After the phone call from the O'Neils the table fell silent. No one dared say anything. O'Neil got away with joking about their families being related but neither the kids or Adele ever dared mention it. That was only O'Neil who risked Francesco's wrath. After Francesco soundly put back the telephone, he had sat down and silently having his breakfast.
Finally Adele cleared her throat "Francesco. Should the kids pack up their suit cases now or later? They have finished breakfast. The O'Neils would be coming shortly but until then should they be packing?"
Francesco looked up and his expression softened "Of course sweetheart. They can pack up now so they can have their suit cases ready at the lobby. When the O'Neils arrive we will have some coffee and pastry. Afterwards we must make our way to Sterling's home for the next two nights. I know you like to stop by on the way to Harlem to visit one of the boutiques like you always do."
Adele nodded "That would be great." She was relived Francesco didn't seem angry anymore. O'Neil bringing up the fact that they were almost related always didnt sit well with Francesco. Adele didnt blame her husband. It didnt sit well with her either but not for the same reasons as Francesco had. Francesco was quite traditional. To him, his daughter was a Rosario until she said her vows in a church that could be after her college or even a decade away. He just didnt like to hear jokes about his family. But in his heart Francesco missed his daughter already even though she hadn't become an O'Neil. She felt that Tristan was taking her away even when they were innocently dating. He didnt want his children to grow up because he didnt have enough time to spend with them. He was working for long hours and hardly saw them.
It was different for Adele. To her, Tristan was just not the one to ask for her daughter's hand. She had accepeted it but the longer she was in touch with Tristan and witnesses his transformation into who he was meant to become the less she warmed up to the idea. She just wanted her daughter as far away from him as possible. She admired Tristan. He was honourable. He was perfect. She was incapable of finding fault in him but still she just couldn't see her daughter with him because she felt intimidated by Tristan. Not that it mattered. Her daughter loved Tristan. Adele didnt see anything wring with Tristan but her maternal instinct told her to keep Vienna away. He was dangerous. When Tristan came near her, she felt nothing but fear. He radiated authority and danger. He was a threat to her family if he became an enemy one day in future after Francesco retired. He was only seventeen and that was the scary part. Even at such young age, he did intimidate her when he didnt even have any authority over her. Ironically she was now grasping the bitter truth that her only saviour could be Vincenzo. He was Tristan's match. When Vincenzo was near, she felt safe even if Tristan was in the room. She felt awful but now she could see why Francesco had mentored Vincenzo at such intense rate. The thought made her feel like tears coming to the surface but it was the sad truth. She must not have relied on her son. She wished her son was away from this life but part of her was also thankful that Vincenzo had enough authority and power to match Tristan.
Vincenzo, Viggo and Vienna left the kitchen as their father instructed them to leave. The siblings didn't stop to talk. There was no time to talk about what was happening. When their father gave them an instruction they couldn't ignore it.
Vincenzo went to his room and started packing his bag. He didn't think he needed anything at all for two nights. Of course out of politeness for the host, Sterling Johnson, their ally in Harlem, he had to pack a bag. He didn't think he needed pyjamas or even a second pair of trousers. He wasn't going to sleep in any bed since meetings went on for all night. He was going to sleep a few hours roughly on a chair here and there for sure. He wasn't going to miss any part of the meetings for the world. He knew alot was going to change in coming days. A big storm could shake the core of the alliances and a new nemesis era could start.
After Vincenzo packed his bag he carried it to the lobby. He then walked outside looking at the front yard where his father's men were all armed with any weapon that he could think of. This was the kind of security that was needed when his grandpa was held on the grounds. He wasn't happy. He didn't like how his chances of spending more time with his grandfather was being dashed this way. He needed that man to teach him all he knew. It hadn't happened yet. His father had taught him alot to a certain extent but there were lessons that only his grandpa could teach him.
Just then Vincenzo watched the O'Neil cars pulling up at the gate. The O'Neils were good at time keeping. They were early of course. As the car pulled inside, the Rosarios were all down at the front yard greeting the O'Neils. It was no longer snowing but slightly cold. Not that it mattered.
Emanuelle got off the car with his wife and walked to Francesco " Good to see you buddy. How are you holding up? The last time I saw you, I recall there were complications. Is all well?"
Francesco reluctantly shook hands with him as he whispered " You were here only a few hours ago O'Neil. What changes do you expect?"
O'Neil shrugged " So I take it that ... not much has changed." He smiled and looked at Adele who was hugging his wife Sancia."
Emanuelle spoke " I can't wait to have your home made pastry Adele and I am sure we will have plenty to talk about while our kids catch up for a little while down here."
Francesco nodded " Of course. Great idea."
