“You’re really going too far Tristan!” exclaimed Raphael with a darkened expression. His domineering aura made the whole room tense and scary.
This morning, at first, Raphael looked relaxed entering his study. Just finished sipping the coffee served on the table, Tristan was seen entering. He talked for a while about work, then broke the news about his desire to marry Sophia as soon as possible.
Raphael was, of course, furious. He didn’t expect the young man he had worked so hard to care for to decide without doing a long deliberation first. Moreover, the man’s decision, according to him, endangered many parties.
“Listen to me first, Uncle —”
“That’s enough, Tristan!” Raphael cut in as if not giving the young man a chance to convey his thoughts first. “Did you know that the rash decision you just made could destroy yourself? Or maybe it could even destroy us all?” he exclaimed without thinking.
Raphael’s hands were clenched into fists. His shoulders rose and fell as he held back the emotions starting to peak at the crown of his head. His eyes fixed sharply on Tristan, who seemed unable to move.
“For God’s sake, listen to my explanation, Uncle Raphael. I’ve thought carefully about the decision I just made. You know, of course, I’m not the type of person who doesn’t think through a plan.”
Tristan kept trying to get Raphael a chance to explain. But the man he considered emotions still controlled his father.
“No! Tristan Quartararo. You’ve crossed the line this time. Haven’t you also thought about how Aurora would feel? You promised her marriage yourself. And now? You’re marrying the daughter of your rival! How can I understand your thoughts.”
Raphael closed his eyes while rubbing his chest which was throbbing in pain. Meanwhile, Tristan, who saw his Uncle looked in pain, immediately brought him drinking water and medicine that the man usually consumes.
“Uncle, calm down. You have to drink this first.” Tristan led Raphael to sit comfortably. Helping the man take off his coat, then after that he sat cross-legged next to the man. “I beg you, Uncle. Listen to my explanation first,” he pleaded again.
Raphael took a deep breath. Only able to meet Tristan’s gaze with his mouth tightly shut. He knew very well who the young man was, once he made a decision it would be difficult to forbid him. That’s why, Raphael could only stay silent when Tristan tried to give an explanation.
“We both know Alfonso was the mastermind behind all the destruction that had happened to my family. Unfortunately, we both have no evidence that this man was the cause of Papa’s death in the past.
“Wait.” Raphael interrupted. Do you have any thoughts about getting into the Adelaide family? Intentionally being a part of them because you want to find evidence?” Raphael then shook his head in disbelief. “Your game is too dangerous, Tristan. You know, Uncle has never been silent all this time.”
Tristan nodded and then commented. He was aware of the concern shown by Raphael. As the guardian who replaced his parents, Raphael was indeed very protective of him.
“I know that Uncle. . I know that Uncle is still trying to find evidence to bring Alfonso to jail. Just let me repay the Adelaide family in my way. I know what I’m doing. I’ve calculated everything properly.”
“No.” Raphael was still adamant in his stance. “Uncle will not allow you to marry Alfonso’s daughter. Besides, what you’re about to do is sure to hurt Aurora’s heart. Didn’t you think about that?”
Tristan sighed without looking at Raphael. In fact he had also taken this into account. It wasn’t easy asking his Uncle’s blessing.
“I never forget my promise to Aurora. After all, this is over, and I will immediately divorce Sophia and marry Aurora.”
“You are crazy, Tristan!” Raphael’s emotions were disturbed again after hearing Tristan’s words that seemed light about marriage. this.”
“But not for the Adelaide family, Uncle!” Tristan interrupted in a rising voice. The enormity of his grudge against Alfonso made his little heart tightly shut. “I will never stop until I make sure Alfonso and his family are destroyed in my own hands. And about Aurora, Uncle need not worry. Let me explain myself later. I’m sure Aurora will understand and will wait until all this is resolved.”
Raphael rubbed his face angrily. It was no longer possible for him to persuade the young man to listen to him.
“I hope you keep your promise. You must remember carefully, and no one knows how you will feel in the future. Uncle will be the first to laugh at your stupidity if you end up falling in love with Sophia and breaking your promise to Aurora.”
Tristan pulled the corners of his lips into a faint smile. He knew what Raphael had just said, and he meant giving permission. How to tell Edward and Aurora about their wedding plans with Sophia. Tristan is sure this decision will hurt both of them.
***
“Edward, please forgive me?”
Tristan looked at Edward, who was now enjoying the caramel macchiato the waiter had just served. The irritated expression covered his brown beads. Tristan even held his breath for a moment to wait for a response from the man who had been his friend for a long time.
Before deciding to go home, Tristan did venture to contact Edward. Meet him for a moment at a cafe, where they usually drink. Take some time before fighting like now.
