ELIZABETH'S POV

I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling. I really didn't want to go. Not like I had a choice in the matter. Honestly, I've been on a completely different level of boredom. A level of boredom I've never felt. I woke up, ate, swam or sat alone watching TV, sometimes I would write, eat, then go to sleep. My thoughts consisted of my brothers and the ache my heart held for them. Last night was the first conversation Tristan and I have had since his outburst.. our outburst. 

The one you want to happen again..

It's not like I could control my lust I had for him. Which made me feel weak. You can feel strong by not doing what other people say but you never feel true strength until you can control yourself and not do what your body tells you to. But I mean, I lived with him. The cold hearted bastard was the only man I was ever really around. Who was I to deny his beauty and I'm not one to be disloyal. As much as his bitterness pisses me off I couldn't help but want him to slam me against the wall and touch me; ignite my body in ways I never thought it could. 

Although his playfulness had thrown me off our usual routine of yell and hate. But the biggest turn on was the hate. The heat between us was unbelievable and frustrated me. But now I had to get ready to go out to a fancy dinner... with his parents and some other family. 

I hadn't been out in public with him in a while. I hadn't had to pretend to love him, to be a couple. 

And I was no where near ready to. I knew paparazzi was going to be around every corner. I was also scared to see how the falseness and the small touches here and there would affect us. I hope we would end up exploding in front of everyone.  

I slipped on the black dress Sarah had given me and neatly styled myself. My hair fell in its natural waves but my usual bright eyes held a dullness. I applied a small amount of mascara and looked at myself again. Much better. I slid on black heels and headed quickly down the stairs. 

I reached the bottom and the large silent house surrounded me. I would never get used to the size of this place. I grabbed my phone and purse while walking into the kitchen. Sarah's small figure moved around it, wiping down counters and putting things away. 

She looked up at me acknowledging my presence,  "You look beautiful, Liz."

A smile of gratitude stretched across my lips and I thanked her. I slid onto a bar stool to wait for Tristan but I hoped he would take his time. I wasn't prepared to go out into public even though wed been together for, what was it, two maybe three months now. 

I picked at my nails and began to feel ashamed of them. I really needed a manicure. Or at least try to tend to them myself. They weren't that mad but they weren't great. My thoughts were cut off by Tristan striding into the room. I didn't even half to look up. He oozed power and the energy changed as soon as his presence graced the room. 

"Sarah, you can go home now if you'd like. Elizabeth and I won't be back till late," his voice was strong and easily filled my ears. It pissed me off how even him just speaking my name in a sentence made me shutter. 

"Thank you, sir," she wiped her hands on her apron, "I hope you have a nice night."

She glanced my way giving me a knowing look. We both knew the night would be ruff but neither spoke of it. 

"Eliza," Tristan acquired my attention and began to speak. But being the first time I had laid eyes on him today I was mildly distracted. He wore a black fitted suit and his hair was slicked back. I had seen him like this before but there was something different. His piercing blue eyes held a new emotion. The way his jaw continuously clenched and released was memorizing. He seemed so tense but so in control at the same time. I bit down on my lip hard and met his gaze once again. 

"Are you even listening," his tone held slight anger and he narrowed his eyes. 

My mouth fell open slightly and I held in a giggle, "No I'm sorry. Can you repeat that."

I was slightly embarrassed but I knew he didn't see me ogling. 

He let out a huff and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I said I have to stop by the office to get some paperwork. Also dinner plans have been changed. Instead we are to attend my cousins get together."

I furrowed my brows and nodded, "So we're not having dinner?"

"We will after. My parents want to go to that Italian restaurant that just opened," when he spoke of his parents he sounded slightly annoyed by them. I sighed and slid out of my seat. The uncomfortable heals that supported the off the ground made me a few inches taller. 

Tristan didn't spare me a glance as we walked to the fancy car out front. A man opened the car door and Tristan slid in and I followed after. Of course there was beverages ready for us before we even sat down. Tristan sat across from me typing aggressively on hid phone.  I grabbed the glass cup on my side and filled it with some ice. The drawer below had multiple options of alcohol but I decided to just have whiskey. 

I finished three glasses and began to pour my fourth when Tristan decided to pay attention to me.

"Are you trying to get drunk?" his tone was rude and snippy and I rolled my eyes. 

