Ch. 121..125: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 121-125
Chapter 121: Getting nervous for nothing..
Grace was so worried that she didn’t let Gwen complete her words and ended the call. She immediately informed Trevor and asked him to take her back.
Throughout her journey, all she did was pray for Ashley’s safety. She calmed a little when Trevor told her that she was out of danger, and the bullet didn’t hit her but barely slit through her skin.
Coming back to Ashley, Grace felt better when she saw her smile at her," Mom, I am fine. You don’t have to worry," she assured her.
"But still, I was kept from getting the news" Grace glared at Tristan, who pursed his lips and rubbed his ear.
Ashley smiled, and then her eyes fell on the older man beside Trevor. He had the same feature as Grace, and she immediately understood who he was." Grandpa," Ashley called him, and Dante’s eyes widened in shock.
"Y-You know me?" Dante was surprised that Ashley knew him even though they had never met.
Tristan, whose eyes were on Ashley all the time, watched her reach out her hand, asking him to help her. Rushing to her side, he helped her sit on the bed, and she looked at the older man approach her.
"Yes," she said and saw the man smile in happiness.
Grace looked at Ashley and smiled. She was yet to introduce her father to her but was glad that Tristan had already told her about it.
"Tristan told me about you," she continued.
"I so wanted to meet you, but this brat never allowed me," Dante complained, looking at Tristan and seeing him glaring at him.
"I think you should talk with your daughter instead of blaming me." Tristan reminded him, and he scoffed.
"Don’t bring my daughter in between. Even though she didn’t talk to me, you did. And as my grandson, it was your responsibility to introduce us," Dante countered back.
"Oh, now that you both are on good terms, you will bully me. How mean..." Tristan didn’t know Dante would change so easily after Grace forgave him and even went on taking her side, leaving him alone.
Ashley watched them argue and smiled. Was Dante just like Grace, or should she be just like him? Her eyes kept looking at them, and her lips didn’t stop smiling when she felt Grace hold her hand.
"I am sorry I didn’t tell you about-" she couldn’t complete her words when Ashley cut in and said," I understand it, mom. You had your reason, and I don’t judge you or hold any grudge for not letting me know about grandpa sooner."
Ashley understood the situation between them and didn’t let her feel bad.
Grace felt relief and nodded her head when the door of Ashley’s room opened, and the others entered.
Snow, Gwen, and Gavin rushed to meet Ashley. As soon as they stepped in, the only one who walked, in the end, was Herd.
Dante sneered, looking at Herd, who gave him a heated glare and walked past him to meet Ashley.
Dante and Herd didn’t like each other because Dante felt Herd had taken away his daughter, and now she cared about him more than her father.
"Your rival is here to get your daughter’s attention" Tristan walked back to where Dante stood and whispered with a playful grin.
Dante and Herd were rivals and couldn’t stand each other. They went to the same high school and became the most brilliant student. They both wanted to keep up their rank and would compete with each other until Herd lost the position to Dante. He ranked topper that year, giving Herd the second position.
After school ended, Herd left the country to study for higher education and settled there, taking over his father’s business. Their paths didn’t cross in those years until one day; Herd found out about Trevor having a liking for a girl.
Trevor met Grace when he started handling the company back in country X, and he happened to fall for Grace, whom he met accidentally and fell in love with her. It was then he came to find that she was non-other than Dante’s daughter and was currently living with her mother away from her father.
At first, he thought the couple was separated, not until Dante called him and asked him to meet. That day, he learned about Dante’s life and how he was involved in the underworld, taking ahead his family’s legacy.
Herd wasn’t scared of his background because the Knights were too powerful and had half of the force within their palm. All he cared about was that his son loved his daughter and would do everything in his power to marry them.
Dante knew Herd would keep his daughter safe, which he failed to do, making him nod to their relationship. Years passed, and the threat around Grace lessoned and then finally went all thanks to them.
But even after being in-laws, he still couldn’t erase the fact that Herd was his rival and had his daughter who treated him like her father.
Ignoring Tristan’s words, Dante kept quiet. He can’t let his daughter know. He still envies Herd because he took away his daughter.
