Tristan was leading Vienna away from the woods hand in hand towards her doom. Vienna was sure he was going to dip her in the water for soaking him but the direction he walked was not to the fountain. It was towards the boys hotel. Sanctions were part of life when you messed with the boys and it was tradition for girls to play such games but it didnt mean they were prepared for the consequences. These boys didnt budge and couldnt take a joke.

Vienna heard the girls screaming from the far back of the fences in the back yard and looked up at Tristan who had a passive expression not giving away what was on his mind. She asked carefully "Tristan... Where are we going? I thought you wanted to drop me in water?"

Tristan turned to her "Do you want to be thrown into water? Would that make you happy?"

Vienna quickly shook her head "No."

Tristan then looked ahead "Then no I am not going to throw you in water."

Vienna remained silent but then she was curious "So where are we going? I know you want to do something unpleasant..." She then gulped as he looked at her with a look of displeasure.

Tristan retorted "And why is that? Why do you asume that?"

Vienna shrugged "The... other boys do that..."

Tristan looked ahead "Well, I am not other boys... When you do something wrong, I might do something to make you regret it. I only do that when I feel its serious. But this is not serious. We are joking around. But dont make a habit of soaking me... But I am an opportunist. I want to spend time with you and delay you from going to the girls... But lets face it. They will take a while to get dried up and dressed for you girls to go for dress rehearsal...  I will make you do something that I like..."

Vienna was more curious "Tristan... What is it that you like? Would I not like it?"

Tristan looked thoughtful "I dont know... Probably not. You never come with your brothers when we go there..."

Vienna asked "Where?" They were now in the lobby of the boys hotel. Tristan lead her through corridors and stopped at a door.

Tristan opned the door "Well, welcome to the arcade. The best place on earth for boys. You girls like dress rehearsals. We boys prefer the arcade."

Vienna liked how she surprisingly liked this gesture. She had never been to the arcade before. She thought it was for boys. But she never thought she knew how to play.

Tristan pointed to one of the black arcade cabinets " We can play Death Race on this cabinet. Its my favourite game. Lets play. Go on the the cabinet next to me..."

As Tristan pressed the buttons, he noticed Vienna hadnt gone to the other cabinet. She stood behind him. He turned "Arent you going on one?"

Vienna smiled nervously "I have never played before. I would rather watch... It looks too complicated

Tristan chuckled "Nonsense Vienna.  All you need is the wheel and acceleration pedal. Its nothing major. Give it a try..."

Vienna walked to the machine and turned it on. She was finding in confusing even after Tristan explained it to her. She wasnt very keen on playing. After losing so many times, she kept glancing at Tristan. "You play so well... You dont lose..."

Tristan stated " It doesnt matter if you lose or win in this game. Its just a game. Not reality... Its the only place on this earth I am allowed to lose... In a virtual game..."

The way he said the words clenched her heart. It was a brutal truth. Tristan was a first born heir. He wasnt allowed to make mistakes because it was deadly to himself and those that depended on his leadership. He had to win. He had to be the best at everything. She sighed "I am sorry."

Tristan asked as his eyes didnt leave the game screen. "Why are you sorry?"

Vienna breathed "Because you cant lose in anything in the real world."

Tristan shook his head "Dont feel sorry for me Vienna... I can handle it...Why dont you play Vienna?

Vienna replied "I dont like losing...."

Tristan replied "Come on Vienna. Losing on this game doesnt matter. Its only a game. Its not the real world. But if you dont play, you will keep losing the next time too. You must practice. Let me help you play." He then stepped aside and gestured to her to come forward " Vienna... Come give it a try. I will help you."

Vienna walked closer to the cabinet. She stood in front of the cabinet as Tristan stood behind her. He put her hands on the stirring wheel and the pedal and put his hands on top of hers as he leaned down, her warm breath behind her ear "Lets go kick some backside..."

Vienna now found it enjoyable. She got alot of points with help of Tristan. She liked the team work with Tristan. It felt like a team. But she felt abit saddened. They couldnt be sharing everything like a team... Tristan was an heir. A future mob leader... When it came to business they werent a team.

Minutes went past and they laughed and joked. They talked about everything that was happening that day. Vienna felt closer to him somehow after giving him her first kiss. He was her first love and he deserved his first kiss.  That had removed a barrier between them when they kissed. It was  a huge step and now Vienna felt much closer to Tristan. She did not mind rewarding him with kisses when he deserved it.

Once they played a few games, Tristan declared. " I think I should let you go back now. Have fun dress rehearsing..."

As he let go of her hand and took a step away from her, Vienna turned around and looked up "Tristan ... Where will you go?"

