A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Before he could answer, the waiter came over and asked what Kaleb and Tristan would like to drink. Both of them ordered. Kaleb simply got a glass of water, and Tristan ordered a Manhattan. (F/n) did order a glass of Riesling so that Anita wouldn't suspect that something was up by her only having water or ordering some non-alcoholic drink.

Once their drinks were ordered, (f/n) took a sip of her water and glanced over to Tristan expectantly. A smile touched his lips. It had to be fake. Either that or it had a different meaning behind it. The conversation from outside tickled her mind, but she managed to maintain her current questioning expression rather than one of disgust and hurt.

"I do. I help my parents with their interior design business, and I'm very committed to helping our business continue to do well in the industry." It sounded scripted. She couldn't hear it any other way after what she had overheard outside.

"What's the name of the business?" (f/n) asked, an inquiring look staying in her (e/c) optics.

"Fields' Interior Design. Have you heard of it?"

Admittedly, she had. They were known for providing a unique and antique feel to homes. "Yes, I have. You have a loyal clientele from what I've heard." Out of the corners of her eyes, (f/n) noticed Kaleb and Anita sharing a look. A small smile was on both of their lips, and she wondered if they thought that the date was going well. Frankly, she wanted to pull Anita aside and talk to her about all of this; she wanted Anita to prove her wrong, to show that Kaleb and Tristan were just playing some cruel prank, nothing more.

"Yes, we do. My parents largely are responsible for that, but I've helped to keep our clients." She noticed that he tried to say that without an arrogance about him, but she still could tell that it was there.

Not being able to help herself, she asked, "And, are some of those clients the women you've been with in the past?" She took a sip of her water and raised a brow. The atmosphere around the table became a little tense, and Anita looked like she might pull her away. Kaleb rubbed the back of his neck, and (f/n) had to keep a small smirk off of her lips. Catching him off guard certainly gave her mind a little bit of relief after what she had heard earlier.

Coughing awkwardly, he looked nervous. Hopefully, he actually was. "No, my parents wouldn't allow it, and I wouldn't approve of it either. They just wanted to have a good time. It didn't have to do with the business."

"And, you didn't want to have a good time? Did you feel that you just needed to help them?" It truly was hard to keep the smirk off of her lips. Making him uncomfortable helped to dull the pain of what she heard earlier for the moment, and she needed that to get through the dinner.

Sighing, he let his shoulders relax a little, and he looked over to her. "I expect that you don't believe me to be genuine in wanting a serious relationship after all the flings I've had." (F/n) took a sip of water and gave him a look that answered his suspicion in the positive. Tristan released another sigh, and Kaleb and Anita sat by awkwardly. "Well, I'm aware that they make me look bad in this, but I truly want to find someone and settle down finally."

Yeah, it'd get his parents off his back and fulfill whatever Kaleb wanted of him. She wasn't going to help him in that, but she had to act right now. He took out his phone, and she wondered what he was up to. "Here. I'll even delete all of those photos if you want me to. I can do it right now." Tristan pulled up his social media account with the pictures and met her gaze.

Kaleb hid his surprise, not expecting Tristan to go that far, but he was pleased. He didn't want to hire (f/n) with his company, nor did his parents. She could go work at Tristan's, and it seemed like he was committed to the deal they had, even more so than he thought. Mentally, Kaleb smirked, and he reached over to Anita's left hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Nearly, Anita peered down, but she glanced over to him instead and saw the reassurance in his eyes. A small smile touched her lips at the gesture. It certainly helped calm her nerves.

If (f/n) and Tristan really hit it off, Anita hoped that (f/n) would move out of the café on her own. Yes, Kaleb and his parents would hire her if need be, but this way, Anita might not even have to break such awful news to her. Technically, she still hadn't given definite approval to Kaleb's investment, but she knew that it would be good for the business, and Tristan, if things worked out, would provide well for (f/n). So, she was leaning towards agreeing to the investment, especially since Kaleb really had turned a new leaf. He was loving and considerate towards her, which was what she always wanted from him.

