24. An Irish Route

Vienna watched in disbelief and cringed as she watched Tristan threw an aftershave bottle at his cousin. She gasped as she saw Tristan having a hard look in his eyes staring at the door still even though his cousin was gone. He declared "Vienna. Wait here for me. I am coming back." He then started walking towards the door.

Vienna asked "Where are you going Tristan? Are you going to go check on your cousin to see if he is ok? " She then gulped as she saw his eyes turn to her as he stopped as he was about to turn the door knob. He looked quite serious.

Tristan stopped. He became thoughtful and then raised an eyebrow as his hand was resting on the door knob "To check on him? Of course. Thats exactly what I am going to do. I will check if I did any damage. I am not sure if I hit him and where I hit him exactly. Its always good to check up close. Just make yourself comfortable here."

Vienna said "Good idea. I think you hurt him. I heard the bottle made impact on him..."

Tristan sighed as he opened the door. He didn't think the bottle did any damage at all. He wanted it to break into pieces. It didnt. New bottles were more impact resistant.

He saw his cousin from far and nodded to his men to stop him. passing through the corridors. Just as he signalled four guards at the end of the corridor stepped in front of Jonas and blocked his path.

Tristan declared "Escort him to room 444."

Jonas turned around and sighed. His cousin couldn't take a joke. Of course he didn't. Jonas was accompanied to a room and left there. The room was completely empty. It had no furniture. It was mostly for beating people up. Furniture came in the way.

Tristan entered a minute later and closed the door soundly making Jonas jump. Jonas had never experienced Tristan's wrath directed at him before but he could see why no one wanted to be subjected to it. The expression in Tristan's eyes said he needed to be worried.

Jonas put his hand up and surrender "Whatever it is that has got on your nerves, I apologise for it. Maybe we can talk about it."

Tristan stopped in his tracks and gave him an unreadable look. He then chuckled darkly as he took a few steps to his cousin closing the distance between them "I don't accept apologies Jonas when it comes to messing with my girl."

Jonas paled. Instinct told him not to question him. He kept silent. He knew when it came to Vienna the rules changes. family or no family he could suffer if he offended vienna. So he asked the dreaded question "Is Vienna offended by me?"

Tristan narrowed his eyes "Should she be?"

Jonas knew to reply carefully. Tristan was going to beat the daylights out of him if he acted defiant. He just had to clear up the issue. He stated "I hope she isnt offended by me. I am loyal to her."

Tristan started circling his cousin who was standing unmoving " What made you think you can order my girl what to do? Telling my girl what to do is never a good idea Jonas. You should remember that."

Jonas knew better than to argue. He said " I made a suggestion. I didnt order her. I swear."

Tristan stopped circling him as he stood in front of him and put his hands behind his back "You suggested? Really?"

Jonas said "Yes. I am sorry. It was a joke. I also think she wanted to come up and see you. She was tired waiting downstairs for you. I just thought its a good idea. I thought it would cheer you up to see her. Honest. Please believe me."

Tristan said "Is that all you can say in your defence? Come on Jonas. Do you think this is enough for me to hear such excuse when I am making up my mind about your verdict?"

Jonas said "I am sorry. I made a suggestion. I didnt order her. I swear it. But I didnt get the impression she was offended by me. "

Tristan looked into his cousin's eyes with his piercing stare. He stared him down for minutes in silence. He then declared "Do you really think I would have let you get off with just a bruise on your head if she looked offended by you? Do you Jonas?"

Jonas looked away to Tristan's satisfaction. Jonas knew the hierarchy. Jonas stated while looking down "No."

Tristan stated "Good. I am glad you understand. You are here to hear my warning. Dont mess with my girl or I will mess with your life. Do you understand?"

Jonas looked up "I understand. But I meant no offence."

Tristan said "None taken... Not yet. I haven't even spoken to Vienna yet about it. If she is offended then I wont spare you. Take it as a warning. I just thought I make it clear before we proceed further.  You will never tell my woman what to do. Ever. Even as a joke."

Jonas said "Tristan I am sorry."

