25. American King

Vienna was watching Tristan standing and delivering his after dinner speech. He was standing up addressing the guests who were there to celebrate his appointment. He was addressing the room like a king.

Tristan was putting both hands on his hips as he was speaking. His voice was booming with authority as there was just silence in the room and it didn't seem like anyone was breathing at all. There were a few people squirming and looking around. It was not most comfortable for anyone to have Tristan keep his heavy stare at them. Maybe Vienna was one of the few who didn't feel threatened or intimidated by him. Tristan was setting out his laws. He was laying down the ground rules. This was his business to run. He was making eye contact with everyone in the room confidently as he knew what to say and how to say it. Years of speech writing classes and practicing public speaking had made sure he was mastering the art of persuasion and intimidation while giving his speech.

Vienna watched Tristan sit back down and his uncle Jackson to speak. It was then announced for another drinks reception after dinner in a different room. As guests stood up, Tristan turned to Vienna "Are you alright?"

Vienna said "Yes, I am fine."

Tristan said "You don't seem very happy."

Vienna looked away "I am fine Tristan. Its just you talked about ... war. You threatened people. I am bit worried."

Tristan said "Come on Vienna. I won't have a problem with anyone if they don't cause trouble. I don't war no war for any family. It is time for unity. Look at me Vienna."

As Vienna looked up she gave out a shaky breath. He was not pleased with her.

Tristan declared "Vienna. I don't wish for you to be worried about anything. I will take care of everything. Anyone who is standing by my side, I won't harm. But I will do what I have to do to protect my family." He then stood up "If it is alright with you, I would like to take you somewhere nice."

Vienna stood up "Where?"

Tristan said "Somewhere away from this building." He then took her hand in his and lead her away towards the exit of the room.

Vienna asked "Aren't we going to the drinks reception?"

Tristan said "There has been enough drink receptions already and I have passed on the message. I don't need to network any more for tonight. I need time with you Vienna as our last night is tonight before big changes happen in our lives..."

Vienna caught the urgent tone in his voice. It was making her heart sink to hear him speak like that. This was it. From that day onwards a lot could happen. She understood enough to know she couldn't be sure when she was going to see Tristan the next time. She remained silent and allowed him to lead her away. They exited the building and Tristan took her through the gardens and then entered a section with trees decorated with lights. There were plenty Christmas decorations already. She then gasped as she saw where they entered. It was an outdoor cinema. It was a beautiful gesture. Tristan knew how much she loved going to outdoor cinemas.

Tristan smiled " I asked my uncle to install an outdoor cinema here tonight... I just needed my last memory to be a peaceful one before I depart for Boston. It will be different to New York. I need to have a good time before my life changes."

Vienna felt so sad. She looked up at Tristan and the meaning in his words sank in. She couldn't help herself. She let go of his hand and for a second Tristan thought she was walking away but then she took a step closer to him and then embraced him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sank her face in his shirt. She inhaled his scent.

Tristan was shocked. She was actually hugging him and holding him tightly. He hadn't even initiated this. He took a deep breath but didn't say anything. He didn't want to ruin the moment. The silence was all that there was but it was beautiful. He wrapped his arms around her too and kissed the side of her forehead. She was all that mattered in his life. She was like a beautiful rose but without the thorns. She was innocent. She had compassion and he just was madly in love with everything about her.

After minutes went by in silence he broke the silence "Vienna. After tonight I won't see you until graduation I don't think. Your birthday is around graduation time so I will most likely make it by then. The school you are enrolled at now is different. It's bought by my father and many Irish crime families send their children there. It would be a different experience seeing mostly Irish students. But you will love it. My father is making sure you will be ok... Are you worried at all."

Vienna slightly pulled away and looked up "I am slightly worried."

Tristan smiled "It will be fine. Vienna I don't want you to be distressed. The next few months will be busy for both me and Vincenzo. It may take awhile. It takes until summer time at least to put many actions in order that have to be addressed now. If it could wait I would have delayed my lengthy trip to Boston. But it has to be done. It can't be delayed. I want to stay and comfort you but I can't."

Vienna shook her head "I am not worried about me... I will be fine... it's just so much change. Many people are affected."

Tristan said "Then I don't need to worry either. Change happens. We can't stop it... Any way, I think we should get to watching the movie before our time is up. I don't think you are staying here tonight."

Vienna nodded "You are right."

The youngsters then walked to sit on the sofa. Tristan had arranged for the movie equipment to be set up and all he had to do was to turn the projector on. They got on with watching the movie as they held each other. It was a peaceful night that the youngsters cherished.

Meanwhile at one of the balconies at the O'Kane mansion, Terza was watching the youngsters in the Gardens as she was drinking water from a glass. She was focused in her own thoughts and was startled when she heard Vincenzo "Why don't you come back inside. It's cold out here."

Terza turned to Vincenzo "I am used to the cold. Your sister seems to be managing fine out there. I think I will manage too."

Vincenzo looked to the direction that Terza was pointing "Your brother has set up enough fire places around the couch to warm up the place. You don't have the luxury here. Come inside."

Terza turned to him "Maybe I like the cold too Vincenzo. You slip in your ice bath for thinking and I may also use the chilly weather for thinking too."

Vincenzo walked closer to her "What are you thinking about? Let me guess. You are thinking about how to tell me you want to go to Milan instead of Sicily. Isn't that right? I own the airport. Remember. I know what happens."

Terza was taken back. She signed and looked away.

Vincenzo took a step towards her "When were you planning to tell me you don't want to meet my family?"

