Vienna was in her room resting when she found herself feeling better. She didn't want to stay in bed any more so she asked to see her mother. She knew she had to convince her to release her from her room. Her health was at stake so her father's guards weren't going to let her out since they didn't want to die in case she felt ill after leaving her room. Her mother of course was happy to see her feel better. She cautiously gave her permission to go for a walk in the gardens that day even though it was quite chilly and her father had forbidden her to go outside. Her mother was a doctor. She could over rule her father if she was willing enough to take responsibility for what happened next which she was. Her father could never harm her mother of course. That was rule of law at that mansion.
Vienna was pleased to finally walk outside and see the clouds reminding herself that she was still alive. She had a near death experience but it was all fine now. Nothing could go wrong. She decided to ask for some company as she walked to one of the guards "Can I please see Angelia? My mother said it is ok. Can she come outside to walk with me?"
The guard nodded and complied. She watched him walk away to get Angelia. She then walked around the trees and was enjoying her walk but the cars stopping at the gate suddenly got her attention. They were strangers.
She sat on the chair of the massive swing her father had ordered to be built for her years ago. She sat while watching the cars coming inside. This was a big group of people in business suits. Vienna recognised the tall blonde male with his navy suit. Nolan O'Leary. She had met him before. He was so nice to her. He offered her a scholarship she didn't want. He was also quite generous with his gifts to her when families exchanged gifts too when Vincenzo became a don months ago. She didn't know why he was so nice. She had no opinion of Nolan. She didn't know him at all. He was just a tall boy with a pair of piercing icy blue eyes who didn't stop staring at her. She started swinging slowly while she was watching his actions from far. She didn't think much of him. She had no reason to. He was a business man who Viggo dealt with these days. He was a business client or partner. That was all. So she didn't know why she had a feeling inside that there was more here. He looked at her in a way she couldn't even describe. She had no idea what it was but there was something that made her on alert when she was watching his moves. He was an Irish businessman. He was Tristan's equal or so they said. She knew nothing of the O'Leary family. Only Vincenzo knew them. Her big brother described Nolas as an Irish Avalanche. She didn't know what it meant. Vincenzo had met him before. He knew their history. Not that he shared. He just warned Vienna to keep her distance if she could help it. But she knew that was not an option. Nolan was going to be attending the same college she was going to attend with Tristan next year and so was Viggo. There was no way of avoiding him. He seemed like the perfect gentleman so she wasn't concerned about him. She watched him address her father's guards with his unique elegance which she did respect. She could not hear them talk but his elegance was clear.
Nolan instructed the Rosario guard with his authoritative tone "I don't mind waiting outside. I like to stay here. There is no need for you to lead me to the waiting room."
The guard looked concerned "Sir. Allow us to make fire for you here if you wish to remain outside and not come inside."
Nolan spoke with finality "I am not in habit of repeating myself. I expressed my demands."
The guard looked troubled "Sir. Our instructions are to make sure you are comfortable while you are waiting. Are you sure sir that you wish to wait outside?"
Nolan gave him a hard look. If he was his own employee he would have shot him dead by now "Yes."
As the guard walked away he turned his head to his left as he whispered "Oh it will be my ... pleasure to wait outside. Believe me." His eyes once again met
hers. He didn't appreciate the guard interrupting him. This beautiful princess who was slowly swinging was the most breath taking human he had ever seen. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was watching him silently as she was hugging her chest. He watched her swing back and forth as she held his gaze.
Nolan ordered his men "Stay close to your cars. Wait for my instructions." All this time his eyes didn't move. She was staring right at him with an expression less face as he started walking towards her slowly. At least there was no hate in those pair of gorgeous green eyes. That was a relief. The thought of her hating him didn't sit well at all in his mind. She was the sunshine and the moon combined. She was the most perfect creature he had seen. He approached her but knew to keep his distance. She was the property of Tristan.
Vienna stopped swinging. She wanted to be polite. He was a guest so she decided to be friendly "Hello. Welcome to our home. Do you need anything?"
Nolan said to himself "Sure. Will you marry me?" But then he chuckled at his deadly joke. If Tristan could read his mind he was going to be on his strike list. And rightly so. Who could blame Tristan for protecting this beautiful creature. He said "You could help. Tell me would you say yes to my father's scholarship?"
Vienna shook her head "No. I already said no. Please offer it to someone else. I wish to study medicine."
Nolan said "It's gift to you. Then if you don't accept it choose another gift."
Vienna said "I don't need anything. Thank you for the offer."
Nolan said to himself "Of course. You are perfect. You don't need anything. Others need you." He said "I wish you reconsider."
Vienna said "No. I am fine." She then looked past him.
A guard approached them "I am sorry. Ms Andovini are not responding to us knocking."
