Tristan crushed his cigarette in the ashtray, but the smell still hung in the air. He got up, strolled to the window, and yanked the curtains open. His tall, lean frame and perfect profile were hard to miss. Turning to her, he said, "Didn't I tell you to make breakfast just for me? Bella's still out cold."
Katniss bit her lip and looked down. Yeah, Tristan did say he only needed breakfast for one. She decided on her own to bring an extra portion for Bella.
"But whatever. I was beat last night, so I can eat for two." Tristan stared at her downcast eyes and felt a flash of anger. His tone got sharp as he sat down and started eating, taking big bites with a weird mix of elegance and aggression.
Katniss said, "I'll head out now. If you need anything, just call me."
She turned to leave, not catching Tristan's slight lift of his eyelids, his eyes reflecting her faintly sad silhouette as he smirked.
Closing Tristan's door, Katniss felt a weight lift off her shoulders, though pain spread from her heart to her whole body.
This was bound to happen, but the reality hit harder than she thought. The idea of Bella and Tristan next door made the air in her room feel suffocating.
She ditched the idea of catching up on sleep and decided to check out the area around the hotel. After all, it was a rare chance to get away.
The company's employees had gone hiking, leaving the big resort empty except for the staff. The peaceful and comfy vibe, freshened by last night's drizzle, was inviting. She sat under some random flowering tree for a long time, watching the wind ripple across a distant lake.
Feeling a bit sleepy by late morning, she headed to the hotel restaurant for lunch, planning to nap afterward.
As she walked in, she saw Tristan, Bella, and Michael sitting at a table. Bella waved her over excitedly and said, "Katniss, come sit with us!"
Katniss hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting down. "Mr. Forbes, Mr. Astor, Miss Astor."
"I'm starving. We were up all night, and Tristan didn't even wake me up for breakfast. He ate both portions you brought," Bella complained, playfully glaring at Tristan.
Tristan's indifferent gaze briefly swept over Katniss before turning to Bella. He spoke softly, "You looked too tired. I didn't want to wake you."
Having spent the morning calming herself, Katniss kept a neutral expression. "Then Miss Astor should eat more."
Michael raised an eyebrow as he looked at Katniss, his gaze subtle but impossible for her to ignore.
Tristan's concern made Bella blush, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, looking like a girl head over heels. "Got it! But after eating, I need to catch up on sleep. You were quite the handful last night."
As the waiter served the food, Tristan got up to pour water, making Bella lift her head from his shoulder. She didn't mind, though, and started eating heartily with Michael's help.
Tristan ate slowly, occasionally serving Bella dishes she couldn't reach, including a plate of broccoli in front of Katniss.
Katniss lost her appetite, stood up, and moved the broccoli to Bella. Smiling faintly, she said, "I'm sorry, I'm not really hungry. I'll head back to my room. Call me if you need anything."
Bella looked surprised. "You haven't eaten a bite. Aren't you hungry?"
"Not really. I ate a lot this morning." Katniss saw Tristan eating nonchalantly, her heart sinking further. She turned and left.
Katniss hurried into the elevator, just as the doors slowly closed. She could faintly hear Tristan urging Bella affectionately, "Hurry up and eat. It'll get cold soon. Once you're full, go back to sleep."
Alone in the elevator, she leaned against the cold wall, exhaling deeply, her eyes downcast. They were really going to part ways.
She could deceive herself into accepting that he had Bella in his heart, but she couldn't accept that he had slept with Bella.
Katniss had already planned in her mind that once the team-building event was over, she would resign.
Maybe she wouldn't even need to say it; Tristan might ask her to leave first.
The elevator doors opened, and Nicholas appeared, looking tired. "Katniss, have you eaten?"
Katniss tried to smile but couldn't. "Mr. Kennedy, I've eaten. You should hurry; Mr. Forbes and the others are downstairs."
"Why do you look so pale?" Nicholas scrutinized her. "Did we make too much noise playing games last night and disturb you?"
Katniss stared blankly at Nicholas. "Playing games?"
Nicholas said, "Yeah, we were up all night playing cards in Tristan's room. The loser had to take a punishment. It got pretty loud. The soundproofing here isn't great, so I guess you didn't sleep well?"
Thinking about the suggestive words Tristan had deliberately said in the restaurant earlier that morning, Katniss suddenly laughed, all her heaviness and tension dissipating. "No, I slept very well."