Tristan said "Oh you will be... If Vienna has taken any offence. But if she is looking as a joke, I say have a nice day."He then gave him a meaningful smile. He put his hand on his cousin's shoulder making him jump "And by the way after you get yourself a girl, I will call it even for such situations after I just return the favour in the exact way... You joke using my girl, I will joke using yours. I wont forget this. You can count on it. You better choose your jokes wisely.

Jonas understood what he meant. He didn't let anything go. Even a joke that he knew full well was light hearted was one he addressed. He didnt take nonsense even from family as a joke. Tristan was observant and even the smallest of details didn't escape his eye. That was one of the reasons he could make a good leader. In such life he couldn't let anything go. Not even jokes. If there was even a tiny loophole for doubt that anyone could try anything with his woman, he had to close it. Tristan was here to rule and make the rules. He didn't accept excuses and didnt want to hear them either.

Jonas reasoned "Cant you just beat me up now rather than waiting to make it even with my girl?"

Tristan said "Tempting... but no... You can go now."

Jonas said "I am sorry Tristan."

Tristan said "Dont be... Stop saying sorry... You know me... I will make you sorry if you have a reason to be sorry. You dont need to say it. I get back to my girl and will analyse if I need to make you sorry... I just thought I warn you about my rules with Vienna before I take the Irish vow."

Jonas said "I am aware of your rules Tristan. I wont break them. She deserves the best and the strongest to protect her... I will protect her with my life."

Tristan said "I know... But then you will need to protect your girl... Nicola Shroeder is it?"

Jonas shook his head "She is not my type unfortunately. She is a sweet girl but not my type."

Tristan said "It will get very dark from now on... You will need a woman or you are condemned to coming home to an empty house in future. Did you enjoy waiting in this empty room for me? I dont think so. This would be how your life will look like in future unless you change it. Dealing with me as your boss will be a battle every day Jonas. You need a woman to stand with you. I guess I am lucky to find my other half early. I do have a survival instinct and so do you. Find your other half now. I mean it..."

Jonas said "I think some people are meant to live alone."

Tristan said "O'Kanes don't quit..." He then walked away to the door "I need to go check on Vienna. if you have offended her, you are going to be very sorry. We had this talk because you are my cousin, Jonas. I just thought I give you the heads up before you get to nteract with Vienna more. Even if you accidentally offend her, I wont go easy on you. Just remember it. But by all means do joke with her. If she is not offended then neither am I. As long as you suggest and not manipulate or order her around you can breathe" He then opened the door and walked out. He made his way to his room and suddenly his mood even changed on his way to seeing Vienna. Sometimes he had to attend to his business and Vienna had to wait. It was necessary to make sure he addressed the issue to Jonas. Tristan couldnt let anything go.

When Tristan opened the door to his room, he found the room empty. He closed the door as he called "Vienna"

He heard her from the other room "Here". Tristan walked into the bedroom and saw Vienna sitting on the bed with a sketch pad and pencil in her hand. She smiled "You came late. I got bored. I made a drawing while you kept me waiting.

Tristan could not see the drawing. She had it faced to herself. She handed it to him. Tristan took in the drawing. It showed Tristan with a crown like a king sitting on a throne. Above it it said "To my king."

Tristan looked at Vienna "It looks great... But I need you in this picture too. A king needs a queen."

Vienna shrugged as she stood up "I asked you wehere is my place and you said its in your heart. So I am in your heart Tristan. Why would I be in the picture? So for that reason I didnt draw myself in the picture" She then smiled sweetly at him.

Tristan chuckled "Vienna. Did you just make a joke? Huh? You like teasing me. Dont you? I want you to draw yourself in the picture too."

Vienna said "No. I leave it as it is."

Tristan put the picture on the bed and said "I insist. i want you with me in the picture."

Vienna looked at Tristan's shirt and reached up her hands to his buttons. Afew of them were undone so she started buttoning them up "Whats the point of being in a picture? ignore it. I am here for you Tristan. I want to help you get changed..." She then turned and picked up a black tie from the pile of clothes she had laid out on the bed. She wrapped the tie around his neck and fixed it for him. She looked at him with admiration"I like it when you wear a tie. It makes you look manly."

