Mario immediately broke the hot kiss between himself and Aurora. He was so surprised when he suddenly heard a knock on the door from outside the toilet. The two of them looked at each other. Of course, they are confused about what to do because their current position is awry.
“You’re looking for death, Mario! If Tristan sees the two of us like this, I’m sure he’ll kill you.”
Aurora spoke in a whisper. He was certainly no less confused about how to escape from the toilet without raising many questions from people.
“Calm down, Aurora. Let me think. I’m sure it wasn’t Mr. Tristan knocking on his door,”
Mario replied. His face looked panicked. While continuing to think, the man then raised his hand. Intends to help tidy up the blazer and Aurora’s hair which looks dishevelled.
“Don’t hold it!” said Aurora. “Who allowed you to touch me.”
“Don’t make noise, Aurora,” Mario whispered again. Then soon, the sound of knocking was heard again, this time even more and louder.
“How is this Mario?” asked Aurora in panic. It was as if the two of them would be found out soon enough.
“Calm down… calm down…” the man said.
“You go out first. Just act normal like nothing happened, so people out there don’t suspect you.”
“Then how about you?” Aurora asked back. “Are you worried about me?”
“Gosh, Mario! Where does that confidence come from? Don’t be crazy!” cursed Aurora with bulging eyes. Right after his words were out, there was another knock on the door.
“Hurry up, Aurora. Just get out. Don’t ask too many questions.”
Aurora chuckled. Taking a deep breath, the woman tried to simultaneously put on a more calm face. Opening the door slowly, he could finally see who had been knocking on the door so impatiently.
“Sorry, madam, if I’m rude to knock on the door repeatedly,” said a woman who turned out to be one of the boutique waiters.
“I think something happened inside. Your partner has been waiting at the counter.”
Aurora nodded once. Giving a faint smile and without uttering a word, just walked away. Walking very casually as if nothing had happened before.
Mario thought that after greeting Aurora, the boutique waiter would immediately close the door and leave. But his guess was wrong. The young woman came in. And, of course, he could see where she was hiding right behind the main door.
Before the woman in front of him screamed in surprise, Mario moved quickly again. Bringing his hand to tightly grip the boutique waiter’s mouth so as not to scream. Then he slowly whispered so as not to arouse the suspicion of others out there.
“Please don’t make a fuss. I won’t do anything bad,” he whispered carefully. “I promise to compensate you if you cooperate.”
The maid was initially silent. The next second seemed to nod in agreement with Mario’s offer. “Thank you for being able to work with me.”
Mario then reached for his wallet. Seconds later, he took out a 100 Pounds Sterling note and handed it over to the waiter without hesitation.
“This is for you. Remember, let’s pretend the two of us never saw each other.”
After making sure the waiter received the money, Mario rushed out of the women’s toilet. Hastily approached Tristan and Aurora, who was probably waiting for his arrival.
“Where have you been?”
Mario was right. As soon as he appeared, Tristan immediately asked a question. “I’m from the toilet, Sir. Just now when I was about to go back, a client called. So like it or not, I have to pick it up first.”
“Tristan,” called Aurora deliberately. “Let’s hurry home. I’m tired of lingering here.”
Tristan nodded. Then he walked out of the boutique, carrying a paper bag containing the clothes he had just bought. Before actually getting into the car, he spoke again to Mario. ”
Aurora and I just go home. When your work is done, there’s no need to go back to the office. Get some rest. We’ll meet again at the airport tomorrow.”
Mario nodded obediently. Then it didn’t take long for Tristan to answer what Tristan had just ordered.
“Okay, Sir. I’ll go to the office first to prepare all your needs and then come home. Tomorrow, I’ll let you know when I get to the airport.”
Tristan then entered first. When Aurora wanted to do the same thing, Mario unexpectedly dared to pull the beautiful woman’s arm until her steps stopped.
“Our business is not finished, Aurora,” he whispered while putting on a conservative attitude. Afraid that Tristan would watch the two of them from inside the car.
“Careful demons, Mario! Now get your hands out or I’ll scream for Tristan.”
Mario was forced to release his grip. Let Aurora get in the car and then pass out of sight. As soon as they arrived at the house, there was Raphael immediately welcomed the arrival of his son and daughter.
Before entering their respective rooms, the man invited them to sit and relax first in the family room.
“All your gear checked?” the man asked curiously.
“Yes, Pa,” said Tristan. “All my and Aurora’s things are neatly arranged in the suitcase. Only this new dress and suit we haven’t put in.”
“That’s good. The important thing is not to be left behind. Most likely Papa will catch up with you one day before the event starts. That’s okay, right?” Tristan once again nodded.
