Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Tristan seemed to be flipping through a gold-colored invitation that Emaar's high-ranking assistant had given him some time ago. While massaging his temples which were throbbing in pain, he sighed softly. There seems to be no hope for Foxtail to attend the event.

By the way, three days have passed. Sophia didn't even call or text him a bit. Meanwhile, only two days left. So, what steps should Tristan take now?

"Stop being so stupid, Tristan!" said Aurora, who was fed up with entering the man's room from the start. It was like he was being deliberately ignored. None of his words received a severe response from Tristan.

Raphael also felt the same way. He also entered the room a few minutes ago and seemed to see how Tristan's expression was getting darker and darker. Seeing what his son was holding, he was sure what was causing the man to act so strangely now.

"Aurora's right, Tristan. Instead of daydreaming, shouldn't you focus on getting other work done? Or if you're bored, just go out for lunch with Aurora."

Aurora nodded, agreeing with Raphael's words even though the original purpose of going to Tristan's room was to invite the man to have lunch together. But why is it being ignored until now?

"What are you really thinking?" inquired Aurora curiously. She didn't even move from the seat directly opposite Tristan.

While Tristan himself immediately raised his face. Glancing at Aurora and then answering the woman's question with an indolent expression.

"I'm feeling dizzy, Aurora. It's about the Foxtail invitation which will take place in two days. It seems there is no hope for our company to attend the event."

"Invitation?"

Good grief!

Tristan closed his eyes tightly as he cursed softly. He almost forgot that Aurora did not know anything about this matter. When Alabbar's assistant gave the invitation the other day, only Raphael and Mario were in his room. And he hasn't said anything to her for the past few days because he doesn't have time to talk about it.

"Yes, Aurora."

After a moment of silence, Raphael finally responded to his daughter's question. He was sure that Aurora would feel confused because he was the only one who knew nothing about this matter.

"Emaar Properties specially invited Tristan to attend a special dinner for smart city contractors. This invitation also celebrates Alabbar and his wife's 25th wedding anniversary. According to rumors, they are also preparing projects and other large tenders to be given to special guests who will later come to the event. That's why Tristan is dizzy if he misses this meeting. You certainly know what the consequences will be if our company is not present, right?"

Aurora nodded, slightly understanding what was happening at this time. It turned out that what the man in front of him was messing about was an essential invitation from a prominent developer like Emaar.

"Then, why are you now confused? If you need a partner, I'm ready to accompany you anytime," offered Aurora confidently.

After all, she had always accompanied Tristan to attend dinners or other business invitations. As Aurora finished her words, Tristan looked back at the woman with a look that was difficult to decipher. Slightly straightened, it wasn't long before the man's lips came out with the words.

"The thing is, Alabbar requires me to come with my wife. You certainly haven't forgotten, right? At my wedding, they were there and even gave presents in person. So, there's no way I'd go to their event with another woman, Aurora."

Aurora was stunned. Her previously relaxed face suddenly turned into annoyance. Tristan was even sure that she would be angry any minute.

"Don't say you begged Sophia to accompany you to the party!"

Aurora exclaimed disapprovingly. Her forefinger was pointed straight at the man in front of her.

"I did ask Sophia to come to Dubai for a week."

Seeing Aurora's expression ready to attack with a sentence full of protest, Tristan hastily spoke again.

"But don't worry, Aurora. Even though I've repeatedly begged, even offered her various benefits, Sophia still refused my request. She wasn't interested at all."

Aurora laughed out loud. Still annoyed by this fact. Usually, no one will tell anyone about the invitation's news, which is essential. Even about Tristan, who had invited Sophia.

"You're all being outrageous. Am I meaningless in this company to not be told at all? Or maybe you're all hiding it from me on purpose?" she said, throwing a sharp glare at Tristan and his father.

"Aurora," said Raphael. "Instead of getting angry, you'd better help us think about what steps we should take to stay at the event. Besides, what Tristan said was true. Sophia refused to be invited. Papa even coaxed her the other day. faltered a bit because he's still mad at Tristan."

Aurora rolled her eyes. She took several deep breaths, trying to suppress her emotions so she could think quickly of what steps he should take to help Tristan get out of this complicated problem.

"Okay, I'll be professional. But next time, just be careful you don't involve me in important matters like now," the woman threatened. Not long after that, she spoke again. "Since this matter is quite troublesome, how about you try the simple way first."

"For example?" Tristan asked curiously.

