Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Five: Celeste's Interrogation

Chapter 195

Celeste’s Interrogation

Tristan arrived home from work, dropped off his briefcase and Oliver, and got ready for Jasper to take him out. He straightened his suit jacket and checked out his outfit. He heard a car rolling into the driveway, and then someone knocked on the door. Tristan heaved a deep sigh and went to the door. When he opened it, he saw Jasper standing in the doorway. He wore a brown three-piece suit, a white pressed shirt, a bright yellow tie, and brown whole cut Oxfords. He carried a bouquet of roses and handed it to Tristan. Tristan smiled, accepted the flowers, and inhaled them.

Tristan: “Thank you, Jasper, these are beautiful.”

He placed the flowers into a vase in the kitchen.

Jasper: “Are you ready to go?”

Tristan turned to him with a smile.

Tristan: “As always.”

He stepped out of his house.

Jasper placed his hand at the small of Tristan’s back as he led him to his yellow Volkswagen Beetle. He opened the passenger door for Tristan. Tristan thanked him and stepped in. Jasper strolled to the driver’s side, climbed in, and drove down the driveway. Tristan winced at how cramped he felt in the car. He glanced at Jasper driving and forced a smile. Well, Jasper is so short, so this car is ideal for him, he thought.

~

Minerva walked down the hall with Alfie following her. She wore a blue blazer with black trim, a blue pencil skirt, black nylons, and black heels. He stood before the two large black doors, the word “Conference Room” in black letters on a gold plate.

Minerva: “You wait here.”

She ordered Alfie.

Alfie: “Y-Yes, M-Ma’am.”

He swallowed hard.

She entered the room and took her seat on the left, near the end of the table, with Ichiro to her left and Stefano to her right. Stefano glowered at Minerva and Ichiro. Ilias stepped into the room wearing a tweed maroon suit and smoking a Cuban cigar. His assistant, Josie McKenzie, followed him. He took a seat at the end of the table and inhaled a long drag.

~

Dr. Govinda Anand strolled down the corridor. He wore a teal button-up shirt, khaki shorts, thick, rosy brown knee socks, and brown loafers. As he walked down the foyer, he stood before the conference room, swiped his key card, and entered. Jordi stood near a potted plant, watching him from the corner. Jordi twisted his mouth at Alfie; he hovered around the door. Jordi had to be there to listen to their conversation and had a hunch this meeting was about what happened at the Pink Flamingo Mall.

Jordi swiftly maneuvered around and went to the door. Alfie smiled at him.

Alfie: “Hello, Jordi! Minerva is in the conference room now! She should be out any minute now.”

He said genially. Jordi forced a smile and gave a thumbs-up.

Jordi: “Hahahaha, great.”

He stood near the door and listened on.

Alfie: “Are you doing anything special for the holidays?”

He asked him. Jordi forced a smile and wished he would leave.

Jordi: “Ah, just staying home and hoping I don’t lose my sanity.”

He muttered.

Alfie: “I hope Minerva invites me to the ski lodge. I would love to see her skiing tights.”

He bit his bottom lip. Jordi groaned and rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “Sounds great.”

He mumbled.

~

Josie handed Ilias the Pink Top Herald, which featured a picture of the aftermath of the richonoid attack at the Pink Flamingo Mall. Next to that was a picture of Officer Ass eating a donut. The caption under his picture read, “The Pink Top City Police Department is doing all they can to investigate this attack and stop future incidents.” Ilias slid the paper to Ichiro.

Ilias: “Ichiro, do you mind explaining that to me?”

He asked gruffly. Ichiro glanced at it and sneered. I never got to turn Blair into a richonoid, he thought.

Ichiro: “I was testing a new version of my ‘Richioprox Erokine’, and… it missed the right target.”

He said through clenched teeth as he tightened his fists, thinking about how Fabien ruined that opportunity.

Stefano: “That is a lie!”

He spat and turned to Ilias.

Stefano: “Ilias, he is wasting company funds to get Celeste into bed. That’s why that happened.”

He huffed. Ichiro gaped at him.

Ilias put his hand up.

Ilias: “That’s enough!”

He said firmly. He turned to Ichiro and inhaled another long drag.

Ilias: “Ichiro, do you realize how bad this is for our company name? Do you realize the damage control and the money we spent to ensure our brand doesn’t go under?!”

He asked sharply. Ichiro looked away and glared, thinking about how Fabien screwed him over again.

