The Villain's Sister - Chapter 20

“I almost died, but a handsome, well-built cop saved me. It’s such a romance movie cliché—guess you’re too young and haven’t seen many movies. Anyone can tell I― Mmph! Mmph!”

“That’s enough. Don’t say another word. I’m begging you.”

He had no problem calling me a squid or whatever he pleased, but now he turned bright red and clamped my mouth shut with his big hand.

Ah, when he makes that troubled face, it only makes me want to tease him more.

I barely suppressed my laughter as Tristan rubbed the back of his neck and gruffly advised me.

“I really don’t know what to say when you talk like that… Just, take it easy. I’m not that great a guy. Don’t get caught up in some fantasy and end up getting hurt.”

“You’re not actually into men, are you?”

“No! What the hell’s with you?”

“It’s just that it’s rare for someone to reject a girl like me. Look over there—everyone’s sneaking glances at me.”

The men seated at the outdoor café were all sneaking glances my way.

Attracting attention and winning favor regardless of gender was something I was well used to.

Tristan wiped his face dry despite confirming the stares.

“In ten—no, in one minute—I could get all those guys’ phone numbers with both hands full. That’s the kind of woman you’re with right now.”

“Unbelievable. I’ve never met someone like you before.”

“Same here. I’ve never met anyone like you. How can you be so uninterested in me?”

“Sigh. Let’s just go.”

Tristan usually speaks whatever comes to mind, but perhaps because he felt guilty, he watched my reactions and tried to keep me in a good mood.

Thanks to that, the ride to the hospital was more pleasant than last time.

Linda greeted us warmly again.

“Linda, how have you been?”

“Giselle, thank you for coming again. You’ve lost so much weight in just a week. Has Tristan been giving you trouble?”

“Scold him, please. He forgot our date because he was busy, and I ended up waiting an hour and a half.”

“Oh my, Tristan. Did I raise you like that?”

“I’m really, really sorry. I’ve apologized so many times, I don’t even know how anymore. To explain, I’ve just been so busy―”

I cut him off mid-ramble.

“He’s usually not like that, so when he keeps apologizing like that, it only makes me want to tease him more. Were you like that too, Linda?”

“He does have a secretly funny side. I was happy raising him. I’m sure your mother felt the same. You’re such a bright and kind daughter—she must’ve been proud every time she saw you.”

Tristan, knowing my mother had passed away, looked flustered.

Just as he opened his mouth to change the subject, I answered, “My parents passed away when I was young.”

As Tristan swallowed, his broad, muscular chest rose.

His eyes, wider than usual and drained of color, turned toward me.

Linda looked visibly sorry, so I quickly continued, “I don’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable. I don’t see it as a misfortune. I just wanted to be honest with you, since you’re his mother.”

“Oh…”

“They passed early, so I was raised by my much older brother. Even without our parents, I was happy.”

“It sounds like your brother raised you with a lot of love. You can tell you were raised with love.”

“He would’ve been really happy to hear that.”

A smile crept up on my lips.

Tristan looked at me with a dazed expression.

Linda gently stroked the back of my hand.

The sun shining on us felt so warm that I thought this moment was rather comforting.

***

“Are you on a diet? Or are you still mad? I’m buying dinner, come eat.”

“You sure hold a grudge. I only teased you a little. You’re the one who messed up in the first place.”

“Unbelievable. Talking to you is exhausting. I didn’t even feel like this dealing with criminals.”

“Maybe that’s just my charm.”

“Were you always like this?”

“Of course. I’ve always had this charming personality.”

“What did you say?”

Just then, a car cut in without signaling, and Tristan hit the brakes.

As my body lurched forward, his long arm reached out to protect me.

He cursed under his breath with a grimace and checked on me.

“You okay?”

“Ah… I’m fine.”

His rough hand was still gripping my shoulder.

He held me so tightly it felt like my bones might snap.

Tristan rolled down the window and hurled some colorful curses at the car ahead.

I rubbed the shoulder he had grabbed with my fingertips.

“It’s only because it’s the weekend that I’m letting it go. Hmph.”

