Chapter Sixty-Four: Conflict of Interest

Chapter 64

Conflict of Interest

Deimos and Tristan were lying in Deimos’ bed. Tristan wore his silver silk pajamas, and Deimos wore his red plaid pajamas. Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “Was that necessary, Deimos?”

Deimos furrowed his eyebrows.

Deimos: “What do you mean? What I said to Jaxon? Yes, it was, Tristan!”

He huffed. Tristan’s eyelids dipped, and he sighed.

Tristan: “Deimos, I am over what he did to me at the hotel. I don’t care anymor,e and I checkmated him. Don’t you think this is beating on a dead horse?”

He gazed at him with beseeching eyes.

Deimos: “Yeah, well, what about what he did to Makayla? Or Vanessa? Or others?”

He challenged and threw his hand up.

Tristan: “Makayla overreacts to everything, Deimos. This isn’t news. Yes, what happened to her was unfortunate and it’s incredibly low class of Robin to dig up something that happened privately years ago but…”

He clicked his tongue.

Deimos: “Don’t excuse what he did, Tristan.”

He said firmly.

Deimos: “You got proof he didn’t promise Vanessa marriage and commitment, but that doesn’t eradicate his guilt.”

He snapped. Tristan inhaled sharply.

Tristan: “I am well aware of his lifestyle. I don’t agree with it. But I do agree it’s unfair of Vanessa to run his name through the mud as she did. He’s NOT like Dougal!”

He countered, his tone as sharp as his.

Deimos: “Didn’t Dougal make promises to us but he was using us to jack off to?!”

He fired back.

Tristan: “We were minors, Deimos! Dougal was in his forties! He should have known better! Also, Dougal is a rapist! As bad as Jaxon is, he’s not a rapist! He didn’t assault Celeste when Robin hypnotized her. He didn’t assault her when she was drugged! Dougal would have! Just because you dislike someone, doesn’t automatically make them like that fat piece of garbage!”

He said as his voice rose.

Deimos: “Whatever. You care more about your clients than how I feel.”

He growled. Tristan drew back as Deimos’ words slashed at his heart.

Tristan: “How dare you?! That is NOT true! What DO you feel and why do you feel so strongly about this?!”

He said as he started to cry.

Deimos: “He snapped at you for not fucking him! And you act like it’s no big deal!”

He barked. Tristan shrank.

Tristan: “...Because I got him tenfold…”

He murmured.

Deimos: “I should have been the one to get him! I am the protector, and yet again, I failed to do my job because you won’t let me protect you!”

He pointed to himself with his thumb.

Tristan: “I’m sorry, Deimos! He’s not a threat like Dougal!”

He sobbed. Deimos turned over, his back facing him.

Deimos: “Whatever. The logo is going to be ready tomorrow, and I have to get it on our merch. You have a busy day defending a wastrel.”

Tristan cried into his hands. Deimos rose from his bed.

Deimos: “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

He stormed out of his bedroom and slammed the door shut. Tristan lay down and sobbed into his pillow.

Deimos pulled a blanket over himself as he lay on the couch and gazed at the blank television with despair. Maybe he realizes I am not worthy to protect him, he thought. With how I got angry with him, maybe he’s right, he thought, and pulled the blanket over his head.

~

Celeste and Victor lay in his bed. Victor wore his red pajamas with a red plaid robe over it, and Celeste wore a sheer black babydoll nightgown with a pair of black lacy panties. She told Victor about what transpired at Jaxon’s place. He drew a long breath.

Victor: “I don’t trust him.”

Celeste: “Vic, don’t let your feelings cloud your judgement. You don’t have to like him but saying he’s a rapist is… a big accusation to make. If he were, why did he stop when he learned Robin hypnotized me, or why did he help me when I was drugged? He thought I was sick of him talking about Maxx's sloppy seconds. I like Jaxon, and he’s fun but he’s not vindictive.”

Victor sighed and bowed his head.

Victor: “You’re right and I am sorry. I just… was hurt when you left with him that night.”

He cried.

