Shock

Tristan opened his eyes with a heavy head. Slowly but surely, trying once to straighten up, then leaned against the headboard of the mattress.
When he managed to sit up, his gaze slowly dropped. Removing the blanket attached to his body, Tristan was surprised for a moment. He was confused when he found his upper body was in a plain state without wearing a shirt.
At that moment, Tristan immediately massaged his temples which were throbbing in pain as he closed his eyes. Trying to remember what he did last night to not wear clothes like now.
“I just want to die, Nick. What’s the point of living if there’s no point in this.”
“Sophia is adamant that she doesn’t want to get back together with me.”
“If your plan fails, then what?”
“I congratulate you, because you have succeeded in being a widower. Please try to find another woman to be a wife.”
“Bastard!”
“Tristan, why do you have to be drunk like this? Actually, what is Sophia’s strength so that in your eyes there is only her, huh? What have I been lacking all this time?”
“You’re not, Sophia. These lips don’t belong to Sophia!”
“Tristan, you should drink before you go to sleep.”
Tristan continued to massage his temples as a series of sentences recorded in his brain appeared. He finally remembered that last night he had visited a bar. As soon as he drank a few glasses, he immediately called Nicholas and asked the man to come quickly as usual. Tristan did not forget that the two of them had been involved in talks discussing Sophia and the divorce process.
After that, he went back to drinking and was almost unconscious. Tristan was sure that Nicholas would have brought him home right then and there. Because in his mind, several words he believed came from Aurora. He forgot what happened next until the last time she asked him to drink.
“Tristan.” A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. As soon as he turned around, he found his father entering the room with a cup of drink.
“How are you? Do you still have a headache or do you feel something else?”
Tristan nodded. Then suddenly the man answered.
“It’s still a little heavy and feels light-headed at times.”
“Of course you feel that way. You were drunk last night. That’s why Papa brought lemon juice to reduce your hangover,” said the man as he handed him the drink he had brought.
“Drink it up.” Tristan accepted the offer of a drink cup from his father.
After boiling the water until it ran out, he returned the cup. Before letting Raphael leave the room, Tristan first asked one question.
“Where’s Aurora? Is she home?”
Raphael, who was already walking, stopped immediately. Turning around, he was silent for a moment. His mind immediately ran to the events of last night.
At that time, he had just returned from an invitation to dinner. As soon as I entered the house, I was surprised to see Samanta tidying up some of Tristan’s things on the floor.
“What’s the matter, Samanta? Why are Tristan’s things strewn on the floor like this?” Raphael asked, a little confused when he had just entered the house. Samanta, who was tidying up the shoes, coat, and tie that had just been lying on the floor, looked up. Quickly got up, then nodded politely to the master.
“Mr. Tristan just got home with Mr. Nicholas, sir. He seems so drunk he didn’t notice his things falling like this.”
Raphael was immediately taken aback by what Samanta had to say.
“Tristan drunk again?”
“Yes,” said Samanta. “Looks like he was unconscious too when he was brought home earlier.”
“Oh my God.” Raphael immediately exclaimed. He doesn’t like seeing anyone’s children get drunk until they are unconscious. Previously, neither Tristan nor Aurora had the slightest bit of drunkenness. “Then where is he now? Is he in his room?”
“Yes, sir,” Samanta nodded. “Mr. Tristan is already in his room. Maybe he is changing clothes with Mrs. Aurora. I see, he immediately followed there.”
Raphael nodded. At that time, he chose to go to his room first to change clothes and then follow Tristan. However, as soon as he finished, he accidentally saw Aurora, who came out of her room and immediately stepped hastily toward the second floor.
Curious, he decided to follow hastily. Once there, from under the bedroom door, Raphael could see how his daughter was walking toward the sideboard.
Pour something into a drinking glass while speaking slowly.
“If using subtle methods doesn’t work, there’s nothing wrong with using a shortcut, right? It’s useless if you buy this medicine if you don’t use it,” said the woman as she continued to stir the drink in front of her.
Then not long after, Raphael again heard his daughter muttering softly.
“We’ll see, Tristan. Will you still be able to tell the difference between my body and Sophia’s after taking this medicine. If you just fucked like that, I’m sure you’d avoid it. But if I got pregnant with your child, would you still dump me like that?”
Slowly but surely, from his eyes, Raphael saw Aurora walking confidently towards Tristan. Sitting on the side of the bed, he held the glass in his hand, asking Tristan to drink quickly.
Worried that something bad might happen, Raphael decided to enter. Without much thought, he immediately rebuked what his daughter had done.
“What are you doing, Aurora?”
Full of surprise, Aurora immediately turned around. Trying to neutralize the nervousness, the woman replied.
“Papa.”
“Yes, Aurora. What are you doing?”
