63. Winter Coffee (Bonus 20)

Tristan was holding Vienna's waist as he was sitting next to her in the car. They had managed to get permission to leave for an early shopping trip. So it meant Tristan could spend more time with Vienna.

Vienna was looking outside the car windows but conscious of him holding her as she was responding to his touch getting cosy and comfortable with him. Normally she didn't lean onto him if she was at home and knew her parents could walk in. It was much easier when they were alone for them to be relaxed and be themselves. It could only get easier in college. But she knew well that she was not going to see much of Tristan in college. Not enough. He was busy. He had priorities. He was a symbol. He was a leader. He was an heir. Just like how Vincenzo was. Both Tristan and Vincenzo were too young for the positions they were appointed for but it seemed like whatever force was behind their appointment did it as a race for time. Being a leader was no reward. The responsibility could get them killed so they couldn't afford to trust many people or make mistakes.

Tristan inhaled her perfume as he was now kissing her hair "What are you thinking about Vienna? Tell me."

Vienna said "You."

Tristan kissed the side of her head "Me too. I am thinking of you too."

Vienna said "Well. I was actually thinking of you and also my big brother."

Tristan pulled away "Why do you think of him for? Has he been giving you a hard time since his return? He better not be... I will turn the car around and will deal with him right now..."

Vienna turned to Tristan catching his overly dramatic tone "He hasn't been bothering me. Come on Tristan. I was thinking of how crazy your lives are."

Tristan said "Everybody's life is crazy Vienna. Ours has a twist. We may not die of natural causes most likely unless we never stop watching our backs."

Vienna said "I know."

Tristan said "I am glad you do."

Vienna nodded and then looked away as she leaned on Tristan again. After a few moments of silence she said "Tristan. Does anything ever scare you in your life? Are you ever scared? I mean right now your life is so hectic and busy. Right now is there anything causing you to be scared?"

Tristan said "Yes. I do get scared."

Vienna asked "What scares you?"

Tristan said " Losing control."

Vienna laughed and pulled away and looked at Tristan "You never lose control. Why would that scare you? That's impossible."

Tristan said "Nothing is impossible. I just am aware of my self control. It takes one moment for it to slip away. Then there are consequences. Now that I have gained more responsibilities it does scare me more."

Vienna said "I don't think you will ever lose control."

Tristan said "Thank you for your trust in me. What about you Vienna? Does anything scare you?"

Vienna nodded "Yes Of course... Your self control. It's scary..." She then leaned close and kissed his lips. She then spoke between kisses "Last night. Your self control worked hard. My father was watching us. We just hugged and talked. No kissing."

Tristan chuckled as he kissed her more " Now you are making up for it."

Vienna said "No. I am making up for all the kisses that could have happened in the past few weeks but haven't because you were at work."

Tristan stopped and pulled away "Well. That's life. I will be away for a while again. Now that no one has found my uncle Jackson's body, I have to assume he is alive. I have to find my uncle dead or alive and I have to find every person who has aided him in his infamous stand off. He had help. I need to find him and all his accomplices."

Vienna sighed and stroked Tristan's cheek as she  asked " That could take a long time. You could be looking for him for years to come and decades. Who knows."

Tristan said "I will try. I can wait. But my guard will always be up and part of my resources will always be dedicated to detecting information on him and deflecting his futile attempts of disturbing the peace. That's what gives him the kicks the most. He is a thrill seeker who in a sick and twisted way likes to cause disturbance and misery. I am sorry but your aunts family won't be safe from another abduction  attempt unless he is found. Dead or alive."

Vienna said "But what if he is dead? Has anyone seen him alive?"

Tristan said " A body should have been found. He has vanished into thin air. An underground tunnel perhaps was used by him. That's what your uncle Antonio  thinks. He is a security expert for a reason. He thinks my uncle had help from your grandfather escaping through an underground tunnel."

Vienna gasped "How? That's a bizzare theory. My grandfather was locked away the whole time."

Tristan said "He wasn't locked away when my uncle was planning all this. He hasn't been planning this just since the day before he did it. Your uncle Antonio said that your grandfather had meetings with him near the location. He didn't think much of it. He thought your grandfather wants to plot to take him down and not help him. It makes sense."

Vienna asked "Tristan. Have you spoken to my grandfather?"

Tristan shook his head "No and I won't ask your father to let me speak to him. It's just inappropriate. I will find that tunnel as soon as the New York Police close the case. It has been difficult to do much digging. They only co-operate in giving us information on finding bodies since uncle Jackson is a relative. Once they close the criminal case I can go in full force instead of sending in some undercover private detectives. Progress is slow because police has the place under watch. We can get inside information but we can't stop them digging deep into what's happened and why."

Vienna said "I think you should speak to my grandfather if it helps."

