Falling for Aphrodite

05

Chapter Five

In which he brings her peace.

- Ayne Kent -

Tristen stopped at a dead end. 

    We were in the deep end of the forest and it was about twenty minutes of driving inside the said forest that I understand why he needed confirmation that I trusted him. For I am sure that a sane woman would have screamed bloody murder by now. 

    I'm sure that no woman in their right mind would say absolutely nothing while being dragged into the dark part of the forest. It was in the brick of the night too, so my mind couldn’t stop thinking about all the possible ways that I will die tonight.

    All by the hands of the man that I liked.

    That seemed like me.

    “We’re here,” he announced while kicking the stand of his motorcycle.

    It took me a minute to look around the place, confused at his announcement. Taking me into a deep and dark part of the forest doesn’t really help my mind at all. I all honesty, all it’s doing is making my mind go into hyperdrive more than having it relaxed. Truth to be told, I know that Tristen has a plan of his own so I will let him be.

    Tonight, my trust all goes to this man.

    Whether he f***s it up or not. That’s all on him.

    Tristen, still being a gentleman that he is, helped me to get out of his motorcycle as my eyes continuously wander around the forest place. All the sounds that I am currently hearing were the sound of the birds around, creating some soft hoots that freak me out more than I wanted it too.

    “Ayne,” he called, pulling my attention back on him.

    I looked at him, spooked at his sudden voice. Tristen smirked at my reaction, seemingly finding it interesting to find me in this kind of situation, which I do understand in some aspect. I am never this “scared” in school, for I am a tough b***h to deal with.

    I mean, just ask Lucas.

    “You’re getting spooked,” he muttered.

    I only shrugged back at him, “Well, it’s not every day for me to came across a serial killer.”

    Tristen throw his head back and laughed at my words, his eyes shining in nothing but glee, which in all honesty, I loved. Maybe it’s just me or how my brain is wired, but since I always have trouble finding joy on my own—I find it beautiful how I would have the power in making others laugh.

    “How am I a serial killer in this scenario?” He asked, riding my tease.

    My hands circled around the place, shrugging, “Wearing nothing but black, dragging a woman here in the forest in the brisk of night. Screams serial killer to me, Tristen.”

    “I didn’t drag you here, though,” he points out with a grin.

    I then nodded, faking a cry, “I can see it now. A woman who agreed to come with a serial killer—dead due to her stupid decisions.”

    “You’re silly,” he replied back.

    While Tristen and I bicker around the forest, we walked through the paved path. It wasn’t really a noticeable path, only someone who is usually there would see the difference. Tristen stopped at the edge of a cliff, urging me on it.

    “No,” I muttered, looking at him, “I will not die by jumping off a cliff, Tristen.”

    He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief, “I am not a serial killer.”

    “Aha!” I teased, pointing a finger at him, “That’s exactly what a serial killer would say.”

    Tristen frowned, “Then what do you propose that I say?”

    "The complete opposite!” I responded.

    The poor man looked incredibly lost in my words, and I would have offered to laugh if it wasn't fun teasing him. I could see the fold in his forehead forming as his eyes were pierced through mine in disbelief. His mouth was moving but no words were escaping from there.

    “Let me get this straight, Ayne,” he started, looking at me seriously while I nodded in response, urging the man to continue his words, “You want me to say that I am a serial killer?”

    My lips pursed a smile, “Aha! You are a serial killer!”

    “There’s no winning with you, danger.”

    "Right," I nodded, "The only way that you win is if you can win me!"    

     I was expecting a ride from my joke but Tristen looked at me seriously, a grin appearing in his lips and I blushed upon realization to my words. I couldn't believe that I had said something remotely close to what I just said! 

    "I thought I already won you over, Ayne?" He teased. 

    With a shrieked, I then dashed towards the end of the cliff. 

    I was completely mesmerized upon seeing a cabin house from below. Gone were my embarrassed self and what remained was nothing but amazement. It wasn’t a normal old and run down cabin house but a modern one. It was only a one-floor house that was made in flat wood. There was some part of the roof which were lifted, paired with some glass windows that will complement the view of the forest.

    “This is beautiful, Tristen.”

    He smiled, nodding his head, “This is where I live.”

    “Wait,” I swiveled back to him, surprised, “are you serious? You live in the middle of a forest?”

    “Well, most of the time. I rarely have time to travel here so I usually stay in an apartment near the school.” 

    I still couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. The man has such an incredible life aside from his exciting persona in the school. 

    “Do you want to come and see the inside?”

    “Yes!”

    With a nod, Tristen carefully walked me to his place. The place was a beauty, that is all that I could say. It had a beautiful interior as it was exterior. There was no fancy stuff around here, only one that would give someone comfort and serenity. Makes someone at peace with nature.

    I stilled in my journey of sightseeing when I noticed a guitar not that far from where we were. Swirling back to Tristen, I saw him looking from outside with hopeful eyes. A smile slipped through my lips before dashing through him.

    "Tristen, do you play the guitar?" 

    His eyes grew, looking where the guitar was placed, "No, that's just design." 

    "Really?" I questioned.

    He nodded, "Yes.."

    "Then," I questioned, grabbing the capo attached to it, "What's this? Added accessories?" 

    Tristen looked at another direction which urged me to walk towards him as I hand him his guitar. I have never heard him play or even know that he owns a guitar. He didn't even pay attention to me, letting his back to face me.   

    I frowned, "It would really help me if you would play me something."

    "Ayne," he sighed, looking back at me, "what did I just say about you? Dangerous." 

    My lips pursed a pout as Tristen sighed, grabbing hold of the guitar while he tunes the strings. I clapped both of my hands before grabbing one of the seats to see him play. Tristen took a little while to tune them, which seems like he's just escaping his upcoming wrath. 

    Which didn't really happen.

    "Tristen!" I whined. 

    He sighed, "Calm your horses, Ayne." 

    Tristen began playing a tune that I wasn't really familiar with. However, instead of urging him to play a tune that I wanted, I let him play all by himself. I was here to appreciate his talents. I never really knew Tristen Dolan could play.

    "There's nothing like your smile, sort of subtle and perfect and real," I was surprised to hear him sing softly. His voice was like velvet, soft and utterly breathtaking, "He said, you never knew how wonderful that smile could make someone feel." 

    My eyes were fixed on the man before me, surprised at what he was offering me. I know that Tristen was a shy type of man, despite his usual appearance in school. I could always see him hiding behind his friends when he isn't playing and he rarely talks to others.

    To see him here, now, playing and singing before me makes my heart flutter. 

    "If I could tell her, tell her everything I see." 

    Tristen continued the singing, making me hold out my heart in his presence. It seemed like he's doing me a huge favor for being this cool before me- which, let's face it. He is. 

    "If I could tell her, how she's everything to me, but we're a million worlds apart," he paused, making me see the small gulped that he did before continuing his lyrics, "and I don't know how I would even start if I could tell her." 

    As soon as Tristen was done playing his guitar, I couldn't help but clap my hand and did all the hyping for him. He only offered a small smile in my direction, making me feel utterly appreciative of the man. He had done a huge thing for me, and still- he was still willing to make my night nothing but a collection of new memories rather than a night with dread.

    To all of the people that I thought could cast my darkness away from me, I didn't know it'll be him.

    Tristen Dolan.