Adele was dancing slowly to the music with Francesco. She had her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he had his arms around her waist. She kept glancing at her daughter from time to time as she was dancing with Tristan. She looked concerned and was on edge.

Francesco whispered " Are you ok sweetheart?"

Adele smiled and looked at Francesco " Of course. Why wouldn't I be? When I am with you I am ok." She then glanced at her daughter who was dancing with Tristan in the corner of the dance floor " I just wish our daughter didn't have to grow up so fast... It's too soon .... She is not ready .... for someone like him."

Francesco sighed " Like how you weren't ready for me when I met you?"

Adele sighed " Point taken." Francesco had a point. She wasn't ready when she had met him but meeting him turned out to be the best thing that had ever happened to her. He never gave her a choice. He claimed her as his. He then saved her and her family from his uncle. Without Francesco she would have been dead along time ago alongside her family. She couldn't deny that.

Francesco stated " Don't worry. Sweetheart, let me handle it. I will protect our daughter. I will make sure she is safe."

Adele looked at her husband with deep sadness in her eyes " I am not worried Francesco. I know you can protect our daughter....I also know Tristan is not just anyone. You always said you can never imagine considering interrogating any other candidate but him for our daughter's hand. You never saw anyone but him as worthy to even step into our house to be questioned by you. You always said you would rather our daughter did not date at all than choose a boy who could not protect her. Tristan is who you call an honourable young man...But I know I always contradicted you. I wanted our daughter to fall for a normal person. Not a criminal... I admit that right now I do wish that she wasn't attached to Tristan. But now I see I cant think that way... Our daughter is handling it differently than I thought she would. She is wearing his pendent and doesn't look like she is being forced to endure him.  I would have thought she would run a mile away if someone like Tristan asked her to dance.... Our daughter seems to get along with him and they seem to be a match that i never thought would happen... I never thought tristan will be her type....It seems that now she has become attached, so it's too late to stop her path even if I wanted to act... We are the type of parents who vowed to never rip away our children from anyone they fall for unless their safety was concerned. We vowed never to force their relationships to drift apart after what your father did to you by forcing you away from me... This is what she wishes. This is what she wants... Its hard to accept... I wish I could stop our daughter from getting close to a criminal but it's too late now... I try to aceept it but ....everything is happening too fast..."

Francesco stated " I know.... Sweetheart, our daughter won't get hurt. We will be watching. I would question Tristan personally. Leave it to me...."

Adele sighed " I know you will take responsibility but ... I wish I could turn back time... This is too fast.., She is already dancing with him..."

Francesco questioned " Does it bother you that they are dancing right now? You approved of this. She is our daughter but you choose how you bring her up within reason and I agreed not to interfere unless I feel strongly about your choices.... I wouldn't have let her dance before interrogating Tristan. But you let her and I let you have this choice just this time. But I won't let him touch our daughter again without interrogating him properly. Tell me Do you regret it? Do you regret letting her dance with him? It's not too late. I can tell the young man to go on his merry way and break off their dance if this bothers you..."

Adele shook her head " No. Francesco, this is just a dance that our daughter seems to be enjoying. I think our daughter is allowed to have the choice to dance with a boy if she wishes it... But what bothers me is the bigger picture Francesco.... This is it. This is her life. She is the subject of affection of a criminal. She would always be his."

Francesco remained silent looking at her.

Adele whispered " That's what bothers me. The thought of the future. I agree that Tristan is different. He is perfect to take our daughter to the prom. He is honourable... He is polite... He is trustworthy because he is an O'Neil.... But he is a criminal. She will never be free from him. I can see it in his eyes he wants our daughter for a lifetime. I know that look well. I have seen it before... The look I see him giving our daughter is familiar to me... The look he gives our daughter is like how you used to look at me when you first met me. You were young. I was young... That was a long time ago but you never forgot me.... He would never forget her too. He gives her the special look that you gave me all those years ago... I know what this means... So do you.... Does our daughter know what she has let herself into? I certainly didn't know it back then." She was breathless now.

Francesco smiled sadly at her "It will be alright sweetheart. I promise you." He then wrapped his arms tighter around her waist "Come here sweetheart." He hugged her tightly as they were slowly moving to the music.

His touch made her feel calmer. He always put her mind at ease with his reassurance. Francesco was her rock. He always had been.

Francesco whispered "Sweetheart, you need to calm down. Dont get too far ahead here. Nothing has happened. We will protect our daughter. Her safety is what matters to us... We will get through this as a family... I promise you."

