54. Honest Talks (Bonus 11)

Roman was eating a pastry feeling Tristan's eyes on him. He looked up at Tristan who was staring daggers at him while drinking black coffee. He bet Tristan preferred the bitter taste of coffee to spending time in his company. He sighed and leaned back as he spoke "Alright. I think our meeting didn't get off at a good start. I want to introduce myself properly."

Tristan said "Actually our meeting had the perfect start. Obviously you view our first meeting differently."

Vienna asked "Who wants more drinks?"

Roman said "Not me. The last time I asked I had a knife thrown at me that was missed."

Tristan said "It didn't miss. It was meant to deter you."

Roman smiled weakly. He hadn't asked for any drinks after that deciding to help himself and pour some juice from the fridge. He said "Tristan. I am not here to show any disrespect to Vienna's family or to your family."

Tristan said "You are not here to pay your respects either..."

Rupert said "That's right Tristan. My brother and I are here because our father dumped us here to keep us out of confidential business. We were passing by. We might not ever meet you again..."

Roman said "Unless we enrol in the same college as you."

Vienna felt like wanting to get out. She didnt want to be there when the tension was so high. She did feel guilty for causing the tension. She said "I am going to see Angelia. I will take her some more pastries."

No one objected.

As she left the room, Tristan stood up and so did Roman. Viggo and Rupert looked between the two.

Roman put his hands up "Tristan. You are getting the wrong ideas here..."

Tristan said "Really? What are my ideas Roman? Enlighten me."

Roman said "You think something is going on between me and your girl. This is causing tension in your relationship. I get it. I am sorry. There is nothing happening between Vienna and I. We are just penpals. I understand how this looks to you and I will end it if you want. I never want any strain in your relationship."

Tristan gave out a dark chuckle as he stared Roman down "I dont think there is anything going on between you and Vienna. I trust her to be faithful. It also has not caused any strain in our relationship. Why should it? She is my girl. Nothing changes that."

Roman said "Then whats the problem?"

Viggo stood up at this point and said "Tristan. This is my home. No fights please. Whatever you do, no fights. Not today. Catch up with him later."

Tristan spoke slowly but firmly "Let's get to the point. Right to the point. You love my girl."

Rupert objected "No. He doesn't."

Viggo was watching intently.

Roman said "Vienna doesn't have any feelings for me."

Tristan said "But you love her."

Rupert said to his brother "Roman. Deny it. It's not true. I have never heard you say it."

Roman stood there looking at Tristan "What If I did? She doesn't love me. You won't have anything to worry about."

Tristan said "I don't have anything to worry about. I never did. But you do roman. But you do."

Rupert stood up and so did Viggo. They were looking at roman silently.

Tristan said "If you stay out of my way you have nothing to worry about. I don't kill for fun."

Roman whispered "Neither do I Tristan. I won't be in your way. I don't intend to be. I have honour."

Tristan said "Let's hope so for your sake." He then looked at Rupert "Or you will lose your twin. I won't be under the Rosario roof next time we meet. So talk some sense into your brother or lose him."

Rupert sighed and remained silent.

Tristan then walked away towards the door. He announced "Out of respect for you Viggo, I have kept it civil." He then left. He made his way to the stairs to wait for Vienna to come back. He saw Vienna's uncle Angelo coming out in the corridor. As he walked towards Tristan and noticed who he was, he froze. He looked away and turned around walked the opposite way.

Tristan raised an eyebrow "I don't bite. You can cross this way if you want."

Angelo turned around "I ... am not meant to disturb you."

Tristan said "You wont be."

Angelo said "Well. That's ... debatable."

Angelo sighed and walked carefully towards Tristan's direction.

Tristan said "Why do you avoid me? Is it because of Mrs Rosario asking you to?" He walked towards Angelo.

Angelo stopped walking.

Tristan stood in front of Angelo "Do you agree with Mrs Rosario? Do you wish for me to disappear?"

Angelo said "It's not my place to say."

Tristan said "You think that? I think it is your place. Tell me honestly."

Angelo sighed and looked away "Adele doesn't want you to disappear. She has never said that."

Tristan asked "I find that in contrast to my observations."

Angelo glanced up at Tristan "Adele has no power or influence over Vienna's decisions. She wishes she had some effect. My sister is a dreamer. Just like me. We dream. That's all we do. She dreams of her daughter having a normal life. That normal life means not being with you. She has nothing against you. She has experienced the life her children could never taste. She tasted the freedom she thinks her children can't ever dream of. She will eventually realise you are the best thing that has happened in Vienna's life."

Tristan said "Don't you agree with Mrs Rosario?"

Angelo said "No. I don't. I work for Francesco. I know of his rules. I know of his world. You are not with Vienna to gain her power. You don't need it. You are not here to gain her money. Your own empire is drowned in money. You are not with Vienna to hurt Francesco and his people. You have no vendetta against Francesco. You have no intentions to create distance between Vienna and her family or you would have asked for her to move further away from New York so you had her all to herself. You can easily hurt Adele by separating Vienna from her mother. You can. Vienna loves you. You can hurt Francesco by hurting her."

Tristan frowned "I would never hurt her..."

Angelo said "I know. Adele knows that too. But she can't understand how you are the best thing for Vienna. She would have realised it if she worked for Francesco. She will get along with you with time. But she feels alone. Try to understand this. She feels very alone. When her daughter doesn't do as she wishes it makes her feel alone. But she will realise it."

Tristan said " She doesn't work for Francesco but she knows of this life."

Angelo said "She is a doctor saving lives. It makes sense she doesn't like a criminal shooting down victims for her   to treat."

Tristan said "Exactly. That's what she thinks this life is about." Tristan then looked away and saw Vienna coming up the stairs.