Tristan stated " Probably just playing games until it's time to get ready to go for the reception. It's gelato tasting, chocolate tasting and drinks tasting at the lobby before the prom starts. The live music is quite good." He then took her hand in his " Lets go."

Vienna was getting used to the way he held her hand so possessively when they went any where now. They were becoming closer. They walked out of the arcade and towards the girls hotel.

He looked at the girls who seemed to have dried up coming out getting into the main building where dress rehearsals were. Tristan said " I will see you later Vienna." Then as Vienna left he looked around for his sister. She was seeing no sign of her. He asked Trent " Have you seen Clarisa?"

Trent shrugged "She is with Amethyst. You know she was at hospital doing final check ups before her father was convinced to let her come to prom. I hope she can attend the full activities in prom. It's such a shame...."

Tristan made his way inside the main building. Amethyst was given a separate room in that building. She was still recovering and no one wanted to cause her any discomfort. If she got one droplet of water on her Arturo Agostini was going to flatten out the whole hotel compound with explosives. Tristan was sure if that. So it was best to thread carefully. His brother had a hard time even asking permission to take her to dance. Anna Rosario had convinced Arturo to take it easy for the prom. She had a way with words so after both Arturo and Anna had spoken to Trent they had allowed him to date amethyst. Arturo wasn't that prejudiced at Trent. Maybe it was because Trent wasn't a first born heir and had a habit of making amethyst laugh which sat well with Arturo. He had said it was music to his ears hearing his daughter laugh after her ordeal.

As Tristan reached the special suit he knocked. Clarissa opened the door and was surprised to see Tristan " What are you doing here? Amethyst is getting ready with her nurses to go to dress rehearsal now. We won't be long..."

Tristan declared "I wanted to speak to you Clarissa. Come..."

He then walked away as his sister hugged while following him "Tristan. What is it. I must go help amethyst. She hasn't been to school for so long. As the host we must help her integrate.."

Tristan opened the door to a room " In here now... It won't be long... She can wait. You are important too..."

Clarissa sighed and entered the room " What is it Tristan?" She then turned to look at her brother while crossing her arms over her chest staring at him with an indifferent expression."

Tristan closed the door and put his hands on his hips " Clarissa ... What happened last night...."

Clarisa interrupted " Stop right there. I don't like discussing a kiss with you. You are my brother. It's awkward.... sorry..."

Tristan demanded " Why? You are my baby sister... What happens to you matters to me. Tell me how you are holding up. I just needed to check on you. Vincenzo can play mind games with people. Tell me if you are alright..."

Clarisa stated " I am fine. What happened last night stays where it belongs. In the past. I have had enough reminders of it from the girls today." She cringed at the thought of how girls had asked her what it felt to kiss Vincenzo. For some reason even with his hostile attitude, Vincenzo was prom king material for the girls. Needless to say their school refused to bring the tradition of prom queen. Her mother was dead against it. To her mother, it was a ridiculous tradition. Her mother always said a true prom queen or king didn't need no crown. A queen or a king didn't need to be given reign. They took the reign and ruled. A piece of metal and some cheer from the crowd didn't make you gain territory. You had to invade the territory to make it your own.

Clarisa could see Vincenzo take territory after territory. He was a true king. But an annoying one that to her annoyance was after her of all the people and he had made her feel confused. She had only found out about his feelings and she had allowed him to kiss her. It was a punishment kiss because she had soaked him wet but still she wished he just threw her into the water instead but she had seconds to decide and couldn't bring herself to push him away when he kissed her like that. Now he had kissed her she was getting more glimpses of how he felt in his heart. It was hard to read his mind but wasn't so heart to read his heart. She felt his love through his kisses on both occasions. Tristan's words brought her out of her thoughts.

Tristan was shaking his head " I have no idea why he kissed you back but he convinced father that his reasons were valid. I can't do much when father is taking his side. I have to put up with it but I need to know how you feel. Do you want me to go to Vincenzo and get him to apologise in front of everyone for kissing you?"

Clarisa couldn't help laugh to Tristan's disapproval. It was not like that. She didn't have any difficulty coping with the kiss. She had difficulty understanding Vincenzo's relationship with her. She did care for him but she wanted to stay away from him. She was glad the bad wolf couldn't touch her in public because she liked her freedom. She didn't want a man. She preferred to prepare herself for living in a mans world when she grew older. She assured Tristan " Your concerns for me are appreciated... Thank you Tristan but just know that I don't keep secrets from you unless the secrets are not my own. I tell you now that I am fine. Last nights kiss was for a dare. It's not bothering me."

