The Villain's Sister - Chapter 43

When going out with Raphael, it was usually him who finished getting ready first and waited for me.

Deva. Your hair looks fine without drying it, so let’s go.

Deva. Why is it taking so long?

Deva. Still not done?

Deva, Deva… Deva―!

By the time Raphael exploded and started yelling, I would have finished everything.

But today, somehow, I was ready earlier.

Of course, not compared to Raphael.

The comparison was with Tristan.

“What on earth were you doing for the two hours I was getting ready? You didn’t even do your hair, just showered and put on a suit.”

At my rebuke, Tristan, who was tying his tie, habitually tried to mess up his hair, then lowered his hand.

Burying his face in both palms, he groaned out, “Can’t believe I’m being scolded for taking a short nap. I worked until dawn, you know.”

“I wouldn’t say anything if it were just a nap. But you also watched a replay of the football match you missed, and turned the whole house upside down looking for the wedding invitation you didn’t even remember where you put.”

“Were you always this scary?”

“I can be even scarier. And really, aren’t you the one who should be the most combative today? Think about Daniel and Emma!”

Today was the day we were meeting the ex-girlfriend who cheated and the friend she cheated with, yet he looked calmer than I did, which was confusing.

I started wondering if I was the only one angry and the only one preparing so seriously.

“He was a bastard and she was a bitch, but still, today’s a happy day. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Saint Tristan. Didn’t that mess affect you? If it were me, I’d be grinding my teeth.”

“Of course it was hard. You think it wasn’t? But they’re getting married. If I get angry now, I’m just making a fool of myself.”

“That’s not entirely wrong, and that makes me even madder.”

Sighing deeply, I approached him and helped with the tie he’d been fumbling with for five minutes.

I’m not short, but Tristan was so much taller that I had to go on tiptoe to look up at him.

When I yanked on the tie, his body leaned down slightly.

His gray eyes wandered before landing on mine.

For some reason, I couldn’t meet his gaze, so I focused on the tie pattern.

I’d chosen the trendy option over the classic, and it turned out to be a great choice.

“Emma. Is she prettier than me?”

“Isn’t that question way too obvious?”

When I raised my head to meet his eyes, his intense gaze caught mine.

Like a fish in a net, I was tangled in those moon-like silver-gray eyes and couldn’t look away.

The texture of the tie against my fingers became more vivid.

The warmth from his chest under the shirt felt searing.

Even breathing felt heavy, so I quickly blurted out what I had meant to say.

“If the ex-boyfriend’s current girlfriend is better-looking than the bride, then the entire spotlight shifts to her. I guarantee, when I show up, no one will look at the bride. It’s always been like that, so don’t worry.”

“……”

“So there’s no need for you to look pathetic. The revenge completes itself.”

“Yeah. That’s true.”

His deep, growling voice tickled my ears.

Tristan took the tie from my hands.

Since it was already tied, he just had to pull it up, and he finished it smoothly.

I stepped away, hiding whatever awkward or uncomfortable feelings were bubbling up.

“Pretty.”

“The dress is pretty, right? I bought it recently.”

I stepped back slightly so he could get a better look.

The dress I’d bought at another store after losing the one from the department store terror incident.

The purple flare dress with a fitted top had no decorations and was quite plain.

The shoes were of a standard design, and my hair was simply styled, just well-dried and tidied.

But I added a touch of accessories, and with a face that drew attention anyway, there was no need for more.

“I paid attention to the makeup too. It doesn’t look too heavy but gives a clear effect.”

“That’s why you look pretty.”

“Huh?”

“Not the dress. You. I meant you look pretty.”

As I froze, eyes wide in surprise, Tristan switched to the dress shoes I had prepared for him.

After checking himself in the mirror by the door and grabbing the car keys, he spoke to me, still standing there stunned and breathless.

“Let’s go. Didn’t you say you’d get revenge on my behalf? Honestly, I’m looking forward to it.”

***

“This is my girlfriend Giselle. Giselle, this is Emma.”

“Hello. Congratulations on your wedding, Emma.”

“Your girlfriend? Wow! So you’re finally dating! Giselle, it’s so nice to meet you! Thank you so much for coming!”

Emma greeted me in an exaggeratedly bright voice.

‘You’re really trying hard.’

When we entered the bridal waiting room, Emma’s gaze shifted three times.

First to Tristan, then to his arm linked with mine.

And finally, to my face.

After recognizing me, she briefly showed a sign of discomfort.

Though she quickly masked her expression, I noticed how she checked my outfit, bag, and shoes while pretending not to look.

It wasn’t hard to guess how she was feeling.

“Emma, thank you for inviting us.”

“I wasn’t sure if you had a girlfriend, so I gave you two invitations. Turned out to be a great choice.”

Emma was the complete opposite of me.

She was short but had a solid build, and her low-cut dress was bold and provocative.

Her husky voice and radiant smile came across not just healthy, but strong.

She seemed brazen, but at the same time, I felt like I understood what aspect of her Tristan had once liked.

“You could’ve at least given me a heads-up when we met last time. That stings.”

“Well, it just happened. Anyway, congratulations on your marriage. Wishing you happiness.”

“Thanks for saying that. I always felt sorry toward you…”

“You should. Otherwise, what kind of person would that make you?”

At Tristan’s retort, Emma’s expression stiffened for a moment.

He sighed. “Staying here any longer will just spark gossip. I’m going to say hi to Daniel.”

After that remark, Tristan led me away, telling Emma to greet the other guests.

“What did you like about Emma?”

“Why do you want to know that?”

“Didn’t you say you like people just the way they are?”

“Hmm. I think I liked how ambitious she was. The way she worked toward her goals looked admirable.”

I thought it was quite a decent taste.

Just then, I locked eyes with Daniel, who was greeting other guests.

I tightened my hold on Tristan’s arm.

“The interview’s already scheduled to take place right after the wedding break, so there’s nothing to worry about. More importantly, about transferring to the social affairs department… Oh, my friends are here…”

Daniel, who had been chatting with a coworker, smiled brightly when he saw us.

After greeting Tristan, he said nonchalantly, “Come by the house often. The three of us used to hang out so well. The past is the past, and we’re still friends, after all.”

Is this guy crazy?

They used to hang out as a group of three, then he cheated and is now marrying her, and he says that?

Tristan’s expression darkened.

He looked like he was forcing himself not to scowl, as if he had bitten into a bitter persimmon and couldn’t spit it out.

Before he could say anything, I jumped in. “No. Tristan has to hang out with me. He already postpones our dates often saying he’s busy. I’m not letting anyone take him.”

I looked up at him like a girlfriend craving attention.

Tristan only chewed his lips, unable to come up with a proper response.

I went to such lengths to set this up… This guy is definitely a fool, a pushover.

“…I need to use the restroom.”

Tristan gently slipped his arm out of mine and disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.

And just like that, I was left alone with Daniel.

He asked, “What do you like about Tristan?”

“He’s kind, confident, and handsome.”

“You’re more naive than you seem. Well, Giselle, you’re still young, so I guess those things matter to you.”

“Those things? What else matters then?”

“His job is important too.”

“Excuse me?”

“If I were you, Giselle, I’d go for someone better. You could, right?”

As he said that, he blatantly scanned my face and body.