Adele took a deep breath " I love you Francesco ..."

Francesco whispered " I love you too sweetheart... you gave me these three beautiful children and I vowed to you since the day they were born that I would protect them... Don't fear anything sweetheart..."

Adele took in Francesco's words. He calmed her down. He just did... But still it was hard to not think of her daughter's fate. Vienna was right there in front of her eyes dancing with the young man who was possessively looking at her. Tristan had his arms on her baby daughter's waist and was staring intensely into her eyes in a way that even made Adele nervous who was meters away. He had staked his claim. Her daughter was in this silent convenant that he hadnt even declared for life.

Tristan at times also looked around him on high alert as though warning off unwanted attention. The look in his eyes said it all. Stay away from her as she is mine. His eyes were looking for threats and once he found none he looked at his daughter possessively again. What was she to make of this? Where was she standing. This young man had waltz into her daughter's life and her life was not her own anymore just like how Adele's life was never hers after Francesco met her. After Francesco staked his claim she became his. He left her for ten years only to return to claim her back but still she was always his. Was her daughter reday for this? It really was not the question of whether Tristan loved her or not. He did. She could see it in Tristan's eyes. Until now Adele never caught Tristan looking at her daughter like that. He was never close to her or when he was he must had hidden his feelings well.

Tristan could feel Adele's gaze from time to time as he was dancing with Vienna. He wished he didn't mind but he did. The look of doubt and concern she was giving Vienna didn't sit well with him. Wasn't she approving of him? He didn't like that at all. She hadn't even met him properly. She didn't know of his intentions. She didn't know what Vienna meant to him. He hadn't had the chance to declare how he felt for Vienna in his interrogation that hadn't even happened yet. Vienna's  mother was looking at them with judging eyes. That bothered him. But then she looked away. He took a deep breath and turned to Vienna who was dancing to music with slow steps as she kept glancing up at him and looking away at times. Her shyness was not ideal but it was adorable to watch. She reached perfection when no other girls did in his eyes. He didn't know how to tell her how much he truly loved her. It was impossible.

Tristan asked " Are you tired? Do you want to take a break?"

Vienna breathed " I am fine."

Her answer pleased him. He had just given her a chance to escape and she hadn't taken it. She wasn't trying to avoid him. He gave her the chance and she didn't take it. It meant she wanted to keep dancing.

Tristan smiled " I am glad to hear that...."

His smile made Vienna feel warmth on the inside. He was just so gentle. It was rare to see this side of him. In fact she didn't recall seeing this side of of him anywhere else. He seemed to reserve this side only for her.

Minutes later, Vienna found Tristan taken away as their dancing moments got interrupted to both their disappointments. His grandfather asked for him to stand by him as he spoke to some guests away from the dance floor. His grandfather took any opportunity to have him close.

Vienna decided to join some the girls in a corner eating and gossiping. The girls were mostly talking about Vincenzo and Viggo for completely different reasons. Vincenzo was dancing with Letizia and the girls were discussing how they officially were dating in public as well as in school. Most girls were dissapointed that they had missed their chance. Some even dared suggest they hoped they broke up so they could be with Vincnezo. Vienna felt sorry for the girls. Some of the girls were not from the same school as them and were daughters of crime bosses from other regions. All they talked about was how handsome and good looking Vicnenzo was. They just thought it was a shame he was taken now by a bitter and offensive girl like Letizia. Vienna didnt agree. She didnt mind Letizia. She could be sweet.

Vienna hoped Letizia never heard their harsh words about her. Vienna was worried they could clash. Needless to say the prom that was coming up was a joint one between partner schools and more schools were signing up to come to new York for the prom. So not only the partner schools from Italy showed up but these girls from other schools could also be showing up from their schools too depending on which schools Sancia O'Neil as the principal was going to say yes to.

Vienna couldnt even stand it when they talked about her twin. It wa smore unbearable to listen to words about him. Viggo was the hot topic since the girls were wondering who he was going to date soon. He was single and available but of course luckily in front of their parents, the girls werent going to try to flirt with him much that night. But if they showed up as single like he did on prom night, Viggo was going to have a crowd of girls chasing him everywhere until he danced with them. Most girls were guessing he could be an item with Vanessa soon. But Vienna knew Viggo couldn't be interested in Vanessa. She just couldnt see it happen. Vienna was really finding it awkward to hear people's gossip even though politely she nodded at the girls and didnt complain. She was glad Angelia's family wasn't there that night so Angelia didn't have to put up with the rumours.