After meeting Ashley, everyone left. Gwen drove to the office, knowing her brother won’t be coming. So she took the responsibility to handle the work with Karl until Tristan returned to work.
****
Melanin International
As soon as Gwen reached the company, she stepped in, heading toward the private elevator. The door opened, and she stepped in and then turned to click the button when she saw Karl rushing inside.
"Did you run till here?" she asked when she saw him catch his breath.
"I saw you were entering the building, and I ran as fast as I could just so I would catch up with you," Karl calmed and said, looking at Gwen, who smiled at him.
Last night he couldn’t talk to her much as he was with Tristan following his orders. She wanted to come to the hospital, but it was Tristan’s clear order that he didn’t want anyone there as Ashley wouldn’t wake up soon until the following day.
Getting her brother’s word, she decided to meet Ashley the other day. She wanted to tell him that Gavin was aware of their relationship, but when she called him, she heard about Ashley being shot by Jane, and she forgot everything as he mind was only thinking about her sister-in-law’s health.
"By the way, what did you want to tell me last night" remembering about it, Karl asked and saw her face stiff.
Gwen didn’t think he would remember it and would ask her the second he met her.
"Oh, that" she pursed her lips and scratched her head, worried about how Karl was about to react. She only hoped he didn’t pass out.
Karl waited for her to speak, and when she did, he felt his knees falling weak," Gavin... he knows a-about us."
That’s it.... and Karl felt like everything blurred around him and stumbled.
"Karl... oh my god," Gwen panicked when she saw him lose his balance, and she held him.
Karl felt the entire world around him spinning. It was just her brother who had got to find out about it, and he felt like gapping for water. Will he suffer a stroke when Tristan learns about it, or he wouldn’t even be alive till then to face him?
Gwen kept holding him, and soon they reached the floor. Walking out of the elevator, Gwen took Karl to his cabin and helped him sit on the chair.
She quickly rushed and brought him some and asked him to drink. Karl had utterly lost his mind, and Gwen could tell that he was on the verge of crying.
Such a daring man yet couldn’t take a stand for himself, she thought and saw him wipe his lips.
Gwen thought that after learning about Gavin, Karl would get some courage and take a step ahead to wipe off his fear, but what she saw now said something else.
"Gwen.... do you think the boss will leave me alive?" Karl’s voice cracked due to the fear he was feeling right now. He might look strong from the outside, but inside he was a scared cat, and Gwen could see it now.
She felt like smacking his head and putting some brain in it. How long was he going to be like this? One day they had to tell everyone about their relationship and face reality. Until how long were they going to play this hide and seek?
She looked at him, and all her annoyance flew away, and she sat next to him and held his hand until he calmed.
"You are getting nervous for nothing, Karl. Even though Gavin knows everything, he fully supports us and has no issue with us being together" her words somehow entered his chords, and he found his nerves relaxed a little.
Looking at her with his puppy eyes, he asked to confirm," You are not telling me this because you don’t want me to get panicked."
"No, I am not, and even you don’t have to worry. Just like Gavin understood, others will also support us," she assured him, hoping this would somehow make his nervousness decline.
Chapter 122: Couldn’t see this coming
Watching him relax, Gwen let go of his hold and stood up.
"Now, don’t waste your time. Your boss won’t be coming, so let’s start our work," she said, cheering his mood and seeing the fatigue on his disappear entirely.
Karl nodded, smiled, and watched her leave the cabin with a happy face.
It was going to be a hectic day. Getting up, he encouraged himself, forgetting about the worry, and started with the work.
*****
Hospital
"They both deserve this," Alice snorted, feeling no pity for Gorge and Jane.
Alice met Ashley as Tristan had asked everyone to visit her only when she woke up, and they agreed. Learning that she was fine and doing better made Alice calm.
"I had doubts that it wasn’t just Jane behind this... but someone was helping her."
Jane was clever but not that smart to do everything on her own until someone was helping her behind the scene. And it turned out that Gorge was the mastermind behind Jane’s every plan success.
Gorge held a grudge against Ashley because she rejected to be his bedwarmer. She even went on to slap him when he tried to force himself on her. She was a dignified lady who never believed in friends with benefits protocol and believed in hard work.
