Vienna watched Tristan come towards her as she was having her ice cream. She was not sure if she wanted to run or stay. Which way could she run anyways? The mall was an enclosed space. He was goig to find her. She was not trying to avoid him but she was not sure if she could handle hanging out with him at her father's mall. This place was owned by her father and they were standing right opposite his office. The last few days at Survival Camp had been tough. He had spent alot of one of one teaching time with her. He lived by so many rules and had taught her alot that she wasnt aware of. In the end they had left the camp witha smile as good scores came through and Vienna was starting to undetsrand some of the actions Tristan took. But now it was out of the camp and it was time to face the world.
As Tristan got closer, she decided to join back with her group who were looking at the shop windows discussing tiaras for their prom dresses. They had finished shopping and all bags were in cars. Now it was time for fun. but Vienna was not sure how she could have fun with tristan nearby and her father's men watching their every step that her father was going to know about. What if he came down there and told Tristan off?
As Vienna stood next to the girls watching the windows of shops while eating ice cream. Seconds later, she heard him from behind her "Vienna. Which one are you getting?"
Vienna turned around and came face to face with Tristan.
Vienna asked "Which one am I getting? ... I already have a collection of tiaras ... You ... sent them to me as present this morning because I passed so many challenges...."
Tristan gave a satisfied smile. it was nice of her to admit that. She was his queen. Of course he liked her to wear Tiaras that he picked. Tristan nodded " So you received them in the post? Thats good. I am glad they didnt get lost."
Vienna smiled "How could they? There were plenty of tiaras in the box. the box was quite big..."
She then heard Clarisa call out "Are you coming Vienna? Its time for...."
Tristan turned to Clarisa and gave her a disapproving look silencing her but didnt say anything. He hardly had a chance to speak to Vienna.
Vienna quickly spoke "I must go...."
Tristan turned to Vienna "Where to?"
Clarisa answered from where she was standing next to the shop windows with the girls "We are going bowling before lunch. Would you like to join? Us girls are all going.... The bowling arena is at the basement of the mall...."
Tristan turned to Clarisa and then smiled meaning she was forgiven for the interruption "I would like that...." He then turned around and whistled signaling to the boys to come as he waved the boys over "Boys, lets go bowling..."
Clarisa frowned "Not them... They are uncivilised in bowling. remember the last time we played with them?..."
Tristan chuckled "Are you afraid of a challenge?"
Clarisa looked at the other girls who were looking at Clarisa waiting for her and hoping she got rid of the boys. It wasn't the plan. "Well we are not afraid.. But we all know how boys behave so competitively in bowling. they act like its life or death..."
"It is life or death..." Vincenzo's voice came from behind Clarisa.
Clarisa turned and saw Vincenzo in front of her and the other boys were also slowly surrounding the girls in a semi circle next to the massive Tiara shop.
Clarisa put her hands on her hips "I am sure the bowling arena has a policy against zoo animals..."
Vannessa added" Have you forgotten what happened last time in that bowling arena?"
The boys all laughed.
Alexander commented "You have good memory, girls... Dont worry, we take it easy on the girls..." He then turned to the boys "Wont we guys..."
The boys nodded in agreement.
Niall was looking between the group of boys and girls suspiciously "What happened last time?"
Tristan turned to him "The girls are exaggerating.... Nothing happened. They think of bolwing differently than we do... We will go easy of course. Shall we go?" He then turned to look directly at Vienna as he offered his hand to her. She hesitated. She was reluctant to take his hand. Her father was watching. It was an uneasy feeling. She had managed to dance with Tristan on other occassion and hold hands because her mother was around and was accompanying her father. Now where her father was close, she felt nervous. What if he didnt approve. But she nervously took his hand.
Tristan smiled and then lead her towards the entrace of the arena which opened into a basement. He did glance at the office window on the opposite side and did spot Francesco Rosario watching. Vienna had already told him about what worried her the most... her father's disapproval of him was one of her fears... He could tell she was still shy but they had to make a statement. She was his girlfriend. She was going to protect her with his life and he was committed and honourable. He felt he had earned the right to hold Vienna's hand in front of her father's eyes. He wanted nothing more than just keep Vienna safe and happy. That was all Why did Vienna have to be intimidated? She had nothing to fear.