Finally, to escape the awkward talk, Vienna decided to walk away. There wasn't much for the kids to do in that party room but she certainly didn't want to listen to girls talking about gossips relating to her brothers and who they dated. It was just uncomfortable to listen to them. As she walked away she reached the drinks table. She picked up an orange juice. As she was drinking she saw Trent right next to her who was looking at people dancing with a sad look in his eyes as he also picked up and orange juice glass. Azurine was not invited that night. No McNamara or any Irish family was invited for that matter.

Vienna smiled at Trent who wa slooking at the dance floor " Are you okay?"

Trent was startled, he looked at her " Oh, I am fine. Do you need anything?"

Vienna shook her head " No, I am fine... I am thinking of going up to the ladies floor. I saw my mother went up there with your mother and some other ladies minutes ago."

Trent sighed " Dont you want to dance more with Tristan? I think you should. I can't dance since the girl I want to dance with isnt here. At least you should."

Vienna sighed " Tristan is busy with your grand father."

Trent nodded " I know. He is the heir to two families. He has to keep grandpa O'Neil and grandpa Giovanni happy."

Vienna was curious " What about Sebastiano? Shouldn't he be the only heir to your grandpa Giovanni?"

Trent shrugged " It's complicated. Sebastiano would inherit my uncle Sergio's assets. Well, the ratio of assets owned by my uncle Sergio to my mother's Giovanni owned assets are 40:60. Since Tristan, Clarisa and I would inherit more, it means Tristan would be the head when he takes over and would be the key decision maker. Clarisa and I would also be involved in both O'Neil and Giovanni businesses.... Trust me, for leadership no one volunteers. You are chosen. Sebastiano would be the head of his own assets but would work for Tristan. He is ok with it. He doesn't like to be the sole leader anyways. He prefers being second in command.... It would be like your father's business model. Your uncle Antonio owns a certain percentage and so does your uncle Costanzo. Your father has his own assets but your father leads the Rosario business empire. Tristan would be leading two empires...."

Vienna nodded and looked at Tristan at the other side of the room standing emotionless next to his grandfather and Sebastiano who was at his other side. She felt sorry for him. He had so much on his shoulders.

Trent laughed nervously " Please don't look so worried. We were just talking. He can handle it...Cheer up vienna"

Just then Tristan's eyes caught hers. He narrowed his eyes and then whispered something to his grandfather who nodded and smiled at him. Tristan's eyes didn't leave Vienna's as she froze in her spot.

Trent said " Oh, he sees you are worried like this and he is going to kill me. I told you to cheer up."

Tristan walked closer to her and his hard stare fell on his brother "I need a word with you... Trent " He was about to take him away upstairs to question him, but Vienna on instinct said the words "Can we finish our dance Tristan?"

Tristan's attention instantly turned to Vienna and his expression softened "Another dance? You are are asking me to have another dance? Is that why you were looking at me?"

Vienna felt bad for causing trent trouble so she automatically nodded "Not another dance... I want us to finish our dance.... It was interrupted."

Tristan smiled "Sure. We have time. I dont think my grandfather needs me for the next few minutes." He was so glad she wanted to still finish their dance. That told him she didnt mind them being together.

Tristan couldnt ask for anything else. He couldnt believe Vienna was so comfortable with him now to want to dance with him instead of looking for an opportunity to avoid him. There was great progress in their relationship.

Vienna and Tristan ended up close to where Letizia and Vincenzo were dancing.

Letizia looked to her side looking Vienna. She admired Vienna alot. Vienna was the dream girl that girls wanted to be like and boys wanted to be with. Vienna didnt even use her popularity even though she could. She was just always humble and sweet. She always wondered how was this possible to be realistically this innocent? Tristan was the opposite pole to her. She cringed as she saw him giving her a look as though telling her not to look at his girl. The look he gave her brought chills down her spine. He was protective of her. She wondered how Vienna was going to cope with him. She couldnt stand even being in close proximity to Tristan. He was dagerous and had this authorative power that only Vicnnezo matched.

Letizia looked away from Vienna and stared at Vincenzo who only was staring at her with a satisfied look on his face. She then noticed she had leaned closer towards Vincenzo as instinctive reaction to Tristan's hard looks. She had leaned closer to him and her lips were so close to his. She wasnt sure if she wanted to give him her first kiss yet. She needed to get to know him more. She had saved her first kiss for so long and she had never been closer to giving it away than she was at that moment.