Chapter 4 04

SIERRA

"You're from the Tristan Family?!" I exclaimed the moment Shin drove into the compound of the famous Tristan mansion.

He nodded as if it was nothing.

"And you didn't think to tell me before signing the contract?!"

"Does it matter?"

"Does it matter?! You're the son of Chairman Richard of Triad Group, one of the most prestigious families in the country and I'm getting married to him. Do you realize how wild that is?!"

He drove his sleek black Audi car to a gentle halt and exhaled deeply.

"I apologize for not telling you earlier, Miss Sierra. I am the second son of the family but I've always kept that identity a secret."

I shook my head and a sigh escaped my breath. The more time I spent with him, the more I hated myself for signing this contract with him.

"Miss Sierra, shall we head inside?"

I glared at him, "Just call me by my name, if you want your family to believe we are getting married, you should at least try to put on an act."

"An act?" he donned a puzzled look and I hissed before stepping out of his car. I was immediately welcomed by the beauty of the gigantic building followed by the cold winds that gently breezed past me. Who knew that I would one day get the chance to get into the Tristan mansion? My heart started to race like a sports car. It was just a family dinner but this was no ordinary family. I reviewed my dress again, I was wearing a short and loose v-neck gown, and black knee-high boots complemented with a black coat and purse. Shin came to my side, staring at the building as if he were reliving an old and ugly memory, and as much as I hated to admit it, he looked ridiculously astonishing in his black suit. I half expected him to compliment my dress but not a word left his lips nor did he even glance at me till we entered their ridiculously large living room. I have seen luxury but this family, redefined that meaning for me tonight. I had to remind myself to not get carried away.

"Sierra Banks?" A charming tall bearded man I presumed to be well in his mid-thirties and dressed in a suit chirped as he sauntered down the stairs. Marcus Tristan, one of the top businessmen.

I stood up from the three-seater couch on impulse, wearing the brightest smile I could give as he came to meet me.

"Mr. Marcus," I greeted and he extended his hand for a handshake.

"To what do we owe this pleasure?" he grinned.

What was with the Tristan men and their irresistible charms?!

"I invited her," Shin interjected and we both turned to him. He was still seated and didn't bother to spare either of us a glance.

"It is unlike my brother to invite a friend over. You must be special to him," Marcus toned in surprise.

I chuckled and this was the part I expected Shin to spill the beans but he remained mute.

"I heard about your drug scandal, it must be tough for you."

"Not at all, with Shin by my side I'm confident that I can prove myself."

His eyes squinted. "Scandals like this can be hard to get rid of. I guess this is what you get for going after the top-class people of our society."

"I'm only doing my job after all," I replied, trying hard not to let my irritation show.

"Then I hope you're not here to target us next."

Shin cleared his throat, glaring at his brother with predatory eyes.

"Don't get so worked up brother, I'm just letting your friend know that Triad Group is honest in its dealings. We are different from the others, aren't we?"

I could sense the rage Shin was containing and I quickly intervened by laughing it off.

"Of course, Triad Group is unique," I said but then our moment was cut short the moment his parents trod down the stairs. Perhaps it was just me but the aura of the atmosphere changed instantly. Marcus stiffened and even Shin stood up immediately as if they were acknowledging their father. But Chairman Richard didn't even pay any attention to them, rather he focused on me making it impossible for me to waver from his imposing gaze.

"Good evening–" I tried to say but his wife cut me off.

"Aren't you Sierra Banks?" she queried, her countenance not hiding an ounce of how much she was displeased by my presence.

"Yes, Mrs. Tristan–"

"What are you doing here?" she cut me off again, reviewing me from head to toe as if she were trying to find a flaw in me.

"Shin invited her over–"

"Dad," Shin cut him off and stood by my side, his eyes beaming with nothing but iciness. "This is my fiance, Sierra Banks."

Everyone froze, was it shock they felt or displeasure? I couldn't tell but if there was one thing I learned here. The Tristans are a messed up family.

"Mr. Tristan," a maid came into the living room breaking the tense silence. "Dinner is ready."

Not a word left our lips as we all proceeded to the dining room.

"Aren't you the reporter with the drug scandal case?" Mrs. Tristan suddenly queried, breaking the chain of silence after eating for a while.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied. "But I assure you that I am innocent. There seems to be a mix-up somewhere."

She could almost spit at me but I had to maintain my courteous smile regardless. I would take anything just so Shin could defend my case.

"I don't like you, Sierra," she blurted. "You're nothing but a social climber to me. You're not worthy of him."

My smile faded.

"Shin, is this a joke to you?" she questioned angrily but he kept eating as if she didn't even exist. "I'm talking to you!" her tone hardened but Shin didn't flinch beside me in the slightest. "Your father told you to get married but that doesn't mean you could just pick any lady off the streets."

I dropped my cutleries carefully on the plate. This was the part where he was supposed to defend me but all he did was eat. My palms almost clenched as anger burned in me like brimstone fire.

"I must say, I'm disappointed in you brother," Marcus interjected, seated opposite us. "There are perfect ladies with impressive backgrounds. The daughter of the Chairman of Excel Group has always wanted to meet you. You could have simply met me and I would have arranged a woman worthy of you."

Shin dropped his cutlery, glaring at his brother.

I inhaled deeply, trying not to let my anger get the best of me. If his family failed to approve our marriage then Shin wouldn't defend my case and that would be the end of me. I exhaled deeply and wore a smile.

"Shin and I love each other," I placed my right palm over the back of his left palm. He almost flinched, staring at me in awe just like the rest of them. My smile deepened as I peered deeply into his ocean-blue eyes, still unable to get rid of the shock.

"We've known each other since high school and we never got along back then, I considered him to be annoying, egoistic, and selfish back then but then life drifted us apart until we met again two years ago," my eyes drifted to his brother and mother. "Trust me he still had that same annoying habit but then I started to understand him, little by little till our hearts longed for each other. We've always kept our relationship a secret, we are worlds apart after all. He didn't even want to come here, he was scared that his family would reject me. But I had to force him to be here tonight even when I knew the risk. I wanted to let you all know..." My eyes returned to him as I intertwined my fingers with his. "That I love him with all my life. I want to fight for him, stand by him, and be his source of joy and laughter. If there's anyone I want to start a family with, it's him and always will be."

His eyes fell to our intertwined fingers and then he smiled. I couldn't help but admire his smile, whether it was genuine or not, it looked so good on him.

His father chuckled, tousling our attention on each other. "Shin likes to keep to himself and he barely lets anyone into his life. Sometimes I get worried for him if he would ever find someone who truly understands and cherishes him. But I'm glad to see he has finally given his heart to someone." He smiled at me and he had no idea how much it relieved me.

"Does that mean–" Shin tried to say.

"I approve of this marriage."

I beamed while Marcus and his mother glared.

"I do hope your parents approve of my boy too?"

My smile faded. "I lost my mother when I was little and my father...he's been in a coma ever since he got into an accident years ago."

Shin stared at me in shock but I quickly wore a smile again.

"It must have been hard for you," Chairman Richard said. "But not to worry, Sierra, we are part of your family now."

"Never!" Mrs. Tristan yelled.