Chapter 7

"Tita, where are Jacob and the others?" asked Tristan to the beautiful woman sitting enjoying the lemon tea in her hands.

As usual, every weekend is a definite schedule for Tristan and his friends to gather. If last week they spent time with dinner together followed by bowling, then tonight, all of them chose Heist Bank in Paddington, West London, to get together and play billiards.

It looks like Jacob and Nicholas brought their respective partners. Whether this time Edward brought a date or not because when he arrived, Tristan only saw the existence of Tita and Claire, who were having a serious conversation.

"Jacob and Nicholas are inside. They are playing billiards," said Tita after sipping her lemon tea.

"Is Edward in there too?"

Tita then shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe it'll be here soon. You know best of all, Edward is always late."

Tristan chuckled softly. What Tita said is true. From the first, for some reason, Edward was very happy to come last. Nicholas even had countless protests against the Scottish-blooded man.

"Don't ever trust Edward if you don't want to be disappointed," Nicholas snorted. His face seemed to be filled with anger.

"So what?" Jacob inquired curiously. "Every time he was invited to meet and asked where he was, that damn boy would always say he was on the way. In fact, he was still lying in bed. Really, Edward was the only friend he couldn't keep his word to."

Even now, it's hard to believe that Edward can come on time. Almost never was the man on time. Whenever planning a meeting, Nicholas always came 30 minutes after the appointed time so as not to wait too long for Edward.

"Tristan, did you come alone? Why don't you bring Aurora?" Jacob scolded when he saw the presence of Tristan, who had just entered the billiards room.

"I'm sure this time we'll be home late at night. I don't like bringing women ---"

"Home too late?" Jacob cut in as if he knew what Tristan was going to say. "Honestly, You're a good Man, Tristan. I'm sure whoever becomes your partner in the future, he will be happy. You really value women."

"It can't be helped, that's what my late mother taught me."

However, no matter what, there wasn't a single one who liked to play with women among the four. All of them are taught to respect and maintain the honor of women. Even though Edward was a jerk, he would never dare bring his date to have sex or sleep together before having a formal bond.

"You must have been waiting for me," joked Edward, who had just arrived at the meeting location. A sweet smile tugged at the man's pink lips. There was no hint of sin or regret for making his friends wait so long.

"Just so you know ..." said Nicholas, aiming for the ball on the pool table. "I didn't even consider your presence tonight."

Edward laughed. The man hastily approached Nicholas and then hugged him from behind awkwardly. He was like this when he was seducing his best friend.

"Oh my gosh, honey. Don't be so angry. You make me love you even more."

"Stop Edward!" cried Nicholas. His face looked disgusted. "You tickle me."

"It can't be helped, I do love you Nicholas Alistair. If you don't marry Claire Roland, I'm ready to take her place."

Nicholas hissed. He was forcing his best friend to unlink his hands from his body. It was amused to be treated in such a way by Edward.

"One more time you dare to hug me, I will break your neck!" the threat is no joke.

Everyone immediately laughed. Edward even raised his hands to signal that he was giving in to Nicholas's threats.

"Are you alone tonight?" asked Tristan, deliberately changing the subject.

"No, I'm with Sophia. She's up front with Tita and Claire."

Tristan nodded. Then approached Jacob and Nicholas to join in starting a game of billiards. They all played for almost an hour. At the same time, the women were busy talking in the cafe while eating the snacks available.

"About your proposal to Sophia, have you told your parents about this important matter?" asked Jacob in between their play.

"Not yet," Edward replied, focusing on playing. "The plan is to tell them after I'm done proposing to Sophia."

"And you're sure Sophia will accept you? Are you a land crocodile Edward Oliviera or if I can call a land dinosaur, maybe you belong to their species," Nicholas sneered unmitigated.

"If I were Sophia, I would reject you outright. What would my marriage be like if I had to pair up with a bad boy like you."

"Luckily, Sophia isn't you. So I'm sure she won't turn me down," Edward mocked, sticking out his tongue. He was happy to reply to his friend's words.

"But Nicholas was right, Ed. Are you sure about Sophia's feelings?" It was Jacob's turn to be skeptical. "Besides, it's not that you two just met. I'm not sure that woman would take you for granted. Except, Sophia is a worldly woman who likes men because of her popularity and wealth."

"Relax," Edward interrupted. "I'm sure Sophia isn't the kind of woman you're accusing her of. In this one month, I'll be intensely approaching her."

Jacob's brow furrowed deeply. The man's eyes immediately narrowed with curiosity at the plan his best friend was working on. "Close to what do you mean?"

"The day after tomorrow, and in the days that follow, I will often ask her out. Give her lots of gifts or maybe surprises. I'm sure, with the intensity of our meeting, Sophia's heart will eventually melt."

While the others were busy discussing in silence, Tristan listened intently. Digest all the plans Edward outlined and then thought, what should he do to distract Sophia's attention to focus on her.

"I'm thirsty," Edward complained. "Let's finish this game. Besides, sorry for the ladies upfront. They must be tired of waiting too long."

"Yes," said Jacob. "I'm also sure Tita will nag after this."

They all agreed to stop the game. Then followed the women who were waiting at the cafe in front. Tristan could see how Sophia looked that night in her casual clothes. As soon as they turned around, the two of them accidentally stared at each other.

Sophia, even without awkwardly smiling, then reprimanded. "Tristan, you're here too."

"Of course, honey."

Instead of Tristan, it was Edward who answered. The man approached and took a seat right next to Sophia. "We're all friends. So, wherever you go, you're always together."

Tristan nodded in agreement with Edward's words. Pulling a chair, the man sat down at one table, even opposite Sophia.

"Have you fine, Sophia?"