“You think your actions can be forgiven just like that?”
Tristan gulped. Edward’s cold voice hinted that an apology seemed difficult for him this time. Today Tristan also brought news that was no less horrendous. His mind suddenly flashed an image of when his best friend would go berserk if he knew about his desire to marry Sophia soon. But, what can I do? Like it or not, he must tell ASAP, right?
“I know that my actions are not justified. It’s just that —-”
“Shut up!” Edward immediately brought his index finger just above his lips. He was signaling Tristan to stop his babbling. “It’s useless that you want to explain anything. In the end, Sophia also loved and even chose you. I’m also sure the two of you must be officially lovers by now, right?” he asked, narrowing his eyes in disgust. “That means there isn’t a chance for me to take his heart anymore.”
Hearing that, Tristan could only nod slowly. He was trying to keep thinking hard about how to put together the right words to tell Edward about his wedding plans that might take place soon.
“You’re right. We’re already officially in a relationship. Again, please forgive me.”
Edward immediately waved his hand in the air with an indifferent expression. As if reluctant to hear the many words coming from Tristan’s lips.
“You’re my best friend, Tristan Quartararo. You know very well how much I love you like my own brother. But this time …” Edward paused for a moment. Taking a deep breath, the man continued to speak quietly. “I need time to forgive you.”
“I understand and understand that, Ed,” Tristan said quietly. “But you also need to know something. As a friend, I can’t just hide this from you.”
“What do you mean?” For a moment, Tristan stared intently at Edward’s face. Convinced, the man took a deep breath and then slowly spoke. “Probably early in the month, Sophia and I will get married.”
At that moment, Edward immediately coughed with his spit. His chest seemed to be squeezed by a thousand pains that made it difficult for him to breathe. Just trying to forgive slowly, this time, Tristan managed to make him want to go crazy right then and there. What happened to his best friend?
“No kidding. This isn’t funny, Tristan. You have no talent for lying.” Edward continued to doubt what he had just heard. However, looking at Tristan, who just stared in silence, he realized that the man in front of him wasn’t lying. “Are you serious?”
Tristan nodded. “I’m serious, Ed. I don’t think the two of us need to be dating for long. After all, we love each other. So why not procrastinate so we can move on to something more serious.”
A sudden burst of laughter erupted from Edward’s lips. His expression showed that he had doubts about what Tristan had just said. A split second later, the man grabbed Tristan’s shirt collar furiously.
“I know who you are, Tristan. You’re not the kind of guy who easily falls in love with a woman.”
“This time, you might be wrong, Ed. I’m serious about my plans to marry Sophia. Both of our families have even given their blessing and agreed,” Tristan retorted, trying to defend himself.
“Impossible!” Edward seemed to shake his head. Still gripping the collar of Tristan’s shirt, the man continued.
“I’m sure you married Sophia so soon for a purpose. There’s nothing in your dictionary loving a woman at first sight. It’s bullshit!” Edward Said in a slightly loud voice, attracting the attention of the other cafe patrons.
“Ed, listen to me first. It’s not what you think.”
“Not!” cut off Edward. “Now is not the time for me to listen to you. You listen carefully to what I will say after this,” he emphasized. “Whatever you’re planning, I’m praying you to love Sophia. Just remember, Sophia’s hair is hurt. I’ll kill you with my own hands.”
Edward then let go of his hand tightly. Filled with anger, the man immediately left just like that, leaving Tristan still looking shocked at the treatment he had just received.
Once home, Tristan first turned to Aurora’s room before stepping into the room. Gathering all his guts, this time, the man intended to tell his plans about his marriage to Sophia soon.
As soon as the door was knocked, Aurora swiftly opened. Throwing a sweet smile, the woman asked the purpose of the arrival of the man she loved.
“What is it?”
“I want to talk to you for a moment,” Tristan said quietly.
“Then just go inside. We’ll talk inside.”
Tristan nodded in agreement. The man immediately brought himself to sit on the sofa in Aurora’s room. “That’s a hell of a lot. Actually, what do you want to talk about? Is this about work?” asked Aurora curiously as she closed the bedroom door.
Tristan shook his head. Reviewing a smile, the man patted the surface of the sofa next to him. Gestures asked Aurora to sit near him immediately.
“Aurora… come here.”
Aurora complied. Without much questioning, he immediately took a seat right next to Tristan.
“What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to ask, do you remember when we first met?”
Aurora chuckled. Rolling her eyes, the woman then answered. “I don’t know, maybe 15 years ago. I think we met when you were celebrating your 10th birthday.”
