“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. Researching carefully, is there any critical information that he can use to support all the plans he is making.
Fabio Saramossa himself is a man of Italian descent who devoted himself for more than 20 years to Raphael. As a right-hand man or confidant, Fabio has carried many tasks from the ordinary to the even dangerous.
To him, Raphael’s words were orders. It is illegal to refute, let alone to fail to carry out orders. In the last few years, since Tristan became an orphan, Fabio was even assigned by Raphael to watch, follow, and report on all the activities the young man was doing out there. Not a single move escaped Fabio’s watch. Even about his recent closeness with Sophia. Even the most minor thing, even Fabio, knew it.
“So last night Tristan came back to the girl’s house?”
Still reading the file in his hand, Raphael asked another question. Then suddenly, he looked up. His expression depicted as if he remembered something important to ask later. “Speaking of the bug you want to install in the girl’s residence, what have you done?”
Fabio nodded. “I did it a week ago, sir. I deliberately disguised myself as a janitor, then installed the device in several corners of the apartment room. That’s why, I know that last night Mr. Tristan and Miss Sophia spent dinner and chatted with each other.”
Raphael clenched his jaw. All of Fabio’s facial expressions did not escape his gaze. “Then what are they talking about.”
“Just making small talk like a couple who are approaching,” said Fabio carefully. “But I also heard that next weekend, Mr. Tristan will invite Miss Sophia to have dinner together.”
Raphael’s eyes narrowed immediately. “You mean they’re going out?”
Fabio nodded his head. Correcting Raphael’s guess. “It seems that Mr. Tristan is indeed in the midst of a guerrilla campaign to win Miss Sophia’s heart as soon as possible.”
“Poor Sophia.” Raphael smiled sadly. “You shouldn’t be a victim of your father’s actions.”
There was a pause before Raphael continued the conversation. Leaning back on the chair, the eagle-eyed man brought his left hand to gently stroke his chin. At the same time, his right hand is still busy holding the report file that Fabio gave him.
The man seemed to be in deep thought. Or maybe he’s working out a strategy, what plans he should do after this. “You just keep an eye on the two of them. If there’s anything suspicious, let me know as soon as possible. I don’t want Tristan to do anything stupid out there!”
Then the man went back to reading the file in his hand slowly. Digest one by one the reports along with the pictures listed there. It wasn’t long before he found something that bothered him.
“Can the information about Alfonso Walters’s return to England this time be justified? You know, I hate things that are uncertain, let alone miss.”
That piercing question echoed in the air, making silence instantly engulf. The tone of this question was so casual it didn’t even change Raphael’s expression. However, Fabio did not expect that his Master would ask such a question.
As if he doubted what he had just read. Fabio knew that Raphael had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Instead of chasing or urging Alfonso to return to England, he allowed the whole process to proceed naturally.
“Of course, sir. From a trusted source, Alfonso will come to London early next month. There is a fantastic business that forces him to return to London,” said Fabio, breaking down the doubts that filled Raphael’s brain. Raphael was silent for a moment. His eyes were busy watching Fabio’s expression as if to reassure himself.
“I wonder how he’ll react when he meets Tristan,” Raphael mumbled later. “Isn’t Alfonso Walters never once seen Tristan?” Raphael nodded, then smiled sarcastically. “Never, Fabio. After Andrew Quartararo’s accident, Alfonso just disappeared. You’re even having a hard time finding his whereabouts, aren’t you? Besides being good at manipulating, the rat is also good at hiding his whereabouts.”
“That’s right, sir,” said Fabio. “Somehow, I’m pretty sure that once Alfonso finds out who Tristan is, he’ll go to great lengths to make sure he feels bad for Andrew’s death,” Raphael guessed. He had been analyzing this incident for a long time. Raphael had taken all his efforts long ago not to take the slightest step wrong.
“Really, Fabio. I don’t want Tristan to be provoked and turn doubtful, let alone to doubt all the stories I’ve told. That’s why, she must always be under my control.”
Once again, Fabio nodded in agreement with what his Master said. He knew very well all the plans that Raphael had been preparing. “I will do whatever it takes to carry out all the plans you have laid out,” he said in one breath.
So sure. There is not the slightest bit of doubt there. As Fabio finished his words, Raphael smirked. His distinctive smile makes it difficult for anyone to guess what he is thinking. “Then you have to work extra fast, Fabio. Immediately find the dash camera memory from Alfonso’s car which until now has been missing somewhere. Don’t let that man find it first or it’s the end of us all.”
“Okay, sir,” said Fabio firmly and then walked away from Raphael.
***
Tristan and Aurora seemed busy paying attention to the presentation of one of the contractors in the meeting room. They were amazed by the explanation of the master plan for the innovative city development project running in the next few months.
Foxtail corporation, a well-known construction company, was selected to do a joint venture with other large companies. As you can imagine, there are many benefits that Tristan will get after this prestigious project is completed.
“Since the agreement has reached the final stage, the groundbreaking will begin next month. As the number one company on the rise, we officially invite Mr. Tristan Quartararo to lead the inauguration ceremony later,” said the man standing not far from the board. Presentation.
Hearing his name being called, Tristan politely stood up. He was bending his body a little. Thank you for the opportunity given. As a new junior in the business world, he has managed to attract the attention of many people for his brilliant ideas and ideas.
“Thank you for the opportunity given. As the leader of Foxtail Corporation as well as part of this fantastic project, I hope to make the best contribution so that in the future we can work together and help other companies to make this big dream a reality.”
