33: I might just like you

**Tristan**

"So, you two are getting married?" By the time I asked this, the food had arrived, and Lucien was already on his third glass of wine.

"Yes, we are. In a few months’ time actually..." Jasmine then paused and bit her lip before asking, "Would you be interested in attending... as my maid of honour? I already have two bride’s maids and I was rather conflicted about who I should give the title of maid of honour to. But you seem to be the perfect candidate! Besides, who better to deal with my insanity during my wedding preparations than my own flesh and blood."

"M-maid of honour?" I stuttered. *Dear Goddess, this was getting worse and worse!* The more connections I made with this family, the harder it became to destroy them and the more distance I created between myself and my potential title as Alpha. But on the complete other end of the spectrum, I couldn't say no. It had been years since Jasmine and I had seen each other, and it had been years since my heart felt this light. I was raised to be heartless and hard, but when it came to being around Lucien and Jasmine, I couldn't help but forget what I'd been taught and remember how it felt to actually feel again. I didn't know how I felt about that either, and the more I began to open up to Lucien and relax in the presence of Jasmine, the more alarmed I grew. And so, I chose to refrain from giving her an answer by saying, "I'll have to think about it."

Jasmine nodded her head in understanding. "Of course, take all the time you need. I mean we both have changed so much through the years that we're probably like strangers to each other now. But that won't stop me from opening that beautiful heart of yours again." She said this with a soft little smile, and I almost let myself smile too. But I caught a hold of myself before my lips even dared to perk up into a smile, and instead nodded. My eyes then returned to my plate and when it did, I began to notice how strange Jasmine and Lucien's eating habits were. Jasmine had three different dishes. A full tray of pasta, a steak and chicken. Lucien, however had a small dish of fish in one plate and in the others all sorts of desserts. For a moment I wondered if Jasmine's strange eating was due to her pregnancy, and then I remembered how much she enjoyed eating when we were younger. It was comforting to see that amongst the things that had changed about my sister, her appetite was not one of them.

I suspected, however that Lucien was drowning his misery in sugar and wine, and although the idea was quite sad, I found it amusing and childish.

Soon a silence fell upon the table as we each began to eat at our food. But it was suddenly broken, by Jasmine who asked softly, "If you don't mind answering this, how did you escape the fire?"

Again, the silence fell upon the table. But it was less uncomfortable for me than it was for Damon and Lucien who shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Perhaps they weren't used to such intense conversations. Or perhaps they both knew just how much the fire weighed on Jasmine and me. Or perhaps it was something else entirely, as I caught Damon and Lucien stealing nervous glances at one another.

"Well, I'm not quite sure. When I woke up, I was in a completely different home with a man I'd never seen before. I assumed that he saved me from the fire. He took me in, and although he was relatively absent for most of my childhood years, he moulded me into the person I am today."

"He must have been quite strict with you, then. Who looked after you when he wasn't around?"

"His brother and his brother's son. I was very well looked after... but I've been told you weren't." I said, not out of malice, but rather out of curiosity. Immediately, I saw Damon's face fall even more nervous and tense, but Jasmine only smiled at me and nodded. "It wasn't the best way to grow up... but I managed. I had some good people watching over me and keeping me safe and I knew how to look out for myself. But I won't dwell on the past. What happens in your past should shape you, not define you." She said with a wink.

Again, I couldn't help but be in awe of her. The pain was so clearly shining behind her eyes, and yet she still mustered up a smile. I'd never seen someone quite so strong emotionally, and the very idea had me in absolute shock.

Her smile then fell and she folded her arms before asking, "I don't suppose mom and dad are also miraculously alive?"

When she said it, I felt a lump form in my throat, and I began to fidget with the hem of my blouse. Lucien picked this up immediately and placed his hand over mine in an effort to steady my shaking fingers. I looked up at him and he gave me a little nod of reassurance.

"No... unfortunately they won't be making a surprise entry into our lives." I said.

Jasmine smiled sadly and then sighed to herself. "Well, I'm just glad that you and I have been reunited. Fate really does have a sense of humour."

And as she said this, Damon wrapped his arms around her and brought her up close to him where he tenderly kissed at her forehead. It was at this point that Lucien had had more than enough of witnessing the tenderness between the two.

"I think I'm going to go out onto the balcony for a smoke." Lucien announced, hiding his clear annoyance behind a friendly little smile.

Damon chuckled and asked, "Still haven't kicked the habit?"

"Unfortunately, not..." He mumbled, before getting up from his seat and walking towards the outside balcony area. Although I wanted to stay here desperately and converse with my sister, I couldn't help but feel the need to follow him. It was more an overbearing conviction than anything else. And so, I got up off of my seat and said, "I should probably go and check up on him..." I then paused, looking for a lie to use as my reason, and then my eyes zeroed in on his empty wine glass. "I need to make sure he doesn't fall off the balcony."

"Yes, I think it's best he does have someone to supervise him." Damon said, rather amused.

I was just about to leave when Jasmine called out to me. "Hey! You two look good together." She said. I froze, unable to reply, and then decided to give a curt nod instead. If only she knew that this was all just a game. A complicated, problematic game. But I wondered for how long it would remain a game, especially now that I saw Lucien so differently than before... especially now that I *felt* more with him than I had in a long time with anyone else.

By the time I got onto the balcony, I realised that, just like the rest of the upstairs area was deserted, leaving Lucien and I alone. He stood with a cigarette in his mouth but struggled with his lighter.

"Fucking worthless piece of-"

"You aren't usually one to swear. You must be *really* frustrated." I said, walking up to him. Lucien turned towards me and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Did you come here to mock me?" He asked, trying again, to light his cigarette.

I shook my head at him and snatched the lighter from his fingers, shook it a few times and then gave a few tries before it lit. I moved it closer to his cigarette and lit the end of it. Lucien took a deep puff, then exhaled, sending smoke through the air.

"I came here... because I find your behaviour rather amusing." I said, standing next to him.

He smirked, "Amusing? Do you even know what amusement is?"

"I suppose it's that enlightening feeling I feel every time I see your jealous little performance. It almost makes me want to... what's the word... oh yes, laugh."

Lucien chuckled and shook his head. Although I did find his jealousy amusing, I was glad that he was beginning to revert back to his old carefree self.

When his laughter died down, he fell silent and his eyes met mine, and for a moment, my breath hitched at the intensity burning within them.

Slowly, he gripped my hand in his, brought it up to his lips and gently kissed at the back of my palm. The very contact between us, had my skin burning up already.

"Thank you," he said softly.

I raised a brow and asked, "What for?"

His lips perked into a soft smile. "For being here for me... and for keeping me sane." He then paused a moment before shaking his head to himself. "Maybe it's too early to say this yet, but I think I just might like you, Tristan Spectra. In fact, I find your company rather pleasant."