Chapter 20 - Helpless Tristan

'This man, did he just read her mind? Was i too obvious?'

She pondered as they stood there for God knows how long. He sighed heavily before rubbing his temple.

"Your brother send me to fetch you and your friend." As soon as he said that, they were startled with her loud ringtone. She immediately fumbled through her sling bag and finally took out the phone. It was Ralph. She took a deep breath as she answered the phone.

"You teratospermia, piles and causing gastrodynia brother!!! You could have gave us myocardial infarction. What is wrong with you???" She shouted at him as soon as the call was connected leaving her brother sighed helplessly. Truth to be told, he doesn't even know what the heck does she mean by that. He only understood her last question. But he was irritated at the same time. The person who was supposed to be angry is him then why is it he got scolded by her?

"Are you cursing me? You wouldn't have been in that state if you didn't run away from me. I told you about the dinner party and kind enough to fetch you. Leaving my wife with my kids to tend for themselves." He said using an upright tone.

"But i told you i don't want to go. Can't you just leave me alone? It's very rare for me to have this day off." She said pitifully. Trying to make her brother change his mind. Usually it will work. But somehow, today just not a good day to act pitiful when he rejected that notion straight away.

"No Alicia. You have to come to this party. Mom and dad wanted you to come. They wanted to shut the rumors that's been going on around you for years. Especially since those rumors started by that family." He spat the words in disgust. Everytime he hear the rumors about his sister, he seethe in anger. This time he's going to use this dinner party to announce her position in the Xander family.

"You know i don't mind." She said sulking.

"But we do. Be good and follow Tristan for now. I asked him to bring you and your friends along." He hung up before she could say anything else. She hung her shoulder low and sighed. Looking at the man who's still staring at her, she really wanted to run away again. Before she could do anything else, both of her friends are caught by the men in black suit as they were dragged away in a different car. She wanted to save them but her hand was caught by the man who had his eyes locked on her. No matter how hard she shook her hand, his hand stays on her wrist. It looks firm but the way he hold it doesn't hurt at all. In the end, she only watch her friends driven away by those men in black suits. She glared at the him.

"Must you do that? They're my friends." She said out loud since it's just the two of them left aside from his driver. He just dragged her back to his car and stuff her gently inside. Having no other choice, she sit obediently and had to scoot the other side when he uses the same door that she enter.

"It's not going to work. That door can't be open from the inside." He said as he glance at her hand who's holding onto the handle. She puffed up her cheek and try to ignore the man beside her. Crossing her arms at her chest.

"You really can't let me go?" She asked with her pouted lips.

He pinched the bridge of his nose before answering to her. He's having a hard time at this moment. Usually, he would do whatever she wants. If she doesn't want to go to the dinner party, that's fine for him. He won't force her. But tonight's dinner party is different. It's for her own good and he wanted the best for her.

"No. You're the main star tonight."

"But i really don't want to be one." She speak softly as if she was whispering to herself.

Tristan sighed. At this moment he didn't know what to do. If they have known each other long enough, he would have hugged her and talk to her through. But she has just met him for the first time today, he couldn't do the thing that he usually do while she's sleeping or unconscious.

"Are you scared?" He asked gently. Something that he never does in front of others. Even the driver who heard his voice almost step on brake hearing that side of his ruthless boss. Tristan ignored the flabbergasted driver. Instead his eyes focused on the lady who's staring sadly out of the window. As if her mind is already in the midst of torture. She turned her head slowly at him.

"I don't like crowds." She answered. The past will haunt her no matter where she goes. The trauma during her childhood is too great that she never really like to be in the crowded place. She became panic and to hear murmurs about her from such a crowd will overwhelm her. She might look brave on the outside but she needed to live. It doesn't mean she's healing from all of those torture that she got for the last 15 years she's under the Anderson's roof. Her hands began to tremble slightly.

Tristan who have been watching her face changing to pale and her trembling hand felt like killing someone. And his main target is the Anderson's family. How could he not know? He was with Ralph when he went to picked up the runaway Alicia only to be hit by a car. He saw her for the first time bloodied with endless bruises covering her back. He didn't know he had so much anger in him when he look at her. From that day onward, he unknowingly kept his eyes on her. He took hold of her trembling hands and pull her closer to him. He lift her chin up as he let her eyes focus on him.

"Will you still be scared if i'm by your side?" He asked.

Alicia who's having emotional breakdown suddenly start to calm down when he hold her hand with the familiar warmth. They were so close to the point she could feel his breathe near her face. When he asked that question, her heart put all her trust into the hand of this man.

"No. I won't be scared if you're by my side." She answered unconsciously.

Tristan heard her and his heart began to feel warm. The unchanging face if one would look closer you can see his slight smile that are carved onto his face when he heard her answer.

"Then i'm not going to leave you all alone any longer."

She nodded and lean back against his shoulder. She feel safe. And she trust this man. He won't hurt her. He will keep to his word. Just like someone in her dreams. He would always appear whenever she's exhausted in keeping her poker face.

Tristan watched as she finally calm down and lean back against him. Her walls are no longer around. He didn't expect it to be this fast but it was a good thing. It's easier to keep her by his side all the time. And to make her his wife. He's been waiting for too long and he wouldn't let this chance to pass by just like that.