"Tristan, I miss you so much. Do you miss me?" Bella put her hands on Tristan's shoulders, looking all emotional.
Their closeness now was way more intense than when Katniss and Tristan were just standing together earlier. They actually looked like they belonged together.
Katniss's outfit was totally different from Bella's, and her status didn't let her act all cute and flirty in public like this.
"Yeah." Tristan glanced at Katniss, who was standing not too far away. His lips barely moved as he spoke.
Bella's eyes filled with tears, feeling all hurt. "Tristan, I'll make it up to you this time," she said.
"It's getting late, let's head back." Tristan's eyes shifted to Katniss. Her usual calm expression was off, but he couldn't figure out why. He frowned a bit.
Katniss seemed to sense Tristan's gaze and put on a professional smile.
"Mr. Forbes, Miss Astor, please."
Tristan said, "Let's go," and started walking. Katniss followed closely with her suitcase, matching his long strides.
Being his assistant for years, she was used to it, but Bella had to jog in her high heels to keep up.
"Are you Tristan's assistant?" Bella asked, slightly out of breath.
Katniss nodded, "Yeah."
"Let's be friends. I'll add you on Facebook later." Bella smiled.
Katniss looked at her, surprised, not sure why Bella wanted to add her on Facebook.
But she had to stop and take out her phone to add her.
Bella wanted to say more, but Katniss reminded her, "Miss Astor, don't keep Mr. Forbes waiting. Let's go."
"Okay." Bella jogged forward again.
On the highway at night, Katniss was driving, with Tristan and Bella in the back.
She tried to focus on the road, but the whispers from the backseat were distracting.
Katniss would sneak a glance at them now and then.
Tristan looked pretty pleased, his long eyes slightly lowered, fingers interlaced on his crossed legs.
Bella was leaning towards him, almost snuggling into his arms, but the cup holder between them stopped her.
Suddenly, Tristan's deep gaze shifted to the mirror. Katniss quickly looked back at the road, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
She asked, "Mr. Forbes, we're almost at the Astor family villa. Should I stop at the gate or drive in?"
"Tristan, why are you taking me home?" Bella seemed to just realize they were near her place and protested, "I don't want to go home."
"It's been years since you came back. You should spend some time with your family first." Tristan said, then looked at Katniss, "Stop at the gate."
Bella pouted but said nothing.
When the car stopped, Katniss opened the back door to remind them to get out.
She went to the trunk to get Bella's luggage, only to see Michael Astor, dressed in a tracksuit, walking over with a smile.
Michael was two years older than Tristan and ran the whole Astor family. Like Tristan, he was a big deal in Velvet City.
But everyone knew that messing with Michael was a bad idea.
He always spoiled his little sister Bella. She was the favorite in the Astor family.
Katniss smiled and greeted him, "Mr. Astor."
Michael nodded at her, then pulled Bella into a tight hug. "Six years away, and you come back looking all mopey. Don't you wanna be home?"
Bella was still pouting 'cause Tristan had dropped her off without discussing it with her first..
She came back this time just to make things right with Tristan.
"Cheer up. I asked Tristan to bring you home first. Mom and Dad have been waiting for you for hours," Michael scolded. "You'll have plenty of time to see Tristan later."
Bella pushed Michael away, gave him a reluctant glance, then turned to smile at Tristan. "I'm heading home first. Tomorrow morning, I'll go visit Grandma Forbes at The Forbes Mansion, okay?"
Tristan's face was unreadable as he leaned against the car, nodding.
"Okay."
Only then did Bella, satisfied, take Michael's hand and wave at Tristan.
Katniss turned to open the car door, waited for Tristan to get in, then closed the door. She turned to Michael and Bella, saying, "Mr. Astor, Miss Astor, goodbye."
She then walked around the car, got into the driver's seat, buckled up, and started the engine to leave.
They headed back to Synergy Global Corporation where Tristan had an international conference to attend. Around two in the morning, Katniss waited at her desk for the meeting to wrap up.
Suddenly, Tristan's clear and pleasant voice came through the intercom. "Come in." With three years of working together, Tristan didn't have to worry about whether she was still there.
Katniss picked up the divorce papers and had just walked into the office when a strong arm pulled her into an embrace.
She was met with a flurry of kisses and a pair of restless hands.
Katniss was stunned for a few seconds, then leaned back to dodge his lips. Tristan, unsatisfied, licked her earlobe.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice husky.
Katniss pushed him away and handed him the divorce papers. "Mr. Forbes, these are the divorce papers you confirmed this morning. Please sign them."
Tristan raised an eyebrow and looked at her deeply, then tossed the papers on the desk. "You're acting really weird today."
Katniss couldn't figure out what he meant by weird and didn't want to dwell on it, so she forced a smile to change the subject.
"Mr. Forbes, it's super late. Let me take you home to rest. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning to go to the Forbes Mansion."
Tristan glanced at the lounge and said, "It's too late. Let's crash here tonight."
Katniss was stunned. She had never stayed in the lounge for more than three hours. Every time, she would leave right after they were done.
This was the first time Tristan had asked her to stay overnight.
"Mr. Forbes, this is not proper, and besides..." Katniss smiled bitterly.
Bella had already come back.
Before she could finish, Tristan interrupted, "Katniss, are you refusing me?"
Katniss frowned. Didn't she have the right to refuse?
Since he had physical needs, why didn't he keep Bella today, especially since she had clearly indicated that she was willing to be available whenever he needed her?
But these thoughts weren't for Katniss to voice, so she just swallowed her doubts.
"Mr. Forbes, I have things to do at home." She politely but firmly refused.
"Then take me back to Serenity Estate. Bring the divorce papers and pick me up tomorrow morning to go to the Forbes Mansion."
He suddenly lowered his head to her shoulder, his voice coming from her neck, his breath hot on her collarbone, making it itch. But the next second, he stood up straight, grabbed his suit jacket, and left.