Vienna was sitting opposite of Tristan rehearsing with him. It had been less than an hour but it seemed longer to Vienna. His closeness was making her feel uneasy. The intense look in his eyes was just focused on her. He watched her every move closely and never looked away. She just wanted to find a way to relax. She started taking off her cardigan to Tristan's surprise. But he didn't complain. Her strapless creamy dress really suited her. She looked as irresistible as always without her cardigan.

Vienna cleared her throat and carried on rehearsing. Tristan couldn't be happier. He loved staring at her. He didn't want anything more than kissing her rosy lips as she was saying her lines. He felt blessed to be in her presence. He felt so joyful at being so close to her without making her feel too intimidated. She still was scared of him. He could tell. It was not easy to gain her trust but this drama pairing had helped alot to have a chance to get closer after their confessions.

After they finished rehearsing their lines for the second time, Tristan asked a question that was bothering him " Vienna, have you entered the art contest yet?"

Vienna looked up shyly and shook her head "Not yet... "

Tristan didn't like that at all "Vienna. Why? Is it because of Vincenzo? ..." He then thought to himself " He has no right to tell you what to do. I told him politely to back off. Maybe I should change my approach. The head case has crossed the line with you."

Vienna was taken back. She didn't expect him to speak with such strong feelings about something as insignificant as a contest. She spoke quickly "What? No... No... Its not him. He came to me today and said he has no problem with me entering. He said you asked him to talk to me..."

Tristan stated "But that's not all he said. Is it?"

Vienna looked away "It doesn't matter....." Of course Vincenzo had threatened that when he became in charge, he was not going to stand for her wasting her time on art. He had said it was only because of their mother, he was backing off. She then sighed and voiced her curiosity that she had at the back of her mind "Why do you care about this so much Tristan?" Tristan had her now by his side. She had promised to save him a dance the following week at their party and of course she had promised to go to the end of year prom with him. What did it matter what Vincenzo said?

Tristan spoke "What matters to you is my concern. I can talk to him again." He then told himself "And this time I wont hold back. He needs to be reminded who you are to me."

Vienna gave him a half smile "You told him to talk to me. That is enough for me. He wouldn't have done it if you hadn't asked. You can make Vincenzo leave me alone but you cant make him change his mind. That's who he is. A dictator."

Tristan told himself "Oh, I am a dictator too but nothing like that headcase of a brother that you have." He asked Vienna " Has he bothered you about anything else?"

Vienna shrugged as she started playing with the pile of script papers in her hand looking around the room " No." She then thought to herself " Because I don't give him a reason to."

Tristan took a deep breath of relief. He could tell she was telling the truth. Besides he believed Vincenzo when he said his father did interfere. He looked at Vienna and wondered how anyone could give her a hard time. She was just so innocent and kind. How could anyone try to intimidate her and terrorise her like that. How could Vincenzo bring himself to be so harsh to her. Tristan never recalled telling Clarisa what to do as long as her safety wasn't compromised. All he cared about was her security. Her hobbies were no concern of his.

The silence from Tristan alarmed Vienna who shakily looked up " You won't talk to Vincenzo again. Would you? Don't." She knew what a grudge taker Vincenzo was. If you told him not to do something, he did the opposite.

Tristan spoke " I won't, if he leaves you alone. But promise me to come to me if he is acting so demanding again." He thought to himself " You are my girl. He has no right to tell you off." He could not understand Vincenzo. They were both raised by their fathers to be leaders and not followers. But they were raised to take it easy on their family too. How could Vincenzo not grasp that blood was thicker than water at every level. But again his idea of loving his blood was different to Tristan's idea. Vincenzo went too far. He was way too extreme in some ways. Vincenzo had explained his vision of how he wanted to run his father's organisation one day to let Tristan know how extreme he was. Tristan could imagine what was to come to the Rosario business empire if Vincenzo took over. He was going to change his father's moderate approach to extreme and he was certain, Vienna was not going to like living in that household. He was hoping he could get Vienna out before Vincenzo took over from his father. But again Tristan knew Francesco Rosario wasn't one to quit and there was a possibility he could change his son's vision in life. "

Vienna then offered " Lets rehearse again." It was better to rehearse before Tristan asked any more questions. She didn't want to create tension between Tristan and Vincenzo. It was not going to end well if those two didn't get along.

Tristan nodded with approval.

But then as Vienna felt his stare into her eyes, she blushed and looked uneasy " It's too hot in here. I think I will get a glass of water."

Tristan nodded " Of course. I would get it for you."

Vienna shook her head "No. I need to walk out if here for a free minutes. There are too many kids in this drama studio. It's hot."

Tristan offered " You have a point. After you have a glass of water, why don't we go outside in the balcony to rehearse, alone. Together?"

