Chapter 8: Cold Stare

Gabriel, Tristan's best friend, decides to pay his friend a surprise visit, since it's been weeks since they've seen each other because he also busy managing their business.

With his usual cool looks, he strolls through the office, exchanging friendly greetings with the employees who recognize him. His charisma is also legendary wherever he goes that's why he doesn't understand why Sandra, his fiancée's blood always boils when it comes to him.

He's known Tristan for years and is a familiar face around the office. They're indeed a best buddy especially when it comes on hunting women for fun. With a casual grin on his face, he approaches Tristan's office, ready to catch up with his friend.

Gabriel swings open the door to Tristan's office, expecting to see his friend immersed in work like usual. He really knows how workaholic he is. But instead he finds something that makes him stop dead on the ground with a surprised look on his face.

Tristan cornering Samantha against the wall. The room is tense, and both Tristan and Samantha look surprised and uncomfortable.

"O-kay?" Samantha immediately push Tristan away from her and adjusted the skirt she's wearing.

"I-I didn't mean to interrupt..." he trails off, unsure of how to handle the situation. Samantha quickly sidesteps more from Tristan, a blush spreading across her face.

"H-Hi!" Samantha even tried to wave his hand, though she doesn't know the guy. Tristan clears his throat. Gabriel raises an eyebrow.

" I just came by to catch up, but it seems like you're busy," he says, trying to lighten the mood. Samantha gives Gabriel a grateful smile, hoping that he's not making a big deal out of the situation.

"N-No! By the way, I am Tristan's new secretary and h-his stepsister." Gabriel titled his head trying to remember where he saw Samantha.

"Oh, yeah! I already saw you on your mother's wedding. Great to see you again. I'm Gabriel." He's about to extend his hand but Tristan speaks.

"Samantha, just come back here later. You may familiarize yourself to the place first. Gabriel and I would have some conversations."

"Ah, s-sure!" Samantha hurriedly said, leaving the two men. Tristan lets out a sigh and runs his hands through his hair as if it was bothering him.

Gabriel and Tristan sit across from each other, sipping their coffees. Gabriel is the one who breaks the silence. He has a mischievous grin on his face, clearly enjoying the opportunity to tease his friend.

"Hmm... Don't you have something to tell me, Tristan?" he begins, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Care to explain what I just witnessed over there, bro?" Tristan's lips first turned into a small 'O' then he sighs, rolling his eyes at his friend's teasing. He already knows what's running in his friend's mind.

"Look, I don't want to talk about this. And there's nothing to explain." Tristan takes another sip of his drink. Gabriel puts his cup down, crossing his arms and looking at his best friend expectantly.

"You know, Tristan," he says.

"I'm not as clueless as you think," he added causes Tristan to feel a little bit nervous. Thinking if his friend know about his past with Samantha though he doesn't talk about it with him.

"It was obvious you were flirting with your stepsister, Tristan!"

"Tsk! What are you talking about Gabriel Wilson? There's nothing flirtatious about what you've seen." Gabriel rolls his eyes at Tristan's denial and continues to say.

"Come on, I'm your best friend, I already known you for—"

"Shut up, bro! We are family and family don't fuck or flirt with each other." Gabriel raised an eyebrow at Tristan and took a deep breath.

"You have a point. Sheesh! Sorry, bro. What if I make her my fling?" Tristan's face turned serious.

"You better not, Gabriel."

"Wow! Easy, bro. The way you look at me seems like you're gonna kick me through the window of your office."

"Whatever, Gabriel. I am just concerned what her mother would think if you pursue your plan. I'm the one whom asked her mother to look after her. Since I'm her step-brother and I'm older than her." Gabriel gave Tristan an incredulous stare and burst out laughing.

"Really, huh? Okay, then... You are now the perfect stepbrother," he said between laughter, while holding his stomach. Tristan rolled his eyes.

After sometime, Gabriel bid his goodbye to Tristan. He then wait for her to comeback as what they had talked earlier. His brows started to furrow as time passes by, and he was getting impatient when her finally walked out of the office with a frown on her face.

"Tsk! Don't tell me she's enjoying being a tourist here in my company?" he muttered to himself.

As he walked down the corridor, his gaze fell on Samantha. She was surrounded by a group of her male colleagues, her laughter echoing through the hallway. For the meantime he couldn't help but stare at her.

She looked absolutely gorgeous. Her eyes sparkling with joy. Tristan couldn't help but stop in his tracks, a strange feeling washing over him. But then there's a part of him that can't take seeing him happily interacting with other men, so he decided to walk towards them while wearing his cold stare.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his voice louder than he intended. The group turned towards him, their laughter fading away. Samantha's eyes also darted at him.

"Hm, we are talking?" she even say with a cocky tone. It annoyed him more. The fact that she wasn't bothered by his presence only irritated him further.

Tristan looked at her, his gaze hard. He couldn't explain why, but seeing her so happy with her employees made him feel a pang of discomfort.

"We are just having some chat with each other, Sir. It's surprising that Ms. Samantha is not just a pretty lady, she's also an approachable one," one of the guys spoke up.

"Break's over, everyone," he said, his voice stern as Samantha's eyes turned wide open when Tristan grabbed her wrist and they began walking there away.