Chapter 74

POV - (Point of View) Aurora Navarro

Klaus and Frederick must have had about five drinks by now. The new couple is dancing enthusiastically on the dance floor. I stayed at the bar, savoring my drink without haste.

"Aurora!”

I turned my head and saw my boss, with a radiant smile.

"Luna!" I hugged her. "Congratulations, the show is a success!"

"Not just the show, you're becoming quite famous too."

"Me?"

"Come, there are some people who want to meet you." She took my hand and pulled me into a group of people.

I got nervous as some of them bombarded me with questions. I tried to be friendly and answer everyone. I also tried to be funny, which worked quite well. Luna discreetly gave a thumbs up, indicating that I was doing well.

I spent a while talking to those people I barely knew. When I realized, Luna wasn't in the group anymore. I excused myself and stepped away. I was heading back to the bar, but on my way, I found my boss in a corner, talking on the phone.

"I don't care about age or gender. I just want to be a mother..." She was emotionally engaged in the conversation. I didn't hear the response from the person on the other end of the line, but whatever they said made Luna smile widely. "A boy? Yes... definitely... I'm on my way. Is that what I heard?"

She jumped when she noticed me there and then laughed at herself while wiping away some tears.

"They want me to meet a boy tomorrow."

"That's great, Luna!" I smiled and held her hand, sharing in the joy of her friend's recovery.

"Oh my God, I still have to talk to Alex..."

"Then go. You've done your part today. If you need, the staff will handle things."

Luna thanked me and rushed off without hesitation. I looked for Seraphina and informed her about what had happened. She understood and returned to her post to ensure that everything ended perfectly. As for me, I returned to the bar. I had nothing else to do there, but I also didn't want to go home.

I picked up my phone. No missed calls.

"Would you like a drink?"

I lifted my head and was met with Magnus's wide and seductive smile.

"Aren't you supposed to be in China?" I questioned.

"I came back to New York to take care of some unfinished business."

"And does this business involve a fashion show?"

He laughed and settled onto the high stool next to me.

"That's not my area. I came because of some friends. So, would you like a drink?" He asked again.

"Why not?"

I can hear Tristan's voice in my mind, calling me stubborn. I'm aware of the things Magnus said about me. I shouldn't be talking to him, but I want to see where this will lead. I want to understand why he's been a gentleman in front of me and a snake behind my back.

"So, does that mean you're still going strong with Tristan?" Magnus asked.

"Is it so hard to believe?"

"Kind of. I still don't know how you managed to tie him down."

"Everyone asks me that." I state a fact and take a small sip of my drink.

"And where is he? Here?"

"No, he couldn't make it."

"That's a shame." He sighed, somewhat disappointed. That put me on alert.

Is he gay?

I need to consider that possibility. I didn't do that with Frederick, and look how that turned out.

"I need to use the restroom."

I head to the women's restroom. I grab my phone from my bag and call another man, one I know is straight.

"Can you come pick me up?"

"Do you know what time it is?" Josh's voice sounds sleepy.

"I do. That's exactly why I'm calling you. There are no taxis at this hour."

"And what do I get out of it?"

"A very grateful friend." I say with fake enthusiasm.

"Just that?"

"So, you'd prefer a super annoyed friend?"

"Send me the address."

I end the call and send the address via message. I return to the bar. Magnus seemed to be in perfect posture when he saw me coming back.

"Would you like another drink?"

"Actually, I'm on my way out."

"Are you leaving alone?"

"No, a friend is coming to pick me up." Once again, he seemed disappointed.

"If you want, I can take you..."

"No need. My friend is already on their way."

"Alright then." He stood up, held my hand, and kissed it. "It was really nice to see you again."

"Likewise."

This guy doesn't fool me. He wants Tristan!

I said goodbye to some friends. I didn't talk to Klaus or Frederick. They were busy on the dance floor, and I didn't want to interrupt. I went outside to wait for Josh.

It's late at night, and still no sign of Tristan. I can't resist and call him again.

"Damn voicemail!" Part of me wants to throw my phone into the trees across the street. "You arrogant masochistic bastard! If you think you're getting away with disappearing for days and ignoring all my calls, you're dead wrong!" I vent in the voicemail. "No one knows where you are... and I... I'm worried..." I confess. I shake my head from side to side, and my irritation returns. "Ugh! You know what? Screw you, you ungrateful arrogant jerk."

I'm furious. Emotional. And very irritated.

***

POV - (Point of View) Tristan Callahan

"Mr. Callahan?"

I shift my attention from the drink in my hand to look at the two women standing in front of my table.

"Why is our best customer so alone?" the pink-haired woman asks, sitting down beside me. "How about a private dance? Like old times." She suggests, her mouth close to my ear, whispering in a seductive voice.

"I'll pass."

"You don't need to pay anything. You have privileges here."

"Or if you're looking for something new, we have newcomers around." Now it's the brunette's turn to insist. "I think that's what you need. Something fresh! Must be boring to stick to that girlfriend of yours."

"Ladies, come here!" The pink-haired woman calls over a group of girls who were nearby. "So, what do you think of them?"

"I'm not interested."

"But... you didn't even look at them."

And I don't need to. None of them is my girl.

What is she doing right now? Is she with Josh?

I down my drink, trying to erase the image of the two of them together from my mind. I didn't see them kissing, but I can imagine how the scene went, and it haunts me all night.

Aurora said it was nothing, but what guarantees that she didn't enjoy it? That she didn't miss the time when they used to fool around?

I cringe at the memory that he was her first kiss, her second, her third...

I came to the club precisely to stop thinking about this. I don't want to even think about Aurora, because that will lead me to think about him. But I should have known that I can't do that. Everything reminds me of her. If not, she just appears in my thoughts.

I need another drink.

***

I woke up in a hotel room. I didn't want to go home, not yet. Aurora must be there, and if I see her, I'll think of the scene with the miserable American kissing her. I might lose my composure, and I don't want to do that again, not in front of her.

In the late afternoon, I decided to pack up my things. I paid for my stay and left the hotel. I drove until I found a restaurant. I barely ate anything all day. A woman at the table in front of me kept trying to get my attention with her cleavage. The worst part was that she wasn't alone. There was a guy next to her with the dumbest expression, so engrossed by her beauty that he didn't realize that she was actually flirting with me. They kissed each other from time to time, and even then, she didn't take her eyes off me.

I feel sorry for this guy. He's so enchanted by this woman that he didn't even notice her true intentions.

Aurora is not like that. She wouldn't flirt with other guys with me by her side, even if we were far apart. I know that. I know the girl I live with...

What was I thinking? She wouldn't cheat on me, not even with Josh.

I need to see her, right now. I need to kiss her to remind myself that it's not Josh or any other guy in the world who has that privilege. Only me.

I get into the car and drive home. It's already night when I park the vehicle haphazardly on the sidewalk.

"Aurora?" I call out when I enter the mansion.

I search the whole house. She's not here, but I know she was here earlier because she left a bunch of makeup products on the bathroom sink. I have no idea where she could be.

My phone is full of missed calls and unread messages. I ignore it all and call Aurora.

Goes to voicemail.

***

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. It takes me a moment to understand what's happening. I pick up the device and answer without even looking at who's calling.

"Hello?"

"Tristan?"

"Xavier, if you're going to talk about work..."

"It's not that. I just called to check if Aurora is okay." He sounds concerned, which confuses me.

"Why do you want to know about her?"

"She might not be my favorite person in the world, but I have a heart! I got worried when Seraphina told me about the accident..."

"What accident?"

"The one yesterday. Wasn't she one of the victims in that motorcycle accident?"