Tristan narrowed his eyes "Manly. Huh? Dont I always look manly. Do I have to prove my manliness. I will prove it. By protecting you... Every day of my life." He then leaned closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. He then attached his lips to hers kissing her possessively. He moaned as he kissed her taking in the moment. He didnt know when he could kiss her next, so he made the most of it. When he pulled away he said "I will be more manly then. I will prove it to you."

Vienna looked at him and smiled "Dont prove anything Tristan. You are manly enough for me now... You are more manly than every other man out there..."

Tristan was turned on by her compliments. He was looking at her intensely as he held her tightly in his arms thinking of how much she made him excited by her words. She was more open in saying what she felt. He found it very appealing and he was turned on beyond what he ever thought he could feel for her.

Vienna was breathing heavily and her heart was beating fast. She felt like entering a different zone in their relationship. The look in his eyes were different. He was looking at her in a way that was possessive and also there was something else. She gave out a shaky breath. She blushed. It felt like she had crossed a barrier now. His eyes didn't look at her the way he used to. The feeling in his eyes had intensified. It felt like he even loved her more if it was even possible. Everyone told her that Tristan loved her like no one they had seen could love a woman. It was true. His love was beyond belief. Now that his love had intensified it did make her nervous. Could she meet all his needs to satisfy him. She was abit scared. What did he truly want from her and could he ever give him what he wanted.

Vienna bit her lip "Tristan... Can I ask you something?"

Tristan nodded "What is it?"

Vienna breathed "I am abit feeling nervous Tristan... Are you happy right now with me? I mean... Do you want more from me? I feel like you need more from me and I cant give it to satisfy you."

Tristan looked into her eyes silently searching her eyes as he spoke "I love you Vienna. I would never hurt you. Relax." He then attached his lips to hers. He kissed her lovingly and then pulled away as he whispered "I just want you to be happy Vienna."

Vienna whsipered back "I have heard this many times. I know that. But what do you want from me. You must have some expectations in return. You want to make me happy and so do I. Am I doing enough to make you happy?"

Tristan frowned "Vienna. Where does this talk come from. Of course there is so much you can do to make me happy. If you listen to what I say, it does make me happy. I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy. So if you worry about making me happy then it makes me unhappy. I dont want to see you nervous Vienna..."

Vienna insisted "There must be more you want. You give me protection and always are the one to try to make me happy. But what can I do to make you happy?"

Tristan said "I think we have been through this Vienna. Every time I see you safe and sound it does make me happy."

Vienna sighed "Tristan. I dont think you understand. I mean in our relationship... You are the man... We dont think the same."

Tristan was taken back. How did Vienna even get the courage to even ask that. He replied. "Oh. Now I understand. Well... i didnt think you were refering to our relationship... If its about intimacy.... The truth is I wish for many things but they are impossible. I wish I could hold you like this forever but its impossible. I wish I could spend every single day with you. Thats impossible. That can only be possible when we get married. I want us to be together every minute but thats not possible and it shouldnt be. Vienna, what I want more than anything when it comes to our relationship is to ... wait. I like to wait for all that is good in this world to come to us. When you dont have it, you have to wait for it. Then when you finally get it, you cherish what you have. Vienna, I want to wait for you. Waiting means love. Jumping on the chance to have more intimacy before either of us are ready is not love at all. Its call temptation. I want to wait for you Vienna. Of course I miss your presence when I dont have you but I want to wait because it makes me happy knowing I respect you and our love more than I wanting to be giving into temptation which is a sign of weakness. if I cant wait until we both are ready to get more intimate then I am weak. I am not suited to be your man if I am weak enough to be a follower to my temptation rather than ruling my love for you how it should be. A man who makes demands when his woman is not ready is no man. I will be ready when you are ready to commit to everything about me and that will be the day I will ask you to marry me. My old man says that abstinence was the best thing he did in his life. I agree with him."