Chapter 8

"Aurora!" Seraphina's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she stood impatiently in front of her desk.

"What is it, Seraphina?" Aurora asked, bored, looking at her nails.

"Luna wants you in the conference room in five minutes. You will be notified about the dates for the photo shoots for the next edition," she informed and quickly turned away.

Aurora sighed, her gaze fixed on a random corner. She had been thinking about Tristan since she caught him earlier today.

Since the night of the party, Aurora had a clear idea of what kind of guy he was - lacking any trace of compassion and believing that all women were at his disposal to please him. The redhead was still shocked by his shamelessness in kissing numerous women that night, including one who was in a committed relationship.

Well, I'm no saint either, but I've never stooped that low! Most of my impressions of him are negative. I could even make a list, Aurora thought.

She glanced briefly at the table, picked up a blank sheet of paper and a pen, and wrote on the first line:

"Innocent girl crusher; Arrogance bigger than his ego."

Then she added: Idiot; Sarcastic; Masochistic stalker; Intimidating smile; Attractive eyes; Great physique.

Noticing the last words she had written, Aurora shook her head from side to side and crossed out the remaining parts until they were unreadable.

He may be among the worst people I've ever met, but he's also among the most beautiful. He's tied with Alexander, the redhead thought.

"Aurora Navarro!" Seraphina shouted in front of Aurora, startling her. The redhead immediately crumpled the paper in her hand and hid it under the table while forcing a smile.

"How can I help you?"

"I told you to go to the conference room in five minutes. In case you haven't noticed, it's been ten minutes already!" Seraphina said, and Aurora looked at the small clock in the corner of the table and grimaced. She hadn't realized time was passing.

"The boss is already having a bad day, and she still has to deal with irresponsible employees like you," Seraphina continued.

"Oh my goodness..." Aurora looked up, clasping her hands. "Please, don't let Luna fire me!"

The young woman really needed this job. With the salary Adelaide earned, it wouldn't be enough to pay the bills, buy food, and cover Aurora's college expenses.

"Wait..." Aurora put a finger on her chin, deep in thought. "What if my sister and the hot doctor get married? He's not only handsome but also very rich."

"What?" Seraphina raised an eyebrow, not understanding.

"But if she marries him, I'll have to put up with that arrogant guy!" Aurora rolled her eyes, dismissing the idea.

God forbid I have to deal with Tristan Callahan for the rest of my life! the girl thought.

"What's going on here?" Luna approached the two girls with her arms crossed, her expression serious.

Damn it! She's going to fire me! Why do I have to be so absent-minded?! Aurora mentally questioned herself.

"I apologize for making you wait in the conference room, Luna," Aurora immediately said, seeing Seraphina with a smirk. "I know I messed up, and apologies about my personal life won't make a difference."

"Do you have personal problems?" Luna asked in a concerned tone.

“Some, but it's nothing major.”

“Well... I allow you to finish your shift early." The woman gave a small smile to the redhead, and Seraphina's jaw almost hit the floor.

When it comes to work, Luna is well-organized and takes everything seriously, but she always cares about her employees and helps them when they need assistance. In that way, Aurora felt lucky to have such an understanding boss.

“At least something good in my life!” the young redhead thought.

As for Seraphina, she is a good person, but she's cautious with Aurora because of the friendship she has with Luna and the various privileges she offers to the redhead.

Luna turned and walked towards her office, with Seraphina following her and jotting down some things on her clipboard.

“B-But what about the meeting?” Seraphina asked.

“Cancel it. I want you to send her the session dates by email.” Luna ordered, and before Seraphina disappeared from Aurora's view, she gave the redhead a deadly glare.

Aurora shrugged, grabbed her bag, and threw the "list of negatives" in the trash. The girl stood up and hurriedly left Emotion.

At first, she thought about going to see Adelaide at the restaurant. She was hungry and could secretly get some of that expensive food from where her sister works. But surprisingly, hunger wasn't the most relevant thing. It was her confusion and doubts about Tristan.

What does he want with me, anyway? If he wanted sex, he would have said so without delay. And after fulfilling his desire, he would leave and continue living his tedious life. However, he observes my routine. I would like to believe he does it just because of his boring days, but I sense there's something more than that. ― the redhead thought.

“Argh, if he thinks I'm going to let go of this story, he's mistaken!” Aurora said to herself, starting to walk in the opposite direction.

POV – (Point of View) Aurora Navarro

Callahan's. I tremble just reading its name on the building, but it didn't discourage me. I tightened the strap of my bag and walked quickly towards the glass door. I pushed it open and looked at the reception. The attendants were distracted, talking to some of the many men in suits wandering around.

I walked calmly to the elevator, trying to go unnoticed, blending in with all those people, but it didn't work out very well.

“Hey, girl!” a female voice spoke loudly. “Where do you think you're going?!”

Instinctively, I ran as fast as I could into the elevator. Luckily, it was empty. I pressed the button several times, hoping the doors would close, especially when I saw security guards running towards me.

The doors closed just in time. I let out a sigh, but my calmness disappeared when I remembered that I could be arrested for "trespassing" the company, and I'm sure Tristan would love that. My hands started trembling with nervousness.

The doors opened on the top floor. I hurriedly left and went to the end of the large area where there was a big door. No doubt, it's Tristan's office.

“Who are you?” It was only after hearing his voice that I noticed the presence of the girl. She was sitting behind his desk, right next to the office door. I guessed she was his secretary. I wouldn't be surprised if I found out he had been involved with her before. “How did you get in here without permission?” she questioned me once again.

