Chapter 86

An hour of comfortable silence stretched, during which Aurora briefly dozed off, and Tristan contemplated his life while gently caressing her hand.

"Whose room is this?" Aurora asked, noticing the miniature cartoon character figurines on top of a dresser on the other side.

"Mine. Well, it used to be mine," Tristan replied.

"Really?" Aurora got up, full of curiosity, and went to the other side of the room to examine closely.

"My father said he didn't touch anything after I left, except for the clothes I left behind," explained Tristan.

"What happened to them?"

"They were donated. Besides that, everything's the same."

Aurora noticed that the miniatures were the only decoration with a personal touch. There was nothing else. No photos or CDs of any bands he used to like. Since childhood, he had a rather minimalist taste.

"Your father must have missed you," she commented, hearing his incredulous grunt. "Seriously. After all, you're still his son. I can't think of any other reason he wouldn't have touched anything. If he really hated you, he would have thrown it all away."

A few years ago, Tristan might not have understood her reasoning and would have given her a strange look as she rummaged through his drawer. But now he understood, as he had been through the same situation. As angry as he had been with her when she left, he couldn't truly hate her. He knew her deeply, more than anyone else. Even amidst the anger, he couldn't bring himself to get rid of the things she inadvertently left behind, her haste to leave for London. Like the photos in his office. He would sometimes go in there, but he wouldn't touch anything.

He wondered if his father and brother did the same when he left. If they went into his room missing him.

"How old were you when you left?" Aurora asked.

"Fifteen."

"Ah..." She smiled slightly and pulled a porn magazine out of the drawer. "That explains it."

"Are you really looking at that?"

"What? It's curious to see what used to excite you when you were a virgin." She raised her eyes from the magazine, giving him an inquisitive look. "You were a virgin, right?"

"Enough with rummaging through the room." Tristan got up and tried to take the magazine from her.

"Oh no, now I want to know. How old were you when you lost your virginity?"

"Eighteen."

"With whom?"

"A college girl, redhead, big breasts... now give me that back."

"How was it?" Aurora put her hands behind her back, stubborn.

"Normal."

"A weird kind of normal? Because all first times are weird, without exception."

"Are you implying that your first time was weird?" Tristan feigned indignation, eliciting a laugh from her.

"A part of it was."

"So you hurt me."

"I wasn't used to all that," she admitted.

"All that?" Tristan teased, raising his eyebrows mischievously.

"You know, all the grandeur..."

"Grandeur?"

"Of the situation!" she emphasized, trying to look serious but failing. "It wasn't something I had done before, and then you were there..."

"In all my glory."

She made a face, which he found adorable, and continued.

"For a long time, I had the illusion that I would lose my virginity to the person I eventually married. I think every girl thinks that way. But I remember that, on that day, I was sure I wouldn't regret it if it was with you. Even if we weren't going to be together forever, because I wanted it. I wanted it to be you. Thank you for being gentle with me. Now I think the most important thing about losing my virginity was what came after. This may sound cheesy... but I changed. I felt better about myself, more mature, more... like a woman. So yes, it was weird, amazing... and enjoyable, but don't let your ego inflate because of that." He smiled. "You didn't answer my question."

"I forgot what we were talking about."

"The busty redhead. Was it weird?"

"Absolutely not. She was experienced already. And I might have been a virgin, but I wasn't stupid, I knew what to do."

"Just that?"

"What else do you want to know?"

"Isn't there some elaborate story behind it? Suddenly, this redhead taught you everything you know today."

"No. I learned those things over time, observing and, of course, practicing." She pouted, disappointed that her story was so simple. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

"You saw her again after that?"

"Only in classes. You know I don't get involved with the same person twice."

"I always found that peculiar... and a bit audacious. Why is that, anyway?"

"I was too focused on graduating. Sometimes, I allowed myself to enjoy carnal pleasures, but that was it. I didn't want attachments, no woman clinging to me and swearing fidelity."

"Did you do that to avoid attachment, both theirs and yours?"

"Both."

"And... why was it different with me?"

"With you, I didn't have time to avoid it."

He didn't have time to get attached to the other girls, neither before because they had only exchanged a few simple words, nor after, because he had already moved on. But with her, there was a beginning, arguments, nicknames, teasing. And after the first time, it was already too late; he was attached, planning ways to see her again.

The looks they exchanged were interrupted by the creaking of the door opening. Aurora lowered her head and put the magazine back in the same place. Tristan looked directly at the person who had entered.

"Is there a problem?" he asked.

"Sorry." Genevieve smiled sheepishly. "I couldn't find the bathroom."

"It's the last door down the hall."

"Ah, yes, thank you." She cast one last suspicious glance at the couple before leaving.

"Do you think your father would be upset if I asked to stay here for the night?" Aurora suddenly asked. "I don't trust myself to drive today."

Tristan simply nodded.

After the party, he talked to his father to accommodate the girl's request. Mr. Callahan readily agreed and asked one of the maids to prepare a guest room for her.

Once settled, Aurora tried to be kind as she dismissed the maid, who eagerly offered food, water, pillows... But the young woman was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

She had been alone in the room for only a few minutes when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it, expecting it to be the same woman as before, but to her surprise, it was Tristan. He was wearing a plain shirt that seemed a bit tight and sweatpants, which fit perfectly.

"What's with the clothes?" she asked with a laugh.