“Don’t worry about it, Pa. Besides, you have to attend some important meetings, right?” “You’re right,” Raphael replied. “In the morning, Papa has to go to Emaar’s representative office first. Once that’s done, Papa and Mario will go straight to Paris.”
“What?” Hearing Mario’s name, Aurora suddenly reacted. “Why do you have to bring Mario with you, Pa? He’s not a nuclear family. Why should you be involved in an event as important as this.”
Raphael shook his head in disbelief. It’s really bad for Aurora to protest like this.
“It’s not like we already treat Mario like family. It’s fine to take him along to Paris.”
“Yes, Aurora.” Tristan chimed in. “Why should you protest if Mario comes along? I’ve noticed that you’ve been acting strangely with my assistant these past few days. You two aren’t in any trouble, are you?”
“I-me?” pointed Aurora to herself. “Of course not. It’s just that it’s uncomfortable if someone else is involved in an important event like this.”
“No need to dramatize, Aurora.” Raphael casually spoke again. “No matter what, Papa will still take Mario to Paris.”
“It’s up to Papa.” The woman then got up with an annoyed face. Leaving the two men in front of him, who were still late in the conversation.
***
Sophia was seen sitting quietly on the terrace before the swimming pool while sipping a cup of warm tea in her hand. The woman’s mind wandered. But more inclined to the divorce process, which will be completed next week. One more thing, for some reason, Sophia was a little disturbed by what she saw earlier.
She felt stifled when he accidentally saw Tristan and Aurora smiling happily out of a special boutique selling wedding dresses. Then, a question arose in his heart, did the man marry Aurora according to his promise?
“He said he only loves me. Why marry another woman? It turns out that all men on this earth are the same,” Sophia growled. He looked annoyed as he squeezed the teddy bear sitting with him all this time. To vent his frustration, he put the doll on his lap. Deliberately confronted directly in front of his face.
“How can I trust you, Tristan,” Sophia said, pinching the doll in front of her fondly.
“You can’t keep your promise. Look at it now. I just turned it down, and you’re already in a hurry to find a replacement. So who here can’t wait to get a new status? You bastard!” Seeing the princess babbling to herself from a distance, Mikayla, who had just finished eating dinner, immediately approached. Rebuked him, then sat down beside his daughter.
“What’s the matter, Sophia? I’m watching from a distance, and you look like someone angry. What’s going on?” the woman asked, confused.
Sophia grimaced. Shame on his actions that just got caught by his mother.
“Nothing, Ma. I’m just annoyed,” said the woman casually.
“Annoyed?” Mikayla’s brows furrowed. A sign that he was wondering what was causing his daughter to upset herself. “Who pissed you off? Edward? The job? Or maybe Tristan?”
Sophia immediately turned around. How could her mother guess what she was thinking? Meanwhile, Mikayla, who saw Sophia’s expression, which had been active, had now turned silent, spoke again. She thought that what he had guessed just now must have happened.
“Ah, I’m sure you must be upset about Tristan, right?”
“Mama, don’t guess randomly,” the woman said. “But Feeling Mama said so, Sophia. Besides, I know who you are. Twenty-five years together, it’s easy for Mama to guess.”
Sophia immediately let out a long sigh. It’s hard to dodge, but the mother is still good at reading her heart.
“Don’t lie, Sophia,” Mikayla said again. “If something’s bothering you, tell Mama. Why do you have to keep it to yourself? You’ll get stressed. Sophia nodded slowly. Confused now to show how to express me. Once again, no matter what, it seems that the mother will still find out.”
“I…” There was a short pause before Sophia finally spoke frankly. “I’m mad at Tristan, Mom.”
Mikayla immediately took her hand. Then covered his mouth and laughed softly. Which action makes the princess so upset.
“Mama! Why are you laughing at me?” she said, so annoyed.
“Sorry … Sorry … continue your story. Mama promises not to laugh again after this.” Sophia chuckled. Making sure her mother’s expression calmed down, she continued to tell the story.
“I don’t know. Countless times Tristan has asked me to start a household again. And countless times, I have rejected him. Tristan always says that he is ready to do anything as long as he is allowed to prove his love.”
“And you didn’t give him the slightest chance?” Mikayla guessed.
Sophia then nodded.
“It seems that my decision to reject Tristan’s request is correct, Ma. The proof is that he is not ready to marry another woman. Ah, it’s only right that yesterday he deliberately did not attend the trial. Maybe so that the judge will immediately decide the outcome of this divorce.”
Mikayla seemed to shake her head while smiling.
