Dina Marie spoke " They are true gentleman. They are all British exchange students. They are just too shy to even notice us or demand anything.

Diana spoke "Sure, they are not hard to be around and it helps our college applications to say we are at home and away games with their team that's unbeatable."

Daniella spoke "But the party is over for us for the rest of the academic year it seems."

Vienna sighed " The party is over for the Volleyball team too. I feel sorry for the volleyball team. With our support gone, the basketball team could show up more often and trash their dressing room. They wouldn't speak up now with the student council."

Clarisa laughed " Of course."

Vienna sighed "We will make it through. Its just their high egos that we have to put up with and extra training for the cheer leading squad. So its goodbye to karate lessons. We have our own basketball practice to do."

Vanessa frowned "No. We can do that weekends. My aunt Georgina can be our teacher. We don't even have to do it in school. We can keep it secret."

Clarisa spoke "I don't know. My mother doesn't like your aunt very much. She wont let me have self defence lessons from her. I am quite sure."

Vienna spoke "Ask your father then."

Clarisa spoke "No. He doesn't even like me do any self defence courses anyways. It was easier to cover it up in school somehow if we locked the doors. I think i could only get away with it outside school, if your aunt came to your house. That way I can say I am going to see Vanessa for a few hours. My dad would ground me for sure when he finds out but its worth it."

Vanessa turned to Vienna "So every Saturday morning then. You coming too. Right?"

Vienna nodded "If Clarisa is going, I will too. Its better if I don't tell my father. He may say no and would tell Clarisa's father and she will get into trouble."

Dina Marie turned to her sisters and laughed " We are in too. We wont tell why we want to go to Vanessa's house. So we will be like what? A secret society?

Letizia spoke "I like the sound of that. I would come too but if my father forms an alliance and trust your family. But I think he wont have a problem with Vanessa's father. Georgio Canavaro gets along with every family and is a compromiser."

The next few hours were spent on studying for the girls in one of the tree houses on the ground and then when it was afternoon tea time, they made their way out.

As the girls started to leave, they noticed Letizia wasn't moving and was immersed in books.

Vienna questioned "Are you coming?"

Letizia spoke as her stare didn't leave the book "I am almost done. I just want to finish this chapter of the Maths book. Its the first exam right?"

Vienna sighed "They probably exempt you from exams for being new. Let's go."

Letizia looked up at Vienna "I am coming in a few minutes. Don't worry. I know the way back."

As the girls left, Letizia read through the chapter and then got up. She exited the tree house and was about to walk away when she heard a voice "You kept me waiting long enough."

Letizia turned around and saw Vincenzo leaning to the wall next to the door. She shrugged "Why are you here? I told Vienna I can make my way. Did she send you?"

Vincenzo shook his head "No. I came here to talk to you alone."

Letizia spoke "I think I will pass. I don't have time for you. My friends are waiting. I am afraid, you have to wait longer." Letizia turned around and took a step away only for Vincenzo to grab her hand and pull her to his chest.

Vincenzo spoke "Don't walk away."

Letizia narrowed her eyes and her kick boxing moves came next to shock Vincenzo. She kicked him and was about to punch him when Vincenzo grabbed her hand in a painful grip and spoke "Stop right there or I will teach you a lesson about not to take me on."

Letizia bit her lip and nodded. As Vincenzo let her hand go and spoke "I was saying..." She kicked him again and started sprinting away chuckling.

Letizia heard a whistle from behind her as she started to run and then after running a few meters into the trees she came to a halt and froze in shock. She found herself surrounded by about a dozen dogs. She now understood. Vincenzo had blown that whistle. These were his dogs. They were looking into distance at where foot steps were heard waiting for instructions.

Letizia slowly turned around and found a smirking Vincenzo walking slowly towards her "You ran into the wrong direction by the way right into the playground of my dogs.

Letizia narrowed her eyes "You are crazy. These are dangerous dogs."

Vincenzo laughed "No they are not. I have much worse ones in cages. These ones are mostly for blocking run ways not injuring. Don't worry. They wont attack you unless I tell them to."

Letizia put her hands on her hips "Oh that's reassuring."

Vincenzo smirked "It certainly is. Isn't it?" He then walked slowly towards her and stood in front of her. He looked into her eyes " You fight well but you hit the wrong man sweetheart. I don't forgive and forget unlucky for you..."

Letizia spoke "What do you want? An apology?"

Vincenzo spoke "Yes. Of course. I want an apology or I would leave you here to spend some time with my dogs. They are here on stand by to catch trespassers and they are very unfriendly if I am not around. So do yourself a favour. Apologise. If you don't then I am not going to tell the dogs to go away. I leave you here for a while. They don't like it when strangers are around. Especially the ones that move. They are there to halt trespassers. So you will have to stay frozen there if you don't want to have a dozen dogs jump on you."

Letizia spoke "You cant keep me here. I don't apologise., You were not very polite. I only respond to boys when they talk politely. You are no gentleman. You wouldn't dare leave me here,"

Vincenzo spoke "Try me sweetheart."

Letizia spoke "My father would break the alliance he is about to make with your father."

Vincenzo gave out a dark chuckle " Do I look like I care?"

Letizia sighed "Call off your dogs. I have a phobia of dogs. Its quite bad. "

Vincenzo noticed her shaking hands. She definitely had a phobia. He had heard she did from her father in the cabin. He had specifically said to keep dogs away from her that day. He wasn't one to follow the rules of course.

Vincenzo spoke "You seem fine to me."

Letizia gritted her teeth "Get the dogs out of here. I have a phobia. Its just gets worse if they are around me longer.... it brings bad images in my head... Please..."

Vincenzo raised an eyebrow "No."

Letizia closed her eyes "I am sorry."

Vincenzo spoke "Ah. Not that kind of apology."

Letizia opened her eyes and then found him standing too close to her in her personal space only a few inches of her as she was shaking affected by the dogs being at close proximity of her.

Letizia spoke "What kind of apology then?"

Vincenzo spoke "You see. I liked you when I saw you first. Now I am quite impressed with how you hit me. Not only you look so fine, you are strong too. A fighter. I like that. You keep the boys away and not too friendly. I like that too. That is why to forgive you, I just ask for a kiss."

Letizia spoke "Go to hell." She then kicked him to the ground and jumped on top of him trying to punch him but Vincenzo switched their places pinning her to the ground as his dogs were barking now.

Vicnenzo blew a different whistle and they quieted down.

Letizia spoke "Get off me. I am not giving you my first kiss you arrogant, crazy jerk."

Vicnenzo was looking at her with admiration. " Tsk Tsk. I can see you going pale. The dog phobia is real, I see. What a lovely coincidence. I have a passion for collecting dogs. We are a good match. Don't you think? They say opposites attract."

Letizia spoke "You are the most evil and twisted person I have ever met."

Vincenzo spoke "You are the most beautiful and honest person I have ever met. I told you ... opposites attract."