Tristan nodded. Corrected Aurora’s guess, right. “You’re right. It was indeed the first time we met for the first time. I even remember that time you confidently gifted me a teddy bear. Even though I’m a boy. You suck!”
They both laughed in unison. Then soon, Tristan spoke again.
“If you do the math, we’ve known each other for maybe 15 years. It’s been more than the last five years we’ve lived together, ever since you and Uncle Raphael decided to move into my house.”
“Yes,” said Aurora. “It turns out we’ve known each other for a long time. We both even know each other’s habits.”
“Do you remember the times when I was down?” Tristan again asked the woman next to him a question.
“Of course.” Aurora immediately nodded. “I remember, at that time, you studying abroad had to go home immediately because you got the news that your father had an accident and finally died a few hours after you visited him. I clearly remember that day when you hugged Aunt Gracia tightly. I also remember for the first time. You first cried a few months later, Aunt Gracia, following Uncle Andrew’s departure.”
Tristan took a deep breath. He hugged Aurora’s shoulders tightly while chanting the words of gratitude in her heart. Of course, he knew this woman had always been by his side at every opportunity. That woman also always lends a hand when she is stuck in trouble, let alone sadness.
“Thank you, Aurora,” Tristan said suddenly, quietly. Making the woman next to him reflexively turn around. “Thank you for always being by my side until this moment. You remember the promise about me to marry you, right?”
Aurora immediately nodded. “Yeah, I remember that. Like it or not, love not love, you won’t break your promise, will you?”
“Of course,” said Tristan. There was a moment of silence between the two before Tristan finally spoke again.
“But before that happens, I want to tell you something important.”
“What did you say?” Aurora looked very curious. Tristan changed his sitting position to face Aurora directly. He looked closely at Aurora’s face. He grabbed both of her wrists, then squeezed them gently while speaking softly.
“Aurora, I want to marry Sophia in the near future. I hope —”
Before the sentence was finished, Tristan’s lips slipped, and Aurora immediately pulled her hands. Shaking her head, the beautiful woman exclaimed loudly.
“Wait a minute. What do you mean? You want to marry Sophia? Have you gone mad? Then what about your promise?”
“Calm down, Aurora. Listen to my explanation until it’s finished. Please,” Tristan pleaded pitifully when Aurora slapped him with many questions. Aurora tried to catch her breath very carefully. She is trying to restrain herself so that her emotions are not provoked, let alone explode.
“Ok, I’ll listen to you.”
“You see… you know that I never loved Sophia. You also know my background on that woman, right?” asked Tristan and Aurora nodded. “I intend to marry him because I want to slowly enter the Adelaide family. I want to find evidence of Alfonso’s involvement in the events of late Papa’s death and also trying to slowly destroy their family.”
Aurora immediately shook her head. “But this has gone too far, Tristan. If your goal is to destroy them, you don’t have to marry Sophia,” he argued disapprovingly.
“Aurora, I beg you. I’ve considered all of this. This is the easiest way to find evidence of my Papa’s death. I promise it won’t take long, once everything is revealed, I will immediately divorce Sophia and marry you.”
“You’re such an asshole, Tristan! This isn’t the way to get revenge!” cried Aurora angrily. She did not accept seeing Tristan playing around with marriage just to realize his ambition. “Besides, there’s no guarantee that after marriage you won’t really fall in love with that woman. In fact, you might end up leaving me.”
“I swear I’ll never fall in love with Sophia, Aurora,” Tristan promised as confidently as if he could read future events. His arrogant attitude made Aurora instantly disgusted.
“No, Tristan. You can’t do this.” Aurora’s voice weakened. The annoyance that had built up in his chest, he slowly vented into a cry. Meanwhile, Tristan, who had never been able to stand seeing women cry, immediately embraced Aurora-hugging the woman’s body tightly while trying to calm her down.
“Please don’t cry anymore. You know I never break a promise, right? So there’s no need to be afraid. After all this is over, I’ll come back to you.”
He stretched his arms. Tristan then gently grabbed Aurora’s face. Without warning, the man planted a deep kiss, which surprised Aurora. It was awkward at first, but after a while, Aurora could only surrender and, at the same time, enjoy when Tristan’s soft lips played on top of hers.
The man skillfully continued to caress Aurora’s lips until she was lulled and unable to reply slowly. Feeling enough, Tristan slowly let go of their lips. While kissing both of Aurora’s cheeks, he whispered again softly.
“Please, allow me to marry Sophia for a moment. I promise this won’t last long.” While catching her breath, Aurora tried to consider. After being sure of her decision, the woman nodded shortly. She was permitting Tristan to do what the man had planned.