Alice nodded her head, agreeing with Ashley. That day when they followed Jane, they doubted that she wasn’t the one behind everything, but there was someone who was instructing her. And that one turned who was helping her turned out to be Gorge.
"But then, what happened between them that she ended up killing him" Alice’s words made Ashley think about it.
Weren’t they a team all the while? Then how did everything change, and she ended up taking his life?
Ashley was now bothered thinking about it, and something struck in her mind, but she didn’t say it to Alice and kept to herself.
"I, too, don’t know-" she muttered.
****
Outside Ashley’s ward
"You are merciless, Tristan" Noah couldn’t believe what Tristan did to Gorge and Jane after Karl told him.
"They almost killed my wife, Noah. Did you think they would be spared? No way" Tristan had no regret after whatever he did. In his thoughts, they deserve more worst than this.
Noah stared at Tristan but did say anything. He couldn’t be blamed because if he was in his place and the same thing would’ve happened with Alice, he would have burned them alive.
Tristan turned and looked at the closed door and sneered," How long do your girl plan to stay inside? I want to be with my wife."
"Do you think I like being with you" Noah rolled his eyes? If he hadn’t talked with Tristan, he wouldn’t have stepped out of the room.
Ashley and Alice weren’t aware of their secret, and he didn’t want to tell her yet. Noah had helped Tristan when he took over Dante’s position in the underworld. He was just as ruthless as Tristan. The only thing was he hid it behind his cheerful face.
Tristan glared at him," I am going in," he said, opening the door, and entering, followed by Noah.
"Your husband doesn’t seem to leave you alone," Alice said, looking at the man who couldn’t even leave Ashley for more than ten minutes.
Ashley didn’t say anything and only at Tristan, who passed her a smile.
"Okay then, I should take my leave. It would be best if you rested now," Alice picked up her bag and said.
Noah, who stood behind Tristan, said," Yes, Ashley, you should take some rest and make sure no one disturbs you," Noah said playfully, looking at Tristan, who just turned and glared at him.
"You..." gritting his teeth in a fury, Tristan watched Noah lick his tongue, teasing him, and they left from there.
"Noah likes to pull your leg" Ashley smiled and watched Tristan approach her and sit next to her.
"He had been like this always," he said and held her hand.
"Do you feel any pain?" he asked.
"Hmm..." she said, looking down at their intertwined fingers.
Tristan had already asked Taylor about her health, and he said she was fine but had to stay a day more since her wound needed to be cleaned. The stitches were fresh and needed attention.
Ashley stayed quiet for some time, thinking about whether ask Tristan or not but decided to do it later. She said," Tristan is the news accurate that Jane killed Gorge because he backstabbed her" her words made him stiff, and he raised his head, looking at her questioning eyes.
The news about the Vice president of Dream Star agency being shot by their model Jane Willow had been circulating all over the news channel. She killed him because he refused to help her after she shot Ashley.
It turned out that they had a heated argument, and in her anger, she shot him.
Ashley could’ve believed it, but she couldn’t because the news didn’t make any sense. Jane was very loyal to Gorge because he had helped her in many ways, and killing him wasn’t something she would do willingly.
"If they are saying it, then it should be true," Tristan ignored, meeting her eyes because they had started to intimidate him.
"Last night, you said you took care of them. Does it mean-" she couldn’t finish her words when she saw Tristan look at her?
He didn’t say a word, but she understood it.
Ashley didn’t ask him anything further and held onto his hand." I don’t feel sorry for them because they deserve it," her words surprised him.
"Gorge had been using many women as his pleasuring tool, and Jane was one of them. Though he didn’t sleep with her because of her angst against me, she became the tool he would use to defame me."
Tristan frowned when he heard her." Why didn’t you do anything and keep enduring everything," he asked.
"I couldn’t. I had considered Jane as my friend and hoped her thoughts about me would change after knowing me. Guess... I was wrong."
Ashley believed Jane wasn’t wholly evil. She had humanity in her. But Gorge brainwashed her filling her mind against her, and she let go of the little bit of kindness within her.
