Vincenzo was standing in the corner of the marquee with the other boys, Sebastiano, Cain, Alexander, Stefano, Trent, Alton, Stefano and Viggo. They were standing in a circle deep in coversation and drinking far away from the crowd. Just then Tristan joined them drinking water from his glass.

Vincenzo gave him a nod as Tristan joined the circle standing next to his brother and the rest in the circle made space for him greeting.

Vincenzo complained "Your father invites all these people. What was he thinking. Does he want my father to kill him? It was a good thing you called Vienna about this..."

Tristan nodded "You are welcome.. Glad to be of help..."

Sebastiano couldnt help laugh " Its nice to party either way..."

Vincenzo shook his head "This is no party... This was meant to be a family dinner that is no more... This is a business networking occassion now really. Heaven knows who else is coming here. But there maybe entertainment coming... Keep your eyes open for Tristan's Aussie cousin." He then gave Tristan an amused smile.

The air around the boys suddenly change. All boys turned to where Tristan and Trent were standing in the circle. They were silent for seconds. Alexander spoke first "No way.. Your Aussie cousin is on his way here too? Seriously?"

Cain asked " Your Aussie cousin? Who is that?"

Tristan spoke " Well, my father has alot of cousins from his mother's side.. O'Callaghans are cousins mostly of Irish American descent but they moved to live in Australia two decades ago. He is an O'Callaghan who is related to my father's mother... His name is Niall O'Callaghan..."

Alexander turned to Cain  "This is the O'Callaghan.... The one who is Andreas Agostini's match in shooting."

Tristan nodded "He hasnt beaten Andreas in shooting tournoments yet but he is closer than any of us..."

The others nodded silently.

Vincenzo looked into the distance "Speaking of which... He is here..."

Tristan stated " Did I mention he will be attending school here from now on... He will be staying with my father's aunt O'Malley "

Vincenzo gave Tristan a hardened look " As long as he keeps his jokes to himself we wont have a problem with him. But I dont think he can help himself... Sarcasm is a trait in the O'Neil family and their extended family.

Tristan retorted "As though Rosarios speak with no sarcasm..."

Vincenzo was about to respond but then Niall walked to them and shouted " Hello Americans... Where are the hot dogs?"

The boys al gave him looks...

Vincenzo stood unmoving looking at him with his hands in his pockets "Back off Aussie... Did you bring any souvenirs for us... Where are the shrimps? .... I thought you said you will bring some..."

Sebastiano commented " Serve him some barbecued kangaroo and he might give you some..."

Niall rolled his eyes and joined the line and stood next to Tristan "I see the gang is all here..." He then put his arm around Tristan's shoulder "Hello cousin..."

Tristan looked at him and nodded " How have you settled in?"

Niall shrugged " All right ... Moving into the mansion is smooth. But it's been boring. I start school tomorrow."

Vincenzo spoke " The military week is happening right now. The survival camp week.. So I bet you will enjoy it..."

Tristan nodded " Maybe you can help with testing the corporals... Vincenzo and I may just watch this time..."

The boys in the circle who were corporals waiting for promotion to sergeant position started looking st each other with a mixture of doubt and knowing looks. Niall was a professional assassin. He was like Andreas. They were no match for him... They were sure all could fail and remain as corporals. You had to evenly match the Sergeant who tested you in one field at least if you wanted to have a chance. They had no idea of Niall's capabilities. They just knew he was a Sergeant in the Australian branch of the school.."

Niall patted his cousin on the back and looked around " Well, you are quite smart cousin... Aren't you? You want to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses.... We will talk about that later... I just want to mingle right now..." His eyes then caught someone as he was looking. He chuckled "oh... Is that Letizia Marciano? Who invited the man hater? Guys watch out ... If she kicks you, then I doubt you can have kids later..."

The boys of course didn't laugh... Unless they wanted to die... Vincenzo was looking at Niall with pure hate. He walked across the circle to Niall and stood in front of him " Repeat that and I will floor you..."

Niall turned and then was taken back by Vincenzo's furious expression and his threats.. " What's up with you? What did I say?"

Tristan put his hand on Niall's chest and demanded " Think before you speak Niall... Letizia is his girl..."

Niall looked at Tristan with his mouth open and then at Vincenzo " Her? Are you crazy? Of all the girls you choose her? Is there a shortage of girls in your country?"

Tristan didn't want the situation to get out of hand so he suggested " Niall. Go get a drink and come back... Why don't you?"

Niall nodded " Good idea...." He then walked away.

Tristan stepped in front of Vincenzo " He is just messing with you. Ignore him..."

Vincenzo stated " He just insulted my girl..."

