A Coffee Run

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Kendall opted for a simple floral dress that subtly showed off her figure without trying too hard. The soft fabric fell just above her knees, and the delicate pastel pattern gave her an effortlessly feminine look. 

She paired it with white sneakers, striking the perfect balance between casual and stylish, and carried a light cardigan draped over her arm in case of a morning chill. Her makeup was minimal—a touch of concealer, mascara, and nude lip gloss—while her dark hair fell in loose, natural waves around her shoulders. The look was ideal for a first date in her opinion without trying too hard.

Sliding into her black Range Rover, Kendall adjusted her seat, started the engine, and drove toward Tristan's hotel. As she pulled into the circular driveway, she grabbed her phone, glancing at the screen before dialing his number.

"Hey, I'm outside," she said with a smile as soon as he picked up.

"Okay, I'll be right down." came Tristan's reply. 

After hanging up, Kendall checked her reflection in the small mirror she kept in her bag. Looking good, Kendall, she thought, adjusting her hair before putting the mirror away.

She spotted Tristan walking out of the hotel, wearing a white shirt and jeans that gave off a laid-back vibe. The sunglasses he had on seemed practical more than flashy, but they suited him.

Kendall rolled down the window and waved. "Tristan! Over here!"

He looked over, nodded, and made his way toward the car with an easy stride. Opening the passenger door, he slid in.

"Hey, how's it going?" he said casually, his tone as relaxed as his appearance.

"Shall we grab some coffee?" he asked casually, though he was doing his best not to let his eyes linger on her face for too long.

He could admit it—Kendall was easily one of the most beautiful women in the world. But up close, in this setting, it hit different.

And the fact that she seemed genuinely interested in him? That threw him off even more.

Alright, screw it, Tristan thought. Let's see where this goes. If her personality lines up with the vibe she's giving off, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Even if it comes with the Kardashian-level drama.

Kendall noticed his slight hesitation, the way his eyes flickered away and back, and her lips curved into a knowing smile. His reaction told her more than words ever could.

"Sure, I know a great spot," Kendall replied with a confident smile. "I'll take you to one of my regular places."

"You're the host; I'm just here to enjoy the ride," Tristan said, shaking off his lingering thoughts. If this day went well and their personalities clicked, maybe dating her wouldn't be such a bad idea.

They drove to a nearby café, and as they stepped out of the sleek black Range Rover, heads turned. Two strikingly attractive people, effortlessly stylish and stepping out of a luxury car, were bound to draw attention.

The waiter greeted them with a warm smile. "Ms. Jenner, the usual today?"

Kendall nodded. "Yeah, thanks."

She glanced at Tristan, curious. "What about you? What are you having?"

He shrugged lightly. "Fresh orange juice, no coffee for me today. Oh, and an avocado toast to go," he added, a slight grin on his face.

Kendall raised an eyebrow, amused. "Avocado toast, huh? Pretty basic."

"Hey," he replied with a smirk, "basic works for me."

Once they paid, they settled into a quiet corner by the window. Kendall cradled her coffee cup in both hands, taking a small sip before asking, "So, you don't drink coffee at all?"

"Not really," Tristan said. "Caffeine messes with my game. Gotta stay sharp—part of the job."

Kendall nodded slowly, "Makes sense. You're serious about your career, huh?"

"Have to be, it's my whole life, been training for it since what like seven years old" he replied with a casual shrug.

Kendall leaned back in her chair, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Fair enough. Guess I'll have to find other ways to keep you awake, then."

Tristan chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You don't have to. I'm pretty good at staying alert without it."

They continued chatting, the conversation flowing easily. 

Kendall took another sip of her coffee, feeling more comfortable as the conversation drifted into a natural rhythm. She leaned forward, her eyes curious but not intrusive. "So, how long do you plan on playing football?"

Tristan, who had been picking at his avocado toast, paused for a second before answering, considering the question carefully. "Probably more than 10 years, I'd say," he replied. "Maybe more. I don't really know, honestly. You never really know how long you've got, right?" He shrugged, looking slightly uncertain, but there was an underlying confidence in his words.

Kendall nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I guess you can't predict the future, especially with something like that. But it must be hard to think about life after football, huh?"

Tristan chuckled lightly, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You don't have to. I'm pretty good at staying alert without it."

After a brief pause, Tristan looked back at her, a bit more serious. "But yeah, I know it's not forever. I've got to make the most of it while I can."

Kendall gave a small smile. "I get that. I imagine it's hard to even imagine a life without football, especially when you're at the top of your game."

He met her eyes, his expression softening just a bit. "Yeah, but it's always there in the back of my mind. So, I try not to take anything for granted."

Kendall's gaze shifted to the window for a moment, watching people pass by, before she turned back to him. "So, when you do retire, do you have any plans? Like, would you stay in England or move somewhere else?"

Tristan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his curls as he thought about her question. "I've thought about that, actually. If I'm not playing in England, then I'd probably move to Spain. You know, if I get a chance to play for a different club." He paused, almost like he was picturing it in his mind. "Spain's always been appealing—weather's nice, the football's intense. But who knows? Maybe I'll just stay in England."

Kendall listened, taking in every word. There was something about his certainty that made her pause. She thought about her own life, her career. It didn't quite line up with Tristan's vision. She travels for work and fashion shows but just like Tristan, she cant' see herself leave LA either, which means if they got into a relationship, there has to be a sacrifice somewhere along the line.

 Tristan seemed rooted in his path, thinking mostly about football and where it would take him.

"So, no plans to settle down in one place after everything's done?" she asked, trying to keep the question light, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her tone.

