Love Is Betrayal

16.Plans

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

~TRISTAN~

Grandma’s eyes lit up at the announcement. She clapped her hands in excitement like a child who was about to be offered Candy on a school night.

“You really mean that,” she sat up, her lips spreading in a wide smile.

“Yes, Grandma. I’d be introducing her to you soon,”

“That’s great! In fact, that’s perfect. I can’t wait for you two to get married so you can give me beautiful grandbabies,"

I chuckled. “You already have grandchildren from my cousins,”

“But it’s not the same with you,” she shook her head ferociously. “I raised you, so your grandchildren are more special to me. Have you told your mother?”

The smile on my face disappeared and I let go of her hands.

“Common! Cookie! Don’t tell me you’re still mad at your mum,” Grandma put a hand on my shoulder, examining my face in concern.

It still hurts that my birth mother was hardly ever there for me. It hurts that she chose her other family in Canada over me. It hurts that I grieved my father on my own because she had to go back to her husband in Canada.

It hurts that she never came to my school activities and hardly ever visited me. All she mostly did was talk to me over the phone.

“I’m not mad,” I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. “I’ll tell her so don’t bother about it. Anyway, I have to go now,”

I stood up, smoothing my suit.

“Good bye, Grandma,” I kissed her forehead.

“Bye cookie!” She waved me off. I flashed her a warm smile before leaving her room.

As I got to the hallway, I fished out my phone from my pocket and dialed Becca’s number. She picked up at the second ring,

“Hey, Becca. Where are you?”

“I’m just leaving the first luxury store,”

“Change of plans, we’re having our engagement photoshoot this evening,” I announced, moving towards the car park. A few nurses passing by mumbled some greetings and I acknowledged them with a nod.

“What!” Her voice thundered over the phone. “So soon ?”

“Yes, there’s no time to waste. You’ll be moving into my house by the weekend because the engagement will be announced immediately, followed by a party after,”

~BECCA~

I exhaled nervously. All of this is getting more real. I’m about to get married again. I guess it’s about time I brace up and prepare myself mentally to be in that space again.

“You can shop for the rest of the clothes later. Tell the driver to bring you to the house now,”

“Of course,” I sighed, clicking my teeth and ending the call.

A few minutes later, I was back in his mansion and seated in his living room, my eyes darting around absent-mindedly. I still haven’t told Tristan that I’m pregnant because a part of me was scared that it would affect the deal if anything went wrong.

He had sent half of the money when I signed the papers but I still need the rest of the money for more treatment, especially because I want Faith to be a priority on the kidney donor list. Yes, I know it’s wrong and selfish but I couldn’t stand to lose Faith. She’s the only family I have left that I really love after my parents and sister died in a gruesome accident a few years ago.

I have lost too many family members in the past few years.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” a voice echoed in my thoughts. I looked up and watched as he took his seat in the chair opposite him.

“I was rounding up an online meeting,” he continued.

I watched him gently, checking him out from the corner of my eyes. Tristan seemed to be getting hotter each day, or was it because I was blinded by Logan’s betrayal that I didn’t pay much attention? His cream lounge shirt and sweat pants blended with his skin like butter. And his lips—his pink lips looked moisturized.

I swallowed hard. Why am I checking him out? I shook my head to wave off the thoughts from my mind.

“Anyway, we will be going for our shoot in a few minutes. Patricia, your new stylist will be arriving soon to help you out,”

“The stylist that was supposed to help me with my shopping experience?”

“Exactly!” He nodded. “I told you at the beginning that you’d be moving in immediately but I later decided to give you time to handle your emotions.

Now that the engagement will be announced soon, pack whatever important items you have down,”

“When will the engagement be announced,” I leaned forward, curiosity flashing in my eyes.

“Tomorrow,”

“Tomorrow?” My eyes widened. “But it’s just Tuesday. The weekend is still far off,”

“The engagement will be announced today and you’ll be moving in by the weekend because I’m doing some room renovations. Do you understand?”

I nodded slowly, wondering why such a perfect room would still need renovation.

Tristan stood up from the chair.

“Now that it is clear, I need to get something upstairs and we’ll head over to the beach resort,”

I sat back in my seat, lost in thought as I waited for him to finish up whatever he was doing upstairs so we could leave.

“Tea?” A voice snapped me out of my reverie. My eyes darted towards an elderly lady, her eyes looked kind, her skin shining like soft silk. Despite her warm features, she looked like there were layers underneath the surface.

Her fingers clamped hard on the handle of the mug she was holding, her left hand resting underneath the saucer. Her eyes were fixed on me like she was studying a book.

“Sure, thank you,” I gestured towards the table for her to drop the cup. She placed them on the table in front of me.

“I hear you’re Tristan’s new fiancée. You are welcome to the family. You can call me Aunt Margret. I’m the chief homekeeper in this household. Oh! And I helped to raise Tristan too,” she chuckled.

“Really?” My eyes lit up in interest. She didn’t look like a housekeeper. She could pass as his mum with how beautiful and well taken care of she looked.

“Yes, he’s like a son to me. That’s why I’m glad he’s finally getting hooked. Anyway, have your Jasmine tea. I have work to do so I can’t talk much. When you move in, we can chat better,”

“Ok, thank you. Aunt Margaret?” The words dragged in my mouth.

“Of course my dear,” she patted my shoulder and left my presence.

There was something off about her even though I couldn’t place my hands on it. Looking at her brought this unsettlement in my spirit that I didn’t understand.

Or could it be the pregnancy hormones?

Arh! I don’t know. Maybe I just have anxiety. She seems really sweet and nice.

I’m definitely just overthinking things because I’m tired.

I’m so silly. Or am I?