Chapter 142: Just Like You

Celine shifted in her sleep a bit, she felt her body engulfed in a warm, secure embrace then slowly opened her eyes. The room was illuminated by the moon which had risen to a point where it was visible.

She found herself still on the sofa, not remembering when she had fallen asleep or when she had gotten into this position.

Tristan was gently holding her in his arms. He was still asleep, she lifted her head, gazing silently at his face with a lingering longing in her eyes.

’If only…’ she thought, ’If only I could really have you, but maybe we aren’t meant to be.’

Her eyes teared up a bit, there were so many complications around them and no matter how hard she tried to avoid it, she couldn’t deny the feelings that were building in her heart for him. But she couldn’t let herself fall in love with him, she just couldn’t.

What did he feel for her exactly, desire?

But it was wrong, it was wrong because there was someone else waiting for him. She didn’t know why she continuously allowed herself to get distracted, allowed herself to forget that he was to be married to Erica.

Just as she moved, trying to tear her body away from his, he frowned deeply. His lips moved, muttering incoherent words she couldn’t fully hear until she leaned closer.

“Mom…”

Celine stiffened.

His breathing became heavy and a single lone tear streamed down his face.

Celine didn’t know what to do or say at the sight of that tear. She was confused to suddenly feel so much emotion from a man who always portrayed indifference. Even the most hard hearted and coldest person in the universe had emotions, they just never let anyone see it.

Celine’s heart tightened, she felt his pain, it curled and radiated around her so fiercely she began to shake him awake.

“Tristan… Tristan!”

His eyes snapped open, confusion dancing in his eyes for a while before realization slowly settled in. He straightened up but didn’t meet her eyes, she could tell he was trying to curb his emotions.

The pained look in his eyes struck her heart for some reason, she gently rubbed his back comfortingly saying, “It’s alright, it was just a nightmare.”

“No, it wasn’t.” He said, his voice sounding a bit hoarse. “It wasn’t a nightmare.”

Celine could see that his past was haunting him, she knew how that felt.

“Is it something about your mother?” She asked, uncertain.

He slowly looked at her, she could see the red rims under his eyes, he looked away a second later and nodded slightly, however his expression had returned to his usual detached, stern look.

Since he said nothing, Celine didn’t want to probe. She stayed silent, sitting by his side until he finally spoke.

“She was very beautiful, kind and very smart.” He said, Celine remained silent, listening to him speak. “She was everything a man could ever want.” He turned towards her, “Just like you.”

Her heart skipped a beat, she broke their gaze still remaining silent.

“She was so good, so why did he hurt her? Why couldn’t he stay with her for the rest of their lives? They said the vows of marriage keep a man and woman together for a lifetime, why couldn’t he keep to those vows?”

He kept quiet a bit, struggling to keep his emotions in check before he continued. “It was his loss. His loss for letting himself lose such a wonderful woman, his loss for hurting her so much until she gave up, but…but I lost her too.”

His voice cracked a bit at the last statement and Celine slowly laid her hand on his own to give him some comfort if it would help. She didn’t know why she felt like he’d never openly spoken about this with someone else before and it made her feel the need to help him. He tried to hide his pain but she could feel it, she could feel his suppressed emotions.

She knew the feeling of losing someone precious. It was something one had to live with everyday. The loss of her own mother still haunted her, the constant thought of what life would be if she were still alive. She knew now that Tristan felt that way too, and it made her heart ache for him even more.

Even if he usually appeared cold and emotionless, he did have feelings, he only just hid them. She realized. He knew how to love someone, so much his heart broke losing that person. Perhaps he was just afraid, afraid of losing his loved ones again, afraid of loving only to lose, which was why he detached himself, hated commitments and chose to never believe in love.

Feeling the silent support from her as she placed her hand comfortingly on his, the endless pain every time he recalled his mother slowly seemed to fade away, as he gazed into her innocent blue eyes, it seemed to ease him of his distress.

That comforting, warm feeling came upon him again and once more, he marveled at how the simple presence of someone by your side can make one feel these calming emotions, like a cool breeze had blown against his anguished burning heart.

Maybe just for now, just for this moment, he would allow himself feel the warmth of her comfort.

Tristan slowly pulled her into his arms and rested his head against the crook of her neck, he closed his eyes allowing himself to savor the calming feeling her presence brought to him. He felt her stiffen a bit but then slowly brought up her arms to hold him back, the tingling warmth further spread around his heart as he drew her in closer.

She lightly patted his back in a comforting manner and to his utter fright, Tristan had the fleeting feeling of wanting to remain like this, with her, forever.

*****

Click!

The sound at the door jolted them both awake.

Celine realized the sun had risen and the electricity in the room had returned again at some point. She was currently still curled in Tristan’s arms, just the way they had both fallen asleep last night, now seeking warmth from each other due to the coolness that had returned to the room.

But as she glanced up, her eyes met a red faced Kaleb standing awkwardly by the door, blushing as if he were witnessing a couple, the morning after they made love.

“Morning president, morning miss Roberts! Did you both sleep well?” He asked, beaming with a silly smile on his face.

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