Temptation: The Illusion

Ch-4 Mind in a haze

"Watch out!" Tristan cried, his hand perfectly holding my waist. I placed my hand involuntarily on his chest and immediately tried not to dwell on the feeling of his taut muscles beneath my palm. My mouth went dry and I couldn't dare to look up at his daunting grey eyes that were assessing me with concern. 

"Oh dear!" Mom exclaimed just as I managed to steady myself and move away from his embrace. "What happened to you?" 

"I...er..." I ran my hands through my hair and tried to calm myself. What the f**k just happened? Why am I so flustered and distracted? What was happening? 

"I...What?" Mom demanded and Dad shot her a look. She was again on the verge of blowing her reaction out of proportions. 

"Head rush," I answered, shaking my head. "Don't worry...I am alright," 

"See? This is why I tell you not to work so hard! To eat! You look like a skeleton at twenty-five!" Mom admonished and I scowled at her. Great! Just embarrass me all you could in front of him! Like what just happened or what happened last night wasn't enough already. 

"Come on Amelia!" Tristan smiled down at me. "She is gorgeous. Don't say that," 

Huh? What?

 I dared to peek up at him and his intense eyes were dark despite the fact that he was actually smiling down at me. He thinks I am gorgeous? Does he mean it? I was suddenly very pleased. 

"Are you okay, Mia?" He asked softly, his voice like melting chocolate or something. "Did you get hurt anywhere?" His sounded  like he was talking to a child who got hurt. 

You are a child compared to him, i***t!

"I am fine..." I whispered and inwardly kicked myself. What are you doing, Mia Garner! "I am so sorry, Mr. Jacques and er thanks as well..." 

"Tristan...call me Tristan. No need to be so formal," He smiled at me and I was almost blinded by its perfection. 

"Alright...enough with the ruckus," Dad exclaimed. "Mimi, sweetheart come here...sit along side me. Tristan...your drink," 

"Thanks," Tristan smiled, sitting down again as I dutifully joined my father on the opposite couch. 

"So...how was Spain?" Dad inquired, his one hand thrown across my shoulder as I curled up against him and decided to distract myself with their conversation. 

"Spain was amazing," He smiled. "But of course...you know me, I needed something new. A new start. I got bored you know.  So I came back home. Its been what...ten years?" 

"More than that, I guess," Mom chimed in. "I saw the GQ article on you. You looked amazing and your paintings...mine mine!" 

He featured in GQ? Wow...I gotta say, Olivia bagged a real gem. And now he wanted to sign a long term deal too! Carter will be so thrilled! 

"Thank you so much, Amy," Tristan said warmly. "It all has been possible for you guys. If you haven't supported me and if Mathew wouldn't have convinced Dad...I wouldn't be here today,"

I stared at Tristan and wondered what was that supposed to mean. Whenever I look at him, I cannot help but feel that beneath his cavalier exterior, there was some story waiting to be told. I felt like, he was an adventure that would completely blow my mind off and it was intoxicating. 

And so wrong. 

"Ah! Come on," Mom waved her hand and smiled brightly. I don't remember if she has been ever this cheerful with me. Not at least ever since I grew up. 

"Talent and dedication never goes in vain," Dad said, patting my head for no reason. "So what's the plan now?" 

"Well after this ongoing exhibition is over...going to take a brief break," Tristan answered, taking a sip of his wine. "Just relax and unwind. Work on my new project...Mia's company is  and will be going to do my PR so they will see what's  to be done. They are pretty good," 

"Are you handling his assignment, Mimi?" Mom asked, for the first time looking thrilled about my job. 

"No...Liv is," I answered, feeling a little glum at the thought. "I just filled up for her last night. That's all," 

"She is pretty good at her job," Tristan remarked, his eyes catching mine. They were not just grey grey. It was a heady mixture of black and grey. I haven't seen that colour on anyone before. 

"Yeah...tell me about it," Mom nodded her head in disdain. "So much that she has got no life apart from that. No friends. No boyfriend...no time to come and see her poor parents," 

"Mom!" I admonished and she rolled her eyes at me. 

"What? Am I wrong?" She challenged and I pursued my lips. She wasn't exactly but why does she always make it sound like working hard was a crime? I mean how are you supposed to go through this life without working hard? 

"Come on, Amy...this is the time to make a life for herself," Tristan came to my rescue again. "If not now then when? You should be proud of her. Your daughter is highly successful. She is managing her own finances perfectly and living the life that many people would die to have. What more can you ask for?" 

"Yeah but..." Mom muttered but Tristan stopped her with a soft pat on her shoulder. 

