Chapter 11: Bringing a Man Home

Nova caught Tristan trying to look all serious and suddenly felt awkward about it. She glanced down, a bit embarrassed. "You know, my place is kinda tiny..." "It's probably not as comfy as where you work." Nova blurted out the truth. After all, a good-looking gigolo like him must have it nice at those upscale clubs. definitely more comfy than her own home. Her mind started to wander, imagining fancy lounges... "As long as you don't mind." Then came his deep, magnetic voice, snapping her back to reality. As Nova turned back to look at him, she saw the sincerity in his eyes. Thinking about how he was willing to sell his own house just to help her pay off her debts really struck a chord with her. No matter what, he had helped her out. Leaving him high and dry didn't sit well with her. If it hadn't been absolutely necessary, she really wouldn't have wanted to sell the house she shared with her grandma. Deep down, she knew she owed him a big thank you. "You really don't mind?" Nova asked cautiously as if testing whether he was just joking. Tristan's smile froze, and a look of disappointment crossed his face. "If you really don't want to... I guess I'll just have to sleep on the streets." His serious tone made her realize he wasn't joking. Reflecting on her words that might have hurt him, Nova quickly moved closer. "Sorry, I thought you were joking." She lightly grabbed at his sleeve, her head bowed and cheeks burning as she apologized. The golden sunlight cast a warm glow on her, making her shimmer slightly. Even her long eyelashes caught the light, fluttering adorably. Especially when she apologized, she had the sheepish look of a child caught in mischief. So cute. He thought. "Were you thinking I was joking?" Tristan asked with a hint of theatrical surprise. Nova didn't want him to be upset—after all, he really had helped her. "I just figured we were ships passing in the night. I never expected you to go to such lengths... but don't worry, I will pay you back... it's just going to take a little time." As she spoke, Nova felt a twinge of guilt. Racking up that kind of cash wasn't a walk in the park, and Nova had no idea how long it would take to clear her debts. She sighed softly. Tristan noticed her flustered, rosy cheeks and couldn't help but find her adorable. Thinking back to her remark about them being mere ships passing in the night, he leaned in close, a playful smirk on his face. "Not quite right, though. We've already shared a bed, so that's hardly just passing by, right?" What? How could he say something like that so nonchalantly, especially out here in public... Nova's face turned even redder as she quickly tried to set things straight, "Forget about that night, okay? It was just an accident..." She stopped in her tracks, her face awash with embarrassment. No explanation seemed adequate, considering how wild things had gotten. Tristan narrowed his eyes, sensing her genuine discomfiture but was taken aback. He still vividly remembered that night; the wildness mixed with shyness was utterly captivating. However, having spent more time with her, he realized that Nova was a genuinely sweet and straightforward girl, not the person he had initially imagined. Yet, this only made him more intrigued by her. Seeing her so embarrassed, Tristan decided not to push her further and just walked her home. "Grandma, I'm home," Nova called out nervously as they entered. She was uneasy, knowing it wasn't typical for her to bring a man home unexpectedly, unsure of how her grandmother would react.