6. Cherishing His Girl

Vienna was sitting in the library behind a desk while listening to Tristan's lecturing. They were in the private study room alone and Tristan had been teaching Vienna for a while. She sat back in her chair and stretched her arms. "Tristan, I think you have given me so much help. I think it's time we stop."

Tristan glanced at Vienna from across the table. The look he gave her got the message across. The answer was no.

So Vienna sighed as Tristan went back to explaining what she needed to change about her project.

Tristan watched her make notes and draw diagrams as he spoke. She could postpone the study session. She could get some prizes in what she did and never mind the A+. The reason he was sitting in the library tutoring her wasn't because she needed help. Maybe there were a few corrections that she could note down but that was about it. The main reason he had her alone was because he just made the most of the time he had with Vienna. His time with her was restricted to school days. It was hard to get weekends off. Even afternoons weren't free. He mostly worked on his father's projects or shadowed him in his business meetings. But if his father gave him an afternoon off, then he was either with grandpa O'Neil or grandpa Giovanni. He was a first born heir. He had responsibilities to two families through blood and also through association he had responsibilities towards his Rosario Princess, soon to be a Giovanni-O'Neil queen.

After Tristan noticed, Vienna was getting abit tired he announced " Let's stop now. You are on the right track. I got you a present by the way. Maybe you can use it now to relax after studying so hard." He then leaned down to open his bag while Vienna watched him curiously.

Vienna asked " Why do you get me so many presents? You are spoiling me Tristan."

Tristan took out a small packaged box that was nicely wrapped with ribbons. Tristan put the box on the table "I hope you like it. It's something you can wear and enjoy. That's the only hint you get."

Vienna liked guessing games with Tristan. It was hard to guess what he got her. It was always a surprise. He had good taste in buying presents. She picked up the box and shook it slightly trying to guess what it was " I have no idea what this is? Is it jewellery?"

Tristan raised an eyebrow " Do you want it to be jewellery? No it's not. I can get you one next time."

Vienna smiled and shook her head " No I have plenty... Is it clothing but something like a scarf?"

Tristan shook his head "No."

Vienna thought carefully " Its not clothing and not jewellery. So what else can I wear?"

Tristan leaned back in his chair and smiled " I win again."

Vienna was curious. She started unwrapping the present not knowing what to expect. She gasped as she saw the contents. It was a Sony Walkman, the latest invention of 1979 in the electronics world. She looked up " I can wear it? Come on Tristan."

Tristan chuckled " You can wear the headphones. Can't you?"

Vienna smiled " I love it. Thank you Tristan." She then stood up and leaned across the table as she planted a kiss on his cheek.

Tristan took a deep breath watching her pull away. He rebelled in watching her use the Walkman. He loved it when she used what he got her. Vienna was playing the music in the Walkman. It was a Sinatra record. When he ordered it from the Italian shop, they put an Italian artist record inside of course.

Vienna asked " Do you want to listen?"

Tristan shook his head as he reached his hand inside his bag and took out a pair of headphones with a Walkman " No. I have my own one."

Just when Tristan was about to put on his headphones he saw his mother's secretary walking through the library doors towards him. She announced " Dr Giovanni would like to see you in their office please. Immediately."

Tristan sighed " Just when he was going to sit down and exchange music record with Vienna chatting about her taste in music she had to call upon her.

Vienna looked up as she took off her headphones watching Tristan collecting his stuff and nodding at the secretary " I will be in my mother's office shortly."

Vienna asked " Are you leaving for the airport so soon to pick up Clarisa? Personal study time hasn't even finished. Isn't it abit too early?"

Tristan stated " I doubt we are going to airport. My mother wants to talk to me."

Vienna shrugged " I will walk with you." Vienna caught his tone. He wasn't happy to leave her. He hadn't seen much of her recently because they had so many exams and if he didn't have exams, he had business affairs to attend to. She decided to collect her stuff too and walk with him. She felt bad for him. He hardly had any free time just like Vincenzo but it was hard to feel sorry for Vincenzo. Even in his free time he didn't make much effort to socialise with his girlfriend. It was as though he treated business time like his free time.

Tristan glanced at her and was pleased she wanted to walk with him. He walked around the table and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind as she was collecting her notes. He whispered in her ear " Vienna, are you upto going out tonight?"

Vienna chuckled as she was ticklish and him rubbing her stomach made her    feel jump " No. I sleep early... I have assessments... Tristan stop."

Tristan slowly moved his fingers to her waist and tickled her making her move and laugh " Ok. Fine. I go out. But if I over sleep tomorrow and fail, it's your fault."

Tristan let go " You will pass. I am assessing the class first period actually. So if you are late you just make it up in my detention."

Vienna sighed " Tristan."

Tristan smiled and appeared in front of her. He attached his lips to hers and kissed her gently. He whispered as he pulled away " I love you."

Vienna smiled " I love you too."

The secretary was watching the scene waiting for Tristan to finish. Tristan was never told off for being late if his excuse was Vienna Rosario. Sancia Giovanni didn't approve of anyone for his son's unless they had Rosario blood. Vienna Rosario was well sought after. Criminals from around the world even sent gifts to Rosarios for them to be sent back.

The secretary watched as the two teenagers put their backpacks on their shoulders and walked hand in hand to the exit as she followed silently.

Vienna looked upto Tristan " Where are we going tonight?"

Tristan said "Somewhere fun."

Vienna looked away " What if Vincenzo doesn't let me come with you? He is in charge of security and all decision making."