I completely ignored her and walked towards the door, but I was stopped by the secretary who pulled my arm. I turned to face her, and then I realized how familiar her face was. She was the girl who betrayed Tristan.

“You can't go in there!” she shouted, pulling me away from the door.

“Let go of me!” I freed myself from her and huffed. “Look, it was very risky to come into this building, and now that I'm right in front of Tristan's office, it won't be you who will stop me from talking to him!” she glared at me, while my eyes shifted to the elevator, from which two security guards emerged, coming towards me. “But those big guys over there, maybe!”

“Security!” the secretary yelled. “Take her out of the company and never let her in again, or both of you will be out of a job!”

The guards grabbed my arms and lifted me up. I kicked my legs back and forth, hoping to be released, but they held me tighter.

“Let go of me, you sons of bitches!” I shouted loudly. I'm going to be arrested anyway, screaming won't lessen or increase my sentence. “Tristan Callahan!”

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening was heard. The security guards and the secretary froze, as if they had been frozen in time. I stopped struggling and looked at the figure wearing a magnificent suit, with an intimidating and angry expression.

“What's all this commotion?” Tristan asked with the calmest voice possible.

“I apologize for the stressful atmosphere.” The secretary spoke, standing by his side. “I just took care of it. It was just a disruptive intruder.” She explained, pointing in my direction.

When Tristan laid his eyes on me, they widened slightly. I understood his surprise. I didn't intend to come here either, but my pride consumes me. Not only that, but my anxiety is one of my greatest enemies. I don't have the patience to wait for answers to come to me, so I go after them.

“Let her go.” Tristan said, and it was my turn to be surprised, just like the other three who didn't even move because they couldn't believe their boss's words. “Are you deaf? I said let her go.”

The big guys released me, and I felt a slight pain in my arms from being squeezed by the Hulk wannabes.

“I never want to see you treating her like this again. In fact, I don't want anyone to stop her from entering here, unless they want to lose their job. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.” the guards said, and then left.

I don't know why he's doing this, giving me the privilege to come here whenever I want, but I'll find out today!

I looked at Tristan's secretary. Her arms were crossed, and she looked at me as if she wanted to kill me. I, who enjoy a good provocation, decided to take advantage of this temporary advantage.

“Secretary, bring me a coffee.” I smiled cynically.

“Don't push it, girl!” she said, restraining herself from laying a finger on me.

“Genevieve.” Tristan called the girl, who completely changed her posture. “Bring her a coffee.”

I smiled satisfied. He did owe me a coffee!

The secretary went to get my coffee. I could hear her grumbling, but I ignored it and entered Tristan's office. He was leaning against his desk, looking at me. I was amazed by the view of the city. The weather was sunny, with no dark clouds nearby.

"Do you always cause a scandal wherever you go, or is it just when I'm around?" Tristan asked, putting his hands in his trouser pockets. I was distant from him, still standing near the closed door. Tristan looked at me in such a deep way that I felt transparent, as if he could read my thoughts and anticipate my next words and gestures.

"Tristan, I didn't come here to engage in small talk. To be more direct, I have evidence that you've been following me for some time, and if you continue, I will take this case to court."

"Are you going to sue me?" Tristan replied in a sarcastic tone. "Who do you think they'll believe? The millionaire heir or the poor girl who invaded my company?"

"I'm not afraid of you," I shrugged. I felt like I would soon regret saying that.

Tristan leaned away from the desk with a far-from-innocent smile. It wasn't fear that I felt; it was curiosity. Unfortunately, he had the ability to make me lose my power of deduction. Describing him is impossible.

"I don't know what you want with all of this, but I ask you to stop. I hate people meddling in my life."

"I thought you were smarter than that," he rolled his eyes.

"Are you calling me dumb?"

"Stop pretending you don't know what I want. The role of the naive girl doesn't suit you," he suddenly moved closer to my body, and instinctively, I ended up stepping back until I leaned against the cold wall. Taking advantage of my lack of escape, he positioned himself very close to me, trapping me with his arms on either side. My breath became shallow as I felt his scent. "Did you forget that I won the bet? You'll have to comply with one request from me."

"What do you want? Money?" I questioned, and he chuckled softly, of course, with this idiotic question I just asked! He's a millionaire; even without compassion in his heart, he wouldn't take money from a girl who's on the verge of homelessness.

"I prefer your clothes," Tristan briefly assessed my body and stopped at my eyes.

"You want my clothes?"

"I want you without them."

No words could express what I felt after hearing those words coming out of his mouth.

Tristan slowly pulled up the sleeve of my blouse, exposing more of my neck. By the time I realized the situation, he was already planting a trail of kisses on my neck. His hands descended to the hem of my blouse and pulled it slowly. I shivered completely at the touch of his hands on my body and his lips on my collarbone.

His movements, even the smallest ones, somehow affect me. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Wait... What am I doing?

I quickly lifted my knee, hitting his groin. Tristan moved away completely and grimaced in pain, clutching his vulnerable spot.

"I may have lost the bet and agreed to comply once, but I refuse to have sex with you!" I crossed my arms in anger.

Now I can see things more clearly. He was observing me. My rejection must be seen by him as some kind of challenge.

"I'm not asking for that," Tristan adjusted his posture, but still had a slight grimace of pain. "It would be like forcing you to sleep with me, and I'm not like that."

"Oh, really?" I doubted.

"No. I want you to surrender to me willingly and spontaneously."

"And who said I would want that?" I raised an eyebrow. He gave me a smirk. That damn smirk!

"You will want me."