Tristan took a long sigh with a slight smile carved on his lips. He stared at the bouquet that Summer gave to him then, his cheeks heated up.
There was this tingling sensation felt on his stomach up to his chest and his smile became wider as he reminisce their rendezvous. The bouquet was really a big deal to him, too sentimental.
"Tristan! Tristan!" His happy face turned into a frown as Trish's voice echoed outside his room. "TRISTAN!"
He gently put down the bouquet beside the lampshade first, then he stood up and irritatedly opened his door. "What?!"
Trish turned to him, her expression was unexplainable. Her brows were knitted and her lips were trembly. Her teary eyes gazed down and she started to fidget her thumbs as she came closer to Tristan. "Mom... Is coming home soon."
"Yeah? What about it?"
Trish lifted her head with a desperate look on her face. "Let's do something to delay her!"
"What?"
"Let's delay her flight or much better, prevent it!"
"HAH?! Are you crazy? How are we gonna do that?"
"I don't know? A-Anything! Uhm. W-We can use our connection!" Trish seriously suggested but Tristan just raised his brow at her.
"Mhm. That's possible if you can connect with Harry Potter and tell him to cast a spell on mom's plane. Or Thor, to create some thunder and cancel her flight."
"Tristan, I'm serious!"
"I know. I am, too... It's not that easy to delay a flight. Anyway, Why you don't want her to come home? Don't you miss her?" Tristan asked in a disappointed tone. Trish was silent for a moment and her eyes were averted.
Again, a little anger started to fill him up. Although he already gave up on chasing his mother's attention and didn't bother himself to be hurt about it anymore, he still hated it if Trish was being unappreciative of the affection that their mother showering her.
Like, if he was she... He probably planning something for her homecoming. Though he also understands that she just wanted to enjoy her freedom and solitude first, still, she shouldn't be acting like this.
"I-I do... It-It's just that..." Trish stuttered.
"That, what?"
"Mom... Is bringing her friend. She is a doctor, Tristan!" Trish drooped her shoulder and was restless. "She will bring her here to check me because she no longer trusts the results that my current doctor was giving her... If that happens... Everything... Everything will be over... My latitude... Our plan... All of it!"
Tristan saw Trish starting to shed tears and was biting her lower lip to suppress her sobs.
"Tristan... I can't bribe that doctor. I can't distort her results."
"Isn't that a good idea?" Tristan remarked which made her flinch. She snapped her head to look at him, dumbfounded by his statement.
"W-What?"
"Trish, listen." Tristan came closer, then he rested his hands on her shoulders. "Maybe it's time to tell her the truth and stand for what you really want. Speak to her and express your true self"
"Tristan, I can't..." Trish's voice started to crack up and her tears streamed down to her cheeks.
"You can, Trish... I know you're brave... You hated this path, so you must do something to change your journey."
"B-But―" Trish was cut off as Tristan hugged her tightly.
"Choose the road that you'll enjoy and would never regret taking... Think it over... It's not too late for a detour." Tristan told then he loosened his hold. He faced Trish then slightly smiled. "I don't want you to go after my footsteps."
"T-Tristan..." Trish was touched by her brother's words. She softly smile as she felt relieved. "I... I'll think about it."
"Yes, you should. Now, have some rest."
"Okay."
"Sir, Tristan." They both looked at the maid. "Your grandma called and she wants to talk to you."
Tristan was a bit surprised at the sudden call from his grandmother. He barely receive one unless it was something related to the company or an important matter. Now, his thoughts were clouded by the possible mistakes he did to be called at this hour.
His hands were cold and he was hesitating to pick up the hung telephone. He calmed himself and took a deep breath, then he lifted the phone and put it near to his ear. "M-Ms. President?"
[Oh, this lad... We're not at the company. Drop it, Tristan.]
His grandmother chuckled. Tristan was confused at the mood of their converse. He wasn't used to her bubbly side.
"I-I'm sorry, grandma... Uh. You called for me?"
[Ah, yes. I want you to go with me tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Tristan looked at the calendar above the telephone. "Where—Oh..."
Tristan paused for a moment as he realized the date for tomorrow. Now, he understand a bit what the purpose of his grandmother's call and anticipated where they are going.
But of all people, why him? Well, though he was a little pleased, he's still wondering.
Tristan faintly sighed, gradually pacifying the skipping beats of his heart. "All right"
[Very well... I'll pick you up in the morning.]
His grandmother told then hung up. He confusedly put down the phone and thought,
'What did she eat today? I hope she'll eat it every day. Should I request it to Sec. Lim?'
.
.
.
The day was so bright. The trees were gently swaying and the chirping of the birds made it feel more pleasant and calming.
Tristan gazed down to his grandmother as she lit the two white candles, then she wiped off the few leaves on top of a gravestone.
"It's our first time visiting him together, aren't we?" Lauren—his grandmother—told Tristan while arranging the bouquet. "I'm pretty sure he is glad up there."
Tristan remained silent as he noticed her trembly voice. Her hand was shaking, and her tears starting to stream down.
Lauren caressed the name written on the tombstone, 'Timothy Fuentavilla'.
"How are you, son?" she started.
"It's been a while... I'm sorry, mom couldn't visit you so often... Mom was kinda busy lately." Lauren wiped her tears.
"Don't you think this day is quite special? I brought someone with me to celebrate your death anniversary... I'm celebrating with your precious son... He grew up well... And you know what? He was like your clone. He inherited everything including your annoying attitudes. Haha." Lauren laughed bitterly. Tristan was just staring at his grandmother, quietly listening to her sobs.
