Chapter 16 16
|| Author Pov ||
Tristian sat in his mansion’s office. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock, yet his mind was anything but calm.
His thoughts wandered back to her.
Alice.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t push her from his head. The way she avoided his gaze now… the way her silence felt like punishment. It irritated him.
A strange pull.
A dangerous attraction he had no right to feel.
Tristian exhaled a long breath and reached for a cigarette. The flame flickered briefly before he took a drag. Smoke curled in the dim air like his tangled thoughts.
He leaned back, eyes fixed on the swirling haze.
He had built empires, destroyed rivals, and ruled his world with an iron heart, yet one fragile woman was undoing him from within.
After a while, A sharp knock broke the silence. Tristian exhaled, irritation flickering through his eyes.
“Come in.” he said flatly.
The door creaked open to reveal Chloe. Her bright smile cut through the cold air of the office.
“Good afternoon.” she greeted cheerfully, stepping inside with a tray balanced in her hands. “I brought you some coffee.”
Tristian’s jaw tightened slightly as he watched her approach, all charm and confidence, so unaware of the storm in his mind.
“Can I sit? Or did I interrupt something?” she asked, tilting her head playfully.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes unreadable. “No. Take a seat.”
Chloe smiled wider, setting the tray down before perching across from him. Tristian’s expression remained calm, collected but behind those calculating eyes, his thoughts turned cold.
He needed Chloe.
For his plan.
And he wasn’t about to lose his temper now.
Chloe picked up her cup, stirring the coffee lazily as her gaze drifted to the stack of papers Tristian was signing.
“What’s that?” she asked curiously, leaning forward a little. “Looks important, Tris.”
Without looking up, Tristian replied in his usual calm voice, “Just a business deal.”
“Oh…” Chloe’s lips formed a small 'o' of interest.
She took a slow sip, pretending to focus on her drink, though her eyes lingered on Tristian–the way his sleeves were rolled to his forearms and the quiet authority in every movement.
She’d admired him for as long as she could remember. The cold, distant Tristian Volcov, powerful, composed, untouchable.
And now, sitting across from him, her heart raced with that familiar thrill.
Tristian finally set his pen down and leaned back, his sharp gaze lifting to meet hers. “You’ve been staring for quite a while, Chloe.”
Chloe’s cheeks flushed instantly. “I wasn’t! I was just… curious.” she stammered with a shy laugh while tucking her blonde hair behind her ear.
Tristian smirked faintly. The corner of his lips curved. “Curious about business or about me?”
Her heart skipped. “Maybe both.” she said softly, trying to sound playful.
Tristian’s eyes darkened for a second, not with desire but calculation. He leaned forward with his elbows resting on the desk. “You’ve grown up.” he said smoothly. “Last time I saw you, you were a child. Now you walk in here like a woman who knows what she wants.”
Chloe’s pulse quickened at his words. “Maybe I do.”
He gave a quiet chuckle, picking up his pen again. “That could be useful.”
Chloe tilted her head. “Useful?”
Tristian didn’t answer. He just smiled. That slow, dangerous smile that hinted he already had a plan in motion.
Chloe blinked at his mysterious smile. “What do you mean?” she asked, trying to catch his eyes.
Tristian finally looked up with a sharp gaze “You said you know what you want, didn’t you?”
Chloe nodded slowly, unsure where he was leading.
“Then let’s see how determined you are.” he murmured, standing up. His tall frame towered over her as he buttoned his coat. “There’s a dinner party tonight. You’ll come with me.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “A dinner? With you?”
He smirked. “Is that a problem?”
“No! Not at all!” Chloe blurted quickly. A flush of excitement colored her cheeks.
Tristian’s eyes lingered on her reaction but his thoughts drifted elsewhere, to Alice’s pale face–those trembling lips when she’d said she would leave.
A flicker of something dangerous burned in his chest.
“Good.” he said quietly. “Dress beautifully. I want everyone to see you.”
Chloe smiled brightly, misreading his tone. “Of course, Tris.”
As soon as Chloe left the room, Tristian’s smirk faded. He leaned back against the desk, eyes narrowing.
He wasn’t doing this for Chloe.
He was doing it for her.
For Alice.
\-----
That night, the soft murmur of conversation filled the living room. Martha and Alice sat together on the couch, sharing light snacks and quiet laughter.
Then footsteps echoed down the stairs.
Both women looked up and there was Chloe, descending gracefully in a stunning dress. Her blonde hair was cascading over her shoulders and her perfume trailed through the air like sweetness laced with pride.
Martha’s brows lifted in surprise. “Well, where are you going all dressed up like that, dear?” she asked warmly.
Chloe twirled before them with a bright grin. “How do I look, Auntie?”
“You look beautiful as always, my child.” Martha praised.
Alice put a small smile. “You do. Really pretty.”
“Thanks!” Chloe beamed, brushing her curls off her shoulder. “Tristian invited me to a dinner party with him tonight. Cool, isn’t it?”
For a moment, Alice forgot to breathe. Her hand froze around the cup which she was holding.
Martha blinked, clearly surprised. “Tristian did?”
Chloe nodded proudly and giddily. “He said he wanted me to come. It’s a big event.”
Alice lowered her gaze. Her heart tightened painfully in her chest. The words echoed in her ears like a cruel melody.
She tried to smile again but her lips wouldn’t move. Alice couldn't understand why her heart dropped. She shouldn't feel those forbidden things but she can't stop herself.
Martha smiled, though her brows pinched faintly. “That’s… nice of him. I didn’t know he had plans tonight.”
Chloe chuckled, glancing at her reflection in the glass cabinet. “He called me this afternoon. Said I should look my best!”
Her words hit Alice harder than she expected. Look your best.
That used to be what she told herself before every dinner with Nick–before everything fell apart.
Now, it felt like her world was quietly mocking her.
Martha rose from the couch and straightened Chloe’s dress with a motherly touch. “You look perfect, darling. Be careful, alright?”
“I will, Auntie.” Chloe said cheerfully, picking up her purse. “Don’t wait for me, I might be late!”
Before Martha could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs again.
Tristian descended slowly, dressed in a sharp black suit that fit him perfectly and looked dangerously handsome. His presence filled the room instantly.
Chloe turned toward him with a bright smile. “Tris! How do I look?”
Tristian’s eyes swept over her from head to toe and for a moment, he actually smiled in a rare, approving curve of his lips. “Beautiful.” he said simply. “You clean up well, Chloe.”
Chloe’s face lit up. Her excitement was barely contained. “Thank you! You look amazing too.”
Tristian nodded lightly and adjusted his cuffs. “Ready?”
“Always.” she replied, looping her arm through his.
Martha smiled faintly, oblivious to the tension. “Have fun, you two. Don’t stay out too late.”
Tristian gave his mother a polite nod. “Goodnight.”
Chloe entangled her arms with Tristian's and both walked out.
A moment later, Alice heard the sound of Tristian’s car pulling up outside, the deep growl of his engine she’d learned to recognize.
Her chest ached.
Martha sat down beside her again, giving Alice a gentle look. “Sweetheart, are you alright? You look pale.”
Alice blinked quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine.” she whispered. “Just a little tired.”
Alice’s hand trembled over her lap and her eyes glued to the empty doorway.
He’d done it again.
Made her feel something she didn’t want to feel.
Why did it hurt so much?