"They're Griffin's. I had to raid his old wardrobe. It was either that or sleep in a suit."

"Ah, I see." She laughed. "Are you... going to sleep here?" Her expression brightened with relief.

"Yes." He nodded. "Well, as there hasn't been a woman in this house for decades, all we have to offer are my brother's clothes." He handed her a T-shirt that, although too small for Griffin's current size, would be loose on her.

"Where are the pants?"

"Aurora, we've lived together. Don't pretend to sleep fully dressed, not to me."

"If I recall correctly, you don't wear a shirt to sleep."

"True, but this isn't my house."

"It used to be one day."

"Anyway, I thought it would be inappropriate to wander around half-naked."

"And not to annoy your father?"

"No, not even for that. As fun as it would be." She looked at him thoughtfully. "What's up?"

"You. I don't know, you seem... different."

"A lot has changed, Aurora." She nodded in a somewhat awkward manner.

"Except for your habit of sleeping shirtless," she teased, managing to get a smile out of Tristan. "Or has that changed too, and you're just hiding the truth?"

"No, that's still true. And don't worry, I'll get rid of it when I get to the room."

She pressed her lips together, imagining the scene.

"Where are you going to sleep, by the way?"

"In the front room."

"Ah." Suddenly, the atmosphere seemed heavier. She felt a warmth rising as their gazes met. She wanted him. She wanted him to sleep with her, to hold her like he had earlier when she fell asleep in his arms.

"Anything, just call me."

"R-right." She stammered, nervous. She thought about saying something fun and daring, as she always did, but her courage evaporated. "So... goodnight!"

She closed the door and let out a breath, realizing that she had been holding her breath.

***

The next day, after taking a refreshing shower and wearing the same dress from the party, Aurora left her room with the intention of knocking on the front room door, but the door was already open. She peeked inside, curious; the room was empty.

She walked through the mansion's hallways in search of Tristan or any sign of life.

"Good morning, miss," the same maid from the previous night greeted her. Aurora responded with a smile. "I hope you had a good night's sleep. Mr. Callahan is waiting for you for breakfast in the garden."

Aurora took a moment to process the words, at the same time realizing that she didn't know how to get to the garden. The maid seemed to notice this.

"Would you like me to guide you?"

Aurora nodded, grateful, and the woman led her out of the mansion, where they came across a large area surrounded by well-kept grass and beautiful flower arrangements.

"Do you know where Tristan is?" Aurora asked as they walked along the stone path.

"Oh, yes!" The maid recalled with a jump of memory. "I saw him leaving early. He asked me to let you know that he had to rush to the office."

At the end of the path, a large table was filled with food, shaded from the sun by a luxurious white tent.

Aurora stopped abruptly. Griffin was there, sitting next to her father.

"Is everything all right, miss?" the maid inquired.

She turned to the maid and gestured that everything was fine, then continued walking, a bit hesitantly.

"Aurora," Mr. Callahan greeted her with a wide smile. "Come, join us."

She took the seat across from Griffin, who smiled at her, concerned. Tristan had told him the previous night what she was going through, and Griffin was worried about her. They had almost been part of each other's family one day, and although it hadn't gone as planned, he still cared for her.

During breakfast, Aurora remained quiet, just listening to the conversation between the two men about Griffin's business trips. She couldn't help but smile when she heard how passionately he talked about his dedication to helping those in need.

Griffin invited her for a walk in the garden, and she accepted, understanding his intention. He wanted to talk away from her father's ears.

"Rose, right?" she started the conversation. She had been curious after seeing Mr. Callahan trying several times to find a way to ask his son about the girl. It was clear to Aurora that the two were together.

"She's just a friend who became close after the trip. She has admirable ambitions."

"So you're not dating?"

"No." He smiled, looking at the flowers. "I'm not ready to give love another chance."

"And how will you know when you're ready?"

"When I meet someone worth it, someone I can imagine a happy future with." This time, he looked at her. "I know that's what Adelaide would want."

She smiled genuinely.

"I'm sure."

"And you? How are you?"

"Honestly, I feel... messy. A huge, confusing mess. Sometimes, I think about how it would have been if I hadn't come back. I wouldn't have to face everything that reminds me of what torments me the most. But deep down, I know I have to go through this, no matter how painful it is. If I want to find peace one day, I have to face my past." She confided. "Tristan has been helping me a lot, he even convinced me to seek treatment."

Griffin stopped walking and smiled, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"I knew you two would work it out."

"Not in the way you're thinking, charming doctor. We're just friends."

"Friends?" She nodded without much emotion. "You don't seem satisfied with that."

"I don't..." She was going to disagree, but she couldn't deceive Griffin. He was right, and she couldn't convince him otherwise, no matter what she said.

"Why not talk to him?"

"And say what? That I want to get back together with him after breaking up with him? That wouldn't make sense."

"Not everything needs to make sense, especially feelings. Besides, couples reconcile. If it's what you really want, talk to him. Great restarts require big moves."

She smiled sadly.

"He doesn't want to, after all."

"Did he say that?"

"No, but he said a lot has changed since then. He also said we should just be friends. I think he believes we're not compatible anymore."

Griffin's expression became puzzled.

"He didn't tell you he reached out to you?"

She was shocked for a moment.

"He... he did that?"

Griffin nodded.

"Three times, to be exact. All on your birthday."

"That can't be true." She concluded, stunned. "He never showed up."

"Have you talked to Luna about this?"