“Why should you be upset if Tristan is not present at the trial? Why should you be angry if Tristan really is preparing for his wedding? Aren’t you the one who didn’t give him one chance to give evidence?”
Sophia fell silent. Mikayla’s words were so piercing that they seemed to go straight to the pit of her heart.
“Come to think of it, it wasn’t Tristan’s fault either that he learned to ‘move on’ from you, Sophia. Isn’t this what you wanted? Why are you so upset now?”
“Mom.” Sophia interrupted. “Mommy doesn’t understand what I mean.”
“What else do you mean, honey?”
Sophia took a deep breath. Arguing with his mother must be mentally prepared. Since then, never won once.
“I mean, why not wait for our status to be official first,” Sophia said.
“Don’t forget to look in the mirror, kid.” Mikayla said that casually.
“How about you and Edward? You two even bought rings of all kinds long before Tristan did this, didn’t you? You even talked about the engagement and reception preparations. Tristan must have felt the same way you feel now.”
Sophia immediately massaged her temples which suddenly throbbed in pain. For God’s sake, he ran out of words to argue with his mother sitting next to him.
“So you think I shouldn’t be upset?” Asked that, Mikayla only gave a smile.
“Yes, it’s human to be upset. But you can’t fully vent your anger on Tristan. You two are the same. Both stubborn and selfish. If you really love each other, you should be together. Not hurting each other’s feelings like this.”
“Oh my God, Mama.” Sophia could only shake her head. Sh picked up the cup of cold tea on the table. She took a sip to moisten her throat, which was suddenly dry from arguing too much over what his mother had said.
“But, Sophia,” Mikayla continued. “Mama was actually surprised too. Why did you have to divorce Tristan. Don’t you love him so much?”
Sophia nodded slowly. After drinking the tea in his hand, he put the cap back on the table. He wiped his wet lips and then answered his mother’s question.
“I don’t know, Ma. Love alone doesn’t seem like enough reason for Tristan and I to get back together. I don’t hold grudges. But I haven’t forgotten what he’s done in the past.”
“Still, it’s the fall of revenge, Sophia. No matter how you modify what you just said, it’s clear to Mama’s ears that you haven’t fully forgiven your husband.”
“Yayaya,” Sophia joked casually. He was too lazy to reply to the woman next to him. “Anyway, I’m not going back with Tristan, Mom. Period!”
“Let’s hope you prove it, dear.” Then silence for a few moments. They both seemed to be busy with their thoughts. Until not long, Mikayla spoke again. She had almost forgotten to deliver one important piece of news that Sophia should know.
“Ah, one more thing, Sophia. Earlier, your Papa’s lawyer gave the news to Mama. The investigation into the case that your Papa is doing has been completed and has been handed over to the court.”
“Then?” the woman asked curiously. “That means, from tomorrow we can visit Papa. Mama wants to invite you to go there together. You can, right?”
Sophia nodded in agreement. After all, tomorrow, he doesn’t have the usual shooting schedule. “Then let’s go early in the morning. Mama will prepare your Papa’s favorite food to take with us in advance. I’m sure she will miss home food.”
When the two of them were talking, One of Sophia’s housekeepers came over. Give the news that outside there are guests who come looking.
“Alexius,” said Sophia when she found her former bodyguard at the door. “What are you doing at my house at this time of night?” The tall, well-built man gave a friendly smile. Nodding, then handed a box which was confirmed to contain a cake for Sophia to receive.
“I was asked to deliver this, madam.” Sophia’s eyebrows immediately knit together. “Cake?” she asked doubtfully.
“Yes,” Alexius replied, nodding.
“The courier who is usually sent to deliver tonight is absent. So Mr. Tristan ordered me to deliver tonight and confirm in person that you receive it.”
Instead of understanding, Sophia pulled her face deeper. She didn’t understand what Alexius was saying.
“Just a moment,” said the woman. “There seems to be a misunderstanding here. Just now, you said that the courier who used to deliver was absent. What do you mean?”
The smile did not fade from Alexius’ lips in the slightest. Nodding, the man answered what Sophia asked.
“Yes, madam. Usually, there is a special courier assigned by Mr. Tristan to deliver cakes to your house once every three days. Since I am unable to attend tonight, I was assigned directly to replace.”
“Tristan sends cakes every three days?” the woman asked, confused. “Yes. In fact, every morning your husband also sends flowers and some gifts that you really like.”
“Hah?” Sophia was getting more and more shocked. Remember if you have ever received anything in the form of flowers or gifts that Tristan sent. Or maybe someone had deliberately kept the item so it wouldn’t reach Sophia. But who? And what is the underlying motive?