Chapter 4

Tristan: [Olivia, are you taking a break?] 

Tristan: [It just so happens that I'm not far from your agency. Would you mind if I asked you out for lunch?] 

Olivia: [Hi. I'm relaxing right now. Of course, I don't mind.] 

Tristan: [Then get ready. I might be at your location in about five minutes.] 

Olivia: [Okay. I'll wait for you in the lobby.] 

Tristan smiled as he looked at the series of text messages he had just sent. The last time he met Olivia, he had managed to get her phone number with ease.

"Thank you, Tristan. You went out of your way to drop me off at my apartment," Olivia said as she unbuckled the seatbelt wrapped around her. Once she was free, she reached for her shopper bag in the back seat.

"You're welcome. Don't mention it, Olivia. I'm just doing what any gentleman should do."

Olivia laughed, amused by what she had just heard. This, of course, caught Tristan's attention.

"Why are you laughing? Is something funny?"

Olivia quickly shook her head, a sweet smile still etched on her face.

"No. I was just imagining how many women you've charmed with this sweet attitude."

Tristan's forehead furrowed deeply as he pointed a finger at his own face.

"Charmed many women? Oh, come on, Olivia. I'm not the kind of guy who sweet-talks every woman I meet," he said with a playful smile.

"Oh, really?" Olivia's face showed an expression of skepticism. Her blue eyes moved, searching for any hint of a lie in Tristan's blue eyes.

"What are you looking at, Olivia? Do you doubt my words?" Tristan asked when he realized Olivia was seriously examining his face.

"I'm just trying to see if you're serious or bluffing."

A smile still adorned Tristan's handsome face. He turned his body to face Olivia directly. Once comfortable, he spoke again, needing to clarify this matter.

"If you like watching TV or gossip shows, you'll see that it's always Sebastian Edwardo Martin in the headlines, not Tristan Quartararo."

Chuckling softly, Olivia agreed with the man beside her. What Tristan said was true. It was Edward who was often in the hot gossip for his glamorous life and frequent changes of partners. Meanwhile, Tristan was mostly in the news for his business dealings and achievements.

"I guess I really should believe you."

Hearing that, Tristan laughed softly again. Shortly after, Olivia excused herself and got out of the car.

"Once again, thank you for your kindness in dropping me home. I hope we can meet again sometime."

Tristan nodded in agreement.

"Of course. But by the way, if I ask you out for lunch or dinner sometime, would you be willing?"

"Sure. Why not?" Olivia replied without hesitation. Besides, she thought Tristan was a good and polite person. There was no reason to refuse his invitation.

"Alright then. If I have some free time, I'll contact you and treat you to a meal."

Hearing Tristan's words, Olivia's eyes narrowed.

"Is this a ploy to get my phone number?"

Shyly, the man nodded.

"If you don't mind."

Olivia then reached for her wallet from her bag, took out a business card, and handed it to Tristan.

"Here's my business card with my phone number. Feel free to call me anytime."

Since that night, Tristan occasionally contacted Olivia, just to greet her via text. And today, he finally had the courage to ask her out for lunch.

Tristan thought he should naturally approach Olivia. Slowly attract her attention, create a comfortable and deep impression that she wouldn't forget.

"Hi, sorry if I kept you waiting."

Lowering the car window slightly, Tristan greeted Olivia. The woman was clearly waiting for him right in front of the agency lobby.

"It's okay." Olivia then got in and sat calmly beside Tristan, letting him drive them to a restaurant for lunch.

"I didn't expect you to actually invite me for lunch," Olivia said when they arrived and were choosing their meals.

Tristan turned, smiling.

"Did you think I was just making small talk before?"

Olivia shrugged her shoulders.

"I told you, who knows if you were just looking for a reason to get my phone number."

Tristan smiled again. He had lost count of how many smiles he had given to appear sweet in front of Olivia.

"But it turns out I'm not like that, right? As I said, I don't have the talent to be a playboy, Olivia."

"Okay ... okay ..." Olivia giggled at Tristan's expression. "From now on, I'll learn to believe that you're not a playboy like Edward."

They both laughed after that, engrossed in conversation. Sharing stories while enjoying the lunch they had ordered.

Olivia had to admit, Tristan was indeed a fun person to talk to. He was knowledgeable and understood almost all the topics Olivia brought up. She felt a bit of admiration for him.

"After this, do you want me to take you back to work or directly to your apartment?" Tristan asked when they finished their lunch.

Olivia glanced at the watch on her wrist, which showed it was already one in the afternoon. This meant she needed to return to the agency to continue her work.

"I have one more photo shoot session. Today, I'm collaborating with Tita, your friend's girlfriend," she explained.

"In that case, I'll take you back now so you won't be late."

Olivia didn't refuse. She stood up and followed Tristan to the restaurant's parking lot.

As they descended the steps to the car, Olivia, who was walking a bit hastily, suddenly slipped. Fortunately, Tristan, who was right behind her, quickly caught her, preventing her from falling.

"Olivia, are you okay?" Tristan asked as he held her.

"I'm fine," she replied confidently.

However, when she tried to take another step, Olivia reflexively screamed. There was a sharp pain shooting through her right foot.

"Olivia, are you okay?" Tristan asked, concerned.