Victor: “This is my fault and also Ivy’s but I didn’t know what to do when I saw you in that state! I am not chiding you for going to tend to someone who was suicidal. I raised my son to be kind, too.”

Celeste blushed when he mentioned she was kind. She never thought of herself as being that.

He framed her face with his hands.

Victor: “You don’t know when someone is suicidal, though… Just because things seem okay on the surface doesn’t make it so.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes.

Victor: “If I didn’t have Tristan…, I would have ended my life. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with… Charlotte.”

He said with pain and his bottom lip trembled. She brushed her nails against his face and neck. He shivered and laughed.

Victor: “I am not upset with you, hon. I think it’s noble to help someone in need.”

He took her hand and kissed it. She giggled.

Victor: “But if he didn’t drug you, why was it in his condo?”

Celeste paused.

Celeste: “As Tristan said, Robin sent a spy. Jaxon offered me his whiskey, and I declined, stating I don’t drink. It was in the root beer so someone knows I love root beer floats.”

She bowed her head.

Victor: “What if it’s his butler?”

She shook her head.

Celeste: “I think if he’s a spy for anyone, it’s Percy, not Robin. I’ve seen him come in and out of Percy’s mansion, so…”

She shifted her eyes and gazed at him.

Victor: “Who do you think it is?”

Celeste shrugged.

Celeste: “Search me. Loads of people are in and out of his condo. It’s a revolving door of people like a train station, so it could be anyone.”

She said dryly.

Victor: “...I wonder something… When you see Jaxon… being intimate with others, does it bother you?”

She laughed and shook her head.

Celeste: “I know what he’s like, so no, it doesn’t bother me. I am not romantically involved with him, so he is free to do what he likes.”

~

It was the day the mediation would commence. It was going to take place in Tristan’s office since it didn’t make it to court, and he would try to have both parties come to a mutual agreement.

Deimos stepped out of the shower with a towel around his waist. Tristan left the bed and woke up earlier than he did. Deimos’ heart sank and he lowered his head. He threw his towel off and began to get dressed.

~

He descended the stairs dressed in Possessed Pestilence t-shirt and torn jeans. He was hoping to see Tristan in the kitchen at the island sipping on a cup of tea Monica made for him. He darkened when he saw Monica in the kitchen placing a cup of dark roast on the island for Deimos.

Monica: “Good morning, young master!”

Deimos nodded.

Deimos: “Mornin’.”

He muttered. Monica peered into his face.

Monica: “Something troubling you, sir?”

Deimos shrugged and shook his head.

Deimos: “I’ll be okay.”

He stared down at his reflection in the coffee. She patted his hand.

Monica: “Should you change your mind, my door is open and we can talk.”

She said gently. Deimos sighed and nodded.

Deimos: “Thank you.”

He said numbly.

She started to walk out of the kitchen with the laundry in the basket in her hands and turned around.

Monica: “I would suggest getting Tristan a bouquet of roses and some fine wine. Perhaps you could write a song for him.”

She smiled and left. Deimos removed his glasses and clasped his hand over his eyes.

~

Tristan sat in his office, leaning back in his seat. He wore a gray three-piece suit, white pressed shirt, a black tie with light gray stripes, and black wingtip Oxfords. He had the cat ear headphones Celeste gave him, listening to music. His eyes hurt. His chest hurt. His head hurt. His heart ached. He barely got enough sleep last night and spent much of the night crying.

Rufus and Jaxon appeared in Tristan’s office.

Rufus: “Morning, Mr. Trémaux!”

He waved at him. Tristan didn’t hear him or pay attention to his surroundings. He just immersed himself in the music. Jaxon snapped his fingers at him.

Jaxon: “Helloooo! Reona to Tristan!”

He laughed. Tristan closed his eyes. He drew a long breath and turned his head. He jumped in his seat when he saw them. He turned off his music on his portable CD player and removed his headphones.

Tristan: “Oh God, I am SO sorry! I’ve been out of it today! I apologize!”

He said quickly and fixed his hair. Rufus smiled. Jaxon shrugged.

