Two

William

Tristan Richmond.

His name alone was enough to light a firestorm of memories—each one more infuriating than the last. I stared at him, disbelief warring with the deep-seated anger that surged through me like poison.

Of all the people to run into, of all the places in the world, why did it have to be him?

He was Caleb's older brother, and my sworn freaking enemy.

Back in college when my relationship with Caleb was still new and fresh, I met him for the holidays the first time i stayed over. As Caleb's older brother I hoped he would give approval for our relationship. I treated him nicely, constantly trying to impress him and get on his good side and become his friend.

All I got in return was coldness. He dismissed my attempts at friendship harshly and i* ores me otherwise, never failing to remind me of how much he disapproved of our relationship.

At first I was confused constantly wondering what I had to do right but It was the intense stares he would give whenever he saw us together that tipped me off.

Of course. It was clear what he thought of people like me and relationships like ours.

So I gave up and things fell into place. Without any more pretenses our enmity fell into place. Whenever we crossed paths, it was always an exchange of barbs, arguments and an overwhelming struggle to not try clawing his brains out. The last time I saw him was years ago before Caleb moved out with me.

So what the hell was he doing here?

I stood straighter as he approached me glaring at him.

“Tristan Richmond, fancy seeing you here,” I said in a fake casual voice

“I could say the same about you William,” Tristan said, smiling in a smug way, “I always wondered where you left after your escapade with Caleb.”

My hackles ride. He was calling a decade long relationship with five tears an ‘escapade?’

Now I really wanted to hit him.

“Well people grow up and change. I had to .”

“I can see,” he said, “Im wondering why it took you so long to

“Well I’m wondering why the hell you're here.” I spat out no longer playing.

A part of me was hoping for his reaction to be visceral, to get under his skin the way he managed to get under mine.

But the only thing was smirk wider

“Why do you think so?” He asked.

There was no way he could be acting this smug unless…no.

The puzzle pieces sank into place and I understood. Was he representing Yarrus?

I remembered that even back then, Caleb had told me Tristan was involved in this same industry as well but that was a mystery to me. I didn't know anything else.

Life was playing a sick joke on me. I returned home to let go of everything Caleb related only to face this man again.

The one person I hoped to never meet again I'd reunited with now as a rival in business.

Clenching my jaw to compose myself I refused to give anything away.

“Stay out of my way Tristan,” I warned, “Don’t get in my way of my deal.”

“And what would you do if I dare to?” He asked raising his eyebrow.

 I glared at him, keeping up the staring match against his.

“Mr Bracknell?” A voice called out forcing me to snap out of it. I turned to find the secretary flitting between us, focused on me.

I twisted away from him, rushing towards the office she directed me to.

“Yes?” I asked eagerly,

“I'm so sorry. I've just been informed that the CEO has taken a lunch break. All meetings have been suspended for now.” she smiled apologetically and my heart fell.

“No worries,” I tried to muster a confident smile but it felt fake. I turned back to find Tristan gone and clenched my jaw in frustration.

…

Hours later, I walked out of Terra Cooperation empty-handed, frustration gnawing at every nerve. I’d wasted the entire day waiting for a meeting that never came. The receptionist’s pitying look as I left only made it worse.

How did everything spiral so completely out of control?

I was certain Tristan had something to do with this. It reeked of him. Had he already struck a deal while I was left chasing shadows? The thought made me want to punch a wall.

Desperate for something anything to take the edge off, I ducked into the nearest bar. I didn’t pay attention to who was around me, my focus solely on ordering the strongest drink they had.

I slid onto a stool, shoulders heavy, until a voice cut through the dull hum of the bar.

“Well, that’s what failure looks like.”

The glass froze halfway to my lips. That smug familiar voice, infuriating. Slowly, I turned my head, and there he was… again. Tristan. Sitting beside me, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips.

“You bastard,” I hissed, the words escaping before I could stop them.

He raised his glass in mock salute, clearly savoring my anger. “Took you long enough to notice me.”