Vincenzo was exploding from rage. His own brother had attracted Letizia enough that she preferred to kiss him. He eyed Letizia who was refusing to leave. He warned "Leave Letizia. I am not asking you again."

Letizia sighed and thought she had to do something. She walked to Vincenzo and looked into his eyes with determination "What is this? Why do you turn on Viggo just for refusing to be kissed."

Tristan stood next to Vincenzo " We have our rules. He is one of us and he showed mercy when he has to carry out a punishment. He has to face the consequences."

Letizia cringed at that. It truly was a big punishment for her to kiss someone against her will. Especially doing it in front of these horrid kids who were going to make fun of her and wanted to humiliate her. She was so grateful to Viggo for being so respectful and kind. She was a free spirited girl who was confident in almost everything. Dealing with boys and relationships was not her strength.

Letizia spoke "Can I speak to you... Please?"

Vincenzo narrowed his eyes "Go on. Speak."

Letizia sighed "Not here."

The crowed of boys were now getting restless as they were throwing insults at Viggo and surrounding him more closely.

Vincenzo looked at the guys and spoke "I will deal with Viggo later in private. Disperse. I need to have a talk with Letizia. You heard her. The lady wants to talk. We treat ladies with respect. Don't we?"

As the boys were looking displeased, Vincenzo turned to them "Anyone has any objections, come clear now." He then side stepped Letizia and looked at th circle of boys one by one and his intimidating stare was making most of them look away. Letizia looked on with surprise as it was all over within seconds. All of them immediately dispersed and went to the lunch table to eat. All except Tristan.

Tristan had his arms crossed over his chest as he was looking at Vincenzo with narrowed eyes. Letizia could see he was close to challenging Vincenzo. Tristan spoke "Viggo has loyalty issues when we deal with girls who cross us. He is either one of us or he isn't. The next time he breaks the rules and tries to get another girl out of her punishment, I maybe the one in charge and I sure will give him a proper public punishment in this room with a proper court hearing. You don't have to take full responsibility to punish him all the time. I could help you out.... "

Vincenzo nodded "You don't let anyone else except yourself put Trent in his place. I return the favour." He then gave Tristan a dark smile.

Tristan nodded reluctantly "Point taken. But we will talk about this again." He then without another word walked to the lunch table as he was cursing.

Letizia looked at his retreating figure as she took in the atmosphere in that room. This was such a strange situation. She looked worriedly at Viggo but was slightly relieved to see he was having his lunch and the guys were treating him alright, laughing and joking with him. It seemed like it had happened before that he was in trouble and Vincenzo had taken over dispersing them all.

Vincenzo turned to Letizia "You want to talk? Follow me." He then walked away as Letizia followed him. He walked out of the room and up the stairs.

Letizia spoke "Where are we going to talk?"

Vincenzo spoke "The roof. That is where our special meeting room is." His voice was sour. He had his hand balled into fist as he was walking fast making Letizia sprint behind him almost. they reached a door and Vincenzo unlocked it. He spoke with sarcasm "Ladies first."

Letizia sighed "I am no lady." But she walked inside.

Vincenzo closed the door behind him and made Letizia nervous by locking the door. This was not a good combination. Being trapped in a locked room with Vincenzo. The room was a massive board room with tinted black glass windows. It had a lovely view too. This was luxurious meeting room for sure. She wondered in the girls had such facilities in their common room.

Vincenzo's voice brought her out of her thoughts "Let's get to the point... Do you have feelings for my brother?"

Letizia turned around immediately and found herself face to face with him. He looked calm but his eyes said he was beyond rageful. Being this close to him was making her nervous. He truly was intimidating if he put an effort into it. His tone was so cold but calm and at the same time was threatening.

Letizia took a step backwards "Is this what this is about?"

Vincenzo did not like the answer. He breathed "Don't play with me or I won't be so nice. You are mine Letizia" Take a seat." He pulled out one of the chairs that were tucked in underneath the large table.

Letizia spoke "Why? can't we talk while standing?"

Vincenzo spoke "Sit."

Letizia smiled "You could say please. You are not a gentleman like your brother. Now that is what I like about him." But the smile faded as she saw Vincenzo's threatening glare. He took a step towards her " What did you just say? Are you saying you fancy him then?"

Letizia took a step backwards "I ..... said he is a gentleman... That's all.... Come on Vincenzo. I don't think of him that way. You don't need to look like you are about to murder someone." That was how he looked. He looked ready to kill. She had no idea why she was explaining herself. The look he gave her forced her to say it. Maybe it was also instinct.

Letizia's back hit the wall after taking a few steps backwards as Vincenzo mirrored her actions watching her like a hawk.

