The old man had been working for the past two days on Tristan’s demand. He could not see why the young man would be bothering himself with so many things as to the extent on trying to find out the origin of a seemingly clean girl. He had become quite taken to Claire and could tell that she was as real as they come by. Actually if only his boss would see Claire for the woman she was, he was certain she would yet make a better man out of him. Tristan was lacking in so many ways and he sure needed a real woman to correct his ways.
He had actually spoken to the doctor the last man the woman called him to know how Tristan was doing. She did mention she would be coming over to Norman for some important doctor stuff. It is true he was going against his work ethics and discussing his boss behind his back but all he wanted was for Tristan to open his eyes to the real part of life. He might have gone to his family for help but ever since he came to know Tristan, it has been just him against the world. He seemingly had lost connection with his family or something might have happened. He dared not question him about it as he could remember very well sometime ago when Ted had been asking him to call home. Tristan had lost his cool and turned on his friend.
Anyways, Alfredo was actually not prepared for what he discovered about Claire. It was little wonder how the daughter of such an important man would be doing such menial job. Her parents from what he discovered were geniuses. It could only mean that she was a genius cook but why would she then settle in for dishwashing. He decided to go find her and ask her directly. When he checked the kitchen and she was not there, he asked another of the staff members who told him that Claire was upstairs in the piano room with Tristan. Alfredo smiled. The more time they spend together would definitely be more time for them to bond. He climbed the stairs and coming up, he found that everywhere was quiet. It was time to go stealthily. It might have been said that he was practically almost walking on his tiptoes as he was trying hard not to make a sound. The door to the piano room was open which was when he peeked inside and found the two kissing.
This was something really. The old man had wanted them to bond but this was rather too soon. He observed them for a while and found that Tristan was heated up as he usually was with the numerous women he played games with. His hands had begun fondling her and it seemed Claire was trapped. It was not what he wanted for her. The old man wanted Claire to at the very least be more than happy with Tristan. If he let things be, it would be very bad for Claire when his boss finally leaves her for another fancy sport. He walked over to stand at the door, clearing his throat loud enough to detach the both of them. He heard Tristan swear at him. He had mentioned something about him not knowing how to time his returns. But who cares, he had just achieved what he wanted. Tristan asked him to come inside and Claire greeted him. She scampered away quickly before Tristan could call her back. The young man glared at Alfredo.
“Sir, is this a wrong time?” he asked he
“You should have known that from the very beginning you spoil sport.” Tristan said and grabbed his drink pouring out some
“Is that what she is to you sir, a sport?” Alfredo asked
“Come on Alfredo, all women are sports for us.” Tristan said
“All women but I assure you Claire is different.” Alfredo argued
“What makes her different? Because she’s a blonde? I’ve done blondes Alf, all dimwits.” Tristan said.
Alfredo was becoming angry with him for saying that about Claire.
“What?” Tristan asked shrugging his shoulders
“Claire is different.” Alfredo said
“Yes yes… she seems naive and all but she’s a two timing bitch. Do you know Claire has a boyfriend yet makes out with me?” Tristan asked him sipping some more
“Then why play with her sir? Makes you same if I must say.” Alfredo replied
“You can say that freely. I’m two timing but at least, I don’t pretend about it. What do you have for me?” Tristan asked looking at the envelope in his hand.
Alfredo was already angry. He felt Tristan was just making that up to make Claire seem bad but he was not going to let that becloud his thoughts. He handed over to him the results of his investigation on the girl. Perhaps he was wrong after all. Perhaps what Tristan Jenkins deserved was a woman just as shrewish as he was. Maybe someone his kind would have been able to correct his ruined ideology on what he has been saying. Tristan set down his wine and took up the envelope, opening it. Alfredo to make certain checked the wine bottle while Tristan scoffed. He told the old man he was still clean on the no alcohol parole that his friend had put him on. The old man nodded and excused himself, leaving Tristan to see things for himself.
He went downstairs to the kitchen to find Claire. The young woman who he came in there was in outer space as she touched her lips unconsciously. She was acting like she was still new to the whole thing which made Alfredo wonder if Tristan wad actually being serious or he was joking about the thing of her having a boyfriend. What he saw on her face was the dreamy eyes of a person deeply in love with another. She was taken into Tristan already obviously. He just needed to get his boss to see clearly, the gem before him and stop his all time grumpiness.
He entered calmly and she saw him. Her first smile which she tried correcting might have been for Tristan. She must have imagined that he had entered the kitchen.
“Do you like him Claire?” he suddenly asked her.
She was already and stratled. Probably wondering just how much he had seen while she was acting all silly.
“Him? Who? The boss?” she asked quickly barely breathing between each word
“Slow down Claire. You know it, do you like Tristan?” he asked yet again putting it straight.
Claire broke into a nervous laugh.
“Um… come on. He’s the boss Alfredo.” she said
“But you were kissing the boss.” he reminded her
“No; he was kissing me. You saw wrong.” she said
“Does it matter? You seemed pretty much comfortable.” he continued
“I… I just… I um… you see um…” she was lacking words that instant
“You do like him Claire. See?” Alfredo said to her
“Doesn’t matter. It is just a celebrity thing. You know, having a celebrity crush.” she said
“Tell me Claire, have you a boyfriend?” Alfredo asked her.
Claire did a short laugh.
“A boyfriend? Nope,” she said
“Never ever?” he asked her
“Are you hungry?” she asked instead going over to the remaining bit of what she had made.
Alfredo was more than satisfied with what he had discovered. She probably was a pure one. Untouched by any man with the way she reacted. Tristan had actually been mistaken, she did not have a boyfriend. However, he decided to let sleeping dogs lie for now as it was well obvious that she was becoming uncomfortable with that conversation. He was going to get to the root of everything and do a match making for the both of them. He had just about enough of the other usually fake women that swarmed around Tristan simply because he was reach and famous or because they wanted to complete their celebrity fantasy of one celebrity finally getting married to another.
Claire had dished out his food and gave it to him without waiting for him to answer. Well, she was in luck as he was actually hungry. He could see what she had done with the meal and he had to say, it seemed like the work of a genius. When he tasted it, he smiled at her.
“You’ve outdone yourself yet again Miss Willows. I have to call you that because right now you’re the boss.” he said smiling
“I’m glad you like it.” Claire said to him
“Did Tristan like it?” he asked her.
“Him?” she said.
She looked at him and then brought down her eyes. He could tell what the message was. His boss was as usual his haughty self and would not spare her a comment on how graciously she had worked. He smiled and then reminded her that Tristan had weird ways of showing his appreciation especially when he is taken into a person so much that he is loosing control. Her eyes lit up despite her effort to keep it hidden away. It was obvious, Claire had fallen in love with his boss and she was at an helpless state.
It was not time to ask her to pull out. It was time to work on his strong headed boss. Alfredo focused on his meal leaving all the planning for later. The young ones of these days marvelled him on how they reacted especially ones like Tristan Jenkins.