“I-I’m—-”
“What are you doing?” chased Raphael when he found Aurora looking nervous. His eyes narrowed sharply, demanding an explanation from his only daughter.
“I was just giving Tristan a drink so he wouldn’t be thirsty.”
“Drink? What kind of drink do you mean?”
“Chamomile tea, Pa,” said Aurora.
Raphael nodded. Stepping forward, the man grabbed the glass his daughter was holding and checked its contents.
“Chamomile tea? Can Papa drink it?”
Suddenly Aurora immediately panicked. If Raphael drank what was in the glass, everything would be a mess.
“Do not!” stop Aurora. Which of these actions made Raphael immediately ask a question. “Why not? You didn’t intend to put poison in this drink, did you?”
“It’s not like that, Pa,” Aurora shook her head repeatedly. “How could I do that. It’s just….” “Just what, honey?” Raphael continued to chase. Trying to make Aurora admit what she had done before. “You heard what he said, Papa, didn’t you? What drink did you really want to give Tristan?”
“I-I just gave—-”
“Stimulants or sleeping pills?” cut off Raphael while guessing.
“Daddy!” Aurora exclaimed when caught red-handed what she had done before. Her face instantly paled even more so after seeing Raphael’s expression darkening with anger.
“You’re going too far, Aurora! Papa can’t understand what you’ve done this time. This isn’t the way to win Tristan’s heart. Do you think that after carrying out your plan, Tristan will just obey?”
Aurora was silent. Not the least bit daring to answer what Raphael said. Even when his father spoke again, he just looked down.
“Even if what you’re planning does manage to get you pregnant with Tristan’s child, Papa will never let you two get married. What you’re doing is getting out of hand, Aurora.”
“Papa is outrageous,” said Aurora, lifting her face. “You’ve gone too far, Aurora! You’ve justified any means to realize your own obsession.”
Aurora smiled faintly. It hurts to hear these words come out of his father’s lips.
“Papa should have realized, I did everything because I was so desperate. What else should I do so that Tristan can turn to me, Pa?”
Raphael shook his head repeatedly. He also thought about why the daughter he loved so much lost his mind just because he was obsessed with wanting to have the man he loved.
“Papa didn’t forbid you to love Tristan. Papa didn’t forbid you from marrying Tristan in the end. Just use the right way to get it, Aurora. Not with shortcuts or cunning like this. like this? Did Papa ever teach you to cheat and even justify any means to make your wish come true?” Aurora was silent. Of course, he couldn’t answer what Raphael asked him.
“Tristan is in the wrong here for giving you so many promises,” Raphael continued. “But that doesn’t mean you repay him with actions that are equally commendable. It’s not like that, Aurora! This time Papa is really disappointed in you.”
After Raphael said that sentence, Aurora, who felt cornered, could only shake her head slowly. Without saying a word, the woman chose to leave the room.
“Pa?” Tristan scolded when he found his father just standing still in his standing position. He had been waiting for an answer to what he asked.
“Yes, Tristan.” In the end, Raphael answered. “Aurora isn’t home at the moment. Maybe she’s out there that needs to be done,” the man boasted. He also does not know where his daughter is now. After the argument between the two of them, from the assistant, Raphael knew that Aurora went straight out of the house last night and, until this moment, had not returned. He’s been trying to call, but he’s not getting a single answer.
“Ah, I thought he was at home,” Tristan said later. “Nothing. Later when he comes home, Papa will tell you,” said the man.
“That’s it. I’ll just continue to rest.”
Raphael nodded, then said again. “Now you can clean up first and then eat the breakfast that Samanta prepared. After that, go back to rest until you’re normal. Besides, it’s Sunday. There’s no work to be done.”
Tristan nodded. Do what Raphael suggested. He needs to rest more after the hangover he experienced last night. Luckily today is a holiday, so he can spend time alone at home.
***
Edward parked his black Jeep Rubicon in the Alexis Cafe parking lot. Tonight, it was his schedule to play Billiard with Nicholas and Jacob. After almost a month, they never hung out together.
As soon as he entered the cafe, he could catch the whereabouts of his two best friends from the corner of his eye. They seemed engrossed in chatting while aiming at the ball scattered on the table. Not wanting to be left behind, Edward hurriedly approached.
“Why don’t you wait for me to come first?” protested the man while grabbing a billiard stick neatly arranged not far from the table.
“It’s your own fault that you’ve been here for so long,” Nicholas said without turning his head to the other side. “I don’t know when you can realize and appreciate the time more when we meet. If it’s not just friends, I’m also lazy to come tonight,” complained the man.
Edward laughed innocently. It was nothing new for him to hear the nagging coming from Nicholas’ lips. In almost every meeting, the man complains that he is the object of protest and is always the target.
