Chapter 14

Tristan stood on the escalator, heading up to the second floor, while Aurora ran to catch up with him. She was excited because she hadn't been to the mall in months due to lack of time and money. She didn't care about how she was dressed: a shirt of Tristan's that reached beyond her knees and a coat of the same size. It attracted many looks, especially from men, although she hadn't noticed, but Tristan did.

While Aurora observed the clothes in the shop windows, a small group of men looked at her in a blatant manner. Some pointed and licked their lips. This bothered Tristan.

"Let's walk faster," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her into the store.

"Don't drag me like that!" she let go of him and forced a smile at the man who approached to assist them.

"Tristan!" the man exclaimed with a high-pitched voice, making Aurora want to cover her ears. From the high and exaggerated voice, his bouncy posture, and how he was dressed, she deduced that he was far from being attracted to women. "What brings you back to my respectable store?"

"I want you to fix her up," Tristan replied.

Thomas gave Aurora a long look, making her feel embarrassed.

"Fix up what exactly?" Thomas asked.

"Anything she wants. I want you to give her your best services and resources," Tristan explained.

"Hold on a moment, Tristan. You know that my work is top-notch and that all these services you're demanding will cost a fortune."

"Yes, I have that in mind, and I intend to spend a substantial amount in this store," Tristan replied with a smile. Thomas smiled openly. "You have exactly one hour."

"One hour?!" Thomas exclaimed, astonished. Tristan turned around and left the store without further delay. "Girls! Quick, we need to get to work!" he shouted, grabbing Aurora's wrist.

"Wait... Tristan!" she looked back, but he was already leaving the store. She didn't want to be surrounded by strangers and didn't know where he was going or if he would take long. He simply left her there and went away.

She sat in a chair in front of a large mirror. Many attendants approached with nail polish of various colors, clothes, and makeup. She was a bit confused with all those people coming closer and offering different things. Until Thomas cleared the crowd and organized everyone's work.

Some rushed to get the best clothes in the store, others began to do Aurora's nails without even asking which color she wanted, and Thomas started working on her hair.

"What's your name, dear?" Thomas asked, looking into her eyes through the mirror's reflection.

"Aurora," she replied.

"Pleasure, I'm Thomas Kang. Thomas is for close friends," he winked and started combing her hair. "How did you meet Tristan?"

"We had a little argument at a party, and then he ran me over," she casually replied. He was taken aback by the naturalness with which the words came out of Aurora's mouth. "It's not the best way for two people to meet."

"Great relationships arise from unexpected encounters," Thomas commented.

"No chance. Tristan and I don't get along. We're like cat and dog," she asserted.

"That's not what it seems like," Thomas retorted. He pulled a chair and sat next to her. "Tristan doesn't usually take a woman to the mall and pamper her with beauty treatments. What did you do? You must be really good in bed!"

"It's not like that! We haven't even slept together," Aurora clarified.

"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Thomas, just like everyone else in the room. "My holy shirtless Brad Pitt! Let me understand... You're playing hard to get, and he's giving you gifts to sleep with you?"

"That's not it at all! I'm not playing hard to get, and he's not giving me gifts," she explained.

"Don't fool me, I like it!" Thomas said, with a mischievous smile.

"I'm telling the truth. I was very clear in saying that I'm not interested, but he keeps pursuing me."

"It must be a dream to have a hottie like that chasing after you," sighed Thomas. "Argh! If envy could kill, I'd be six feet under!"

***

An hour had passed. After buying the gift for Xavier, Tristan returned to the store expecting to find Aurora ready and waiting for him. However, he was disappointed to discover that she was still choosing an outfit. He wasn't very patient, unlike his older brother, who seemed to be the most peaceful person in the world.

Minutes dragged on, and besides being impatient, Tristan was bored. That's when a fun idea popped into his mind.

Without a second thought, he headed towards the fitting room where Aurora was changing. He opened the door cautiously and entered unnoticed by her, who was struggling to zip up a dress.

Aurora froze as she felt Tristan's fingers touch hers. She looked at him through the mirror, seeing the smile that broke down all her emotional barriers.

"I can help you take off the dress," he whispered, huskily, as he unzipped the dress. She remained motionless, her breath faltering as he continued to lower the damn zipper.