Jaxon: “Yeah, I get it, that chick is a drain.”

Tristan twisted his mouth.

Tristan: “Can I get you two anything to drink while we wait for Vanessa and her support person?”

He asked and forced a smile.

Jaxon: “Nah, I brought my own!”

He grinned, pulling out a bottle of whiskey. Rufus clasped his hand over his eyes.

Rufus: “Why did you bring that?!”

He whispered hoarsely.

Jaxon: “Cause, I need it! Water or coffee isn’t gonna cut it! ”

He whispered back, unscrewing the lid and taking a swig of whiskey.

Tristan would have said something, but he didn’t care. He slunk in his seat. Rufus turned to Tristan with a forced smile. Tristan was in a daze.

Jaxon: “You look like you can use some!”

He held the bottle out to Tristan. Tristan waved his hand.

Tristan: “No, thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

He said earnestly.

Tristan: “When I drink, it’s wine or the occasional cocktail. Never could stomach anything stronger.”

He said as his voice trailed off.

Sylvia and Vanessa entered the office.

Sylvia: “Good morning, Tristan! Apologies to Vanessa and I for being tardy. She didn’t want to go.”

She inhaled sharply. That makes the two of us, Tristan thought. Sylvia surveyed Tristan’s expression.

Sylvia: “Are you feeling okay, Tristan?”

Tristan flicked his gaze at her.

Tristan: “Uh, sure.”

He cleared his throat and sat up. Vanessa sat down, pouting. Jaxon glared daggers with his eyes at her as he took another swig of his whiskey.

Tristan cleared his throat and leaned forward.

Tristan: “So, Vanessa, I did look into Jaxon’s case as he requested to prove he never promised you marriage or a future. He was suing for defamation of character. What you said on TV caused him to lose his spot with Tortugazm.”

He folded his hands and rested his head on his palms.

Tristan: “And I have proof he did not hit you.”

He added. Jaxon nodded doggedly.

Jaxon: “That’s right!”

He turned the portable TV and VCR combo on his desk and pressed play. Lazaros was in his bathtub taking a bath, his feet resting on the edge of the tub. Jaxon whistled at the footage.

Jaxon: “That’s hot…”

He bit his lip. Rufus drew a long breath. Syvlia eyed him incredulously.

Lazaros took a rubber ducky in the tub and squeaked it.

Lazaros: “Even this rubber ducky Ashley gave me is marveling over me.”

Jaxon laughed.

Tristan drew a long, exasperated breath. Sylvia raised her eyebrows. Dear me, she thought. Tristan fast-forwarded the tape, which was going through footage of Lazaros admiring himself or Ashley eating. Jaxon laughed at the footage and admired Lazaros and Ashley. Tristan paused when he came to Ashley’s birthday, when Ashley was eating a three-tier cake with Vanessa present. Tristan pointed to it.

Tristan: “Jaxon dropped you off on their birthday and there are no bruises or marks.”

He pointed to the screen. Jaxon smirked and folded his arms.

Jaxon: “BOOM! He rests his case!”

He pointed at Vanessa.

Vanessa: “Why are there HOURS of Ashley eating?”

Tristan paused. He didn’t care. Jaxon gaped at her.

Jaxon: “That rubber ducky weirdo has a fat fetish for his girlfriend, duh! That’s not the poin,t though!”

He scoffed.

Tristan: “I don’t know, and this has nothing to do with the case at hand.”

He sighed.

Vanessa: “If Ashley loved me, NONE of this would have happened! Ashley chose someone who is a fat feeder fetishist!”

She cried. Tristan gaped at her disbelievingly.

Sylvia: “Vanessa, please stop this now!”

She whispered hoarsely. Jaxon gaped at Vanessa.

Jaxon: “Wait… you’re in love with her?!”

He pointed at Ashley on the screen and smirked.

Jaxon: “So, you’re not even in love with me! That was a lie, too! I rest my case!”

He threw his head back and laughed.

Rufus: “Jaxon, this isn’t helping your case. Let Tristan do his work.”

He whispered.

