It's Samantha's first day of training as Tristan's secretary. Before going out of her room she looks at the large mirror in front of her as she fixed up the collar of her white blouse, smoothing it down until it's almost perfect before tying up her hair and pulling it back into a high ponytail. The blonde ends are neatly tucked behind her ears.
"You can do it, Sam. It's one of your dream to have a brother right? You have it now, don't ruin the chance..."After taking one last look in the mirror to check that all is well with herself she exits her bedroom.Her breath seems to catch in her throat when she sees Tristan standing next to her Mercedes-Benz S-Class. She's surprised to see him there after thinking that he already go ahead of her."Why are you still here?" she said, trying to hide the way her heart was beating erratically against her chest."Your Mom, told me to wait for you." Samantha nodded and looked away from him, when she noticed Tristan's eyes lingering over her body."Let's go." Samantha can't avoid noticing the coldness on Tristan's voice. She thinks that he's in a bad mood now. But she doesn't ask him about it, instead walking to the car in a quick pace while making sure not to bump onto him or cause any more awkward situations than they had already.Samantha is about to open the door through the passenger seat, when Tristan stops her by grabbing her wrist. She immediately move a bit, when she felt the electrifying tingle of his touch."Seat beside me." Her eyes narrowed at him, not until he continue."I don't want to look like I am your driver," he said, giving her a small smirk which made her feel uncomfortable.The drive through the Bright Horizons Company filled with silence. Samantha didn't dare to utter a word. She's just really afraid to bring back the past, since she's really trying hard now to act like they're really siblings.After an hour they stopped on the entrance of a big company. Tristan parked the Mercedes in front of a private parking lot. Samantha even expecting him to open the door for him but he just got out of the car without saying anything. He then walked towards the building."What's wrong with him?" She thought, then get out of the car too.Her eyes glittered as she saw how big the company is. With Tristan at her side she turn her sight around, still feel amazed. The place was like something straight out of a movie. It's so fancy and luxurious."Good morning, boss!""Have a great day, Sir!" The employees on our way greeted him with smile."And you, Miss Beautiful!" They greeted Samantha with a bow too."Thank you!" she responded, slightly flustered at their attention. But she bumped on Tristan's torso, when he suddenly stopped walking and look at her with an annoyed expression."What?" She looks up at him. She realized now how tall he is that she looks like a mushroom when she's next to him.They were walking inside the main hall now. The huge ceiling was painted with colorful designs. On each side there was a huge glass walled, which showed the huge landscape of the Bright Horizons Corporation. They passed through several reception area before reaching the elevators.Tristan pressed the button to the 3th floor, while she can't help glancing at him."You know, bad luck might come with you, if you keep on showing that long face of yours," she said teasingly."Tsk! You are getting too much attention." Samantha's lips twitched in amusement."Well, it's not my fault. I am born to be gorgeous! Unlike you..." Tristan brows raised at her words."What?" Samantha's cheeks flush a deep red when Tristan leaned closer to her face. She can feel his warm breath hitting the edge of her nose. Her heart thumping loudly against her chest."Unlike you! Y-You are not that handsome as you thought." Tristan move away and grinned at her."Not handsome, huh? Hm, that explains why you're blushing." Samantha huffily turned her gaze away and fix herself to look at the elevator doors which slowly opened and Tristan step outside. And she followed her with a frown."Come in," Tristan said as he opened the door of his office. Samantha hesitated before walking in, feeling the cool air on her skin. Tristan closes the door after Samantha entered and leans against the desk."Why you close the door?" Samantha asked, despite the fact that Tristan's facing some serious issues about their company business rival, Samantha didn't fail to make him chuckles."What do you want me to do then? Open the door and let the air-conditioning blow you outside?" he sarcastically said, making Samantha rolled her eyes."Whatever!" Tristan walked towards the swivel chair and sat there."So, you told me that you are going to guide me. How can we start now my step-brother?" Samantha lift her left brow. Tristan jaw clenched after hearing the last words."Step-brother, huh?" he scoffed."What do you want me to call you then, a fuck buddy?" Samantha snapped back, but she immediately regret what she'd said after seeing Tristan controlling himself not to laugh."If you want, it's my honor." Her jaw dropped while looking at him in disbelief."I really don't like your attitude, Tristan. How really unlucky I am to encountered you. I just hope that—" Tristan stood up and walked towards Samantha again, causing her to feel trapped between the walls. She took a few steps back, and Samantha felt cornered."What? You hope that it didn't turned out that I am your step-brother, because you want us to be more than that?" His voice was low, dangerously quiet. The desires in his eyes are evident. Samantha tried to push him because of annoyance, but before she could finally push him off, Tristan grabbed both of her arms, keeping her in place, the same time the door opened and someone's eyes widened in surprised.Gabriel, Tristan's best friend, decides to pay his friend a surprise visit, since it's been weeks since they've seen each other because he also busy managing their business. With his usual cool looks, he strolls through the office, exchanging friendly greetings with the employees who recognize him. His charisma is also legendary wherever he goes that's why he doesn't understand why Sandra, his fiancée's blood always boils when it comes to him. He's known Tristan for years and is a familiar face around the office. They're indeed a best buddy especially when it comes on hunting women for fun. With a casual grin on his face, he approaches Tristan's office, ready to catch up with his friend.Gabriel swings open the door to Tristan's office, expecting to see his friend immersed in work like usual. He really knows how workaholic he is. But instead he finds something that makes him stop dead on the ground with a surprised look on his face.Tristan cornering Samantha against the wall. The r
