Elona’s POV
I hadn’t seen Tristan for three days, he only texted me that he was at the company busy with work. It was short off, and I felt like something could be wrong, but I didn’t want to ask any questions because it could be work-related. I was not going to show up at Crane Industries just to see him. He has a hacker problem, so I’m sure it’s that.
I reminded him about accompanying me to The Dakota Agency if he would be able to make it. Cris and Spooky had a lunch date after school, so I was left all by myself. Tristan had agreed to accompany me. When he picked me up from my house, he was in a foul mood because he wasn’t really talking to me. I felt small. What had happened since I had dinner with them? Was it the kiss? The drive to the agency was silent.
“Are you okay?” I asked as we entered the agency building. He was looking straight ahead as we walked all the way to the studio department. “Is it because I’m doing another photo shoot today?” I asked as we walked around the corner and down a hallway, walking in step.
“Everything is fine,” he said. I can still tell that he was not okay. I furrowed my brows.
“If there is something that is going on, you can tell me. We are a couple after all, so we can share things. It doesn’t mean that I’m young, I won’t be able to handle certain things. I might not be able to advise on certain things, of course. But I want to know what’s happening in your life, if you will allow me to enter those parts,” I looked over at him eagerly.
“I know,” I replied, still not looking at me. I let out a sigh as we came to a stop at my dressing room.
I opened the door and we entered. “Good morning,” Maxime entered like a whirlwind. I wanted privacy. She walked up to me as Tristan took a seat on a chair just watching us. He was dressed in dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt and sneakers. I doubt he even went to work today. Maxime shoved clothes into my arms. “These are for the photo shoot, get dressed, and don’t waste any of my time. We will be in the studio,” she said as my make-up artist and hair stylist entered.
This is the career that I wanted and I will do this. I got dressed in a swimsuit, and then my hair and make-up were being done. Tristan watched me in the mirror, he was awfully quiet, I didn’t like it, and then he took his phone out of his pocket and looked at it instead. “Are you ready?” the hair stylist asked.
“Yeah,” I responded as I got up, and then I followed after them to the studio.
As we entered the studio, my breath hitched at the sight of Mr Luca standing with Maxime. I hope he doesn’t touch me this time. Chills ran down my spine as I thought about the last time. “Don’t worry, I’m here,” I looked at Tristan who was beside me now, he was glaring at Mr Luca, and I felt safe.
Tristan took a seat on a chair while I got to my spot in the limelight of the photo shoot. “Elona, you look amazing,” Mr Luca said to me as he walked over. “I think you should become a swimwear model, it fits you amazingly and this will make the swimwear line sell.” He said as he was so close to me, I held my ground and fought to be strong because this is what I wanted.
He walked around me. “Such confidence, now I want to see that confidence in those photo shoots,” he stood in front of me. I looked at his chest, his scent was lovely… surprisingly. “Surprise us,” he said, and then he moved away, giving the photographer orders to start.
I posed in various ways, getting the perfect angles, going to change into different swimsuits and bikinis. Lights were being adjusted and with Mr Luca not being in my way, I felt confident enough to pull this off. I looked in Tristan’s direction, and he watched me as if there was no one else in the world but me. I gave him a shy smile, continuing with my photo shoot until it was done.
When we entered the dressing room, it was only the two of us, and he sat on the chair again. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped in front of him. He was just staring at the ground as I got undressed. I was worried about him as I watched him in the mirror.
With a sigh, I walked over to him and I crouched so that he could see me, and I placed my hands on his legs. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
I watched as his Adam’s apple moved, “I think that it’s best if I don’t say anything,” he looked into my eyes and there was pure sadness in them. I didn’t expect him to be sad.
“Please, tell me.” I was desperate to know what was going on.
“Eric had been beaten up by his father. I went over there because he needed my help. His father is a evil person and I don’t see how Eric handled that for so long, just… allowing that man to beat him up.” tears welled up in his eyes and my heart was breaking. “I confronted his father, and he doesn’t love Eric, this was all because he resents Eric and to say that Eric was a mistake for existing in this world was beyond cruel. How mustn’t Eric feel for that being the reason that he gets beaten up for nothing at all? I took him in but that night of the pizza dinner, I just… I remembered the accident of Estelle and that just made me break down again after the three years that I worked so hard to build up those walls because I didn’t want to feel broken with grief.” a tear ran down his cheek and I reached up, cupping the side of his face and wiped it away with my thumb.
“This is a very sad… situation,” I replied. “You are allowed to feel these things.”
“It’s like all the walls are crumbling down. I went to work to try and bury myself with all the work I had on my desk, hoping that those walls would come back up, but it was different this time. Eric reminds me of what I lost and what I should cherish.” he held my gaze, and that sadness just poured into my soul.
“You will have these memories from time to time and it’s okay. If working helps to make you feel better, then I will give you all the space that you need. Just remember that I’m here for you. If you want to talk, no matter how young I am, I’m here.”
“I don’t see you as young. Age is just a number.” he gave me a small smile. “You are beautiful and amazing. I’m glad to have you in my life. You are the light in my darkness. You make me feel better.” he said as he cupped the back of my head, and he leaned in, pressing his lips against mine, our lips just lingering.
“I see you as my dream come true. I still pinch myself to see if this is real,” I smiled as I pulled inches away from him.
“Me too. I never thought that I would have such a perfect beauty by my side. You also know what it is to lose someone so close. You never really spoke about losing your mom and I get it… you were very young. But… I hope that I can be here for you in any way you need me. I don’t want this thing to end, I have found my happiness and I hope that other people will see that when we tell them.” he held my gaze. “I love you, Elona Everett.”
I smiled, “I love you too, Tristan Crane.”
“I will support all of your dreams, I will no longer stand in your way of what it is that you want to achieve in life. I wanted and still want to protect you from men like Mr Luca out there. But you handled it great today, you showed me that you are confident despite those men being around you. But I want you to have something that is also a form of protection, such as pepper spray. I only want you to be safe,” he stroked my cheek.
“Thank you, and that means so much to me. You are improving with certain things, and I’m happy that you are,” I smiled.
“At some point, certain things or situations will allow you to rethink what you have done or how you have reacted. Seeing you happy with doing what you love has made me realize what an ass I have been with being too protective, and it doesn’t come out as being protective, but more as a possessive ass, which is…. ugly,” his brows furrowed. “Eric made me realize that too when I had discovered about the situation at his house. I just want to focus on being with you and becoming a better man if possible,” he smiled.
“Thank you for seeing that and for trying.”
“I need to speak to Mr Luca regarding Eric and his portfolio,” he said as he stood, holding his hand out to me. “I will meet you here,” he said as I placed my hand in his, and he helped me up. I leaned in and placed a chaste kiss against his lips.
I loved this vulnerable part of him that I didn’t get to see. I’m so happy that he has decided to share these things with me and I want to be here for him whenever he needs me too. I will do the best of my ability to help where I can and remain that light in his life. He needs me and I will not leave his side.