He was losing control. So, he turned her towards him and pressed her against the wall. Aurora stared into his penetrating eyes, feeling the warmth of his pelvis against her leg. The closeness of their bodies was inevitable, especially in that tight fitting room.

"Be strong, Aurora... Be strong!" she repeated mentally.

Without any other way out, she kicked between Tristan's legs. He doubled over, making a grimace, and placed his hands on the affected area.

"Well served, you arrogant perverted bastard!" exclaimed Aurora.

"What's your problem with him?" Tristan asked, referring to his "little friend."

"He's way too excited for my taste. Now get out of here!" she pushed him out of the fitting room, and he left laughing at the situation. "Idiot."

Tristan sat on a small sofa, waiting for the pain to subside. Minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Aurora. He was getting impatient, and to make matters worse, Xavier was sending several messages asking where he was, but Tristan didn't even bother to respond.

"Where is she?" he asked, getting up and approaching Thomas, who approached with a wide smile.

"She's coming," Thomas replied.

Aurora appeared in the view of the two men, with her hair loose, a flared dress that showcased her beautiful legs, heels, and light makeup that enhanced her natural beauty. Tristan stood with his mouth half open, lost in every detail of the girl in front of him. In his eyes, she had no flaws, she was simply perfect.

Thomas tried to get Tristan's attention. "Tristan..." he began, but Tristan didn't pay attention to him, still looking at Aurora. "Now let's talk about the outrageous amount for my work..."

***

In the afternoon, at Xavier's mansion, his family and friends were gathered in the vast garden, where there was a pool, a dance floor, and a delicious buffet. Aurora and Tristan entered the garden side by side. She felt the urge to swim in the pool, where many young people and adults were having fun, but she didn't have a bikini and had spent the whole morning getting ready at that store.

Suddenly, she felt Tristan's hand squeezing her waist and pulling her closer.

"What do you think you're doing?" she questioned.

"You're my date," he replied.

"That doesn't mean I have to stay by your side all the time and pretend intimacy. I'm only here for the food!" she protested, but he paid no attention and slid his hand down her back. "Dare to lower that hand any further, and your 'little friend' will cease to exist!" she threatened.

He chuckled softly as she moved his hand away from her waist. Tristan looked around for Xavier and found him coming towards him, slightly annoyed by his best friend's delay, but his expression lightened upon seeing Aurora by his side.

Xavier was confused by her presence at the party. "Shorty?" he said.

"Hey, tiny dick!" she replied with a smile, as he forced a laugh.

"How funny. Why don't you join the circus? You have everything it takes to be a great clown," Xavier taunted.

"And why don't you go to the zoo? Kids love giraffes like you," Aurora retorted.

"So, you like me?" he asked.

"I'm not a child," she affirmed.

"But you're small," Xavier smiled ironically, while Tristan observed with a serious expression.

"Alright, enough of this exchange of jabs," Tristan intervened.

Aurora took a step towards the table of food and drinks but stopped when she saw a familiar woman approaching with a big smile and a tray in her hands.

"Adelaide..." Aurora murmured upon recognizing the woman with the radiant smile and the tray. She remembered Kai's warning about Xavier's birthday buffet on Sunday, but she never imagined it would be at this party. "Damn it!"

Tristan noticed the change in Aurora's expression and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Today's the day I'm going to die!" exclaimed Aurora, running in the opposite direction, leaving the two confused men behind.

Meanwhile, Adelaide forced a gentle smile as she walked through the hall with the tray. As she passed through the door, she bumped into Kai, nearly dropping the birthday cake.

"Oh, goodness! I'm sorry!" Adelaide said, bowing. She imagined the scolding she would receive if she had dropped the cake.

Kai reprimanded her sternly. "Make sure to stay more focused on your work," he said, walking away with the cake in his hands.

The truth was that Adelaide was distracted, worried about her sister. When she woke up in the morning, she planned to wake up Aurora, but she found out that she had spent the night away from home. She sent several messages, and Aurora only responded with a simple "I'm fine." That response didn't reassure Adelaide. She wanted to know more, all the details about where Aurora was, who she was with, and where she spent the night.

Adelaide filled the tray with glasses and returned to serve the guests. She felt someone touch her shoulder and turned around, her forced smile becoming genuine.

"Hi, Griffin," she greeted, feeling awkward to see him there, always so handsome.

"Hi, princess," Griffin replied. He noticed that she seemed sad. "Is something wrong? I noticed you're a bit down."

