Chapter 7–Keep Her Waiting

Tristan’s POV

I stared at my phone before dialing the number.

It rang repeatedly, then straight to voicemail.

I dialed again. It rang once. Twice.

“Hello?” Her voice came through, sleepy.

A faint smile touched my lips.

“Natasha.”

“Who is—“

There was a 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 replied smoothly, leaning 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.”

Silence followed.

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

My gaze darkened slightly.

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

“And it isn’t?”

“You know it’s not,” I said.

She let out a quiet breath. Not frustration or acceptance.

“I haven’t agreed to anything."

“I’m aware.”

“And yet you’re calling me, why?”

A faint chuckle escaped me. “I’m calling you because you will.”

The line went silent again.

I knew she was still there.

“Feeling confident, aren’t you?” She said finally.

“Maybe.”

“Fine,” she said at last. “We will meet.”

“Meet me at the cafe down Douglas Road,” I said.

“Sure. I’ll be there in one hour.”

The call went off.

My memory drifted to the night on the yacht—the tension between us. The way her body trembled against the wind. The almost-kiss I hadn’t quite managed to forget.

This shouldn’t even bother me. It’s nothing. Just business.

I exhaled slowly, forcing the image out. “Focus, Tristan.”

I stood up, pushing away from the desk, jaw tight as I left my study.

“Tristan.”

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

I paused, then turned to face her.

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

“I’m fine.”

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

“I should ask you the same thing.”

I let out a short laugh. “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 as I guided her down the stairs.

We got to the living area. I helped her sit on one of the sofas as I 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. “…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.”

“Her?” She asked as amusement crept into her voice.

Shit. Did I just let that slip?

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

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

I sighed. “It’s complicated, Abuela. But I promise to fill you in soon.”

She stared at me longer than necessary.

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

I let out a quiet laugh. “Thanks. Love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said as she kissed my cheek.

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

When I stepped into the cafe, Natasha was already there, waiting.

Our eyes met instantly as she waved at me.

I walked closer, toward the area she was seated.

I took the seat across from her.

For a brief second, neither of us spoke.

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

“It’s okay. Let’s get this over and done with.”

“Are you always this direct?” I asked.

“When I need to be, yes,” she replied evenly.

Silence settled again, but it wasn’t empty.

It stretched between us, filled with something heavier than words.

“I don’t like wasting my time,” she spoke first.

“Neither do I.”

“So talk.”

The conversation moved quickly after that.

I explained things to her.

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.”

My eyes narrowed slightly. “Fine?”

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

“Do what?”

“Marry you.”

The words were steady. But I could sense the resistance beneath 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 watched her for a long moment. A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

“I was hoping you’d say yes.”

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

“Acceptable,” I said finally. “You’ll move into my house after the wedding. In return, I’ll transfer the first allocation of funds immediately. I’ll have the papers sent to you.”

“Where was I supposed to move into before?”

I chuckled. “Fair enough.”

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. “This is something that could have been discussed over the phone,” she said slowly, tilting her head. “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,” I added casually. “Let’s say I enjoy the look on your face when I get under your skin. It’s oddly… satisfying.”

"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 faltered.

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.”

Her expression hardened slightly.

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

There was something off about her tone.

I watched her as she turned to leave, then she paused.

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

“No promises,” I said as my grin grew wider.

She sighed. “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, finally leaving.

“See you soon, cariño.”