After dinner, Christian had made his way to Gianluca's house. There was plenty of time until his bed time. He could study with Gianluca abit and play some games perhaps. They took turns hanging out at each other's homes once in a while when they had no family or business commitments.

When he arrived at the Bellagio mansion, he was informed the Bellagio's family tailor had arrived and was sorting clothes measurements and showing catalogues to the men of the house which were Gianluca and his father Gerrardo. Apparently this was a last minute call arranged by Gianluca's father so he had to wait abit. He did not mind. He went for a walk in the gardens of the Bellagio mansion. It was a nice and clear night. He could wait.

As he was walking around, he heard laughter and voices. He made his way towards the noise and then came across the massive tree house that belonged to Gabriela. It was a nice small cabin. It was a huge tree house of its kind and it was not too high above the ground and had stairs connecting the ground to the cabin. It even had a terrace. Here she was, Gabriela sitting down with Lena in the balcony of the tree house. They seemed to have proper mattresses, pillows and duvets. They seemed to be having a mini sleep over.

Lena was the one who spotted him. She gasped. She did not seem to have expected visitors. "Hi..."

Gabriela turned in the direction Lena was looking and then raised an eyebrow "Christian? What are you doing here?"

Christian walked towards the tree house as he said "Hello to you too Gabriela. I came to see Gianluca. He was busy. I came to walk in the gardens. Aren't you going to offer me any tea or coffee? This is your tree house and I am your guest." He walked up the steps.

Gabriela said "If you want to be treated like a guest you have come the wrong way. The mansion is the opposite way."

Christian ignored her. He reached the balcony and took a seat on the run that was on the wooden floor away from where the girls were sitting. "I like it here. Outdoors is fun." He then turned his attention to Lena and said "It is nice to see you again Lena. The last time we met, it was not ideal... I am glad to see you happy..."

Lena did not know what to say. She did not know Christian. She was almost killed by his people. The only thing stopping them was her connection to Gianluca. She said "It is good to see you..."

Gabriela sighed "What do you want?"

Christian said "Some hospitality... That would be nice..."

Gabriela said "Gianluca could show you some hospitality. Sure. Go to the mansion Christian."

Christian said "I told you. Gianluca is busy right now. They told me it could take upto an hour..." His attention went to Lena. "Can I have some tea?"

Lena was being polite. She said "Sure..." She poured some tea from the tea pot in front of her into a cup.

Christian was looking at Gabriela the whole time who was shaking her head at him.

Lena handed the filled tea cup on a saucer to Christian. He took it from her hand and placed it on the floor in front of him as he said "Can I have some sugar with it?"

Gabriela said "We do not have sugar with our tea. We only have cookies... I have baked the cookies." She turned and picked up a tray from behind her. She handed it to Christian "Take your pick. There is a choice of chocolate cookies, cherry cookies, raisin cookies and plain cookies."

Christian took the tray from her hand and said "Their aroma is nice... Are they fresh?" He put the cookie tray down.

Gabriela said "Yes."

Just then a guard came along and apologised for disturbing them. He announced that there was a phone call for Lena from her mother. So Lena excused herself and left with the guard to the mansion.

As Christian was watching Lena leave he commented "Do you do this often? You know this kind of tree house party night with Lena?"

Gabriela said "Well. Not often... I guess now that she is going out with my brother she is more open to coming to our house and not avoiding my brother like she used to. Why do you care?"

Christian turned to her "No reason... Just making conversation... Do you hate spending time with me so much I can't even ask you a question without hostility?"

Gabriela narrowed her eyes "Don't you dare act so innocent. You actually are surprised? How can I welcome you to my tea party? After what you did to that boy who had been unfortunate enough to attend the dance club... He was lucky I caught you outside later when you were punishing him and got you to stop and be satisfied, thank god..."

Christian said "Well he tripped you at the dance club..."

Gabriela said "Nearly tripped me... I did not fall... It was an accident Christian."

Christian said "Nobody touches you and gets away with it. Accident or not, you could get hurt."

Gabriela said "But I did not... Cut out the protective attitude. I get enough of it from Gianluca... The boy apologised too..."

Christian said "Well... I do not accept apologies when it concerns you..."

Gabriela said "Of course... You have to be like Gianluca... You just act as the scary best friend of his who would intimidate any male who dares put a foot wrong. What's next? You will go after any male who asks to date me too?" Then she suddenly felt strange. She felt like retreating as she took in Christian's expression. She actually did shuffle in her spot on the floor where she was seated on a rug. He actually looked ... furious. No ... that wasn't it. He looked murderous. That was closer to the look in his eyes.

Christian said in a low tone "Which boy has asked you out?"

Gabriela gulped. She stood up "I should go."

Christian stood up too "Answer the question."

Gabriela said "I should go check on Lena. She has taken a while with her phone call..." As she tried to walk away, she found herself fave to face with Christian who just blocked her path.

