But day by day, he acted as if he could control everything just because he was a few years older than her. He had a stoic expression on his face and acted all high and mighty at home, not even allowing her to sleep in. He had messed up Cecilia's biological clock, causing her to wake up on her own at a little past 7:50 am, making her really unhappy.
She cleared her throat and said, "Since Grandpa called and asked us to go back, as a junior, of course, I can't refuse. But in Grandpa's eyes, we are a loving couple, whereas in reality we have no feelings for each other. Moreover, in the previous two visits, it was only me who was acting. I couldn't feel any sincerity from you, let alone fool Grandpa."
As soon as Tristan saw the mischievous glint in her eyes, he knew she had come up with some twisted plan.
"What do you want then?" he asked.
Cecilia corrected him, "It's not about what I want, it's for better acting. You have to cooperate with me and do as I say."
Tristan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? How do you want to act?"
Cecilia rested her chin in her hand and said, "For example, when I make this move, you should compliment my beauty. Let's practice now, you can start complimenting me."
"... "
Tristan furrowed his brows, at a loss for words as he looked at her.
Cecilia stared at him, a surge of nameless anger rising in her chest, glaring at him indignantly.
"What kind of look is that? I was trying to help you, and your expression really shook my confidence. Thankfully I..."
She had originally wanted to say thankfully she knew she was beautiful enough not to doubt her own attractiveness because of his reaction. But before she could finish her sentence, Tristan suddenly leaned in, his slender fingers gripping her chin as he pressed his face close to hers. Their noses lightly brushed against each other, and her gaze was drawn into his deep, captivating eyes.
Warm breath sprayed against her nose, and Cecilia faintly heard the sound of her own heartbeat, unsure if it was a trick of her imagination.
Never before in her life had she been this close to a member of the opposite sex, and she instantly panicked. Pushing her hands against Tristan's shoulders, she tried to push him away and turned her head to evade.
Tristan chuckled softly, his eyes following her face. His voice, magnetic and deep, resounded, "Do you feel my affection now?"
Title:Forbidden Desires
His eyelashes drooped slightly, casting a faint shadow on his eyelids. A beam of light poured in through the glass window, passing through his hair, as his deep gaze focused on her. It was as if he was speaking of his profound affection, unintentionally captivating her. His thumb lightly stroked her chin, creating an indescribable ambiguity that made Cecilia Sterling's heart tremble.
Tristan Harrington observed the expressions on her fair face, which ranged from initial disdain for his inability to praise her to a mixture of bewilderment and confusion. There was a slight upward curve at the corner of his lips. She was a pampered young lady, who appeared sharp-tongued and quick-witted. When she was truly genuine, her purity surpassed even the snow.
For a brief moment, the air became heavy. A low and soft laughter reached her ears. Cecilia regained her senses and pushed him away, stepping back a few paces. She looked at him, her breathing uneven.
He tilted his head, lightly tapping his fingers on his knee, displaying a languid posture. He gazed at her with a smile that was both ambiguous and elusive, saying, "Are you satisfied?"
Cecilia didn't understand what he meant. Squinting her eyes, she watched him in confusion.
"Or do you think that what just happened wasn't enough, not intimate enough to deceive Mr. Harrington?" His eyebrows raised slightly, beckoning her with a wave of his hand. "Come here."
Come over?
Come over for what? Like what just happened?
The memory of the man's scorching breath against her face made her cheeks flush. She took a few more steps back, avoiding his frivolous gaze. In her heart, she cursed him as a rogue, refusing to admit defeat. "You did well. Wait for me upstairs while I change my clothes."
After saying that, she hurriedly ran upstairs.
Sitting on the sofa in the dressing room, Cecilia touched her burning cheeks and took a deep breath to calm herself down.
What a failed attempt at being clever. She had initially wanted to see Tristan embarrassed, but she hadn't expected him to act so convincingly. If he were to enter the entertainment industry, he would definitely win an Oscar.
An hour later, Cecilia finished her makeup and came downstairs. She saw the man sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine, and noticed that he had changed his clothes into casual jeans. He appeared several years younger than his usual suited and booted self. She was also wearing jeans, making them look like a pair in matching outfits.
"I'm ready, let's go."
Today, the driver was absent as well, so Tristan drove. The Harrington Family's mansion was located on the eastern side of Silver City, about an hour and a half's drive from the city center. Cecilia soon started feeling drowsy and leaned her head against the seat, falling asleep.
The car was quiet, and along the way, Tristan kept glancing at her several times.
Because they were going to meet Mr. Harrington, Cecilia specifically chose a light purple blouse with a doll collar, paired with denim overalls. She tied her hair into a bun, with her fair skin, smooth forehead, and youthful vibrancy.
The car entered the villa area, and the scenery on both sides of the road was exquisite. The iconic red maple leaves of Silver City rustled in the wind. Tristan parked the car by the roadside and turned his head. He poked her slightly flushed cheek with his finger.
Cecilia was sound asleep and suddenly awakened by him. When she opened her eyes, her watery eyes were still filled with sleepiness.
"We're almost there. We're going to pick fruits," he said.
Mr. Harrington lacked nothing. He had a house full of housekeepers and maids taking care of him. Tristan rarely bought anything when he returned to the old house himself. But Cecilia always liked to buy some fruits to bring back whenever she came with him. Mr. Harrington enjoyed it.
Cecilia looked up and glanced out of the car window. They were just one road away from Harrington's House. She took out her compact powder from her bag and said, "I'll touch up my makeup."
Tristan replied, "I'll go and buy while you wait in the car."
"No, I need to personally choose the gifts for Grandpa," Cecilia insisted. She couldn't miss the opportunity to impress Mr. Harrington.
She held her powder puff and quickly pressed it against her face in front of the mirror, then got out of the car and walked around the front to stand in front of him. She tugged at his sleeve, preventing him from leaving, and turned her back to him to continue her touch-up.
Tristan understood her little trick and didn't say anything. He just stood there and waited for her.
Cecilia took out an orangey-red lipstick, applied it to her lips, puckered them, put her makeup back into her bag, and lifted her head to tell Tristan, "Okay, let's go."
Tristan glanced at her face for a few seconds, making Cecilia think that there might be something wrong with her makeup. But he casually shifted his gaze away, as if nothing had happened, and started walking ahead.
Cecilia took out a small mirror, checked her makeup, and found everything perfect with no flaws. She wondered why he had stared at her face for so long. Did he think she wasted his precious time by touching up her makeup?
Without dwelling on it, Cecilia jogged to catch up with his steps and entered a fruit supermarket with him.
Cecilia chose a few fruits and had the store owner pack them in a basket. There was a newly opened flower shop nearby, so she went in and bought a large bunch of lilies.
The car drove directly into the Harrington Family yard, and from a distance, they could see Mr. Harrington in a wheelchair, standing in the small garden.
Mr. Harrington was wearing sunglasses and waving happily at them. He seemed to be in good spirits.
Tristan parked the car and went to the trunk to fetch the fruit basket. Cecilia ran up to Mr Harrington, her eyes slightly curved as she greeted, "Hello, Grandpa."
Mr Harrington leaned on his sunglasses and smiled, saying, "Well, who is this beautiful young lady? I must take a good look."