TRINITY
Pissed off, Bash blinks and swallows when he sees me yelling.
Edmund let go of his arms on Ryker and Bash. Ryker is still half-naked with a flushed face, while Luke seems amused as he crosses his arms over his chest, watching the two almost punch each other's faces.
Ryker coughs. "This asshole was asking about Trinity. He pushed me off the door when I didn't allow him to get inside," he explains while glaring at Bash.
Bash's jaw clenches.
"Ms. Mallory, I apologize for the sudden interruption," Edmund says politely.
"It's alright, Edmund. Mr. Hughes, care to explain what are you doing here in my apartment? The last time we talked, I already had no business with you, your office, and your company." I cross my arms over my chest.
He looks taken aback. Pain crosses his handsome face.
"Oh! So, you are the Bash Bash!" Luke chirps.
I clear my throat. Seriously Luke?
"Trinity, I am here to apologize for my actions. I admit I may have judged you and shouldn't have done that. You proved that you deserve to be part of the company, so who am I to judge you when I wasn't there to see your work? I'm so sorry, Trinity." He seems sincere.
But wow! My jaw almost drops to the floor. What happened to the arrogant prick bully Bash I knew? And did he just apologize?
Luke is giggling with his hand in his mouth to suppress his voice.
"I would like to see you at your new office on Monday," he adds with a tight smile.
"Wait, this douchebag fired you? That's why you're here early?" Ryker roars.
My eyes fix on him, giving him a warning look.
"Watch your language, asshole!" Bash snarls.
Edmund is back on full alert.
"Ryker, Bash, enough! Luke, take Ryker to your room, and I need to talk with Bash. Alone."
Instead of answering me, he grins and walks toward Ryker, who is still glaring at Bash. Bash is doing the same. Luke holds Ryker's hand, dragging him away from Bash.
"Bash, I'll be outside. Don't do-" Edmund says.
"I know, I know. I don't need your daddy role right now." Bash grits his teeth.
Edmund walks away after giving me a tight smile. I nod, smiling back at him.
"Let's talk in my room," I say before I walk toward the hallway. I hear his footsteps following me.
"What's wrong in the living room?" he asks, maybe out of curiosity.
I stop and face him. "I'm not gonna seduce you, boss." I look at him from head to toe.
He looks deliciously hot. Then he smiles.
Jeez, Bash. I just met my fiancé not hours ago.
"Let's head to the kitchen then," I suggest.
"What's wrong with your room?" he asks, but there's a glint in his eyes this time.
I lead him to the kitchen without answering his question.
"Coffee?" I offer. "I've got a Java coffee, and I think I have pastries here." I open the cupboard where I stock the coffee canister and grab two coffee mugs. After filling them with coffee granules and water, I press the button to start brewing.
"Just coffee for me, Tri. Thanks."
I face him. He's leaning on the kitchen island. "I arrived earlier when I saw the two busy with themselves on the couch. That's why I suggested for us to talk far from there." Heat creeps down my face.
I notice Bash's jaw clench.
"No need to be violent, Bash. They're good people, and you don't have the right to treat them like you did a while ago."
"I'm sorry. Don't they have a room?" Bash inquires the obvious silently.
"Let's not talk about them. Let's discuss why you are here." I search for a motive on his gorgeous face. "What changed your mind?"
"Dad just dropped the bomb. I wasn't ready to hear that from him. I asked him for a month before I started working in your new position, but he did not give me a chance."
I already knew the answers when his dad called me while I was on my way to visit Oli.
"Do you want me to be your temporary assistant for a while?"
He looks into my eyes and then shrugs.
"What does it mean?"
"You seemed so excited. So I can't hold you for too long. Dad surely requests an assistant position from HR as of now."
"If you need me. Just say it."
"Thanks. So, that guy?"
I roll my eyes. "Yes. The fiancé."
He nods and seems to relax.
I pour us coffee. Then I put a spoonful of creamer and a little sugar in my mug.
I give him his coffee. I know he used to drink black. He starts sipping his coffee while I'm just holding a hot steaming mug in my hand. I look at his beautiful face.
Why do I have to have such a perfect best friend that I can't even daydream about? We're best friends, but we're from two different worlds.
He's white, while I'm a redhead.
He's the fire, and I am the ice.
He is gorgeous, and I am insecure.
I am in love with him, and he is not.
"Tri, what's with that look?" his voice brings me out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" I blink.
"I ask you, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"You look sad," he says with uncertainty.
Because I am.
"Did you visit him?" he asks hesitantly.
I nod slowly. "Yup. I went to visit him every time I felt alone and sad. But I also visit him when I am happy." I smile at the thought of Oli, but there's a twist in the pit of my belly.
Why do I feel like I'm not supposed to share this with Bash?
I felt jealous of all the girls he dated when we were still in high school. Sometimes I cried at night when he couldn't meet me because he went out on a date.
My heart crashed a thousand times when I saw him kissing another girl, but he never kissed me on my lips even once.
Maybe that's how it is supposed to be, just being his best friend.
I shrug and sigh. I feel a thumb on my cheek.
I jar back from my thoughts.
"Don't cry, Tri. I am here and will never go away from you again." He wipes my tear that falls unknowingly.
I grab his hand and press it against my face while I shut my eyes close. I nod curtly, kissing the palm of his hand.
His lips part slightly when I crack my eyes open.
Our gazes meet.
I feel like his stare hypnotizes me.
I can see yearning and care in those gray orbs. With Bash's palm on my face, I feel safe, and his thumb caresses my bottom lip.
Butterflies start to spread wildly in my stomach, which I have never felt in a long time.
My body ignites, and Bash never breaks his gaze on me.
The doorbell goes off, and his hand is gone.