Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 62: UNSOLICITED ADVICE ON LOVE

TRISTAN

My tongue kept finding my bottom lip for the rest of the night.

And with each electric stroke, I thought about Laura and the way her tongue had quickly darted out to taste me before Peter showed up and ruined the moment.

It turned out that it was Mr. Steele who had actually asked for me. His intention had been to introduce me to his business associates, and tell them about the merger plans we had underway. But I was not cooperative in the least.

I regretted leaving Laura in the first place. But regret was all I had at the moment. I was reminded of my helplessness as I watched her leave with Harlan later that night. The way she perched on his arm had reminded me of the rumours that flew around, rumours about the supposed romance blooming between them.

Maybe I should have asked Laura about it. Would she tell me the truth? Did she like him? Did she even like me? Or could she possibly be playing both sides?

I mean...she owed me nothing. But it still ached so bad to think that she had anything other than a platonic relationship with Harlan?

Another streak of doubt crossed my mind. Could there really be anything platonic between a man and a woman?

We didn’t leave the party until every other guest had left. Madison’s father had insisted we must be courteous hosts and try to rehearse for what lay ahead of us...what we should expect at the wedding.

I’d been forced to ride home in the same car with Madison because in her words—people were watching and we wouldn’t want to give them the wrong idea.

I could barely stand her these days, especially after she pulled the stunt of finding my mother and sending her an invite to our wedding which I haven’t even really agreed to yet. Without my fucking permission.

God. What have I roped myself into?

The thought of meeting my mother at home unsettled me even more than I appreciated. It irked me because that home was supposed to be a safe place, a haven I could retreat to and hide, especially when things got heavy.

Madison had suggested that she go to the party with us, but I refused because I knew my mother better than anyone, even though I did not spend half of the life I’d lived with her. I knew that she could wreak havoc with just her presence alone, so I insisted that she stayed home.

I’d made it clear that accommodating her in my house was a no-no for me. So just to get her out of my hair, I promised to give her the money she needed, and send her packing.

She wasn’t needed at my wedding. And very much not in my life either.

"Can I sleep in your room tonight?" Madison asked as we alighted from the vehicle.

I ignored her, walking into the house. I could tell she was hurrying after me with all the anger in the world from how her heels clicked and clacked against the marble floors.

"How do you intend to get married to me if you can’t even stand me?"

I whirled so quickly she bumped into my chest. Then I grabbed her shoulders and shoved her back. "So, do you want to call it off? Huh?"

She shrugged me off, her eyes flashing. "I’m not asking for too much! Just regard me with respect when we’re out in public! You don’t have to show the world how much you hate me!"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "I didn’t think you cared about other’s opinions of your desperation."

Her hand moved fast, hitting me hard across my cheek.

My jaw ticked as I took a menacing step close to her. "Try that one more time and you’ll be very sorry."

A heavy silence followed until a quiet chuckle cracked it.

I looked up to see my mother standing in the foyer, a mug in her hand, night robe hanging from her petite frame.

Just the last sight I wanted to see before I went to bed.

She slapped a hand over her mouth when I stared at her too hard and long. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I was just getting coffee."

"It’s alright." Madison quickly stepped around me, a smile lighting up her face. "But coffee? By this time of the night?"

"I just need something warm to sip on while I watch the latest release of Chicago housewives."

"You can just take tea. I’ll get one brewing for you."

I watched the two women exchange a quick kiss before Madison hurried up the short flight of stairs, leaving me standing alone with my mother.

She studied me closely as I made a beeline for the stairs, trying to escape before she roped me into one of her uncomfortable sessions.

"Why are you getting married, again?"

I paused on the first step and turned a glare on her. "Make no mistake. My personal life is none of your business. You might be allowed to stay here for a couple nights, but it does not mean you can get involved in my business."

The corners of her lips quivered in amusement. "I see."

I turned to leave but her words stopped me again. "I know you don’t like her. You like someone else, don’t you?"

My fingers gripped the railing like a vise, because her words were not far from the truth, and I hated her for knowing anything about me when she had been missing from my life for a better part of it.

"I’ll leave you with something to sleep on. You better not get into it if you don’t want it, or you’re going to be living with a shit ton of regrets."

"You know nothing about what I want or not."

"You’re my son, Tristan. I know more than you can imagine."

"You know nothing!"

She winced, stepping closer. "You might want the alliance, but you don’t want Madison Steele. I see the way you look at her, and I see the way you look at the other—"

"You’re absolutely right, mother." Madison suddenly showed up at the balustrade, a cold smile tugging on her lips. "The business is more important to Tristan than anything else. Trust me, I’ve tried. But I just can’t seem to win his heart."

My mother sighed and held her hand out affectionately towards Madison. "I’ll teach you, my child. Did you make me that cup of tea yet?"

"Yes, of course," Madison called back sweetly. "I’ll be right down with it."

Fucking dramatic.

The moment Madison was gone, my mother resumed her unsolicited opinion. "I see the passion that burns in your eyes, Tristan. And I know that look in your eyes, anytime, any day. You better find that woman!"

I decided to ignore my mother and went up the stairs, thinking about the last thing she had said, and was about saying, before Madison showed up and interrupted her.

Discomfort sat like a rock in my chest and I wondered what more she knew about me and the one I liked.

I had just pushed the door to my room open when my phone pinged and the screen lit up with a text from Harlan.

One that made my jaw tighten with suspicion.