Adelaide let out a long sigh. "I'm worried. Aurora stayed out overnight, and I have no idea where she is. I sent her some messages, and she said she's fine, but I can't stay calm."

"Maybe she went to a friend's house," Griffin suggested.

"She doesn't have many friends," Adelaide said.

"And a boyfriend?"

Adelaide automatically thought of Alex, but she didn't believe Aurora would be with him. She knew they were getting closer as friends, but she didn't imagine they had that much intimacy.

"She doesn't have a boyfriend, and if she did, I'm sure she would tell me," Adelaide replied.

"Adelaide!" The couple turned their attention to one of the waitresses a little distance away. "I need your help!"

"I need to work," Adelaide said, briefly smiling at Griffin before walking away, being pulled by the wrist.

"Don't worry, I'm sure your sister is fine. I'll help you find her," Griffin said, conveying a sense of reassurance to Adelaide. She returned to work with a little more hope.

***

Tristan had been searching for Aurora for some time. He searched every room in the mansion but found no sign of the girl. He decided to return to the garden and walked towards the tree area, a little away from the party.

"Argh, where did you go?" he thought aloud, leaning against a tree to rest. He took out his phone and dialed Aurora's number. He brought the device to his ear, and within seconds, the call was answered.

"Where are you?" he asked directly.

"How did you get my number? Argh, forget it. You always get what you want... except me!" Aurora replied.

"That's just a matter of time, and that's not what I want to discuss. Where are you?" Tristan repeated.

"Look up."

Even without understanding, he raised his head and saw the girl sitting on one of the branches of the tree. They hung up their phones.

"Nice panties."

"Stop looking, you pervert!" Aurora timidly tried to hide her intimate garment.

"What are you doing up there, you crazy girl?" Tristan questioned.

"Hiding. I know everyone who works at the catering. If they find out I'm here, they'll rush to tell Adelaide!" Aurora explained.

"Come down from there right now," Tristan ordered, rolling his eyes. She pouted and crossed her arms.

"No!"

"No? Then I'll go talk to Adelaide," he threatened.

"Don't you dare!" Aurora exclaimed, quickly starting to climb down from the tree.

She descended while grumbling and cursing Tristan with every possible name. Unaware, she stepped on something wrong and tumbled from the tree. There was no time for Tristan to react as she fell directly onto him.

Aurora found it impressive the bad luck she had. If it wasn't Tristan taking the initiative to get closer, it was the world that did it. But, looking at it from another perspective, it wasn't so bad. She felt a strange attraction to him; his ironic smile and his eyes were what caught her attention the most.

Tristan was about to complain about the pain caused by the fall, but when he looked at her, the words escaped his mind. All he could think about was how beautiful she was.

They remained there, intensely gazing into each other's eyes for seconds that seemed eternal. Their mouths were so close to kissing, but that moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching on the grass.

"Tristan? Aurora?!" Griffin's surprised voice made both of them turn their gaze towards him.

Aurora quickly got up, while Tristan grumbled about his brother showing up.

"What are you doing here?" Griffin asked, astonished.

"Well..." Aurora began, hesitating.

"She's my date," Tristan interrupted, getting up from the ground and brushing off some leaves from the tree off his shirt.

Griffin frowned, casting a suspicious look at his brother.

"Don't tell Adelaide you saw me here!" Aurora warned, not waiting for a response. And before Griffin could reply, she ran off in search of a new hiding spot, leaving the brothers alone.

Tristan started to walk away but was stopped by Griffin's call.

"I know you hate personal questions, but are you sleeping with Aurora?" Griffin asked.

"My sex life is none of your business," Tristan firmly replied.

"Tristan... I'm interested in Adelaide, and she doesn't like it when you're around Aurora," Griffin continued, explaining his concern.

"Aurora is old enough to make her own decisions," Tristan retorted seriously. "That's between her and me. Take care of your relationship with the waitress and don't interfere in mine."

"I'm not interfering, I just wanted to remind you that, despite her stubbornness and attitude, Aurora's heart still belongs to a young woman who hopes for a man who truly loves her," Griffin said seriously, observing Tristan's reaction.

"That's nonsense." Tristan sighed in boredom.

"But it's not for her," Griffin replied. "You can do whatever you want with your life, but be prepared for the consequences."