Tristan still felt really bad for letting her go away as easily as he had. He had the strong feeling within him that she was offended which was no thanks to Dr Amanda. However his jealously towards her friend Jake had intensified. He could not understand what the young man would be doing around her and had decided within himself to take care of him even if it would mean that he has to lock Claire away from the entire world. When she had told him that she would not hop in for him to give her a ride, it would have been understandable that she was angry but hearing that some other guy was going to pick her off ticked him off greatly. It was his fault but even more the fault of the silly doctor. He had gone to pick her up directly from the airport where she said she was patiently waiting on him to arrive and waited for her in the car as he did not want to draw anymore public attention to himself than he had already. He was fuming and asked Alfredo to go fetch the doctor while he would look at his watch from time to time like he was getting late for an appointment. It would have been an appointment had Claire been there waiting for him on his bed.
He needed a smoke so badly this moment. The doctor would not hear of it and then he made a fake draw of cigarettes and puffed out. That was the closest he could get to smoking, imagination. He wondered what was taking so long to fetch the doctor and if he would have to go find them. He waited a little more before dialing Alfredo and demanding to know what the problem was. Before the older man could finish speaking on the reason for the delay, the doctor collected the phone and said she was the one delaying them. She was hoping he would come pick her up and welcome her himself. Tristan could not believe his ears and asked her to give the phone to Alfredo. The old man took the phone with his sense of humor still intact as he was laughing obviously. He was not quite prepared for what happened next as Tristan told him that should he wait an extra ten minutes for him, he should consider his job done for. With that, he hung up instantly as the man was about pleading or saying whatever he wanted to blab about.
Tristan rested his back on his seat reclining to his full comfort. He already knew that in a couple of minutes, Alfredo would be there with the doctor so he did not need to worry at all. His prediction had been really accurate as a few moments later, he could hear the boot opening and then closing. She did not enter yet but he did not bother looking out as he kept counting in his mind. A second or there about and Alfredo opened the door for the doctor who was thankful to him. She entered and the door was shut after her as the older man went around to come put the car in gear. Tristan did not look up nor did he say anything to the doctor as he rested. He could feel her piercing gaze upon him and he somehow felt she was amused. She cleared her throat but he did not move one inch.
“Long time no see.” she said
“Hello doctor.” he responded without emotions
“You do not seem so happy to see me Tristan.” she said
“What was the delay for Alfredo.” Tristan pursued instead
“Let the old man be Tristan. I only wanted to see what your reaction would be.” she said
“And have you certified me mad?” he asked now sitting up but not looking at her
“Not mad. Just your deadly temperament. Wish you would be nicer to this old lady.” she said and sighed.
For the next couple of moments, they were both quiet. He did not look at her until he started feeling prickled by his conscience. He now looked at her, her head was reclining but there was an upturn on her lips showing she was not angry.
“Ahem… doctor I’m sorry if…” he began
“Oh no no no. Do not apologize for holding values Tristan. I’m glad you are not so easily compelled against your wish.” she said
“Then I guess we are good then.” he say
“Absolutely.” the doctor said and the silence was restored.
Tristan had earlier booked a suite for her at a famous hotel as he would rather not have anymore distractions in his home or disturbances. He had foretold Alfredo where they would be going to and the old man had his entire concentration on the road. Tristan had nothing more to say and then they arrived at the hotel where he fished out and wore his shades giving off that dangerous aura of a gentleman not so gentle. A porter was called over by Alfredo to pickup the items from the car boot while Tristan walked with the doctor into the office. He was a dashing young man so easily every eyes was on him. As he passed, there were whispers of which he heard some. One mentioned his name but when she tried to raise her cellphone, her colleague stopped her and she turned then to look.
Tristan had stopped waiting for her to dare and through his glasses he was glaring at the young woman. Luckily for her, her colleague had been smart enough to decipher his basic rule. That being sorted, he turned around to see the doctor looking at him. He walked on and she followed him quickly falling in line with his. Someone whispered and wondered who she was to him. Many speculations ongoing.
“I see you still do not like people taking your photos.” the doctor said
“I am no model nor wallpaper doctor.” he stated
“Even so, you are a celebrity. People love to have their celebrities stored in their phones. It means a lot Tristan to them.” she said
“People should learn to respect other persons privacy.” he said
“Even so, you should not make them feel worse for themselves.” she said.
Tristan stopped and with the way she had been following him up close, her face bumped on his shoulder.
“Watch where you are going doctor.” he said and snickered.
He had intended to use words for her but seeing she had been paid handsomely by the hands of fate, Tristan let her blabbering mouth slide. They were being led to her suite where he stayed with her for a while. The porter soon brought up all her belongings. He was an old man. Even older than Alfredo. Tristan was suddenly reminded of his old man and stood up to go stand in the window area looking outside. He heard Amanda when she gave the man his tip. This was something Tristan was not used to doing and in his heart he commended the lady for doing so well. Soon they were all alone in the sitting room area while Alfredo went to wait in the car.
The doctor had kept him busy for a while with questions about himself which to be honest, Tristan was not being completely honest about everything he answered. He did his best to squeeze away from certain questions he found uncomfortable and provide answers to the ones he deemed fit. When she asked how he was coping at work, he was totally fine with that but then she went on to ask about his relationship with his workers. His first thought was straight at Claire and then she sniffed that reaction up instantly.
“Is there anyone you find endearing Tristan?” she had asked him.
He told her to quit saying such things as why would he be finding any of his employees endearing. That was way off work etiquettes. She simply smiled. She was a wise woman and probably would have had him all figured out in her brains. It made him uncomfortable and he made certain to bring the meeting to a boring end.
It was dark when they got out of the hotel and were headed home. Tristan sat down at the back of the car thinking a lot. The town was lit up with people going out to catch fun. Tristan could remember the last time he ever had such fun events, it was with his band. He could not understand why there was so much people in the area especially the drunken ones.
“Alfredo turn into the other alley please.” he said to him.
They had just turned into the alley when he saw a man struggling with a young girl. Tristan had no idea who she was when he commanded Alfredo to stop. The old man had barely hit the brakes when Tristan stepped out, hurried over and yanked the man away from the lady. Then he saw something he had not expected, it was Claire.
“What’s your problem punk?” the angry man asked
“How dare you?” Tristan demanded and he threw the first punch.