As the adults went upstairs, Tristan was the first one to react as their parents disappeared inside. He avoided getting too close to Vienna while their parents were near. He didnt want his father to have material to joke around. So now that there was no one to watch them he walked to Vienna and kissed her forehead as he stared at her "Where is your coat? It's cold out here."
Vienna shrugged "Its upstairs. I need to go back up to finish packing. Can you help me pack?"
Tristan liked the idea that she was involving him. He nodded and held her hand in his as he lead her inside.
Viggo turned to Trent and challenged him to shooting some hoops at the basketball court. The two bonded alot these days.
Vincenzo was wathcing Terza throughout this whole time who was leaning to her father's car as she was looking around the snow covered grounds "Did you make that snowman?"
Vincenzo nodded "I made it last night. I had so much time to kill."
Terza looked at him "This is unlike you. I dont see you do anything that shows you are a teenager." She then walked away.
Vincenzo walked behind her "Where are you going?"
Terza shrugged as she walked off "I have so much time to kill."
Vincenzo caught up to her and spoke "You like to sit next to the lake to see it frozen."
Terza closed her eyes as she stopped. She hated how he knew her so well. It was crazy how he could read her mind sometimes. She opened her eyes and turned to look at him "I do. But I want no company." She then walked away as Vincenzo kept walking beside her.
Vincenzo stated "Well, as you can see the security is tight today. You cant go unaccompanied around this compound as an outsider when we are at war."
They had now reached the lake. No one was around. No one in their right mind dared come too close when Vincenzo was around. If he accused anyone of intruding or eavesdropping, they were going to suffer a fate worse than death.
Terza just was grasping what he was saying. She leaned against a tree "I see no war. What do you mean? Security must be tight because of the meeting. Right?"
Vincenzo walked closer to her and stood in front of her blocking her view of the lake to Terza's dismay. He was way too close. He stated "As if you dont know Terza. You know more than you let on. Tell me what you already know."
Terza didnt like his tone. She retorted "Read my mind big wolf."
Vincenzo's expression hardened "Fine. I read your mind... You are hiding something from me. I know you do. I will find out what it is either way. So you better tell me now so I can deal with it."
Terza shook her head " I dont have to explain anything to you. I dont owe you any explanations. Do you have any idea what I have been through because of you? You have no idea. Not everything is about you Vincenzo. I have kept secrets from my parents and everyone else all because of you. I have stuck up for you all this time. When people talk about you, I take your side. But what do I get? You just want to take what you want from me. That is all you want. I deserve better than you. Much better than you. Not everything is about overtaking territories Vincenzo. Your real territory is your family and those you love. I can see you get to the top. You can rule so many people and so many places because you have the potential, resources and heritage. But you cant rule my heart with force. Thats one territory you cant conquer. You have to earn it." She then tried to side step him but he blocked her by putting his hand on the tree.
Vincenzo kept calm. He didnt show anger to his Terza. He spoke calmly "You throw accusations Terza now. Tsk Tsk Terza. You want me to show you how much I love you. Do you Terza? Are you ready to commit yourself to me? There is only one way to find out. When the time comes, will you rise to the challenge or will you hide? That's the question you should be thinking of. I am sorry Terza if you feel that all I want to do is take what I can from you. I want you Terza. I dont deny it but I want you to be happy too. If I make you unhappy then just take a knife and stab me in my heart. If you want me not to want you then you have to kill me. But as long as I am alive, my heart wont stop beating for you. My heart always wants you and always will. If you think you deserve better, then go ahead and kill me. Thats the only way I would ever give up. There is a gun in my pocket now. Take it out and shoot me. It has a silencer on it. No one is looking. What are you waiting for. I give you a chance to kill me. Either take this chance or you cant complain if I fight for your hand. "
Terza was finding it hard to respond. He did love her. He truly did. But it was not how she imagined her first love to turn out. She needed a man who was commited to her in present and not in future. She whispered "All I get from you is future tense Vincenzo. I need a man who can talk in present tense."
Vincenzo narrowed his eyes "Well, future is now the present. The wait is over Terza. There will be actions tonight and consequences. It will set in motion what no one can stop without a fight."
Terza was confused "Talk with no riddles Vincenzo."
Vincenzo gave her a hard look "Alright. I spell it out." He then leaned close and as his breath was brushing her cheek he whispered "If I hurt Cesario tonight, would you mind it?"
Terza froze and looked up at Vincenzo "What are you saying? Why would you hurt him?"
Vincenzo carried on talking with a hardened expression as Terza could feel his muscle tensing up "He called you. He shouldn't have."
Terza gasped "Why would you hurt him for calling me?"
Vincenzo explained "He called you. He wasnt allowed to. Thats a crime in my eyes."
