Chapter 179 Returning to Velvet City for New Year's
After hanging up, Eudora's sweet and playful voice still echoed in Michael's ears.
Michael was totally smitten, even though he hadn't seen Eudora in years since she moved abroad.
But they stayed in touch, chatting all the time, whether it was late at night here or over there, just the two of them.
There were hints and undertones, but it was best to let things unfold naturally for now.
He pulled out his phone and looked at an old photo of him and Eudora, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
After a while, lost in thought, he turned off the photo and called Samuel. "How's the investigation on Katniss going? I told you to be thorough."
Even in the dead of night, Samuel answered Michael's call, fully alert. "Mr. Astor, I'll have all the detailed info on Katniss delivered to your place first thing in the morning."
"Good." Michael nodded, satisfied. "You went to college with Katniss, right?"
He hadn't mentioned Samuel's visit to Nightfall City to see Katniss last time; it wasn't the right moment.
Samuel answered almost immediately, "Yes."
"Then, can you handle doing things that might harm her?" It sounded casual, but Samuel knew better.
Samuel knew a wrong answer could spell disaster. "Although it pains me, I understand the need to weigh the pros and cons. Rest assured, Mr. Astor."
Michael's laughter in the dead of night wouldn't make anyone happy; instead, it made Samuel break out in a cold sweat.
After hanging up, Michael pressed his thin lips together, thinking about the current situation.
He had always known how to weigh the pros and cons, but this time, Katniss was really going to be a challenge!
As the New Year approached, Nightfall City was at its coldest.
But Katniss felt it was much warmer than the same time last year.
Maybe it was because Tristan was in bed with her at night, and she woke up in his arms in the morning.
Before leaving Velvet City, they had spent time together like this.
But it felt different now; he took care of her so well. Even after a year, Matilda and Saskia hadn't managed to get her to gain two pounds, but she put on that weight after just a few days with him.
Except for not being able to go to the education center on time in the morning, everything else was as usual.
Because Donna's school was about to have exams, Katniss was giving Aaron and Donna extra tutoring.
She would take time to record several lessons in advance and store them for future use.
Occasionally, Tristan would be very busy. His project was going smoothly, and if he couldn't come to pick her up, he would send Ryan.
Over time, Ryan and Katniss got pretty familiar with each other.
One morning, around nine, Katniss was still asleep when the phone on the bedside table suddenly rang, making Tristan frown.
He turned and picked it up, but the call was for Katniss. "Ms. Grey, a parent told us their kid is in a special situation, studying intensively before the school year ends. Can you send the week's lessons in advance?"
Tristan replied in a low voice, "I'll have her call you back in a bit."
The other person quickly hung up, getting the hint.
Katniss took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and stretched, her slender arm falling on Tristan's waist.
"Morning." Tristan lowered his head, his lips brushing her face. He placed the phone above her head. "Your call."
She was woken up by him answering the phone, turned around, took the phone, and started handling work.
The teacher who called her from the education center was Delphine Waverly, an older woman with two kids at home.
Knowing it was inconvenient to call early in the morning, Delphine switched to sending her a message on Facebook.
She explained again and reminded her that the online student would be going to school in half an hour.
This meant she had to send the pre-recorded lessons within half an hour.
But the lessons were on the education center's desktop computer, and Katniss couldn't get there in time.
She could only give Delphine her computer password and have Delphine forward the lessons.
After answering a few of Aaron and Donna's study questions in the group chat, she found herself constantly busy as soon as she opened her eyes these days.
With her back to Tristan, her long hair was spread out on the bed, and her slender waistline was perfect.
She was still resting on Tristan's arm, and Tristan was playing with her hair.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked.
Katniss, without turning her head, said, "Anything, as long as it fills me up."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt a weight on her waist. Tristan's warm hand fell, and even through the thin blanket, the warmth of his palm was palpable.
The next second, he took the phone from her hand and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "Katniss, I might have to go back to Velvet City for the New Year."
His head was buried in her neck and shoulder, and his tone revealed reluctance.
She moved slightly, answering with a bit of reluctance, "Then go, just come back early after the New Year."
"Grandma's not feeling well," Tristan said. Otherwise, he wouldn't have planned to go back.
After all, there were plenty of people at home to keep Adelaide company for the New Year, and the Forbes family always had more disputes when more people were around.
Katniss's heart tightened with concern. "Is it serious? Then you should go back to Velvet City as soon as possible."
