Part 11. Violet Laces

/Tristan's POV/

The Prince was annoyed, staring at the walls of the parking lot. He had no idea how long he had to stay in the car for Jane. She promised that she would be ready for him in ten minutes. It’s been almost thirty minutes since she said that. He should’ve never taken her word for it. 

Tristan stared at his phone, torn between calling her for the umpteenth time or holding back. He can wait five more minutes. 

They were going to meet his mother together. He had no idea how one night came to this. All he remembered was his mother’s frowning face as she stared at the article. The first one was something she let it slide, which he still can’t believe, but the second one made it worse. She couldn’t stop staring at him, giving him those detective eyes like she was going to figure it out sooner or later. 

Tristan hated lying, especially to his mother. She was the only one who stayed by his side even though the throne duties called out to her many times. It was impossible to handle both the things at the same time, something he realised while growing up, surrounded by the media and intrusive people. No one wanted to know them for them but their money and fame. That was one of the primary reason he tried to stay away from the spotlight.

He was glad that his mother was doing the same for his twin sisters. They are often photographed secretly while in the car here and there, but no one dares to come closer. 

As if on cue, he heard the knock on his window. The Prince jumped, staring at the bartender standing in front of him with an apologetic smile on her face. He rolled his eyes and motioned the driver to unlock his other side door. 

She made a face, trying to open the door he was sitting by. As if he was going ever to move. 

“Come from that side” He mouthed, meeting her eyes.

He then realised that she could not see him because of the tinted window. Just his luck! 

The Prince got out of the car, almost colliding against her in the process. He took a step back, staring at her without blinking. 

She was wearing tight blue skinny jeans, a frilly white top with lace sleeves and an overall coat. What made him smile was her ridiculous pair of sneakers. They had violet laces. He quirked his brow at that. Was she planning on meeting the Queen with those sneakers?

“Umm is that what you are wearing?”

She crossed her arms, “Hello. How are you? I’m fine. Thanks for asking, Princeling.”

He let out a sigh. Jane and her sarcastic words. He just hoped that his mother would not throw a fit for encountering someone like her. The Prince was very well aware of his mother’s patience with strangers. Mostly the quirky ones. 

“And what’s wrong with my outfit?! It took me twenty minutes to put them together. Have you ever seen me in a dress? I don’t like them. Also, these sneakers are gothic edition ones from my favourite brand. They stopped making them. Deal with it.” 

Now that he thought about it, Jane was always in her jeans or pants, coordinating them with quirky print shirts. He never noticed her shoes, though—also that bar apron on top of her outfit. 

“I can see why they stopped it” He murmured under his breath, turning around to open the door for her. 

“What did you say?!”

“Nothing I was just saying they make your feet look pretty” He bit his tongue as soon as those words were out of his mouth. 

Jane smirked, “Oh? I had no idea you were into that stuff Mr Princeling.” 

“I’m not! Stop calling me that.”

“But it took me forever to come up with that” Jane protested, adjusting in her seat. 

“Princeling? Really?” Tristan rolled his eyes. 

She shrugged and sat back. He shut the door with extra force than necessary just to annoy her. Tristan looked around, making sure no one caught them again before easily sliding in next to her. He entered through the back gate just for extra measure and in one of cheapest car he owned to throw the paps off. 

“So how long will it take to reach your palace?”

The Prince cocked his head and levelled her with an unreadable look. 

“You don’t have to small talk. It’s okay if you keep quiet.” 

“Good” She let out a sigh and looked out of the window. 

Tristan stared at her side profile for a few seconds before retrieving his phone from the pocket. It buzzed twice since he sat down beside her. He was pretty sure it must be another of those media channels. How did they get his number? It was about time he change his number. 

"Allow me to ask a question," She cleared her throat, turning towards him. 

He raised his brow.

“Just one."

The Prince didn't break their eye contact, letting her continue. He should’ve known she would get a ton of questions, judging by the number of messages she sent and deleted before he could read them last night. 

"Have you considered the idea that someone might have tipped them off? About us, I mean.” She licked her lips. "I mean, my apartment isn’t exactly in the “posh part” of Walsh.”

"None of my people would do it. I trust them” His tone was sharp, and she raised both hands, palms in defence.

Tristan hated it when others pointed fingers at his people. Why would they do that? He only keeps people loyal to him closer. The bodyguard he has is the same one who used to drop him off at school and pick him up. How can Tristan suddenly doubt him? His best friend, Zeehan, was someone he can blindly trust on. Only one of the few left who knows how to handle him.

"I'm not saying it was one of your people Just someone you know. Someone who would know your car and how to follow you without being noticed. That couldn't be more than a handful of people, correct?" 

Tristan thought about it. There was a possibility of that happening. He did know a few people in that party which is why he decided to stay back and talk with them. Just old acquaintances. They were not someone whom he can easily point the finger at but also someone he wouldn’t be surprised about. He had a fair share of people betray him because of his name and only maintain friendship because of his family. 

He opened his mouth to answer, but she interrupted him quickly, leaning forward as she turned her head to meet his eyes. He could feel the light shining on her face, almost making her eyes twinkle under them.

“I mean you meet a lot of people so it might be difficult for you to pinpoint. It might be a stranger who stalked you long enough to know things. But maybe it wasn't. I just want to say that it’s something you should consider as the possibility."

"Fair enough," Tristan hummed, nodding his head.

The ghost of a smile touched her face at that. Her lips curling at the sides and eyes brightening. He had no idea that agreeing to something she said would be met with a smile. Maybe he should do that often. 

“See? You should hear me out more often. I am very insightful” She smirked, folding her hands together and leaning back in her seat. 

Tristan wanted to push, argue his point. Instead, he stared out of the window, feeling his stomach in knots as they neared the destination. He had no idea why he was feeling nervous. It’s his mother for crying out loud! What’s the worst thing that could happen? 

***

Tristan had no intention of facing the situation alone so he called the one person he could rely on.

Zee picked up on the second ring. It had to be some kind of record for him. His friend was always busy with a hundred thousand meetings right from the morning. Being a CEO is kind of difficult. 

“Hello if it isn’t the infamous panty stealer. How's it hanging?"

"Would you mind if I laughed later?” Tristan rolled his eyes. Jane peeked at him, but he ignored her in favour of talking to his friend. 

“Oh, come on! It was funny.” 

“True comedian, you are. Why don’t you quit your job and start doing comedy for a living?” 

“Hmm, I will think about it.” 

“Anyways,” Tristan said eventually, tipping his head back against the seat. “Are you busy? Am I interrupting something?”

Zee made a disgruntled noise. “Actually you kind of saved me. I’m done for the day.” 

“Great! I have a task for you then. I want you to go to the Palace. I’m bringing Jane today to meet my mother.” 

“Will do.” 

“Thanks! I don’t know what I would do without you.” 

“Guess you never have to find out” Tristan smiled. 

***

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