The office was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of papers. Tristan was seated behind his desk, his eyes focused on the screen of his laptop. Samantha who's seated across from him, her notebook open, ready to take down any instructions, can't avoid to glance nervously on his furrowed thick brows. Lately, she can still able to joke around but after sometime the surrounding's seems to be suffocating. "Firstly, you need to manage my schedule," Tristan began, his voice cold and business-like. He doesn't even look at her."Ensure that there are no clashes and that I have adequate time between meetings for breaks." Tristan continued in a monotone, as he continues reading the document. His tone is uncharacteristically stiff, Samantha notes. She wonders what could've been happening to make him act like that. The Tristan she knows for now, is someone who always make her irritated because of his signature mischievous expression. "Sec
Tristan's heart pounded in his chest as he picked up the photograph. He remembered the moment it was taken. It was when he had almost kissed Samantha, forgetting for a moment that she was his stepsister."I received this picture earlier," Benjamin began, his voice stern. "Care to explain?" His father leaned forward in his seat, watching Tristan intently. He looked at his father, his mind racing. He knew he had to tread carefully."Samantha and I were just enjoying the evening, Dad. Besides I just don't want to pressure her since she's just my new secretary," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.Benjamin looked at his son, his gaze piercing. "I've known you long enough to know when you're lying, son," he said, his voice low. "You're too close to Samantha in this picture. Too close for a brother and sister." Tristan swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the photograph in his hands. He knew his father was right. His feelings for Samantha were unexplainable and it
Samantha's heart heavy with a mix of emotions. She couldn't bear to stay there, not after witnessing Tristan, flirting with their maid. The scene had left her feeling hurt, confused, and surprisingly jealous.She found herself walking aimlessly through the city, her mind a whirl of thoughts. Eventually, she found herself standing in front of Evelyn's house.Evelyn greeted her with a warm smile, quickly ushering her inside. "Sam, what brings you here? I thought you are busy with your work being Tristan's new secretary?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. She could tell something was wrong just by looking at her friend. Samantha took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "I saw something... something I wish I hadn't," She proceeded to tell Evelyn about the scene she had witnessed earlier, about Tristan and the maid."That's so disgusting. They look like some kind of leeches!" Samantha threw herself on the couch. Evelyn looked at her curiously."Sam...is there's somet
"Sam... We need to talk." She could smell the faint scent of alcohol on him, as he approached her. "I'm sorry about what you saw earlier. It just—" Samantha cleared her throat and smile at Tristan. "Come on, Tristan. It's okay," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "You're free to do what you want. You're not obligated to explain your actions to me, brother..." Tristan's side of lips curved upwards, he wants her to know his part but he realized that maybe it might be better if he'll just take Gabriel serious advice. Besides he thinks that Samantha really wants to treat him as her step-brother. "Ah, yeah... You're right." He scratched the back of his head and strengthen his posture. "I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea." "By the way, I'm going upstairs. Goodnight," Samantha said as he nodded and watch her until she closed her door's room.The office was buzzing with activity, the sound of ringing phones and clicking keyboards filling the air. Trista
The table was lavishly set with an array of mouth-watering dishes, yet Samantha didn't know how she can act as if nothing is wrong between her and Tristan. "How's the taste?" Samantha's mother asked as she passed her a plate."That's delicious, darling! You're really talented at this!" Benjamin complimented his wife with the same tone he'd use to tell her how amazing her cooking was. She then turned to her daughter. "Samantha?" she snapped back to reality when she heard her mother's voice"Yes, Mom. It taste so good." With a warm smile, turned now to Tristan and asked,"How's the pasta, Tristan?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to make him speak up since she noticed that something wasn't right with him. "It tastes good, too," he responded in a monotone, not making eye contact. She looked over to her husband with a look of concern in her eyes. "Son, it seems like you're facing a problem? Is it about work? Samantha, do you know something if your brother—"Benjamin, decide
"I-I know it's wrong to feel but ... I just can't help it." Tears escaped her eyes as she spoke. "What feeling? Sam, don't be afraid. Please, look at me," Tristan cupped her cheeks gently, wiped away her tears with his thumbs. Samantha sobbed quietly, her chest heaving up and down. "What's the problem?" he added. "Its myself, I am the problem, Tristan. I shouldn't tolerating this feeling. I hate it, 'cause you are not really the man I should 've fallen in love with. B-But it's already happened." "When your father told me that you should marry your business rival's sister to save the company, I felt...""I felt like my heart has stopped beating, because I can't stand the thought of you marrying someone else." As her last words died on her tongue and the tears continued to flow, while Tristan lips form into smile. Samantha looked at him confused. "So, you really have feelings for me?" he asked in a soft voice. His smile grew wider. "B-But I promised that I will not going to ruin y
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Tristan and Samantha. She was the one who woke first, as she noticed an unfamiliar scent surrounding her. Her eyes landed on her naked body as she immediately sat up on her bed and fixed herself, just to hurriedly leave him there. Evelyn, her friend looked at her in disbelief with sympathy. "What you did is indeed wrong, Sam... What if your parents know about what happened between the both you? Do you think everything will still be alright?" Evelyn said worriedly."I tried to avoid him, Evelyn. I really did walk away from him to save our relationship as a step siblings. I do my best to resist the desires I am feeling towards him, Evelyn. B-But...""But you still end up on that situation? Come on, Sam! You committed a sin." "I never wanted this, Evelyn. But my heart easily gave in especially when he also confessed her feelings for me." "That doesn't sound good, Sam..." Evelyn sighed and rubbed the bridge of her