“You really are like a woman, Nick. If you’re fussy like this, Claire might not like you. I’m sure she’ll find a new partner.”
Nicholas looked up and gave him a disapproving look. He is very sensitive when it comes to couples.
“Don’t bring up Claire. We both love each other and accept each other’s flaws. So there’s no way Claire would leave me on trivial matters like this.”
Edward and Jacob just nodded. They both knew that Nicholas was fascinated with Claire. Almost everything she wants, she always tries to do to please her. But the bad thing is that Nicholas likes to regulate what his partner can and can’t do.
“It’s up to you. But as a playboy, I understand a lot about the nature of women, Nick,” said Edward as if he understood the most about women on this earth.
“Just so you know, in this world there are so many typical women. There are those who hate it when their partners are too busy with work. There are those who don’t like the type of man who is too controlling and fussy like you. There are also women who hate men who are less aggressive and sensitive in relationships. It’s just a matter of seeing which type you belong to.”
“Nonsense!” said Nicholas. “I don’t have any of your criteria. If Claire doesn’t like my character and demeanor, we’ve been separated for a long time. The proof is that she’s been faithful until now, and we’re both ready to get married soon.” “Yayaya,” Edward said lazily.
“I just pray that the marriage happens.” The three of them spent a long time playing. When it was late, they chose to rest while enjoying the drinks and snacks ordered.
“How have you been lately? Are you okay?” Jacob asked Edward as a conversation starter. Edward, who was enjoying the muffin in his hand, nodded briefly. Finished the food in his mouth first, and then he answered.
“Fine. Very good indeed. I can’t wait for another three to a week.”
Jacob’s brow instantly furrowed. I was curious about what Edward was waiting for in the next few weeks to be as enthusiastic as he is now.
“What’s the matter in three weeks?”
“The decision regarding the divorce trial between Sophia and Tristan. I told you, once they divorced, I would immediately marry the woman I love.”
Nicholas shook his head. Sipping the soda in his hand, the man gave him a mocking look. “For some reason, I thought you married Sophia out of an obsession with wanting to take revenge on Tristan.”
Hearing the accusation, Edward immediately coughed. He didn’t expect Nicholas to think that far.
“Are you crazy, Alistair Junior?”
“I’m just guessing, Ed. There’s nothing wrong with that, right? Besides, even if Sophia did get a divorce, you wouldn’t have to rush into marrying her too much. I wonder what exactly you’re after? Is Tristan raw? Then why be afraid?”
“I’m not afraid,” he said. “Then what is it if not fear? To be honest, you take their household too far, Ed.”
“Wait!” Edward immediately interrupted. “I’m not interfering, Nick. I just don’t want Tristan to hurt Sophia again. I don’t want Sophia to get stirred up and fall into the same hole again.”
“Are you God?” Jacob answered this time. “Isn’t every human being entitled to forgiveness and a second chance? Then why can’t Tristan get it?”
Edward sighed lazily. So annoyed with myself why these two friends even defended their rivals all-out. It was Tristan who had made a mistake from the start.
“Haven’t you once thought how it would feel to be in my position? How disappointed was I when my best friend betrayed me?” he asked Jacob and Nicholas emphatically.
“So that you know how hard I tried to forgive. Learned to accept reality. I was worried when Tristan was in an accident. But when he found out, the woman he used to snatch was hurt without mercy. Wasted without caring. And now? After all, he just came to apologize and then wanted to be together? Gosh, what kind of joke is this!”
Nicholas nodded. Understand exactly what Edward felt. But that doesn’t mean he can act as he wants.
“I know, Ed. You must be hurt. It’s just that right now, and you’re too far into their domestic affairs. We never forbade you and Sophia to get married if you love each other. It’s just that before the woman officially holds the widow status, it’s good you don’t overdo it.”
“Excessive. What do you mean?” Edward asked. His eyes narrowed sharply, waiting for an explanation from the man in front of him.
“Yeah, like you’re doing now. Already preparing the wedding procession. Buying rings and all that. I think it’s too early to do so. Let Tristan and Sophia finish their business first is best.”
Edward chuckled lazily. Does not necessarily agree with what Nicholas said.
“I can’t wait by just sitting around. Moreover, Tristan is always trying to get close to him.” Laughter erupted from Jacob’s lips instead. He felt funny about himself with what his friend said.
“Does that mean you don’t believe that you can replace Tristan from Sophia’s life?”
“Come on, Edward,” Jacob said again.
“My advice, just let Sophia and Tristan finish their business. Don’t be a nuisance. If Sophia is your soul mate, she will come to you without being chased once.”
Damn! Jacob’s harsh words just now managed to flick Edward until the man fell silent and ran out of vocabulary. Wanted to deny it, but there was no longer anything to refute.