Tristan said "No Vienna. If your father feels like I should, he would tell me. Do I trust your grandfather to tell me the truth? Absolutely not. He doesn't like the Irish. He didn't even like my grandpa Giovanni until not long ago. He has no motive to co-operate."

Just then they arrived at the shops where they had pre-booked appointments. Vienna decided to drop the case and just focus on shopping.

****

Hours had passed and shopping was done. Vienna was led to a private club that belonged to the Giovanni family. Tristan had left her there to make a phone call. She was alone in a private suit with a nice view as she was having coffee.

She heard voices. Familiar ones. It was Sebastiano Giovanni, Tristan's cousin speaking loudly with Vanessa Canavarro who was daughter Georgio Canavaro "Not possible. Go back to your room. Now Vanessa."

Vienna was surprised. Sebastiano sounded quite urgent. What was going on. She stood up and walked to the door as she heard Vanessa "You can't keep me here forever. I want to go home. My security is not your concern."

Vienna didn't think Sebastiano took back chat well and he didn't as she heard "If you try to leave your room one more time, I swear I will..."

Just then Vienna opened the door and Sebastiano didn't finish the sentence as he saw who was standing at the door opening into the corridor. He looked surprised to see Vienna. Vanessa also turned to see what stopped him finishing his threats.

Vanessa gasped "Vienna. What are you doing here?"

Vienna said "Drinking coffee. Do you want to join me?" She then hugged Vanessa as she took in her surroundings. There were a dozen guards around. All wearing identical suites the Giovanni men wore. This seemed over the top for guarding at a club.

Vanessa smiled "I sure do. Get me out of here. Will you Vienna?" She then entered the room and Vienna looked at Sebastiano "Would you like to tell me why she is here?"

Sebastiano looked at Vienna and shook his head " She is here for her safety. She will be accompanied to her room when she comes outside. I will wait downstairs."

Vienna sighed and closed the door as she went inside the room. She asked Vanessa who was trying to open the sliding doors to the balcony. Vanessa was murmuring "This place is a cage. I need to get out of here."

Vienna didn't expect any less from her aunt Georgina's niece. She said "Why are you trying to break out? He said you are here for your safety. Did your father send you here?"

Vanessa turned around and stopped trying to open the clearly sealed door that didn't budge "No. He couldn't. Your father has him...."

Vienna asked "What?"

Vanessa nodded "After what happened with uncle Antonio, my parents were taken for questioning. I haven't seen them since. They are in the clear but still not home. I have to stay until everything goes back to normal."

Vienna approached her "I am so sorry. I had no idea. I thought only aunt Georgina was in trouble because she is uncle Antonio's wife..."

Vanessa sighed "It's not because of just that. She is involved by association but she is responsible for more. My aunt has made some mistakes." She then looked away "I am sorry Vienna."

Vienna couldn't understand "Why do you say sorry?"

Vanessa looked up at Vienna "She hurt your brother with her decisions. She betrayed your father. She told your grandfather that your brother was staying with your uncle Antonio."

Vienna shook her head "I don't believe this. She is not a traitor."

Vanessa said "She is not. But she told him that your brother is staying at their home. There was no way he would have known unless someone told him. Your father never made mistakes with security. Neither did your uncle Antonio. It's all my aunt Georgina's fault..."

Vienna said "How? Why? I can't see her as a traitor. Did she do this willingly?"

Vanessa said "She was drunk. She was gambling once. She lost a lot of money to your grandfather's associates. She didn't realise how she got out of paying the money. She told them jokingly that their boss could see his grandson at their house next week."

Vienna gasped.

Vanessa explained. "Uncle Antonio protected her. She messed up big time."

Vienna asked "How do you know all this?"

Vanessa said "I was there when they questioned my parents. My father said all to your uncle Costanzo. He is in trouble for keeping this a secret too. My aunt told him along time ago... I was assured by your uncle Costanzo that he will try to resolve this. I know life will never be the same... Your father pardoned uncle Antonio. But my father and aunt won't be. I am not that optimistic. I guess they say it's the Canavaro curse. We destruct ourselves and make enemies."

Vienna said "I am shocked to hear all this... I don't know what to say..."

Vanessa asked "Actions have consequences. I like to go home. I don't like to be protected by Sebastiano. I was at your uncle costanzos house. Sebastiano turned up to speak to Stefano and saw me there. He blow up when he found out..."

Vienna asked "Why don't you want to be here? You could wait here until the situation is resolved. I trust Tristan's cousin."

Vanessa said "It's not that I don't trust him... I do. It's just that... I don't want his protection. He thinks if anything is to happen to my parents, he would stand by me... He doesn't think I am safe out there.."