Tristan thought for a moment before responding. "I guess I'll see. I mean, my focus is on football for now. But who knows? After that, maybe I'll travel a bit or start something new." He seemed almost distant, as if the future was just a vague idea to him. "But right now, I'm just focused on playing well and seeing where that takes me."

Kendall smiled, nodding slowly. She appreciated his honesty, even if their outlooks didn't quite align. "Fair enough," she said. "But it sounds like you've got your path pretty figured out, huh?"

Tristan gave a light shrug, his eyes gleaming with a subtle mixture of ambition and calm. "I suppose I do, yeah. But like I said, things can always change."

There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment, but Kendall couldn't shake the feeling that their goals in life didn't quite match up

The two didn't stay at the café for too long. Despite the quiet ambiance, it wasn't long before curious glances started to follow them, and a few customers sneaked photos with their phones. In this age of social media, where every moment can be broadcasted, Kendall's presence was bound to draw attention. She had grown used to it, of course—after all, with over eight million followers, she was no stranger to being watched.

The phones clicked, and within moments, the photos were up online:

"Hey, guys, guess who I saw at the coffee shop today?!"

"Kendall having coffee with a handsome guy!"

"That guy kind of looks like a Hollywood actor... anyone know who he is?"

Kendall smiled as a girl approached, phone in hand, her grin wide. "Kendall! I'm your biggest fan! Can I take a photo with you?"

"Of course!" Kendall responded warmly, her smile practiced but genuine.

After snapping a quick photo with the girl, they gathered their things and headed back to the car. The attention didn't faze Kendall—it never did. A small part of her even enjoyed the excitement.

 In fact, a small part of her was rather pleased by it. After all, she was used to the constant buzz that followed her wherever she went.

However, she had no idea just how popular Tristan had become around the world, especially after his standout performance in the World Cup. While people in the U.S. might not be aware of him, his name was buzzing across continents. To the average person here, he was just another face, but in Europe and beyond, he was a rising star in football.

Back in the car, they finally had some quiet moments to themselves. Kendall started the engine, the sound of the car hum filling the air. She glanced at Tristan, offering a sheepish smile. "Sorry about all the photos back there," she said, her voice light but a touch amused. "I've been a public figure for so long, it's kind of fun to see people getting excited about meeting me."

Tristan just shrugged it off with a casual, "It's no problem."

As they drove around the city, Kendall shared some of her favorite spots—high-end shops, art galleries, hidden gems she loved to visit. She seemed especially animated when talking about fashion, her voice lively, full of passion.

"That sounds fun," Tristan said, listening attentively, though his mind wasn't fully on the conversation. He wasn't much for shopping or art galleries, but he didn't mind indulging her enthusiasm.

They eventually pulled up to the Museum of Modern Art in Los Angeles, and Kendall practically bounced out of the car, eager to show him around. As they wandered through the exhibits, Kendall's excitement was infectious. She discussed various pieces of art with an energy that made it clear how deeply she cared about the art world.

Tristan, however, didn't share the same interest. He mostly nodded, letting her take the lead. He appreciated her enthusiasm but wasn't really moved by the artwork. He wasn't here to judge her passion—it was just… different.

Kendall glanced at him as she explained a painting, noting how quietly he listened, his gaze shifting between her and the art. He wasn't exactly engaged in the conversation, but he was polite, attentive in his own way.

She smiled to herself, thinking how easy it was to be around him. He was calm, no drama. There was something nice about his presence.

As they wrapped up their visit, Kendall suggested they head to another spot. They drove to the Home Depot Center for the celebrity charity game. By now, the afternoon had arrived, and the energy of the day had shifted. This was the part that felt familiar to Tristan—football, the crowd, the adrenaline.

Before they entered, Kendall turned to him with a bright smile. "See you later!" she said, her voice bubbly and light.

But as she walked toward the event, a question lingered in her mind.

"So, what do you like to do besides football?"

Tristan looked at her, momentarily surprised by the question. He hadn't really considered it, but he gave a small shrug. "Not much," he admitted. "Football and training take up most of my time. Outside of that, I just hang out with friends or stay at home, play video games, watch anime... You know, pretty basic stuff."

"Anime?" Kendall raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Yeah," Tristan smiled a little. "I'm not really a party guy. I don't go to bars or anything. I prefer hanging out with people I trust, maybe just watching a show or chatting."

Kendall nodded thoughtfully, her mind working. "That's... different from my life. I'm always out doing something, meeting people. I guess I'm always moving around."

Tristan chuckled softly, "I get that. I'm just more laid-back."

Kendall smiled, considering the contrast between their worlds. She liked the idea of having someone who appreciated peace and quiet, but there was something about his simplicity that felt worlds apart from her lifestyle

But for now, she was content enjoying the ride.

.....

 I cringed writing this, I'm not really that well verse when it comes to writing romance before I got to that Barbara part and my ass got cheated on so I'm trying my best out here.

I was trying to get rid of any drama from the chinese one, this chapter was almost written by me with some parts from the chinese chapter like 10% of it.

And also I saw someone ask why I even kept the mc half chinese, it's mostly out of respect for the chinese author, dude may be racist and shit, but I'm still using his work for this and making some money. 

Now this chapter was basically me trying to show they could make it work if they started dating but their life goals and where their live and personality, and lifestyles don't exactly match up. Not to mention that media attention Tristan would have to deal would be so much bigger than if he dated Barbara. 

And Barbara's and Tristan personality and everything else works out, I know way too much Barbara Palvin at this point for this story, FBI, I swear to god I'm not stalking her.

What I plan on doing is compared to the chinese version where the author just makes Kendall out to be a total bitch for some reason, I just make it so both her and Tristan just stay friends.