Page 60 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
Audrey, perfectly aware of her power, used her beauty as a weapon to get what she wanted.And what did she want from me?Why was she interested in me?Was it really because she loved me as she claimed, or because I was the CEO of a multinational company?
Regardless, it was time to end this game.Definitively.
"Audrey, please sit down," I said, pointing to the chair across from my desk.
She settled in with her usual grace, but I detected a glimmer of concern in her eyes.I took a deep breath, determined to leave no room for ambiguity.
"What's going on?"she asked, her soft voice barely masking a hint of apprehension.
I stood up, walking to the bay window to stare at the horizon for a moment.Then, turning around, I fixed my gaze on hers.
"Audrey, what happened Friday must never happen again," I told her firmly."What you did that night was unacceptable.Not only were you at the office, but you had no right to impose yourself like that."
"Stop playing innocent, Tristan.I saw how much you wanted me, how you devoured me with your eyes.Don't act like you didn't want to fuck me."
Had Eva seen that?My heart tightened at the thought.
"I'm a man, Audrey," I replied."When a beautiful woman undresses in front of me, of course it affects me.But that doesn't mean I wanted it.Just because my body reacts doesn't mean I want to sleep with you."
"Lie to yourself as much as you want, if it eases your conscience," she whispered."But I know what I saw."
"I don't care what you think.Keep your distance, as I'll keep mine," I replied."Don't make me fire you.If necessary, I'll do it without the slightest hesitation."
It had been four days since Eva left.Four endless days when all I'd received was a silent call and a simple text assuring me she was okay.I was spending New Year's Eve with Leila, Satoshi, and some friends, but the celebration without Eva had lost its flavor.What did I care about champagne, tuxedos, evening gowns, music, and confetti?I had never felt so alone in a crowd.
TRISTAN:I wish you a very happy New Year, my darling.May it bring all your dreams to fruition.I love you.
EVA:Happy New Year to you too, Tristan.
I immediately tried to seize this opportunity to reconnect.
TRISTAN:What are you doing tonight?
But no other message came.
My mood was deteriorating inexorably, the void created by her absence seemed to grow hour by hour.God, how I missed her!Her warm laughter that resonated in our home, her natural tenderness, the reassuring sensation of her body nestled against mine.I even missed her damned mess!She had tidied everything before leaving, a final act of love or defiance, I didn't know, and now I bitterly regretted no longer seeing her things scattered around the living room.I would have given anything for her to be there, to reclaim our rituals: going to bed early with her, letting her drag me out of the house on weekends to take me to the museum, even if I grumbled for show.
The hours passed with unbearable slowness.A wave of shame washed over me at the thought of my stay in New York with Audrey.I hadn't even taken the time to call Eva, too busy letting myself be intoxicated by an illusion.I had only sent her a text.
I continued to search for her, in vain.My call to her mother to wish her a happy New Year had provided no clues.Never had I felt so powerless.And this powerlessness was eating away at me, reminding me at every moment of the price of my mistakes.
At the office, I often caught Audrey's gaze on me, unreadable.Her beauty, which had once intoxicated me, now left me indifferent.Sometimes, a strange light crossed her eyes, almost triumphant.She was rejoicing in Eva's absence, and this realization made me want to hate her.And again, Eva's words came back to memory.Had Audrey done everything to seduce me and break up my relationship?
37.Are you sure?
EVA
I declined Steve's offer to accompany him to the London offices.The mere thought of running into other colleagues tied my stomach in knots, not to mention the risk of Tristan discovering my location.Despite the time off I had taken, I couldn't completely detach from work: finalizing the inauguration of the Hope Foundation couldn't wait.Fortunately, Leila and Maud assured me of their support on-site.I knew I could count on their unwavering loyalty.
It was through them that I learned Audrey was taking advantage of my absence to try to appropriate the inaugural speech.This news didn't even surprise me—it was so predictable of her.
"What a bitch!"Leila had exclaimed with her usual frankness."I was ready to kick her out myself, but Tristan beat me to it.'Absolutely not!'he'd said.'Eva will deliver this speech and no one else.This project is hers, no one will steal this honor from her.'"
This information left a bitter taste in my mouth.Sure, I was relieved that he was finally defending me against that opportunist, but it was too little, too late.The pain of his betrayal remained there, throbbing, like a wound that refuses to heal.I needed time to mend my wounded heart, and his sudden stance changed nothing.
In the evening, Steve met me at the apartment for a private dinner.His affection enveloped me in a warm, protective glow, and even though I tried to mask my pain, I knew he wasn't fooled.With infinite patience and tenderness, he tried to distract me, to make me smile.He even took Friday afternoon off to take me "for some fresh air," as he put it.He guided me through London's bustling streets, between colorful markets and the city's picturesque neighborhoods.
Reminiscing about our college years, we bought takeout from an Indian food truck and enjoyed it while walking, just like old times.After three hours of wandering, fatigue began to set in.As I crossed the street, a violent dizzy spell suddenly hit me, and I had to hold onto Steve to avoid collapsing.