Tristan sighed and placed a picture of Jaxon in a formal hakama, haori, and kimono ensemble with the same girl, who was wearing a shiromiku and a tsunokakushi on her head.

Tristan: “Jaxon was engaged to this girl and broke the engagement.”

Vanessa: “So he broke another girl’s heart?”

She sneered. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “His parents forced him into this engagement. He never wanted it. He doesn’t want to commit because of this incident.”

He explained.

Jaxon: “That’s right! I never wanted to marry her, or you! I don’t do marriage!”

He exclaimed.

Tristan: “So my solution is you sign a paper reneging your statements.”

He nodded.

Vanessa: “I saw the abortion record in the tabloid! It said you forced Makayla to abort your child!”

She cried. Tristan sank into his seat. Sylvia turned to her. Jaxon’s jaw dropped.

Jaxon: “...They put that in a tabloid?! You believe what you read in there?!”

He gaped at her.

Vanessa: “You break girls’ hearts, but one day a girl will break your heart!”

She bawled. Jaxon laughed at her.

Jaxon: “Nah, I don’t do the whole love thing, so they have nothing to break.”

He waved his hand.

Vanessa: “Oh, she already has! She is with HIS DAD!”

She sobbed and pointed to Tristan. The laughter died on Jaxon’s lips. Tristan stared blankly at the paper he wanted Vanessa to sign on his desk. Rufus gazed at Jaxon.

Jaxon: “...You’re kidding me, THAT guy is your DAD?!”

He gaped at Tristan. Tristan turned to lock his eyes on him.

Tristan: “Huh?”

He raised an eyebrow quizzically.

Jaxon: “That crybaby guy with Celeste is your dad?!”

He laughed. Tristan laughed a bit.

Tristan: “Yes, he is my Papa. Papa wears his heart on his sleeve.”

He said in a plaintive tone and laughed a humorless laugh.

Jaxon: “Hmph, she’s too good for that guy.”

He muttered under his breath. Tristan flicked his gaze at him. Is he jealous? He wondered.

He cleared his throat and slid the paper for Vanessa to sign.

Sylvia: “I believe you should sign this, Vanessa. It’s time to put a dot and move on, and not let this get any uglier than it has to be.”

She said gently. Jaxon nodded eagerly.

Tristan: “I agree with her.”

He nodded. Vanessa groaned and signed it.

Vanessa: “At least Tristan’s feet don’t stink!”

She stuck her tongue out at Jaxon. Jaxon glared at her. Tristan cupped his mouth to stifle a laugh. Sylvia hung her head and heaved a deep sigh.

Jaxon: “At least Celeste isn’t a stupid crybaby liar.”

He fired back at her.

Vanessa: “She’s with his dad, not you.”

She hissed. Rufus drew a long breath. I have my work cut out for me, he thought.

Jaxon: “Ashley is with that hot weirdo, not you.”

He fired back and laughed.

Vanessa: “I don’t care anymore, but you car.e Celeste didn’t pick you!”

She countered and rose to storm out. Sylvia tightly pursed her lips.

Sylvia: “Thank you for your time and patience, Tristan. Have a good day.”

She said and left the office.

Rufus rose and shook Tristan’s hand.

Rufus: “Thank you so, so much, Mr. Trémaux. It’s been a rough journey but we’re getting there.”

He nodded.

Rufus: “Now I am late for lunch with my wife at the Edgy Veggie. Would you like to join us, Jaxon?”

He gave him a beseeching look.

Jaxon: “Is that crazy bird gonna be there?”

He groaned.

Rufus: “Yes, Jaxon, I said my wife is coming. She loves the Edgy Veggie.”

Tristan sighed. Don’t they charge fifty dollars for a plate and thirty for a smoothie? He thought. Rufus led Jaxon out and closed the door.

Tristan heaved a long sigh, and then the tears he fought hard to keep back came pouring out. He removed his glasses and cried into his hands.