Terza glanced back up at him "Your family in New York are known to me..." Terza the drank the rest of the water in the glass and stared at Vincenzo as she touched the cool glass to her cheeks "I feel like there is too much to be done for me. I don't have time to be tangled in your business. I have my own path to follow."

Vincenzo nodded "I won't force you to come. It's your choice. You can come later but you will one day. So you are returning to Milan for how long exactly?"

Terza stated "I am going back to Milan to finish my college there. I will be in northern Italy while you will be in southern Italy. Let's see which one of us accomplishes more."

Vincenzo nodded "Terza. If you take me on, I won't let you."

Terza stared back at him " I am counting on it. I am hoping you won't let me win. I will try to win myself."

Vincenzo smiled and remained silent looking at her silently.

Terza took a deep breath and said I should go inside. I did enough thinking perhaps." She then shivered as she walked to the door of the balcony that was covered by Vincenzo. He was leaning on the door with his hands in his pockets. He didn't move an inch when she reached him.

Before Terza could side step him, he said "Wait. There is something ....."

Terza nodded "What is it?"

Vincenzo just leaned closer and attached his lips to hers.

Terza let him have it as she knew he wasn't going to have another soon. He depended the kiss of course. He was an opportunist. The two of them then broke apart as they felt flashes of light on them from the ground.

Vincenzo stood protectively in front of Terza and looked down to see who it was.

Jonas smiled at them with a flashlight that he on purpose was shining on Vincenzo's face "Sorry to disturb. Tristan's orders are to check all areas and address any needs when things get out of hand."

Vincenzo replied "Nothing is out of hand."

Jonas replied "Sure. He then turned off his flash light. "Could you please tone down the heated conversation you had with my cousin. I was worried."

Vincenzo replied with a frown "Of course I will tone down the heat. Don't you worry."

Then as he walked away, Vincenzo turned to Terza "I will be back shortly. You go inside." He then disappeared inside the building.

Terza wanted to follow him but thought about watching his cousin "Look. Don't get on his nerves. You don't want to make an enemy out of him."

Jonas called from the ground "What's he going to do? I just asked him to tone down the heat." As he said this suddenly jets of water were unleashed on him from the water sprinklers in the Gardens as he was standing in the middle of grass. He got soaked.

Terza then watched Vincenzo walk to Jonas as the water stopped "I toned down the heat. Do you have any other requests. I didn't think so. See you around Irish buddy." He then walked away to the building.

Terza crossed her arms over her chest. Vincenzo was making a statement. She swallowed hard at the thought of how everything could escalate in a very short time. Instead of jets of water, there could be showers of bullets on his cousin if he upset Vincenzo. She knew Vincenzo had a business side that she didn't get to see often. She was afraid of that side suppressing her fighting spirit. The ruthless side of Vincenzo was not one to mess with. Time could only tell.

Terza then found his arms around her on the balcony "I think your cousin must keep his distance if he wants to live. First he held your hand and now he is interrupting our kisses. Is there something going on?"

Terza rolled her eyes "Vincenzo stop. He is my cousin. Nothing goes on between cousins."

Vincenzo objected "In Roman times a lot went on between lose relatives."

Terza objected "Stop it. This is not roman times."

Vincenzo said "Tell your cousin that."

Terza couldn't believe Vincenzo being so outrageous "You are too jealous and possessive Vincenzo. He is my cousin and happens to be one of the only boys who knows me. Boys of afraid of you. If anyone knows who I belong to they run a mile."

Vincenzo said "Then don't tell them who you belong to. Let them find out the painful way."

Terza watched Jonas walking away in his wet clothes to another building across from the lawn most likely to get changed. She felt sorry for Jonas. He was on Vincenzo's radar.

As the movie came to a close Vienna turned to Tristan "I loved this movie. Thank you."

Tristan smiled "I love it that you like it."

Vienna stood up from the sofa but his pair of strong arms pulled him back "Don't be in a rush to leave."

Vienna found it warm and cosy in Tristan's arms. He was holding her right by his side as though two of them were sitting on a throne on that sofa. But normally a king didn't share a throne. The queen sat on a chair slightly at a lower level. But in this case, it seemed like the king shared the throne.

Vienna said "Tristan I must go."

Tristan let her go "Alright."

She stood up. She turned to him "It's been lovely. Let's go inside. I think now is the time for my family and I to leave.

Tristan stood up "It's almost time. Not yet." He pointed to his watch. "let's have more fun."

Vienna asked "What kind of fun? I think I am going in. I don't want my father to send people to look for me out here. I would rather go myself." As she tried to side step him, Tristan blocked her.

Tristan said "Fine. If you so badly want to go, then move me."

Vienna's cheeks heated up "Tristan...."

Tristan said "Say my name. That is good thinking. What else do I like to hear?"

Vienna could not believe the kick Tristan still got from his name being said by her. She whispered "I belong to you."

Tristan wrapped his arms around her and said "Say it again."

Vienna finally confessed "We can't play around. I am not comfortable with your uncles' guards around us."

Tristan said "So that's why you needed excuse to go inside? Always tell me what's bothering you Vienna. Well, they need to know you belong to me. Everyone does. An American king needs his American queen to be watched over."

Vienna smiled "You watch over me always. Thank you Tristan."

Tristan leaned over and kissed her lips as he whispered "I prefer a kiss to a thank you."

Vienna blushed "Tristan."

Tristan kissed her lips and held her tight "Say my name again." He then kissed her again.

Vienna wanted this kiss to be never ending. They had a peaceful time. She wondered how long the peace was going to last for.