Vienna was unable to form words. Was this really happening? Here he was standing there asking her to draw him which meant spending one whole hour staring at him. He was going to graze at her all he wanted also making her nervous as she always did. She wasn't sure if she could even draw properly if she was close to him for so long.

Tristan slowly walked closer to her " Vienna.... Will draw me? Or ... Will you not?"

Vienna spoke shakily " I don't think I have enough time to make a good drawing from you. Personal study is only one hour..."

Vienna looked up at his towering figure. He was now standing in front of her. He shook his head and spoke playfully " Tsk Tsk, Vienna. You shouldn't lie to me. We both know time is not a major issue. You know I don't like it when someone tries to deceive me..."

Vienna didn't like to be accused. She automatically responded " But you did deceive me this morning. You locked the door..."

Tristan pretended to think " Thank you for reminding me. No one will show up here but it's better if I do lock the door." He really wanted to get a reaction out of Vienna. So he walked away towards the door.

Then he listened to her reaction as he walked slowly towards the door. He expected her to chase him and stop him but that was not what happened. He heard her move. He heard her foot steps but to a different direction. He turned around and saw her running to the fire exit. He smiled. So she wanted to play hide and seek. He followed her of course.

Vienna was going to do anything to avoid Tristan as long as she could. She didn't want to face him. She wanted to put off having to spend time with him. He was just too scary and they had nothing in common in terms of personality. She knew she couldn't get along with him. The worst part was that ... she fancied him. He was so attractive. She really admired his confidence and the way when he meant it when he laughed. When he was happy and smiled it made her happy for some reason. But it was hard to like him. He was cruel and almost all her friends had suffered at Tristan's hands or by his order in some way at some point. In fact when she came to think of it she was the only one who had never been subjected to Tristan's anger and of course the new students whom had joined that term.

Vienna now could see clearly how she was the only one who he had never ever confronted for any reason. Even when her basketball team drew a banner that insulted the boys basketball team and had displayed it in their changing room all her team had paid a price except for her. Tristan had been in charge that day. He had arranged for his team to lock the girls in a large room and had opened water on them. But she wasn't there. She had been at the library studying and no one had come to get her and later on she wasn't made to pay. Many of the people in her team suffered from a cold the next day. He had been so cruel using ice cold water making them scream and hadn't budged as they had begged him to stop. Clarisa and Vanessa may have been spared because of their close ties to the boys but they had been forced to write an apology letter to the boys team and read it to them while the girls were getting soaked. She had faced no consequences. Vienna then thought back to all the times she had special treatment for various reasons when someone like Clarisa even didn't. She could now see it was all Tristan's influence.

Vienna ran as quick as she could to the other side of the massive art room to reach the fire exit. Just when she became hopeful she could flee and she put her hand on the handle, she felt him behind her. She panicked as he put his hand on the door above her head "Did you really think you can outrun me?"

Vienna closed her eyes. Of course. He was the star athlete of the track team. Part of her thought he could not catch up because, he was at the other side of the room. She was afraid to turn around. Where was this going to lead to. She didn't want to be alone with Tristan O'Neil. No one wanted to be alone with him... She opened her eyes and turned around. She looked into Tristan's eyes as she leaned against the door. He was looking at her playfully.

Vienna took a deep breath "Tristan...What do you want from me?"

Tristan narrowed his eyes and put his both hands at each side of her on the door as Vienna wished she could step away from him but she couldn't since she was leaning to the wall. "I think you know the answer Vienna..."

Vienna took a deep breath as she spoke "Tristan, why are you doing this?"

Tristan nodded "Doing what?"

Vienna could see what he was doing. He wanted specific answers. He wanted detailed answers with reasoning just like how he was trained to ask questions. He was an interrogator like Vincenzo. He took no nonsense. He sensed lies. She was facing no ordinary kid. She spoke "Just leave..."

Tristan shook his head "Tell me why? What have I done wrong?"

Vienna sighed "I ... don't know....I just want to be alone. Please leave..." She just couldn't find an answer for his question.