~

Vanessa stepped out of Sylvia’s minivan after Sylvia told her she could call and she would come pick her up. Vanessa shut the door and went into the Pink Flamingo Mall, folding her arms under her bosom. Vanessa wore a spaghetti-strap floral dress, pink high-heeled sandals with bows, a pink purse with a ribbon on it, and a floppy light beige sun hat with a light pink ribbon band. She saw a cardboard stand of Maxx in his zebra zoot suit with the microphone to his crotch and making a dumb pouty face. She strolled in to see if she could find some good music.

There were various aisles designated for different music genres. The metal aisle grabbed most of the attention because of the neon eyesore that was Maxx’s merchandise hovering around it like bad weather. She couldn’t help but flick her gaze in that direction and saw a familiar face browsing the records. Makayla was dressed in a tight black tank top with black torn jeans and a scarf headband through her teased curls. From the corner of her eye, she saw a woman in pink, who caught her eye, being out of place in the heavy metal section. She looked up to see Vanessa.

Makayla: “Oh, hey!”

She greeted her, putting down the record. Vanessa smiled when she greeted her.

Vanessa: “Hey!”

She waved at her.

Vanessa: “So, uh, I got back from Tristan’s office after Jaxon whined to him to make him sue me. I had to sign a paper and Tristan didn’t want to do it.”

She said awkwardly.

Makayla: “Wait, he sued you?!”

She gawked at her disbelievingly. Vanessa winced and nodded slightly.

Vanessa: “He was going to, but we settled it out of court. That’s what Sylvia said.”

She sighed.

She raised her head to lock her gaze on her.

Vanessa: “But he hurt you, too. I saw the abortion record in the tabloids, where he forced you to get one. I am so sorry! He is so awful!”

She cupped her mouth. Makayla’s heart sank.

Makayla: “...Wh-What?!”

She gaped at her, stunned with disbelief.

Makayla: “How did he find that?! What sick fucker put that in the tabloids?!”

She snapped. Vanessa shrugged.

Vanessa: “I don’t know.”

She said lowly.

Vanessa: “Anyway, a girl has broken his heart, so I guess that will be good.”

She nodded and bowed her head. Makayla clenched her fists.

Makayla: “Good! He’s finally reaping what he sowed after turned my true love against me.”

Vanessa smiled a bit and brushed her hair behind her ear.

Vanessa: “It’s… pretty awesome to be honest.”

She chirped.

Makayla: “Who broke his heart anyway?”

Vanessa: “Celeste did.”

She replied. Makayla beamed and laughed.

Makayla: “Good.”

She smirked.

Makayla: “Hey, wanna grab lunch in the food court? It’s my shout.”

She nodded to the escalator to go up to the food court.

Vanessa: “Yeah, I would!”

~

Vanessa and Makayla went up the escalator. Before they went to the food court, Makayla went to the newspaper stand to buy the tabloid for today. She was outraged and felt violated to see her dark secrets scattered across the cover for all to see.

They went to the food court, had a pretzel maker shop, as well as different vendors selling pizza, donuts, ice cream, Fred’s Burger Castle, Chinese, Mexican, Cajun, Indian, and Thai. Vanessa and Makayla got smoothies and a pretzel each. They sat down so Makayla could read about what was published. Her abortion record was there as well, stating Jaxon forced her to get it.

Makayla: “WHO would put this in here and publish this?! What is wrong with people?!”

She ranted, gripping the pages.

Vanessa: “I don’t know… but I’m sorry. I didn’t realize… how bad he was.”

She said with strain.

Makayla: “I have my own agency over my body, and it was MY choice!”

She countered. Vanessa raised her eyebrows.

Vanessa: “Oh, I didn’t know! Jaxon is forceful and mean, so I assumed… he did.”

She admitted and hung her head. Makayla shook her head.

Makayla: “No… I never told anyone… and now the whole world knows! So, I want to know who did this!”

She slammed the tabloid down onto the table.

Vanessa: “Maybe… Tristan knows? Tristan is a smart guy and knows lots of stuff.”

She offered as an answer.

Makayla: “Oh yeah, he’s a lawyer! Maybe he can help me!”

She smiled a bit, with a glimmer of hope.

