That afternoon, Tristan had just finished his work. As soon as he was ready to go home, Nicholas reappeared in his room. As usual, the man came with Jacob with a bucket of Mocca latte and snacks they might want to eat together.
Without being invited in advance, the two immediately sat on the sofa in the corner of the room. Opened the drink and the food box, which turned out to be filled with macarons of various flavors.
“Our arrival doesn’t bother you, does it?” Nicholas asked pleasantly. The man’s mouth was full of the food he was chewing.
Tristan rose from his seat. Removing the tie around his neck, the man joined in deliberately sitting among his friends.
“You should have asked on the phone, Damn Alistair! When you get here, how can I kick you two out.” Jacob laughed. The man grabbed a medium-sized cup of mocha latte from a paper bucket and handed it to Tristan.
“We’d like to take you out for a drink at a regular place. But since you’re so lousy and you’ve been drunk a lot, we decided to buy some coffee and some cakes.”
“Yes.” Nicholas joined in the conversation. “I suggested that Jacob buy coffee. The last time I accompanied you to drink until you were drunk, I had to fight with Claire for being late to follow her to the movies. She didn’t even scold me for a few days because of this.”
Tristan laughed. Then suddenly feel guilty. What he did the other day turned out to have a bad impact on the fate of his best friend.
“I’m sorry. Tomorrow, if I get drunk, I’ll call Jacob.”
“Do not be crazy!” said Jacob quickly. “You know we’re just as bad at drinking. Just die if you call me.”
The three laughed again. Then eat the cake that is already available on the table.
“Actually, what did you guys come for this time? Are you celebrating something?” Tristan asked curiously. It’s also unusual to bring food like this to their office.
Jacob nodded. The oriental-looking man took a sip of the coffee before speaking.
“We want to celebrate the success of Alpabeta for attracting Emaar’s interest to be included in their next part of the project.”
Tristan smiled proudly. The man hugged his friends one by one as an expression of congratulations on their achievements.
“Did you guys get an invitation to the party—”
“The celebration that Alabbar is having?” cut Nicholas before Tristan finished his sentence. “Blackhorse got the invitation. But since Jacob couldn’t attend, I took his place to leave for Dubai in a few days.”
Tristan nodded. He understood why Jacob couldn’t attend. Indeed there are many companies that the man must hold and handle. Luckily, Nicholas was always ready to help and even be relied on in every difficulty that hit them.
“How about you? You must attend. Foxtail is an exclusive partner and even ranks number one. It’s impossible to be absent at such a classy invitation,” said Jacob.
Tristan smiled awkwardly. The man chose not to answer what Jacob asked directly. When he remembered Emaar’s invitation, his brain immediately seemed stuck.
“Looks like Foxtail won’t be able to attend,” he answered quietly and unenthusiastically. Nicholas and Jacob together showed a questioning expression. They were confused as to why Foxtail, which was supposed to be the main partner, didn’t even attend the invitation. Of course, this is very strange.
“Why? Are you sure you didn’t comply with their invitation? You know the risks, don’t you?” asked Jacob curiously. “Or maybe you’re in trouble?”
This time, it was Nicholas’ turn to answer Jacob’s words. Of course, he was curious because it was unusual for Tristan to refuse an invitation from his business partner.
“The terms Alabbar put forward gave me a hard time, Nick,” Tristan said with an expression that was hard to decipher. Even the smile that had been etched earlier slowly moved from the man’s handsome face.
“But why? If there’s a big problem, tell me. Who knows we can help you,” Nicholas offered earnestly.
Tristan looked at his two friends alternately as he repeatedly breathed to expel the bad feeling that was filling his brain first. He thought it would be a good idea to tell Nicholas and Jacob about the matter to ease the burden on his head a little.
“Initially, I was glad that Emaar specially invited Foxtail. However, Alabbar asked me to come with my wife. You two must know how my relationship with Sophia is right now. I’ve even tried to persuade her to come along, but she still refuses. my request outright.”
Nicholas nodded. The coffee in his hand. The man then responded.
“Why don’t you just try one more time?”
“Try what?” Tristan asked curiously.
“Try persuading Sophia one more time. Come over to her house. Bring your wife the food she likes. Speak slowly, then reassure her that you need her help.”
“If it still fails?”
Nicholas laughed. Straightening his body, the man slightly inclined his face.
“Meaning Foxtail’s fate will not be helped.”
“Unlucky!”
Tristan swore. For some reason, he felt stuck when he discussed his request with Sophia. How else would he have to convince her to help him just once?
“But what I said earlier really meant it,” Nicholas said again. “Try before you go home. You stop at his place first. Bring him what he likes like cakes or other food. Talk to him comfortably. Then state your request and make an offer that is likely to be profitable for Sophia.”
Tristan nodded, understanding what Nicholas had just explained. Then he didn’t hesitate to ask a question.
“Can you give an example? What kind of offer would be profitable for Sophia?”
“Easy,” Nicholas replied, flicking his hand in the air. “You pay for Sophia and Edward’s wedding. I’m sure she’ll agree to your request right away.”
“You bastard!”
To follow the advice of his two friends, when he came home from work, Tristan took the time to stop by Sophia’s house. He even brought a sizeable red velvet box to give his wife.
As soon as he arrived, Mikayla, his mother-in-law, immediately invited him to enter. As she sat down, the woman said Sophia was out with Edward.
“It’s okay, Mom,” Tristan said. “Let me just wait for Sophia here until she comes back.”
Mikayla could not refuse, let alone expel her daughter-in-law. Choosing to leave while serving tea and snacks for Tristan to eat while waiting for his daughter to come home. The first hour passed just like that.
After confirming that there were no signs of Sophia’s return, Tristan immediately ordered Alexius to look for his wife’s whereabouts. It didn’t take long, and his bodyguard got information about where his wife’s position was at that time.
“Mrs. Sophia is currently in a fancy restaurant with Mr. Edward and his parents. It seems like this is an introduction dinner,” explained Alexius in his phone call. The man shortly also sent several pictures containing a portrait of Sophia enjoying dinner.
At first, Tristan was indifferent. Even decided to remain faithful to wait for Sophia’s return. After two hours, Alexius again gave the news that his wife had not moved an inch from the restaurant. Feeling bad visiting until it was too late, Tristan finally decided to go home. But, before leaving, he wrote a message on a piece of paper. Then left it to Mikayla to hand over when Sophia got home.
“Please give this paper to Sophia, Ma. I beg you, make sure she reads what I wrote there. Mikayla nodded. Agreed to what Tristan ordered her. Besides, it wasn’t difficult for her to ask Sophia to read what the man had left.