Tristan spoke "What is it that is on your mind right now. Talk to me. If you want me gone, push me away then. Do it. I wont resist. Hit me...Do anything but give me a reaction. I need to know where I am standing. Tell me why you don't want to spend time with me. This is not about drawing me or not drawing me. I have seen you drawn others.....I have seen your portraits a few times."

Vienna defended " I only draw family members or just girls who are my friends in school..."

Tristan smiled in satisfaction "That's good to know. I would love to be the exception."

Vienna sighed and looked away "Tristan. Please can we talk about this another time?" She felt trapped. He had caged her in with his arms. If she moved, she would have touched him and she was feeling her cheeks getting heated up. She was finding it hard to handle his closeness.

Tristan stated in a harder tone "You shouldn't try to avoid me Vienna. Just open up. Give me a good reason why you don't want to draw me and I would be gone."

Vienna closed her eyes.

Tristan demanded "I need an answer." He then thought to himself " Come on Vienna. Push me. Even if you show me some hate its better than what you are doing to me. Its driving me mad." He didn't want to pressure her but it didn't mean he was coping well with being distant with her. She was fine dealing with other boys and not him. It bothered him alot.

Vienna opened her eyes and just as her eyes met Tristan's she looked away quickly " I think I told you that you make me nervous. I find you intimidating. You know that already."

Tristan shook his head " Why? Answer me Vienna."

Vienna hugged her chest with her arms and looked down "You are capable of hurting me. I know you are."

Tristan stated " I have never hurt you Vienna and never will. Do you believe me? Look at me into my eyes and call me a liar and I will leave. Am I a liar? If I am not liar in your eyes then you don't mind spending time with me and drawing me. Maybe you are lying to yourself."

Vienna knew she was caught. This was a do or die question. He was quite good with asking the questions that hit where it hurt. She couldn't possibly look him in the eye and tell him he was a liar because she didn't believe that and even her own father who was so protective of her didn't believe that. Her father even called Tristan, his father's son in keeping his word and being honourable. She could never pull it off looking at him and calling him a liar. He could tell she was lying if she did call him a liar and she had a feeling he was going to push hard until she told the truth. So she gave in.

Vienna looked up into Tristan's eyes and tried hard to keep her voice steady " I trust you..."

Tristan smiled "That's more like it. So if I tell you I would never hurt you, then you must trust me. So tell me is there a valid reason left to refuse to spend time with me and draw me?"

Vienna shook her head in defeat "No."

Tristan nodded "Good girl." He then walked away "Where would you like me to sit?"

Vienna sighed. She grabbed her equipment reluctantly and set up in the middle of the room. She put a chair about two meters away from her and asked Tristan to sit.

Tristan sat down and waited for Vienna to make some eye contact with her. She just kept avoiding her stare even in that room. But now that she had agreed to draw him, she had no choice. He had been left with no options. He had to make Vienna feel comfortable enough to look into his eyes and this was the perfect way for them to bond. He had no idea how to make her love him but for sure he knew he had so much work to do starting by making her look him in the eye and making her feel at ease.

Vienna never thought he could make her do this. But he had without even using force, threats or blackmail. She actually didn't mind drawing him but it was not easy. Those eyes saw right through her. That stare belonged to a boy who was madly in love with her when she wasn't even ready. He was a year older than her and that was a big difference. She just wanted to keep away from him so he didn't make her heart beat so fast. She felt guilt for finding him so ... perfect. As she glanced at him to take in his features to draw him, she found herself breathless. He was truly perfection. He said the right words. He kept his word. He was reliable. He had watched over her all this time protecting her from rough treatments that even his own siblings were not immune from to an extent. His tone was so respectful towards her than even when he had caged her on the door, she didn't feel threatened. She felt nervous being close to him but she knew he was not going to hurt her. Maybe he was right and she was lying to herself.

