"I don't like that guy!" Adelaide referred to Tristan when they entered the house. She had been saying that the whole way back home, also mentioning that her sixth sense told her to keep her distance from that guy. "He's so narcissistic and sadistic. I bet he paid for your treatment just so he wouldn't get sued right at the beginning of his career. If it wasn't for that, he would have left you stranded in the middle of the street."
Aurora didn't pay attention to what she was saying. She took the camera out of her bag and headed to the darkroom. She wanted to develop the photos she took of Tristan.
When she was in the taxi, Aurora remembered Tristan's eyes and then the eyes in the photo she took at the college festival.
"Aurora? What are you doing?" Adelaide entered the room, but her phone rang, causing her to step back and answer the call.
Minutes passed, and Adelaide had to go to the restaurant. Her boss needed her incredible culinary skills because a very important lawyer was there that night. Adelaide didn't refuse, of course, as she would earn extra money for working overtime.
After the photos had finally dried, Aurora took them off the wall, sat in a chair, and observed all those pictures. For each image she saw, she threw it onto the table, but only one remained in her hand—the last photograph she took of Tristan when he realized he was being watched by her and looked directly into the camera lens.
Aurora picked up the photo from the other day, the one with the person inside the car watching her. She looked at both photos in her hands.
"This gaze is unmistakable! Was Tristan really watching me?!" the girl thought.
***
Tristan spent the week following Aurora. He began observing her daily routine. In the morning, she had coffee at Starbucks, worked at Emotion in the afternoon, and attended college at night.
After Aurora started suspecting that Tristan was watching her, she paid more attention when she was out on the streets. On the other hand, he noticed that the girl was alert and took great care not to get caught in the act.
Even he wasn't sure why he was observing her so much and researching her life. He kept delving deeper as if he were addicted to her, like an endless maze.
One afternoon, he saw her entering the company where she worked, reading the name "Emotion" written at the entrance. He planned to have his friend research the company.
Tristan started the car and drove towards his own company. It had been a while since he had shown up there, but he didn't need to spend the whole day inside that place. Things were going so well that he was making money effortlessly, and if any problems arose, he would have someone else deal with them.
He thought about stopping following the girl for today; his life was so monotonous that he was already bored.
After parking his car, he entered his company and headed towards the elevator, receiving glances and smiles from women. When he reached the top floor, he walked to the last door, which was his office.
"Good afternoon, Tristan," Genevieve, his secretary, gave him a seductive look. "Mr. Parker is waiting for you in the office."
"I've already told you I don't like people entering my office without permission," Tristan replied.
“I tried to stop him, but..." she interrupted herself as Tristan continued walking, ignoring her.
He entered his office, seeing the man sitting in his chair with his feet up on the desk, reading some papers.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tristan questioned.
"Helping you put more money in your pocket!" Xavier, the big-eared one, threw the papers onto the desk. "I've reviewed all these contracts, and if you sign them, the company will make a huge profit."
"I'll deal with that later. Get out of my chair and take your feet off the desk."
Xavier rolled his eyes but did as his friend asked. Tristan sat in his chair, and Xavier took the chair in front of him.
"I hate to break it to you, but you have to sign all these contracts today, and you need to review this month's balance sheet," Xavier said.
Tristan sighed tiredly, realizing he had a lot to do.
"And don't complain. You've been absent these past few days. What have you been up to?"
"I want you to research a company called Emotion," Tristan ignored his friend's question, causing Xavier to make a grimace on his face but do as he was told.
Tristan started reading the contracts and signing them. Sometimes, Aurora lingered in his mind. Meanwhile, Xavier searched on his tablet about the company that interested his friend. When he found out it was a fashion company, he found Tristan's interest strange. He thought it might be a company that could help bring more money to the Callahan's business, but it didn't make sense.
After delving deeper into his research, Xavier remembered that he had heard of that company before and that his sister worked there.
"And then?" Tristan's question brought Xavier back to reality. "Did you find out about that company?"
"It's a fashion company that started its business seven years ago in Canada. After a year, they expanded to some cities in the United States, like Los Angeles. In about three years, they had business all over the country, including New York..." He mumbled to himself to keep reading until he heard something interesting. "I don't know if it's of your interest, but there's a party from that company celebrating the arrival of the owner who used to handle everything in Canada."
