Later that day, Jacob was called to the CEO’s office again. This time, Tristan gave him a black card and was instructed to give it to Belle.
Tristan’s exact words were, “Give this to Belle, she can use it to purchase everything she needs for her job. Clothes, shoes, bags, or whatever it is she needs to function properly at work.”
Although he was confused, he could only follow his boss’ instructions. ‘Why was I not given a black card? I’ve been working for him for years!’
He wanted to feel jealous of Belle, but thinking about it, he knows fairly well why he is doing this. He couldn’t help but smile at his friends.
In the office, Belle’s been staring at the card on her table for several minutes now. She still can’t believe what she’s seeing before her eyes.
‘Is this really a black card? And can I use it?’ Her mind is in deep thought but she can’t stop herself from smiling.
“I take back what I said before. He isn’t stingy, sorry,” she tells Jacob, chuckling. Jacob wants to respond to her but he stops himself from doing so. Someone might be listening outside again. He needs to be careful.
Setting aside the thought of having a black card, Belle worked on her tasks enthusiastically. She was even humming while doing so.
Jacob can’t stop himself from throwing glances at her, for he knows exactly why she’s happy. ‘I need to let Tristan know about this.’
The CEO’s executive assistant immediately stepped out of their office as soon as Belle left. She bade Jacob farewell as soon as she was done with her tasks and confirmed that she could go.
Jacob, on the other hand, tells Tristan about Belle’s reaction to the black card as soon as he gets into his office. He’d been eager to tell him about it but waited until Belle had left.
“Really?” he asks, uninterested. “What about you? Are you excited about tomorrow’s banquet?”
‘Here we go again.’ Jacob’s starting to get irritated at Tristan, he’s so childish. “I already told you, we were just playing around. Stop being jealous!” he told him straight out.
“Who told you I was jealous?” Tristan asks, narrowing his hazel eyes at his assistant. ‘How did he know? Is he some sort of psychic?’
“You’re very obvious, Boss?” Jacob answers, emphasizing the last word. Jacob wants Tristan to realize that he’s not talking to him as a friend, but as his assistant who is very observant of things. “Why can’t you just tell her you like her?” he musters the courage to ask.
Tristan shook his head, “You’re wrong. I only like Joyce,” he lies. Jacob chuckled at his boldness.
“You can go ahead and deceive yourself, Boss. But anyone who isn’t blind can easily tell. If you only like Joyce, then Agnes, Marie, Tanya, Trisha, Letty, Olga, Chloe, and Susie won’t even exist!”
He gave him a rundown of all the women he associated himself with for the past years, months, weeks, and days. He was surprised himself that he remembered all those names.
Tristan laughed at him, “I can’t believe you can recall all their names. I even forget Agnes’ name sometimes!” he said, trying to be funny and changing the subject as well, but Jacob didn’t even smile. He seems unbothered. Tristan couldn’t do anything but be honest with his friend. “Well, if you already know, why are you still flirting with her?”
Jacob’s jaw fell open. ‘What is this weirdo talking about?’ He wanted to curse him for being dumb, but he thought of rescheduling it, not now.
“Conversing with a female co-worker isn’t flirting. Besides, I need to like her first to flirt with her. When did I say I like her?”
Tristan is speechless. He doesn’t even know why he thinks Jacob was flirting with Belle. Seeing that Tristan can’t find a word to refute him, Jacob walks closer and taps his friend’s shoulder.
“If you’re so jealous, make a move on her. Otherwise, with that beauty, someone else will and it will be too late for you.” He then turns to leave quickly before something is thrown at him.
—
Achoo!
Belle scrunched her nose, it had been itching for a while now and she was a bit worried. She doesn’t want to catch a cold. She’s attending a banquet tomorrow night and she’s already excited.
“Ohhhh… I wonder who’s talking about you!” It was Nathalie. Belle called her earlier to ask for her company, as she needs to look for a dress that she can wear for tomorrow’s event. “By the way, how is Tristan De Clarion? I mean, what is he like?”
Belle pauses to think, “If you’re asking about his face, he’s Apollo. But if it’s his personality, then he’s Hades,” she chuckles.
“Why? Is he rude to you?” Nathalie pried, so Belle told her everything. “Then he’s not that bad at all. He’s been taking you to lunch and now he’s given you a black card. If you’re to ask me, I think he’s a sweet guy.”
Recalling what she told her friend, Belle also reconsidered her thoughts. That she might have misjudged Tristan. ‘Maybe he’s really nice after all.’
But as they say, the first impression lasts. So Belle can’t help but feel apprehensive when he’s around. She’s willing to give him another chance though.
After going around the mall, they finally found a dress she liked. “Girl, you look gorgeous!” Nathalie exclaimed when she stepped out of the fitting room. Belle turned around a few times, showing off.
She’s slender but she got curves in the right places. She got long legs and fair skin. Her shoulder-length hair got natural curls on its ends. Moreso, Belle stands at 5 feet 7 inches, and her body proportions are almost perfect.
The dress she picked highlighted her body’s beauty. It’s a knee-length cocktail dress in royal blue, with silver stars designed all over it.
The dress is see-through above the chest, as well as on the back, above the waist. She also found the perfect footwear for it, a silver glitter ankle-strap stiletto.
After shopping, Nathalie and Belle ate dinner at the nearest restaurant. They then headed for the bar to grab a few drinks.
It was only nine in the evening and, since there was no work the next day, it was alright if they got drunk. They have no plans to drink too much though, since she’s attending a banquet the next night.
“Cheers to your new job!” Nathalie lifts her glass of vodka for a toast. Belle clicks her glass with her best friend’s and drinks it in one go.
They continued drinking while catching up. After downing her fifth glass, she feels the urge to visit the restroom.
“I’ll be back in a jiffy,” she tells Nathalie, grabbing her purse.
After dealing with nature’s call, she washed her hands and face in the sink. She’s a heavy drinker, but she still doesn’t want to drink too much or she won’t look good for the event.
When she drinks too much alcohol, her face bloats. Once she confirms that she still looks fine, she goes out of the restroom.
As soon as she steps out, she bumps into someone familiar. “Belle?” it was Eric.