Chapter 856

Emily Blair felt a sharp gaze cut across from the side-Cynthia Rivera’s eyes, blazing with anger.
Both unfriendly stares were fixed on Emily, making her scalp prickle with unease.
She waved a hand at Tristan Davis. “You two go ahead and talk. I’ll wait over there. I’m not leaving, so feel free to discuss whatever you want.”
With that, Emily quickly turned away.
Behind her, Tristan called her name, his voice low and stormy. “Emily.”
Sensing the tension, Emily picked up her pace, putting fifty meters between them before coming to a firm halt. Her posture said it all—she was determined not to eavesdrop.
Tristan could only sigh, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Cynthia stepped closer, her expression searching. “Are you upset?”
Tristan lowered his hand and leaned back against the wall, keeping his distance. “Cynthia, it’s late. If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Did you see me just now?” she asked, voice trembling.
“I did.”
“You saw me, but didn’t even come over to talk?” Cynthia let out a bitter laugh.
He looked at her. “I thought you didn’t want to see me.”
The words “How could I not?” nearly slipped out, but Cynthia bit them back with great effort.
She pressed her lips together and stole a glance in Emily’s direction, her voice shaky with hope. “Is she the girl you like?”
Compared to Cynthia’s anxiety, Tristan was calm, almost casual. “Yes.”
Cynthia’s heart skipped painfully and her eyes grew red, on the verge of tears. She gripped the fabric of her skirt tightly, fighting to hold back her emotions. “Are you two dating? I saw you sharing a couple’s meal.”
“We’re not,” Tristan answered simply.
Relief washed over Cynthia; her clenched fists slowly relaxed.
She smiled through her tears, the expression fragile but determined. “Alright. That’s all I needed to know. As long as you’re not together, I still have a chance.”
Tristan’s voice dropped, gentle but firm. “Cynthia, I only see you as Cynthia.” “That’s okay.” She forced a light laugh. “You only see me as Cynthia now, but who knows in the future? I still have a shot.”
“You shouldn’t waste your time on me,” he said quietly, and he meant it.
Cynthia rocked on her toes, hands clasped behind her back, smiling bravely. “I’m just chasing the man I’ve liked since I was a kid. I don’t think it’s a waste of time.”
Tristan lowered his gaze.
Cynthia gave a little wave. “Until Emily’s officially with you, she and I have the same chance. It’s fair competition, and I’ll give it my all. If I ever make you uncomfortable, just tell me I’ll change.”
“See you!”
She hopped into her car, leaving Tristan with a faint, helpless smile.
Fair competition? Hardly.
As long as Emily was in the picture, there simply wouldn’t be anyone else for him.
It wasn’t so much a choice as it was filling in a blank, and the answer was always Emily Blair.
Emily walked back toward him, the soft glow of the streetlights illuminating her face —her smile gentle and clear, her eyes bright and honest.
“Let’s go. It’s getting late.”
Tristan looked into her eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Just as Tristan had said, the next four days were a blur-he barely had a moment to spare.
Their only communication was through the occasional call or text, and even those
were rare.
Tristan seemed genuinely swamped. In the past, he’d reply to her messages almost instantly; now, sometimes it took him hours.
With him just starting out in his new role, everything was hectic and demanding. Emily didn’t want to distract him, so she stopped reaching out first.
On Friday afternoon, Emily checked in with her assistant about her weekend schedule.
“Ms. Blair, you asked me to keep this weekend open for you. You’re heading to Riven for a friend’s birthday party,” the assistant reminded her.
Emily had been so busy all week she’d nearly forgotten. The reminder jogged her memory.
“What time are the flights?”
“I’ve booked tickets for both you and Mr. Davis-ten a.m. tomorrow from Eastside Airport.”
“Send me the details.”
Once she had the information, Emily forwarded it to Tristan. Don’t forget.
By the end of the workday, she still hadn’t heard back-he was probably still buried in work.
It wasn’t Tristan who called her next, but Albert Rivera.
Over the past week, Emily had poured most of her energy into the partnership with Albert’s company. In just two days, they’d ironed out the details, and the project team was set to launch the following week.
When Albert called, Emily automatically assumed it was about work.
“Mr. Rivera, is there anything else about the proposal you wanted to discuss?”
Albert chuckled softly. “It’s after hours, Emily. I’m not calling as a business partner- I’m calling as a friend.”
“Oh, I see. What’s up?”
There was a brief pause on the line, then Albert sighed. “Emily, have you forgotten that, to our parents, we’re still supposed to be getting to know each other?”
She smacked her forehead. “Right. I’ve been so busy, I almost forgot. Sorry about that.”
Emma George, her mother, had also been nudging her to meet with Albert again, but Emily had used work as an excuse to put it off.
“No worries,” Albert said warmly. “My mom’s been hounding me to see you again for
a week now. Do you have any free time soon?”
Emily felt a twinge of guilt. They’d agreed to keep up the charade for their parents’ sake, but she’d nearly let it slip.
“Sorry, I’m traveling for work this weekend. Maybe next week?”
Albert didn’t press. “How about tonight, then? Are you free?”
Emily flipped through her calendar-nothing scheduled. She felt relieved.
“I’m free tonight.”
“Great, I’ll pick the restaurant.”
“Alright. See you soon.”
“See you.”