Bitter Taste of Regret

"I-I need to talk to your boss. Umm... Is T-Tristan Donovan here in his office?" I said the moment that I approach Tristan’s secretary.

"Yes, Ma'am. May I know your name so I can inform Sir that you want to speak with him?"

Since I haven’t visited his company before, it wasn’t unusual for his secretary to not know my close relationship with her boss. In fact, if I hadn’t made a mess last night and wanted to be away for my father at least for a while, I do not see myself stepping in here.

"Ah, yes! Ummm... I-I'm Evelyn Grace Wilson. Please tell him that what we need to discuss is important."

The secretary nodded and entered Tristan's office. I composed myself, holding back tears. It would be embarrassing for Tristan's employees to see me crying. I decided to reveal my true feelings inside Tristan's office, where only he would witness my vulnerability.

After a few minutes, Tristan's secretary came out, and I stood up, gripping my sling bag tightly. She smiled at me before speaking.

"You can enter now, Miss Wilson. Sir is available, and you can talk to him."

I nodded and entered my friend's office. Once inside, I closed the door behind me and faced Tristan. He was leaning against his desk, looking at me with curiosity. Unable to hold back my emotions, I ran towards him, tightly hugging him. I felt him pause but he didn't push me away. I cried quietly in his embrace. He remained silent, just comforting me with his presence. After a few minutes, I let go of the hug, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"What was that, Evelyn Grace Wilson? Don't tell me..."

I wiped my face, looking sadly at Tristan and took a deep breath. I'm so f-cked up! What have I gotten myself into?

He ran his hand through his hair, turning away from me, as if he already knew what my look meant. I heard him softly curse, then he faced me again.

"What happened last night, Eve? Didn't your plan work out? I helped you!" he said.

"The plan happened, Tri," I whispered.

He furrowed his brows, looking at me. "Then? Why are you crying now, and why do you look troubled? I knew it! I didn't agree with what you wanted to happen, Evelyn!" He said with frustration.

I bit my lip, knowing he had warned me. Still, I didn't listen because I became desperate. "I went to the wrong condo unit," I said seriously.

His eyes widened, and he almost lost his balance, but he quickly held onto the edge of his table. "Y-You what?"

I took a deep breath and explained to Tristan what happened last night.

"I went to the wrong condo unit, Tri! I didn't end up in Julian's unit but in... in…” shit! Why can't I even mention his name now? I'm too affected by his threat earlier when Daddy said he should marry me. I know, even though he's rich and a well-known devil in the business world, he still can't handle my father. Daddy can do anything, and if he says I'll marry that guy — we will get married, even against my will.

"What the hell, Evelyn?! I gave you the right floor and number of Julian's unit! Why would you make a mistake? Are you blind?" Tristan angrily shouted at me.

I glared at him. "I followed your text, asshole! I went to room 456 just like what you texted to me!" I shouted back.

I saw Tristan blink rapidly, then he stepped closer, holding both my shoulders. I got confused and nervous.

"T-Tristan?"

He took a deep breath while still looking at me as if he pitied me. "Eve, It's room 455, not room 456," he softly said.

I almost collapsed on the floor due to extreme weakness, but Tristan quickly supported me and sat me down on the nearest couch. We faced each other, and I was still in shock, unable to believe what Tristan said. I looked at him again, tears welling up.

"T-Tristan, please say you made a mistake, that you were the one who made a mistake, not me!" I said frantically.

He sighed and pulled out his phone. After a few minutes, he faced his cellphone towards me, showing our text conversation. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I glanced at Tristan in confusion.

"Look what I texted to you, Eve. I never mentioned room 456," he said.

I took his phone from his hand and scrutinized the conversation. I almost dropped Tristan's phone when I read our conversation last night. He took his phone back, raising an eyebrow.

Evelyn:

Tri, I'm outside Moore Apartelle. Please text me the exact room number of Julian's unit. Thank you!

Tristan:

Are you really doing this, Evelyn? If you fail, it's not my fault! I warned you!

Evelyn:

I know, Tri! Faster! Please send me the number!

Tristan:

Fine! It's room 455. Be careful, Evelyn.

I almost let go of Tristan's phone after reading our conversation last night. He took his phone back and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Now, tell me which unit you entered? What happened there?" he asked in succession.

I couldn't help but cry out of sheer shame towards my friend and embarrassment for myself. Stupid! Foolish! Evelyn, you've never done anything right! You're planning, and yet it's still a failure! "H-Hey, stop crying!" he said in a flustered tone and approached me.

I looked at my friend seriously while continuing to cry.

"I went to Lucien Marcus Halloway's unit. Something happened between us, and... and Dad saw us this morning. He wants me to marry the jerk," I said softly and broke down. Tristan's mouth hung open, and he blinked rapidly.

"E-Evelyn—"

"You know I have no way out of this, Tri! I just wanted to help my sister. I want to help Elie, but... but I made our problem worse. So what's going to happen now? A double wedding?! I hate this! I hate myself! I'm so stupid!" I weakly exclaimed, crying.

Tristan hugged me and gently stroked my back. He didn't speak, and he didn't scold me. He just embraced me and listened to my rants.

I don't want to marry Marcus. He's a devil, and he's arrogant! I know that when he says I'm dead, I'm really dead to him, especially if our marriage proceeds.

Damn! It's all the fault of the alcohol I drank! I will never, ever drink alcohol again! I swear off all the alcohol in the world!

I will still do everything to prevent my marriage to that devil. I will never marry that man.