Ilias: “Ichiro, you can’t test your serum out on children’s mascots that cause this much havoc! It reflects poorly on us!”

He said sharply, pounding his fist on the table. Stefano smirked at Ichiro.

Ichiro: “Sir, there is a troll named Fabien Bellegarde, and it’s his fault this happened. If he didn’t deceive me or take what’s mine, this would have been avoided!”

He snapped. Ilias waved his hand dismissively at Ichiro.

Ilias: “Spare me. I am not interested in the petty drama you have with a former friend.”

Ichiro: “Oh, Fabien is NOT my friend! He is a troll who deceives others and invests his time in that Donati nepo baby!”

He said scathingly. Ilias waved his hand.

Ilias: “Ichiro, what part of ‘I don’t care about the drama between you and your former friend’ are you not understanding? It doesn’t absolve you of what you did, and it doesn’t help in salvaging our company’s name and what our brand stands for!”

He barked.

Ilias inhaled sharply and crushed his cigar into his ashtray.

Ilias: “While we’re being investigated for misconduct, I am placing you on paid suspension.”

He nodded. Ichiro’s jaw dropped. Stefano smiled smugly.

Stefano: “Sir, perhaps you could consider putting more funding into the robotics department?”

He grinned. Ilias glared at him.

Ilias: “You want me to put more funding into that department when the money from your department is paying for the upkeep of the condo where you house those TWO PIGS as well as pay their salary to do NOTHING?!”

He asked bitterly, followed by a hollow laugh. Stefano’s smile faded and turned into a scowl.

Ilias: “You’re lucky I don’t outright cut funding!”

He snapped. Stefano glared at Minerva and Ichiro. Minera smirked, and Ichiro lowered his head, glaring at the table.

Ilias: “This meeting is adjourned. You’re all dismissed. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.”

He nodded and turned to Ichiro.

Ilias: “You will be notified when you can return to work, Ichiro. Why not use this time to catch up with your parents?”

Ichiro angrily rose from his seat and marched away.

~

Jordi listened at the door, Desiree listening in with him.

Jordi: “Paid suspension?”

He whispered.

Desiree: “Yeah, he’s not fired, but he’s not gonna be here until the boss tells him to.”

Jordi: “I know what it means, but it feels like a slap on the wrist for what he did!”

He whispered hoarsely. He quickly grabbed Desiree and hid by a corner as Ichiro stormed out with Minerva, Govinda, and Stefano following him.

~

Jaxon stirred in his sleep in his bedroom at the Noble Monarch. He reached over to cuddle Celeste and found the space empty. His eyes snapped open when he saw that Celeste wasn’t there.

Jaxon: “Celeste?”

He called out her name and looked around.

Jaxon: “Celeste?!”

He threw the sheets off and rose from his bed, fully nude. He went into the bathroom to look for her, and she wasn’t there. His heart hammered in his chest. He went to his drawer, grabbed a pair of black boxer briefs, slid them on, threw on a silk red leopard-print shirt, and put on tight black jeans. He buttoned his shirt, slid his belt through the loops, fastened it, then sat on the bed to put on his sheer black socks. He then slid his feet into his Chelsea boots, buckled them, grabbed his car keys and sunglasses, and headed out of the hotel room.

~

Ichiro marched out of the Megalos tower with his black trenchcoat and fedora on. Celeste stood before him, wearing a long black coat, nylons, and black heels. She wore a bunny-ear band on her head.

Ichiro: “C-Celeste?!”

Celeste: “Wanna take me somewhere fun?”

She grinned. Ichiro’s face turned deep red as his jaw dropped. He swallowed hard and slowly nodded, grinning inanely.

Celeste: “Okay, take me to your car.”

Ichiro: “As you wish, my Green Queen.”

He grinned as he led her to the underground parking lot.

They approached his black Porsche 959, and he opened the passenger door for her. Celeste got in, and Ichiro went to the driver’s side. He slid his keys into the ignition and started his car.

Celeste: “Where are we going?”

Ichiro glanced at her nylon-clad legs and grinned.

Ichiro: “Somewhere fun…”

He licked his lips.

He drove out of the underground parking lot, then stopped at the exit as traffic passed. When he saw an opening, he flicked on his signal and made a right-hand turn onto the road. As he drove onto the road, Jaxon was in his car, watching them go.

Jaxon: “I fucking knew it.”