The crowd of girls and boys made their way down the stairs going to basement and the arena was massive. They started to change their shoes. As there were sitting down on benches tying their shoe laces, Alexander announced "Girls, can you handle our moves today? If you can't, then go to the kids section..."
The girls started rolling their eyes. Boys had such big egos.
Vanessa turned to other girls " Ignore them. We are here to have fun and play.."
Sebastiano suggested " How about we play a game. You girls play in lane 1 and we play in lane 2... boys versus girls... That's our idea of fun..."
The rest of the boys nodded and whistled.
The girls looked at each other. Clarissa asked " And what happens to the loser and the winner? We are done with your bets..."
Niall suggested " The winner team get to throw the loser team in the pool at the end of the party tonight. That's what we do in Australia."
The boys turned to look at Niall as though he had said something strange.
Sebastiano spoke " Niall.. What you want us to call you ... Listen here ... dude... This is not Australia."
Niall shrugged " So... What do you Americans do?"
Sebastiano retorted " We have fun... I say the losing team must take a surprise challenge from a partner on the winning team... Any challenge... The winning team can come up with a list and after the dance before we sleep tonight the challenge takes place ... Are you in or out? It would be a short challenge and it would last for one night..."
The girls looked at each other. They were reluctant. But they wanted to get revenge on the boys. At least it was not forever. They shrugged and nodded, muttering "we are in".
The girls went to one lane and the boys went to the other adjacent lane. There was first warm up time and then it got serious. The team knocking the most number of pins was going to win after fifteen rounds.
Vienna took the first one and she knocked out all the pins giving the girls a lead. Then it was Tristan who went ahead equalling the score.
Tristan was not even interested in winning. All he cared for was to get Vienna alone... He had missed her so much. He found her walking to the back. As Tristan followed her, he noticed the guards nearby were watching him carefully with their walkie talkies ready to warn him off. He sighed. They were no match for him. He could knock them out easily.
Vienna sat on a bench and started tying her shoe laces as she looked on at how the match was happening. She was not interested in the banters.
Tristan walked close to her without her noticing and startled her " Hey... You are good at avoiding me..."
Vienna looked up and stood up "I am not avoiding you..."
Tristan spoke " I asked you to come help me pick a suit but you disappeared on me... Why was that?"
Vienna looked away at the match and frowned " We are falling behind. I need to go back and help..."
Tristan stood in front of her and blocked her path " They will be fine... That's just a bit of fun... Come on Vienna... Why didn't you like to shop with me?"
Vienna took a deep breath and looked up. She had to speak honestly " My father is watching..."
Tristan spoke " So? He is always watching... When have I ever let you down?... It can't be that.... I need to see you more...."
Vienna sighed " You saw me a lot ... At the camp..."
Tristan objected " That was studying. School is different... I want to know you more outside school... We have hardly had any dates... I wanted to take you ice skating but you said you had to study. What about tomorrow night?"
Vienna closed her eyes wondering how to say what she had to say. She looked away " I don't want to see you more... You are leaving this weekend... I won't see you for at least another month... I am not meant to get attached to you?... My mother told me... She asked me to try not to spend a lot of time with you because you were not going to come back any time soon..."
Tristan shook his head " Well... I am always coming back for you.... Your mother had to wait ten years for your father so she is afraid I will make you wait too but I won't. We live in a different era... I will miss you too but it doesn't mean I should avoid you so I won't feel pain if I am not with you... I will have you on my mind... Will you remember me for the next month..."
Vienna looked up " I will remember you and I will miss you ..."
Tristan felt warmth inside him. He couldn't describe what it was. He just felt relief. She meant her words. At last she managed to put the shyness aside and admit she was going to miss him. That was a relief that put his mind on ease.
Vienna asked " Promise me you will come back safe..."
Tristan nodded " I will come back safe
Vienna reached into her pocket and took out a small piece of silvery silky ribbon. She looked up " Tristan ..." That sentence was enough to make him lose his breath.
Tristan replied " Yes..."
