Tristan D'Leon's POV
After exiting Dora's pastry shop, I couldn't help but wonder how Kira ended up choosing the shop? Yeah, sure, Dora was the best in the city, but the odds of Kira picking her place were incredibly slim.
Dora wasn't just any business owner; she was my business partner. And considering the type of work I do outside of running a massive corporation, I scam people. To do that, I need beautiful women by my side, women who make it easier to con those wealthy, unsuspecting bastards.
There was no doubt that the women I worked with were into me. They wanted more than just a professional arrangement, but I never gave them what they wanted, only money. That was all they ever got from me. And in Dora's case, the money she used to run her pastry shop? It was mine.
I never mixed business with pleasure. That was my rule. But I knew that if I ever got involved with another woman, it would cause absolute chaos among them. They had this unspoken agreement, if they couldn't have me, then no other woman from outside their group could either. Not that I cared. If I wanted to date, I would, but I wasn't interested in relationships.
Now, the problem was Dora didn't just find out I was involved with another woman, she found out I was married to one. The realization hit me like a freight train. Yeah, if I lose them, i could always find other women, start over, but they wouldn't be like the ones I'd been working with for years. Some of them were even vampires like me but the truth is they can never leave me but would definitely make life a living hell for Jade.
Before I could get too lost in my thoughts, Jade's sharp voice cut through my mental storm.
"Here!" she called, tossing my suitcase at me. "Find your own way back to the office."
I barely caught the suitcase, my brows furrowing in confusion. Jade had already turned toward the car, her back to me, ready to leave.
"What? Why should I?" I demanded, my eyes widening in shock as I grab her right hand before she could yank the car door open. "We came here together, so we should leave together."
Jade let out a sharp scoff and shoved my hand away immediately. Her hands then found their way to her waist, and she turned to face me, fury burning in her eyes.
"Hey! Why don't you go meet up with your bitches?" she snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "There's no point waiting until tonight to meet them at your usual spot. How dare you drag yourself into this marriage when you're already in a relationship? And that bitch in there...how dare she insult me?"
"I'm not in a relationship with her," I said immediately, my voice firm. "She's just bluffing."
Jade let out a frustrated huff, her anger practically radiating off her in waves.
I exhaled heavily, running a hand through my hair. This was turning into a bigger mess than I had anticipated. If Jade left me here, I was doomed. Really doomed. Dora wasn't a vampire, which meant she wouldn't know how to help me if things took a turn for the worse. My only option was to persuade this crazy woman to take me with her.
Jade scoffed again, this time crossing her arms over her chest, her expression filled with disdain.
"You're a good liar, aren't you? Okay fine, turns out you're a playboy, is that?" she sneered. "The whole drama unfolded right before my eyes. It's not like someone had to tell me about it. I'm not about to entertain another one of your stupid games, so meet me at the office. Seems like I'm going to have a discussion with you three husbands tonight at the mansion hence I'm giving you the opportunity to meet up with your bitches this afternoon. Don't bother to come to the office again. Just meet me at the mansion tonight."
With that, she yanked open the car door, fully intending to leave me stranded. But before she could get inside, I slammed the door shut, nearly catching her hand in the process.
SLAP!
A thunderous slap landed on my left cheek. My head snapped slightly to the side from the impact, and I turned back to face her. Jade's face was as red as a live bomb, ready to explode at any second.
"Have you gone crazy?!" she demanded, her voice dripping with fury. "Ho..."
Before she could finish her sentence, I grabbed her by the waist and crushed my lips against hers, silencing her instantly.
This was the best way to shut a woman up after all.
I expected resistance, but instead of pushing me away, Jade melted into the kiss. Her body relaxed against mine, and for a brief moment, she kissed me back.
The chauffeur, who had been watching, quickly turned his gaze away the moment our lips met.
Poor man. He had no idea what was about to befall him, but I could always apologize and compensate him later.
Now, thanks to my little stunt, neither of us would be returning to the company in this car. Jade would soon realize what I had done, and so would the driver. It was either we took a taxi which I could easily pay for or we wait for Kira to send another car, though I doubted Jade had the patience for that. Since Kira had booked the entire pastry shop, Jade hadn't bothered bringing any cash with her.
As if she suddenly realized what she had just done, Jade finally pulled away. Her face was bright red, her cheeks flushed to the color of ripe tomatoes.
Was she blushing?
She was clearly embarrassed.
"What do you think you're doing?" Jade asked, her voice no longer sharp and aggressive but softer, lower. "Using your playboy tactics on me, is it?"
I smirked. "Just what a husband would do to his wifey."
I dipped my hand into my pant pocket, keeping my tone as smooth as possible. "So, will my lovely wifey forgive her husband and let us go back to the company together?"
Jade's eyes narrowed, and she let out a scoff, the kind that screamed, You're going to pay for this later. But instead of arguing, she turned back to the car and got inside.
Without wasting any more time, I followed suit, sliding into the seat beside her. The chauffeur resumed his position at the wheel and attempted to start the car.
The engine roared to life, but when he tried to drive, the vehicle refused to move.
He tried again. Still nothing.
Jade's patience was visibly wearing thin. "What's wrong with the car?" she asked, her brows furrowed in frustration.
"I don't know, ma'am," the chauffeur responded, unbuckling his seatbelt. "I have to check if it's something I can fix." With that, he stepped out of the car, leaving me and Jade alone inside.
"This is so annoying." Jade murmured to herself as she heaved a heavy sigh.
Ping!
Her phone rang, and I managed to glance at the screen before she could pick. It was Kira.
She answered immediately, putting the phone on loud speaker and Kira's voice came through the speaker.
"The meeting is about to start. All the workers are present… and Damon is back."
At the mention of that name, Jade's expression changed. Her eyebrows lifted slightly before her face relaxed, as if she had already expected this.
"I'll be back at the office soon," she said, cutting the call without hesitation.
I studied her carefully. "Is everything okay with you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied dismissively. Then, her gaze shifted toward me, eyes narrowing. "And what's with those black glasses you're always wearing? It's not even sunny today."
I smirked. "I just like them."
Jade scoffed, clearly unimpressed with my answer.
"What's taking so long?" she muttered under her breath before stepping out of the car. I followed her, sensing her growing irritation.
"What's wrong with the car?" she asked, her voice edged with impatience.
Instead of answering, the chauffeur gestured toward the tires. Jade and I followed his gaze.
The car's tires had been blasted.