Paying Karma Love

52 Love Should Not Have

Audrey's heart was pounding when she reached the CEO's room. A man in a black suit who had just walked out of the room, observed Audrey's arrival closely.

"What are you, Miss Audrey?" ask the man full of questions.

"Yes, Sir."

"I'm Ryan, Mr. Tristan's assistant. Please come in, Miss. Mr. Tristan is inside" said the man, opening the door for Audrey.

"Thank you, Mr. Ryan."

A nervous feeling suddenly attacked Audrey. He still wondered what was the reason Tristan called him. What's more, Audrey is confused as to how to deal with Tristan who already knows the truth about her.

With hesitation, Audrey stepped her foot into the room. Despite working for a long time at the Oragon Group, Audrey has never been in the CEO's office. The enormous room made him amazed. The entire interior is very elegant with predominantly ivory white color. There is a long white sofa and a classic carved wooden table that adds to the impression of luxury.

In the middle of the room, there is a large glass table complete with a laptop and all office equipment. Audrey sees Tristan sitting in his chair talking to someone on the phone. He stared intently at Audrey, and motioned with his hand for Audrey to sit in front of him.

Why did Tristan turn out like this? Is it because he is CEO? He is usually cheerful. But the look in his eyes scared me.

thought Audrey was-was.

Audrey recalled Reiner's frightened eyes, as Reiner was being burned by the flames of jealousy.

Audrey waited in silence until Tristan hung up her phone call. With his new appearance as CEO, Tristan does look more enchanting. It can make it easier for women to fall in love with it. But somehow Tristan who is now very different from Tristan known to Audrey before. Audrey usually feels comfortable being near Tristan. But this time, Tristan's existence actually made Audrey afraid and wanted to quickly leave the room.

"Good morning, sir," said Audrey, bowing her head.

Tristan stood up from her chair and walked over to Audrey.

"Good morning, Audrey's mother. Or I'd rather call you Mrs Bratawijaya," Tristan replied sounding cynical.

"Sorry, sir, I am." Audrey said nervously.

Tristan put her finger on Audrey's lips.

"Sst. Let me speak first Mrs Audrey Bratawijaya. What was your purpose in lying all this time? Are you deliberately pretending to be unmarried to tease me? Or is Reiner Bratawijaya telling you to spy on my company? You know, I could've sued you for faking your identity as an employee."

"Tristan, I'm sorry." said Audrey trying to explain.

"Call me Mr. Tristan. I'm no longer Tristan a staffer you can fool" Tristan said angrily.

For some reason Audrey felt sad to see the change that happened to Tristan. Tristan used to be a man who was always ready to help him, attentive, and able to comfort him in difficult times. But now Tristan is being rude and seems to hate him.

Tristan stood up from her chair and brought her face closer to Audrey's face. She holds Audrey's chin and forces him to talk.

"Audrey, why are you tricking me? Tell me what's your purpose?"

"Sa.ya has no purpose, sir. I'm really sorry for lying to you. I..forced to do it."

"Forced??? I don't accept such a cliche answer. I remember Karin once telling me that you were a cruel woman. You like to play with men's feelings. And you've caused Karin's older cousin to commit suicide. Is that true, Audrey?"

Audrey was very surprised to hear Tristan's question. He did not think that Karin was Dave's cousin. Moreover, Karin has told about her past with Dave to Tristan.

"I'm sorry I thought Karin was a liar. It turns out you're the one who likes to lie here. Are you also planning to play with my feelings?"

"Ti.no, Mister. It's not what you imagined. I've never wanted to make you feel hurt."

Tristan laughed at Audrey's reply.

"Audrey Bratawijaya, aren't you satisfied with making one man commit suicide? You made me fall in love with you. Then what do you want now? Make me suffer like your ex-boyfriend?"

Tristan's repeated accusations made Audrey's chest feel tight.

"Enough, Mr. Tristan. You don't know anything about my past" Audrey said.

"Yes, I didn't know anything until you fooled me. Say it! How long have you been married to Reiner Bratawijaya?"

"Sa. I just got married a few months ago."

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't tell you the reason."

"Audrey, if you don't want to say it then I will also make a calculation with your husband. And remember, I still have two requests that you have to fulfill. My second request is to tell the truth what's the reason you've been lying? Or...now you are also thinking of breaking your promise?" tristan asked impatiently.

What am I supposed to do? Tristan looks very angry. I'm afraid he'll do something. Would I rather tell you the truth?

audrey thought worried.

Tristan felt frustrated to see Audrey who still did not give an answer. He forced Audrey to stand face to face with him.

"I thought you were a gentle and kind woman. Turns out I misjudged you. I'm a fool for loving you, Audrey." said Tristan withstanding the pain in her heart.

Audrey's tears started to flow. He had not expected it to hurt Tristan's feelings that deep. Tristan has been very kind to him, but he returns his kindness with lies. Moreover, he would not be able to repay Tristan's love. However, when he saw Tristan get hurt like that, he felt the same wound in his heart.

"Mr Tristan, I'm sorry." said Audrey.

Unexpectedly by Audrey, Tristan came forward and grabbed Audrey's body into her arms.

"I'm sorry.It's easy for you to say. What in your apology can it heal the wounds in my heart?" ask Tristan in despair.

"Mr Tristan, please let me go" Audrey pleaded.

"I won't let you go until you tell me the truth. Even if you scream, no one will hear it" Tristan whispered in Audrey's ear.

Tristan's powerful energy makes Audrey unable to escape.

"Mr Tristan, I will tell you the truth" Audrey said unable to hold back her tears.

Audrey's crying made Tristan's heart move. Although he was angry and hurt, he could not bear to see Audrey shedding tears.

"Well, I'll give you one chance."

Audrey was relieved when Tristan was willing to let go. With no other choice, Audrey is forced to tell her past. From her first love ending bitterly until her contract marriage to Reiner. The contract required Audrey to keep her status as Reiner's wife a secret.

Tristan looks surprised to hear Audrey's painful past.

"Audrey, so you're just Reiner Bratawijaya's contract wife? Why didn't you say it from the beginning? I can help you get away from him."

"Master, Reiner used to hate me for thinking I was the cause of his sister's death. But now my husband and I love each other. There's no misunderstanding between us."

Tristan rubbed the tears that soaked Audrey's cheeks gently. All his anger seemed to evaporate along with the honest confession of the woman he loved.

"Audrey, do you love Reiner so much? Is there no chance for me to get your love?" tristan looked into Audrey's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Tristan..."

"Audrey, from now on call me Tristan as usual. I just want to know, have you ever felt a little love for me?"

Tristan's question leaves Audrey confused as to what to answer. He just loves Reiner. But Audrey could not deny that Tristan's presence had filled an empty space in her heart.

"Tristan, you will forever be my best friend. I'm sure you'll get a better woman than me" Audrey said sincerely.

Tristan clasped Audrey's hands tightly.

"So I don't have a chance anymore... I'll let you go with Reiner. But if he dares to hurt you again, I will snatch you from him. Now you can go back to your room" Tristan said, letting go of Audrey's hand.

"Thank you, Tristan."

Audrey leaves Tristan's room feeling guilty.

Tristan, you deserve a better woman than me. Ii'm sorry...

inner Audrey sad.