"I'm very good," the woman replied with a meaningful smile. "You came alone?"

Tristan nodded. "Yeah, myself. Besides, I don't like taking women away until late."

"Tristan is an old-fashioned man." Edward joined in. "I've even introduced many beautiful and sexy women. But none of them caught his attention."

"Don't poison Tristan to act like you, Edward Oliviera. Tristan is a gentleman. He is typical of loyal men like Jacob and me," Nicholas said sarcastically.

"So you think I'm not a loyal man?"

Nicholas shrugged his shoulders. Lazy to answer the question that Edward gave. When everyone was deep in conversation, suddenly Edward's cell phone rang. An emergency call forced him to leave immediately.

"Everyone, I have to say goodbye now. My father just had an accident. Currently, he is being treated by a team of doctors in one of the hospitals."

Everyone was shocked. Especially Tristan. A look of worry immediately appeared on his face. The thought of the fatal accident that his father had experienced made Tristan instantly haunted by fear. Of course, he didn't want that sad incident to happen again, especially to his own best friend.

"Ed, I'm taking you to the hospital right now. You can't drive your car in this frenzy," Tristan offered. He was ready to get up.

"No." Edward shook his head. "You stay here. I ask that you take Sophia to her house. After confirming Papa's condition, I promise I will call all of you."

"You have to let us know about Uncle Alexander's progress. And when that's possible, we'll all follow you straight to the hospital."

Edward nodded without saying a word. After getting up, the man immediately ran to the car. Leaving all his friends who looked shocked by Edward's news had just conveyed.

***

Tristan had just arrived at his residence at exactly one o'clock. After neatly parking the sports car, he casually stepped into the house. As soon as he was about to climb the stairs to the second floor, Tristan's sense of hearing faintly caught a familiar voice. Like a cry that didn't know where it came from.

Filled with deep curiosity, slowly but Tristan must have sharpened his hearing. Trying to find out where the voice came from. Until that belief emerged, the reading room was Tristan's destination to visit.

And finally, what he was looking for was caught by his blue eyes, with a slightly worried tone of voice. He could see with his eyes where Aurora was. The woman was sitting on the floor with the position of bending both legs while crying.

"What's going on? Why are you crying here?"

Tristan walked over. Approaching and then squatting right in front of the woman. Noticing Tristan's arrival, Aurora looked up. Without saying much, the woman immediately rushed into a hug. Burying his head on Tristan's chest, he sobbed.

"Aurora..." Tristan called once again while gently stroking the woman's brown hair. "What's the matter? Why are you crying like this?" he asked, confused.

This was the first time Tristan had seen the beautiful woman cry in all their years together. "I-I miss the late Mama. For some reason, I've been thinking about her since yesterday. I---"

"Shhhhhhh..." Tristan hissed softly and then tightened his arms around Aurora's body. "I know how you feel. I often feel the same way when I miss my late Papa and Mama. There's nothing I can do right now but pray for them."

"I feel so lonely. There's no place for me to talk anymore. Now ---"

"Gosh, Aurora," Tristan interrupted again in a slightly raised voice. The man stretched his arms. Pulling Aurora's chin, he asked her to look deeply into his eyes. "Do you not consider my existence? You can tell me all the problems of your life without exception. I am ready to listen to whatever it is."

Aurora didn't answer anymore. Her face was lowered again as if he did not want to show her sadness to Tristan. Annoyed by Aurora's behavior, Tristan grabbed the woman's body again. He carried her without permission and then took Aurora to her room and sat her right on the bed.

"No need to be sad anymore. You can tell me anytime if you have something to tell me," Tristan ordered. The man's hand reached out to wipe the tears down Aurora's cheeks. "Thank you," Aurora squeaked.

"Now go to sleep. It's late." Aurora nodded. Follow the orders given. However, before Tristan had time to leave, she grabbed the man's wrist again so he wouldn't leave.

"What else?" asked Tristan gently. "About our marriage," Aurora muttered. The woman paused for a moment, which made Tristan confused.

"What about our wedding?"

"W-will it still goes according to plan?"

With a sigh, Aurora confirmed this one. It was important for him to know whether Tristan would stick with what they had planned long ago or, on the contrary, cancel halfway.

"Of course, Aurora. I made a promise to Uncle as well as to you. You know that I never break a promise, right?"

Aurora nodded. "I know that. But the thing is, Papa said you were currently approaching Sophia Walters. I was just worried that ---"

Tristan immediately put his index finger on Aurora's lips. I asked the woman to stop blabbering, let alone think anything wrong. "What you're worried about will never happen. Didn't I swear to marry you?"

"But what matters is whether you marry me out of necessity or do you love me, Tristan." "There's no need for love if the goal is just to get married."

The words that came out in a cold voice made Aurora gasp slightly. All of his muscles turned stiff to the point where he couldn't move. Aurora gulped. Suddenly his memory drifted to their first meeting. Aurora still clearly remembers how Tristan used to be so depressed. Fall. He has no one, and he was the one who reached out. Hugging and even wiping every tear that welled up—always reassuring Tristan that the man was never alone in this world.

All of Aurora's feelings were devoted to Tristan alone. In his heart even promised his love he would not give except to Tristan. So now? The man calls love unnecessary in their later marriage. Should he be happy hearing this?

"If you care about love, those feelings might grow over time. You need to know, and I married you not because I had to," repeated Tristan.

Aurora's heart seemed to be squeezed when she heard those words. He swallowed back the words of protest that wanted to leave his lips. Chose silence while looking at Tristan's face with teary eyes.

"It's up to you whether you want to love me or not. To be sure, I don't want to lose you." Tristan then embraced Aurora's body. He hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. Let him cry again in his arms.

"I won't leave you, Aurora. I made a promise to you and won't break it.