Vanessa sipped her strawberry banana smoothie. She raised her gaze to see Jaxon following Celeste into Pearl’s Perfumes. Celeste wore a leather jacket, Pantera tank top, spiked collar, leather skirt, pantyhose, and slouchy knee-high boots. He bought her a bottle of the two-hundred-dollar perfume she wears. She also saw that Celeste was carrying a bag from Wicked Wolverine. He must have bought her a sexy bikini, she thought.

Vanessa: “I think she’s the only girl he will ever love.”

She said as her voice trailed off. Makayla laughed.

Makayla: “Too bad he’s not a white-haired French man.”

She quipped.

Vanessa: “I know. She’s with his dad.”

She laughed a humorless laugh.

Makayla: “Oh? So that finally happened then? I saw that coming from a mile away.”

She laughed.

Vanessa: “Jaxon is jealous.”

She added and smiled. Makayla laughed.

Celeste ran up to Tristan and threw her arms around him, hugging him. Tristan hugged her back. Makayla rose and approached Tristan.

Makayla: “Hey, Tristan, do you have a moment?”

She waved. Tristan turned to her and forced a smile. He went over to the table with Makayla and Vanessa. Celeste followed him.

Tristan: “Yes, what do you need, Makayla?”

He asked coolly. Makayla presented him with the latest tabloid.

Makayla: “I need to find the rotten bastard who put this in here, and I want compensation!”

She cried, gripping it with rage. Tristan nodded, folded his hands, and leaned forward.

Tristan: “Are you losing your job or facing scrutiny because of this?”

He asked her gently. Celeste gazed at him. Why isn’t he telling her who posted this? She wondered.

Makayla: “No… but this was personal, and I feel violated. It was my choice to keep this private and in the past. It’s not anyone else’s business. But now someone has taken that away from me and blasted it in such a… tacky and public place just because of Jaxon. It’s really gross.”

She pursed her lips and embraced herself. Vanessa looked at her sympathetically. Tristan folded his hands as he listened to her.

Tristan: “I am so sorry, Makayla, and I do agree with you, but unfortunately, there is nothing I can do for you. You’re not losing your job, and your reputation is not damaged. People are on your side. I believe the best course of action is to do nothing. People will forget it if you don’t bring attention to it. Many women get abortions for whatever reason, and I support your choice.”

He said gently and smiled at her.

Makayla: “So, I should do nothing and let them get away with this?”

She gaped at him.

Tristan: “I am sorry this happened to you, I really am, but if you do something, you’re going to bring more attention to this case… as Jaxon did. I don’t want that for you.”

He added. He felt for her, but he felt that if he took any action, it would bring more attention to her.

Tristan: “What do you want to achieve?”

He finally asked her.

Makayla: “I don’t know. I want to know WHO did it, and I want some kind of compensation from them.”

She pursed her lips. Tristan nodded and pursed his lips.

Tristan: “I don’t know who did this. What kind of compensation are you seeking?”

He asked her.

Makalya: “I don’t know. I just want to know what kind of person would do this, I guess. I want to be aware of who my enemies are.”

She huffed.

Tristan: “I don’t believe it’s you they’re after. Read the article. It stated Jaxon forced you to do this. How would they come to an erroneous conclusion? They want to smear him, not you. So, you’re not the target. You somehow got caught in the crossfire.”

He said evenly. I am right, Robin is not after her, but Jaxo,n because he’s involved with Percy, he thought.

Makayla: “So if they have a problem with Jaxon, they should take it up with him then. Don’t drag me into it. Jaxon is a mistake from my past that doesn’t define me, and it should stay in the past. I made my own choices, and he had nothing to do with that choice I made. I just didn’t want… him knowing it.”

She stated. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “I agree with you, and I know you’re right. I think since he was under siege from Vanessa going on the talk show, someone went and dug up more dirt on him.”

He cupped his chin.

Makayla: “I guess he pissed off a lot of people then.”

Tristan: “Unfortunately, this is what happens when you cross paths with someone infamous. What Jaxon did to me in the cigar lounge is there for all to see.”

