"Tita, where are Jacob and the others?" asked Tristan to the beautiful woman sitting enjoying the lemon tea in her hands.
As usual, every weekend is a definite schedule for Tristan and his friends to gather. If last week they spent time with dinner together followed by bowling, then tonight, all of them chose Heist Bank in Paddington, West London, to get together and play billiards.It looks like Jacob and Nicholas brought their respective partners. Whether this time Edward brought a date or not because when he arrived, Tristan only saw the existence of Tita and Claire, who were having a serious conversation."Jacob and Nicholas are inside. They are playing billiards," said Tita after sipping her lemon tea."Is Edward in there too?"Tita then shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe it'll be here soon. You know best of all, Edward is always late."Tristan chuckled softly. What Tita said is true. From the first, for some reason, Edward was very happy to come last. Nicholas even had countless protests against the Scottish-blooded man."Don't ever trust Edward if you don't want to be disappointed," Nicholas snorted. His face seemed to be filled with anger."So what?" Jacob inquired curiously. "Every time he was invited to meet and asked where he was, that damn boy would always say he was on the way. In fact, he was still lying in bed. Really, Edward was the only friend he couldn't keep his word to."Even now, it's hard to believe that Edward can come on time. Almost never was the man on time. Whenever planning a meeting, Nicholas always came 30 minutes after the appointed time so as not to wait too long for Edward."Tristan, did you come alone? Why don't you bring Aurora?" Jacob scolded when he saw the presence of Tristan, who had just entered the billiards room."I'm sure this time we'll be home late at night. I don't like bringing women ---""Home too late?" Jacob cut in as if he knew what Tristan was going to say. "Honestly, You're a good Man, Tristan. I'm sure whoever becomes your partner in the future, he will be happy. You really value women.""It can't be helped, that's what my late mother taught me."However, no matter what, there wasn't a single one who liked to play with women among the four. All of them are taught to respect and maintain the honor of women. Even though Edward was a jerk, he would never dare bring his date to have sex or sleep together before having a formal bond."You must have been waiting for me," joked Edward, who had just arrived at the meeting location. A sweet smile tugged at the man's pink lips. There was no hint of sin or regret for making his friends wait so long."Just so you know ..." said Nicholas, aiming for the ball on the pool table. "I didn't even consider your presence tonight."Edward laughed. The man hastily approached Nicholas and then hugged him from behind awkwardly. He was like this when he was seducing his best friend."Oh my gosh, honey. Don't be so angry. You make me love you even more.""Stop Edward!" cried Nicholas. His face looked disgusted. "You tickle me.""It can't be helped, I do love you Nicholas Alistair. If you don't marry Claire Roland, I'm ready to take her place."Nicholas hissed. He was forcing his best friend to unlink his hands from his body. It was amused to be treated in such a way by Edward."One more time you dare to hug me, I will break your neck!" the threat is no joke.Everyone immediately laughed. Edward even raised his hands to signal that he was giving in to Nicholas's threats."Are you alone tonight?" asked Tristan, deliberately changing the subject."No, I'm with Sophia. She's up front with Tita and Claire."Tristan nodded. Then approached Jacob and Nicholas to join in starting a game of billiards. They all played for almost an hour. At the same time, the women were busy talking in the cafe while eating the snacks available."About your proposal to Sophia, have you told your parents about this important matter?" asked Jacob in between their play."Not yet," Edward replied, focusing on playing. "The plan is to tell them after I'm done proposing to Sophia.""And you're sure Sophia will accept you? Are you a land crocodile Edward Oliviera or if I can call a land dinosaur, maybe you belong to their species," Nicholas sneered unmitigated."If I were Sophia, I would reject you outright. What would my marriage be like if I had to pair up with a bad boy like you.""Luckily, Sophia isn't you. So I'm sure she won't turn me down," Edward mocked, sticking out his tongue. He was happy to reply to his friend's words."But Nicholas was right, Ed. Are you sure about Sophia's feelings?" It was Jacob's turn to be skeptical. "Besides, it's not that you two just met. I'm not sure that woman would take you for granted. Except, Sophia is a worldly woman who likes men because of her popularity and wealth.""Relax," Edward interrupted. "I'm sure Sophia isn't the kind of woman you're accusing her of. In this one month, I'll be intensely approaching her."Jacob's brow furrowed deeply. The man's eyes immediately narrowed with curiosity at the plan his best friend was working on. "Close to what do you mean?""The day after tomorrow, and in the days that follow, I will often ask her out. Give her lots of gifts or maybe surprises. I'm sure, with the intensity of our meeting, Sophia's heart will