Tristan gripped the edge of the table he was leaning onto. His grip was tight as he was feeling the heat of the interrogation. Staying composed under Francesco Rosario's hard stare was not a light task. Here Tristan was standing under the stare of the man that everyone feared. As Francesco wordlessly was staring him down in total silence, Tristan was fighting hard to not look away. His legs were almost trembling. This man must have been one of the world's most wanted criminals capable of making the toughest men cry. Tristan knew he shouldn't have threatened Francesco Rosario but something possessed him to do it.

At that moment as Tristan was holding his breath waiting to get a backlash, he thought of his parents' words on Francesco Rosario. His mother always said she feared death and she feared Francesco Rosario. His father always said the only ones who displeased Francesco Rosario and lived on were Francesco's uncle and father. So only his blood was immune to Francesco Rosario. Yet Tristan had just threatened Francesco Rosario in a room all alone. When Tristan came to think of it his grandpa Giovanni was even wary of Francesco too. Tristan had never seen his grandfather bring Francesco in this bullet proof, bomb proof, burgler proof room where they displayed weapons. No visitors carried weapons but they were trusted not to be able to break any weapons out of this room. But Francesco Rosario never got a tour of this weapons room as far as Tristan knew.... Was it because his grandfather knew if anyone could find a way to attack him in his own home was Francesco Rosario? Tristan was now certain it was true.

Francesco observed the young man for longer than necessary in silence. Tristan reminded him of himself. Tristan was not weak and was not afraid to challenge anyone who challenged his intentions towards his daughter. That was a quality. He had a lot of Emanuelle in him. Emanuelle was reckless and wasn't ever afraid to face the consequences of what came of his recklessness. Emanuelle was a risk taker but an intelligent criminal who could back up the threats he issued and could make success out of the unlikeliest situations. Yet his son seemed to inherit his father's traits but was he aware of the consequences of threatening him? Francesco guessed he must have known and he still went ahead and did it for defending his intentions for his daughter.

Tristan's throat felt dry as he watched Francesco Rosario take one step closer to him while not breaking his stare. His instinct told him to run.

Francesco whispered " Son.... Don't be so sure of yourself. How do you know I wouldn't do the same? I would put a bullet between your eyes too if you weren't who you are...But do you think it's wise to threaten me in the middle of a weapons room?... I don't think so... You are only a teenager... It's natural for you to react too soon to a situation you don't understand ... But, son don't make a habit of it.... Now answer this question ... Have you .... written your will son?"

Tristan was taken back. He doubted his safety close to Francesco Rosario. He was Tristan's godfather just like how his father was Vincenzo's godfather. He called him son but did he want to kill Tristan? Francesco Rosario was capable of it. Tristan tried to put his thoughts behind his mind and spoke in a confident tone " No sir. I have not written a will yet."

Francesco leaned closer intimidating Tristan " I suggest you do son. I suggest you do that soon. I wish for you to write in your will that in event of your death you let my daughter go and she should be free to love another. Are you willing to do that? Are you able to do it tonight?"

Tristan was confused " Sir... I don't think I understand..."

Francesco sighed " Really son? You dont understand why you need a will?"

Tristan asked "No."

Francesco couldnt help smile but he had a hard expression in his eyes so making his smile almost menancing. He shook his head "Son, dont dispute this demand. I want you to write a will. My daughter cant spend a lifetime mourning you... You will be tested on this lengthy trip that starts this weekend. You might die..."

Tristan was trying to make sense of what Francesco was implying exactly. What was the relevance to this interrogation "Sir, I am not sure I follow. Anyone can die..." He then stopped talking as he saw how Francesco's expression hardened.

Francesco narrowed his eyes "That is the most unacceptable response you have given me tonight..."

Tristan was shocked. Wasnt threatening Francesco the most unacceptable?

Francesco stared at Tristan coldly and spoke with venom "You are not allowed to die. Not any time soon... My daughter is ... everything to me... My daughter is precious to me.... All I think about is my daughter's safety when I look at you. All I think about is her well being. She matters to me. Her happiness matters to me. I don't wish to see her cry... I dont wish to see her mourn you before your time should come in later years... Any soul has to cross over to the other side one day but you are not allowed to die before making sure my daughter is safe and can protect her with the life you provide for her... Are you capable of ensuring her safety? ... This life is never truly ours because it can be taken away... But your kind must survive the worst ordeals... If you cant guarantee your safety and my daughter's security, you must give up my daughter now. You will walk out there and tell my daughter to love another. Also in your will either way write this down..."

Tristan was still confused... he voiced his thoughts "But sir, I thought you wished to interrogate me on my intentions to your daughter first and then move on to my capability of protecting your daughter."