Tristan took a deep breath. He believed his sister but he still felt Vincenzo owed his sister an apology for Letizia putting Clarisa in this situation and him not pulling away even though he could. It was a baffling mystery to him why he had kissed his daughter. It was surprising why his father wasn't going mad. There were no consequences for Vincenzo and that didn't add up.

Tristan smiled at his sister " You know where to find me if you need to talk. I am never busy for you. I just want you to be happy."

Clarisa said thank you and slowly walked past him to the door. That was his brother. He just preferred to have all the headaches and make all the sacrifices. He did what he could to make her life and Trent's life easier. But he didn't need to worry about her. She was going to find a way to be strong and stay strong. She was taught by her father to focus on the positive in her life. Right now it was a blessing the beast was away. She was free to do what she wanted. Only when the beast caught her where he wanted her like when she had lost a dare and when she had to be sanctioned for soaking him up in the water fight game, she had to compromise. This game was pretty even unless she was put in difficult situations that she had to avoid. This reminded her that she still owed him a dance.

As Clarisa went to her room, she accompanied Amethyst down the stairs and Tristan walked with her making conversation with amethyst. He always found time for others but she felt lucky he was her brother. He meant it when he said I am never busy for you. He willingly left whatever he was doing and came to support her or rescue her. He always found a way. The word no didn't come to his dictionary when he supported his sister. Tristan was a good leader. He managed all responsibilities that was piled on him but also saved time for family.

As Claris walked outside she saw the beast in the lobby. Tristan gave him a look " What do you want here? Aren't you joining the guys."

Vincenzo replied " In a minute. I came to give this to your sister." He then took out a neck scarf from his pocket " I found it in the woods."

Tristan thought to himself " Give her back her first kiss. You moron." He then declared " See you back in the game's room. He then hit his shoulder against his as he walked past him.

Vincenzo's eyes caught hers. She sighed and made her way to the coffee dispensing machine.

Vimcenzo walked to her amused and declared " Nice. Cappuccino. A ferry Italian choice."

Clarisa waited for her coffee to be dispensed and didn't look away from the machine as his presence was felt behind her " Its with Irish cream Vincenzo. You are in an O'Neil hotel. It has an Irish twist."

As Clarisa took her coffee from the machine and turned around, Vincenzo slowly reached his hand up and stated " Let me tie this for you." He slowly put the scarf around her neck and started tying it as slowly as he could looking into her eyes " Its a nice scarf..."

Clarisa smiled sweetly " Its from my father. He has good taste in scarves. He told me the best way to kill a man who cheats on me is by wrapping this scarf around his neck and choke him."

Vincenzo nodded " I couldn't agree more. I am sure your man would never cheat on you..,"

Clarisa stated " He should pray he doesn't because I will find out. I will be no body's second choice."

Vincenzo brought his hands down " I couldn't agree more."

Clarissa stated " Thank you for finding the scarf. I would be avoiding the woods from now on. You know what it is like. When no one is around, the wolves start attacking in the woods but wolves don't dare put a foot wrong in broad daylight. So my aim is to run." She then side stepped him and walked away as she heard him whisper " You run but cant hide."

As Vincenzo walked outside, he saw Tristan waiting for him " Come for a walk with me. We need to talk..."

Vincenzo followed Tristan to the outside back that was deserted. Tristan stated " Vincenzo. You do know that just because my father is letting you get away with what you did, I am letting it go too. Right? I can't question my father. I can only question you. So tell me." He was now standing in the middle of a grassland away from earshot if guards and buildings " Tell me this. How on earth did you convince my father to be so calm about this. You kissed my sister and you are not her boyfriend. How can my father let it go? Don't tell me to ask my father..."

Vincenzo replied " Then you work it out. Why do you think your father is ok with this?"

Tristan narrowed his eyes " The only way would be if you didn't have a girlfriend and you loved my sister..., It's impossible."

Vincenzo shrugged " Maybe you shouldn't dig too deep Tristan. You may not like what you find. I give you some advice. If you don't need to know something don't go look for it. I want to protect your sister and I will. Look into the past and you will see why you are not right now punching the daylights out of me having a civil conversation with me. Tristan. You know my past. You have been to places with me even my younger brother hasn't. You know me well." He then took out a gun and offered it to Tristan " Here you go. If me kissing your sister bothers you, shoot me dead. Why not? You know I am honourable and would never hurt your sister. You either trust me or you don't. Pull the trigger. I let you. My intentions towards your family is pure. You believe it. So it ends here. Either go question your father. Either kill me or forget this whole kissing business. Your sister is not hurting. I checked on her. If she was, trust me I would be the one pulling the trigger to that gun killing me."

Tristan hated the feeling inside him. He wished he could punch him. He wished he could kill him. But he was putting arguments he couldn't ignore.