He angrily gripped the steering wheel, shifted gears, and slammed his foot on the accelerator as he gunned after them.

~

Tristan and Jasper arrived at the Pearl Lion. The host led them to a table for two by the fish aquarium. Jasper pulled out a chair for Tristan, and he thanked him as he sat down.

Host: “Can I get you gentlemen anything to drink?”

Jasper: “A glass of your finest pinot noir!”

Tristan: “Chardonnay is fine.”

He smiled and nodded. He picked up the menu and looked through it.

Jasper: “Get whatever you want.”

He smiled. Tristan flashed him a grin.

Jasper: “Interesting wine choice. The best wines paired with Chinese food are pinot noir, riesling, or champagne.”

He added. Tristan quirked an eyebrow.

Tristan: “Oh, my apologies.”

Jasper waved his hand.

Jasper: “No need to apologize, Tristan! You get what you like.”

He placed his hand on his.

A young woman in a qipao dress came with a glass of pinot noir and a glass of chardonnay, placing them on their table.

Waitress: “Here you are. Have you two gentlemen decided to order? Will this be on one bill?”

Jasper: “Yes, one bill! I will have a Peking duck, an order of beef fried rice, honey garlic spare ribs, beef and broccoli, sweet and sour pork, and six egg rolls.”

He relayed his order. Tristan cupped his mouth.

Jasper: “And for the gentleman…”

He gesticulated to Tristan. Tristan snapped out of his daze.

Tristan: “A combination plate of sweet and sour chicken, chicken chow mein, fried rice, and an egg roll.”

He smiled.

Jasper: “Is that all?”

Tristan: “I’d like two extra spring rolls.”

He said genially.

The waitress took down their order and left them to themselves. Jasper smiled tightly at Tristan. Tristan smiled a bit back and sipped on his Chardonnay.

Jasper: “How has work been lately?”

Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “It has been good. I’m wrapping up cases for the holiday, and then I will be on break.”

Jasper: “Are you looking forward to your break?”

Tristan raised his eyebrows. A break from what? Work? He wondered.

Tristan: “Yes, I suppose.”

He gazed at the fish swimming by in the aquarium. This conversation is akin to my discussions with Rosemary, he thought.

Jasper: “Did you get an invitation to the Donati Christmas Gala?”

He asked as he sipped on his wine. Tristan forced a smile.

Tristan: “Yes, I did.”

Jasper: “Will you be attending?”

Tristan twisted his mouth.

Tristan: “Perhaps. If not, I will send Piper to donate a check on behalf of the Trémaux family.”

Jasper smiled and placed his hand on Tristan’s. Tristan managed a strained smile.

Jasper: “I’d love you to attend with me.”

Tristan swallowed hard and nodded.

Tristan: “Sure, I can come with you, Jasper.”

He said softly. Jasper took Tristan’s hand and kissed. Tristan laughed softly and smiled a bit.

Suddenly, their waitress arrived with their food. Tristan’s eyes grew large at the number of dishes Jasper ordered. He would put Celeste to shame, he thought. And Deimos, too, he thought and looked away glumly.

Jasper: “Cheers, Tristan.”

He raised his glass.

Tristan: “Santé.”

They touched their glasses, and Jasper began devouring his food. Tristan gingerly picked at his food.

Suddenly, Deimos marched into the restaurant. He wore a Black Sabbath sleeveless shirt, torn jeans, and cowboy boots.

Deimos: “The fuck are you doing with him?!”

He asked Jasper. Jasper jolted and dabbed his mouth with his napkin.

Deimos: “Tristan, you don’t need to dine with this beached whale from Marine World! That fat fuck ordered enough food to feed an army!’

He snapped. Jasper drew back. Tristan grinned.

Tristan: “Hello, Deimos, nice to see you, too. Nice to see I live rent-free in your head.”

He said wryly.

Jasper: “Who is this rude young man, Tristan?”

Deimos sneered at him.

Deimos: “His boyfriend, you fat piece of shit!”

He barked.

Tristan: “FORMER boyfriend.”

He corrected him. Deimos knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “We’re not seeing each other, Deimos, so it doesn’t matter who I dine with. You have no control over that aspect of my life anymore.”

He waved his hand dismissively.

Deimos: “You’re doing this to spite me! I can’t imagine you wanting to EVER fuck this fat piece of shit!”

He snapped and stomped his foot. Jasper drew back.