Francesco was getting impatient "Son, do not waste my time. I warn you son... I dont like to be kept waiting for responses I demand. I asked you a question... Answer it... But do you really think I would let you get away with getting close to my daughter if you had ill intentions? I would have made you wish you were never born if you were not who you are...Son, you are an O'Neil... Honour is what you are made of son... Faithfulness and respect defines you son.... It is in your blood....I can see it from the way you treat my daughter in front of me... I can see it from the way you speak to her. I can see it from the look in your eyes when you look at my daughter... I can even see it from the way you react to when my daughter's name is mentioned... Thats why I dont say her name in this room... I see how you react and it pains me to see that you are taking her away...."

Tristan disputed "But sir, I havent taken her away from her family... Thats not my intention..."

Francesco stated "You have taken her away son... I don't know if she realises it but she does not even glance at any boy her age in a room twice... She is wearing your pendant... You have .... taken her heart."

Trsitan then stiffened as he saw the deadly look in Francesco's eyes. Francesco stared him down in silence for seconds and then he addressed Tristan ina harsh tone "She is too young for this but I can't deny that it has happened. She is not ready... I wish this had happened when she was in college but you came along.... Its too late to change her school. Its too late to keep you away..."

Tristan stated "Sir, I am willing to leave.. You name a place and I will go there. If you want me to stay away from your daughter, I will.... But I request from you that you give me a chance to see her again one day in future.... I need to have one chance. I will wait as long as you ask me to. But you cant ask me to stay away forever. Where would you like me to go? I would go there and will stay there..."

Francesco felt like strangling Tristan but he composed himself "Its too late son... I can't banish you .... " He then thought to himself "If I did... What would that make me?... My father ..."

Trsitan instinctively whispered back "Sorry sir... I truly am sorry." His question made Francesco not very happy and he wasnt even sure why.

Francesco was not an unreasonable parent. He was not going to control his daughter under strict rules and deny her the chance to live a normal life. That was not him. He wanted his daughter to live like everyone else did and make her own choices but he was going to protect her from making the wrong choices. Francesco knewTristan was honourable. Francesco trusted Emanuelle to have raised an honourable son who knew the rules and understood the boundaries. Francesco knew there was not much harm in allowing Tristan to take Vienna out on dates under heavy security to share popcorn and candy floss in cinema or play in the theme park at the back of O'Neil school. That was not of concern. The big picture was the future. Right now Francesco was capable of protecting his daughter. Tristan asking out his daughter was not a risk to her safety... But Francesco worried about the future.

Francesco stated in a harsh tone " I want you to demonstrate to me that you can survive and must show me that you protect yourself as well as those who's lives depend on you.... I would see you around son... The trip will have testing times for you and I will be waiting patiently and observing you... If you can show me that you can live on, you will be worthy of my daughter... one day in future..." He then glanced around the room "Why dont you give me a tour of the weapons in the room? Lets see what you know of your grandpa's treasures here. Do you know how many lives they have saved and taken away?" He then walked away towards one of the glass counters that had weapons on display.

Francesco put his hand on the glass and stared at the weapon "Marvelous? Do you know about this weapon, son?"

Tristan was still standing leaning on to the table trying to make sense of what Francesco meant. It was hard to tell what he wanted from him. He slowly walked away and approached Francesco. He stood besides Francesco "Yes, sir. I do know what it is.... The model's code is..."

Francesco chuckled "I dont care about the model's code... Do you know the significance of the weapon?"

Tristan looked at Francesco "Sir, how do you mean?"

Francesco turned to him "This weapon is quite old... It was kept in your grandfather's weapon room warehouses. It can fire from quite a distance at the time it was used... A very good range and accurate... But its quite heavy...Your father, your uncle Sergio and I once borrowed it when we were hardly ten years old playing in the copound. We took the weapon to the woods... we held a competition on who can shoot furthest with it.... Your father won of course... Handling this weapon skillfully was one of the first impressions of your grandpa Giovanni from your father... He managed to be better than I was. He beat your uncle Sergio....Your grandpa was observant just like how you are... You get that trait from your grandpa. Your father made a good impression and your grandpa could not deny it. Years went on... This same weapon saved your grandfather's life. On a hunting trip, there was shooting incident. Some intrders showed up and started firing at people there. Your grandpa couldnt aim well so he shot your father who had a bullet proof vest. He wasted his only bullet that was left. One of the attackers appeared behind your grandpa and wanted to shoot him. Well lets say your father saved your grandfather by aiming accurately.... Your grandpa hates owing his life to your father but that incident made him agree to your father marrying your mother. After years of your parents dating, your grandpa hadnt given his permission for them to marry yet... But your father convinced your grandpa......"

Tristan asked the question he was dying to get a response to "Sir.... Will you give me permission to ask Vienna out?" He then held his breath in anticipation.

Francesco stared at Tristan in silence and then sighed "You can... ask her... But there are rules, son..."