eventually melt."While the others were busy discussing in silence, Tristan listened intently. Digest all the plans Edward outlined and then thought, what should he do to distract Sophia's attention to focus on her."I'm thirsty," Edward complained. "Let's finish this game. Besides, sorry for the ladies upfront. They must be tired of waiting too long.""Yes," said Jacob. "I'm also sure Tita will nag after this."They all agreed to stop the game. Then followed the women who were waiting at the cafe in front. Tristan could see how Sophia looked that night in her casual clothes. As soon as they turned around, the two of them accidentally stared at each other.Sophia, even without awkwardly smiling, then reprimanded. "Tristan, you're here too.""Of course, honey."Instead of Tristan, it was Edward who answered. The man approached and took a seat right next to Sophia. "We're all friends. So, wherever you go, you're always together."Tristan nodded in agreement with Edward's words. Pulling a chair, the man sat down at one table, even opposite Sophia."Have you fine, Sophia?""I'm very good," the woman replied with a meaningful smile. "You came alone?"Tristan nodded. "Yeah, myself. Besides, I don't like taking women away until late.""Tristan is an old-fashioned man." Edward joined in. "I've even introduced many beautiful and sexy women. But none of them caught his attention.""Don't poison Tristan to act like you, Edward Oliviera. Tristan is a gentleman. He is typical of loyal men like Jacob and me," Nicholas said sarcastically."So you think I'm not a loyal man?"Nicholas shrugged his shoulders. Lazy to answer the question that Edward gave. When everyone was deep in conversation, suddenly Edward's cell phone rang. An emergency call forced him to leave immediately."Everyone, I have to say goodbye now. My father just had an accident. Currently, he is being treated by a team of doctors in one of the hospitals."Everyone was shocked. Especially Tristan. A look of worry immediately appeared on his face. The thought of the fatal accident that his father had experienced made Tristan instantly haunted by fear. Of course, he didn't want that sad incident to happen again, especially to his own best friend."Ed, I'm taking you to the hospital right now. You can't drive your car in this frenzy," Tristan offered. He was ready to get up."No." Edward shook his head. "You stay here. I ask that you take Sophia to her house. After confirming Papa's condition, I promise I will call all of you.""You have to let us know about Uncle Alexander's progress. And when that's possible, we'll all follow you straight to the hospital."Edward nodded without saying a word. After getting up, the man immediately ran to the car. Leaving all his friends who looked shocked by Edward's news had just conveyed.***Tristan had just arrived at his residence at exactly one o'clock. After neatly parking the sports car, he casually stepped into the house. As soon as he was about to climb the stairs to the second floor, Tristan's sense of hearing faintly caught a familiar voice. Like a cry that didn't know where it came from.Filled with deep curiosity, slowly but Tristan must have sharpened his hearing. Trying to find out where the voice came from. Until that belief emerged, the reading room was Tristan's destination to visit.And finally, what he was looking for was caught by his blue eyes, with a slightly worried tone of voice. He could see with his eyes where Aurora was. The woman was sitting on the floor with the position of bending both legs while crying."What's going on? Why are you crying here?"Tristan walked over. Approaching and then squatting right in front of the woman. Noticing Tristan's arrival, Aurora looked up. Without saying much, the woman immediately rushed into a hug. Burying his head on Tristan's chest, he sobbed."Aurora..." Tristan called once again while gently stroking the woman's brown hair. "What's the matter? Why are you crying like this?" he asked, confused.This was the first time Tristan had seen the beautiful woman cry in all their years together. "I-I miss the late Mama. For some reason, I've been thinking about her since yesterday. I---""Shhhhhhh..." Tristan hissed softly and then tightened his arms around Aurora's body. "I know how you feel. I often feel the same way when I miss my late Papa and Mama. There's nothing I can do right now but pray for them.""I feel so lonely. There's no place for me to talk anymore. Now ---""Gosh, Aurora," Tristan interrupted again in a slightly raised voice. The man stretched his arms. Pulling Aurora's chin, he asked her to look deeply into his eyes. "Do you not consider my existence? You can tell me all the problems of your life without exception. I am ready to listen to whatever it is."Aurora didn't answer anymore. Her face was lowered again as if he did not want to show her sadness to Tristan. Annoyed by Aurora's behavior, Tristan grabbed the woman's body again. He carried her without permission and then took Aurora to her room and sat her right on the bed."No need to be sad anymore. You can tell me anytime if you have something to tell me," Tristan ordered. The man's hand reached out to wipe the tears down Aurora's cheeks. "Thank you," Aurora squeaked."Now go to sleep. It's late." Aurora nodded. Follow the orders given. However, before