Chapter 36

Days later...

Adelaide was sitting on the couch, wearing her reading glasses, and reading a romance novel. Her attention was drawn to the door, which was opened to reveal Aurora, drenched and with a grumpy face.

"Good evening..." Adelaide said.

"Only for you!" replied Aurora, slamming the door shut.

"What's the reason for this bad mood?" asked Adelaide.

"Isn't it obvious?" Aurora pointed to her wet clothes.

"That's strange... I didn't see that it rained today," Adelaide furrowed her brow slightly.

"That's because it didn't rain! This was the work of some idiot who drove over a puddle," explained Aurora, taking off her shoes. "I need a shower!"

"Do you want me to warm up some food for you?" offered Adelaide, and the young woman nodded before heading to her room.

In the bathroom, Aurora took off her wet and clingy clothes and stepped under the shower, where she took a complete bath. She was tired and very frustrated; it hadn't been her best day. Since early in the morning, she had been out, working, and sorting out unfinished college matters.

Minutes later, she came out of the bathroom wearing only a nightgown as she planned to sleep after dinner. Upon entering her room, she came face to face with Tristan.

"How did you manage to get past Adelaide this time?" Aurora asked.

"She was in the kitchen," he replied, fiddling with music albums on top of the dresser. "Why didn't you answer my calls?"

"You called me? When?"

"A few minutes ago... I called you three times after a meeting, and you ignored me, so I came here."

"I must have put my phone on silent..." Aurora said as Tristan made a move to open one of the drawers. "Don't go through there!"

"Why not? Is that where you keep your lingerie?" he teased, quickly opening the drawer before it was closed by the girl.

"I told you not to snoop around!" Aurora replied, with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Tristan hit the bullseye; that's where she kept her intimate garments. "Look here, you pervert, today I'm not in the mood! Someone drove through a puddle near me, a guy or a woman... I didn't see who it was."

"It was me," revealed Tristan.

"What?! Are you kidding me?"

"No. I drove through a puddle and splashed someone on my way to the company. I glanced for a moment, but I wasn't sure it was you," he explained, surprising Aurora.

Aurora slapped Tristan's arm, calling him a "son of a bitch," a reaction driven by the anger she felt when some strangers laughed at her on the street. Although the gesture was futile, considering his strength, her intention was just to vent her frustration.

Quickly changing the subject, Tristan said, "I have a proposition for you."

Curious, Aurora repeated the word "proposition" in an inquisitive tone.

"I just had a meeting with representatives from very important companies in Tokyo," explained Tristan. "I managed to close a deal with them, and I'll have to travel this weekend to finalize the entire contract process."

Aurora questioned, "For how long?"

"I'm not sure exactly... at most, a week," he replied.

She asked, still surprised, "And what do I have to do with it?"

"I want you to come with me," revealed Tristan.

Aurora blinked twice, trying to process everything she had just heard. "Are you trying to convince me to go to Tokyo just because you can't go a week without sex?!" she teased.

"That's not the only reason," he clarified.

She stared at him, trying to decipher if he was being sincere. Tristan continued insisting, saying she could change her work schedule. Surprisingly, he seemed to know more about her agenda than she did.

Although considering the idea crazy, Aurora recognized that she could easily free up her schedule. However, her biggest concern was how to explain this to Adelaide, her sister. Tristan suggested that she say it's a work trip.

Biting her finger, Aurora was torn. She would love to visit Tokyo, but her concern for her sister still troubled her. However, the temptation to accept the proposition was growing.

Tristan noticed her indecision and declared, "Let me handle all the paperwork. I just need you to say yes."

Aurora then decided to take the risk and said, "Yes... I'll go with you."

Tristan seized the opportunity to kiss her passionately, driving away all worries from her mind. When the kiss ended, he departed, and Aurora helped him leave unnoticed so that Adelaide wouldn't see him.

But of course, Aurora wouldn't let him get away after having splashed her on the street! She prepared a bucket of water and patiently waited for the moment Tristan left the building. When she finally spotted him on the sidewalk, she wasted no time and poured the contents of the bucket over him. Tristan got completely soaked.

"That's for splashing me!" Aurora yelled.

Tristan looked up, somewhat absorbed, as Aurora poured all the water from the bucket right over him. Some curious passersby looked and pointed at the unusual scene.

"Have you gone crazy?!" Tristan fumed.

"Now we're even!" Aurora smiled mischievously and closed the window.

Tristan huffed with frustration and gave a death stare to the strangers observing him. Quickly, they looked away, feigning disinterest. Gradually, his anger subsided, and he even found the whole incident amusing.

Before speeding off in his car, he looked back at the building one last time and let out a small laugh.

***

The next day...

Kai snapped his fingers near Adelaide's face, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, lost in thought.

"Earth to Adelaide..." Kai said, trying to get her attention.

"What's up, Kai?" she replied after a long pause.

"Are you just going to stand there, or will you help me close the restaurant?" he responded, noticing her distraction.

Adelaide straightened up and looked around, only moving her arms. They were the only ones in the restaurant's kitchen, which was a mess.

"Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a moment," Adelaide said, admitting her lack of focus.

"Is something bothering you?" Kai inquired.

"I'm worried about Aurora. She's leaving today. I know she can take care of herself, but still, I feel a tightness in my chest," Adelaide confessed.

"Probably because you've never been apart for so long," Kai suggested.

"Yeah... maybe," she agreed, shrugging.

Kai continued, "Adelaide... Are you sure she's going on a work trip?"

For a moment, Adelaide seemed thoughtful. "Why would I suspect that?" she asked.

"Because you know she's hiding something. Who knows if this trip is just another one of her lies," Kai suggested.

Adelaide reflected on Kai's words, acknowledging that her sister had lied before. However, she didn't believe that the trip to Tokyo was a deception.

"That doesn't make sense. Remember what happened on New Year's? Klaus confirmed that she was with friends," Adelaide argued.

Kai responded, "That doesn't justify much. She could have been with friends that night or could have asked Klaus to lie for her."

Adelaide couldn't deny the possibility, but she still doubted that the trip to Tokyo was a lie.

"It's possible, but I don't agree with you about Tokyo," Adelaide asserted.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me, but I thought you'd at least listen and consider the possibility," Kai said as he washed some dishes in the sink. "I don't have evidence to prove I'm right, but I'll have it soon."

Adelaide looked at him with curiosity, intrigued by her friend's words. Kai was suspicious and always sought evidence to support his theories. He was determined to uncover the truth.