Vienna sighed. She must have been sleeping. She just had her new medication an hour ago. She decided to go check on her. She stood up "I go check if she is ok." She then nodded politely "I have to go."
Nolan watched her leave not pleased with the outcome. "I will see you soon princess Rosario."
Vienna rolled her eyes at that title. She didn't think she was a princess. She was treated like one and protected like one. But she was not one and neither did she want to be one. She was Francesco rosario's daughter. Right now all police stations were bracing themselves for aftermath of what was to come by her brother. That was what could happen or so Viggo predicted. He told her if Vincenzo came New York was going to shake to its core because she had almost died. There was no way her big brother was going to let that go even if Viggo and her father finished with their actions dealing with the issue. She was a princess.
She knocked on the door to see Angelia. She entered and watched her covering her eyes Sitting on the bed. Vienna asked "Are you Alright? Why didn't you open the door for the guards?" She then watched her uncover her face and saw she was crying. Her expression softened "I am sorry." She then took a seat on a sofa while watching her "Do you want to talk about it?"
Angelia breathed "Vincenzo... He care here.,." She then wiped her tears.
Vienna was shocked "He came to see you? What did he do?"
Angelia replied as she took a deep breath. She retold What had happened.
Vienna shook her head as she finished her account "Angelia no matter what Vincenzo says, what Viggo says and decides matters. Viggo will never let Vincenzo hurt you and I don't think my big brother will ever hurt you without Viggo's approval. You have nothing to worry about. If you wish to break up with Viggo you can. Viggo can handle rejection. Vincenzo may not know that you no longer love my brother. He thinks you love him like you did before. We both know you lost interest when a new rival came along. You don't want to compete against Reagan O'Reily. Or rather you think Viggo's best interests are to marry her. Come on Angelia. She is not you. She can never be you for Viggo. I bet you even if you managed to break up with my brother , Viggo will not want her.... My brother loves you Angelia. He is serious. Reagan maybe string minded and perfect for Viggo but she is not you... She won't make my brother happy... I know you only want my brother happy. But by trying to push him away so he can be fleeced into taking Reagan as his, You won't help. Viggo won't want her."
Angelia swallowed hard "You think so?"
Vienna stood up and walked to angelia. She sat on the bed "Come on. My brother can't be with anyone but you. If he is forced he will take her to fates dates but you will only make him happy. Stay with him. He needs you Angelia. He needs you since Angelia will be using every opportunity to hunt him and trap him for herself . I said only you can make Viggo happy. But guess what? Only Viggo can make Reagan happy. I know it. That girl will try to ruin you. Right now my father and brother are held up in their meeting at the O'Reily mansion because of her. She has made sure to insist to not release your cousin and also demand that we hurt you for causing chaos in Irish territory that shares a border with theirs. Reagan will fight for her man... The question is will you? Or you are waking away?"
Angelia stood up "Her man?"
Vienna stood up facing her "Yes. She sees Viggo as his. Fight for him. We have traditions Angelia. My father let us be free to choose to do anything. We have choices but we must have Heirs. I don't. But my brothers have to as male heirs. If he doesn't marry and you break up with him he has to just marry someone or my father will pick a name out of a hat from his limitless number of admirers who are sending him engagement proposals from everywhere even now... it's crazy. Viggo doesn't care for anyone but you. He will live a dead and loveless life for himself if you leave him. But some girl will be loved and will be happy with him because he is honourable. It's fine if you don't want my brother. Break up with him but know that he doesn't love anyone else."
Angelia closed her eyes and pressed her lips.
Vienna continued " What assurance do you need from our family Angelia? You are free to leave my brother and Viggo will protect you if Vincenzo comes after you to make you pay. I know Viggo. He will never let any harm come to you. Is it just the fear and threats from Vincenzo stoping you from leaving? I know my older brother. He would never have threatened you if he was not 100 percent sure you loved Viggo. He is not like that..."
Angelia looked into Vienna's eyes "I don't want to leave Viggo... I never wanted to leave him. I love him. But ..."
Vienna said "But what?"
Angelia looked away "I don't want to be a burden to him... and ... I ... I don't know how to explain it... I don't want to be happy..."
Vienna frowned "You make no sense."
Angelia looked up "My entire family is dead... I have no one. Maybe I should die too and let Viggo live in peace with Reagan."
Vienna said "I am sorry Angelia for what's happened but you don't have to live in mourning your entire life. You have to put all in the past and be with Viggo. He needs you in his life. I don't think Reagan will ever make him happy. She is not you."
Angelia said "He doesn't need anyone ..."
Vienna said "You think he has no demons to fight in his life. But he does. Do you have any idea the hell he has to go through as my father's heir. We don't mention it... or rather my mother doesn't want to know so we don't discuss it openly but we know... I know... Viggo has to make decisions no one should at his age. It's the same case with Vincenzo. My older brother has Clarisa. Viggo has you. He needs you."