Tristan sighed " It's a culture clash. He is like that. He is sarcastic like my father.... But I know he has nothing against the Marcianos... He is messing around. Letizia once broke his brand new bike when she was visiting and he doesn't like her short temper.... Come on... It's not worth it... Besides, your father would go crazy if you fight Niall in a party your father is hosting. The Callaghans are your father's only Irish allies beside the O'Neils. So I suggest you don't start a war."

Suddenly Sebastiano whistled " Look where the Aussie is going..."

All the boys turned to the direction sebastiano was pointing. Niall was approaching a group of girls where there was Vienna, Clarissa, Vanessa, Letizia, Cristina and Azurine.

The boys followed Niall with their eyes closely.

Niall reached the group of girls who were sitting around a table. He stood towering over them and smiled brightly " Hello ladies..."

Clarissa laughed " Hi. Niall."

The other girls smiled warmly at him and said hi. He was polite and sounded sincere. All girls greeted him except for Letizia who was giving him an unfriendly look.

Letizia retorted " Who invited you here? I didn't except to see you here..."

The girls looked at Letizia with disapproval. Niall had not been rude so the girls didn't understand why she had to be hostile.

Niall took a sip from his drink as he looked at Letizia with hardened eyes. Her temper was a curse and one of these days he could be tempted to put her on her place. Not that he was planning on it. He just couldn't believe Vincenzo could fall for her. He brought down his drink and spoke " Its nice to see you too Letizia..."

Letizia gave him a hard look " I can't say likewise. I regret to see you too."

Cristina tried to divert the conversation as tension was rising " Niall... Clarissa just told us about you when you entered. Are you starting school tomorrow? Me too. It would be my first day..."

Niall walked around the table to Cristina and offered his hand to her " I don't think we have met. What's your name?"

Just then Vincenzo's voice came from behind " It's Cristina... I suggest you don't touch her if you want to keep your arm."

Niall turned around. Vincenzo was standing behind him and the other boys were slowly gathering around the table of girls listening to Vincenzo. They looked as surprised as he was at the request.

Before Niall could answer, Letizia turned around " Why not?"

Cristina bit her lip and looked on nervously. No one understood her friendship with Vincenzo. Even she couldn't comprehend it. They were best friends but Vincenzo was protective of her.

Vincenzo looked at Letizia " Because I don't like anyone touching her..."

Letizia gasped and stood up facing Vincenzo " Why? Who is she to you?"

Cristina sighed and stood up speaking urgently and quickly before Letizia reacted " We are best friends. We have been friends ever since we were five years old but no one knows... please don't talk to him so angrily. He didn't mean anything by it. I know you are his girlfriend. He showed me your picture in his room.... He is just protective of me... there is nothing going on between me and your boyfriend...."

Everyone was gasping on the information. Vincenzo being best friends with anyone especially a girl was headline news. How was it possible? This was close to impossible.

Letizia gasped " She has been to your room?"

Vincenzo nodded " Sure."

Cristina stood up " I asked you not to be angry with him. We were just playing chess in his room...."

Letizia gave Cristina a surprised look and looked at Vincenzo. As much as she wanted to slap Cristina hard for daring to be close to Vincenzo she couldn't. She sounded so honest. She was telling the truth. And by the impression she had of her, Cristina didn't seem like the type to like any boys.

There was only silence now as the group of boys and girls were trying to get their head around what they had just heard. Vincenzo having a best friend and Letizia acting so obviously jealous.

Niall's laugh brought them all out of their thoughts. He shook his head and walked slowly around the table "This is priceless. What's up with you people being so dramatic. Yankee culture is getting to you... Loosen up. Why take it so seriously?"

Then suddenly there was music playing and it interrupted the boys and girls. It was time for the dance before dinner. It was formal to do this and it didn't matter who danced with who. As long as you danced it was good to show effort for the host.

Shyly the boys and girls did ask each other to dance. Tristan asked Vienna to dance. Vincenzo took Letizia's hand and lead her to dance floor. Sebastiano asked Clarissa to dance. Alexander started taking Vanessa to the dance floor. Trent and Azurine matched up.... of course Vincenzo instructed Viggo to ask Cristina to dance because Vincenzo only trusted him. And Alton danced with one of the Pirelli sisters.

Niall was standing next to the table looking on at the dance floor alone... He could ask a girl to dance. There were some girls in the far corner. But he decided against it. His eyes only saw one girl. He just couldn't take his eyes off her... It wasn't the right time to ask her to dance. She didn't know him well. But he knew enough about her. He knew everything about her... He knew that he had to make her fall in love with him and he welcomed the challenge willingly.