"Just say the word, and I'll delete the pictures," Tristan mentioned, pulling one up and holding his thumb over the delete button. If she hadn't overheard his conversation with Kaleb, she'd be impressed. Now, though, she wondered if she should tell him not to worry about it. If she told him to delete the images, would that mean that she was more open to the idea of dating him? Or, did telling him not to worry about it mean that instead since she trusted him? Either way, it seemed to be put her in a position she'd rather not be in.

Hidden smirk long gone, she sighed. "... Don't worry about it," she finally answered. Hopefully, that didn't spell out further trouble for herself. Tristan looked to her for a moment and mentally chuckled. Her answer sat well with him. She wasn't the overly jealous type it seemed, which would've been a possible nuisance in the future. Tristan glanced over to Kaleb before he looked back to his phone. He pressed the delete button.

Averting her eyes back to his phone, (f/n) raised a brow. He deleted the others too. "... Wait, you didn't have to." She was very grateful that she had caught their conversation. Otherwise, she might've fallen into his trap right then and there; she might've actually given the guy a chance.

"No, it's fine. It's time to get rid of these." He deleted the last ones and smiled to her. Tristan closed his phone and set it aside. "It's more respecting of you. I should've removed them before I even came here." No, he wouldn't have. She had a feeling that he wanted to make a show of it and get her attention. His true personality pointed to that kind of action.

"Well, thank you," she answered, sounding a bit surprised. Inwardly, though, she was worried. He was making it harder to act. At least, she could maintain a bit more skepticism without it seeming suspicious.

"It seems like you got past her interrogation just fine," Kaleb joked, laughing a bit. (F/n) frowned to him, but it was more of her annoyed, playful one. Anita smiled brightly and laughed too.

"You certainly caught her off guard, Tristan," Anita cheered on. "You might've just gotten past one of her walls," Anita teased, and (f/n) sent a frustrated frown to Anita.

"Don't go telling my secrets," (f/n) muttered, which caused Anita to laugh more. If only she had known about Anita's secrets. Then, she might've not found herself in this present mess. Her chest hurt, but she pushed back the feeling of betrayal. She had to remain strong until all three of them were gone.

"Well, I could spill a few," Anita teased, a mischievous grin on her lips. (F/n) imagined that she could. She had given Kaleb a picture of her without her consent. Tristan had that picture now too. I wouldn't mind making her that exhausted. Almost, she grabbed her water too fast. Taking a sip, she managed to get rid of the nauseous feeling before it became too strong.

"I'm sure that those can wait," Tristan commented, sending a small smile over to (f/n). She gave him a slight glance, which indicated that he still hadn't won her over. A light chuckle left him, and he wasn't intimidated. "Maybe, a second date?"

"Weren't you supposed to be nervous?" (f/n) pointed out, raising a brow once again.

"I was," he answered with no hesitation. "But, you've already put me on the spot. You're very blunt, and you called me out on what was making me nervous. Those images," he stared to the tabletop for a moment, "they were causing me to worry about what you might think. Now, they're gone."

"Ah, so I've made you feel better?" she asked before she took a sip of water. He chuckled lightly and nodded. "Pity."

"(F/n)," Anita chastised but playfully. A small smile touched (f/n)'s lips, and Anita smiled in return before she looked over to Tristan. "Yep, you're doing good." Tristan glanced over to (f/n), and she glared to him somewhat while she wore a pout on her lips. Acting like she normally would in such a situation really was tiring, and it only hurt more. She was actually happy that Anita wouldn't be staying at the house that evening.

"I'm impressed," Kaleb remarked, a smile touching his lips and sent towards Tristan. "Though, maybe, she's harder on me because I'm dating her friend," he joked, and Anita rolled her eyes a bit. "Anita, should've brought you in sooner." Tristan chuckled, Anita shook her head, and (f/n) sighed roughly even though she wanted to sink into her seat and go unnoticed. Hopefully, they could order their food soon.