Since the drunken incident that happened to him a few days ago, for some reason, Tristan was a little sure that Aurora was deliberately avoiding him. If usually, after attending a meeting, they always do a joint evaluation.
The woman just left yesterday. Even just greeting Tristan in moderation, as if he was very reluctant to linger together. What made Tristan even more strange was that Aurora wasn’t interested in telling him what he had done wrong.
This is not Aurora’s character as she knows it. To ascertain what happened, he had to ask Samanta and Raphael if there were any strange or fatal events he might have missed.
“As far as I know, that night after Mr. Nicholas came to take you home, as usual Mrs Aurora helped change your clothes, Sir,” said Samanta.
“Are you sure nothing strange happened to me back then?”
Samanta immediately shook her head.
“Nothing, Sir. As far as I know, a few moments after the Madame entered your room, Mr. Raphael also followed. I don’t know what they were talking about, but it wasn’t long before Mrs. Aurora came down and went straight into the room. A few minutes later, she came out and straight to the car.”
“You mean Aurora left the house that night?”
Samanta nodded confidently. “Yes, even madam didn’t come home that night. I remember, madam only returned home tomorrow afternoon.”
Even to ensure this incident, Tristan also asked his father. Was there something important that he missed out on?
“Nothing, Tristan,” said the man. “Everything is alright.”
“Then why did Aurora not come home, Pa?”
“Maybe because he wants to calm down,” Raphael answered. He was lazy to tell his son about Aurora’s intention to trap Tristan by taking drugs so that the man would act out of bounds. Raphael didn’t want Tristan to be resentful or angry with his daughter.
“Calm down?” Tristan was sceptical about the reasons his father had just said. ”
How has Aurora ever behaved strangely like this, Pa. No matter how angry she is, she usually doesn’t come home.”
“Never mind Tristan.” Raphael kept trying to convince. “Nothing happened. Aurora is fine. So, you don’t need to be so dizzy or worried like now. Maybe Aurora really wants to be alone because she thinks about her fate which is not clear whether to marry or not be with you.”
Tristan’s throat seemed to choke to hear his father’s words. It seems that he has to solve all these problems one by one so that his life can return to peace.
“Papa’s advice, so that all of this doesn’t drag on, you must give an affirmation. If you don’t intend to marry her, quickly say it and give Aurora an explanation. Even if you end up still getting married, give her an immediate certainty. Don’t hang up on Aurora’s fate as it is now. What is certain, whatever your decision, Papa will always support,” explained Raphael at length at that time.
“Mister, what other part should I check and work on after this?”
Mario’s words immediately woke Tristan from his daydream. Lifting his face, the man grabbed a document from a black folder and handed it to the assistant. “That’s all you have to do with the rest. But before it’s executed, it’s a good idea to do an evaluation with Aurora first.”
“Aurora?” Mario repeated. Then soon, the man corrected his words. “You mean, I have to take this document to Mrs. Aurora’s room first?”
Tristan nodded confidently. “Yes, Mario. Evaluation and approval is Aurora’s job, right?” “Yes, Mister,” the white man nodded. “There should be no problem with this document. It’s just, I’ve been feeling weird about Aurora these past few days.”
Mario, standing right in front of Tristan, was immediately taken aback. “Strange what do you mean, Mister?”
“Yeah, that’s weird. He doesn’t usually keep me quiet like now. No matter how angry Aurora is with me, she will be professional by not mixing personal issues with work responsibilities.”
Mario nodded in understanding. “Perhaps there is something wrong with him, Mister. That’s why he doesn’t want to say much.”
This time it was Tristan who nodded. But somehow, he still felt strange with the attitude that Aurora showed. They have known each other for more than 15 years. Where has Aurora ever behaved without cause like now?
Since yesterday, he had been thinking hard, could there be something unpleasant he had done while drunk yesterday and finally made Aurora furious. But Samanta and the father confirmed nothing happened to them both.
“Let me ask him directly, Mario. The important thing is that you just do the task I gave you just now. Remember! Ask Aurora to evaluate it first. I don’t want there to be the slightest mistake in this assignment.”
Mario nodded. Without much thought, he immediately brought his feet to Aurora’s room, one floor below Tristan’s room. Before entering, he looked like a man in deep thought. Confused himself because he felt bad for the beautiful woman who owned the room.
However, since it’s his job, he must still be professional, right? Inhaling repeatedly, Mario pointed his hand. Knocking softly on the door, waiting for an answer from the room’s owner.
“Come in, just,” Aurora ordered from inside. Putting on a face as casual as possible, Mario then walked in. From his eyes, he could see how Aurora was busy working on something at her desk.
“Madam, sorry if I nodded in time.”
Aurora raised her head. At that moment, the two of them stared at each other. Until not long, Aurora back down.
“What do you want to do in my room?” she asked disapprovingly. With a nervous feeling, Mario tried to answer the simple question that Aurora had posed.
“I’m here to hand over one of the documents that you need to check and evaluate immediately. I can’t complete this assignment without your signature first.”
Aurora continued to do her job. Without even looking back, the woman answered again. “Just put it there. After that, please immediately get out of my room.”