She had given them a chance on every step, but they didn’t change. Now whatever happened to them was their fate. They didn’t care about anyone but themselves. They were greedy and cruel people who didn’t even think twice before they took anyone’s life.
"Ash... I," Tristan tried to tell her, but she stopped him.
"You don’t have to say anything. You did what you felt was right," she said.
Tristan composed a little and leaned forwards before kissing her." They asked for it," he said without remorse.
They stayed like that until they heard a knock on the door, and the couple pulled away.
"How is the patient feeling" Taylor walked in with a nurse to check on Ashley.
"Better," she said.
Taylor checked Ashley’s wound and motioned to the nurse." Her wound needs cleaning," he said and instructed the nurse on something before he left.
Since her hand was injured, Tristan didn’t step out of the room but stayed with Ashley and watched the nurse clean her wound.
Ashley hissed in pain, holding onto Tristan’s sleeves and burying her face into his chest when she felt the medicine sting on her flesh.
"It’s done," she heard the nurse say, and she picked up the tray and left from there.
Tristan helped Ashley lie on the bed and tucked the duvet asking her to sleep. She did as he said and soon fell asleep.
By the time she woke up, it was already lunchtime. Grace had sent homemade food and asked Tristan to feed her without leaving anything behind.
Tristan helped feed the food until she finished everything and then had his.
"Can you pass me the phone?" she asked and saw him shake his head.
"You can’t work," he rejected it.
"I am not working. I want to check my emails" Ashley was getting bored doing nothing, so she thought just to check her emails.
"Just five minutes. Not more than that" Tristan gave a deadline.
"Yes, boss," she answered playfully and then reached her hand to take the phone from Tristan.
As soon as she turned on her phone, it was spammed with numerous messages.
Tapping on the notification, she opened the tap, and her eyes widened in shock.
"How couldn’t I see this coming" she mumbled and scrolled down the comment, which only had one statement,[ Is Ashley dating The Tristan Knight]
Ashley had already decided that she would soon announce her relationship with Tristan. She was only waiting for the right moment.
Tristan, who saw her frown walked to her and stood by her side, looking into her phone. He wasn’t shocked at all because he had already guessed this coming.
"What will you do about it?" he asked, hoping she wouldn’t brush it off this time.
Chapter 123: I want to go
Ashley looked up and met his expectation-filled eyes. She knew what he was thinking, and now she didn’t want to keep him waiting.
Taking a deep breath, she held his hand and made him sit next to her." They already know it, then why hide" she said and saw his eyes and face brighten up.
"I was already thinking of a way to announce about us but now that it was already out, then let’s confirm it?" she said, and the next second, Tristan leaned and captured her lips.
"Umm... Tristan, my hand," she said when her body jerked a little because of his aggressive movement, and he paused.
"Oh... sorry. I was just too happy that I-" he pulled back, scratching the back of his neck, and checked her hand carefully.
Tristan couldn’t hold himself back and pounced on her, showing his happiness. He had waited for this to happen, and now he couldn’t wait for the world to know that Ashley was his wife.
Ashley could see his excitement, and she couldn’t stop smiling.
*****
Knight Mansion
"How long do you want to keep her in the dark" Herd sipped his coffee and looked at Dante, who rolled his eyes.
"I just got her now, and I don’t want to ruin our happy times."
Herd and Dante may act indifferent to each other, but deep inside their heart, they care for one another.
Herd had come to find out about Dante’s illness a few years back. He pestered him to undergo surgery, but he obliged. He knew it would be a waste because there wasn’t any guarantee that his tumor would completely get removed and the surgery would be successful.
"Just for momentary happiness, you will give your daughter lifelong sorrow. Will she be happy after she loses her father, who didn’t even give it a try" Herd couldn’t understand why Dante was so stubborn.
Now, when Grace had finally accepted him, why wasn’t he ready to live more?
He wanted his daughter to address him as her father all his life, so why was he so adamant about going?
"I have already lived more than I expected. Every time my enemies patrol behind me, ready to kill me, I feel I would be gone too early without reconciling with my wife and daughter. But I was given a chance every time.
Now I don’t want anything. Sera is waiting for me, and I want to go to her," he said with a sad smile.
