TRINITY
"You didn't answer me, Bash," I emphasize his name by rephrasing. I pout and follow him to his copper-colored wall kitchen.
"Why didn't you go to work?" I ask while he's busy filling up the coffee machine, but he keeps ignoring me.
He has a perfect and muscular athletic body. He was physically fit before he left, but now he looks more mature, muscle-ripped, and hotter that every woman daydreams of taking him into their beds.
Shitty brain. I shake it off.
He doesn't answer me. Instead, he opens the wall-mounted fridge, taking a transparent plastic container. He opens the microwave and places two croissants inside. He then closes and presses the screen to set the timer.
"Take a seat, Tri," that's all he says, and he starts to annoy me.
I do what he said.
He ignores my questions then I will ignore his. He places a plate with pastries, a mug of black coffee, and another mug in front of me with cream. I am kind of touched that he still remembers what I like.
"I put sugar on that. Just the way you like it."
I lift my eyes to look at him, and it's a mistake because he's staring at me. He raises his brow like he is asking me.
I shake my head, grab the steaming mug, and sip it silently. It tastes like what I really like.
"I was drunk last night when I got this tattoo. I can't remember what happened. It was vague, but I remember something that I got into some tequila shots challenge."
I don't look at him.
He sips his coffee. "I was surprised to see it in the mirror when I went up to grab a shirt."
Why do I feel it isn't awkward talking with him?
"Don't worry. I will ask for an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon. Maybe they can remove it while it still fresh."
I look at him and nod.
"I will work here today. I don't have the strength to go to the office."
"Okay."
"It means you stay here too. I have an office here from the door to the left."
"I know."
"Where is he?" all of a sudden, he asks, making me freeze in my seat.
My brows furrow. "Who?"
"Luke." He looks at my fingers. "Your fiancé."
My eyes widen before I burst out laughing. "Luke? My fiancé?"
He looks confused, and what's that? Hurt?
"Luke is not my fiancé, Bash. I'm not marrying a gay." I press my lips together to contain my smile.
"Then, who is your fiancé?" he asks, more confused.
My smile fades. "Luke has been my gay roommate since college, and he's engaged to Ryker."
I feel like I just drained all my energy. I can't believe he doesn't know what happened to my fiancé. I guess Lizzy didn't mention anything to him about me.
My shoulders droop. "My fiancé died six months ago."
His eyes widen in shock. He swallows hard and blinks the pain away. "I'm so sorry, Tri. I have no idea."
"Of course, you don't. Why would you even care about my misery when you are living the life that you deserve in a foreign country?"
"Of course I care, Tri," he says, sounding sympathetic.
"Like you are."
"Tri." He grabs my left hand, causing me to gasp. He does too, but he doesn't let go. Instead, he tightens the grip. The heat from the contact spreads through my toes, and I curl unbeknownst.
My heart swells. My breathing catches. I pull my hand, but Bash manages to tighten it even more.
I look at our hands slowly up to his taut arm, to his chest that is breathing heavily, to the throat that swallows, to his red slightly parted lips, to his straight nose, and to his gorgeous and mesmerizing gray eyes that are looking straight back at my green ones.
We look at each other for as long as I can take his gaze. He never breaks it until I surrender.
I feel his thumb moving and gently caressing my knuckles. I almost moan at the sensation of the caress he is giving me. I can't help but grip his hand back tighter, as if I'll fall from the stool if I let it go.
"Trinity."
My breath holds in my lungs.
"I'm here now." His voice turns huskier and deeper. I can feel his voice's concern and sincerity, but I can hear the longingness so thick, as well.
I pull my hand abruptly when he loosens it a bit.
"Let's get back to work," I announce before I stand, taking my coffee with me. I go back to the couch.
His office is more extensive than my room and cozier than his main office. With dark wooden walls, his mahogany desk is placed at the center with nothing but only his laptop on top. From my left are the two opposites shelves of hardback books. From his back are the cabinets and drawers where he probably places some files.
One long brown L-shaped leather couch, a brown chair on its left side, and a small liquor cabinet align the sofa. What catches my attention is the sketch of his face that I still remember he stole from me, and now it's framed and mounted on the wall just above the couch.
"Is that the sketch that you stole from me?" My heart melts with pride. The last thing I expected him to keep.
How does he even keep this for so long?
He smirks. "Seat on the couch, Trinity, and give me the papers Dad wants me to sign. Anything important for my schedule today?"
I offer a folder that has documents in it.
"You don't have an appointment for today. Your dad said you could take the rest of this week off if you want to, or you can work from here. As you wish."
He looks at me. "Really?"
I nod. "Ask your dad to confirm."
"That's not how to answer your boss, goldfish."
I stay still.
"It still affects you, Tri."
"That's not right to bully your assistant, Mr. Hughes," I say firmly before I walk toward the couch.
He only replies with a chuckle.
I sit on the couch, frowning. What did I do that God has punished me since birth? Why my life has to be this suck?
"Trinity?"
My head snaps.
"I mean it."
"About what?"
"That I'm here now."
"I don't need you."
He rises from his chair and walks in my direction, sitting beside me. My heart can combust in my chest as he leans closer to me, wrapping his strong arms around me. He plants his chin on top of my head.
I can feel his body press against mine. I can smell his masculine cologne scent.
I can't help myself not to wrap my hands around his arm as I press it closer to me.
I close my eyes and feel him and just listen to his breathing and heartbeat at this moment.
I'm sure he can hear how my heart is beating too fast. For him.
"I need you, Trinity," he says, kissing the top of my head.
I don't let him go because I know I need him too.
At this moment.