Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Nicholas could see Tristan sitting leisurely in the Lobby of the Emaar company building, enjoying his break. A few minutes ago, they all just attended a meeting with guests as well as construction company officials from various parts of the world.

Taking a sip of the coffee in his hand, Tristan's eyes were focused on the tablet in front of him. Having no friends, Nicholas chose to approach. He immediately sat in front of his friend without being offered one.

"Aren't you going to lunch?" Nicholas asked, opening the conversation. He briefly checked the cell phone in his hand. After confirming nothing was important, he focused on the figure in front of him.

"No," said Tristan without looking at the person he was talking to. "I'm still full, Nick. This morning, I had quite a bit of rye bread," he said. "How about you yourself?" the man asked. Seconds later, he raised his face, choosing to end the previous activity.

"I'm confused about adjusting the food here," the brown-haired man complained. Tristan giggled.

He understood how Nicholas felt. Because they are currently in Dubai, the menu served is mostly a middle eastern menu. Taking another sip of the coffee in his almost cold cup, Tristan returned his friend's words.

"You'd better eat at the hotel. In Burj Al Arab there are many European restaurants. If I look at the call menu in the room, the chefs they use are also from various countries. You can be satisfied choosing food there without needing to be confused like now," Tristan suggested seriously.

Nicholas nodded. Agree with what Tristan said to him just now. Instead of eating the wrong thing, he should choose his menu at the hotel.

"Yeah, looks like I really have to eat at the hotel like you said just now."

For a moment, they both enjoyed the drinks on the table. Then Nicholas soon returned to talking to Tristan.

"Did you come to Dubai alone? Or with Aurora?"

"No," said Tristan, shaking his head. "I'm not alone or with Aurora. I came here with Sophia."

Nicholas immediately gasped. He didn't expect his best friend to come up with a woman who had refused at first several times.

"Are you serious?"

This time, Tristan immediately nodded repeatedly.

"Very serious. Maybe he is still sleeping in her room."

"For God's sake, what did you do to make that woman finally want to come with you?" Tristan smiled. Shrugging his shoulders, he then answered. "I don't know, Nick. Maybe it's God's grace that Sophia can change her mind quickly. You have no idea how relieved I was when she came to the office and said she agreed to my request to come to Dubai."

"Maybe it's because Sophia still loves you," Nickarad guessed, to which Tristan immediately laughed.

"I don't think so."

"So what?"

"Sophia argues she did all this to help Foxtail not lose ground in front of Emaar."

"But while in Dubai you guys slept in the same room, right?"

Tristan immediately nodded. "Of course. It's impossible for us to sleep in separate rooms. You know that Alabbar's side even asked me to come with Sophia. What would they say if they saw us both sleeping in each other's rooms."

Hearing his friend's answer, Nicholas immediately narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Tristan's face was fixed on his face as he spoke again.

"But, by the way, is this official trip your delayed honeymoon?" investigated the man. The look on his face was very curious.

"Don't be crazy, Nicholas Alistair. Don't think like that," said Tristan. His face changed to annoyance.

"I'm asking seriously, Mr. Quartararo. In fact, you could have made this trip a substitute for the honeymoon that the two of you had not had time to carry out before," Nicholas replied, not wanting to lose.

Tristan sighed lazily. Even though he was annoyed, he wanted to answer his friend's unimportant question.

"How dare I think that far. Just so you know we do sleep in the same room. But not in the same bed."

"Really? So you two don't do anything when you're alone in your room?" Nicholas asked again as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Tristan nodded lazily. Don't even think about screwing Sophia. He didn't even dare to touch her without her permission. Remembering last night after Sophia nagged, Tristan had to wait for her to fall asleep before slowly moving her onto the bed. It was enough for him to make Sophia suffer by not letting her touch his bed.

Now? Tristan didn't want to do the same. "I don't want to risk going too far, Nick," Tristan said later. "You know that Sophia is so angry that she still hates me even now. That's why I prefer to be safe. I've determined to make her happy in other ways or, if necessary, to make good memories during our week together without making her uncomfortable. I want to say goodbye later. Sophia is willing to forgive me. That's more than enough."

"So after Dubai, you guys still decided to get a divorce?" asked Nicholas to confirm. Too bad. In fact, according to Nicholas's view, Sophia is very suitable to accompany his friend.

"I guess so," Tristan nodded excitedly. "Sophia even told me that she would marry Edward as soon as we officially divorced."

From his eyes, Nicholas could see how Tristan's face, which had been flat, suddenly turned sad. He was sure his best friend was not willing to be separated from his wife.

"If you're in love with Sophia, why not just fight for it?"

Tristan chuckled. Shaking slowly, the man then answered. "I'm not sure there's still a place in Sophia's heart for me after what I've done to her." Tristan seemed to sigh repeatedly. Regulating his emotions for a moment, he spoke again quietly not long after.

"But either way, it doesn't matter, Nick. Because my main goal now is to get Sophia's forgiveness so there won't be any more grudges between us."