He twisted his mouth. Celeste gazed up at Tristan. She felt he didn’t tell her who published it because of who did it, and Makayla lets her emotions run high. Robin and her gang put Craig in the hospita,l and Makayla would follow, she thought.

Makayla: “Yeah, well, he wasn’t infamous yet at the time we crossed paths, and what he did to you doesn’t reflect badly on you… And he did worse things to me, like taking my true love.”

Her voice trailed off.

Tristan: “Oh, I apologize for my poor analogy. I didn’t mean to insinuate that what he did to me was on par with what he did to you or worse.”

He put his hands up. Makayla quirked an eyebrow at him, noting something was off with him today.

Celeste: “I didn’t think what Tristan said was that bad. He just said if you do stuff with Jaxon or he does it to you, it’s the tabloids for all to see.”

She said calmly.

Vanessa: “I think HE published that record because it would get him more fame! All he cares about is destroying the hearts of girls, Maxx, drinking that whiskey, and HER!”

She pointed to Celeste. Celeste blinked, sipping on Makayla’s smoothie. Tristan clasped his hand over his eyes.

Makayla: “...Is he that stupid?!”

She then paused when she realised Celeste was sipping on her smoothie and her pretzel was gone.

Makayla: “H-HEY!”

She scolded her like a cat.

Celeste: “You weren’t touching it, and I wanted it.”

She shrugged.

Makayla: “Man, you’re SUCH a CAT!”

She folded her arms and shook her head at her.

Tristan sighed. He rose from his seat, withdrew his wallet, and handed Makayla some banknotes.

Tristan: “I can compensate you for what she stole, but honestly, I am getting fed up with Jaxon. What I did today shouldn’t have happened.”

He said as he wiped his eyes. Celeste knit her eyebrows. Makayla froze when she looked up to see Tristan crying.

Makayla: “What’s wrong, Tristan? What did that asshole do to you?!”

She patted his back.

Tristan: “I just… shouldn’t have done this today or at all, but his manager offered me a lot of money, and I need it to pay for my office property taxes, food for us, cat stuff, and house property taxes. Jaxon came in with a bottle of whiskey and started berating my father because he ‘stole’ his ‘prized possession’, but I didn’t want to take this. Yes, Vanessa lied about the marriage and future!”

He ranted to her. That was all true, but it wasn’t why he was upset, he thought.

Tristan: “And Deimos is upset with me for accepting this.”

He blurted.

Makayla: “Seriously?! How is this different from Maxx?”

She frowned and shook her head.

Makayla: “I’m sorry that fucker did that to you, Tristan. Why is Deimos upset with you, though?”

She pressed him. Tristan removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. Celeste leaned on his shoulder and hugged him.

Tristan: “Because he feels Jaxon is not someone who deserves this because of what he did to you and Vanessa, but also because of how I handled Jaxon in the cigar lounge. Deimos wanted to protect me from him, and he feels inadequate as a protector.”

He replied and wiped his eyes. Celeste looked up at Tristan and thought of how Craig is like this with Fabien.

Makayla: “No, he doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean he should be upset with you. As for the other stuff… that sounds like some Craig bullshit to me…”

She frowned.

Celeste: “Yeah…, he does this to Fabien.”

She said with strain.

Makayla: “Of course he does.”

Tristan: “I apologize for dumping this on you.”

He put his hands up and put his glasses back on.

Makayla: “You’re not dumping anything on me! What’s your favorite smoothie flavor?”

She patted his back. Tristan laughed and smiled.

Tristan: “Mango pineapple or piña colada. Anything but anything with strawberries or anything coffee.”

He said gently. Makayla smiled and nodded, rushing off to the smoothie vendor to get it for him. Tristan drew a long breath. Vanessa sat there processing everything she heard. Not even his lawyer wanted to take his case, but he bribed him with money, she thought. Makayla came back with a mango-pineapple smoothie for him.

Makayla: “Here you go, Tristan.”

Tristan: “Thank you so much, Makayla. I do appreciate this.”