Vincenzo put his hands on either side of her head on the wall and leaned close "Tell me exactly why you wanted to kiss him if you don't think of him in that way?"

Letizia spoke with a curious tone "Why does it matter? Are you jealous?"

Vincenzo laughed darkly "Jealous? Of course. Is that why you did it? Is that what it was about? You tried to make me jealous."

Letizia breathed "Sort of. I was hoping you would stop me and would let me get out of that room with no consequence if I threatened to kiss your brother. I am sorry. OK? I do not fancy your brother. I swear." She felt the need to compromise and convince Vincenzo that she felt nothing for Viggo first. She owed that to Viggo. She had to hang in there long enough and be compromising until Viggo at least was not going to be in danger. Vincenzo afterall had threatened anyone else who kissed her... She was worried for him.

Vincenzo's expression changed. He was slightly less tense now "So you are saying you don't like my brother.."

Letizia sighed "Look. I am not interested in boys. I don't think that way. I am just here to study."

Vincenzo spoke "Really? Is that so? Aren't we all? I find it hard to believe you don't have feelings for my brother..."

Letizia was offended. She raised her voice "Believe what you want. I don't even have time for arguing with you right now. I really don't. I have to get into College and study Economics. I have to prove to my father I can handle his business. Unlike you, I don't have the luxury of having siblings that can be on stand by if I mess up. I am the only child and it sucks...."

Vincenzo spoke "So you think the rest of us don't have that pressure. That room was full of first born heirs like me. We are treated most harshly by our fathers. We can't afford to mess up either. Having siblings is no luxury either. It is a pain in the backside. You can swap with me anytime..... Now, I would like to give you some warnings. You will not ever pull a stunt like you did back there. You will not try to make me jealous ... It won't end well... Do you have a problem with this?"

Letizia rolled her eyes "Fine."

Vincenzo spoke "Don't roll your eyes at me."

Letizia spoke "What if I do?"

Vincenzo smirked and leaned close "Do it again and see.... One way to find out.... When I give you warnings listen carefully.... You also must watch your back in school. You refusing to kiss me has consequences. I will add that to the list of offences you have committed so far.... You will pay Letizia but in a way that only satisfies me..."

Letizia spoke "You watch your back too. You fight and I will fight back. You can ask Alton."

Vincenzo spoke "Oh, I will. I am glad you fight back darling." He then took a step away from her. "Now you go. See. I can be a gentleman."

Letizia bit her lip "Wait.... What will you do to Viggo? It was my fault I tried to kiss him."

Vincenzo shrugged "He will get what is coming to him. He dared touch you. He knows you are mine."

Letizia became defensive as she pushed him on his chest "You are a big bully. You will leave him alone. He did your job for you. He looked out for me when you didn't..." Again, Letizia noticed the hardened muscles under Vincenzo's shirt. What was this guy made of? She really wished he was not so fit and attractive. But he was a real jerk but an attractive one. She murmured "What are you made of? Rock? Seriously?"

Vincenzo smirked as he found her hands running on his chest "Its all yours one day." He then put his hands on her hips and squeezed hard "You decided to tease me again. Back off. Don't flirt with me unless you mean it. Don't touch me unless you are prepared for what might happen next. I have self control. But when it comes to you, I may lose it all. I do not trust myself when it comes to you. Be careful Letizia. If you want to fight me, don't try to tease me as your weapon because you might not like the consequences if I lose control." He then touched his nose to hers and spoke "I will see you in the next class."

Vincenzo then let go of her. He walked away, unlocked and opened the door for her to leave. As she left with so much to think about he said "I like your dress. Don't wear it to school again. Wear it on our dates."

Letizia spoke "Dream on."

Vincenzo spoke "Oh I will."

As Vincenzo walked back to the common room, he sat back down and had his lunch without saying any words. His mind was with Letizia. He had thought he had her where he wanted her and he was going to get a kiss. But of course his brother ruined everything. If he was not in the room and had not come across as approachable, he could get a first kiss that day. There was no way Letizia would have gone for the freezing water treatment. She was a girl still being watched by an army of boys. She didn't want to be humiliated. Of course his brother who was there had to ruin everything. He had dared touch her too. He was sure, Letizia not only had done this because Viggo was nice but because she knew he wasn't going to kill him since they shared blood.

When the bell rang he turned to Viggo " You and I will talk about your stunts at home. It's going to be a long night for you."

Viggo sighed " Sure. We will talk then." They then separated without another word. He was used to having fights with Vincenzo. His brother was too extreme. He just couldn't stand by and watch. He didn't mind abit if playing around but what they were doing to Letizia was quite extreme. He was not into this kind of traditions. He was more of a fan of fair fights. He didn't like it when the boys ganged up on anyone. Viggo walked to his next lesson with a smile on his face though. His brother had finally met a strong minded girl. He had finally had met his match who didn't mind saying no to him. He was sure Letizia was going to teach Vincenzo that he couldn't just have his way always so smoothly.

