Chased by my Ex Husband

Grace

"I just felt like..." Tristin trails off and swallows. " coming to see you."

I don't need to ask how he found me. If he wants to, he can find me anywhere.

I stay still, staring up into his out-of-focus eyes. He is looking right through me as if thinking about something.

My eyes lower to the sleeves of his jacket, getting caught in the drops of water dripping down the edge. I look down at his feet and sigh.

"The rain stopped more than an hour ago. Why are you drenched?" I frown.

Tristin's gaze follows my eyes and lands on the pool of water around his feet. His shoulders slump, making me blink. This is the first time I have seen him like this-dejected and lost. "I can ask Luca to come up with a suit and-"

I grab the sleeve of his jacket and pull him inside the apartment. The coldness of his hand seeps into my fingers that brush against his skin.

Leaving him standing beside the wall, I close the door and sigh, lowering my gaze to the floor.

I thought I wouldn't see him again-not for a few years at least.

But I...thought about him more than I like to admit. It's not like I love him or anything, but something about Tristin Roberto makes him unforgettable.

"Go sit on the couch and call Luca. "I utter, turning around. "I will make you something hot to drink. "

Before I can take a step forward, his arms wrap around my shoulder and waist and tug me back into his body.

My heart leaps to my throat. I freeze, after a long time, and stay like that for some moments to come.

Tristin's forehead drops to my shoulder. He takes a few deep breaths and tightens his grip around me.

I can see the rain starting again through the large ceiling-to-floor window in front of me. It patters against the glass, creating a loud noise that drowns the drumming beat of my heart. Are you okay? Shall I ask a shallow question like that when I already know the answer?

I swallow, close my eyes and let him hold me, for as long as he needs.

"You left without saying goodbye. " Tristin mumbles.

"You were awake and only pretending to be asleep. I know that." Unconsciously, I place my hands over his wrists and just hold still.

"You could have called. I wouldn't have asked you anything. You could have just called to say Hi. "He pulls his face out of my shoulder and whispers.

I press my lips in a thin line and don't say anything. What was the point of saying Hi to him?

I am just...surprised that he came all the way here when he is suffering. What made him think about me at a time like this when he never came before?

Tristin removes his arms from around me, and the cold air brushes against my drenched back. I step forward, opening my eyes to see the rain still pattering against the window.

It feels like an eternity passed, but it must be only a few minutes of sudden warmth.

From the corner of my eyes, I see Tristin strolling to my couch and staring at it reluctantly. " Maybe I should call Luca first. I don't want to—"

"You can take a bath if you want. "I mumble and rush towards my open kitchen. " my washroom is attached to the bedroom right there." Tristin and my gazes lock, and my cheeks flare with heat.

So awkward!

This must be what you feel when you sleep with someone, sneak out on him the next morning, and disappear for three months without a word.

I turn my back to him. " Hurry up. I will take your clothes from Luca and give them to you when he comes up."

"Okay." Tristin sighs and I hear him leaving behind me.

I release a breath of relief, my mind drifting to the past.

After coming here, for the first month, I kept thinking that someone might barge inside my small

apartment again. I thought thel.ne

people from my past won't leave me alone. en

But no one came.

Not even Tristin. He was true to his words and kept his distance as he promised.

Now that he is finally here, I don't feel fear or uncomfortable. I feel... strangely calm and a little relieved.

This must be my descent into madness.

I shake my head and work on making the hot tea when the bell rings. I move towards the door and open it to reveal Luca's stern face.

"Ms. Whitlock." He addresses me politely.

"Luca." Instinctively, I smile.

"Here are Boss' clothes." He pushes a suit towards me and I grab it before looking at him, wondering what I should do. "Do you want tea?" I blurt.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

His lips twitch." thanks for the offer, Ms. Whitlock, but I will have to refuse. I will wait for Boss in front of the building."

I nod at him eagerly and watch him leave. Double awkward!

I close the door and approach the bathroom. The sound of the shower running on the other sound is in tune with the rain pattering on the glass.

I knock on the door and sigh. "Luca sent your clothes, Tristin. I am putting them on the bed. "

There is no sound of okay from the other side but I still do as I said and go back to the kitchen.

Maybe, I should change my clothes too. I scrunch my nose as I continue with the tea.

My mind keeps drifting to Tristin's face from earlier, and his voice. He....just doesn't look all right. And can be be when Lily made sure to mess up his whole family?

There must be a storm brewing back at his home, and he is here, instead of staying there. What do I...

A hand reaches over my shoulder and turns off the stove. I feel his warmth behind my back and freeze at the spot again.

"It's burning." He whispers, his arm still outstretched, and touching my side.

"Oh. "My eyes shoot towards the tea and I gulp. "I will make a new—"

"If my presence makes you uncomfortable, I will leave right away, Little Butterfly. You just have to tell me. "His breath fans the tip of my ear.

I stiffen, staring at his arm. " this is

your escape from reality. How can

I...ask you to leave right now when I know you came here because you just wanted to escape?"

"Do you think I am so weak that I will seek escape from my situation?" Tristin's voice lowers until I can barely hear it.

My heart twists inside my chest. I shoot him a look over my shoulder, our noses brushing slightly.

His eyes search mine, his eyelids drooping before he smiles. " Maybe, I am."