Mario nodded, obeying Aurora’s command. But, before leaving, full of guts, he again invited his boss to talk. “Mrs. Aurora, I know you must still be angry about what happened the other day. I really—-”
“Gosh Mario. How dare you talk to me,” cried the woman. Her expression looked very displeased. “Please don’t talk about what happened the other day at the office,” she said later.
“Then how about we have lunch or dinner together to discuss this. Everything has to be settled, madam. Let there be no misunderstanding between the two of us.”
Aurora chuckled. Instead of being happy, his face looked even more stern.
“What did you say? Lunch or dinner? After yesterday, you still dared to ask me to meet outside? For God’s sake, don’t you have any shame?”
Mario sighed in frustration. Why is this position so wrong? It seems that it was a big mistake because he had to meet Aurora in a drunken state the other day. The heart intended to help, but everything turned into a mess like now. Not to mention that their relationship in the office is not as good as it is now.
“Madam I’m sorry. I know you must still be angry. But it’s all pure isn’t it—-”
“Enough Mario!” cut Aurora.
“Don’t continue. Now get out of my room. Or do you need me to call security?”
Mario nodded. Instead of being long, he chose to do what Aurora ordered. Maybe another time, he could explain to her the embarrassing thing that had happened to them earlier. “Very well, madam. I will obey your orders. But again, if you wish to discuss the events of the other day, I am ready to provide clarification at any time.”
“Mario!” Mario immediately took a thousand steps when Aurora took a conservative attitude while preparing to throw a magazine at him. It’s hard to talk to a woman when she’s emotionally unstable.
***
Tristan directed his car to one of the skyscrapers not far from Foxtail Corporation. As soon as he arrived, he immediately went down. Carrying his feet to walk leisurely towards the lobby, Tristan approached the receptionist on duty. The man then conveyed the purpose of his arrival to find someone.
“Good afternoon, can I see Sophia Adelaide?”
The grey uniformed receptionist nodded kindly. After a while, he smiled and answered politely.
“Please wait a moment, let me help contact the person in question.”
Tristan nodded. Then wait for further news. Meanwhile, the receptionist seemed to contact Sophia from the available telephone there. Until 10 minutes later, the person he was looking for finally came and immediately approached.
“Tristan?” he called from a distance as he walked closer. Tristan, who heard his name called, immediately turned around. Smiling, he greeted back.
“Hi, Sophia. Sorry if I intruded on your time.” Sophia smiled and then answered again.
“No problem, Tristan. I’m also resting at the moment. What’s wrong? Do you need anything?”
Tristan nodded awkwardly. Afraid that his invitation this afternoon was rejected by Sophia. But, if he doesn’t try, he will never know the result. “I’d like to take you to lunch. Are you ready?” Sophia was silent for a moment. It was obvious that he was weighing. Think carefully about whether to accept or reject the invitation of the man who still officially holds the status of his husband.
“Ok, that’s fine. If it’s just lunch I can. But if it’s too long, it doesn’t seem like there will be time because at three o’clock, I have a re-shoot schedule.”
Tristan nodded. So glad that Sophia accepted his offer. He thought it didn’t matter, even if it was just for a moment. Most importantly, he could once again have a serious conversation with his wife.
“Then let’s go now, shall we?” asked Tristan, and Sophia answered immediately with a nod. “You wait here a moment. Let me get the bag first.”
Sophia returned in less than a minute with a shopper bag on her shoulder. He then walked to Tristan’s car, which was parked in the courtyard of the building. Tristan, who saw Sophia was almost there, swiftly helped open the door.
Welcomed in, then walked quickly to catch up. The two then went to an Asian restaurant near where Sophia worked. Tristan accidentally chose to remember the first time they met and ate together.
“I didn’t think you’d take me to this restaurant,” Sophia said as the two of them sat down together in the restaurant. A waiter was waiting for them to take note of the menu of what food would be ordered.
“I did it on purpose,” Tristan said. Then his gaze shifted to the waiter who was standing.
“I ordered Beef Bulgogi and ramyeon, one. For the beef itself, please add a little more sesame. For dessert, two slices of red velvet classic are enough. Drink two glasses of orange juice.”
Sophia watched carefully how Tristan was ordering the food menu. He admits that the man, until now, knows what he likes and likes.
“You still like Beef Bulgogi with added sesame, don’t you?” asked Arseke then, which immediately interrupted Sophia’s thoughts.
“W-what did you say just now?” Sophia stammered. “I ordered you beef bulgogi for lunch this time. My question is, you still like the menu, don’t you?”
“Ah.” Sophia nodded immediately. “Of course. From the past until now, the menu has never been replaced in the slightest, just like the red velvet cake that I often eat.”
Tristan smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. At least he managed to order Sophia a lunch to her liking. “That’s good then. By the way, how are you?”
Sophia folded her arms on the dining table. Being more relaxed, the woman replied.
“Very well, Tristan. I’ve been busy shooting some big brands as usual. If I don’t mind, I’ll be performing at London Fashion Week next week. I hope you’ll come to see me.”