Viggo spotted his sister walking alongside Clarisa amongst other students towards the science lab. He reached her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, How far are you on your independent study project."

Vienna shrugged " I have so much work. How far are you?"

Viggo spoke " I came this morning and did finish the method of my experiment. Good luck with yours. Maybe you should try coming in the morning, right before exams."

Vienna sighed " I will try it tomorrow. I was just too busy doing some last minute revision."

She entered the class and took her seat next to Clarisa as her brother sat next to Stefano. They were inseparable. They went everywhere at the school. Vienna was glad at least they were trying to mix with the other boys more recently. Stefano and Viggo had been convinced to even finally join the guys club on the fifth floor and went to common room now. They had managed to even mix Cain with others too who was in a year above them. That was a success. He was a real outcast.

After the teacher did the register and called all the names out, it was time for students to wear their lab Coates and goggles and to get on with projects. Vienna did not look forward to it at all. She was finding it so hard.

As she took out her equipment and got on with work, she heard a voice from behind her " Viggo said you need help. Can I help you at all Vienna?"

Vienna turned around. It was Edward Blake. He was the sweetest boy in school. He was the son of one of the top lawyers in New York who owned law firms around the country. Edward's father was a close friend of the Rosario family and a trusted ally. Edward happened to be so intelligent, polite but a bit shy. Vienna had no idea how Viggo had convinced Edward to talk to her. He was looking anywhere but at her. He was very intelligent and wanted to study physics in college but hardly ever showed off. He was so humble too.

Vienna smiled " Thank you Edward. It's nice of you to offer. I will figure it out. It's an independent project. We are not meant to really ask for help."

Edward looked into Vienna's eyes and put his hand on his heart " This is not cheating... I just will help you with theory and you can do the experiment. I can help you.... I want to help you..."

Vienna raised an eyebrow " Why do you want to help me?"

Before Edward could stop himself, he spoke " I like you." His eyes then widened and he looked around " Oh, sorry.... I didn't mean to say it like that. You know ...... You are just very nice... You are the nicest girl I have ever met..... I just want to help you. I have done this experiment you are doing, last year in a gifted and talented summer camp. I know it inside out. Please let me help you. It's the least I can do after you saved me last week from getting beaten up by Tristan."

Vienna sighed. Last Friday, Edward had bumped into Tristan in the corridors and had managed to knock Tristan's books that he was holding all over the floor. Tristan had challenged him to a fight. When Vienna had walked past, Tristan was about to break his arm. She had intervened and had asked Tristan to let him go this time. Tristan had for some reason let go and had walked away telling his guys that it was cool and he would forgive Edward this time.

Vienna smiled " That was nothing. Honestly. I hope Tristan hasn't given you a hard time again."

Edward shook his head " He hasn't bothered me again even though he saw me today a couple of times in the corridors. If you hadn't stepped in, he would have broken my hand. Then I couldn't do my exams. My parents would have grounded me. You saved me from so much trouble. I owe you. Let me help you at least for this. Viggo told me you hate getting help from anyone. That's why he asked me to help you because I owed you a favour and it is a good excuse."

Vienna spoke " Fine. Help me this time. Thank you Edward."

Edward's eyes lit up " You are very welcome. Thank you for letting me help you."

Edward quickly got to work and started making notes for Vienna on pieces of paper. He knew everything. Minutes later, she understood everything. He was so gifted in explaining concepts. She was sure he was going to become a college professor one day. His intelligence was both a curse and a blessing. Not many kids liked to talk to him because he was just way too smart. He knew everything and he wasn't that popular because there were no questions in any lessons that he couldn't answer. His hand was always up. He was the equal of the Pirelli sisters who were Johnny Pirellis triplet daughters. They were far ahead of the class that day and were doing advanced work just like Edward was.

Vienna was admiring the notes he had made for her. " Wow. This is so helpful. You can explain this better than the teacher."

Edward turned to Vienna " Really? Thank you." He then looked away " I leave you to it then. It was nice talking to you. Let me know if you need help. It's a pleasure helping you." He turned to her and shyly smiled.

Vienna smiled back " I will let you know. You are a genius. Thank you again." As she was looking at Edward, she spotted Trent looking at her direction with a frown on his face. What was with him? She thought to herself but didn't think much of it.

Edward looked around and then muttered a " Bye." He then walked to his desk to get on with his advanced work. Vienna then got on with her experiment as Trent continued to glance at her silently without her noticing.