Sera left him very soon, and he couldn’t fulfill his promise to be with her till death do us part. He mended his relationship with his daughter now he wanted to be with his wife.
Herd just shook his head, knowing no one would change his mind.
"Anyways, let’s not talk about it. Now that I am here, I want you to keep yourself away from Grace. With you around, I feel insecure" his words made Herd arch his brow.
"Why would I do that," he asked.
Dante’s lips twitched at his words, and he said," You have been pampered by my daughter all these years. Now it’s my turn," he said without any filter.
"You think I will listen to you, In your dreams, Dante? I know my daughter won’t forget her father and will eventually take care of me even if I keep my distance from her" he stood up from his seat and smirked.
"Grace is my daughter," Dante said in anger.
"So what? She loves me more than you," saying. He walked away from there, leaving Dante in a fury.
*****
Alice returned home alone as Noah seemed to be busy with some work.
Entering her apartment, she turned on the lights, walked deeper toward the couch, and slumped on it.
Closing her eyes, she slowly began to doze when her phone rang, and she snapped open her eyes. Pulling out her phone from her bag, she lazily got up and saw the caller’s name.
She frowned, looking at the unknown number, and ended the call." Why can’t these span numbers give me a break? I am tired of picking them," she said and kept her phone aside and got up to get fresh when the same number called her again and this time her eyes narrow.
"Why would he keep calling again" she muttered and bent down, picking up the phone and taking the call.
"Why can’t you understand that I am not interested in attending your calls" she slammed the caller hoping after her lash, they would stop bugging her, but when she heard the voice, she froze.
"Then don’t block my number, or else I wouldn’t be bothering you in some other way," Dylan’s voice spoke from the other side.
Alice quickly composed herself and fumed," You should stop bothering me, Dylan," she said and heard him chuckle.
"How can I stop bothering you, Alice, when I never stop thinking about you," he said, making her cringe.
This man would only think about himself and his need. Back then, he did the same when he was with her. Even now, he was marrying Avera because he wanted power.
"You can’t fool me, Dylan. I am not the old Alice who would fall for your sweet words," she sneered, thinking how highly he thought of himself, considering her life still revolved around him.
There was a long pause on the other side. Alice thought that finally, her words reached his brain, but she was wrong when he asked," Does Noah knows about us, or are you only using him as your boyfriend so you can forget me."
Fear crossed her mind, but she composed herself quickly. She wouldn’t let him trick her with his words, she said to herself and said," Yes, he is my boyfriend, and he doesn’t have to know about you because, in my life, you have no worth," gritting her teeth in anger she ended the call and threw the phone on the couch.
"Dammit... why can’t he let me live with peace" Alice was tired of this Dylan name threat revolving around her life. Why did he have to come back and mess with her life? He had already done enough damage but now, not anymore. She wouldn’t give him the chance to ruin her life again.
She fumed in anger and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration when the door of her house opened. She snapped, turned, and saw Noah entering in, and the next moment, she sprinted to him and hugged him, burying her face into his broad chest.
Noah was caught off guard by her sudden movement but composed himself and engulfed her back. His hand carefully brushed her back, and he felt her body relax.
"Hey... is everything alright?" he asked.
Alice didn’t answer back and let herself calm down. She didn’t know what to answer because she didn’t want him to know about Dylan and her.
Yes, she was stupid to think this way, but now she was scared thinking Noah would leave her after learning about her past with Dylan. She didn’t want anyone to ruin their relationship because now she had started to fall for him deeply, and she feared that his feeling for her would change after learning about her past.
After some time, she pulled back and looked at him." Noah-" she called his name and saw him cup her face. His eyes looked at her hopefully, but she wasn’t courageous enough to face him, and she looked away.
"I missed you," she said.
Noah was surprised by her words, and he smiled, pulling her by her waist and holding her closer to him.
"Silly girl, you just scared me," he said and hugged her. He thought something had happened that made her react this way.
Alice didn’t say anything and let him hug her. She was a coward trying to escape her past instead of facing it, but she couldn’t do anything about it because she was scared of losing herself again.
****
Hospital
"Tristan, I am getting bored," Ashley whined.