"Relax," He smiled at her. "She is an adult. She is capable of understanding what's good for her and what's not. Let her take the lead of her life. You sit back and relax and help her when she needs it," 

I was speechless at how wise and smart this person was. This was what I have been trying to make my mother understand for so long. That I can take care of my life just fine on my own. That they don't need to worry anymore. My eyes drifted to him and he held my gaze, a secretive smile splaying on his perfectly sculptured lips. I mouthed him a thank you and he nodded slightly in return. 

"That's what I have been trying to explain to her for so long," Dad backed him and Mom shot him a deathly glare. Yeah, he was in a hell of a trouble afterwards. 

"Yeah yeah...I am the criminal here," Mom grumbled, rolling her eyes and both Dad and Tristan laughed. 

The evening passed away without any other commotion from my mother and once she got in her element to blow Tristan's mind off with her hospitality skills it was actually quite enjoyable. There were a lots of old memories and fun stories that were shared and the house was filled with laughter and guffaws. It was fun listening to these stories and even though Tristan was not excessively verbose, he was quite a charmer. I felt all my fatigue and stress melting away and started to relax slowly until it was time to leave. The thought of the long drive back to Seattle was tiring but I had to get back because I had a proposal to work on. 

"I better get going now," Tristan said. "Its quite late. I have to get back and complete the half done painting before the inspiration leaves my mind," 

"You artists...its hard to understand you people," Mom chastised but in a good way and he chuckled in response. 

"Seattle is not very far away," Dad commented, giving him a hug. "I expect you to be here every weekend," 

Oh...he lives in Seattle too. Again coincidence...

"I will try my best," He answered benevolently. "Thank you so much for such a lovely time, Amelia...Mathew. It feels good to be home," 

"It feels good to have you back," Mom and Dad both smiled and hugged him one by one. "Take care of your health. Don't forget to eat . And don't get caught up in whatever amnesiac habits you artists have," Mom added and Tristan laughed and shook his head. 

"I should get going too," I announced, glancing at the clock. "Its late," 

"Get going where?" Mom inquired and I rolled my eyes. 

"Get back home, Mom..." I clarified. "Where else?" 

"I thought you will stay tonight," Dad inquired and I shook my head. I hated to disappoint them but what could I do? Work was demanding and my company where I worked now has always been my dream job. And now that I have the job I can't lack in any way. 

"I can't...I have to work on a proposal tomorrow," I answered apologetically. "I have an important meeting on Monday. I am so sorry. Next time, I will...for sure," 

"That's okay...but you are going to drive all the way to Seattle now?" Dad inquired, looking uncomfortable. "Its quite late, don't you think?" 

"Exactly," Mom agreed glumly. "Just stay back tonight," 

"Its okay...where do you live?" Tristan asked. "I can drop you off. And my driver will drop off your car," 

"No...that's okay!" I protested. "I can drive back home just fine. Its not like I haven't before," 

"She lives in first avenue," Mom answered. "If you want to go back, Tris will drive you. Don't be so stubborn all the time, Mimi," 

"But..." I started but one glare from Mom effectively shut me down. 

"My apartment is in fourth avenue. Its not very far," Tristan said softly. "Come on, I'll drop you off. Don't think so much. My driver will drive your car off. Just hand him the keys," 

"He is right," Dad encouraged. "No offence but I don't trust your driving, sweetie," 

"Fine," I rolled my eyes and after giving both my parents a hug each and handing my keys to Tristan's driver, I glumly walked over to his car. He held open the door and I gave him a tight smile before climbing inside. Being alone with him was the last thing I wanted. God knows what kind of stupidity I was capable of. 

"Ready to go?" Tristan asked, buckling up his seatbelt and I nodded my head in response. I waved at my parents as they stood on the porch watching us and took a deep breath. Okay, Mia...you can do this. You can definitely do this. Keep calm and don't focus on him.

"Are you alright?" Tristan inquired. "Or are you just naturally this quiet?" 

"Oh..er..." I blushed. "Nope...just tired that's all. Thank you so much by the way, Mr. Jacques," 

"For what exactly?" He inquired, rolling up his sleeves and I tried not to dwell on how sexy his arms look with all the visible veins under his tanned skin and with that expensive Rolex to add on. I always thought that guys look amazing while driving but this person...there were no words. 

"And please don't call me Mr. Jacques. It sounds like you are addressing some hunched back senior citizen," He added. 

"But you are forty-five years old, aren't you?" I pointed and he rolled his eyes. 

"And that makes me a senior citizen?" He demanded playfully. "Are you insulting me, Ms. Garner?" 

"No but that definitely makes you old, doesn't it?" I answered, trying to stifle my smile. 

"Age is just a number, Mia," He answered turning to me with a salacious grin as his grey eyes studied my face. I felt not just my face but my entire body going hot. Like someone has lit it on fire or something.  "I am more fit and agile than half a men your age, won't you say?" 

My eyes involuntarily drifted to the first two open buttons of the denim shirt that he was wearing and I nodded my head. Yeah definitely fitter than any guy I have seen in my life so far. Nobody will ever say in the first glance that he was above forty years old. 