“You didn’t really let it go. Can a cop even say stuff like that?”

“What’s the point of having a mouth if you don’t use it for times like this? Anyway, I’m sorry about earlier. If I’d known your situation, I wouldn’t have let my mother ask that.”

“I really mean it—it’s fine. I’ve never once been ashamed of not having parents.”

Tristan glanced at me and said roughly, “You didn’t have to be that honest.”

“Even if we’re not really dating, I wanted to treat her as sincerely as I could. She’s a good person.”

“Thanks. For treating my mother sincerely.”

Could a well-crafted lie ever become real?

I was building a genuine relationship with Linda, but in truth, I wasn’t his girlfriend or anything close to it.

We were piling lies on top of lies, and the reason for them wasn’t love—it was to beg for my life.

So when Tristan greeted me plainly, not knowing a thing, my heart ached.

If it were Johan I was deceiving, maybe I wouldn’t feel so bad. But this man wasn’t a hero who used justice as an excuse to harm the innocent.

He was the one who saved me when I nearly died in a bank robbery.

“Before my father died when I was sixteen, he asked me to take care of my mother. Not that he needed to—of course children love their parents—but now that she’s unwell, I keep thinking of that.”

“So that’s why you asked me to pretend to be your girlfriend?”

“She worries I won’t be able to live a normal life.”

I wondered if Linda knew Tristan was Black Pistols.

Or maybe he was about to confess his identity to me.

“I can’t explain in detail, but things weren’t exactly smooth growing up. My teenage years were… stormy. Ah, we’re here. Still not eating dinner? You’re really getting out here?”

“I told you, I have to go. My brother’s making a fuss after that gang clash the other day. He says it’s too dangerous.”

“Well, that’s a hell of an answer. Sorry, I’m just a lowly cop who doesn’t think about civilian safety.”

He said it like that, but his tone wasn’t sarcastic.

It was just a dry comment, part of his gruff demeanor.

“I can’t have dinner, but I can do something else.”

I pulled out some medicine and dressing bandages from my bag, and Tristan raised his brows high.

“You hurt your shoulder, didn’t you?”

“How did you…”

“Something felt off when you shielded me earlier. Was it serious?”

“Just a graze.”

“Must’ve been because of Death Adder and Two Star. I’m sure you already treated it, but just in case, take this.”

Because of Raphael, I always carried a first-aid kit—never knew when it might be needed.

When I handed the entire pouch to him, Tristan’s expression turned odd.

Like a puppy hearing praise for the first time, my kindness seemed awkward for him.

I hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. Men are hard to read.

“You don’t have to say thank you.”

“That just makes me more thankful…”

He fumbled awkwardly, and I tossed the pouch into his arms like I was throwing it, then quickly got out of the car.

Tristan followed after me, still holding the pouch like a boyfriend carrying his girlfriend’s bag, and asked, “You’re really stubborn. I offered to take you home. Is your brother picking you up?”

“Not my brother, but… someone like that.”

“What? I’ll wait with you until he gets here.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“Hey, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like I’ve got any hidden feelings.”

“Then maybe you should have some so I don’t misunderstand.”

Tristan looked at me like I was insane.

He genuinely seemed confused by me, and I felt a bit sheepish.

Just then, Johan stepped out of Raphael’s parked car nearby. He stared straight at us.

I checked my watch—ten minutes left until six.

I should stay with Tristan just a bit longer.

“What kind of woman do you like?”

“The kind who doesn’t ask questions like that.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“If I had to say, I prefer someone I can like for who they are, not because they adjust themselves for me.”

“That’s picky.”

“What about you?”

“If I tell you, will you try to match it? Are you starting to get interested in me now?”

At my question, Tristan burst out laughing like I’d told the funniest joke.

“Can’t even take a joke?”

“You’re so mean.”

His bronzed skin was tinted by the sunset spilling from the sky.

And in his silver-gray eyes, there seemed to be a faint hint of color.

Then, Tristan gently tugged my sleeve, drawing me closer to his side.

The eyes that had been crinkled in warmth just moments ago now sharpened as he glared at something.

Following his gaze, I saw Johan.