The entire day went on doing nothing but either eating or sleeping. She had had enough rest and now was feeling better. Though her hand pained a little, it was bearable.
" What do you want to do?" Tristan asked, bringing the apples and sitting on the chair, ready to cut them.
"Stop that!! Please don’t cut them. I have had enough," Ashley warned him.
Tristan had been feeding fruits for the past half an hour. She had already finished eating two apples before, and now he had bought another one. If she had one more, then she would be done.
Looking at the apple in his hand, he kept them back on the plate before he kept the container on the table next to Ashley’s bed.
"Tell me what you want to do. Do you want me to read you a book, or should I tell you a story" he asked and saw her snort?
"I don’t want either of them. I want to go for a walk to refresh myself," she exclaimed.
Ashley wanted to breathe fresh and get out of this room. She was already feeling restricted, so she tried to step out.
Tristan thought for a while and then called the nurse. Arranging a wheelchair for her, Tristan helped her sit on it, and then he walked out, heading down to the big lawn usually used by the patient.
Chapter 124: Losing you scares me
Lawn
Helping Ashley sit on the bench nearby, Tristan sat next to her. Her eyes were shining as she looked around and took a deep breath.
"I would have gone crazy spending my entire time in that room," she complained, looking at Tristan and seeing him smile.
"Don’t smile. You purposely kept me away from coming here," she whined.
Tristan was aware of this place, yet he didn’t tell her. She wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t asked the nurse.
Tucking the hair strand behind her ear, Tristan said," Taylor asked me to let you rest as much as you can. I would’ve brought you here anyways" his words made her shake her head in disbelief.
When would he bring her here the next day she would get discharged? Such a lair. He only wanted to cage her with him and nothing else.
Ignoring his words, she looked ahead and breathed. The place was so calm and peaceful, and she felt much more relaxed.
There weren’t many people around because Tristan had already informed the staff to vacant the place. He didn’t want much attention and wanted her to be as comfortable as she could.
"You know I never liked coming to hospitals," Ashley said as she looked at the fountain ahead.
"Why?" Tristan asked, never averting his eyes from her.
"Because they gave me a creepy feeling," she said, chuckling at her stupid thought.
Back then, when she was young, she went with Alice to watch a movie, and there she had seen a scene where saw ghosts lurking around the place. From that day, she couldn’t erase the fear from her mind and kept herself away from getting sick and visiting any hospitals.
Tristan smiled, listening to her. He didn’t know his brave wife was scared about being in the hospital. This was something new he learned about her.
Ashley turned and glared at him," Listen, everyone has a thing that gives them a creepy vibe. You must also have one," she said.
"There isn’t anything that scares me," he said with a proud face and saw her lift her brow.
"Really? There’s nothing you are scared of?" she asked, not ready to believe that he wasn’t afraid of anything.
Shrugging his shoulder, he said," Nothing."
Tristan had been trained to be strong by Trevor. Before he stepped into business, Tristan was trained in martial arts and was taught to be mentally strong. Even after he joined hands with Dante, his skill improved even more.
Ashley started staring at him when suddenly he leaned closer and whispered," But there is one thing that scares the hell out of me" his voice turned heavy, making Ashley blink.
"What?" she asked, completely drowned in his intense gaze.
"You," he said and saw her frown.
"The thought of losing you scares me" his words came out of desperation, and she could feel it.
Ashley had seen how messed up he looked when she opened her eyes. It showed her his deepest fear which somehow made her promise to herself that she wouldn’t risk her life henceforth.
Tristan wasn’t afraid of anything because he knew his capability but just the thought of something happening to her made him a scared person.
They both didn’t say a word and kept staring into each other’s eyes. Ashley covered the tiny space between them and sealed his lips. She could feel his fear and wanted to assure him that she wasn’t going anywhere.
Tristan closed his eyes and kissed her back until he felt Ashley shiver in his hold, and that’s when he pulled back.
" I think we should return," he said and saw her nod.
Carefully making her sit on the wheelchair Tristan to her back to the room where they already had a visitor waiting.
Ashley saw her father waiting for them as soon as they entered the room.
"You both came" Richard, who came to see his daughter, was informed about them being on the lawn. Knowing Ashley wouldn’t return until she felt better, he didn’t disturb them.
