A Game With The Billionaire

Chapter 25:

Tristan:

There is one thing everyone should know about me: I always get what I want.

I don’t care about the price; I don’t care if that’s the only piece available in the whole world. When I set my mind to something, I always end up getting it, no matter what.

I can’t deal with the fact that Charlotte Hilton is deliberately avoiding me, treating me like I don’t matter. I am a Hart for Pete’s sake, women are literally throwing themselves at me yet Charlotte won’t even spare me a glance.

I am feeling all anxious, sitting in this cubicle while pretending to stare at my computer screen. My eyes sneakily glance at the glass doors once in a while. It’s Tuesday, which means she’s coming in today. It’s like all my nerves have been waiting to see her.

I see her talking to the head of my department from behind the doors and something inside me lights up, she’s dressed in a black knit trouser, black short sleeved sweater with a scoop neck and three inch heels. I see her walking away and alarm bells ring in my head, I can’t let her walk away.

Not this time. I stand up and tell my work partner that I am going for a coffee break. I don’t know if he heard me because he nodded and told me. “Alright, man.”

Charlotte heads for the employee’s break rooms and I walk in.

She pours from the jug of coffee into a mug and I walk towards her from behind. “Hey.” I say flatly.

She jumps and pins me with a deep frown, clutching the mug of coffee protectively over her chest. “What the heck? You scared me.”

“Sorry,” I don’t sound sorry. At all. Walking towards the counter, I pour myself some coffee. She starts walking towards the door and damn it, I am hella tired of this, of her running away. I turn towards her, groaning. “Can you stop this?”

“What’re you talking about?” She halts, still frowning. I don’t know if the look on her face indicates if she’s pissed or not, but I don’t like it.

“Stop denying what we have. The chemistry, the tension. Everything!” My voice rises. “You keep on walking away from me like you’re scared or something. Why won’t you just give it a try?”

“No, Tristan.” The way she says my name sends a rush of adrenaline in my body. She steps closer, wafting off her scent- it smells like lavender and roses. All I want to do is to pin her to the wall and kiss her endlessly and—

“I don’t do relationships.” She gestures wildly with her free hand. “I am sorry but this has to stop.”

“What if I don’t want to stop?” I hoarsely ask, taking a step towards her. I don’t care whoever walks in right now; all that matters is her right now. “What if I want Charlotte Hilton?”

When I tip her chin and stare into her dazzling gray-blue eyes, a rush of emotions slam into my chest.

There’s something so fiery and bold about her that has my whole body reacting to her closeness. I can’t deny what I feel towards her and she sure as hell feels it too because there’s no mistaking the way her breath hitches.

My thumb grazes her thumb. “If I put my mind to something, it always ends up working out.”

And just like that, all the sizzling tension snaps into two.

“Why?” She snickers, a hint of displeasure written all over her face. “Because you’re a Hart and you always get everything you want?” her eyes, a pale mix of gray and blue shines with anger.

The weight of her anger settles deep in my bones.

“You act like the whole world revolves around you,” she says calmly. “Like your money, your name, your family....that makes you untouchable. You think that means you can get me, too?” I open my mouth to say something but she isn’t done. “This isn’t about whether or not you like me.” She jabs a finger at me. “This is because I didn’t acknowledge you.”

My throat tightens.

“And it wounded your ego, your pride. Why? Because you’re used to every woman falling onto your bed. Because you’re Tristan Hart, with your perfect life and your perfect confidence and your family name?” Her tone is cold. “Well, you just met me then. I don’t know if you know this, but you have a lot to learn from your cousin, Jeremy.” She turns, her hair whipping around her face as she storms out, slamming the door shut, leaving me stunned.

--

“I can’t believe you got rejected.” Marcus howls, chugging down the mug of beer. After work, I called him up and asked him if he was in the mood for drinking. Knowing Marcus, my friend, he’s always available to drink and party any time of the day.

The life of Tristan Hart is all roses and sunshine, my chest tightens. Maybe that’s what my mother has been trying to let me see, maybe Charlotte’s right.

“Believe it or not, I did.” The bartender passes me a glass of whiskey and I thank him, taking a sip. Golden Retreat, one of the best lounges in New York, is always open twenty four seven.

“She said I could learn better from my cousin.” I won’t lie, when she mentioned Jeremy’s name, there was this uncomfortable feeling that followed. He and I didn’t grow up together, since my mom was always travelling, but we spent summer holidays in the Hart mansion together.

I don’t dislike my cousin, Jeremy. In fact, we’ve had occasions where we were chill with each other, but most times, we were usually not chill. More like our personalities don't align. And my mother compares me to him every time.

“That’s a first.” Marcus adjusts on the counter, pinning me with a glare. “Okay serious talk, do you want her?”

Who wouldn’t want Charlotte Hilton? A man without eyes, obviously.

“Of course, I want her, what—” we’re interrupted by the howling of laughter coming from the entrance. I see a wild rush of caramel blonde hair, it’s Charlotte, in Golden Retreat.

And she’s with Jeremy, my cousin.

That bastard. A rush of uneasiness seeps into my bones and I don’t like this feeling at all. I watch them together head towards a booth, she’s unaware that I am here because she is glued to Jeremy’s side.

...You have a lot to learn from Jeremy....

What’s so interesting about Jeremy? Fine, he’s a golden haired man that has a freaking rainbow-y personality and so what.

“Looks like your cousin has eyes.” Marcus glees and all I want to do is smack his face and tell him to shut up.

“Jeremy has a girlfriend.” I turn and take another chug of the whiskey, I look again and this time she’s smiling wildly, making her face light up in a whole new different way.

“Maybe they’re just friends.” Marcus says but everything he is saying blends with the background. My attention has drifted over to them, I can’t make out whatever it is they’re saying but I don’t like the way she smiles at him.

Does she like him? It’s so hard to pinpoint. I freaking hope not.

“Go say hi.” Marcus urges me on. “Who knows? Maybe you two can click it off again?”

“She’ll roast me alive if she sees me.” I sigh, but it’s hard fighting the urge to stand up and walk over to their booth. Charlotte is right, I have an easy life, my family name saves me more than anything else. I am used to having what I want, so is that why I am endlessly pursuing her?

“Maybe you caught her in a bad mood today. Come on, no woman can resist you.” Marcus says and he’s right. The Hart genes favoured me, jet-black hair and striking blue eyes, who won’t want me?

A woman with gray-blue eyes and a feisty attitude, apparently.

Charlotte’s eyes dart once and the moment they land on mine, her face brightens up with a scowl. Before I can say anything, she’s already dragging Jeremy up. Are they leaving because of me?

She walks out of Golden Retreat with Jeremy. The same Jeremy who glances at my side and frowns, while whispering something to her. I am sure the asshole is saying something about me to her.

“That’s the look of a woman who would rather barf than spend the night with you.” Marcus brings out his phone and starts typing, a gleeful smile on his face.

“What are you doing?” I ask with irritation.

“Texting the group chat. Our golden boy, Tristan, just got rejected.” He says. “Damn, Tucker is blowing up the chat demanding to know everything.”

My phone pings with a text and I bring it out to stare at the screen. It’s from Jeremy.

Jeremy: She hates you, that’s for sure.

I groan, nothing about Charlotte Hilton is easy.