Tristan had time to leave, she grabbed the man's wrist again so he wouldn't leave."What else?" asked Tristan gently. "About our marriage," Aurora muttered. The woman paused for a moment, which made Tristan confused."What about our wedding?""W-will it still goes according to plan?"With a sigh, Aurora confirmed this one. It was important for him to know whether Tristan would stick with what they had planned long ago or, on the contrary, cancel halfway."Of course, Aurora. I made a promise to Uncle as well as to you. You know that I never break a promise, right?"Aurora nodded. "I know that. But the thing is, Papa said you were currently approaching Sophia Walters. I was just worried that ---"Tristan immediately put his index finger on Aurora's lips. I asked the woman to stop blabbering, let alone think anything wrong. "What you're worried about will never happen. Didn't I swear to marry you?""But what matters is whether you marry me out of necessity or do you love me, Tristan." "There's no need for love if the goal is just to get married."The words that came out in a cold voice made Aurora gasp slightly. All of his muscles turned stiff to the point where he couldn't move. Aurora gulped. Suddenly his memory drifted to their first meeting. Aurora still clearly remembers how Tristan used to be so depressed. Fall. He has no one, and he was the one who reached out. Hugging and even wiping every tear that welled up—always reassuring Tristan that the man was never alone in this world.All of Aurora's feelings were devoted to Tristan alone. In his heart even promised his love he would not give except to Tristan. So now? The man calls love unnecessary in their later marriage. Should he be happy hearing this?"If you care about love, those feelings might grow over time. You need to know, and I married you not because I had to," repeated Tristan.Aurora's heart seemed to be squeezed when she heard those words. He swallowed back the words of protest that wanted to leave his lips. Chose silence while looking at Tristan's face with teary eyes."It's up to you whether you want to love me or not. To be sure, I don't want to lose you." Tristan then embraced Aurora's body. He hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. Let him cry again in his arms."I won't leave you, Aurora. I made a promise to you and won't break it.Early in the morning, Tristan seemed to be walking in a hurry when he entered St. Hospital. Thomas' Hospital is located on Westminster Bridge Rd, London. After receiving news that Edward's father had been transferred to the treatment room, he immediately rushed off to visit. All night Tristan even had trouble sleeping just thinking about the condition of his best friend's father. Not too much. However, Tristan didn't want anything wrong to happen to Alexander Edgar Oliviera. He did not wish Edward to feel the same fate as he had felt before. It was enough that he had to lose a father figure due to a tragic accident. "Edward ..." scolded Tristan as he stood right in front of the VIP room door. Since this morning, his best friend's father has moved to the VIP treatment room. "Come in," Edward said, waving his hand. There was already Jacob, Nicholas, and even Sophia in the room. They had all come first to visit. "How is Uncle Alex doing?" whispered Tristan carefully. He was afraid th
Tristan had just finished a meeting with one of the clients until the afternoon. When he was about to return to the room, he accidentally ran into Aurora, who was about to get ready to go home. "Aurora, is your work done?" Hearing her name being called, Aurora immediately turned her head. Smiling, the woman answered kindly. "It's done. That's why I'm getting ready to go home." Tristan nodded in understanding. He raised his hand in the air, signaling Aurora not to go anywhere. "Then you wait here a moment. Let me get my briefcase first, and then we'll go home together this afternoon." Aurora didn't refuse. The woman just agreed to Tristan's invitation. She is even happy that she can commute together every day like most couples. Think of it as training before becoming a real wife. "Come on, let's go to the car," said Tristan after returning with the briefcase she had taken earlier. Before Tristan's car left the VIP parking area, the man's cell phone rang. It looks like a call from
"How about Fabio, have you got what I asked for?" The voice sounded calm but still filled with an air of heart-pounding decisiveness. It makes the air in the room tense up. Raphael seemed to be leaning his elbows on the desk. The man's gaze was straight and sharp toward another man standing tall in front of him. Waiting eagerly, what critical report he could get today. "I have summarized what you asked for in one document, sir. Please read and examine it first." Fabio quickly moved to take a step forward, then handed Raphael a brown folder. Please do not ask, how difficult it was for him to collect all these documents to satisfy the Master. "Then what about Alfonso Walters? Have you got one too?" Once again asked as he reached for the document given to him by his confidant. "Yes, sir," he said quickly. "I have attached everything in a folder that you are currently holding." Raphael nodded with a smile. Slowly began to direct his eyes to read the sheet Fabio had just given him.