Ashley wasn’t fond of the hospital, and Richard knew it, so he let them take their time and waited until they returned.
"When did you come, and why didn’t you inform us," Ashley said, watching her father reach her as she neared.
"I let you both take your time, knowing how bored you must’ve felt the entire day," Richard said, knowing Ashley very well.
Tristan listened to the pair talk casually and suddenly felt alien. He thought he knew his wife entirely, but he was wrong. There were still many things about Ashley that he didn’t know, which he had just found out a while back.
"How do you feel?" Richard asked, looking at his daughter, who looked a little weak.
"All good," she answered with a smile.
Richard knew his daughter more than she knew herself. And he could tell that she was masking her pain in that smile.
He just nodded his head and then turned to Tristan. "I want you both to shift to Brown Mansion until Ashley gets completely healed," he suggested.
When Richard got in, he first met the doctor, and he told him that Ashley was fine but needed rest.
Richard knew his daughter well and knew she wouldn’t follow the doctor’s order just like she did now. He knew it must’ve been Ashley who would’ve pestered Tristan to take her out because she could stand staying in one room.
She was too stubborn to listen to anyone, and he didn’t want Tristan to give in to her stupid words, so he thought of taking them both to the Brown Mansion until Ashley was completely healed.
Tristan pursed his lips and looked at Ashley, who said," Dad, I don’t think we would be coming there" her words surprised the old man, and he asked." Why?"
"Mom had already asked us to stay at Knight mansion for the time being," she said, scratching her neck and looking at Tristan, who also had the same expression.
Richard looked at them both and sighed." Fine, I won’t force you. But make sure you don’t give Grace a hard time and listen to them," he warned her.
Ashley nodded, and they talked for some time before he bid goodbye.
Tristan walked to her bed and sat next to her." Mom is going to spoil you with her healthy food," he said.
"I don’t mind. I like the food she cooks for us, and they are much tastier than the one you make" her words made him arch his brow.
"Is that so?" he asked and saw her suppress her smile.
*****
The following day Ashley got discharged, and Tristan took her to the Knight mansion.
She met everyone and was currently resting in their bedroom.
"I missed our bed," she said, suddenly feeling sleepy as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Tristan watched her slowly doze off to sleep and smiled. She was exhausted, and that showed in how fast she fell asleep.
Picking up his laptop, he walked toward the other side of the bed and began to work. He couldn’t ignore his job as the company’s CEO, so he resumed.
He felt much more relaxed after Ashley made their relationship public. She had called Miley this morning and asked her to make a public statement confirming the news about her and Tristan being in a relationship.
Though they kept their marriage a secret, he was happy that he finally got the chance to flaunt their relationship publicly.
He looked through the emails when his eyes again caught an unknown name and frowned. He knew this person, so it didn’t bother him much, and he opened the message.
’Congratulation,’ he read and fumed the next second.
Quickly deleting the text, he reached out to his phone and made Karl a call.
"When is he going to come?" he asked as soon as Karl picked up his call.
Karl, who wasn’t expecting Tristan’s call, took some time to register his words but soon understood, and he answered," There isn’t any specific day, boss."
Tristan gritted his teeth in anger and said," Keep me updating," He ended the call.
He looked at Ashley, and suddenly his heart felt heavy. She had no idea who her husband was apart from a businessman. And he feared thinking how she would react if he told her about it one day.
*****
Office
"What did brother say?" Gwen asked, looking at Karl, whose mood changed after talking to Tristan.
Karl broke e out from the trance and looked at Gwen. Though she was still aware of her brother’s identity as a mafia leader, Tristan never fully let them know about it.
"Nothing, just work-related inquiries," he lied and diverted his attention to the work.
Gwen found his behavior suspicious, but she brushed it off, thinking she was assuming too much and began working.
Since Tristan was on leave, the entire responsibility fell on their shoulders. Gwen was slowly learning about handling various projects and somewhat upgraded her knowledge.
Thanks to this man who never ignored her queries and listened to her every problem, giving the best advice to improve her skills.
