A lie so dangerous and fragile

CHAPTER THREE

Strangers

NOW

A sudden rage, mixed with something I couldn't identify, surged through me at the information. Tristan was back? All I could think of was running away from Beverly Hills again.

"Hey, relax," Adrian said, placing his hand over mine, which had unknowingly balled into a fist on the table. "I don't think he is going to bother you anyway. He promised to stay away. I just thought you should know," he said, removing his hand and leaning back on the seat.

That was a relief, but I was still uncomfortable with the idea of the Sanchesters being back in Beverly Hills. One of the reasons I had returned here was because Belvina and Adrian had told me the Sanchesters were never coming back.

I took a long draw from my milkshake and tried not to imagine the worst. Adrian had said Tristan promised to stay away, and I hoped that was true. If Tristan came to know about Kayden, I was terrified of what might happen after. What if his family decided to take him away from me? They had enough money to manipulate the law and get custody. They always tried to find a way to get what they wanted even if they had to hurt someone.

I couldn't fully trust Adrian. I remembered Tristan calling me one night two years ago. He'd only said my name and ended the call. I knew Adrian had given him my number, but Tristan never called back again.

"When are you returning to school?" Adrian asked.

"This fall."

School was hard, but the good thing was, I wasn't doing so bad, and I hoped to graduate next year. I would get a better job and be able to provide for Kayden and start a new life in New York. I could avoid Tristan and make sure he never found out about Kayden. If I could keep him a secret from Vina and Adrian for three years, then Tristan wouldn't be a problem.

"If you need help, let me know."

"I don't need any help, Adrian."

Everyone assumed I needed help. I was the source of pity, and I hated the feeling. He gave me a skeptical look. I ignored him, looking down at my cup that was about to go empty.

"Chlo," Jules called while walking to our booth.

"Yeah?"

I stared at her cornrows she'd adorned with wooden beads. I had known her for a few months. Her dark eyes took a glance at Adrian before resting on me.

"Sorry to interrupt your date. I'm leaving. I wanted to know if you had your key."

"Yeah, I do."

"Okay. Good night." She waved at me and Adrian.

We both exchanged a look after she left and burst out laughing. I didn't know why we never corrected her. We talked a little more before we decided to leave.

"Why are you still single?" I asked him during the ride back.

"I should ask you that too," he said, taking a glance at me.

"I have commitment issues, and trust me, I'm loving the single life."

I knew Adrian wouldn't waste a second to tell Tristan about Kayden once I told him. I didn't trust anyone with my secret, except Mrs. Porter.

"Ditto." He sighed, making a U-turn to my street.

I still felt sorry for him about Karen. He'd been seeing random women since the incident and burying himself in work. I assumed it was to distract himself and maybe fill a void.