Chapter 464 - Tristan's Explanation

~ At Davis Family Mansion ~

If Sophia and Matthew had sorted out their feelings for each other and would try to see if their relationship would work up, Zhen-Zhen and Tristan, on the other hand, still need to talk about his involvement with Clifford's and his ex-fiancee's break up.

Upon arriving at the Mansion, Tristan and Zhen-Zhen went to Grandma Cassandra's garden. They chose to talk there privately. They sat on the bench in the middle of the garden.

Tristan held Zhen-Zhen's hands as he faced her. He was wearing a troubled expression. He didn't know if Clifford had succeeded in swaying his wife. He was afraid that Zhen-Zhen would not understand and blame him for ruining the relationship of Clifford and his ex-fiancee, Olive.

"Wifey, before I tell you what happened between Clifford and me in the past that caused him to hate me, can you please tell me what he said to you in the mini-forest? I will try to explain everything to you," Tristan said with his pleading tone.

Zhen-Zhen nodded her head before speaking.

"Clifford told me that you were the guy his ex-fiancee met during her business trip overseas. And the two of you started seeing each other after returning here in the City of Empire," Zhen-Zhen informed him, her expression was neutral.

"She cheated on him because of you. And when he confronted you, you never apologized for what you have done and even blamed Clifford for his incapability to satisfy her fiancee."

Tristan couldn't refute that. He really did say those words to Clifford but there was a reason why he did that. But it was not a good excuse either so Tristan looked at Zhen-Zhen, feeling guilty about it.

"Zhen-Zhen, I'm sorry. I can't justify my action because I really did that to Clifford. But now, I regret it, acting like a jerk in front of him instead of explaining things to him. Now, our conflict has come to this. It got worse." Tristan lowered his gaze. He was ashamed to look at his wife.

"Why did you do that, Tristan?" Zhen-Zhen asked him with a serious tone.

"At that time, I was also in a bad mood… because of Hannah and Andrew. Clifford came to me at the wrong time. I vented out my jealousy and bitterness to him. So instead of apologizing to him, I mocked him and I bragged to him just to make myself feel better."

"I'm such a jerk and a fool! I'm sorry wifey!"

Zhen-Zhen just sighed helplessly while shaking her head. 

"We can't blame him if he hated you that much. You should apologize to him," Zhen-Zhen suggested.

Zhen-Zhen heaved a deep sigh again. "Your apology… It's long overdue now."

"I know," Tristan admitted.

"Do you know that Clifford tried to commit suicide after that betrayal?"

Tristan was dumbfounded the moment he heard that. He had no idea that Clifford tried to kill himself because of what happened. Now, he became more guilty.

Now he understood that Clifford loved his fiancee so much and got hurt to the extent of killing his own self. 

'When I got broken because of Hannah, I never thought of killing myself. But I just became a total jerk, ruining my life by playing around with women.'

"I didn't mean to do that. Believe me, Zhen-Zhen," Tristan squeezed Zhen-Zhen's hand. He was avoiding her gaze. He was afraid to see the disappointment in her eyes.

"I know a simple apology could not change the past nor redeem myself for the mistakes that I have made. But believe me or not, I truly regret it."

Zhen-Zhen raised her hand, c.a.r.e.s.sing Tristan's face. "I know. I believe you. Though Clifford is telling me that you are not a good guy… that you might hurt me in the end, I still choose to believe you."

Tristan felt touched upon hearing those words from Zhen-Zhen. He was so happy that Zhen-Zhen was trusting him this much despite his ugly past.

"Thank you, Zhen-Zhen. You don't know how much this means to me." Tristan caught her hands and brought them to his lips. He kissed the back of her palm alternately.

"Alright, but still I wanna hear your story. What happened to you and Olive?"

Tristan nodded his head with a smile. Zhen-Zhen's words gave him reassurance so he was not afraid anymore. He would tell her the truth. He knew that Zhen-Zhen would not judge him.

"What Clifford said about me and his ex-fiancee was true. We met during the conference about clothing brands and designs. After the conference, the staff organized socialization at night." Tristan paused for a moment, trying to recall how he met Olive. 

"During that event, we bumped into each other and learned that we came from the same city. We had a few drinks and had a decent conversation. She was fun to talk to. But during the entire duration of our talk, she never mentioned Clifford or her fiancee."

"If I had known that she was committed to someone. I would try to avoid her. I knew that she was attracted to me from the way she talked to me and looked at me. I just entertained her. We kissed but we didn't go beyond that."

Tristan scratched his face while glancing at Zhen-Zhen. He was observing her reaction but she didn't show any sign of anger nor disappointment in her eyes so Tristan continued.

"When we returned here in the City of Empire, it was her who contacted me first. She wanted to meet me in a bar. So I went to see her. We had another few drinks. Then she got drunk and started to get touchy. She made the move first so I, like a jerk, grabbed that chance, going with the flow."

"Well, we almost did the deed if she hadn't mentioned her frustration with Clifford. After leaving the bar, we went to the nearest hotel and checked in. We continued making out until she had a slip of the tongue."

"She said she wanted to do it already with him but the guy always refused her. He didn't want to touch her as he wanted to do it only after their marriage. That's the time I realized that she was already engaged." 

Tristan sighed deeply as he recalled that moment. When he learned that she was with someone already and was about to get married, he snapped out. His l.u.s.t suddenly disappeared in an instant.

Tristan didn't want to get entangled with someone who was already in a relationship. That was one of his rules when hooking up with a girl. He already learned his lesson when his cousin's girlfriends tried to deceive him.

"I immediately stopped and told her that we were not supposed to do it. But she begged me to touch her and satisfy her need. She said that she just wanted to experience how to be p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e by a man. But no penetration."

Zhen-Zhen arched her eyebrow and asked him. "So did you do it? Is that what you mean that you didn't have s.e.x with her because there was no penetration happen but still you touched her?"

"No! No! No! Wifey! That's not what I meant by saying that. I didn't do it! I left the hotel. I didn't continue. I'm not in the mood already after I discovered that truth. I swear! This is the truth. Please believe me." Tristan denied it and corrected Zhen-Zhen's wrong assumption.

He got alarmed when he saw the dark expression of Zhen-Zhen so he explained immediately. He didn't want her to misunderstand.

Zhen-Zhen's expression changed immediately after hearing that. She felt relieved. She knew it already happened in the past but she didn't want Tristan to get all the blame for what happened. 

"Now, I understand everything, Tristan. Thank you for being honest with me."