Part 9. More Flashes

Jane felt her friend's solemn stare on her. Tristan stood his ground, his eyes focused. Krista was trying to pull her back, tugging on her arm. Sometimes Jane was genuinely grateful for her friend's support, but she needed to talk with Tristan. He won't harm her atleast that she was sure about. 

"It's okay. You can go" Jane whispered, looking over her shoulder at Krista. 

Her friend made a face, narrowing her eyes at Tristan before turning to Jane, "Are you sure? I can wait if you want me to."

The bartender quirked her lips at that. She knew that her friend was worried about her, but she can handle herself. Thank you very much. It was rough in the beginning to adjust, but with time she learned to survive as a lone wolf. 

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Krista smiled, “Okay. Call me when you reach home.”

“I will.” 

Directing a glare in Tristan's direction, Krista walked away from there. 

Tristan cleared his throat, making her snap out of her thoughts. Jane turned around, eyeing as he motioned towards the car seat. It took her two seconds to understand what he was getting at. Without wasting another moment, she slid in quickly and waited for him. 

“Did you see the article?” Tristan gruffly asked, slamming the door shut. 

The bartender jumped at the sound, but the driver barely flinched as if he was habituated. The bodyguard beside him stayed calm as well. Was she embarrassing herself? Schooling her features, she turned towards Tristan and found him scrolling down his phone. Was he trying to find that article now? It must be all over the Internet too. Her face flamed at that. She didn’t even think about it. What was she going to do? 

“Here” Tristan shoved the phone in her direction, his face devoid of any emotion. 

“I saw” She swallowed the lump in her throat. The entire world might have seen by now. Jane wanted to strangle him. How can he so calm? They were out in the whole public captured while doing the most embarrassing thing ever. Just thinking about it made her red in the face. 

“Do you have any idea as to who did this?” 

At that, Jane frowned, “Are you trying to imply something here?”

“Uhh-”

She cut him off before he could complete his sentences, her eyes wide and voice loud. It almost echoed around the tiny space. “Why in the world would I do that?” 

“I didn’t say it was you! My team thinks that but I don’t. Can you please let me finish?” Tristan glared at her.

At that, she went still. It was nice to know that he didn’t automatically blame her. She did think of that scenario, and it would have been the worst thing ever. But then again, why did his team believe that she’s the one responsible? Jane didn’t even know his real identity for crying out loud. 

“Sorry” She faintly whispered. 

He let out a sigh, pocketing his phone. She held her breath as Tristan turned towards her.

“We have no idea why they did this or who did this, to be honest. My team is trying to get to the root of this. I thought I should check up on you because it’s going to get crazy. I’m sure you are not used to this”

“People secretly taking my pictures? Yeah, it’s a first for me” Jane snarked. 

In her defence, she was tired, felt boneless and with her image all over the papers, it added more to the pile of problems she had. As she felt his eyes on her, she let out a sigh. Even though she was irked with the situation, she should not take it out on Tristan. 

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.” 

“I get that! I am going to drop you off, and we can talk about it tomorrow, yeah?” Tristan questioned, his brow arched. 

Jane took a moment to respond, too taken by the look on his face. He was devastatingly gorgeous, and the light stubble poking out of his jaw didn’t help either. That and the way he was close to her, she could smell his strong earthy scent. 

“Or we can talk now” Jane piped. She had no interest in prolonging the conversation anyway. 

“Are you sure about that?”

“I asked”

Tristan took a deep breath, “Okay. James thinks it’s better if both of us don’t talk to media right now. Everyone is desperate to get a statement from us, and we won’t give that to

them. Easy” 

“Who is James?!” 

“Oh James Blunt, he’s the head of the team. A professional fixer if you want to call him that. He was the one who alerted me this morning.” 

Jane felt stupid. She should’ve known that Tristan is someone who would have a team at his beck and call. After all, he’s a Prince. 

“Oh. Yeah, I can do that. I have no interest in discussing my one night stand with the entire world.” 

Tristan sighed. “This went well. I was expecting a whole lot of drama.” 

“Have you met me?! I’m very understanding and lovely” Jane haughtily said. 

“Obviously” Tristan agreed with an amused smile on his face. He had a beautiful smile. Should we tell that? That would be crossing her line. 

Jane cleared her throat, “Why didn’t you tell me you are a Prince? Don’t you think it’s something I should have known.” 

The thought had been itching her since the moment she read the articles. Why did he have to hide from her? It felt like he was ashamed of his identity or something. Can that be the reason? But everyone loves being a royal member. Who wouldn’t love the power and wealth that comes with the title? 

His face changed at that. 

“That’s none of your business” He spat, his jaw clenched together. 

It was quiet after that. Jane was not expecting that all. Did he have anger issues or something? Who snaps like that all of a sudden? She felt annoyed enough to not stare at him during the entire ride back home. 

***

As soon as they stopped near her building, the cameras started flashing. She was blinded by the flashes aimed in their way. People were shoving each other to take a better look of the car, in the process click their photos together. 

“Bloody Hell!” Tristan murmured, staring at the paparazzi surrounding them from all sides. They were going to make another article about them. 

“What do I do now?” Jane whispered, her mouth parted open. She had no idea that sleeping with a guy would turn around her entire life. Sweat trickled down her forehead even though the air condition was working.

Her hands felt clammy, gripping on to her thigh. 

“Albert” Tristan tapped at his bodyguard's shoulder. 

“Yes, Your Royal Highness” 

Jane cocked her eyebrow. That sounded a mouthful. Should she address him in the same manner?! It still hasn’t sunk in that Tristan was a freaking Prince of Walsh. 

Tristan took her hand, wincing at the coldness. She sheepishly smiled at that. Her hands gets too sweaty whenever she’s nervous. It’s an old thing now.

“Don’t worry about it. Albert will clear out a way for us. These people can be brutal with their cameras, so don’t look at them. Just follow me, alright?” He cleared his throat. 

“Okay,” She breathed. 

Looking outside the window, she gulped. Was it going to be like this every day? She hoped not because Jane had places to be. There was no way she was going to depend on Tristan to take her everywhere. 

As if Tristan read her mind, he cleared his throat, “It will die down soon. I promise you.”

“Are you sure about that?” She asked, staring at the crowd outside. 

Tristan was silent at that. She let out a sigh. What did she get into? Her stupid hormones were at fault. Instead of sleeping with the first guy, she found attractive, she should have stayed single. All this headache would have been easily avoided. 

“Let’s go” Tristan breathed as he stared at Albert approaching them. He forwarded his hand in her direction, and she twisted her lips at that. What was he doing? 

“Holding your hand will make it worse.” 

Tristan retreated his hand, “Oh yeah I forgot about it. Come on” 

He was the first one to get out as Albert held the door for him. Jane took a deep breath and swiftly followed him outside, shying away from the light glares on her face. People started pushing at her, trying to get close up shot and whatnot. They were yelling in her ears, asking a hundred different questions. She felt breathless, fear gripping her insides as they kept on nudging her from both sides. 

Her hand instantly went to Tristan's wrist, gripping him tightly. 

Tristan looked over his shoulder like he wanted to say something but didn’t. They managed to exit through the back gate. Voices drowned behind them. 

As soon as they were inside the parking lot, she let out a sigh of relief. 

***

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