Olivia winced, her face showing signs of pain. "I don't know. My foot hurts a lot," she said, grimacing.

Without saying much, Tristan immediately bent down and examined her right foot.

"Your foot looks red. Can you walk at all?"

Olivia slowly lifted her right foot, trying to see if she could make it to Tristan's car, which was less than 50 meters away.

"Ouch!" Olivia yelped again. The pain in her foot was unbearable. "I think I sprained my ankle."

Seeing the woman beside him in pain, Tristan didn't hesitate. He carefully picked up Olivia and carried her to the car.

What Tristan did took Olivia by surprise. She never imagined he would be so attentive to her needs.

"You really didn't have to carry me," Olivia said once she was seated comfortably in the passenger seat.

"How could I let you walk when your foot is hurt?" Tristan replied, sounding worried. "I'll take you to the hospital to make sure it's not serious."

Olivia shook her head, refusing Tristan's offer to take her to the hospital. She believed her foot would heal on its own without a doctor's intervention.

"No need. Just take me to my apartment. I just need to rest."

Tristan hesitated, weighing whether to insist on taking her to the hospital or listen to her.

"I'm fine," Olivia insisted again, seeing Tristan's doubtful expression. "You don't need to worry so much."

Finally, Tristan nodded and complied with her request. Although he had his doubts, he couldn't force his will on her.

"Alright, I'll take you home now."

Tristan then helped Olivia with her seatbelt, carefully securing it around her. 

Being so close to Tristan made Olivia feel breathless. The sharp citrus woody scent of his cologne filled her senses. She felt like leaning against him just to take in the fragrance deeply. Why does he smell so good? she wondered.

While Tristan focused on driving, Olivia occasionally rubbed her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. But her heart seemed to refuse cooperation, beating rapidly and making Olivia feel overwhelmed.

Oh heart, please cooperate. If this continues, I might die suddenly from you.

---

After dropping Olivia off, Tristan didn't return to the office immediately. Instead, he drove to a café in downtown London to meet his friends. It was their routine to gather briefly at the end of the week, even if only for a meal together.

"Sorry I'm a bit late."

The three men who were chatting turned simultaneously. Edward even patted the sofa beside him, inviting Tristan to sit.

"Not at all. We just got here," Nicholas replied, sipping his caramel frappuccino.

"What were you guys talking about? You looked so engrossed from outside," Tristan asked, taking a sip of the Raspberry Blackcurrant drink Edward had ordered for him. His friend knew his preferences well.

"We were talking about Valentine's Day," Kenzi replied.

"Valentine's Day?" Tristan echoed, turning to the man with oriental features. "Isn't that still a while away?"

"Yes, it's a month away," Kenzi answered. "But we were discussing what interesting gifts to give our partners. As you know, Tita and Claire already have a lot of luxury items. So, we want to give them something unique."

Tristan nodded in understanding. His gaze then shifted to Edward, who had been sitting quietly beside him.

"And you, Edward? Who are you taking on a romantic getaway this time?" Tristan asked. "You always take your dates on trips abroad, right?"

"Edward's not going on a trip this time," Nicholas interjected, as if he knew everything.

"Oh, really? Then what is this playboy up to?" 

"Edward wants to propose to someone."

Tristan was stunned by Nicholas's reply. He hadn't heard this news. As far as he remembered, Edward didn't want to commit seriously until he turned 30. Who had changed Edward Martin's mind?

"You want to propose to your girlfriend? Who?" Tristan asked, clearly confused. "Are you serious?"

Edward gave a small smile, not denying what Nicholas had said. He explained with enthusiasm.

"I want to propose to Olivia Walters on Valentine's Day next month."

Tristan's face fell.

"What? Olivia Walters? Are you really sure?"

Edward nodded, which made Tristan ask another question.

"Oh, come on, Edward. You've just met her. Are you sure she feels the same way about you?"

Edward smiled again. He knew his friends would be skeptical about this news.

"Out of all the women I've dated, I feel Olivia is the one who matches my personality the best."

"Every woman you date, you say the same thing, Ed," Nicholas retorted, not buying it.

"I'm serious, Nicholas. This time, I'm really serious. Olivia is different from most women. She's special. We have so much in common that I feel comfortable and don't want to be away from her. It's like finding a soulmate who's been missing for a long time," Edward explained at length.

"You're so melodramatic. You're being overly dramatic, Edward Martin," Nicholas scoffed.

"So you really want to propose to Olivia? Are you sure she feels the same way about you?" Tristan continued his questioning.

"I'm serious about this," Edward replied quickly. "I also believe Olivia has the same feelings for me."

Seeing Tristan's skeptical expression, Edward reached out and gently patted his friend's shoulder, trying to alleviate his worries.

"Don't worry. Just wish me luck with this."

Tristan nodded slowly, then hugged his friend.

"Yes, I'll always wish the best for you, Ed."

"I even hope you meet a woman who is truly perfect and good for you. Not a killer's daughter like Olivia. That's why I have to act quickly before it's too late," Tristan thought.

After they broke the hug, they continued their conversation. Tristan, however, remained mostly silent, deep in thought. He now had a clear target: to draw Olivia's attention away from Edward. He couldn't stand the idea of Olivia forming a serious relationship with the man he considered a brother. Never!