I was far from drunk but had a small buzz and this next glass would definitely loosen me up. It would be much easier to pretend love and talk to people with a buzz. "I'm no where even close," I brought my newly filled cup to my lips and still cringed at the taste. 

 Tristan grunted and held his glare on me, "You are not going to be around my family intoxicated."

I wanted to tease him for his grumpiness but swallowed it with the alcohol, "I promise you, I won't be."

The rest of the ride was silent. When we arrived at the house I had finished my drink and was satisfied. I wasn't even tipsy but I'd be talking and laughing. The house was beautiful. Not a mansion like Tristan's but very large. I liked it because it wasn't so extravagant. Even the outside had a sort of homey feel to it.  People walked in and out of the front and cars lined everywhere. Our driver let us out at the front and went to park. 

Tristan took my arm and handed me a mint, "You smell of whiskey."

I glowered but took the mint anyways and popped it in my mouth, "No one would be able to tell."

He didn't hear my mumble or chose to ignore it and dragged me up towards the entrance. He wasn't exactly dragging me but I struggled  to keep up with his long strides. I regretted even looking at the heels let alone putting them on. We stepped into the bubbly home filled with people. 

It wasn't like a huge party more like a gathering. A decent amount of people were scattered through the house. We walked through the house with me on Tristan's arms. Some people payed no attention and other would give me questioning looks while others looked excited. 

We stepped into the back and my eyes landed on the group of people laughing. They sat in a circle around a built in fire pit. Two women sat beside each other in their own little conversation. The three men surrounding them were loud and full of energy. I recognized most of them from the wedding but couldn't pin any of them. 

We continued to them and my focus shifted to the yard. About seven kids were running around being loud and crazy. I smiled and my heart pinched at the thought of my brothers. I was angry with myself for not seeing them everyday. I hope they know I love them with all my heart.

"Tristan," A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked and a familiar man started walking towards us and met us halfway with a full smile. 

"Brandon," Tristan said pulling the man into a hug, "it's been to long."

I remembered the man instantly. He's the one Tristan was all bitchy with. 

"Your telling me. How long has it been? Since the wedding? Is that how to treat your best friend," Brandon had his hand on Tristan shoulder as if he was giving him a stern talking to. But he wasn't close to intimidating. His blond shaggy hair and bright brown eyes held a softness. The permanent smile on his lips was very comforting.

"Brandon, the companies gone crazy," Tristan left it at that and I wanted to hear more. We never talk but I've never heard anything about Tristan's company. 

"We need to get a drink and sit and talk. Norman contacted me earlier today," Brandon's tone changed very quickly and I furrowed my eyebrows. 

"Shit," Tristan muttered.

I finally cleared my throat and the looked at me as if the didn't know I was there, "As much as I'd love to stand and chat my feet are killing me."

Tristan sent me a glare and I easily ignored it. "Oh damn, hey beautiful how are you? Don't take this personally but it's been a while and I kind of forgot your name."

A smile spread across my face, "It's okay. To be completely honest with you it took me a second to remember who you were," the buzz let me speak freely and Brandon chuckled, "and it's Elizabeth."

"Ah Elizabeth," Brandon lightly moved Tristan out of the way and replaced Tristan's arm with his, "Nickname?"

I couldn't help but laugh. This man had no fear of Tristan, "Only my friends get to call me nicknames."

Brandon pouted and his arm loosened slightly, "But darling I thought we were friends."

"Brandon," and angry voice came from behind us and footsteps closed in. I felt chills run up my spine. 

I hope he doesn't touch me.

But of course with my luck I was yanked back. My back hit a hard chest and fingers dug into my hips, "Try and steal my wife again I'll beat your ass."

His hot breath tickled my ear and I held my breath to keep from reacting. Brandon smirked and a blush found its way to my cheeks. 

"Come on man you know I'm playing," he glanced at me and looked back at him, "Anyways even if I wanted to I don't think I could." 

My body was still reacting to being pushed up against Tristan but I still couldn't help but question his words. What does he mean he couldn't? I mean I sure he couldn't but why did he think that?

Tristan let out a puff of air before stepping to the side. His hand now rested on the small of my back and he guided me towards the group of people. 

________________________________

Yes I know its been forver

but dont kill me please

<3