Terza spoke quickly "I have a friendship with Cesario... Is that what its all about. My friendship with Cesario goes way back. He was working on same projects as me alot of time. Also in Italy I have been in touch with him when his father brought him to meet Arturo Agostini. They always brought the Voltolinis with them too. I have a friendship with Scorpious too. Just because Scorpious has a girl, you have no issue with him."
Vincenzo stated "Cesario knows you belong to me. If he touches whats mine, I will kill him. I am just talking about this phone call for now. He called you when he was strictly under orders from his father not to talk to anyone about tonight. He broke the rule. He shouldn't have worried you about this. You are safe Terza. No one can hurt you tonight or ever. My grandfather doesn't like the Irish families. I told him a long time ago I like you. He didnt like that. He hopes I fall for Letizia. But he is even not allowed to hurt you. No one can hurt you even if they don't agree with you being with me... So tell me. Did Cesario worry you?"
Terza was overwhelmed with information. It happened when he dealt with Vincenzo. He always kept all information as riddles but sometimes when he revealed anything, the ifnromation came in a big load. She was shaking her head "It makes no sense. You are talking about your grandfather and Cesario as though you...are working with them... What is going on Vincenzo?"
Vincenzo persisted "Terza. I am serious. Answer my question. Did his phone call bother you? Is it bothering you now? I cant have my girl hurt in anyway. Cesario has no right to overload you with information that you dont even need to know. He is implying that I cant protect you. Thats an insult to me. I am a Rosario. I have rights within my family. If I choose a girl to be mine, she cant be hurt. He should not have underestimated me."
Terza was frustrated "You know. What he said didnt brother me. He doesnt keep secrets from me. Thats what I value. You keep secrets Vincenzo. This bothers me."
Vincenzo frowned "Ask me anything and I will tell you the truth. What do you want to know?"
Terza replied "Oh really? You will tell me your top secrets?"
Vincenzo stated " I have never refused you information when asked unless I was unable to tell you something. I am able to disclose anything you wish. Ask and I will answer."
Terza asked "Where is your grandfather now? Tell the truth. When was the last time you spoke to him?"
Vincenzo's expression turned sad. He looked away "I saw him last night. He is somewhere here on this very grounds but i am not allowed to see him. He is my father's prisoner. If I go look for him, my father might kill him for real. He was close to it last night terza. My father wanted to kill my grandpa."
Terza hesitated in answering. She was not surprised Paulo Rosario was this close. She knew he was. Cesario had warned her. But she was still surprised by his other words "Dont your trust your father? You sound remorseful. You should not sound like this. Your father has his reasons."
Vincenzo turned to Terza "Time is running out Terza. I need him to teach him what he knows before the Don dies. After my great grandfather, Don Vitorio dies, everything might change. He would be Don Paulo taking over in Sicily. I would have no access to him unless I move to Sicily. I cant do that. I have a life here. I need to go to college."
Terza spoke "It wont matter. Your father would teach you all you need to know. You dont need him."
Vincenzo looked at Terza sadly " It doesnt work like that. I dont have a choice Terza. You dont know what I am up against. I can't choose my path. I would be forced into it even if I dont wish to take it."
Terza was feeling strange. She felt sorry for him. It was as though he was showing her a side that no one else were allowed to see. This was his side that he had never seen him show. He was concerned. "I think you are wrong. Your grandfather is here right now locked up somewhere. He cant do any damage. Your father wont allow him."
Vincenzo replied in a whisper " You dont know him like I do Terza. He cant be held down. He would be out of here before we know it. I know for a fact, his people are trying to do an exchange with my father. He will be out in matter of hours."
Terza wasnt sure if she wanted to know the answer to her question but she asked "How do you know all this?"
Vincenzo shrugged "I know people. I talk to people. All the time. I am a genius in electronics and communciation is all through electronics."
Terza found herself speechless. There was so much she wanted to say to him but now she had nothing to say. He had a lot going on. "I wish I could help."
Vincenzo took a deep breath and stared at Terza in silence. She looked into her eyes and then her lips "You dont need to help me. I forbid it. I just need one thing from you right now." He leaned close and gently kissed her lips. He pulled away slightly and whispered "Dont forget me, don't forget what you mean to me, don't forget that you belong to me." He then attached his lips to hers again this time making the kiss lengthier as he moved his lips possessively against hers. He didnt need to warn her to not to forget she belonged to him. He had marked his territory already.
To him, she was already his. To her, it was all a complex situation. She was torn. She wanted to push him away but she couldn't. She felt like she needed him in her life. She needed him to challnege her. Thats what she had fallen in love with. No other man posed the challenged that he posed. No one came close. To him she was an equal who understood him even though she didnt agree with him. He needed a woman who held him in his arms but wasn't afraid to push him when he needed to be pushed. They had teenage percetions. This was only the begining and they knew it well.