Tristan thought Aurora would be at that celebration. After all, she worked there, and she wouldn't miss an opportunity to have fun or enjoy expensive food and drinks for free.
He wanted to see her again, he needed to. He wanted to get closer to feel more, to go even further.
"I need to go to that party," Tristan said.
"Why?" Xavier didn't even wait for his friend to answer and said, "I already know, it's none of my business."
"Exactly."
"Fine," Xavier shrugged, getting up from the chair with a childish smile on his lips, which surprised Tristan. "Have fun trying to find a way to go while I'll be inside the party sipping champagne and laughing at your face for not being able to get past the security guards."
What? How did Dumbo manage to get a pass for the party?! Tristan thought.
Tristan's confused expression made Xavier laugh internally.
"My sister works there. She recently became the owner's secretary and invited me to this celebration. I didn't even want to go, but now that I know you're interested, I'll go just to rub it in your face."
"I'm going with you," Tristan said decisively, returning to signing the contracts. Xavier puffed his cheeks; sometimes, he didn't like the fact that Tristan always got whatever he wanted.
"How can you be so sure of that?"
“Because if you take me, I'll increase your salary.”
“Deal!” he spoke excitedly but then paused to think. “But... I'm Seraphina's guest, there's no such thing as the guest of the guest."
“Now there is.”
Tristan remembered when he met Aurora at that nightclub, when she had said she wasn't interested in him. For some reason, it left him frustrated.
He couldn't describe her. She was different. She was so... Her.
She was beautiful, and that's why he was terrified. It was a deep trap. She laughed at him in an inexplicable way. Even with cold words, she didn't push him away and didn't lose her brave and wild posture.
"What have you done?" This question echoed in Tristan's mind several times.
The party in the Emotion building had already begun. It was late at night, and many people were present, dancing to the loud and lively music or getting wasted at the bar.Most eyes turned to the two friends who had just entered: Tristan and Xavier. It was practically impossible not to look at them; even the taken women couldn't help but analyze them from head to toe."I have to go find my boss. Have fun, but don't go overboard!" Seraphina warned the two."Don't treat me like I'm a teenager," Xavier rolled his eyes."I'm the older sister! You can't escape from me."Tristan paid no attention to their typical, pointless, and idiotic argument. In fact, everything around him became unimportant as soon as he laid his eyes on Aurora. She was on the dance floor, moving to the beat of the lively music."I knew you wanted to come here because of a girl!" Xavier said, noticing his friend's gaze."Are you eyeing the new photographer?!" Seraphina asked, but Tristan didn't respond. "Well, your tas
On the other hand, Adelaide walked along the dimly lit street. She couldn't find a taxi, and she had been walking for a long time, her feet already sore from the heels. She took them off and continued walking barefoot.She didn't know whether to complain about her feet or the hunger she felt. That's when she saw a convenience store. She clasped her hands together, looking up at the sky as if thanking the saints for finding that store open at that late hour.She entered the store, realizing she was the only customer. There was a woman at the cash register who briefly glanced at her. Adelaide went around picking up various "junk" from the shelves: snacks, candies, ice cream... Everything she desired.She went to the counter and placed everything on it. While the cashier scanned the items, Adelaide went to the beverage machine and inserted the money, pressing the button to get a can of soda, but nothing happened."Damn it, why isn't this coming out?" Adelaide started hitting the machine
"Aurora!" Seraphina's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she stood impatiently in front of her desk."What is it, Seraphina?" Aurora asked, bored, looking at her nails."Luna wants you in the conference room in five minutes. You will be notified about the dates for the photo shoots for the next edition," she informed and quickly turned away.Aurora sighed, her gaze fixed on a random corner. She had been thinking about Tristan since she caught him earlier today.Since the night of the party, Aurora had a clear idea of what kind of guy he was - lacking any trace of compassion and believing that all women were at his disposal to please him. The redhead was still shocked by his shamelessness in kissing numerous women that night, including one who was in a committed relationship.Well, I'm no saint either, but I've never stooped that low! Most of my impressions of him are negative. I could even make a list, Aurora thought.She glanced briefly at the table, picked up a blank sheet of