Jasper: “I beg your pardon, young man, but you’re awfully rude!”

Deimos: “And you’re awfully fat!”

He fired back. Jasper looked hurt. Tristan smirked at Deimos.

Tristan: “My apologies, Jasper. Deimos cheated on me with his bandmate, and he can’t stand to lose control of me or me.”

He chuckled.

Deimos: “I am sorry I hurt you, Tristan, but you’re doing this to spite me!”

He flared, pointing his finger at him.

Tristan: “If you say so. You seem to know me better than I know myself.”

He rolled his eyes.

Deimos: “I know you better than you think to know you’re utterly fucking bored! This is the first time I seen you genuinely smile, even though you’re relishing in my misery.”

He said evenly. Tristan’s smile faded. Jasper glanced at Tristan, then at Deimos.

Tristan: “Get the Hell out of my sight, Deimos!”

He hissed.

Deimos: “That’s Tristan-speak for ‘You hit my sore spot!’ ”

He huffed.

A man in a suit approached Deimos.

Man: “Excuse me, sir, but you’re going to have to leave this place. You’re causing a disruption.”

He said firmly.

Deimos: “There goes your fun for the evening, Tristan.”

He said dryly. Tristan glared coldly at Deimos. Deimos turned around and stormed out of the restaurant.

Tristan watched him go, glaring at him through dark, sinister slits.

Jasper: “Will he be a bother to us?”

Tristan flicked his gaze at him and smiled.

Tristan: “I certainly hope not.”

He said quickly, then sipped his wine.

~

Ichiro drove with Celeste outside of the city to a rural area.

Celeste: “Where are we going?”

She asked with a hint of irritation.

Ichiro: “Somewhere fun! Somewhere where neither of us will be interrupted.”

He grinned and placed his hand on her thigh. Celeste jolted and closed her legs.

Ichiro put on his high beams and drove down a dirt road to an abandoned, multi-story brick factory complex. The site appeared long-neglected, with nature beginning to reclaim the surrounding grounds. It was a sprawling brick building with a patchwork of architectural styles. The rightmost section featured large, arched windows typical of early-1910s industrial design, while the other sections appeared more utilitarian, with rectangular grid windows. Most of the glass was shattered or missing.

A tall, circular brick chimney loomed over the left side of the frame. A large, rusted cylindrical metal tank—possibly an old boiler or section of piping—lay discarded in the tall, yellowed grass and weeds.

He parked his car and shut off the headlights.

Celeste: “Why here?”

She asked sharply.

Ichiro: “It’s one of my favorite places. Since you’re special to me, I am taking you here.”

He grinned and took her hand.

Celeste: “Uhm, this is one of your favorite places?”

She asked curiously, gaping at the derelict building. Ichiro nodded. He went over to her door and opened it for her.

They entered the abandoned building. It was dark, with only the windows providing light. Celeste slowly crept in and noticed decaying, ghastly corpses. Their eyes bulged out of their heads, and their jaws were wide open. Their hands were elongated with claws protruding from their fingers.

Celeste: “Uh, what are those?”

Ichiro turned in the direction she pointed.

Ichiro: “Oh, when I was testing out my Richioprox Erokine, they were my test subjects, and you can see the results right there.”

He explained and put his arm over her. She looked up at him.

Celeste: “Where did you get them?”

Ichiro: “Oh, the hospital. I have a body double who looks somewhat like me, so my parents don’t suspect anything.”

He explained as he reached down and groped her boob. Celeste furrowed her eyebrows and pulled away.

Ichiro untied her coat and took it off her. He marveled at her in the black leotard, black nylons, and a white collar with a red bow. He sat her on a stool and rubbed her legs, removing her heels, taking her tiny feet in his hands. Celeste jerked her feet and twitched. Ichiro bit his lips and hardened at the sight of her feet in pantyhose. Celeste fanned her toes out.

Celeste: “So, who was Borko?”

She asked as Ichiro ran his hands up her legs.

Ichiro: “Oh, why do you want to know about him? He’s dead.”

He ran his hands up her torso and up to her bosom. She grabbed his hand.

Celeste: “I wanna know who he was to you.”

She said with irritation.

Ichiro: “The man died long ago; his vessel died recently, but I’m here, my Green Queen.”

He crooned and squeezed her boobs.

Celeste grabbed his hands and held them tightly.

Celeste: “Tell me about Borko.”

