Page 41 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
"Oh my God!You remembered!"she exclaimed, her eyes widening with wonder.
A spontaneous laugh escaped me at her enthusiasm.I had forgotten how much she loved Scandinavian sweets.But instead of handing her the box, I held it out of her reach with a playful gleam in my eye.She rose on tiptoe trying to catch it, and I took advantage to pull her with me in a controlled fall onto the couch.She went along with it, laughing heartily, her chestnut hair spreading across my chest.
For the first time in a long time, I felt completely happy and at peace with myself.
Audrey knocked on my office door late Monday afternoon.The tension within me was palpable.My hands were clammy, and my heartbeat erratic.I had barely seen her last week, and I knew this moment would come.
When she crossed the threshold, her perfume filled the room.She advanced with that natural grace that had so troubled me these past weeks and began to circle my desk as usual.Despite my inner turmoil, I stopped her with a firm voice.
"Stay where you are, Audrey."
She froze, disconcerted.Her deep blue eyes widened with surprise.
"What's happening, Tristan?"she whispered, her voice slightly trembling."Why this sudden distance?Why have you been avoiding me for days?What have I done to deserve this treatment?"
Her vulnerability stabbed me right in the heart.The distress emanating from her was almost palpable, and every word she spoke resonated like a reproach.I contemplated her perfect features for a moment, cursing my past weakness.I should never have let things go so far between us.Because of my ambiguous attitude, I had let her believe that a future between us was possible.Yet, it wasn't.
"As you know, I'm in a relationship," I reminded her, forcing myself to harden my voice."It's better that we maintain a strictly professional distance from now on."
An enigmatic smile formed on her lips.
"What are you so afraid of, Tristan?"she asked me softly."The feelings you might have for me?"
She took a step forward, stopping just in front of my desk.
"It's already too late.I see how your gaze lingers on me when you think no one notices.I hear that special inflection in your voice when you address me.I feel your reluctance every evening when it's time for us to part."
Her words chilled me.Had Eva perceived these same signs?Guilt overwhelmed me, toward Eva whom I was betraying with my thoughts, toward Audrey to whom I had inadvertently given false hopes.
"I'm sincerely sorry, Audrey," I declared firmly."But my choice is made.You will never be more than my assistant, whose professional skills I appreciate."
I knew my words were harsh, but this brutality seemed necessary to cleanly cut the dangerous bond between us.She took the blow, her eyes clouding for a moment before she raised her head with an admirable pride.
"Struggle all you want, Tristan," she replied with disconcerting assurance."We both know you already belong to me.You're clinging to this relationship out of chivalry, but your heart has already chosen."
With these words, she pivoted on her heels and left my office with royal elegance.The sharp click of the door resonated behind her.
I collapsed into my chair, exhausted but strangely relieved.I had held firm against temptation.Certainly, it would take time for my body to stop reacting to her presence, for my heart to find a normal rhythm when she entered a room, but I was determined to succeed.
I took out my phone and composed a message for Eva.
TRISTAN:How about a night just the two of us, tonight?
Her response didn't take long.
EVA:I'd love that...Do you have something in mind?
TRISTAN:Do you like surprises?
EVA:Always!
I spent the next thirty minutes, smiling, meticulously planning our evening.
26.It's...a gift from Tristan
EVA
Tristan and I had found a newfound closeness—precious, yet fragile.Every glance, every shared smile pulled us closer together.He had become the passionate lover I once knew, and I savored every moment as if it were our last.
