A Family Affair

We have to do something

My heart booms out of my chest as I keep rereading Tristan's last message. He says he knows I have a secret lover. Does he also know who it is? Of course he does...if he didn't know who it was, how would he know I have a lover in the first place? I start pacing back and forth, my mind turning into an amalgam of what – ifs. Is he bluffing? Bluffing or not, I should reply now, or he'll think he caught me red – handed.

- Excuse me?

- I know you're hiding something or rather someone. I'm going to find out who it is.

- Tristan, I'll remind you of the terms of our deal. You said we both get to be with whoever we want as long as the press doesn't get a whiff of it.

- So you admit it. You have a secret lover.

- That's it, I'm done playing games with you.

- Well, I'm not. I like taunting you, sweetheart!

Just when I thought my life was finally getting easier.

Two weeks later. I'm in front of my mirror checking my outfit. I make a twirl, but when my eyes and on the man lying on the bed with his hands under his head, my breath catches.

- Does that frown mean you don't like my clothes?

- Your outfit is stunning. That's not what's bothering me.

I sit on the edge of the bed.

- I'm sorry I keep asking you to meet me at the hotel, but I've become paranoid since Tristan played detective on me.

- I don't like that he keeps disturbing you almost every day.

- It's fine, it's just text messages and phone calls I send to voicemail. At least I didn't have to see his face again after the impromptu visit to my apartment two weeks ago.

- Why don't you just block him?

- I don't want to aggravate him. Besides we're still engaged.

His jaw clenches tight, and I wish I could take back my words.

- I know you're engaged, Ella. I don't need a reminder.

- Sorry.

He lets out a huff, fixing his eyes on the ceiling.

- Instead of lying there sulking, why don't you come here and give me a kiss?

He glares at me. I bat my eyelashes innocently, and one corner of his mouth tilts up.

- You'll be the death of me, angel.

He sits up and pulls me by the waist so that I straddle him.

- Elijah! My dress!

- Don't worry, I'm taking it off soon.

- But I...

He cuts me off with a kiss, and I quickly forget what I were going to say.

After the sex I had with Elijah, I remembered why I was dressed, I had to go to job. At the studio, I found an artist.

- You're the best, Ella! I really appreciate you helping me with my songs while Sadie's off promoting her album.

- Of course! You know I love working with you.

- Have you heard from her?

- Her concert in LA was a big success! She's coming home tonight, and she leaves again in another three days.