Tristan was hoping for a response from Vienna. He stared into her eyes as he was close enough to feel her breath on his face. Her breath was brushing against his lips as he had leaned closer to her. He felt her fury and he knew he deserved it. He was going too far with her. But he didn't like being ignored. He didn't stand for it from anyone. This was as patient as he could get. If anyone else walked away from him when he was planning to offer them peace and buy them a drink he would have destroyed them. But his girl was different. He was more annoyed with himself not getting any answers out of her. She was avoiding him and he needed answers.

Tristan was losing patience "So what was it Vienna that made you want to slap me? Was it because I called you mine?"

Vienna felt more offended. She told herself "You acted like an arrogant jerk. I wasn't upset you called me yours... I was hurt by your accusation. How dare you accuse me of being close to scorpious? I don't like anyone and I made it clear. Now you have the nerve to handcuff me." But Of course she didn't dare say it out loud. She was instead staring at him silently thinking about who she was up against.

Vienna was staring into his eyes as he had leaned close to her. She just looked at him silently and thoughtfully as memories of the past rushed into her mind. She reminded herself who Tristan O'Neil was. She reminded herself how much those around her feared him. She remembered how much her mother was wary of Tristan. She reminded herself of all she had witnessed from him. According to many people, Tristan cleaned up his act when he was around her. It was unimaginable that he was even more brutal than what she had witnessed of him so far in her life.

But Vienna did remember the time she had seen his most cruel side for the first time without him noticing. The occasion she had a glimpse of what he was capable of for the very first time stayed with her like it was yesterday even though it three years ago. Tristan didn't know she was watching him as she was hidden. She had ended up behind a desk as she had sat down to pick up what she had spilt on the floor. It had happened inside a classroom at lunch time. Tristan, Vincenzo and their usual group of boys had walked in dragging they would be victim there to put on trial... It was agonising hearing them put someone on trial and then luckily they left. She was so scared to come out.

That day Tristan was the judge. Maybe that experience had made her even more wary of Tristan than usual. When he had said "I will be the judge of that" referring to Edward Blake, it immediately conjured that memory into her mind. That was from three years ago when she had just started secondary school. She was eleven and Tristan was twelve. Alot had changed now. Tristan was now more brutal. She did get an insight eventually into what he had become but she tried to shake off the images of him others did describe when they didn't realise she was listening. Someone like Vanessa did not mind telling her about what Tristan was like but she did not tell her enough because Tristan had warned off everyone that she was a Rosario and off limits to even getting to hear about anything that upset her. Now everyone knew this was not just any usual protectiveness. He loved her. She loved him back but she was more reserved and did not display her feelings and neither was she keen to act on her feelings.... It was too soon and too fast. She needed to get to know him. The thought of what she was learning by being close to him made her blood boil. He had shown a side to her that she was not fond of. He was jealous and when he was, it was hard to talk to him.

Vienna was staring at Tristan silently analysing the situation, wondering what had just happened? Vienna couldn't understand how he could think it was acceptable to over react like this. They just had a mini argument and she hadn't been ready to talk to him about it because she didn't want to argue in front of an audience. He had threatened her brother in front of her and he had pushed on to get her alone to continue the talk on his own terms. He had arranged for them to be alone so they could talk it out. He had the nerve to handcuff her and demand answers. But how could he think it was alright to dictate to her to speak to him when he wished it. She was mad at him for accusing her of being unfaithful also. It really hurt to hear him suggest that there was something going on between her and Scorpious. Now he was sitting on a table in front of her leaning too close and staring at her waiting for answers while she was handcuffed to her chair.... He didn't seem patient at all.

Tristan looked into her eyes "Vienna I asked you a question..."

Vienna breathed "Can you uncuff me now .... please?" She had to get herself free. This was not an ideal situation.

Tristan shook his head as his hot breath was on her cheek as his stare didn't leave her eyes " Vienna, dont test me."

He was talking to her in the most demanding way but he sounded gentle. There was a threat behind his words even if he didn't mention it. How could she possibly deny him? She looked up. She had a fight on her hands. She could break any moment and was going to tell him what she thought of him. If she did, she was sure Tristan was not going to like what she said to him. She prefered not to be handcuffed before she said anything. Hell, she didn't want to even be in that room all at his mercy. Who wanted to be alone with him? He was rough, brutal, demanding, unforgiving and so ... powerful. He had so much power and authority just like how Vincenzo did. Her older brother and Tristan had been raised a certain way to lead. Just to lead.

Vienna shook visibly as she looked up. She had to say it and couldn't hold in her pain any more "You said you will never hurt me. Viggo is right... You might hurt me..." She really felt betrayed. She wanted to slap him so badly but she controlled her nerve.

Tristan was taken back. He looked at her accusingly "And I won't.. Why would I hurt you? Dont listen to Viggo. Its all because of him. He is turning you against me... I would never hurt you Vienna. Your brother is walking on ice. If he tries to come between us, I wont be nice to him. You should know what you mean to me. You must do."

Vienna swallowed hard "Then uncuff me... please.. So we can talk" He was becoming impatient and rageful. She wanted him to forget Viggo. She wished she hadn't brought him up.

Tristan shook his head "No. Not until you answer me. Dont test me."

Vienna spoke weakly "Tell me what will happen if ... I test you... What if I dont answer you."

Tristan leaned closer as his lips were inches apart from hers " If you dont answer me... If you test me, then I know there is something going on between you and Scorpious. I will go after him ..."

That was when Vienna had enough. She raised her hand and slapped him hard. This horrified her. But there was no going back. He had done it "How can you say that? I came to the boy's floor yesterday and I told you how I felt. I told you what no one else knows. I told you what even my parents dont know. I told you what my brothers dont even know. I told you I cared for you. How can you imply that I am a liar. If you call me a liar, you can go to hell.... You hurt me. You hurt my feelings." She was breathing heavily at this point as her actions were sinking in. She was looking up at Tristan trying not to look away. She wanted him to know how much he hurt her. But still she felt bad about hitting him. She couldn't control it. She felt hurt.

