Eunoia – Between Feuds as a Fake Heiress

NEW YORK

When Tristan agreed to a meetup, this is not what he had in mind. He expects to have her eating out the palm of his hand, not having his ass handed to him as she spits fire.

The smell of coffee and vanilla fills his senses. He takes a sip of his coffee. He despises the bitter kind, but she ordered it for him anyway. Thoughtful? Not quite.

Her choice to meet here is interesting. This was the very same café where they loitered in after school with their friends. The owner changed since then, but their products taste the same.

Did she mean to make him feel so bittersweet? Nostalgic of the past? She even picked their spot.

Unfortunate that three of their friends have died. Sitting here feels as if their ghosts are listening in.

Tristan knows better. Obviously, she chose this place because its well hidden. Hence, why they used to hang out here so often. The few that are still alive from back then have now left the country and are now leading their own lives.

If only he could have stayed in those moments forever.

She straightens her posture, her velvet blue dress hugging her figure. Her thick black hair cascades around her shoulders. While her gentle cheekbones and sweet demeanor make her appear doll-like, Tristan knows better than to be deceived. When they were children, one look at her big blue eyes and she could get away with anything. Nothing gets past him.

”Mellie. Please don make me do this. It isn too late. I can make arrangements. Then everything would be the same. ” He cups her delicate hands into his rough, slender ones. The golden bangles on her wrists are cold to the touch. Melody takes out a picture and hands it to him. She watches him silently as he widens his eyes.

Nothing stays the same. No point in putting out an empty promise and flowery words, but hes desperate.

”This is…? ” Tristan stares at the picture and smiles. Tears begin to form in his eyes, warmth blooming in his chest.

”My little boy. ” She said as he reads the note at the back of the picture. He smiles, chuckling as he set the picture down. He hands it back; to which she waves away. He took a bite out of a churro, dipping it in chocolate. Hed be the best Uncle ever. No excuses, a picture for every move and video for each achievement!

Wait. A baby? The gears in his mind click and the joy from earlier is replaced with a deep irritation.

”Oh, Im killing that son of a- ”

”You are to stay away from my husband. ” Melody smiled. He pouts but doesn argue.

After some silence and coffee, she clears her throat.

”I.. Id like you to name him, Tristan. ”

He blinks in disbelief. Him? Name the child? The two stare at one another. He is too caught up in his daydream of looking after the baby to think of anything. A name is important; it can make or break a legacy.

He stares at a sauce packet.

”Haze? ”

She slaps his shoulder, unamused.

”Etienne, ” Tristan said. She nibbles on a biscuit and looks down. The name brings a pang of sorrow, threatening to tear the stitches in his heart.

”Etienne Laurent. I like it. ” Melody nods. She looks up, a sad smile on her face. Things shouldn have ended the way they did, but they
e no longer here.

Life goes on, even when he didn want it to.

He gives her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. He closes his eyes, silently pleading she wouldn do as he fears. Not that he doubts her abilities, but he knew how just far theyd go to catch her. If not death, theyd cut her tongue for assurance.

They might even go as far as taking the baby away. This is what she chose.

A tear rolls down his face. She pats his face with the same look in her eyes.

”Now, why did you agree to this? I figured youd want to stay away from me. ” She tu