Chapter 7–Keep Her Waiting

Tristan’s POV

When Marcus had approached me a few weeks back, I didn’t even know why I agreed when he offered his daughter. We hadn’t even met. 

After my conversation with Abuela, I realized why I did. She needed a granddaughter-in-law. 

I hated the idea of a woman being treated like a transaction. I had a sister, and I’d be damned if I ever let anyone treat her that way. 

Now, it was up to Natasha to decide. 

I stared at my phone before dialing the number. It rang repeatedly, then went straight to voicemail.

I dialed again. It rang once, then twice.

“Hello?” Her voice came through, sleepy.

A slow smile touched my lips. “Natasha.”

“Who is—”

There was a brief pause on the other end. 

“Tristan,” she said. I could hear the irritation creeping into her voice. “How the hell did you get this number?”

Of course that would be the first thing she asked. 

“I told you.” I leaned back in my chair. “I have my ways.”

I could almost picture the annoyance on her face. 

“Yeah, sure, Castillo. What is it that you want this early?” she asked.

“We need to meet.”

 “For what exactly?”

 “To talk,” I replied matter-of-factly. “About your father’s company.”

The silence stretched. 

“You should be having that conversation with him. Not me,” she finally said. 

My gaze darkened. “That would be the logical approach if this were just business.”

“And it isn’t?”

“You know it’s not,” I countered.

She exhaled sharply into the phone. “I haven’t agreed to anything.”

“I’m aware.”

“And yet you’re calling me, why?”

A chuckle left me. “I’m calling you because…”

Why the hell was I calling again?

“Okay?”

“I just think we need to see each other.”

The line went quiet again.

“We saw each other a few days ago,” she said. “Are you saying you’ve forgotten what I look like? Because I’m pretty sure I remember what you look like.”

“Oh. Someone’s been thinking about me.” I got to my feet and walked over to the window. “And yeah, we might have seen each other a few days ago, but my calendar has a forty-eight hour expiration date on good memory.”

“Why are you so…” She groaned. “You know what? Let’s meet.” 

“Meet me at the cafe down Douglas Road,” I said with a grin. “And please, Miss Whitmore, don’t waste my time.”

“Sure. I’ll be there in one hour.”

The call ended.  

I exhaled slowly and left my study.

“Tristan.”  

Abuela's voice cut through the silence of the hallway. 

I stopped, then turned to face her. 

“Good morning, Abuela. How are you doing today?”

“I’m good.”

“Why are you up this early?” I asked as I walked toward her. 

“I should ask you the same thing.”

“You know I have businesses to run, Abuela.” 

“You’re right,” she said. “But sometimes, you need to rest. Take a break from all of it.”

I didn’t say anything. I simply guided her down the stairs. We got to the living area. I helped her sit and crouched in front of her. 

“You’ve been working all your life,” she continued. “And I haven’t even seen you take a break once. It’s always one thing after the other.”

“Abuela, everything I'm doing is for you and Patricia.”

“I know, and I appreciate that. But if you don’t work today, your businesses aren’t going anywhere.” She paused to catch her breath. “And you definitely won’t go broke in a week.”

I glanced at my wristwatch. “I’m sorry, Abuela, but I have a meeting in the next forty-five minutes. I wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.”

Abuela raised an eyebrow. “Her?” 

Shit. I just let that slip

“I mean, a business partner,” I said quickly.

“And who’s this ‘business partner’?” she asked, clearly not letting this conversation go.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “It’s just… business.”

She stared at me longer than necessary. 

“Alright, Tristan. Off you go. We wouldn’t want to keep her waiting, would we?”

“Haha. Thanks, Abuela. Love you.”

She pressed a kiss to my cheeks. “I love you, too.”

I rose, left the living room, climbed into my car, and pulled out of the estate. 

The drive to the cafe was fast. No early morning traffic. 

When I stepped into the cafe, Natasha was already there, waiting. I’d told her not to waste my time, yet I wasted hers.

Our eyes met as she waved at me. 

I walked over to where she was seated and sat across from her.

For a brief second, neither of us spoke. 

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” I said.

She pulled a mocking face. “‘Don’t waste my time’ indeed. Let’s get this over and done with.”

I almost laughed. “Are you always like this?” 

“Like what?”

“This.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean, but when I need to be, yes.”

Silence settled between us. 

“You’re wasting my time,” she said. “I was having my beauty sleep when you interrupted it. So talk.”

The conversation moved quickly after that.

I laid out the terms the same way I would any other deal, the funds, the timeline, what the marriage would look like on paper, and what it wouldn’t. No promises of feelings. No speeches. 

Natasha looked down at the untouched coffee in front of her. Her fingers tightened around the mug before she slowly let go.

She drew in a quiet breath. “…Fine.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Fine?”

She finally looked at me. “I’ll do it.”

“Do what?”

“Marry you.”

The words were steady. But I could sense the resistance underneath them.

“On one condition.”

“Go on.”

“This doesn’t last forever,” she said. “Until my father’s company is stable and out of danger. Once the debts are cleared and operations are secure, this arrangement ends.”

I studied her carefully. “And if it takes longer than expected?”

“So be it,” she replied. “But it ends.”

I leaned back into the chair, watching her calmly.

“I was hoping you’d say yes.”

Her brows pulled together. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“You’ll move into my house after the wedding."

“Where was I supposed to move into before? Your garden?”

I shrugged. “If you’d like that, of course.”

She pressed a palm to her face. “You’re never beating the asshole allegations.”

“Nope. You gave me the name. Might as well start living like one.”

We stared at each other for a moment longer than necessary. She looked away first. 

“And your grandmother?” Natasha asked. “You mentioned her that night. Is she the only reason you’re doing this?”

My expression remained neutral. “She’s one factor. The alliance benefits both sides.”

The silence returned.

She looked back at me. “Okay, so that’s it?”

“Should there be more?” 

She squinted, tilting her head. “This is something that could have been discussed over the phone. If I knew you any better, I’d think you’re in love with me.”

A smile crept onto my face. “Oh, really now?”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“Well. Let’s say I enjoy the look on your face when I get under your skin. It’s oddly… satisfying,” I added with a shrug. 

“You don't even know me.”

“You're right,” I said. "But you've left quite the impression."

“You’re impossible.” She scoffed.

“I’ve been told that’s part of my charm.”

My smile disappeared slowly.

For a split second, I opened my mouth as if to say something, but I stopped myself. Natasha sensed it.

She narrowed her eyes. “What are you not saying?”

I held her gaze. “Nothing you need to worry about right now.”

“Is there something I need to be worried about in the future?” she asked, her voice calm. 

“It doesn’t affect the agreement.”

She stood. “Right. Then I’ll see you when I have to.”

I watched her turn to leave, but she paused.

“And Mr. Castillo,” she said, facing me. “Don’t you call me to meet you this early ever again.”

“No promises,” I said as my grin returned.

“Lord, help me. I don’t think I can deal with this man,” she whispered to herself, but I heard her.

“You’ll get used to it.”

She didn’t look surprised.

“…See, you’re already getting used to it.”

“Goodbye, Tristan,” she said before leaving.

“See you soon, cariño.”