"Yes, you just try to contact Alabbar via telephone and tell me honestly the problem you are facing," suggested Aurora. Making Tristan's attention immediately focused on the woman.

"I'm sure, Tristan. If you'd made it clear without hiding anything, Alabbar would have understood and still allowed you to come without having to bring Sophia."

Raphael nodded in agreement. There's nothing wrong with trying the advice her daughter gave. "Looks like you should try it that way, Tristan." Raphael also spoke. "It's called an effort, we will never know how the results will be. But because our wife is good, hopefully the results will also be good. If it fails, what can we do. The important thing is that we have tried our best, right?"

Tristan was stunned. His mind thought for a moment. Considering whether it is necessary to follow the advice of the two people in front of him. After much thought, he finally agreed to give it a try.

"Tomorrow, I will contact Alabbar directly. Hopefully there will be some good news after this."

***

"You don't want to stop by first?"

Sophia asked when Edward's car stopped in front of her house. Tonight, Edward had invited Sophia to dinner with his parents at a fancy restaurant. In addition to wanting to introduce, this is also a self-approach before the two decide to get married after Sophia's divorce process is completed.

Luckily, Edward's parents welcomed Sophia very openly and enthusiastically. The two didn't even care about the 'widow' status the woman would bear when she married Edward later.

"It's late. I don't like having to visit your house at night. Besides, we'll meet again tomorrow morning, right?"

Sophia nodded. Then she smiled at the man beside him.

"Well then. I'll go downstairs first. Thank you for the dinner invitation. I'm so glad that your mom and dad were so welcoming to my presence. Just so you know, I'm really nervous. woman like me."

The expression that Sophia showed while telling the story made the man exasperate. Turning his body slightly, Edward immediately brought his hands to pinch the cheeks of the woman in front of him.

"You are so funny. Just so you know, even though he is of noble descent, my Papa is not the type of old man who likes to compare other people's strata or personalities. I am lucky to be his son. He never looked down on or belittled other people."

Holding Edward's hands, Sophia nodded her head. "Maybe it's their nature that has passed down to you. The proof is, you've never been picky about people to make friends with, right?"

"That's right," Edward agreed. "That's why, you must be lucky to have a partner like me who is kind, handsome, rich, understanding, caring, and sensitive to women's feelings."

Laughter immediately fell from Sophia's lips. She found it amusing to hear how Edward was deliberately teasing her.

"Yes, you are perfect. It seems I am indeed lucky to meet and know a man like you."

At the exact second, the two of them accidentally stared at each other in silence. Meet the two pairs of eyes directly. The warmth immediately flooded Sophia's mind. Even more so after Edward's fingers touched her cheek gently and cautiously.

"When I'm with you, I promise I'll never let you be sad, Sophia," Edward whispered. "I will make you the luckiest woman in the world for having me as your companion."

Somehow, in the beginning, what Sophia knew was Edward's lips suddenly meeting hers. Kissed gently for a few moments. Then shortly crushed and then took a short bite while Sophia was silent. As if she didn't want to repay what Edward did to him.

Finding Sophia unresponsive, Edward pulled his face away. Then gently rubbed the two cheeks of the woman in front of him in turn. Not long after, the man was heard cursing softly.

Damn it! The words slid right when the windshield of the car they were riding in sounded loud and even repeatedly knocked from outside. This, of course, made both of them gasp in surprise for a moment.

While smoothing his hairdo, Edward slowly lowered the windshield. Very curious to check who the figure dared to interfere with his activities with Sophia just now.

"Sir, madam. Sorry if I disturb your activities," squeaked the figure of the man who was now standing beside the car window while carrying something in his hand.

"Alexis!" Edward and Sophia chanted the name in unison with expressions full of surprise. They certainly couldn't understand why Tristan's bodyguards could be there, putting on an innocent look.

"Again, sorry if I disturb the activities of you two," he said, smiling awkwardly, and then handed Sophia a white box he had been holding.

"I came here on purpose because I got an assignment from Mr. Tristan to hand this cake to Mrs."

"Cake?" Sophia repeated reassuringly. "Tristan told you to deliver a cake for me?"

"Yes, madam." Alexius nodded repeatedly. "Master who asked me to buy and deliver this cake."

Edward looked annoyed. Leaning slightly, the man intended to grab the box Alexius wanted to hand over to Sophia. But Tristan's bodyguard nimbly blocked Edward's intention to seize it.