POV - (Point of View) Aurora NavarroToday, honestly, is not my day.I pray for time to pass quickly and for a new day to begin, but there was still a long way to go before the nightmare would end.I threw the coffee cup that Genevieve handed me out of the blue into a trash can after leaving Tristan's office.I'm not concerned about the situation between Tristan and me. He can continue following me and researching my life; eventually, he'll get tired and set his sights on another girl."Sister!" I called out to Adelaide as I opened the back door of the restaurant leading to the kitchen. All the cooks stopped what they were doing and looked at me. I smiled awkwardly. "Have you seen Adelaide around?""Aurora?" Adelaide said. I spotted her in front of a counter. I ran up to her and stopped in front of her. "What are you doing here?""Long story. To sum it up, I'm having a terrible day!" I said, teary-eyed, hugging my sister, who quickly pushed me away."You're so dramatic.""My life is a
POV - (Point of View) Aurora Navarro"What are you doing here?" I asked, a mix of surprise and confusion in my voice.What is Mr. Arrogant doing here? Leaning against the door of my apartment? And how did he manage to come up here? He can't even enter the lobby without permission.He probably seduced the old lady at the reception! I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened!"Who was that guy who dropped you off at the building?" Tristan ignored my question."That's none of your business!" I said firmly, crossing my arms."Is he your boyfriend?" Tristan continued with the questions. I rolled my eyes angrily at his persistence."You can't do this, demand answers from me as if I'm obliged to tell you everything I do. You can give orders to your employees and company staff, but you have no power over me.""Don't I?" he asked skeptically, taking two steps towards me, bringing us very close.Normally, I would step back, but I didn't. I'm not going to give in."Perhaps you're surrende
POV - (Point of View) Aurora Navarro"I'm here!" I said breathlessly as I entered the classroom. All eyes turned towards me, but I didn't care."Late, Miss Navarro," the teacher said in a serious tone."Don't tell me!" I replied sarcastically, forcing a smile.I walked to my seat, obliged to pass by Violet as usual, ignoring her disgusted look, and sat down.I paid close attention during the class, but at one point, I found myself wondering about Tristan. I hadn't received any sign from him today, and I hadn't even seen his car on the streets.Where could he be? Maybe at the company, busy with work, or perhaps he's charming some girl somewhere.What if he's watching me right now?!I looked around, scanning every corner of the room and every student's face, then I looked out the window. Everything seemed normal.I was brought back to reality by the sound of the bell ringing. I gathered my belongings and quickly walked out of the classroom. I was already late for college, and the last t
Finally, the weekend had arrived. Typically, it was a delight for the Navarro sisters, as it meant a break from work and college. They could spend the entire day at home doing absolutely nothing. However, on that Saturday, Adelaide was rummaging through her wardrobe in search of a decent outfit for her date with Griffin. Sometimes, she would experience anxiety attacks and consider canceling everything, coming up with the feeble excuse of being sick. But Aurora managed to convince her to give up that idea.Speaking of the younger sister, Aurora was sprawled on the living room couch, savoring her last moments of relaxation. From eleven o'clock onwards, she would be trapped with Tristan, with no idea of when she would be set free."He's here!" Adelaide exclaimed anxiously, as she looked out the window and spotted the doctor's car parked across the street."Good luck on your date," Aurora said, attentive to the television, before popping a handful of popcorn into her mouth."Thank you." A
Unlike Tristan and Aurora, their older siblings were having a perfect date. First, they dined at a high-quality restaurant, conversing about many things and laughing at some embarrassing stories.After the wonderful dinner, they took a walk in a park near the restaurant. That night, the sky was filled with stars, adding to the romantic atmosphere between them. Adelaide found the perfection of the situation strange. Whenever everything seemed to be going well, something would go wrong.That's when she misstepped and broke the heel of her shoe, almost falling to the ground if it weren't for Griffin, who caught her in his arms."You need to be more careful," he said, smiling as he noticed her racing heartbeat."I can be a bit clumsy at times," Adelaide replied, awkwardly smiling as she distanced herself from the doctor."Let's sit on that bench," Griffin pointed to a nearby bench, and they did so.They sat side by side. Adelaide took off her heel and huffed at the sight of the damage. It