"Old ailments acting up, her health isn't what it used to be. There's still some work to finish here, and then I'll leave." He lifted his head, fingers running through her hair, locking eyes with her for a few seconds. "Ten days at most."
With twenty days left until the New Year, this meant that once Tristan left, they wouldn't see each other for a month.
Katniss pressed her lips together and lowered her head against his chest. "I see."
In this situation, she couldn't possibly ask Tristan to stay.
And Tristan couldn't take her to Velvet City either, especially with Sophia here.
He kissed the top of her head and said, "I also need to handle some things back home. When I return, and your mom's health improves, I'll take you back with me."
She knew what it meant for them to take her back.
Thinking about the marriage they were still keeping secret, she shivered a bit. "Okay."
Maybe because she suddenly knew they would be apart for a while, Katniss stayed in bed with him a little longer.
Then, while he went to make breakfast, she handled some work.
By the time she finished and went downstairs after freshening up, Tristan had already made breakfast.
His black shirt sleeves were rolled up, paired with black trousers, giving him an air of restraint.
He looked out of place in the kitchen, but Katniss had gotten used to it.
He wore a Bluetooth headset, handling work while setting breakfast on the table.
His deep, magnetic voice carried a hint of morning laziness. Seeing her come down, he pointed to a seat and then turned back to the kitchen.
She quietly sat down to eat. He was on the phone the entire meal.
After breakfast, she cleaned up the dishes, grabbed her things, and left the house with just a glance exchanged.
Maybe because he was going back to Velvet City, Tristan was especially busy these days, and so was Katniss, recording many lessons in advance to have a peaceful New Year.
Tristan left on a Monday. Over the weekend, Eudora organized a get-together.
Besides Katniss and Tristan, it was just Eudora and Aaron, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
This was Katniss's first close interaction with Eudora, and she discovered that Eudora was a great cook.
"Miss Savoy, you're too kind." Seeing Eudora busy in her apron and casual clothes, Katniss felt a bit embarrassed.
Although Eudora seemed more approachable than before, she still had an air of arrogance.
Eudora smiled at Katniss, "Make yourself comfortable. I have something to discuss with you later."
Katniss was a bit surprised. What could she and Eudora have to talk about?
She glanced at Tristan, who was playing video games on the couch with Aaron. One mature and charming, the other young and green.
She only helped Eudora serve the dishes, and dinner started in half an hour.
Eudora opened a bottle of red wine and insisted on pouring some for Katniss.
Tristan didn't stop her, knowing that Katniss rarely drank when he wasn't around, and her tolerance had decreased.
Since he was leaving tomorrow, letting her drink a bit might ease the sadness of their separation.
"Let me toast to you both first." Eudora raised her glass, nodding to Katniss and Tristan.
They both picked up their glasses and took a sip.
"Katniss, about the unpleasantness last time with Aaron's tutoring, don't take it to heart." Eudora looked a bit embarrassed. "I didn't realize your relationship with Tristan, and I was too hasty."
She looked sincere, and even the arrogance in her eyes softened.
"It's okay, I understand." Katniss put down her glass.
Although Eudora's attitude seemed humble, Katniss wasn't one to easily get close to people.
She was polite.
Eudora was fine with it. "I have another favor to ask. Tristan and I are going back to Velvet City, and Aaron will be here alone."
She had planned to take Aaron, but he refused to go.
"If you don't mind, I can take him with me. My family is small, and an extra person would make it lively." Katniss understood Eudora's meaning immediately.
Tristan frowned, suddenly thinking of something. "What will you eat for the New Year?"
One question left Katniss speechless.
What would they eat?
Katniss's cooking skills were notoriously bad.
They couldn't possibly eat two bowls of pasta for the New Year.
And bad pasta at that.
Eudora and Aaron both looked at Katniss.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Katniss said, "I've discussed it with Matilda. We'll bring my mom home for the New Year and celebrate with Saskia. Matilda can cook!"
Seeing her ears turn red and her eyes wide, Tristan couldn't help but laugh. "Then go home. The old place won't fit everyone."
By "home," he meant Whispering Pines Estate, the house she currently shared with Tristan.
Without Aaron, Katniss might have considered going back to the old place, but with Aaron, it was too small, so she agreed.
"Also, I heard from Michael that Bella's health isn't good, so they will stay in Nightfall City for the New Year," Eudora said, looking at Tristan and Katniss with some concern.
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