Nicholas nodded, understanding what Tristan was explaining. After all, his friend was right. We can not impose our own will on others, especially on a woman. That was why, before returning to the meeting room, Nicholas could only approach Tristan. Gently patting the man's shoulder as a form of encouragement so that he can get through all the problems that currently occur to him.

***

"Gosh, Tristan!"

Sophia screamed in surprise when she just got out of the bathroom. Still wearing a bathrobe and a towel covering her head, she threw an annoyed look at his husband, who was sitting relaxed on the sofa.

The man's shoulders seemed to rest comfortably while his hands were folded in front of his chest, like someone waiting for something.

"I'm not a ghost, Sophia. Why do you have to scream like that when you see me?" asked Tristan casually.

Still, in her standing position, Sophia snorted in disgust. Why didn't her husband understand what made her suddenly so upset?

"Why are you here?"

"This is my room too, princess. It shouldn't be a problem when my business is finished. I go straight to the room," the man replied carelessly.

Sophia sighed again. What they've been talking about is irrelevant.

"It's not like that. I mean, why are you home now? It's only five o'clock in the afternoon. Didn't you say on the phone that you were due at six?"

Tristan nodded. "Yes, because I already miss you. That's why I came home early."

"Foolish bastard!"

"Oh, come on, Mrs Quartararo. I mean what I say," the man replied with a seductive smile. Lazy to respond to Tristan's words, Sophia chose to step forward. Accidentally approached the position where her husband was sitting. Without a second thought, she tried to grab Tristan's arm, intending to grab and drag him out of the way.

However, God seemed to be on Tristan's side. Sophia probably forgot that if her husband's body was bigger than her, it was certain that she would lose strength. So instead of shifting, Sophia couldn't keep her balance. Finally, the woman even sat right on the lap of her husband.

"If you wanted to be on my lap, you should have said that earlier," Tristan whispered while holding her body so it wouldn't fall to the floor.

"Tristan, let go of your hands!" Sophia ordered. Her face was flushed with shame. Sometimes she fell and even landed perfectly on her husband's lap.

"You don't want to hug or maybe kiss me first?" teased the man on purpose.

"TRISTAN!"

"Okay...Okay...please don't be angry. I was joking." Tristan then grabbed Sophia's arm. He slowly led her to get up from his lap.

"Now hurry up!" she ordered angrily. After ahe managed to stand up, ahe slowly stepped away from where Tristan was. sat back down.

"Why do I have to go out?" Tristan asked curiously. He was comfortable with his sitting position now. Besides, he was deliberately resting on the sofa after a day of meetings outside.

"Because I want to change clothes. So hurry out. If you continue like this, I'm not responsible for us being late for dinner," the woman snapped.

Instead of obeying Sophia's orders, Tristan replied. For some reason, seeing his wife upset like now made him both excited and funny himself.

"Change clothes? just change. What do you have to be confused about, Sophia?" the man wondered. Then soon, the seductive grin returned to his face. "Besides, I've seen your whole body so many times without even covering it up. So, what's there to worry about?"

Sophia glared. Didn't expect her husband to say that. Before she could answer, the man was heard speaking again.

"So that you know, I even know your body parts by heart. I---"

Tristan would never be able to continue his sentence. Sophia, this time calculatingly, stepped forward again. Approached, then brought her hand to shut Tristan's mouth immediately.

"Stop your bullshit, or I'll decide to go back to London right now!"

Tristan nodded after seeing how Sophia was glaring at him. Resigned, he then raised both hands. A sign that he gave up with the threat just now.

Seeing his husband, who didn't move, Sophia slowly pulled her hand away. Once released, Tristan stepped back, deliberately keeping a distance so as not to get too close to Tristan, who continued to smile in front of him.

"Okay, I'll go out right now. You can continue with your activities. But you have to remember something!" Tristan said with a little emphasis. "Put on the clothes Mario has prepared for you. Don't ever intend to wear clothes that are too sexy for once."

Sophia didn't answer. Preferring to move her hand, asking Tristan to leave. As soon as her husband came out of the room. She quickly grabbed the clothes hanger Mario had prepared this morning. She wore it slowly. Sophia wore a black blouse with a white pattern that was hanging neatly. Then she wore black leather pants combined with matching ankle boots. And as a compliment, she chose a Prada brand coat of the same colour.

Flashy. Then choosing her auburn hair in the booth just like that, Sophia was satisfied with her appearance. While checking what was missing behind the mirror, Sophia heard the bedroom door open from the outside. There was Tristan there, who appeared and immediately smiled.

"Don't be angry, Sophia. I must take a bath. After all, you're done too, right?"

Sophia didn't care. Ignoring him, she focused on applying mascara to her eyes again. After everything looked perfect, it was her turn to wait for Tristan to get ready. While playing with his cellphone, he saw how Tristan was doing. Started wearing a shirt. Putting on pants and a suit. Until everything was neatly and snugly on her husband's body, when ready, Tristan immediately approached. He stretched out his right hand while greeting Sophia gently.

"Come on, let's go. I hope you can work together after we leave this room."

