When only the two of them remained, Tristan opened the car door and beckoned her in.
After putting all the gifts into the trunk, he then started the engine and drove to the car dealership.
The store should have already been closed by now.
Yet, it remained lit at their arrival, and the manager welcomed them personally.
“The car you ordered has arrived, Mr. Tristan. I'll lead you to it at once.”
With a nod, Tristan held Sophie by the waist and followed the manager.
As they made their way to the showroom, the employees then removed a piece of cloth to unveil what was underneath it: a crimson sports car.
The fiery red vehicle looked especially sleek and magnificent. Judging from its appearance alone, it had to have cost a ton.
Tristan was rather pleased with the car too. He firmly believed that only something like this was worthy of being driven by Sophie.
“What do you think? Do you like it?”
“I thought I told you I don't need a car, Mr. Tristan.” Besides, this is way too expensive! A ride like this must cost tens of millions!
“Mr. Tristan had this car designed especially for you a month ago, Ms. Tanner,” the manager explained. “It's the only one available in the whole country.”
Is she playing hard to get? Mr. Tristan's giving her such a nice car, and she says she doesn't want it? Does she have any idea how many people come here just to buy cars for their girlfriends or partners? There hasn't been any girl who isn't happy to receive one—except for her, that is. Heck, even I'd want something like this!
“Okay. You can all leave.” Tristan didn't want to talk about such things with Sophie in front of other people.
“Yes, Mr. Tristan.”
The manager left with the other staff members.
“Hop in and give it a go.”
In any case, Sophie was an adult now, so having a car would be extremely convenient for her.
Well aware that she couldn't say no, the woman hopped onto the driver's seat as Tristan took the passenger's seat.
She then took the car for a spin. Its performance certainly matched its appearance, and she felt comfortable driving it.
After going on a drive around Jipsdale with Tristan, Sophie was ultimately satisfied with her new ride.
“Thank you,” she said as she drove back to Wisteria Apartments. Just as she thought the day was over, Tristan called out to her.
“Let's go. I have another gift for you.”
“There's more? But I think you've been more than generous enough with this car, Mr. Tristan!”
“I have something else for you. This car is also for my benefit. I hope you can come and pick me up when I'm busy at times, so we'd save some time and I'd get to see you sooner.”
Sophie didn't know how to respond.
Tristan took over the steering wheel.
The rain had stopped by now, and the weather began to clear.
One could even see the stars in the sky now.
Tristan took her to the observatory.
“What did you bring me here for?” Sophie couldn't understand why they were heading to such a place at this hour. Wouldn't it be closed by now? Then again, no place seems to be closed as long as he wants to go there. But still! Why is he taking me to the observatory, of all places?
As they arrived at the observatory, Tristan presented her two certificates.
“You told me the last time that you wanted the stars in the sky, so I bought you two of them.”
Sophie was rendered speechless.
“I... I was kidding.”
How did he actually buy two stars?
She glanced at the certificates and saw that he had bought two stars that were next to each other.
One had been named Sophie Tanner, and the other was Tristan Lombard.
“I'd been keeping a lookout ever since you told me that, and it just so happened that someone discovered these two stars, so I bought them and named them after us.”
He had once told her that he would do everything in his power to get her whatever she wanted.
Evidently, he meant it.
“Mr. Tristan...”
It looks like I can't run my mouth around him anymore, or he'd actually take me seriously!
“Don't worry. It didn't cost all that much. Come, let's take a look.” Tristan led her over to the telescope and guided her on how to view the stars.
“Well? Do you see them?”
Sophie nodded.
She could clearly see the two stars shining in the dark sky.
“They're beautiful.”
How could she not feel touched?
To have someone listen to every word you say and make your wishes come true, to have a man treat you this way—who wouldn't be moved?
After viewing the stars, Sophie turned around and gave Tristan a hug on her own initiative.
“You're just like those ancient kings who moved mountains for the women they loved, Mr. Tristan.” She wasn't even serious when asking for the stars, but he had made it happen anyway.
“Not exactly. The difference between them and me is that I won't suffer the same miserable fates that they did.”
The woman fell quiet.
Then, Tristan leaned closer and kissed her on the lips.
A large cluster of stars could be seen right above their heads, and it was at this very moment that the two kissed ever so passionately.
Even Sophie couldn't help but reciprocate the kiss. She had truly fallen in love with this man who was capable of just about anything, and this love certainly wasn't one-sided. Because of everything he did for her, she wanted to protect him and care for him the same way he did.
When they were done, Sophie lay her head on his chest, her heart still beating wildly.
Tristan rested his chin on the top of her head, quietly hoping their moment of intimacy would never pass.
“Happy birthday, my girl,” he said lovingly as the clock struck twelve. “I hope to be able to celebrate all your birthdays with you from now on.”
Sophie glanced up at him. As she gazed into his eyes full of affection, she couldn't resist tiptoeing and pecking him on the lips.
“Thank you.”
So, this is what it feels like to have someone pour their heart into you and care about you every second of the day.
Every gift he prepared for her had been well-thought-out and amounted to exorbitant prices.
Yet, those weren't important; what mattered most was that he truly loved her.
She also knew too well that someone like Tristan was born to be served by others, and for him to try and please her was an absolute privilege many others could only hope for.
Tristan deepened the kiss.
“There's no need to thank me. Everything I do for you, I do it willingly. What I ask for in return is your future.”
As a businessman, he would never invest in anything that resulted in a loss.
Despite having been kissed until she was now in a daze, Sophie's head remained clear when it came to his persistence and love toward her.
It was past midnight when they headed back to Wisteria Apartments after gazing at the two stars that now belonged to them.
“You should just stay here tonight. It's late,” the young woman offered, her eyes twinkling so brightly that it was as though anyone who looked into them would be charmed instantly.
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