Nicholas leaned in and whispered, "Is Tristan falling for you? He was totally indifferent to Bella last night. She kept saying she was tired, but he just ignored her. She had to go to bed alone. Was he doing it on purpose? Or did you tell him to?"
Katniss shook her head sincerely and replied, "Mr. Kennedy, you're overthinking it. I don't have that kind of pull or influence."
Nicholas found it uninteresting and sneered, "Tristan isn't that charming, huh? You don't even seem upset. Beautiful women really do have the coldest hearts."
He stepped into the elevator, genuinely sizing up Katniss.
Without looking back, Katniss walked away. She seemed to be masking her emotions well, as Nicholas didn't detect her sadness and even thought she was cold-hearted.
Knowing that nothing had happened last night, she felt a wave of exhaustion upon returning to her room. She washed her face, changed into her pajamas, and quickly fell asleep.
At the hotel front desk, Tristan strolled over leisurely with one hand in his pocket. He saw a young guy in his early twenties, wearing a denim jacket and shorts, totally engrossed in a game. Tristan frowned and knocked on the desk.
"Get me the key card for room 8809."
The young guy, without looking up, said, "Sure, did you forget to take it out? Please show me your driver's license."
"I don't have my driver's license with me," Tristan replied.
The young guy put down his phone, checked the computer, and looked up at him. "Sir, you're not a guest in room 8809."
The records showed that room 8809 was occupied by a woman.
"I'm the CEO of Synergy Global Corporation. I brought my employees here for a team-building event. I booked the entire place," Tristan implied that he had the right to access any room.
The young guy suddenly remembered his family's instructions to take good care of Tristan. He quickly opened a drawer, found the key card for room 8809, and handed it over. "Here you go!"
Tristan took the key card and left. The young guy resumed his game, but after a few moments, something clicked. "Synergy Global Corporation? Tristan? Then his assistant must be Katniss!"
He immediately tossed his phone aside, quickly searched the guest records on the computer, and found the information for room 8809. It was indeed Katniss!
George couldn't believe that he had been called to help at the resort and ended up meeting his blind date, Katniss!
The key point was that Tristan was her boss. Why did he need her room key? His sharp eyes gleamed with unusual insight.
In the room, Katniss was sleeping soundly when she felt a weight on her body. Tristan's warm lips trailed from the corner of her eye down to her lips. The familiar sensation woke her. She instinctively wanted to say something, but Tristan took the opportunity to kiss her deeply.
Her brows furrowed, and she opened her sleepy eyes slightly, trying to speak, but he continued until she was breathless.
"Mr. Forbes, aren't you afraid Miss Astor will find out? They're all on this floor!"
Tristan's eyes gleamed mischievously as he spoke in a low, smooth, and husky voice, "They're all napping. After all, last night was exhausting. You don't look well. Didn't sleep well last night?"
Katniss's eyes sparkled with amusement as she raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes, I have trouble sleeping in new places."
Tristan's eyes darkened, and his slightly rough fingers gently traced her brows. "You're still being stubborn."
He was mocking her for lying, but Katniss found it amusing. "Mr. Forbes, what are you expecting? Do you want to see me get jealous and fall for you?"
Tristan's body stiffened, but he quickly regained his composure. A thin layer of anger clouded his eyes, though it was unclear if it was directed at her or himself. He bent down and lightly bit her chest as a form of punishment. "No, this is just fine."
Katniss chuckled softly, her voice becoming more tender with his actions. "Mr. Forbes, aren't you tired?"
"Even if I'm exhausted, I have to satisfy you." Tristan pulled back the thin blanket separating them, his heated body pressing against hers. Katniss felt Tristan lying beside her, his urgency evident, and he said no more.
But Katniss wasn't going to let him off that easily. As he became more engrossed, his breathing heavier, she whispered in his ear, "Next time you play cards, remember to include me. I can play too!"
Tristan's body froze. He lifted his head from her neck, his expression a mix of embarrassment and anger. He gritted his teeth, glaring at her mischievous smile, thoroughly enraged.
"Katniss!"
Katniss regretted it. Although she was delighted to see Tristan embarrassed, the cost was too high.
His torment became more intense, and he reminded her, "Bella is right next door. If you're not afraid she'll hear, go ahead and make noise."
She enjoyed it but was also cautious, which only made her more irresistible to Tristan.