Vienna said with a sad tone "In a way I am glad you are here... I have never seen my father hurt family members but ... when it's about Vincenzo, his own son, even my mother can't change his mind if he decides to take care of business by killing people. I am sorry Vanessa. But in a way I am glad Sebastiano is keeping you safe... I never saw him as the one who fancies you..."

Vanessa said "No one thought of it. No one suspected he likes me.... All right. I stay here for awhile and won't try to leave but why are you here?"

Vienna said "I am with Tristan. He left me here to make a phone call..."

Vanessa said "He is here? Why didn't you say... He doesn't like company when he is around you..." I should go. I thought you are here with Stefano. He is here because Sebastiano and him are doing some business."

Vienna watched her rush to the door "You are family... You can stay to have coffee with us..."

Vanessa put her hand on the handle "I don't want to disturb your time with him. You should know how much you mean to him and he doesn't see you often..." She then left.

Vienna heard the polite guards outside asking Vanessa to follow them. Vienna sighed and thought of Vanessa's words. Maybe she didn't know how much she meant to Tristan. Maybe.

She sat down having her coffee while looking outside.

Minutes later, Tristan returned. He said "I am sorry I left you alone. I had to call my father back. He had been trying to get in touch with me."

Vienna said "It's fine. It's been pretty fine here." She smiles "and educational. She said to herself. She put her hands under chin as she watched, Tristan sit down and pour himself some coffee from the coffee pot. Vienna asked "So what did you talk about with your father?"

Tristan looked up "We talked about many matters... one was lunch. He wants us to go to your house for lunch. My father is good with self invitations when it comes to your house." He then sighed "He called up and invited us to go over to your house to get over you know, all the background chaos that's happening. My father always doesn't let business get in the way of his personal plans. Even when a manhunt is happening for the fugitive O'Kane and all the security checks protecting the Agostini family while in the US, he would find time to have lunch with your father if he wishes it and he won't take no for an answer. I mean. I won't blame your father if he doesn't open the gates to his mansion. Who would? He has a lot to deal with including estranged family members showing up at his door step, unwelcome and unexpected family reunions and of course your brother. Yet knowing all of this, my father just calls him up and invites himself for lunch. I won't ever do that."

Vienna said "My mother loves guests. My father won't ever consent to it if it bothered my mother."

Tristan said "She wont be thrilled to see me."

Vienna said "Don't say that. It's nothing like that. She would get thrilled to see anyone who visits our home. She is a very traditional lady... She doesn't ever criticise you and in fact she complements your respectful approach and your manners... Its just that ... She feels in long term I should leave you behind and marry someone who is not wanted dead by many ..."

Tristan almost choked on his coffee "Really? And she doesn't think that anyone else you marry may be wanted dead by me and my allies..."

Vienna laughed "Tristan...."

Tristan leaned over the round table and kissed her lips "You are mine Vienna." He then sat down "You are free to marry anyone else you like. I won't stop you. But I won't just watch some weakling who can't even protect himself, let alone you to just marry you to live happily ever after. If I can kill him, then he isn't worthy of you. There is only one way to find out." He then gave her a look with a serious look his eyes " Do you want to find out?"

Vienna said "Stop it Tristan. I won't want to find out... unless ... you break my heart. Don't ever break my heart and don't ever go back on your promises. And I will be all yours forever and will only belong to you..."

Tristan said "I won't ever hurt you. I can't say I have the same conditions Vienna. You can break my heart and betray me as often as you want. I won't ever stop loving you and won't ever give up on trying to make you mine."

Vienna frowned "What kind of a relationship would that be?"

Tristan shrugged "My parents managed it. My mother all but ordered my father's death. That's the only think she didn't endorse. Otherwise she fought her hardest to break up the marriage. My father just fell in love with her and always loved her as deep as he always did."

Vienna said "My parents never came close to divorce. I am sorry your parents's marriage was on rocks while you were growing up."

Tristan said "Don't say sorry. I guess it has made me appreciate you more. My father says there are two types of people in the world. Those who fail in life and say to life why me. And those who fail in life and say to life try me ... Life is not meant to be perfect. We shouldn't expect too much or we will be disappointed. Honestly I was always grateful seeing my father alive every morning. Even my grandfather wanted him dead because he never wanted his daughter to marry an Irish."

Vienna shook her head "Oh. I can't imagine that. That's just unbelievable."

Tristan said "Is it though? Well. But there is prejudice out there. My family broke tradition when an Irish married an Italian who were rivals in business. There is prejudice where people discriminate and hate their new family members because of their social class, race or religion. I don't see myself so different to others... We are all human... My father fought for his marriage. But not every fight leads to victory. I know that... But I will fight. I will fight for you Vienna ... to death."

Vienna felt breathless at that point just listening to Tristan's intense words. He meant every word.