She said firmly. Ichiro drew a breath and relaxed his expression.

Ichiro: “Very well.”

He drew back. When she lowered her hands, he shoved her to the floor and threw down cuffs securing her wrists and ankles to the floor. Celeste gasped and gnashed her teeth as she tried to get up. She felt as if several elephants were on top of her wrists and ankles. The cuffs lit up in neon red.

Celeste: “What the FUCK, Ichiro?!”

Ichiro grinned and pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.

Ichiro: “Cuffs to secure etheressums with your ethereal prowess! Now you’re my prisoner!”

He laughed maniacally. Celeste growled at him and tried to gnaw at the cuffs with her teeth.

Ichiro: “Darling, that won’t work! But do you know what would?!”

He wiggled his fingers. Celeste’s eyes grew large, and the color drained from her face.

Celeste: “N-Nohohohohoho!”

She whined and struggled against her bonds.

He knelt and tickled her pantyhosed feet with a big, lecherous grin across his face. Celeste erupted into hysterical laughter and thrashed around.

Celeste: “ARRRRGGHHH!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO FUCKAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHAHAHA STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

She struggled against her bonds as she laughed loudly, feeling her frustration and fury soar.

Celeste: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!”

She howled with laughter and arched her back as the tickling continued.

Ichiro hardened and slid his hands up to tickle her armpits.

Ichiro: “My god, your armpits are so soft and silky…”

He teased. Celeste laughed in furious bouts.

Celeste: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!!”

She laughed hard, and mascara ran down her cheeks.

She laughed so hard her large breasts trembled as her areolas peaked out of the leotard. Ichiro’s jaw dropped. He yanked down the top of the leotard, exposing her large, bare breasts, and his eyes widened.

Ichiro: “Oh my God, they’re so BIG and SOFT!”

He tickled her large brown nipples. Celeste screamed and laughed furiously.

Celeste: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!”

She thrashed around as she laughed hard and wheezed in between laughing.

Ichiro suckled on her nipple while tickling her other nipple. Celeste laughed hysterically and rasped in between laughter.

Celeste: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAAA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOO!!!”

She laughed and wheezed.

Suddenly, Ichiro was kicked hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him and releasing Celeste. She gasped and panted for air as the tears trickled down her cheeks. Ichiro rolled over and sneered toward Jaxon, who stood over Celeste.

Jaxon: “KANOJO KARA HANARERO!”

He bellowed and charged after him, delivering a blow to his jaw, sending him crashing into a nearby table. Blood dripped from Ichiro’s nose and mouth. He wiped it away and glared indignantly at Jaxon.

Ichiro: “JIRO, TEMEEEEEE!”

He lunged after him and slammed him against the wall and boxed his ears. Jaxon winced, grabbed his arms, and kneed him in the stomach. A red glow surrounded Jaxon as he healed himself. Jaxon angrily panted at Ichiro.

Jaxon: “Sanzan kurushimete kureta na… SHINE!”

He screamed as he kicked him hard and sent him tumbling over. Ichiro panted and rasped.

Ichiro glared at him and sneered at him. Jaxon marched toward Ichiro.

Ichiro: “Aware da na, Jiro. Kisama ni wa wagahai wo korosu kakugo nado nai.”

He chuckled at him. Jaxon froze.

Celeste: “J-Jaxon!?”

She panted. Ichiro rose and dusted himself off. Jaxon glared at him.

Jaxon: “Zettai ni nigerun janē zo, kono hikyōmono!”

He barked and lunged at him, slamming him to the floor. As Ichiro hit the floor, something in his jacket cracked, and Celeste’s bonds became undone. Ichiro froze and walloped Jaxon across the face, shoving him off.

Ichiro: “Doke, kono baka!”

Celeste furiously rose, baring her teeth like an angry caracal. Ichiro smirked and licked his lips.

Ichiro: “Ma, nozomi dōri dayo.”

He stroked his chin. Jaxon glared at him with a burning fury. Ichiro turned to Celeste.

Ichiro: “Mata ne, daisuki da yo.”

He pressed the button on his ear device and teleported away.

Jaxon’s jaw dropped, and he ran up to him before he disappeared.

Jaxon: “Modotte kite tatakaiyagare, kono hikyōmono me! Zettai ni nigasanē zo!”

He clawed at the air and panted. He then sank to the ground and pounded on the floor.