Vienna thought hard " The heat or being alone with Tristan? Which one should I choose?" She shrugged " I think I will be fine."

Tristan chuckled. It was obvious Vienna was just still shy with him. She would have preferred the hot drama studio to his alone company.

Tristan raised and eyebrow " Are you sure about that?" He then thought to himself " Vienna you cant avoid being alone with me."

Vienna sighed and looked down "Positive."

Tristan spoke "Tell me."

Vienna sighed and looked down " Ah, I don't think it's a good idea. Your mother's office is opposite the balcony. I don't want her to see us."

Tristan's tone turned serious " Why is that a problem? What has she said or done?" He was going to confront his mother if she bothered Vienna. She had no right.

Vienna spoke quickly as she looked up " Nothing. She has done nothing but ... I just find her intimidating. She hasn't said anything. Apart from at the break time meeting today ...." Vienna gulped at seeing his expression. He looked mad. He was livid.

Tristan narrowed his eyes at her. " You were with her? Did you say?... Why? What did she say? I need to know. Tell me everything she said Vienna. This is serious."

Vienna whispered and looked away " Sorry... I didn't know I was not supposed to see her." She had no idea she would have pushed him to the edge by mentioning meeting up with his mother. She was scared to look up now.

Tristan spoke as he was fuming " This is bad. I am going to go talk to her now.... She shouldn't bother you..."

Vienna looked back up and stuttered " What? No. That's not it. She didn't bother me... Ask Clarisa, Cain or Edward... We went together to her office... It was about the trip. She said she has delayed the trip so she can try to convince NASA to take more students as reward for their work. It was just about the trip..."

Vienna was relieved as she saw Tristan relax. He took a deep breath " Really? Is that all?"

Vienna nodded and looked up " Your mother is nice. It's just that she is the head mistress. I just feel uncomfortable to see her in school."

Suddenly Azurine interrupted them " Hi. Are you ready to start?"

Azurine earned a hard look from Tristan making her give Tristan a nervous smile as she stood between Vienna and Tristan " I mean... You go first Tristan... It's your scene. We have to rehearse to the teacher and I as the director."

Vienna turned to her " I don't feel so good about the opening scene. Why should Viggo have to get beaten up by .. Tristan?"

Azurine spoke enthusiastically " Well it adds to the drama. But I don't know why you are worried. It will be just an act. It's not a real fight. Tristan is a good actor. Viggo won't feel anything. I promise. Besides, it would help Viggo get the attention of the Hollywood representatives. It's quite a deep scene and opening scenes are the most important. I wanted to give Viggo the most exciting scene. He deserves it as the gentleman of the school of course. You worry too much. Just ask Tristan. It's only an act."

Vienna looked at Tristan and then at Azurine " If you say it's ok. I believe you. But I can't watch it still. I am going to go to get water."

Tristan watched as Vienna stood up and walked away. He loved watching her take her steps. She just made him lose his breath just watching her doing the simplest things.

Tristan stood up and walked past Azurine towards the stage as he spotted Viggo taking his place waiting for him to walk up there and start the rehearsals for their teacher and Azurine as the director."

Azurine sighed in relief as Tristan didn't say anything to her. She knew how much he liked Vienna. Everybody knew. It was risky disturbing them but duty called. Even though she was associated with Trent as his dance partner, it didn't mean much. No one was above Vienna for Tristan.

Azurine took her seat next to their teacher and looked at the stage as she rang a bell next to her and announced " Alright everyone. We start the rehearsals. All quiet please."

The studio went quiet and there was nothing heard in the room but the footsteps of Tristan and Viggo circling each other on the stage. There was so much tension between them.

The drama lecturer and Azurine of course loved their acting and were making notes down. They had no idea it was personal between them, their differences and they weren't acting. Their feelings were real.

Viggo braced himself as he threw the first punch into Tristan's stomach but didn't even register how he was floored as Tristan hit him hard. He fell to the ground, holding his stomach.
The girls watching the scene mostly had their hands on their hearts whispering " Aw Viggo..." , or " Viggo, the hero..." And there was just admiration for him.

Viggo managed to stand up. He threw another punch at Tristan's stomach and he regretted hitting too hard because then Tristan hit back harder making him lose his breath again. He didn't know how many more punches he could take.

Viggo managed to make it to the end of the scene and then he knelt on the floor holding his stomach. He rolled over on the floor, needing a few moments to compose himself before standing up. Viggo looked at his smirk. He was having fun beating him up.

Azurine stood up clapping " Bravo, Viggo. Your acting is amazing.... This is the most naturally played opening scene I have seen.

Tristan turned to Azurine " Would you like to see this scene again? You know, to get it to be perfect, I think I would really like to get into character again? I think we should start over."