Chapter Sixteen (UNEDITED)

--Kindly put your playlist here—

"Love is not an equation, it is not a contract, and it is not a happy ending. Love is the slate under the chalk, the ground that buildings rise, and the oxygen in the air. It is the place you come back to, no matter where your headed"  - Jodi Picoult

Tristan's POV

Wellington, New Zealand

"You look more and more beautiful everytime I see you." It was one in the afternoon and I was in my office facing my computer monitor, talking to Stella through Skype.

"Stop teasing me Tristan, I just woke up." She rubbed her eyes with her long slim fingers. She was in her bedroom, and wearing a satin peach robe. The belt around her waist defined its smallness.

"Where are you going?" I asked when she disappeared.

"Ooops, sorry. I'll be back in a sec, I'll just wash my face."

"Take me with you."

"Okay."

I saw her beautiful face again. Her facial bones were delicately carved, her tempting mouth full and nose exquisitely dainty. I enjoyed watching her - washing her face with her facial wash then brushing her teeth. I laughed everytime she made funny faces. I loved that she could be as playful as a girl or as composed as an intelligent woman.

"You have to take a rest. It's Sunday."

"Nah. I have nothing to do at home, no one's waiting for me."

"There's Rocky."

"HA-Ha. He's with me. Come here boy." I called my dog and he immediately ran towards me. "See? Rocky, say hello to Stella." Rocky barked and wiggled his tail.

"He's a good boy."

"Yeah. Just like me."

"OH, realllyyyy..."

I called Stella everyday and we dated twice – well, three times if that disastrous date set up by Eros counted.

Our date was more like getting to know each other, having fun, teasing and flirting. We held hands, we touched, but ended the night with kisses on cheeks. I didn't want to pressure her, especially now that I learned that she never experienced dating, kissing and getting intimate with the opposite sex - all that because of her arranged marriage with my cousin, Eros. Damn Eros.

"Six more days and I'm going to see you again."

"Yeah. Six more days."

"I can't wait."

"Me too." She replied.

"Really? Wow. You just made my day." In fact, I felt special.

"Don't forget to check the weather forecast."

"Definitely." Our last date was cancelled because of a bad weather here in New Zealand. The weekends that followed was very hectic. I had business meetings and previous commitments that I couldn't cancel.

She smiled and nodded.

"Where will you take me?"

"It's a surprise. I'm sure you will love it. Just be ready at 10 a.m. and wear comfortable clothes."

"Okay. I'm excited."

"Me too. I can't wait to see you again."

I was still smiling after my videochat with Stella. I was caught off guard when my stepmother came inside my office.

"Tristan, is it true that you're dating Stella Valiente?" Marilyn walked straight in front of my desk. "Is it serious?"

The happiness that I felt was instantly replaced with remorse.

What is she doing here in New Zealand? My new secretary let her in, damn it!

"It's none of your business. What do you want?"

"No hi or hello? I'm your mother Tristan... we're family."

I held up a hand to silence her. "Stepmother." I smirked and eyed her with distaste.

"Mother. Stepmother. It's the same."

"Stop being so dramatic Marilyn and cut the sarcasm. What do you want? Money?"

"NO! Why do you always think I want money everytime I see you?" She sat down in one of the arm chairs in front of me, then straightened her shoulders.

"Because, after your drama, you end up selling your properties to me."

"Well... not this time."

"What do you mean?"

She bent her head and studied her hands. Then I noticed an engagement ring. "I'm... I'm getting married, Tristan and I want to let you know first."

"Really?" Oh God. I hope not to one of his young opportunistic model boyfriends. "Who's the lucky guy?"

"Um... you know him."

"Who?"

"Robert Chan."

"Robert Chan? Your bodyguard?"

"Yes!" She smiled happily. "We love each other so much and we're planning to get married very soon. It will be a very simple wedding... you know him, he wants everything simple and ordinary."

I exhaled heavily, feeling relieved. Robert Chan was a good man, too good for Marilyn. I was sure he would be a better husband for her.

***

"I'm on my way to the airport now." I was walking in a hurry, carrying my brown leather bag and talking to Stella.

"How's the weather there? Did you check the forecast?"

"Yep. Don't worry, the weather is great, perfect." I opened the door of my truck and tossed my bag at the passenger side.

There was silence, then she said. "Be very careful, okay?"

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow at ten in the morning."

"I'll be waiting." She said before she hung up.