Tristan smiled. His heart warmed a little. It’s great because Sophia directly invited him to a big show she was in. “Sure. I’ll definitely be watching you.”
“Thank you very much,” Sophia said. “I’ll order you the front seat so you can see me without anyone getting in the way.” Once the food was served, the two chose to eat first while discussing light things. Sophia even felt deja vu when she and Tristan first met while doing the same thing as today. “You know, Tristan, I’ve been trying to remember how we first met. In this restaurant, in the same place, the menu and the atmosphere are the same.” Tristan nodded. He certainly didn’t forget what Sophia said. This is also where he first flirted, trying to attract attention and win Sophia’s heart. “Yes, I remember. Never even forgot when you accused me of being a playboy and don’t even believe that I never asked a single woman to sleep with me,” said Tristan.
“That’s right,” said Sophia. “Until this moment, I’m actually not really sure that you’ve never slept with a woman other than me.”
Tristan chuckles. His expression changed to a grimace when he heard Sophia, who still had doubts about him.
“For God’s sake, I’ve never slept with a woman other than you, Sophia.”
“Don’t lie,” said Sophia, not in the least bit of disbelief. The woman’s eyes narrowed sharply, clearly not like it.
“What about Aurora? Haven’t you two looked affectionate a few times?”
Tristan laughed, then raised his index and middle fingers, a sign of an oath that he was telling the truth. “I swear, Sophia Geraldo. What you see a few times is not what you think. I’ve never done anything to Aurora. You can check.”
Sophia’s eyebrows immediately knit together. “How do I check, Tristan? Don’t say no.” “You check and feel it again, what’s strange in my body?”
Sophia snorted in annoyance. Seriously, Tristan said something ridiculous that annoyed him. “Shit! It’s like you’re using me.”
The two of them laughed lightly. Then not long after, Tristan bravely tried to grab Sophia’s wrist and hold it gently.
“I missed you, Sophia. Sorry if I can’t erase you one bit from my brain.”
Sophia smiled. Not the least bit bothered by what Tristan did and said to him just now.
“If you can’t, you don’t need to delete it, Tristan. Just like what I did to you. Even though I’ve been hurt so many times, I’ve never tried to get rid of you from here,” Sophia pointed with one free hand to her chest. Arsene kept looking at Sophia’s beautiful face. Nailed the woman’s blue beads as she said again,
“In fact, we both know we love each other. But, why is there no chance for me to have you again?”
Sophia gave a smile. After a moment, the woman shook her head. “I can’t, Tristan. We can’t continue our relationship anymore. We’d better be friends like this. Besides, you know yourself that I will marry Edward after our divorce process is over.”
Tristan took a deep breath. Why did he think it was so hard to convince Sophia that he was fruitful and that he was now willing to do anything as long as they were back together.
“But you don’t love Edward.”
“Says who?” Sophia said quickly.
“Can you read my heart and mind?”
“I can see in the look in your eyes when you’re with Edward. There wasn’t an ounce of love there like you do to me right now.”
Sophia remained silent for a moment. Minutes later, he once again carved a sweet smile from his lips.
“No, Tristan. You’re wrong. I love Edward like love to a partner. As for you, this time I love as a friend or a best friend. After all, no matter how forced we are we won’t be together, right? You also have to keep your promise to Aurora.”
Tristan immediately shook his head hard. “I can cancel it anytime, Sophia.”
“You mustn’t hurt Aurora, Tristan. I’m sure that woman has felt sad many times because you played with her feelings.”
“Sophia…” Tristan muttered. “I beg you. Why is it so difficult for you to give me a chance to provide evidence?”
“Because you have nothing more to prove, Tristan. That’s enough. Our relationship is more than enough. So let me be free this time. Let me make my own choices without your interference.”
Tristan was silent. There was no hope of a chance for him to reconnect with Sophia. He had tried many times to ask for a chance. So many times, Sophia immediately rejected him. Will Nicholas say about being a widower in the near future? Seriously, God!
“So, there isn’t one more chance for me to give you evidence?” he asked quietly.
“Sorry, Tristan,” Sophia replied, shaking her head. “My decision has been made. I want us to stay divorced as I originally asked you to. We are not fit to be husband and wife. Friendship is the best option right now.”
Tristan nodded resignedly. All the methods and suggestions given by the friends did not work. This was even the umpteenth time he had tried. Maybe it was fate that he had to separate from Sophia.
“All right, Sophia,” Tristan said then. “I respect the decision. From this moment on I will no longer force you to ask me back.”
Sophia nodded immediately. “That’s better, Tristan. There’s no need to bother yourself over and over again asking me to get back together or be your wife. Please just let me be with Edward.”
Tristan continued to stare at Sophia’s face with an expression that was hard to decipher. Even when escorting the woman back to the agency building for the last time, he asked the wife, who might soon become his ex.
“Before we part, can I hug you one more time?”
“Of course you can hug me.”
Sophia then leaned forward. Close the distance between the two of them. Without the slightest sense of awkwardness hugged Tristan’s body tightly. Long enough. Even just resigned when the man in front of her briefly kissed her forehead and lips before they finally parted.
“Goodbye, Sophia. I wish you happiness with your choice.”