Chapter 22: Damon Reid vs. Tristan Thomas: An explosive encounter…Saved by the bell!

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Tristan sat in the lounge at the airport waiting for his flight to be called. He had left home earlier than necessary because his parents had invited Damon over for Dinner. His mum claimed she wanted to discuss some ideas she had for the hotels with him. What was she going to talk about anyway? Scented sheets? He didn’t want to see Damon so he had left. Now here he was, waiting with a couple who obviously didn’t want to be parted. They kept making out like there was no tomorrow and Tristan couldn’t keep his eyes off them. They were acting like they couldn’t stand to be parted. Jeez, it wasn’t like they were never going to see each other again, Tristan mused. It was a mere trip. But then love could do that to people, right?

He felt a pang when he thought of Damon. How he wished he could have what the couple had with Damon. But he couldn’t. He was about to get married. He envied Maya so much though he didn’t know her. It didn’t matter…she had Damon. Tristan’s misery knew no bounds. How the fuck was he going to survive this? He always felt a sharp pain in his chest whenever he thought of Damon and Maya together. Adriana claimed he now acted like a zombie. There was no ‘life’ in him. He had to start living again somehow. But he felt he could only live if he had Damon in his life.

“Hey, are you ok?”

Tristan looked up to see the couple who had been making out, looking intently at him. The lady had asked the question.

“Sure. Why do you ask?” He smiled wondering why they would bother with him in the first place. They had been too engrossed in each other to notice someone else.

“You…” The lady made gestures on her face that signaled there were tears on Tristan’s.

He quickly reached up and felt the wetness on his cheeks.

“Aw shit!” He wiped at his cheeks furiously and blushed. “Don’t mind me. Go ahead.” He told the couple who looked at him with concerned faces.

“Woman trouble?” The guy asked.

“Yeah, you could say that,” Tristan muttered.

“Life is short you know. Makeup with her and forget about everything else.” The lady chipped in, smiling so sweetly but sadly at Tristan.

“Thanks.” He told them, just as they were called to board. He stood and walked towards the boarding gate.

Makeup? Ha! How about Maya? Well, how about her? He fucking didn’t owe her anything right? Tristan stopped walking and stood still, lost in thought. He had the sick fear in his gut, the horrible insecurity that told him he didn’t have any reason to live if he lost the man he loved more than anything. Damon had made it clear he didn’t mind having Tristan in his life too. He wanted Damon. And by God, he was going to be with Damon. He was going to have him any way he could and damn the consequence. Though there was still a little voice in his head cautioning him to guard himself against getting hurt, he ignored it. What had the lady said? Life was short right?

Tristan looked around him and realized he was almost to the gate. His luggage had already been taken on board but he didn’t care. He was going to Damon and damn the trip.

“Thanks, guys. I’m going back to make up.” He paused long enough to tell the couple who were saying their final goodbyes and rushed out of the airport to loud cheering by the couple.

Tristan called the contractor who was to meet him in Paris to tell him there had been a change in plans. He told him to schedule a conference call for all the stakeholders the following day and expect him in Paris at a later date. Then he hailed a taxi and was on his way back home, where he knew Damon was. He couldn’t keep the excited grin off his face. Damn, he was going to have a hard time keeping his hands off Damon. He knew he was going to have to make a conscious effort not to give their relationship away to his family.

Tristan was almost home when he heard the breaking news on the radio.

‘STAR-BO144 Crashes Immediately After Take Off.’

He froze! According to the news, airport workers were trying to rescue people from the wreckage. The newscaster went on to say that the front part of the plane had suffered the main crush. It was, therefore, feared that most people flying first class and the pilots were probably dead. Tristan was meant to fly first class. He started shaking. All the blood drained out of his skin…he turned as white as a sheet. He had almost died but for his decision to go be with Damon. God!