He said sincerely with a twinkle in his eye. He sipped on it and enjoyed the lovely flavors on his tongue.

Celeste shifted in her seat.

Celeste: “Maybe I could get compensation for her from Jaxon.”

She scratched the back of her neck. Makayla’s eyebrows rose.

Celeste: “I mean, he just bought me the perfume I wear and a Wicked Wolverine bikini, and neither of those are cheap. Maybe whatever compensation could buy snacks or good merchandise for your band, so you don’t have cheap crap like Maxx has.”

She offered. Makayla smiled and chuckled.

Makayla: “I love the way you think, Celeste. Thank you!”

She beamed.

Celeste: “So you want me to do it? He wants me to model this bikini for him in his pool.”

She lifted the purple metallic bikini.

Makayla: “Ooh, do it!”

She grinned. Celeste grinned like the Cheshire Cat.

~

Tristan received a pager from Monica telling him Deimos wishes to speak to him at his house. Tristan walked to Deimos’ place and entered, with Deimos greeting him.

Tristan: “What do you want?”

He asked coldly. Deimos looked away with hurt.

Deimos: “I’m sorry, Tristan.”

He hung his head. Tristan knit his eyebrows and shook his head.

Tristan: “YOU snapped at me for trying to defend myself in the best way I could with Jaxon! What was I supposed to do when he came to the lounge to scream at me? Just take it and wait for you?!”

He cried. Deimos held onto his right arm and looked away in shame.

Tristan: “Why do you take your insecurities with yourself out on me?! I never complained about how you protect me, and I believe you do!”

He bawled. Deimos heaved a deep sigh and knit his eyebrows.

Tristan embraced himself.

Tristan: “Do you think I wanted to defend this slimeball?! Yes, Vanessa lied, but he took advantage of her! He came into a mediation with BOOZE! His manager offered me a million! I needed that money for the cats, for Papa, for the house, and US!”

He removed his glasses and cried into his hands. Deimos didn’t understand why he would do that. He has his set of morals, and no amount of money or sweet words would change his mind, and he didn’t think he or Tristan needed this money.

Deimos: “I want to understand this. I have a set of morals I abide by and I wouldn’t do it for any amount of money.”

He said tenderly. Tristan threw his head back and heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “Sometimes… you have to do things in life to get what you wan,t even if you’re disgusted by them. I can’t pay for my office taxes or house taxes or buy you groceries with my good looks.”

He wiped his eyes.

Deimos: “But you don’t need it… and it would be easy if all it required were your looks.”

He smiled a bit.

Tristan: “So, what, you’re saying I should be a foot model then?”

He asked archly. Deimos chuckled.

Deimos: “It would be a treat for everyone’s eyes.”

His tongue flicked over his lips. Tristan laughed and put his glasses back on.

Tristan: “Sounds promising, but would it get me one million dollars?”

Deimos: “You’re worth so much more than that, Tristan.”

He said tenderly as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

Deimos went and got his Ironbird MK1 Legacy Bass Guitar. He put the strap over himself and began strumming and singing.

Deimos: “I know I fucked up. I’m tired of me jumping twice to these judgments. I need you to bring me new visions.”

He sang. Tristan smiled and melted when Deimos sang it for him.

Deimos: “It’s a song I am working on. For you.”

He lifted his guitar off him.

He took his hand and led him to the dining room. The candles were lit, and a full-course steak dinner with brussels sprouts and fried mushrooms. There was a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for Tristan and a bucket of Corona Extra on ice for Deimos. Tristan’s eyes sparkled.

Deimos: “Monica made this for us.”

He popped the cork on the wine and poured Tristan a glass, and used a bottle opener for the Corona. He handed Tristan his glas,s and they touched glasses.

Deimos: “I’m sorry, Tristan.”

He whispered. Tristan smiled and tears welled in his eyes. He set his glass on the table, wrapped his arms around Deimos, and kissed him deeply. Deimos raked his fingers through his hair. Tristan broke the kiss to gaze at him.

Tristan: “Thanks, mon chéri. You are forgiven.”

He said tenderly, and the two kissed again.