Christian said "Gabriela. I asked you a question. Who has asked you out?"

Gabriela shook her head "Christian. Calm down ok. What is wrong with you today?"

Christian said in a low tone that Gabriela could only see as deadly "You are saying there are guys asking you out. It is a big deal. Who has dared ask you out? Gianluca tells me there is no one out there that you like... So are you hiding something?"

Gabriela took a step back "Look. I know you have always tried to protect me like Gianluca but you are just going too far here with your questioning... Why are you so over reacting? It's not like I said yes..."

Christian took a step forward and narrowed his eyes "So you admit it. It's Luigi. Isn't it? He is the only one who would dare..."

Gabriela gasped as she took a step backward from the force of his words "What? That is the most outrageous comment you have ever made. That's crazy... There is no way... Luigi and I are just friends because our families are close. But we have nothing going on. Trust me..."

Christian could hear the truth in her words. It put his mind slightly at ease. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then opened it "Then who has ever dared to ask you out? Don't deny it.. Someone has... Or some boys have... There maybe many..."

Gabriela sighed "Christian. There is only one...One boy who has asked me out... It doesn't matter. I have said no... I always have. Every time he has asked me out..." She then swallowed hard as she saw the deadly look in his eyes that was getting more intimidating. She took a step backwards. Her back hit the tree house wall.

Christian asked in a serious but warning tone as he took a step towards her. "Give me his name. Now Gabriela... I want a name."

Gabriela sighed as she looked troubled "Ok. I tell you. But you can't tell Gianluca... He can't know... It's Marcello Rizzi..."

Christian said "What?"

Gabriela put her hands up "But I have always said no. I don't like the guy. I never have..."

Christian was trying to make sense of the information. He knew a lot about Marcello Rizzi. He studied his enemies. There had been a hostage exchange between the Rizzi family and the Kavannaghs at some point. There was nemesis. But they stayed out of the way of Kavannagh businesses and vice versa. But the relations could turn to war easily. He was shocked about hearing Gabriela had Marcello as an admirer but he had no trouble at all believing Gabriela when she said she didn't like the guy. What was there to like? He was not the kind of guy who was even remotely a threat to take Gabriela's attention and steal her heart. Not even close. Only Luigi came that close. Only Luigi had qualities that would have made Gabriela admire him enough to give away her heart to him. Marcello had no chance. He asked thoughtfully "They operate in Boston... Not in New York. Your family have no ties with them whatsoever. None. How have you met him? How does he know you?"

Gabriela was glad he had calmed down. She still was baffled why he was this protective but now she was relieved to see him sound more like the Christian she knew "Well. I have met him alot because of his sister, Marilene. I am not really friends with her or anything. I am friends with friends of hers. So yes. I know friends of her sister through business connections my mother has. My mother knows the mother of these girls. I hang out with those girls. We get invited to parties in our circle. I go. It's all girl parties by the way. But we can bring our brothers with us. Gianluca has better things to do than join a girls party. Other brothers also think the same... But Marilene's brother once was forced to come along because her parents wanted them out of the house for one evening for god knows what reason. He comes along with her. He meets me. And then comes willingly and enthusiastically every time I have parties with her sister. So here we go."

Christian said unsure "You want me to believe Gianluca has no clue about this? No clue at all?"

Gabriela shook her head "No. I don't want him to know... The Rizzi family are not ordinary. That's the thing. I don't know what they are like. How they operate. They rule part of Boston. And now it's getting worse and worse. His family has secured an alliance with the Romano family in Boston. I think that Gianluca has told you about Salvatorio Romano and how he wants Lena to be his girl. I know you two do not have many secrets..."

Christian said "Yes... He told me about that... But you must tell Gianluca. He must know..."

Gabriela said "No. What if he does something? We can't have a war with the Rizzi family..."

Christian said "Don't worry. Have some faith in Gianluca. He knows what he is doing. That guy's family has strong business ties in Boston... Well so do the Kavannaghs. He can bring it on. I will look out for Gianluca. Don't worry. You must tell Gianluca. If what you say is true, he must know... Two guys in an alliance? One is after his girl and one is after his sister? Don't you think he wants to know?"

Gabriela said "I can't do it. I can't tell him. He will react like you do most likely... How do I tell him I have hidden it from him. To be honest I never cared about this guy and frankly Bellagios never see his family. Why care? You are both protective of me... He will go crazy... I can't tell him... I know I should. But I will find it hard to say it... "

Christian protested "You can't hide it from him. Obviously he is not on your brother's side and is in fact on the side of your brother's rival. It is seriously vital information..."

Gabriela said "I know... You are right... But how do I tell him? He will get mad if he finds out anyone has asked me out especially someone like Marcello..."

Christian said impatiently with finality and meaning behind his words "You should tell him. If you don't, then I will. I don't have many secrets with him as you said. There is no way I can hide this from him now that I know..."