"Mia?" Tristan's voice distracted me and I shook my head, mortified. God...did he catch me gawking like that? 

"Yeah? Sorry...you were saying?" I muttered, shaking my head. 

"You were saying thank you," He answered, smiling to himself. "And that I am old," 

"Oh yeah...right," I nodded my head and wondered if he was offended. "I was saying thank you for er...you know not getting offended last night. For dropping me off today but more than that for standing up for me in front of my mom. I have been trying to make her understand that exact same thing for years now. And also sorry about that old comment...I didn't mean it. Hell, you shocked me when you said you were the forty-five year old Tristan Jacques," 

And now I was just babbling...

"That's a lots of thank you and sorry," Tristan commented. "Well, your mother can be a little tough to take on but she is amazing. And I guess you are old enough to take your stand now. Though of course she is right you should get a life for yourself...go out, have fun...this is the time. Just prioritize your life. That's all," 

"Yeah...well," I shrugged nonchalantly. "I guess so..." 

"So, did you like my gift?" He asked, shooting me a sideways look after a few minutes of silence. Oh yeah, his gift. I had forgotten all about it. 

"Oh...yeah, its beautiful. Thank you," I gave him a smile. "Though I didn't understand it, still it was beautiful nevertheless," 

"The black silhouette of woman depicted you," He answered and that ghost of smile again appeared on his lips. 

"Are you trying to say I have a dark soul?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes at him. Tristan laughed and shook his head. 

"No...it meant let the beauty of art touch your soul," He replied. "Even understanding the meaning of art is an art, Ms. Garner," 

"I am sure it is," I nodded my head. "But tell me something...how did you know my address? And if you already knew it then why did you ask where I live?" 

"So many questions," He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Ms. Cordoso told me when I texted her last night that you guys are flatmates and I have my secretary sent you the painting. He knows the address, I guess," 

"So you didn't make the effort?" I muttered, feeling a bit disappointed. "That's so insincere," 

"No, Mia....I picked up the painting and wrote down the card and have it delivered," He replied. "How is he supposed to know what to send you. I took the pleasure myself," 

"Ah well...then I am honoured," I smiled at him, feeling an unnecessary glee inside me.

 Almost as if I was a three years old and somebody has handed me a box of candies as a reward. It was crazy because a part of me felt excruciatingly guilty while another part felt like it has come alive in some way. But I knew...even thinking like this was wrong. And more so because Tristan was like a family. And even if I was drawn to him...why would a forty-five year old guy be interested in someone twenty f*****g years younger? He wasn't even interested in Olivia so I had no chance to begin with. Maybe he still sees me as a small baby? I wouldn't be surprised if he does. 

Jesus...what am I even thinking? What is wrong with my head? I have never been like this. I hardly even used to have crushes and even if I had...I knew where to stop and what the boundaries where. But ever since last night... my mind was just all over the place. And it hasn't even been forty-eight hours. You need at least a weeks time to obsess over someone isn't it? 

"Here you are," Tristan announced, distracting me and I realised that we have already reached my apartment. 

Already? 

"Thank you so much once again," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt and he smiled at me, his grey eyes warm and soft. 

"It was nice meeting you again," He answered, climbing out first and opening the door for me. Perfect gentleman. 

"Well...it was one hell of a coincidence, I would say," I replied. "I had no idea you knew my parents," 

"Well, when I heard your name...I thought it could be the little Mia Maddy always talked about but I haven't seen you even when you were small so I was not sure obviously," 

Little Mia! 

"Well...now you know," I grumbled and tried hard no to sound disappointed. "I am glad you decided to sign the long term deal. Olivia will take good care of your needs," 

"We will see about that," He answered, leaning against the car. "You should get going now...its quite late," 

"Yeah...good night, Mr. Jacques," I said and he raised his brow at me. "Trist...Tristan," I corrected and he smiled warmly. I had enough of him for one night so I quickly turned on my heels and started towards my apartment. 

"Mia..." Tristan called halting me. I turned to face him and he walked over to me. He walked so gracefully despite having such long legs and it took him no time to reach me. 

"Yeah?" I whispered and he gave me his mysterious I-know-your-secret smile. Can he know what's going on in my mind? I really hoped he doesn't. 

"Look inside yourself...whatever you are looking for...its right there," He said and reaching over tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ears. The contact sent a shiver down my body. Before I could even ask what was that supposed to mean he turned in his heels and climbing into his car drove way, leaving me both speechless and breathless. 

I stared at the back of his car blankly as he drove away and wondered...

What was that even supposed to mean? 

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A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next update! I hope you are liking the story so far. I know some of you might feel its going slow or something but trust me guys a lot of things are coming up because this one is not simple. So plz put up with me and thank you so much for your supports!