“What did you say?” Tristan asked.
I cleared my throat and blushed. “It’s not that I can’t… I mean, can we hold hands?” I
stammered.
Tristan was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile.
I glanced at him and mumbled, “We… we already kissed…”
This time, he heard me loud and clear.
“It’s true,” he said slowly. “We’ve already kissed, so acting distant now would be silly.”
I blushed. “It’s not like that-”
Before I could finish speaking, he pulled me in for another kiss.
This time, my mind was clearer. I began to respond, though awkwardly.
Something seemed to ignite in Tristan. I felt his body grow warmer as he pressed closer.
With the last bit of clarity I possessed, I quickly pushed him away. We both took a step back, trying to calm our rising emotions.
“Today doesn’t count,” I said stiffly.
Tristan’s gaze deepened. “What doesn’t count?”
I looked around the room nervously. “I mean, today doesn’t count as… touching me,” I whispered.
Tristan realized what I meant and couldn’t help but laugh. At first, he tried to hold it back, stifling it with his hand. But soon enough, he burst out laughing.
I panicked and quickly covered his mouth. “Don’t laugh. Chloe’s still here.”
Tristan’s eyes sparkled, and I was completely mesmerized. They were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.
Tristan hugged me and said softly, “Alright, it doesn’t count. We’ll start the count next time, you silly girl.”
“How could there be a next time?” I spluttered.
He smirked at that. “Don’t you want there to be a next time?”
Without thinking, I blurted out, “Of course I do.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt regret and wished I could take them back–but it was too late.
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Tristan said nothing, but his struggle to hold back his laughter made it clear he understood the foolishness of what I had just said. He cleared his throat and habitually adjusted his glasses.
“Well, it’s getting late. I’ll take you out for dinner.”
With that, he walked out of the room, and I awkwardly followed behind him.
We were in a small meeting room, and as we walked out, we entered a large living room.
Tristan said to me, “Go change into something else. I’m taking you to a dinner party.”
I was shocked at his revelation. “A dinner party?”
Tristan nodded in confirmation. “Yes.”
I hesitated. “Is it okay if I don’t go?”
After that last incident, I became reluctant to leave the house. I didn’t even want to go downstairs, let alone a dinner party outside.
Tristan shook his head. “No, you have to go. Besides, you haven’t been out for three or four days.”
I protested weakly. “I’m going to the hospital.”
Tristan looked at me patiently. I understood what he meant and nodded resignedly. “I’ll go change and be ready in half an hour.”
With that, I went into my room. When I opened the door, I was startled to find Chloe hiding inside.
“What are you doing here?”
Chloe jumped off the bed, her face full of curiosity. She circled me, even leaning in to sniff my
scent.
“What are you smelling?” I asked.
Chloe grinned. “You kissed, didn’t you?”
I jumped in alarm. “No, we didn’t! Don’t spout nonsense!”
Chloe’s grin grew even more mischievous. “I can smell cologne on you that isn’t yours. It’s a man’s.”
Feeling extremely embarrassed, I quickly ducked my head and dashed into the closet to find a dress.
There was a row of dresses that all looked the same, and I picked one absentmindedly.
Chloe glanced at me and casually tossed a fluorescent pink dress my way. “Here you go, little
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beauty. Wear this one.”
I took one look at it, rolled my eyes, and tossed it aside. “No way, that’s a deadly cotton candy pink”
Chloe threw it back at me. “Wear it. It’ll make you look younger. Your beloved Tristan will like it!”
I glared at her, feeling embarrassed, and went back to picking out a dress.
