In love with a black belt

Episode 5: Tangled thoughts

The next day at school, Aria barely listened to Mrs. Paterson. Her pen bounced between her fingers as she chewed on the end, staring blankly at her notebook. Half of the things the teacher said didn’t even reach her ears. Her mind was still trapped in last night. The warmth of his arms, the feel of his chest, and the softness of his lips. Damn Tristan… she thought, a shiver running down her spine.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period, and the classroom erupted. Students hurried out, laughing and shouting, eager for lunch. Aria stayed behind, lost in her own thoughts, unmoving.

Lydia came back for her, curious. “Aria? Who got you like this?” she asked with a teasing grin.

Aria blushed and smiled shyly. “Nothing like that… Come on, let’s go.” She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder, following Lydia out to the cafeteria.

Tristan at the Office

Meanwhile, Tristan sat in his office, His shirt white as snow, crisp and bright as if freshly ironed by angels. The nameplate on his desk gleamed: C.E.O. Tristan Cross. His office was breathtaking, with polished wood, glass panels, and elegant furniture.

He opened his laptop and typed a few items, focused at first. His secretary called, reminding him that two employees had arrived for a meeting. He gave the okay, and they entered, the discussion starting smoothly.

But halfway through, his mind drifted. He saw Aria everywhere.Her bright eyes, the curve of her lips, the way her hair shone like honey when she trained. He forced his mind away. She’s a student. She’s just a child… I’m a father of two daughters … what am I thinking?

One of his employees nudged him. “Sir, did you hear what I said?”

Tristan blinked and refocused. “Yes, yes. I was just thinking about your idea for the dojo cafeteria… Healthy meals, a monk-like atmosphere, staff dressed in traditional attire… it’s brilliant. Put it together and present it at the meeting tomorrow. Schedule it. This is exactly the kind of initiative that grows our company. I’m proud of you all.”

A slight headache pressed at his forehead. He drank a glass of water and glanced at a photo of Alice on his desk. Without thinking, he turned it upside down.

His phone rang, and the caller ID showed Veronica. Before he could answer, she walked in. Her seven-inch red heels clicked against the polished floor as her hips swayed with each step. She wore a tight red dress, and her brunette curls bounced with every movement.

Her eyes immediately fell on the photo on his desk. Oh my God… what’s wrong with Tristan? she thought. The picture of her friend was upside down, almost as if he didn’t want to see it. She smiled, convinced that Tristan had noticed her efforts and was finally realizing she was the one for him. Maybe he would marry her for the kids, she imagined.

Tristan looked away, clearly annoyed. He hated how she assumed she owned him.

“Hey, I brought you lunch,” she said, holding a container. “I noticed you didn’t eat breakfast.”

“Thank you,” Tristan replied flatly. “I was busy.”

She waited, expecting more attention, but he already focused back on work. “I’ll eat in a moment. I have something to finish and submit. Thank you,” he said politely.

Veronica left, happy and imagining herself as the future co-owner of the company. Her name would be on every wall. Everyone would soon call her “Madam.”

At the dojo

Aria's POV

I knew how wrong it was for me to think about him this way. He was older than me. He must be married. And last night… that kiss… it felt like a betrayal, yet I couldn’t stop thinking about it. He was so handsome.

The moment he walked into the dojo, all eyes turned to him. He sat at the front with his legs crossed, calm and commanding, facing the class. His daughter sat beside me, looking delicate and perfect. She was younger than me, maybe four or five years, with flawless skin and a quiet confidence that made her shine.

It was time for us to present the characters of karate. Tristan’s deep voice echoed through the room:

“Character. Etiquette. Sincerity.” We recited the words after him, trying to match his tone. I looked at him, hoping he would glance my way, but he avoided my eyes completely.

Later, during training, he ignored me entirely. I had always been the one he chose to demonstrate techniques, but this time, he picked someone else. My chest ached. Why does it hurt so much? I whispered to myself.

Tristan’s POV

She sat next to Isabella, looking beautiful and focused. She was barely older than Isabella herself, only a few years her senior.

Alice, the one I had loved and lost, was gone from my mind. Now it was Aria.

Lord, help me forget this girl, I thought. Why does my heart love her so much? Was it love, or just loneliness? Aria… she is all I want. But we can’t be together.

Parents trusted me with their children. How would it look if anyone knew I felt this way? My heart belongs to Alice. I cannot betray her memory. I cannot betray the trust placed in me.

And yet, every glance at Aria, every movement she made, made my heart ache. I wanted to tell her none of this was her fault, that she had done nothing wrong. But I couldn’t.

During training, I deliberately avoided picking her to demonstrate moves. I chose someone else, hoping distance would calm my mind. But the moment she noticed, the hurt in her eyes struck me sharply. I felt guilty, yet I could not give in.

The dojo, once a place of focus and discipline, had become a battlefield of unspoken emotions.