Gabriela looked at Christian thoughtfully "Thats a great idea... You will tell him for me? ... I would like that... Then you can calm him while his fuse blows up... You will tell him... You are amazing. I won't forget it Christian... You are the nicest person ever... I would like to thank you sincerely..."

Christian watched as he found her take a step towards him. Then to his astonishment he found her looking into his eyes and leaning closer and closer towards him. His breath caught in his throat as his Gabriela leaned the closest she had ever gotten to him and to his surprise and disbelief she planted a kiss on his cheek. In that moment time slowed down. He felt the touch of her lips on his cheek and did not move. He wanted to remember this beautiful moment that she had just shared with him. Maybe it was just an innocent thank you kiss to her. But to him it was a lot more. She had no idea

Gabriela pulled away and looked at him "I always know I can count on you Christian... You are the best... Thank you for always watching over me and look out for me like this. You always have helped me... I appreciate it..."

Christian was sure he had forgotten to breathe for a second or two and then as though his heart had to make up for it, his heart had started beating on his chest frantically. He was staring at Gabriela speechless.

Gabriela said "Oh. Sorry..." She reached her hand up and touched his cheek. She started rubbing his cheek "My red lipstick has made a mark. There you go... It's ok now." She then retreated her hand while smiling at him.

Christian was sure his heart was going to burst out of his chest. She had kissed him and as though that was not enough she had made contact with his face gently too with her soft touch. He wanted these moments to last forever. Had he been dreaming?

Lena's voice came from behind them "Sorry. The phone call took longer than usual. I am back now..."

Christian was sure it was not a dream then. It was back to reality right after him and Gabriela just had shared a moment.

Gabriela looked past Christian at Lena "About time... I was going to come search for you..."

Christian excused himself and decided to leave the girls and go for a walk. He needed time to process the moment. How could he tell her how much she meant to him? How could he tell her he had loved her for so many years? Was she even going to give him a chance and get to know him? He had no idea.

****

Christian was sitting down on a sofa in Gianluca's game room. He was watching Gianluca who was pacing the floor and thinking hard. Gabriela had been right. Gianluca had not taken it very well at all when Christian had informed him of Marcello Rizzi daring to ask his sister out multiple times in the past and had not told him about it.

Gianluca had every intention of confronting his sister about it and go straight to her but Christian had stopped him leaving the room. It was not possible to hold off Gianluca that easily if he wanted to leave a room. But Christian was one of the few who could manage it. He had kept him behind and had explained to him how hard it was for her to tell him. It was a big secret. And she had no feelings for Marcello Rizzi.

Gianluca was shaking his head as he was pacing back and forth "Days get better and better. Do you have any idea how many secrets I have found out recently? I am the last one to find out. You are the only one who don't keep many secrets from me and you are not even Italian American or an ally of my family."

Christian thought of the irony. Oh boy. If Gianluca had thought these secrets where huge, he had another thing coming. Christian said "Stop being dramatic. Now you know more than you did a while ago... It's better late than never. Count your blessings."

Gianluca stopped walking and turned to him "How do you do it Christian? How do you keep so positive?"

Christian shrugged "Well... My grandpa says that problems in life are like a pack of wolves. You face them. They either defeat you or you defeat them... I am ready to fight any pack of wolves any minute. Any day. Any time. I may kill off one wolf, another one slows up... I don't pay no mind to more problems... One wolf less. Or one wolf more. It don't make a difference to me... I will fight them all..."

Gianluca walked to a sofa opposite him. He sighed "Christian... I like your analogy. Pack of wolves attack... It doesn't matter if you add one or two wolves or kill one or two... The number of wolves that attack you are endless... I will fight the threats and problems... But Christian... I don't know... I guess my frustration is with my sister the most here. When Luigi hides secrets, I may not like it but at the end of the day he is not my blood. But Gabriela is. I need her to trust me. I need her to come to me when she has problems. I don't want her to keep secrets from me..."

Christian said "She trusts you. She made it clear she didn't tell you because she didn't think it mattered and you don't deal with the Rizzi family in any capacity. She did not think it was worth causing any possible tensions between you and Marcello if you ever meet after she told you her secret. You are as approachable as approachable gets Gianluca. You have nothing to worry about. Your sister trusts you..."

Gianluca smiled "I think she should trust you too. You got her to tell you something she hasn't told me and you convinced her it's a good idea to tell me... I am lucky I have a friend like you who is willing to look out for people who are dear to me. You have honour Christian. I trust you with my life..."

Christian clutched the cushion that was in his embrace as he was seated on the sofa. He felt like he was lost for words. What could he tell his best friend in response? He had no idea how Gianluca was going to react when he found out what he had felt in his heart for Gabriela all these years. Gabriela was no where near ready for him to confess his love to her. So he couldn't tell Gianluca. He couldn't let anyone know his secret before Gabriela was ready to hear his heartfelt confessions of love for her.