I started my truck and drove out of the ranch when I saw a black cat suddenly crossed the street. I stomped on the brake with too much force that I almost smacked my head on the windshield. Dammit.

Stella's POV

Valiente's Mansion

Los Angeles, California - 10:15 a.m.

"I thought you're going out at ten." My brother Manuel said. He was the youngest among my three brothers and had a bad reputation when it came to women.

"I'm still waiting for Tristan." I got so anxious now. Tristan was never late on our dates. I wondered what happen to him.

Manuel shrugged his shoulders. "That's bad. Tsk. Tsk. Not a good impression on a second date."

"It's our fourth date." I wiped my forehead. I was perspiring and I had this ill feeling deep inside my stomach. Where is he?

I wondered if he arrived safely here in L.A. Oh my God. Please don't let anything bad happened to Tristan.

"Are you okay?" Manuel asked me.

"I... I'm fine."

"If he's not coming, you can come with me sailing."

"No thanks. You will just ignore me. I know you'll be bringing your girlfriends."

"Yeah. But Michael will be there. He'll be happy to keep you company."

"No.. no. I'll just wait for Tristan. He'll come. Maybe he was caught in a traffic."

"Maybe. Or maybe not." Manuel shoved his hands inside his blue denim pants pockets.

"What time is it now?"

"It's... ten twenty five."

I was getting so worried. Something bad really happened to Tristan! I took my phone from my bag and about to call him when Manuel interrupted me.

"Don't you ever call him. Remember. He is not your boyfriend yet. You're only dating him. We hate it when women check on us. Just wait. He'll come... or call you if he cancels your date."

"Okay." I heaved a sigh and tried to calm myself. I sat on the victorian sofa in the living room with Manuel. I checked the time on my phone, it was 10: 40... then 10:50.... then 11am.

But what if something bad really happened to him? It had been one hour already.

"Manuel. I know something bad happened. I have to call him."

"Awwe, come on sis. Just relax. He's fine."

I called Tristan, but he couldn't be reach. He was out of coverage area. I called him again... and again... and again... but still, I couldn't contact him.

Where is Tristan?

Two hours later, I called Tristan's office in New Zealand, but his secretary said that he was aboard his plane to Los Angeles, California since yesterday. She couldn't give me more information about her boss' whereabouts.

I was watching the tv news and surfing the internet if there was any plane crash... or storm warning or anything. I was freaking out with worries. I would die if something bad happened to him. I love him.... and I was not able to tell him how much I love him.

"Something's wrong?" My mom asked me. "You look so restless."

"Mom. I'm supposed to have a date with Tristan this morning, but he haven't arrived." I hugged my mom and told her about my worries. "What if something bad happened to him?"

"We should tell your dad about this, now."

Seven p.m.

It was such a torture waiting for hours for some news about Tristan. I relied everything to dad. He said he would have someone checked on Tristan.

"Your dad said that Tristan is on his way here in L.A. There's no need to worry."

"But he left New Zealand since yesterday. He should be here this morning."

"Since yesterday? Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I already told you, right?"

"Okay, I'll call your dad."

I was so agitated. Nervous. Panic. I was getting crazy, thinking and worrying about Tristan. I began to shook as the fearful images of Tristan built in my mind.

The doorbell suddenly rang and my heart abruptly hammered against my ribs. Our butler opened the door.

It was dad.

"Hello princess. Did your mom told you about Tristan? He's on his way here in L.A."

"Yeah. But I'm really worried dad, he left New Zealand yesterday."

"But his secretary said that he's already on his way here."

Grief and despair tore at my heart. I couldn't contain the ill feeling that was eating my nerves anymore. A sensation of intense sickness and desolation swept over me. I closed my eyes feeling utterly miserable – and I cried.

"Oh dad." I hugged my dad. "Please help me find Tristan."

The doorbell rang again and I heard the door opened. I guessed it was Manuel or Franco. But I was still in my dad's arms crying.

"Shh... don't cry princess."

"I can't live without Tristan dad, I love him so much. Dad, please, we have to find him really really fast. What if his plane crashed... what if he's castaway... or floating unconsciously in the middle of the ocean... there are plenty of sharks in there."

Dad pulled away a little and smiled at me. "Sweetie, I don't think so, because he's here, standing right behind you."

My heart lurched.

I stared at my dad. I couldn't believe what he've just said. Then he nodded and looked at the person behind me.

Slowly, I turned around and saw Tristan, ALIVE and smiling at me.