Vienna saw her uncle and looked worried instantly "Is my mother ok? Can I see her?"

Her uncle Angelo leaned to the railings "She is resting Vienna. I told you I gave her some medication to help her sleep. She won't be up any time soon. Why are you up so early? You teenagers don't sleep by the looks of it." He then glanced at Tristan. The thought of him being referred to as a teenager didn't sound right. He looked like a kid but didn't act like one.

Tristan turned to Angelo "It was nice talking to you. I should go now." He then walked down the stairs towards Vienna who was coming up "Vienna said "You are leaving so soon? Can't you stay?"

Tristan said "You can come with me if you want. I like to give your family some privacy. You said it yourself. Your mother is unwell. You need to stay."

Vienna stopped walking as Tristan reached her "I am sorry."

Tristan halted as he reached his hand to her cheek "Don't Be."

Angelo cleared his throat "Vienna you can go. I am staying with your mother. She doesn't want you to stay nursing her. She is fine. You can't do anything Vienna if you stay. I am a doctor. Your mother doesn't want you to see her unwell and she is getting better. Just go. If she asks for you then I will send word... I am aware Tristan does not have much free time to see you these days..."

Vienna said "Are you sure?"

Angelo said "Yes. Go get dressed. I will tell Viggo to call Tristan if you are needed."

To Tristan's surprise Vienna complied and said "I won't be long." She then went to get changed.

Tristan turned to Angelo "I spent a long time this morning trying to convince her to come with me... She refused. She accepted so quick when you said. You also can't possibly want me to take her because you want her to just have a good time. Why did you push for it knowing Mrs Rosario won't like this."

Angelo said "Well. I want her to have a good time. There is no need for her to stay and worry for her mother. It can cheer her up. It is what my sister doesn't want. But it is what Vienna wants. When she came out to go to Angelia she came by and told me what has happened. She would want to explain her actions. Give her the chance to do it."

Just then Vienna came dressed up ready to go. As she ran to Tristan, she embraced him "I want to make it all upto you."

Tristan gave a nod to Angelo "Goodbye Dr Lombardi." He then held Vienna's hand in his walked down the steps with her. He knew Angelo was acting strange. But he didn't push for it. He could dig for information later. He was going to call Vincenzo as soon as he appeared.

Angelo watched the youngsters walk down the steps to get into their car. He took a deep breath of relief. That was a close one. God. It was so hard to act cool around this guy. He didn't want to tell him.

Tristan was right. He wanted her out of the house for now. She was safe with him. He just had a call from Vincenzo and wanted to speak to Viggo about it. It seemed like there was a change of plan. Vincenzo was meant to be on his way home but was stopped by Emanuel O'Neil to inform him a matter that had come up. It seemed serious. Too much was going on early morning. Francesco was going to talk to Tristan about it personally later.

Angelo was not given much detail. Vincenzo had told his uncle that it was best if they stayed where they were and the only one to trust was Tristan. He had found this strange since the matter that had come up was involving the Irish. Apparently there were rogue, unregistered Irish mobs of some kind who Tristan didnt have control over and they seemed to play by different rules. They had rebelled and now the Rosarios were at war with them. Apparently now that the war was with the Irish as long as Vienna was with Tristan nothing could happen to her. The Irish didnt harm one of their own who was innocent. They had honour.

Angelo watched the teenagers get inside a car and took a deep breath. He then hid as Tristan turned to look right at his window. That kid gave Angelo the chills. No wonder Adele feared him. He was glad he did not have a daughter. Austin was his only kid. If he had a daughter he would have been reacting like Adele. Even though he meant every word about Tristan being the right guy for Vienna, it didnt make him feel less fear. It was just nerve-racking to even talk to the kid. Normally it was other way round. Kids were nervous around in laws and families of in laws. Adele was stuck with this kid for thanksgivings. He knew it to be true. Tristan looked at Vienna like the world revolved around her.

Tristan noticed Angelo was watching him. He stood next to the car and saw him hide only for him to come out again after Tristan paused and waited. He played hide and seek. Something was not in its place. He couldnt put his finger on it.

Tristan instructed his men and got in the car. He sat next to Vienna and said "You want to make it upto me?"

Vienna said "Yes. I do."

Tristan asked "Are you willing to tell me everything now Vienna? Thats how I want you to make it upto me."

Vienna sighed and looked away "What do you want to know?"

Tristan asked "How long has he been writing to you?

Vienna said "When I was 11, we became penpals. It was a school project."

Tristan asked "Why did you choose him?"

Vienna said " I was 11..."

Tristan said "Why him? Why not someone else?"

Vienna said "I didnt choose him. He chose me."

Tristan asked "Has he ever told you he loves you?"

Vienna turned to him "Why do you ask me this?"

Tristan said "This is a yes or no answer Vienna."

Vienna looked away "He did."

Tristan said "When?"

Vienna sighed "I dont remember when exactly."

Tristan said "So it was along time ago."

Vienna said with a frustrated sigh as she turned to Tristan "Yes it was. I told him I dont see him like that. So he never mentioned it again."

Tristan asked "Are you going to continue to be his penpal?"

Vienna said "I never thought much of it. I didnt see it from your point of view. I do now. It doesnt look good. I am sorry. I wont write to him again."

Tristan paused and then said "Vienna... You hid it from me."

Vienna said" I wont hide anything from you again."

Tristan said " Really Vienna? Will you keep this promise?"

Vienna nodded "Yes. I wont ever hide anything from you. If I do... Then... Then... I dont know. You tell me what you will do..."

Tristan smiled weakly "I cant tell you what I will do Vienna. Why would I warn you?" He then leaned closer "Lets say, I would do something that would make you remember it so well that you wont ever hide anything from me again..."