But the intense look in his eyes were burning her inside out. He held her gaze as he touched his cheek. He then put his hands on his hips and straightened up looking at Vienna as he was towering over her. He remained silent looking at her thoughtfully and his expression gave nothing away.

Vienna spoke in a shaky voice "This is not right... I feel betrayed.... I am ... sorry I slapped you... You hurt me. You betrayed me by implying I am lying... it hurt.... But you can hit me too... if that makes you feel better. I hit you and you can hit me back... I am sorry. I lost it."

Vienna couldn't look at him anymore. She looked away.

Tristan walked around her and faced her in the direction she was looking away "Vienna. Look at me. I love you damn it. Why would I hit you? I deserved that slap... I am sorry... I wanted you to give me answers... I am sorry I went too far... I would slap me too if I were you."

Vienna was confused. She didn't understand how his mind worked. She kept looking away trying to think about what it all meant.

Tristan stated in an amusing tone "You know, we just had our first argument. We are a proper couple now. You look so irresistable when you are angry... But I need to teach you how to hit someone. The slap was no slap. It was like you tickled me." He then told himself "And I liked it. I loved your touch. You touched my face with your soft hand. Too bad you are killing me by looking away."

Vienna told herself "Of course. Nothing hurts you..." But she was dissapointed in herself for reacting.

Tristan walked back to the table and sat down "Vienna look at me... We need to talk. You cant avoid me. Its good at least you show some emotion here. But we can call it even now. You were offended because I said you are mine and I said you fancied Scorpious which now I realise you dont because you slapped me... You got to slap me and you ignored me in the cafeteria. I didn't like that at all by the way..... We call it even. Look at me. You told me what offended you. Now let me explain ... I didn't mean to hurt you Vienna. What was I supposed to think. You had a boy's picture in your art book. If I had a picture of a girl in one of my books, wouldn't you be jealous? Wouldn't you think something was going on?"

Vienna knew she had lost the argument. He was right. If he had a picture of a girl, she would have thought he was cheating on her. That made her look up. It was all a misunderstanding. She felt more relaxed. She felt content. She wasnt mad at him any more. But how did he do it? How did he put an argument on the table that she couldn't put aside?

Tristan stated " Good girl. You are looking up finally."

Vienna stated as she bit her lip "Uncuff me please..."

Tristan sighed. Their conversation wasnt over. "Fine. But we still need to talk." He uncuffed her.

Vienna thought back to what she had been taught by her aunt georgina. She didn't know what possessed her to do it. But she did it. She knew she was going to regret it. But she wanted to so badly get him back and she tried it. She didn't think she could pull it off but she did. She distracted him by touching his hand as he uncuffed her. He froze. He looked at her with questioning eyes. He was mesmorised by her and then to his surprise he found his hand hand cuffed to the chair as she had distracted him and took the key from his other hand. It happened too fast.

Vienna stated nervously"Now we are even. Now you know what it feels." She didn't even know where she was getting this courage from to even be joking with Tristan of all people. She then walked away as his shocked expression was on her. He had a mischivious glint in his eyes "You have no idea what you just did..." She had no idea how she had made his heart burst with joy. She wasnt mad at him. He expected her to break up with him and give back his pendent but she hadn't. He watched her walk away nervously trying to get out of there as fast as she could. She had even played a joke on him. He took a breath of relief. But where had she gotten the idea to play this joke on him? She was full of surprises.

Vienna reached the door and was planning to open the door and throw the key back to him but then as she tried to open the door she couldn't. It was locked. She was surprised. She hadn't seen him lock it. She turned around. She then gasped as she saw him standing next to the chair with the handcuff in his hand "Get back to this chair. I have installed remote control locks on some of these doors as a security measure. Come back, Vienna. We haven't finished... We are even. So lets talk."

Vienna shook her head "How did you get out of the handcuffs?" She was wary of him now.

Tristan walked to her as she was leaning to the door looking at him with a nervous expression. She was worried about what he was going to do. So she walked backwards away from him as he walked to her with the handcuffs. He suddenly caught her wrist and handcuffed her this time to the radiator next to the wall. What was he planning to do to her now? She looked up at him biting her lip  anticipating his next move.

Tristan smiled "Now. I am going to teach you how to get out of one of these handcuffs if you are ever in this situation again. I dont know. Vincenzo might one day handcuff you while your father is away on trips if he is displeased with you. Vincenzo is fully capable of pulling such stunts on the days that your father leaves him in charge.... In that situation I want you to uncuff yourself how I teach you and should then get yourself to a phone. You will call me straight away when you get yourself free...."

Vienna was looking at him with curiosity "How would I uncuff myself?..."

Tristan slowly reached his hand to her pendent "May I show you? Look closely."

Vienna looked at Tristan as he pulled out something from the middle of the pendent that looked like a hair clip. It looked familiar. It looked like one that Letizia wore all the time.

Tristan then stated "Watch closely how I open it."

Vienna looked on as she used the special hair clip and unlocked the hand cuff.  He offered the pin to her "Your turn." He then again hand cuffed her to the radiator.

Vienna took the pin and didn't think she could do it. But she did. She unlocked herself and looked up at him gratefully. "Thank you."

Tristan stated "You are welcome. Place the pin within the pendent so you can use it if you ever have to..... But dont ever think I would let you get out of my hand cuffs unless I wish it. If I want you tied up, I would make sure you stay tied up. So I warn you, don't take me on Vienna in my own specialty game. You can't win unless I let you...." He then winked at her.