When Tristan woke up, the first person he saw was Jacob. “What happened?” he asked, trying to massage the throbbing pain in his head.
“You and Belle were drugged,” Jacob informed him.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, trying to lift himself from the bed.
“I received a call last night, a staff member from this hotel told me that you checked in with your secretary. She said you’re both drunk and were carried to the VIP suite. I came over immediately. I knew something was wrong. You don’t drink to the point that someone needs to carry you,” Jacob narrated.
Tristan looked around after hearing the word ‘secretary’, but no matter where he turns his eyes, he couldn’t see Belle.
“I took her to the other room,” Jacob informed him, as he noticed that his boss was looking for the woman he was supposed to be with. Tristan furrowed his brows at him, “You were starting to take your clothes off last night with Belle lying next to you. Who knows what could have happened if I left her with you? Looking at the two of you last night, you both seemed ready to devour each other.”
“And you’re proud?” Tristan was being sarcastic. If he was to be honest, he wanted to strangle his assistant right now for not leaving the two of them alone last night.
Mustering courage, he looked into his boss’ eyes, “Yes! I am proud!” he answered, but deep inside, his knees were already shaking. “I don’t think Belle would like it if you did something to her in that state. Again, you were both drugged, neither of you was normal.”
Tristan stood up, walked towards the closet, and started looking for clothes he could put on. He pulled out a pair of track pants and a plain white shirt, and quickly wore them.
He tapped Jacob’s shoulder as he walked by him, “Thank you for your concern…” and then he headed out of the room.
Jacob heard him clearly. Tristan just thanked him. The words he said were nice to the ears, but his hands suddenly turned cold and his body stiffened as if his boss had just threatened him.
Pushing the thought aside, he followed him out. They went straight to Belle’s room where they found Nathalie helping her friend up.
“My head aches so badly,” Belle complained. She tried turning to her side but she was struck with pain. “My back too. What exactly happened?”
Nathalie turned around to look at Jacob as if asking him for help in explaining things to Belle. Jacob got the signal and he started narrating what happened last night.
“Who did it?” Tristan asked, sitting next to Belle, massaging her temples.
Jacob simply shook his head, “I don’t know yet. The staff who called said it was a middle-aged woman but she didn’t get to see her face. She’s with two burly men and those men carried you to the suite.”
“Any idea?”
“I’m thinking of someone, but hard to say at the moment. I can’t think of any reason for her to do it.”
Tristan nodded before waving his hand at Jacob. “Get us food,” he instructed as well.
Jacob pulled Nathalie up and out of the room, leaving Belle and Tristan alone.
“How are you feeling?” she cupped Tristan’s face to look closely at him.
Tristan took her hands off his face and enclosed them with his. “I’m fine and I’m glad you’re okay too,” he smiled faintly at her.
Belle felt the urge to hug him and she didn’t fight it. She pulled Tristan for a warm hug, allowing her chin to rest on his shoulder.
“Thank God you’re fine too,” she whispered.
Tristan held her by the waist to tighten the hug. He planted a kiss on her neck, letting it linger for a few seconds.
He looked into her eyes when she let go of him and his gaze went down to her lips. Letting go of all inhibitions, he inched closer to kiss her.
Tristan lightly pushed the woman and she willingly laid down on the bed, feet still on the floor. He positioned himself on top of her and continued kissing her, lovingly.
Belle let him. Tristan’s kisses were light and slow at first until they deepened and became more affectionate.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him down, closer to her. Tristan caressed her arm, down to her legs, nothing crossing the line.
When they let go, they were both gasping for air. They even chuckled, both feeling like teenagers sneaking for a make-out.
Jacob was about to knock when he saw what was going on. He smiled and stepped away from the door, quietly closing it. He wanted to make sure no one disturbed the peace inside the room.
“Where are they?” Nathalie asked when Jacob came back.
“They’re busy!” he giggled.
Nathalie rolled her eyes as she somewhat had an idea of what he meant when he said they were busy. Instead of prying further, she just helped Jacob prepare the food they ordered.
Minutes later, Tristan and Belle went out of the room, holding hands. Jacob and Nathalie can’t help but smile and steal glances at each other.
Tristan even pulled a chair for Belle and she smiled sweetly at him and muttered thanks. When seated, he even helped her put food on her plate.
“Guys, you’re too sweet, I’m starting to feel envious,” Nathalie pouted at them and the couple chuckled.
“Jacob, you do the same for her,” Tristan teased.
Jacob’s face flushed for an instant. He felt like his neck stiffened that he couldn’t even turn to look at Nathalie. Belle couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re very obvious,” Belle told him.
“Right?” Tristan chimed in and the woman next to him quickly nodded.
Jacob put down his utensils. “Fine, I like her,” he confessed.
Nathalie suddenly turned to him, “Why didn’t you tell me before?” she snapped. Taken aback, Jacob scratched the back of his head.
“Tell him or someone else will,” Tristan butted in.
Jacob looked at his boss, brows knitted. ‘He’s one to talk as if he was able to tell Belle his feelings before.”
Yet again, he can’t say anything out loud. He could only talk badly and even curse at Tristan inside his mind. Saying something out loud might cost him his life. He doesn’t want that to happen.
“So, are you a couple now?” Belle asked, obviously teasing.
“I-I still have to court her, of course,” Jacob quickly replied.
Nathalie frowned, “That’s just a waste of time. Let’s make it official now,” she suggested. Although shocked, Jacob agreed. He even held her hand and planted a kiss on the back of it.
Turning to the other couple, Nathalie couldn’t help but grin, “What about the two of you? Are you official?”
Tristan turned to Belle, who just smiled at him. Without denying nor confirming anything, the two of them just turned to Nathalie and Jacob, smiling at the new couple meaningfully.