Celeste drew a long breath. Jaxon rose and approached her. He then wrapped his arms around her. Celeste was surprised by his gesture but welcomed it. She wrapped her arms around him. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Jaxon felt warm inside and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her back.

He rubbed the small of her back, and as they broke the kiss, he smiled tenderly at her.

He then turned his head and let out a small yelp when he saw the monstrous corpses in the warehouse and held onto Celeste.

Jaxon: “What the fuck are those?!”

He asked breathlessly.

Celeste: “Some people Ichiro used to test out his richonoid serum on.”

She drawled. Jaxon swallowed hard. He handed her heels to her, picked her up in his arms, and ran out of the warehouse.

~

Celeste was in the passenger’s seat of Jaxon’s car. He slid the keys in the ignition and started the engine. He put on his highbeams as he drove down the dirt road. Celeste drew a long breath. Jaxon turned onto the road and went down the isolated, dark highway.

Celeste: “He didn’t tell me anything about Borko. You and Tristan were right.”

She sighed as she took off her headband and leaned against the window, gazing out at the trees and up at the starry sky and the two full moons.

Jaxon: “Thank you… I know Ichiro better than anyone, and I didn’t want you getting hurt.”

He smiled a bit and placed his hand on hers. She smiled and grasped his hand.

Celeste: “I’m sorry, Jaxon…”

She sighed.

Jaxon: “I’m sorry, too.”

He grasped her hand back and sighed.

Celeste: “For what?”

She gaped at him. Jaxon drew a long breath.

Jaxon: “For doing what I did to you with Deimos and focusing too much on Chelsea. I can’t change the past, but I can change the present and future, and I want your presence in my future.”

He smiled tenderly at her. Celeste’s eyes grew large, and she leaned on his shoulder, cuddling him. Jaxon inhaled sharply and leaned on her head.

Jaxon: “Also, our house will be ready this week, and I want you to live with me. It’s our house, babe.”

Celeste smiled at him and kissed him.

Celeste: “Okay.”

Jaxon kissed her back and then headed to the exit to Pink Top City.

~

Jasper’s car rolled into Tristan’s driveway. Tristan climbed out and stretched his legs. Never have I ever thought I would have to stretch my legs for a drive to a restaurant in Greammoom Hills, he thought. Jasper got out and smiled at him, marveling at him. He rested his hand at the small of his back as he led him to his door.

Jasper: “I had a lovely evening with a lovely man.”

He blushed. Tristan smiled at him.

Tristan: “Thank you for that, Jasper, and my apologies about Deimos.”

Jasper took Tristan’s hands and kissed them. Tristan pursed his lips.

Jasper: “I was too busy focused on you to recall that punk!”

He teased. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Right, of course.”

Jasper: “Have a good night, Tristan.”

He said softly, then stood on his tiptoes. Tristan pursed his lips and bent over, allowing Jasper to kiss his cheek.

Tristan: “You too.”

He replied and entered his home.

When Tristan closed the door behind him, he rolled his eyes as he untied his shoes and slid his feet out of them, revealing his black sheer socks.

He slid out of his suit jacket as he ascended the stairs and held it in his arms. He pulled his hair elastic out and loosened his hair. He entered his bedroom and gasped to see Deimos sitting on his sofa by his desk, with his arms folded and pouting.

Tristan: “DEIMOS?! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

He snapped as he tossed his suit jacket on the couch in front of his big screen TV and his hair elastic on his vanity.

Deimos: “Waiting for you to come home.”

He huffed. Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “What if I didn’t? What if I spent the night with Jasper?”

He asked archly. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “I guess you would be treating your insomnia.”

He said dryly. Tristan glared at Deimos.

Deimos: “I know you better than you think. You were fucking bored out of your mind. Maybe I would be hurt if you were truly into that fat fuck!”

He snapped.

Tristan: “Go to Hell, Deimos. Get out of my sight!”

He hissed and opened the door for him.

Deimos rose and heaved a deep sigh.

Deimos: “I was worried about you.”

Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “Bullshit. You just wanted to make sure I came home and didn’t sleep with Jasper, because I should be faithful to you always, even if you cheated on me.”

He rasped. Deimos hung his head and walked out the door.

Tristan slammed the door behind him and leaned against it with a look of pain on his face. Deimos leaned on the other side and rested his head on it. His eyelids dipped as he walked away.

As he walked across the pedway, Narcisse watched him go from outside, looking through the round window with a smirk on his face.