Everyone immediately applauded. Aurora is no exception. She looked amazed at the man who was predicted to be her husband. Tristan is a perfect figure who deserves to be the women’s dream out there.
“I’m glad to see you are confident like this, Tristan. Your aura of leadership is clearly visible,” Aurora said as the two of them walked leisurely out of the meeting room.
“I am here because of your father, Aurora. All the lessons that Uncle Raphael has given are really useful for my life now. I don’t know what I would be if I didn’t meet you two,” Tristan said proudly. Undeniably, more or less, the success he got was due to Raphael’s previous intervention.
“No need to hesitate.” Aurora smiled. “You do deserve it. Besides, you don’t need to doubt your own abilities. Papa is just honing your talent to make it more visible.”
In the middle of their conversation, Tristan’s cell phone rang. The man hastily grabbed the bright object and then received a call from someone on the other side.
“Hello, Sophia.” Hearing Sophia’s name being called, Aurora immediately turned her head. Sharpening her hearing, she tried to eavesdrop on what Tristan was talking about on the phone.
“Tristan, sorry I suddenly called you. Are you busy?” Sophia asked.
“No, I just finished work. Currently taking a break. What’s wrong? You need my help?” Tristan looked curious.
“Actually…” Sophia seemed to pause for a moment. Which made Tristan even more curious.
“Yes, Sophia. What exactly?”
“Actually… I wanted to take you to lunch. Are you ready?”
“Oh, my God.” Tristan reflexively exclaimed. After a while, the man laughed. “I thought something was up. Of course I would. Obviously it’s impossible for me to refuse an invitation from a beautiful woman like you, Sophia,” Tristan teased.
“Ah, you tease. Then, are you also willing to pick me up at work? After that, we’ll go to a restaurant together,” Sophia asked politely.
“All right. You wait a minute. I’m going to pick you up right now.”
“See you later, Tristan.”
Then the call just hung up. Aurora, who saw Tristan was about to leave, hastily stopped the man’s steps for a moment. At the very least, he wanted to know firsthand what Tristan would do after this.
“Where are you going?” she asked bluntly.
“I have to pick up Sophia right now, Aurora. She invited me to have lunch together.”
“And you just left me?” Aurora’s voice was low, but the deep meaning was tucked into it. The look in her eyes that turned sad hinted that she didn’t want Tristan to leave her for another woman.
That’s why Tristan turned around. He cupped Aurora’s cheeks and spoke softly. “I have to do this Aurora. I don’t need to explain again what my goal is to approach that woman, right?”
Aurora nodded slowly. Her hand reached out to remove Tristan’s hands from his face.
“I know. I don’t need to explain either that I’m afraid you’ll really fall —”
“Aurora, stop!” Tristan cut. “What you’re worried about will never happen. For that, stop thinking bad thoughts.”
“But, Tristan! If you continue to be sweet like this, I’m sure one day you’ll really like Sophia and then just forget about me.”
“I won’t, Aurora!” Tristan argued once again.
“Tristan, I beg you. Stop playing around like this,” Aurora said quietly.
However, Tristan didn’t care. Before Aurora had finished her sentence, the man hurriedly left. He were going Aurora alone, silent because she couldn’t do anything.
Arriving at Sophia’s workplace, Tristan immediately invited the woman to enter. Then after that, they went to one of the Asian restaurants that Sophia had been a regular at. While busy choosing the menu, the two of them exchanged conversations.
Unusually, Sophia seemed to keep smiling at Tristan. I don’t know what he was thinking. This made the man in front of him astonished.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Sophia? I know that my face is handsome. But being stared at like this all the time, can make me feel awkward too,” said Tristan with a smile.
Sophia naturally chuckled. Shaking his head, he answered Tristan’s curiosity. “I don’t know, I’m just glad to see you.”
“Just tell me you’re in love with me,” Tristan chimed in without further ado.
“Oh my gosh, Tristan. You sure are so confident,” Sophia protested, chuckling. But soon, she smiled again. She was excited to see the expressions that Tristan showed.
“Confidence is necessary, Sophia. As a leader, you have to appear confident in order to convince a coworker or rival you’re facing.”
Sophia nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Either way, we have to be confident.”
Sophia then sucked the orange juice from the stainless straw in her glass. I discussed a dry throat before returning to the conversation. “From last night, I thought of something.”
Tristan looked up. He stared fixedly at Sophia’s blue bead. Then it didn’t take long to ask. “Think what do you mean?”
“I meant to introduce you to my parents.” The words slipped freely from Sophia’s lips. As if there was no burden. It was as if he had prepared beforehand.
“Yesterday you invited me to meet your family. So, it wouldn’t hurt to be my turn to introduce you to my parents. Besides, you don’t mind, do you?”
Tristan, without much thought, nodded his head in agreement. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Where else would he be able to meet face to face with the man who had destroyed his family? It was hard to find, but now God brings it together easily. Of course, Tristan didn’t want to miss this precious opportunity.
“Of course I don’t mind, Sophia. I’m just glad I got to meet them in person. But by the way, when will that happen?”
“Probably early next month. My parents have promised to celebrate Valentine’s Day together. After all, Papa’s got some business on here. They’ll likely be in London for a long time.”
Tristan nodded in understanding. His facial expression was happy. Happy because I can’t wait to get to that moment. “I am waiting for your invitation. To be sure, before meeting them, you must prepare yourself first because tomorrow we will have dinner together.” “Don’t be afraid. I won’t forget that one. I hope you won’t be late to pick me up later.” Tristan smiled again. Both then chose to enjoy the food that was served on the table.