"This is Mrs. Sophia's, Mr. Edward. Please don't stop me from completing the task I've been given. After all, it's just a cake. If you want it, you'd better buy it yourself. Aren't you a tycoon? Can't afford to buy your own cakes."

Edward growled at the taunts of the man he knew was Tristan's bodyguard. Just as he was about to swear an oath, Sophia hastily stopped him. Giving a code so that Edward immediately suppresses his emotions so as not to explode.

"Thank you, Alexius. I'll take this cake so Tristan doesn't scold you," Sophia said, then accepted what she should have received.

"Don't forget to eat it, madam. Your husband says it's your favourite."

Sophia nodded. After the husband's bodyguard left, he turned back to Edward, who looked annoyed. Trying to distract the man's emotions before deciding to get out of the car.

"Don't take it to heart. Alexius is."

"Ck!" Edward chuckled. The annoyance was still evident on his face.

"Why do you have to accept Tristan's cake?"

"It's just cake, Ed. I don't think so. Besides, it's no good wasting food." Edward sighed softly. Trying to understand what Sophia was saying.

"Okay. It's up to you. Then, I'll go home first. Tomorrow I will pick you up to go to work together." Sophia nodded in agreement. Without saying much else, he motioned for Edward to leave.

Meanwhile, he immediately entered the house with the cake Tristan had left with Alexius. Putting the box on the dining table, Sophia, who was curious, opened it. He smiled faintly when he saw Red Velvet, his favorite cake, in the box.

Damn it! It turns out that until this moment, Tristan remembers what my favorite cake is. "Your husband stopped by here looking for you, Sophia."

Sophia, who was muttering to herself, was suddenly startled by the presence of her mother, who appeared from behind and immediately approached her. The woman gave the information she had to convey right then and there.

"Tristan? He came looking for me?" Sophia's brows furrowed deeply.

Inwardly asks why did her husband stop and suddenly looked for him. Does Tristan still want to discuss his request the other day? Don't expect Sophia to grant it!

"Maybe two hours he waited for you to come home, dear," said Mikayla to the princess. "Even though, Mama already said you were out with Edward. But Tristan still insisted on waiting for you. He said he had something important to tell you."

Sophia put on an indifferent look. Taking the small plate available on the table, the woman cut the red velvet in the box and then moved the two slices onto the plate she had provided.

"Leave it alone, Ma. Don't worry about Tristan stopping by looking for me. I don't care one bit."

"Don't be like that, Sophia," Mikayla rebuked. "Mama had heard Tristan's explanation of why he was willing to wait for you to linger here."

Sophia turned her head, then narrowed her eyes disapprovingly.

"Then Mama felt sorry for what Tristan told me?"

"I know Tristan has wronged you." Mikayla responded quickly. "But this time he asked for help because he thought about the fate of many people, Sophia."

"And haven't thought the least bit about how I've been feeling all this time?"

Sophia replied bluntly. She hated it when he was always selfish to her. Mikayla sighed repeatedly. She knew there was no point in arguing with the princess when her emotions were high. Instead of arguing back, the woman stepped forward and handed her a piece of paper for her to read.

"I'm tired, I want to rest. This is a letter that Tristan left for you. Your husband ordered you to read it as soon as you get home. Remember! Sophia. Read it right away, don't even think about throwing it in the trash. Mama never taught you not to respect other people."

After making sure the princess received her gift, Mikayla chose to go back up to the second floor. While Sophia immediately stepped into the television room. Sitting on the sofa while reading what Tristan had left for him.

Dear Sophia.

I know you must be angry why I have to leave a letter like this to you. Why not just call or send a more straightforward message. I wanted to talk to you directly. That's why after work I decided to visit you straight away. Too bad you're out with Edward. Alexius even informed me that tonight you seem happy to have dinner with the Cullens.

Honestly, I'm glad to see you happy. Since there is no hope for you to grant my request, I will no longer force you to come along. After all, whatever happens to Foxtail after this is also not your responsibility. As for the divorce lawsuit that you have billed several times, after thinking about it, I will sign it as soon as possible without asking for any conditions.

Since you want to be accessible immediately, I will grant that request. Come to the Foxtail Building tomorrow with your lawyer at 10 am. I'll give you what you asked for yesterday. Before going to bed, finish the Red Velvet I bought especially for you.

Who knows, after this, you may no longer taste the cake I gave you.

Tristan Quartararo.