"Son... Mom m-miss you so much... I-I miss you my baby" Lauren burst out her suppressed grief and wept. She was barely breathing while letting out several sobs.
She gripped onto her aching chest, suffocated by the extreme pain with endless regrets.
Tristan watched his grandmother wail in front of his father's tombstone. He witnessed the overflowing suffering and great misery of a repentant and longing mother. Every whimper echoed to his ears and it gave him chills and impactful empathy.
He kneeled down then rested his hand on top of her shoulder, comforting her with a simple gesture. Lauren glanced at him and weakly smiled. They were not exchanging words but their eyes conveyed a thousand emotions.
Lauren glanced back to Timothy's gravestone and just sat there, continuously crying. Tristan was also beside her, comforting his grandmother until she felt better.
After a while, they silently walked towards their car. Lauren peeked at her quiet grandson. She cleared her throat which got his attention.
"How's your mother?" Lauren started that put him into deep silence; quieter than earlier. "Well. I think it's not fine?"
"Uh. N-No... It's fine. She's fine... Uh, She's communicating with Trish regularly... So, I think she's fine. Yes, she definitely is" Tristan responded. Lauren sighed and opened the car's door as they arrived in front of it.
"Why Trish? Is she not contacting you?" Lauren asked which paused him. Lauren sensed his gloom the way his gaze lowered.
"She is... At least once in a while. Uhm. She was just making sure if I'm doing the job well." Tristan answered as he got into the car. Lauren also got into the driver's seat and didn't talk anymore.
After a few minutes, Lauren stopped in front of a fancy restaurant. She glanced at Tristan.
"Did you have breakfast?"
Tristan shook his head. "I just drank some hot mocha."
"Mhm. Let's go" Lauren immediately fixed herself then got off but she paused for a while and looked at Tristan. "Don't forget to wear your mask."
Tristan just nodded then followed her after wearing his mask and tying his hair up. As they entered, they occupied the table at the left corner where there are very few people around.
Even though people are busy eating or chitchatting, there might be a possibility that they'll notice Tristan. So, being cautious is a must.
A man in a suit—with a small notebook, a pen, and a menu in his hand—approached them with a genuine smile then he put down the menu on their table.
Lauren smiled back, then her swollen eyes started to scan the menu as she flipped each page. "Uhm. Can I have some Steamed Salmon with Egg, please."
"Green pasta with bread, for me." Tristan smiled. The waiter then left politely after taking down their orders.
Lauren glanced at Tristan and stared at him worriedly. "Are you still upset with her?"
Tristan confusedly looked at Lauren. "With whom?"
"Your mother."
"No? Why would I?"
"Well, it's just too obvious the way you answered my questions. The last time I heard, you've fought before she leave... Have you not made up yet?"
Tristan averted his eyes and became quiet again. He didn't know what to say. Have they been made up? Well, do they need to make up? Was his mother ever wanted to make up with him?
He doubts that... She didn't even care about him. So, their misunderstanding wasn't a big deal to her. Why would he bother himself to be upset about it, too?
"We don't need that." he responded.
Lauren was blankly staring at him. "And that's why your relationship is getting worse."
"I don't think it will get better either."
"Well... When you did your best and it didn't work out at the moment doesn't mean it won't also work in the future."
Tristan's brows furrowed at what Lauren said.
"W--What do you mean?"
"I mean... Give your mother more time to realize things. I know she's quite dense, but trust it... Your efforts will reach her soon." Lauren seriously told.
"There is no mother who doesn't love her child, Tristan... If there is one then, she's not a mother but a foolish monster.." Lauren added as she glanced at the server, putting down their orders.
"She's a half-monster and a mother then? 'Cause, she loves Trish but she doesn't love me."
Lauren instantly chortled at Tristan's blunt statement. She couldn't resist his hilarious serious expression while saying those words. "Oh, dear... You also got your father's humor."
Tristan just knitted his forehead even more which Lauren immediately flicked.
"Silly. She is not a halfling... You may not believe this but, I'm sure your mother loves you, too."
"I understand you're just trying to help us made up but, you don't really have to do that grandma. I'm used to it, so does she... And I already accept it."
Lauren momentarily smiled as she slowly sliced her salmon using the table knife. She gently ate the piece of it after and munched gracefully.
"I made a mistake and I realized it later... It was too late that I completely lost my son. Which, I deeply regret now.." Lauren rested down her spoon and knife.
"What I'm trying to say is, even a mother has flaws that a child could misunderstand... And that misunderstanding could build a wall in between. And, that wall will become sturdy and would be impossible to crush down." Lauren added that shut Tristan up.
Tristan couldn't utter a word. His grandmother was conveying it calmly but he could feel the heavy emotions wrapped around her statement, it was so intense that he couldn't even bring himself to have some bite of his food.
"Communication is very important, Tristan." Lauren weakly locked her gaze at his.
"Words are free, my grandson... You can say anything whenever you want. So, if you need to explain and express it all a thousand times, do it... Until she perceived everything."
Tristan fell silent. Those words sank into him and were now jumbled in his head.
Could there really be a chance that his mother will understand and realize his needs? Will she really notice if he will express it one more time?
Is it really not too late for him?
"W-Why..." Lauren glanced at Tristan, waiting for his next words. "Why are you telling me this?"
Lauren paused for a moment and then she smiled after. "I just can't afford to see the past repeat itself."
***
[Next Chapter Teaser:]
Summer and Melissa paused for a moment as they saw Heidi briskly walk towards them. Summer was about to stand up to greet her but before she could open her mouth, a walloped slap from Heidi redden her right cheek...
"What ar—"
"You damn ruined me!" Heidi hollered.