Vienna asked shyly while blushing " Can you wear this ribbon around your wrist under your watch? It belongs to my prom dress. If you don't come back, I won't go to the prom... Will you wear it..."
Tristan smiled sadly and took off his watch and then felt her soft hands on his wrist making him stiffen as he felt her warm touch. She was having brief contact with him just by tying the ribbon around his wrist.
Tristan breathed "Thank you Vienna... I will come back safe,." He then worse his watch on top of ribbon. He then looked at Vienna and spoke in a serous tone " I made a promise and I want you to promise me something too... No boys Vienna..." He then winked to make Vienna feel at ease. his words were serious. But he didnt want to come across harsh. " You will tell my mother in school if any boys cross the line... They might test the waters.They won't.. I dont think... But might... Will you promise to tell my mother?"
Vienna nodded " I promise..."
Just then the sound of cheers from the boys interrupted them. Vienna sighed "Oh no... Boys won.. Again.."
Tristan chuckled "Dont worry. I would go easy on you... Dont worry..."
Vienna then heard the girls call her. It was time for lunch. Vienna spoke "I need to have lunch with the girls and we are going home to get changed... I will see you later..."
Tristan whispered "I cant wait to see your dress... Will you wear one of the tiaras I sent you?"
Vienna noticed Tristan looked quite concerned asking the question. It was hard to believe he was nervous about her not wearing his tiara. She smiled "I will wear it... i should go" She then walked away.
Tristan took a deep sigh. It was now time to go home and he couldnt wait to see her dress. Tristan went along with the guys and had lunch. He then made his way home. As he was sitting in the car, he noticed Trent was not in a good mood sitting opposite him. Tristan asked "Whats the matter? You had a good day today... Niall tested you in hand to hand combat and you could hold your own... You can be a sergeant next year working for me and vicnenzo when we are promoted to leuitanent position... "
Trent looked up at his brother "I dont care about survival camp and the ranks... They dont mean much... Hours of tution fixes everything..."
Tristan frowned "What is your problem? Don't tell me its Azurine... You didnt even like her that much... I dont think... Did you?"
Trent sighed "I was not even allowed to go to the airport to watch her leave... Mother didnt give me time off school..."
Tristan shook his head "You didnt give me a proper answer... Thats not what I asked.."
Trent looked away "Lets not go there..."
Tristan nodded "So I am right then... Its your birthday weekend. cheer up... I pick up on it ,... so can mother... You dont want grandpa Giovanni to send some henchmen after the McNamaras. Do you? I can totally see her doing it. Mother was good friends with their family... But grandpa isnt. So if she let it slip to grandpa you are not over Azurine, there will be trouble... I think you care for her life. Dont you? I dont... But you might..."
Trent closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair knowing his brother was right. He opened his eyes and whispered " I will try... I dont even have Azurine on my mind.. Its Amethyst's memory that's killing me and you know it..."
Tristan spoke slowly and in a low tone "If you give me your word you will cheer up, I will give you some good news..."
Trent rolled his eyes "Alright... I doubt you can.. But fine..."
Tristan explained "Amethyst may survive. There is a new treatment available but Arturo Agostini is dead against it... I heard it from father..."
Trent looked shocked "What?" He leaned closer "What is the treatment? Can father speak to them and let them do it..."
Tristan spoke "Your guess is as good as mine... We drop by in Milan as the last destnation on the trip... You can ask the Agostinis yourself when we drop by there in a month... Maybe by that time Amethyst is awake..."
Trent rand his hands in his hair "I dont think I can raise my hopes up..."
Tristan spoke "But you cant keep feeling sorry for yourself either.... Act like an O'Neil. Will you? Father survived a fall from a plane and woke up from a coma. So impossible is our middle name... What does father say always? ... You either are an O'Neil or you are not..." He then put his hand on his brother's shoulder "Just know, no matter what happens, I would have your back... You have our family to lean on... Some people dont have that luxury... Your blood comes above all else... And of course the woman you love... You will die for her.... But you just have to wait and hope for the best..."
Trent spoke "Mother says, hope is for dreamers..."
