The Villain's Sister - Chapter 20

“I nearly died, but a handsome, well-built policeman saved me. It’s such a romantic movie cliché, but judging by your reaction, you must be too young to have watched many movies. Obviously, I—mmph! Mmph!”

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

When he wanted to call me names like “squid” and say whatever else he pleased, it was fine, but now his face turned red as he clamped his large hand over my mouth. Oh, seeing that troubled expression only made me want to tease him more.

I held back my laughter as Tristan rubbed the back of his neck and awkwardly advised me.

“I don’t even know what to say anymore, but… just don’t get carried away, alright? Don’t. I’m not that great of a person, so don’t hold on to some fantasy and end up hurting yourself.”

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

“I’m not! Why would you even think that?”

“Because it’s not every day a guy turns me down. Look over there. Everyone’s stealing glances at me.”

The men sitting at the outdoor cafe were indeed sneaking peeks at me. Drawing attention and earning admiration, regardless of gender, was second nature to me.

Tristan noticed the men and covered his face with his hands.

“In ten minutes—no, one minute—I could fill both hands with their phone numbers. That’s the kind of woman you’re out with right now.”

“I’m losing my mind. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you either. How can you be so indifferent to me?”

“Ugh. Let’s just go.”

Tristan usually spoke without much thought, but perhaps because he felt guilty, he was trying to be considerate and accommodating. Thanks to that, the drive to the hospital was more enjoyable than last time.

Linda welcomed me warmly once again.

“Linda, how have you been?”

“Giselle, thank you for visiting again. Why have you lost so much weight in just a week? Did Tristan give you a hard time?”

“You should scold him. He forgot our date because he was busy and left me waiting for an hour and a half.”

“Goodness, Tristan. Is this how I raised you?”

“I’m really sorry! I’ve apologized so many times now that I don’t even know how to apologize anymore. To explain, I was just so busy—”

I cut him off before he could start rambling.

“He’s not usually like this, but the way he keeps apologizing makes me want to tease him more. Were you like this too, Linda?”

“There’s a certain charm to it. It made raising him enjoyable. I imagine your mother felt the same way. You’re such a bright and kind daughter; it must make her proud to see you.”

Tristan, knowing my mother had passed away, looked visibly startled. He opened his mouth to steer the conversation elsewhere, but I answered first.

“My parents passed away when I was very young.”

Tristan swallowed hard, his muscular chest rising with the effort. His usually muted eyes, now opened wide, were fixed on me.

Linda’s expression turned apologetic, so I quickly continued, “It’s not something I find tragic. I just wanted to be honest with you, Linda. You are, after all, his mother.”

“Oh…”

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

“Your brother must have raised you with so much love. It shows in how well you’ve turned out.”

“If he heard that, he’d be so happy.”

A smile naturally formed on my lips.

Tristan stared at me with a dazed expression.

Linda gently patted the back of my hand. The warm sunlight bathed us, and I couldn’t help but think how cozy this moment felt.

***

“Are you on a diet? Or are you still mad? Let me treat you to dinner.”

“You’re really holding onto this. All I did was tease you a little, and you were the one in the wrong first.”

“I’m losing it. Talking to you feels like it drains me. Not even dealing with criminals is this exhausting.”

“Must be my charm.”

“Have you always been like this?”

“Of course. I’ve always been this charming.”

“What did you just say?”

At that moment, a car cut in without signaling, forcing Tristan to slam on the brakes. My body lurched forward, but his long arm shot out to protect me.

He scowled, cursing under his breath, and checked on me.

“Are 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 break. Rolling down the window, Tristan hurled a string of profanities at the car in front. I rubbed my shoulder where he’d grabbed me.

“I’m letting this go because it’s the weekend. Hah.”

“Let it go? You didn’t. Can a policeman curse like that?”

“What else is a mouth for? Times like this. Anyway, I’m sorry about today. If I’d known your situation, I wouldn’t have let my mom ask that question.”

“Really, don’t worry about it. I’ve never been ashamed of not having parents.”

Tristan glanced at me briefly and spoke in his gruff way.

“Still, you didn’t have to be that honest.”

“Even if we’re not a real couple, I wanted to be as truthful as possible. She’s a good person.”

“Thanks for being genuine with my mom.”

Could a carefully constructed lie ever become reality? While I was building an honest relationship with Linda, the truth was that I wasn’t really Tristan’s girlfriend.

We were stacking lie upon lie, and the only reason I agreed to this charade was to save my own skin. That’s why his straightforward gratitude stung. If it were Johan, I might not have cared, but Tristan wasn’t the kind of hero who harmed innocent people under the guise of justice.

He was the one who saved me from being killed by a bank robber.

“Before my father passed away when I was sixteen, he asked me to take care of my mom. It’s natural for a child to love their parent, but since she got sick, that request is always on my mind.”

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

“She’s worried I won’t lead a normal life.”

Did Linda know Tristan was Black Pistols? Or was he about to confess his true identity to me?

“I can’t go into detail, but my life hasn’t been smooth. My teenage years were… turbulent. Oh, we’re here. Are you really not going to eat dinner? Are you getting out here?”

“I have to go. My brother’s worried about me after that gang clash the other day.”

“Wow. Way to make me feel useless. Sorry for being a cop who can’t protect anyone.”

Despite his words, there was no sarcasm in his tone. Just his usual bluntness mixed with a touch of self-deprecation.

“I can’t stay for dinner, but there is something you can take.”

I pulled out some medicine and bandages from my bag, and Tristan’s eyebrows shot up.

“Your shoulder’s injured, isn’t it?”

“How did you…”

“I noticed something was off when you shielded me earlier. Is it serious?”

“Just a graze.”

“From Death Adder and Two Star, I’m guessing. You’ve probably had it treated, but just in case, take these.”

I always carried an emergency kit because I never knew when Raphael might need it. Handing over the whole pouch, I noticed Tristan’s expression soften. Like a puppy receiving unexpected praise, he seemed awkwardly touched by my gesture.

I hadn’t anticipated this reaction. He was harder to figure out than I thought.

“No need to thank me.”

“Which makes me want to thank you even more…”

I tossed the pouch into his lap and quickly got out of the car. Tristan followed, holding the pouch like a boyfriend carrying his girlfriend’s bag.

“You’re stubborn. Want me to walk you home? Is your brother picking you up?”

“Not my brother, but close enough.”

“Fine. I’ll wait until they show up.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not like I’m interested in you or anything.”

“Then why not make me misunderstand? It’d be nice if you were interested.”

Tristan looked at me like I was an idiot. He genuinely didn’t seem to understand me, and it was slightly embarrassing.

Just then, Johan stepped out of Raphael’s car, parked nearby. He looked our way. Checking my watch, I saw there were still ten minutes left until six. I decided to stay with Tristan a little longer.

“What’s your type?” I asked.

“Women who don’t ask that question.”

“What does that mean?”

“Someone who doesn’t try to mold themselves to fit me but whom I can like for who they are.”

“You’re picky.”

“What about you?”

“Would you adjust to fit my ideal type? Are you finally interested in me?”

Tristan laughed loudly, as if I’d said something absurd.

“Can’t take a joke?”

“That’s harsh.”

The bronze tint of his skin seemed to blend with the golden hues of the setting sun, and for a moment, his gray eyes looked as if they held a touch of color. Suddenly, he grabbed my sleeve and pulled me slightly closer to him. His previously relaxed expression sharpened as he glared at something.

Following his gaze, I saw Johan watching us.