Beyond Gorgeous

Chapter Two

Scottie

I am back in my place, after almost a month of hovering around my father. It feels... great. My dad, Manang Jocelyn and Kyle were right – I do love my place. If the wine night I had with Chloe and Kyle last night was any indication then I do love it. I was relaxed and had easily fallen back to the routine that I love. I love being alone. I was never a lonely kid and being an only child, I guess, I learned things along the way to distract myself from the silence of a room. In fact, I relish in the silence. Except for the almost constant thought of Eli being in the same soil as I am, flashbacks of our time in Myanmar and what happened after that.

I shake my head to focus on the task at hand. The last time I checked it was six thirty and since I am driving today, I need to be on the road in forty minutes. I am standing in the middle of my walk-in closet, staring blankly at the rack of work clothes – dressed, shirts, skirts and pants. This isn't usually a tricky process. I'm one of those girls who has a schedule in the morning and knew exactly what to do. But apparently, not this morning.

I let out a grunt, loudly, and took a deep breath. I am still thinking of Eli's playful, teasing smile. His accent. His scent. His sounds. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relish on the faded memory of it. If I didn't know any better, I'd think that he was my one who got away. The thought was laughable and crazy, I am crazy. I took the first item of clothing I could grab and placed in on my bed. Shower. A cold shower can ease everything. Maybe not entirely but at least, it can take the back seat because I have a shitload of things to get on top of today. I am presenting a pitch for my father's company next week and I have to make sure the brief was spotless.

I finished dressing up in a black, wrap shirt dress with my black strappy sandals with enough heels. I always put my hair up in the office, it made me more efficient and intact. With minimal makeup, pearl earrings and simple gold watch, I am good to go. The clock on my living room wall says it's ten pass seven and I should really get going. Carrying my handbag and laptop bag, I head to the door and straight to the elevator leading directly to the underground parking lot.

I walked towards my parking spot when a figure, a figure that I am eternally grateful for, showed up next to my car. Not just that, he was carrying a nectar of the gods – coffee.

I smiled and called, "Please tell me that's a triple shot latte..."

"Extra-hot, no whip, extra foam," He finished. His boyish, adorable smile that creates wrinkles at the side of his eyes hit me. It was too early for such charm. He also pulled a bag up and said "with croissants."

I took the coffee from him and pressed a kiss on his cheek. "Attorney Beltran, what am I going to do without you?"

He let out a tiny snicker that would leave junior associates on the floor, panting, in his wake. He simply shrugged and said, "The best part is I am driving you to work."

I sighed and he laughed. I punched him on his arm before hooking my hands on it and we marched towards his car. He opened the door for me and he slid on the driver's seat. The steaming coffee made me hum in contentment and, as if on cue, I realized the time.

"Tristan, it's only seven in the morning. You live one hour away from me, without traffic, and you have coffee and croissants."

He smiled while starting the car and teased, "Good observation, as usual, CEO."

"Stop. Come on, what time did you wake up? If I remembered, you usually report to the firm at nine."

He just smiled and didn't answer, he simply focused on driving and proceeded to asking me mundane questions about VQ. More or less, Tristan woke up at five in the evening, I thought, for me.