Chapter 94: TWENTY QUESTIONS

TRISTAN

I waited almost an hour, after I rang the bell and there was no response.

I figured she wasn’t home, because the lights were out, and it was so quiet.

Thinking about just turning back around and going home hurt quite physically, more than I could explain.

So I just stayed out here and waited. Like a lost puppy who couldn’t find his way home.

And when she finally got here, she did not look very happy to see me. Especially when I offered to carry her son for her while she got the door.

She observed me with wary eyes, keeping her distance. “Tristan…what are you doing here so late?”

I could guess that I did not look my best right now. I did not feel my best either.

Not after I got subtle threatening calls from three investors in a roll, while I waited out here for Laura.

They all wanted me to know that they’d be pulling their investments from Pierce Holdings if I didn’t go through with the wedding. I didn’t need anyone to tell me this was Mr. Steele at work.

The old bastard would go any lengths to humble me. He would humiliate me before I got the chance to do that to him. Of course…he’d warned me.

My agitation and headaches multiplied after the call, and I hung my head like a lame, pathetic man. What has become of me? What could I do to get out of this tricky situation?

I knew I was doomed if I got married to Madison. Happiness would be lost from me forever, until I got out of her life…or she left mine.

How could I possibly go through with this marriage knowing that?

Perhaps…that was why I came to Laura.

I felt a certain kind of lightheartedness around her.

“Like I said,” I shoved my hands deep in my pockets and walked up to her, “I’m here to talk to you.”

She arched her brows, confusion crossing her features. “What do we possibly have to talk about?”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “I feel like there’s some kind of misunderstanding hanging between us, ever since…Milan.”

She scoffed. “Look, do I need to get a restraining order against you?”

I frowned, and my heart skipped. “Why…would you do that?”

“Because you keep trespassing.” She started towards the door and keyed in the passcode.

I followed behind her. “Just hear me out, please. And I’ll stay away for real.”

She heaved a deep sigh as the door bleeped open. Then she turned to me. “Fine, let’s talk. And you better have something reasonable to say.”

She cocked her head in a gesture for me to follow after her.

A sigh of relief slipped out as I got into the warm apartment. It instantly gave me that homey feel that made me want to stay and not leave, like ever.

“Nice place you’ve got here.”

“Make yourself comfortable.” Her voice rang from a distance, and I turned to see her on the stairs already. “I’ll be right down.”

Despite the homey feel, I was still restless. So I just walked around the living room, observing the art pieces on the wall, mostly admiring the photographs alongside them.

They were photographs of Laura and her son. Together and apart. They looked really happy together, so happy that the sight split an ache in my chest…for some reason.

Was it because I could never relate to such happy times with my mother? Did I even have a photograph with her?

“Would you like something to drink?”

I whirled to see Laura by the balustrade, looking achingly beautiful and a bit vulnerable.

“Sure, thank you.” I cleared my throat and walked back to sink into one of the couches.

Laura came down with a bottle of wine and two glasses, her face drawn tight. “You know, I was kind of hoping you’d decline the offer.” She looked up and met my gaze squarely. “I didn’t know you were interested in staying long enough for a drink.”

Well…did she forget I was an asshole?

I managed a smile and lifted my shoulders in a small shrug. “What can I say? You offered.”

She rolled her eyes and poured the wine into both glasses. Then she slid one over to me. “So, start talking.”

I knew she meant business, especially maybe because she was hurt…but I’d rather just sit here and stare at her sweet face for a while.

However, her glaring meant she was not playing around, even though she offered me wine.

I picked up the glass and took a sip of the wine. She didn’t touch hers yet.

“I know you must have seen or heard the news about the wedding,” I started in a sober tone.

“Both.” Her tone wasn’t so friendly. “What does it matter, anyway?”

“You have to believe me, Laura. About the wedding…it’s not really what it looks like.”

She scoffed and weaved her fingers through her hair. “I can’t believe I let you into my house to listen to this bullshit.” While she picked up her glass and drained it, I watched her with a tight chest.

“It’s a marriage of convenience.”

Fuck. It was hard to describe the relief that eased into my chest the moment I let those words loose. It was not enough. But it was something. A small step forward.

And I hoped it brought some kind of relief to her, that I wasn’t in love with Madison or anything like that.

“Does that change anything?” she asked, shattering the relief. “You’re still going to be with her, aren’t you?”

Right.. if I went ahead and married Madison, I might just be saying goodbye to a chance with Laura…forever.

I was thinking of the right answer to her question that was not the truth, when a small voice came from above us.

“Mom, who’s this man in our house?”

I turned around to see her adorable son standing at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing his arm against his eyes, clutching a toy car in his other hand.

Uhm…I thought he was asleep?

“For goodness’ sake, Eli.” Laura cursed under her breath as she set down the glass cup. Then she went to him. “What are you doing up?”

She tried to pick him up but he ran around her, all the way to where I sat.

He came up close, blinking at me, staring like I was some kind of alien creature he was fascinated with.

“Who are you, sir?” he murnured, a little frown marring his handsome face. “Why do you have blue eyes too?”

The question struck me hard because just as I stared at him, I had the same thought. Why did we look alike in a jarring way?

I glanced over at Laura, and she was storming towards her son. She yanked him from my front to her side.

“Alright, that’s enough questioning, Eli. You’re being rude.”

“I think he’s a smart little kid.” Smiling in a bid to suppress the growing concern in my mind, I stood and extended my palm to Eli.

“It’s nice to meet you, Eli. I’m Tristan.”

“Woah. Mom, he’s so tall. Taller than uncle Harlan.”

My heart twisted at the mention of Harlan, but I still kept my smile on.

Eli stared at my hand for a moment, then he clasped it quite firmly. And something moved in my chest. Something unexplainable.

Because his little palm felt perfect in mine. So right.