"Finally ... Uncle Alex's condition can return to normal," said Tristan, exclaiming happily when visiting Edward's father in the hospital.After hearing the news that today Alexander Edgar Olieviera would be returning home, Tristan rushed to the hospital during lunchtime. Together with Jacob and Nicholas, the three deliberately brought unique gifts for the man they considered their parents to enjoy.Tristan looked pleased. As soon as he got to the hospital, he could see how Alex could sit comfortably. Even move freely like healthy people in general. The worry that had been descending yesterday has now been replaced with immeasurable gratitude. As happy as that, Tristan saw Edward's father's health gradually improve."Uncle can be healthy again as he is now thanks to all of your prayers. Thank you again for your prayers, support, and even your daily visits. Edward is lucky to have a friend who loves him so much," said Alex sincerely. His sad eyes seemed to glaze over with emotion and p
Tristan took off the black shirt that wrapped his body and threw it in any direction. The man's chest seemed to rise and fall as if he was holding back all emotions. Lifting his face, Tristan's eyes soon closed. His mind wandered again, remembering the embarrassing incident he had spent with Sophia a few hours ago. "Sophia, will you be my real lover?" Sophia didn't flinch for long as the soft voice greeted her ears. Her small lips instantly curled into a charming smile. The dim light from the room lamp shone directly above his head. Makes her loose hair look very shiny. Sophia's beauty tonight shines through. Although it was very hard to admit, deep in Tristan's heart, he was amazed when he saw Sophia, who looked fantastic tonight. "Sophia..." Tristan called once more. The man's eyebrows rose as he repeated the previous sentence. "How? Are you willing to be my lover?" Sophia blinked. She took a deep breath until his bare shoulders seemed to lift dramatically. Once again, she gave
"This file has been acc. If this one is just waiting for Mr. Tristan's decision," Mario said while showing Tristan some important pieces of paper in his room. "Just so you know Mario, in this project, there is one vendor that Emaar Properties says is paying quite a lot of money," said Tristan. "You mean Bechtel Company? If that's the case, you don't have to worry, if I'm not mistaken, they're still new. And of course they still have a long way to go under Foxtail," explained Mario. Tristan nodded. Since signing the MOU began, he was curious about this one vendor. He had never heard that name before. But why they can get a high place, so you are expected to get paid at the same level as his company? "Can you help me find out who owns this company? Then how come it got elected to get rid of Besix who clearly already has a name," Tristan ordered. "Yes, Mister," said Mario without the slightest hesitation on his face. In the past few years serving as Tristan's assistant, he knew exac
"This is what I hate when I make appointments with Edward. It's always like this!" lamented Nicholas with a frown on his face. Why did he want to be toyed with by his best friend? This afternoon, Edward suggested to his three friends to gather in one of the shooting ranges. Tired of riding, bowling, or billiards, he finally decided to try another sport this week. Instead of coming first, Edward remained as usual. He arrived too late to ignite Nicholas' emotions that were already at the top of his head. "Even though you can read Edward's temper, you still innocently came on time, didn't you?" Tristan sneered with a laugh. He was happy to see his friend look annoyed now. At the same time, Nicholas could only exhale roughly. What Tristan said was true. Even though he was often annoyed, he always came when his best friend asked him to. I don't know if this is called loyal friend or stupid. "It can't be helped. I'm used to come on time. If I didn't think of you as a brother, I'd have
"Aurora, are you in there?" called Tristan after knocking on the woman's bedroom door. Coming home from shooting practice, Tristan first wanted to rush into the room to prepare. But, as soon as he passed Aurora's room, he thought of something. He asks why not take the woman along to join Sophia's dinner. Who knows, his presence tonight with Aurora could spark jealousy towards the woman he is after. "Yeah, what's up, Tristan?" asked Aurora as she opened the door. The woman gave him a questioning look. "Do you have a show tonight?" Aurora immediately shook her head. "Nothing. Why?" "Then hurry up and change into some pretty clothes and make-up." Hearing Tristan's orders, Aurora's eyebrows immediately knit together. In her mind, she wondered what the man wanted her to do to dress up. "Dress up? For what?" Tristan chuckles. Instead of answering, the man brought his hands together to bring Aurora's body into the room. Guiding the woman to immediately sit in the chair right in front