monica Quartermaine. Um, she needs me over there, now."

Cesar:"Can't it wait?"

Anna: "No, it's an emergency. Actually, a case. I.. I... You know, I shouldn't discuss it with you."

Cesar: "You needn't work at all if you say yes to me."

Anna (laughs): "Oh, I can't just.. Well, you know I have my daughter, and um... I don't think she wants to live in Switzerland."

Cesar: "I think she would. There's stables, there's horses. We could find the best private schools for her."  (He grabs her hand and tries to slip on the ring.   Anna fights to keep him from slipping the ring on.)  "Please."

Anna: "I'm sorry. Just... wait... um. What I need is just a little time... just a little time, that's all."

Cesar: "It only takes a moment to say yes."  (He holds onto her hand.)

Anna: "Oh, well... I just can't take a moment to decide my entire future."

Cesar: "Well, how long?"

Anna: "I don't know."  (She adds in a softer tone.)  "I don't know."

Cesar (reluctantly relents): "All right. It's difficult for me to wait, there's so much at stake, but I want the moment you say yes to be a happy one for you."  

(She stares at him for a moment, then moves away.) Anna: "I must go."

(He grabs her wrist before she can leave and again tries to slip the ring on her finger.)  Cesar: "I'll call you tomorrow and tonight I'll dream of you as my bride."  (She's staring at her hand, not looking at him.  She doesn't let him get the ring firmly on, but takes it and puts it back into his palm, closing his hand with hers.)

Anna: "Keep... keep the ring..." (She pulls her hand away and kisses his closed fist, within which is the ring.  Grabing her purse, she flees the room.  Cesar stares after her, smiles, and kisses the ring.)

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