Tristan spoke "And fear and hopelessness is for losers... Would you rather be a dreamer or a loser?..."
Trent was looking at his brother with questioning eyes and hesitated to respond.
Tristan smiled "Winners live with hope and put away all their fears... Lock away your doubts and fears Trent... They would just hold you back... They would get you killed..."
Trent nodded " Father says the same... he told me that when we go on the trip he is wathcing me. he says I need to act like I have nothing to lose..."
Tristan smiled " I know you would make him proud. We will kick some Rosario backside. Wont we? This is called rivalry... Whatever they do, we will do or we best it... We cant let them beat us in anything..."
Trent nodded and gave his brother a weak smile " But you made it clear there is no rivalry..."
Tristan spoke " I didnt say that...I said we would not spill any Rosario blood... thats all I said... Anything else goes... I only said that for my queen"
That was when the car stopped. The brothers stopped talking as the chauffeur got off to open the door. There was a sound proof glass between passenger seat and driver seat so they spoke freely till then. But now, it was back to business.
Tristan got off the car and Trent followed. Tristan looked at his watch knowing Vienna could get here in an hour. He decided to kill some time playing basketball with hs brother.
Then after an hour, Tristan felt excited seeing the Rosarios arriving alongside other cars one by one. He walked to greet her. She had worn a beautful dress that was taking his breath away. He watched her walk towards the house as he walked to greet her. He picked up a rose that he had cut away from the gardens and offered it to Vienna. "You look beautiful..."
Vienna took the rose and blushed. "Thank you. She then asked "Can I put the rose in my hair?"
Tristan suggested "Sure. Let me cut the stem for you,... Then you can come to my room and fix it in your hair. I have a large mirror. That was one good excuse to get Vienna to be alone with him before the dance. He didnt think she would say yes.
Clarisa interrupted "You can come to my room..."
Tristan even didnt know when she had arrived behind him. He turned around and gave her a hard look "You are busy Clarisa.. I thought you needed some help with your project... You need to get Vincenzo now before party starts..."
Clarisa gasped "What? No. Not him..."
Tristan gave her a harder look that made her clear her throat "Sure... If I have to get good grades..."
Tristan nodded "Smart move..." Tristan didnt mind Clarisa learning not to interrupt him. Tristan then turned to Vienna "Why dont you come to my room to fix the flower... I will help...."
Vienna smiled "Sure.."
Vincenzo had been busy talking to the driver of the car and when he finished then turned to Tristan "Did someone say my name?"
Tristan turned to Vincenzo "You are the electronics expert. My sister needs some help..."
Vincenzo replied " Sure... Why not? the wild wolf has some use to the Terza...." He then winked at Clarisa..." He deliberately used her real name that she didnt like much. Terza was her real name which meant third born in Italian. She didnt like to be reminded that she was younger than Trent by a minute... She was third born but she asked everyone to call her by her middle name... But of course Vincenzo liked annoyong her.... Clarisa had a nick name for Vincenzo and called him wild wolf that he didnt mind to Clarisa's annoyance.
Vincenzo watched TRistan leading Vienna inside. He walked to Clarisa "Whats up Terza? Dont look so worried. I would fix up your project for you..."
Clarisa rolled her eyes and muttered "Follow me..."
Vincenzo didnt move "Say please, lady.."
Clarisa shook her head "You are crazy... How can Tristan trust you not to electrocute me?"
Vincenzo shrugged "Ha, Terza... We are practically family as your brother says. And besides, your mother has been taking it easy on letizia so since your mother is in my good books, I forgive you... I will help you win first prize in your project of yours too... I guarantee it..."
Clarisa spoke "Remind me why my brother trusts you in my room?...."
Vincenzo shrugged "I trust my sister in his room. Dont I? Whats the matter Terza? You are scared, the wild wolf may eat you?"
Clarisa spoke "No. I am not scared of you, ever... I am scared for whoever becomes your wife one day.. You are feral..."
Vincenzo chuckled "Whatever you say Terza... By the way, I prefer blondes so you might be my type in the end... So dont think you are safe from the wild wolf..."He then laughed hard and walked away towards the house. he turned around and spoke "You coming?"