Angelia said "He can leave in peace without me."
Vienna laughed bitterly "It's ironic Angelia. How wrong can you be about my twin. He tells me so much that no one knows. I know how he is and what's happening to him. Without you all his inhibitions will be gone. You are the only ray of light in his life. Yes he has him family but he must protect us. He is a Rosario. He has it tough now that Vincenzo is in Sicily. He can't afford to fail. What do you know about his sleepless nights and back to back meetings? What do you know about his training that's quite tough. You are the only part of his life that he looks forward to... He tells me when he comes to you to check if you have your medication that's the best part of his day. He takes care of you because he wants to and he actually enjoys spending time with you even when you are crying your eyes out. He loves you even when you are sick. He loves you when you eat and when watches you sleep. He tells me the most beautiful sight is when he sees you at peace in your sleep. He loves watching your chest rise and fall under the blanket as you breathe. He loves you. Yet you are not willing to fight for him when he fights for you..."
Angelia was shaking her head taking in her words. She became breathless "I ... am ready to fight for him.. I love him... I just don't want to burden him... I will fight to make him happy..."
Vienna said "Only being with him makes him happy. By pushing him to Reagan you just make him miserable. How can you not see that? Reagan is the only rival you have that comes close to having a chance at being with Viggo. She is a fighter like you. But she doesn't feel compassion like you do. Stop trying to do the right thing for my brother by being noble and trying to help him by giving him up. You are the right thing for him Angelia. You love Viggo and he loves you. Fight for him."
Angelia swallowed "I will fight for him." She was totally overwhelmed with all the information. But she was alert enough to make her decision.
Vienna smiled "Good. Prove it. Don't let Reagan get my father's approval. She is trying. If you prove you are dangerous to our family my father will make you disappear. He can. Even Viggo can't fight my father's will. No one can. Not yet any ways. So fight and show my father you are the one for my brother and not Reagan. Now let's go for a walk. Some fresh air will help you think. Come on. You need to think about everything. Failure is not an option. Running away is not an option. Only fighting is an option. That's what my father always tells me. You don't choose failure. You can't choose it. It happens on its own accord if you fail.... It's not an option. You will fight and keep my brother. I know you can."
Angelia couldn't believe Vienna had it in her. She was full of surprises. Everyone thought she was like her mother but she had so much of her father in her too.
The two girls ended up on the swing outside while watching what was happening in front of the gates at the Rosario mansion. Tristan and Vincenzo had just reached the mansion and they were just getting off to greet the Irish guest who was drinking from a beer can and leaning to his car.
Vincenzo was first to walk to him and reach him "O'Leary."
Nolan smiles "Rosario. It's been awhile."
Tristan reached him "Nolan."
Nolan nodded politely "I didn't expect to see you here Tristan. It's good to catch up ... all three of us. Last time we met up was around Christmas. Who can call that meeting up. Let's have some time to hang out like the old times..."
Tristan sighed. Of course they had history. They attended summer camps together years back. Those bible camps where Vincenzo's idea during school holidays in sophomore years. Vincenzo was the star student of course in religious part of the camp rivalling Nolan. He memorised scriptures and had a feast night every night with his bible study circles he held with Nolan. He understood Nolan. He spent every night learning about him as they bonded through religion. There were sports activities like archery and horse riding too with plenty games to make the camps appeal to the children of criminals. So they learnt about their peers. But knowledge on Nolan was scarce. Only Vincenzo cracked the ice. That was it. Nolan was known as the ice camper. He didn't bond with anyone but Vincenzo which got Tristan into the circle of Nolan's trust too. Nolan was different. The O'Leary family recalled the O'Kanes. So his father kept Tristan and the O'Neil's away from them. But of course the bible camp was when he met an O'Leary and learnt so much about him thanks to Vincenzo. Tristan of course repaid the favour later on. He gave Vincenzo some crash course on one of the families the Rosarios cut off.
Vincenzo lead Nolan away "How about some archery while we wait for my brother to attend his meeting with you?"
Nolan looked at Tristan as he followed Vincenzo "Of course. Three of us back to the challenge archery. What do you say Tristan"
Tristan said "Why not?"
Vincenzo whispered "Nostalgia."
Nolan made the sign of cross and said "
Strong and faithful God,
as we come together for this contest,
we ask you to bless us and reward us for our perseverance. Amen."
Tristan caught the word contest in his prayers. It was only the beginning. The contest was starting with him in every aspect. He looked around and his eyes caught Vienna's as he smiled. He was going to ask her if Nolan has bothered her at all. If he had, his head was going to be his and only his.