Tristan replied " He won't object. We take him with us. It's somewhere public. I will deal with him. You are safe with me. Your father trusts you with my family..." He then thought to himself " Even thought your other relatives are not as kind..." It was true. The Rosarios in Italy mostly didn't trust the Irish and the O'Neils. The O'Neils used to be in good books of Rosarios but ever since his father Emanuelle had been quite vocal about his contempt towards paulo Rosario it didn't sit very well with the Sicilian Rosarios. Paulo Rosario cared for his father like a son since he admired his strength but now since he took sides with Francesco and even working with Irish allies who were not friendly to the Rosarios in Italy, the relationship was rocky. Tristan had approval from Francesco Rosario to date his daughter but he didn't need permission from her grandfather and great grandfather, Don Vittorio.

Tristan bid goodbye to Vienna who made her way to the sports building and walked to his mother's office. He knocked on the door.

Sancia called out " Enter."

Tristan walked inside slowly and closed the door as he greeted his mother " You called me, mother?"

Sancia looked up from the files she was reading behind her desk " Yes. I did."

Tristan walked to a corner of the room and looked outside the window watching Vienna from far who was talking to some of her friends on the sports field. It was cold but the track team were still practicing. " What is it mother?"

Sancia went back to looking at her files in the desk "You have a busy evening son. Your grandfather wants you to join him at midnight. He has business to attend to and would like you to be present."

Tristan nodded as he watched Vienna cherishing every second of watching her happy and laughing with her friends that made him slightly jealous too. She was happy but he wished she was addressing him at that moment with her beautiful smile. He felt jealous of even girls being around her. He just wanted to be there and hold her hand while making it clear to those girls to behave themselves around his queen.

Tristan asked " Anything else mother?"

Sancia glanced up at him " Your grandpa O'Neil is present too tonight. But you must not act inappropriately."

Tristan turned to his mother " Like how? It's impossible to insult them. I won't cause any tensions. Can I go now?"

Sancia replied " Not yet son. Your father asked for you. Make your way to his main warehouse."

Tristan replied quickly " Alright. See you at the airport."

Tristan spent the whole afternoon with his father dealing with Italian traders at his warehouse. His father was in full business mode. Only when they reached the airport he saw his father's other side. It was hard to see how much his father missed Clarisa. But as she stepped out of the passport check in and came to a special private area their family had booked, Tristan watched his father show emotions. He embraced Clarisa so tightly before even his mother had a chance and then passed her over to his mother to hug. Sometimes people joked if any boy asked Clarisa out they were dead. She hadn't been dating but he knew it was close to the truth. No one was good enough.

The party at their home started as soon as they got home. He was drinking with the guys in the corner while the girls were around the chocolate fountain, when he saw Vincenzo enter with Viggo alongside Angelia. It was interesting to see Vincenzo walked straight to his sister to greet her. That showed politeness from the host. Then as people blocked his view, he watched to his astonishment that the boy who was talking to Clarissa, Austin suddenly fainted on the floor. What was going on? Did Vincenzo hit the guy? It wasn't so hard to imagine. It was good at least he looked out for his sister. Derek had been asking for it chatting up his sister not giving her time to breathe.

As Tristan walked to Vincenzo and Clarissa, he watched Clarisa annoyed " Vincenzo. There is no need."

Vincenzo replied " I insist. I can wake him up for you." He was saying this while holding the guy up standing while he was unconscious. He then glanced at Tristan " This guy just collapsed. Let's wake him up with some icy water. Do you have any? The fountain in the yard is frozen. Maybe he can swim there and wake up."

Clarisa was outraged " Vincenzo. I said there is no need. A doctor will fix him up."

Tristan didn't understand why she was bothered. As they sent the guy to a doctor, Tristan took Clarisa to the side " Vincenzo is looking out for you Clarisa. Has he done something to bother you?"

Clarisa sighed. She smiled sweetly " Don't worry Tristan. I can take care of myself". She then side stepped him.

Something bothered his sister but he wasn't sure what. As he watched her side step him, he commented " That's a nice Italian Jasmine in your hair."

Clarisa automatically said " Thank you." But then as she walked by a mirror in the room, she saw it. It must have been Vincenzo putting a jasmine in her golden hair. He was flirting with her and getting bolder.

Vienna appeared in front of her as Tristan was getting her a drink " Hey. Tell me about Italy. I have been meaning to ask you about how it is. Are you enjoying your exchange placement? Do you recommend it?"

Clarisa almost coughed on her drink " Woah. If I tell you and you might like it then Tristan would be cross with me. I am not meant to tempt you to leave."

Tristan walked beside Vienna " That's right. Don't tempt her to leave me Clarisa. I won't like it." He then handed the drink to Vienna as he stood protectively in front of her.

Clarisa could even catch the seriousness in his tone even when he was smiling at her. Vienna had a different destiny to her. She was meant to be a queen on a throne but she was

Want to be a queen fighting on the front line.

Clarisa cleared her throat " I like it that it helps me be more fluent in Italian. I can now read literature books without difficulty and understand all the words."

Vienna smiled " Then maybe you can rival Vincenzo in the Italian play mwriting quiz challenge this week."

Clarisa sighed " I will give it ago." She didn't care what challenge there was. She took it either way.

As Clarisa walked away, Tristan turned to Vienna " Are you thinking of going to Italy?"

Vienna replied " I like to travel..."

Tristan responded " Then we can travel together." He then kissed her on the lips silencing her.

Vincenzo kept watching Tristan from far and narrowed his eyes as he was kissing his sister in public. The guy had no boundaries when it came to public affection. But if he had his Terza, maybe he would have forgotten his beliefs and would have kissed her in the middle of a room in front of her brothers. Tristan never stopped claiming Vienna in public. He never had that choice with Terza in ways Tristan did. But he loved watching the jasmine in her hair. It was his personal methanol for her and his way of claiming her silently without anyone noticing. He watched her walk around the room mingling. She was away from guys mostly to his pleasure. The time was near and when his safekeeping of Letizia was going to be over, he was going to come for Terza and claim her.