Chapter 26 26
|| Author Pov ||
“Wait here. I’ll tell my secretary to bring you some clothes.” Tristian said
Alice sat quietly. Her dress was a mess from their earlier heated session. There was no way she could go out in it.
“It’s all your fault.” she muttered, half in blame, half in exasperation.
Tristian pressed his lips to her forehead. “It is. That’s why I’m sorry. Though, I know you loved it too.” he added with a teasing smirk.
Alice turned her eyes away with a pout and Tristian couldn’t help but admire her. Her hair was tousled and cheeks still flushed.
Tristian let out a chuckle and dialed a number, giving instructions to his secretary to bring new clothes for Alice.
Then he settled into a chair and gently placed Alice on his lap. Alice looked into his eyes before leaning against his chest, seeking comfort.
“Are we doing it right?” she mumbled in a soft uncertain voice.
Tristian’s hand caressed her cheek while his chin rested lightly on her head. “We are. Nick doesn’t deserve you. I’ll make sure no one comes between us. Trust me, you don’t have to be scared of anything.”
Alice looked up at him with a searching gaze. Tristian’s voice dropped, “How does it make you feel, thinking your husband might be sleeping with another woman, cheating, mistreating you?”
Alice’s fingers curled into the fabric of his coat. “Bad. So bad.” she whispered in a despaired voice.
She hesitated, then added in a small fierce tone, “I feel like punching him in the nose.”
Tristian chuckled warmly. “That’s my girl.”
His girl.
The nickname sent a thrill racing through Alice’s chest.
She pulled back a fraction with eyes clouded with doubt. “But aren’t we doing the same?”
Tristian tightened his hold “No. It’s different. He’ll get what’s coming, call it karma.”
Alice blinked. Her heart warmed at his assurance. She always dreamt of care, softness. Someone who'll support her in any situation, someone who'll stand beside her. Tristian felt like a bless now and she didn't want to think if whatever they were doing was right or wrong.
To Alice, he feels like her comfort-zone.
\------
Meanwhile, Nick sat in his office–in the very same building where his wife and brother was together. His cabin was directly below Tristian’s office.
He flipped through documents with a tightened jaw and frustration bubbled over. “That bastard!” he cursed under his breath.
Without another thought, Nick stood up and stormed out, taking the elevator straight to Tristian’s floor. He marched down the hallway and knocked sharply on the office door.
Inside, Alice and Tristian were mid-conversation when the sound echoed through the room. Both froze, eyes snapping to the doorway. From the glass wall, they saw Nick standing there with a stormy expression.
Alice’s breath stuck in her throat and eyes widened in shock. She turned her head at Tristian.
Tristian smirked but Alice froze. “Wait–what do we do?” she gasped.
Tristian’s expression darkened. “Let him see.” he said, rising from his seat. Alice's show touched the floor. She blinked as Tristian turned toward the door.
Alice hurried after him. “Wait, no! Everything will be ruined. I don’t want anyone to know!”
But Tristian didn’t listen. He wanted Nick to see. He had the courage because he was the head of everyone and feared no one. Calmly, he unlocked the door he had secured earlier, revealing Nick in the doorway.
“Who rejected the deal?” Nick spat as soon as the door opened and narrowed his eyes at his elder brother.
Tristian turned his head back while straightening his collar but he raised an eyebrow at the empty desk. Alice was nowhere to be seen.
His eyes scanned the space but she wasn’t there.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Why would you cancel my deal?!” Nick barked, waving the documents angrily.
Tristian turned sharply and stared at his brother with an icy gaze. “Lower your voice.”
Nick tightened his grip on the papers. “You want me to stay quiet? I lost an important deal!”
“You were absent for a few days. Clients were restless and started coming to me.” Tristian said casually with hands tucked into his pockets. “I didn’t interfere in your affairs, so I let them handle it themselves. They simply canceled it.”
Nick gritted his teeth. “You could’ve handled it yourself–”
“Why would I?” Tristian shot back. His gaze turned razor-sharp and full of menace.
“Such a fucking bastard!” Nick spat angrily, then stormed out of there.
Tristian scoffed mockingly and turned back to the room, strolling toward the desk. His eyes fell and he froze for a beat.
Alice was crouched behind the desk with one hand clapped over her mouth. Hiding. Tristian’s face softened into an amused smirk as he bent and picked her up into his arms.
“That was a cute move, angel.” he teased.
Alice’s eyes darted to the doorway. “You didn’t listen to me! What if he saw us? What if Mother finds out?” she hissed.
He chuckled at her while she glared at him “I’m not scared, Alice.”
“But I am!” she huffed.
“That’s cute.” he smiled.
\------
By evening, Alice and Tristian entered the mansion as if nothing had happened. Martha was sitting on the couch, calmly sipping her evening tea.
Martha raised an eyebrow and spotted them “Oh my, Alice, I thought you’d come back with Nick.”
Alice walked ahead of Tristian, keeping her expression neutral.
“Nick was busy, Mother.” Tristian said from behind her. “Didn’t even get to see his wife, so I told Alice to stay in my office.”
“Oh.” Martha nodded.
Alice stepped to leave but Martha’s voice halted her “Wait, Alice.” she said, pausing a bit. “Were you wearing this dress when you left? I thought I saw a pastel-colored outfit.”
Alice’s throat went dry.
Tristian let out a soft sigh. “She spilled coffee on her dress, so I had another one sent.” he explained with lies before heading upstairs.
Martha nodded with satisfaction. Alice felt a wave of relief as if she’d gotten her life back.
Martha smiled at her and Alice returned a nervous smile before quietly walking upstairs.
She couldn’t let anyone doubt them.