Sophia rolled her eyes. With a chuckle, the woman rose from her seat. Instead of accepting Tristan's hand, she stepped out of the room without even paying attention to her husband. And was about to walk towards the convention hall when Sophia took Tristan's hand. Her face, which at first looked annoyed, has changed drastically, and she doesn't stop smiling so sweetly.

Many business partners watched the two when they arrived at the venue. They all looked amazed. Some even reprimanded him and asked him to talk. Until Tristan and Sophia approached Alabbar and his wife, Helena, to thank them for the invitation.

"We are both very honoured by invitation. It's an immeasurable honour for Foxtail and my wife and me."

Alabbar smiled. The man, who is already 59 years old, was very friendly in welcoming all his guests, including Tristan and Sophia.

"Emaar is also proud to be able to invite the owner of the best construction company in the United Kingdom. You really deserve to be the main vendor in the smart city project as well as other Emaar projects," said the middle-aged man. While Helena, who had been watching, immediately turned her gaze to Sophia. She was also no less enthusiastic about welcoming Tristan's wife.

"Really, ever since I met and saw you at your wedding, for some reason I've been very interested in getting acquainted with Mrs. Quartararo directly. That's why I asked Alabbar to oblige Mr. Tristan to come with his wife."

Sophia was made to blush. With a smile, the woman also responded to Helena's compliment.

"Thank you Mrs. Helena. I am really honored by this invitation. It is an honor to be a special guest because I can attend and accompany my husband and also meet other great people."

"Don't hesitate. You deserve it," said Helena. The woman then, this time, threw a glance at Tristan. "I even want to ask Mr. Tristan's permission to invite Mrs. Quartararo to visit some boutiques. Seeing how your wife's unique fashion sense is, I would like to ask for help in choosing the dress to be worn during the anniversary celebration later," said Helena once. enthusiastic.

"Of course I give permission," Tristan replied with a smile. "My wife would also be happy to accompany Mrs. Helena around even to the point of being involved to help choose the dress to wear later." Tristan then turned to Sophia while speaking. "How, honey?"

Sophia nodded in agreement. Then looked back at Helena. "With pleasure, Mrs. Helena. I will help you choose so that your appearance will be optimal when celebrating the anniversary party in a few days."

Everyone continued to talk warmly. Alabbar invited the guests to gather and then eat the dishes that had been prepared shortly after. As soon as he finished having a friendly chat and enjoying everything served, Tristan returned to gathering with other business colleagues.

While Sophia, who had just finished talking with Helena, chose to walk toward a table filled with various drinks. Just as his hand had grabbed a glass of champagne, from behind suddenly appeared Tristan, who immediately grabbed the glass. Just replace it with the orange juice that the man brought.

"Tristan what are you doing?"

"Change your drink, of course," replied the man casually. "I want the drink, not the orange juice you gave me," Sophia protested, pointing at the glass Tristan had grabbed earlier. Tristan shook his head. The man drew closer, then spoke almost in a whisper to Sophia.

"I don't want you to drink alcohol. If you're drunk, you'll be troublesome," said the man. "One glass can't be drunk," Sophia argued.

"It's champagne, honey. In one gulp, you'll get drunk right away. If you get drunk, aren't you afraid I'll do things to you?"

Sophia gulped. Seeing how serious Tristan's eyes flashed, by folding her lips, she finally complied and then took a sip of the orange juice that Tristan handed out until it was gone.

"Good," said Tristan when he saw his wife finally do what he said. "Then let's go back to our room right now," he ordered.

Tristan immediately turned around. Walked first while Sophia trailed behind him. Just a few steps out of the venue, the woman chose to sit in one corner of the hotel room, asking Tristan to stop for a moment.

"Tristan. Can't you walk a little slower?"

Tristan, who was not too far from Sophia, looked back. Finding his wife already seated he who was confused, immediately approached.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, it looks like these ankle boots don't suit me."

Tristan, without thinking, immediately sat down on his knees. Slowly brought his hands open, one by one the shoes that Sophia was wearing. After checking carefully, he finally knew what was causing his wife to feel uncomfortable.

"Sophia, you have blisters on your feet. The skin is even peeling a little," said the man.

"Well, let it go. Let me treat it when I get to the room."

Sophia hastily put her shoes back on. Once neatly installed, she tried to get back on her feet. "Let's hurry back to the room," she said then.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Sophia nodded and then chuckled. "Don't overdo it, Mr Quartararo. I'm not a child."

Then indifferently, Sophia took the first step, leaving her husband behind. Meanwhile, Tristan noticed for a moment how Sophia's steps were becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

When her wife stopped walking again, he immediately took a big step at that very second. Walking closer, without permission, directly carried the woman's body.

"Tristan!" The surprised Sophia reflexively shrieked.

"Are you crazy?"

"Shh." Tristan immediately hissed softly. "Don't move too much, Sophia. Shut up or you'll fall."

"But there's no need to carry everything. Can't you see the passers-by are now watching the two of us?"

Tristan didn't care. Instead of checking around, he prefers to return to the elevator to get to their room as soon as possible.