Maybe that was it. Maybe she wasn't scared of him and what he could do. Maybe she was afraid of liking him abit more than she should have. Her mother didn't like her to be with any criminal but she always agreed with her father's judgment. Viggo didn't like Tristan. It was like she was betraying him by spending time with Tristan. Her loyalty was meant to be with family. But now it seemed like just like how Tristan was putting her above family and giving her more special treatment than his own sister, she could end up doing the same. Viggo had told her last night, he preferred her to keep away from Tristan and hoped he would give up. But she couldn't do it. She couldn't tell Tristan she didn't want him close. She was sure if she pushed him away and accused him of pressuring her he would have given her more space. But she couldn't just bring herself to accuse him of something he hadn't done. He would have called her bluff but she was sure he would have left her alone for awhile if she requested it. The worst insult you could throw at Tristan O'Neil would have been if you accused him of forcing a woman's hand. That was not his style and everyone knew it. Even his own enemies knew it. O'Neils were men of honour.

Tristan was feeling satisfied. He had to find a way to make Vienna look at him more comfortably and this was helping. She glanced at him for longer and longer as she was busy drawing him. at the begining she hid behind her equipment for longer before she glanced at him but slowly she didn't mind looking at him and she wasn't trembling any more in the slightest way which was a good sign. But of course, who was he kidding. This was not just for breaking the ice and forcing Vienna to open up. He wanted to take his time looking at this girl who had taken over his dreams of future. He loved staring at those beautiful eyes. He loved looking at those kissable lips. He loved everything about her. He loved how she bit her lip from time to time when she was nervous. He loved how she always felt embarrassed and looked down when anyone complimented her. He loved how she couldn't bring herself to lie. He found that adorable. She just was honest and he loved her for it.

Vienna suddenly became wary as she saw him stand up. He started walking to her. She objected " Sit down. I haven't finished."

Tristan spoke " I am curious."

Vienna braced herself as Tristan with his usual elegance and smoothness walked slowly to her. He went to stand behind her.

Tristan became totally mesmorised by her drawing skills " This is wow. There are no words for if. You are so talented Vienna."

Vienna's breath hitched in her throat. He was right behind her as she was still drawing or rather trying to. His breath was felt behind her ears. He whispered " Now can you draw yourself too?"

Vienna spoke quickly " I have drawn myself alot. Practicing in front of a mirror is what I liked to do to make it easier to draw portraits. I drew and drew until I learnt how to."

Tristan stated " Can I see them?"

Vienna pointed to a shelf in the far corner. It's in the red book."

Tristan walked to the shelf. He grabbed the red book of the shelf and opened it. He felt so much adoration for her. He loved all drawings she had in that book, including the ones of herself. " I need to borrow this." He turned around walking to Vienna.

Vienna was surprised and turned to him " What? I mean what for?"

Tristan spoke " Can I borrow it?"

Vienna shrugged " Ok... But when will you return it?"

Tristan thought to himself " When I marry you." He spoke indifferently " As soon as I can."

Vienna stated "Ok. You need to sit down. I want to get your shirt in the drawing."

Tristan liked how Vienna seemed abit more at ease. He walked to the chair in front of her and sat down.

Vienna sighed " Not like that." She walked to him " You shouldn't have moved."

Tristan found Vienna in front of him. To his surprise she reached her hand to the collar of his shirt and fixed it. She also pushed on his shoulders " Keep your back straight. That was your posture..." Then it dawned on her what she had done. She had touched him. She retreated her hands or rather tried to.

Tristan grabbed her hands not allowing her to pull away " Why are you shaking?"

Vienna gulped. She had not seen anyone touch Tristan before. It was a death sentence almost if anyone did that without his permission. Only Vincenzo got way with throwing punches or grabbing his shirt like how she had been since he could handle the retaliation. It was one of their protocols that if you touched a captain , the guilty party was going to have to be subjected to extreme sanctions. You didn't invade Tristan's personal space unless you were ready for retaliation. But she had done this before.,,, she thought back to when she had been pushed after the water fight broke out, she had stepped on his foot and much more. But nothing had happened.

Tristan was holding himself back so much. He really loved how close she had come willingly. So he whispered " Relax."

Vienna shook her head " It was a mistake. Sorry. I know you don't like being touched. Let my hands go,"

Tristan thought to himself " Make more mistakes like this... Please. Oh, I definitely want to be touched by you." He then nodded " Come on Vienna. There is nothing wrong with what you did. You are my girl even if you are not ready to think of it that way." He then said to himself "I am dying for the next time you touch me. I am memorising this moment."