Chapter 125: We need to stop
Country X
Sitting inside the luxurious suite, the man on the couch sipped the drink in his hand. His eyes were focused on the news flashing on the television screen, and his lips suddenly curled up.
Taking out the phone, he called his assistant," It’s time to go," saying he ended the call, and his eyes darkened.
"Can’t wait to see you, Tristan," he said and gulped down the wine before getting up and leaving the room.
*****
Knight mansion
Ashley woke up after taking a nap and found Tristan sitting on the couch, busy working.
"I thought you were on break," she complained when she saw that he didn’t even realize she was awake.
Tristan heard her and raised his eyes, looking at her and pouting at him. Letting go of his laptop, Tristan walked to the bed and helped her sit.
"I thought I would be done before you woke up. But guess I was wrong," he said, tucking the hair strand behind her ear and smiling.
Ashley didn’t make a fuss and leaned forward, resting her head on his shoulder. Her small action made his smile even broader, and he asked," Why is my wife acting all cute."
Ashley just wanted to snuggle him because she fell asleep as soon as she lay on the bed, and now that she was awake, she just wanted to lean on him.
"Because I need your attention," she said.
Tristan didn’t say a word and let her rest her head on his shoulder until she pulled back.
"Do you want to eat something?" he asked and saw her raise her head.
"Yes," she said, slowly moving her face into his neck." I want to eat you" her words made the man stiff on his seat and gulp.
Tristan already had blue balls because he hadn’t done his deed with his wife for a few days. He was considerate of her, knowing she was injured and had to heal. But Ashley didn’t seem to think the same.
Suddenly she felt her lips touch his skin, and he shivered. "A-ash, we can’t do this now. Your hand is hurt," he said slowly, trying to move away from his head.
"I know... but I can’t wait to taste you," she said desperately.
Ashley suddenly felt her desire surge when his manly odor hit her nose, and she felt like losing her mind. She knew she was provoking him by playing this act, but she could help as this man beside her was irresistible.
Tristan was barely controlling himself and felt the last string of his self-control break. Turning his head, he watched his wife smile. she was seducing his inner devil, provoking it to come out and pounce on her.
"Don’t," he warned, still trying to keep his hand off her, but the next thing Ashley did was break his last bit of self-esteem. She didn’t listen to him and captured his lips taking him by surprise.
She ensured she didn’t use her right hand, snaked her left hand around his neck, and deepened the kiss. Lust clouded her mind; all she could think right now was to devour this man.
Tristan carefully circled her waist and kissed back with the same yearning. He wanted to fulfill her wish, but he knew he couldn’t. He couldn’t act recklessly knowing her condition. So before they could move any further, he pulled away.
"We need to stop," he said, resting his forehead on hers.
Ashley tried to calm her breath and raised her head. She could see how badly he wanted her but was controlling himself for her. Her stupid brain didn’t warn her before she seduced him, and now she felt bad for not being able to get to the end.
" I will get something to eat for you" without waiting for her response Tristan stood up and left.
Ashley turned red in embarrassment and sat on the bed until the bedroom door opened again, and she saw Tristan walk in with a tray in his hand.
"Mom made you some soup," he said and sat on the bed, placing the tray next to him.
There wasn’t any embarrassment on his face, which lightened her mood, and she relaxed.
"Here, open your mouth" bringing the spoon full of soup to her lips, he asked her to drink.
Ashley took a sip and soon finished the entire bowl before she wiped her mouth in contentment.
"Okay, now you rest. I will keep this in the kitchen and come," Tristan said and got up to leave when she stopped him.
"Tristan," there was a glint of sadness in her voice that made him turn at her immediately.
Ashley felt he was trying to avoid staying with her, which upset her.
"Are you ignoring me now?" she asked, taking him by surprise.
Tristan didn’t expect her to guess it.
Yes, he was trying to sneak out because he couldn’t promise how long he would be sane in front of her. After what she did, he badly needed to release, which is what he did after walking out of the room.
Luckily no one saw how fast he rushed into his study and entered the restroom spilling his seed out and cleaning himself.
He saw the sadness in her eyes that broke his resolve, and he answered, clearing the misunderstanding." No!..I won’t ever do that to you, Ash," he said, sitting back.
Keeping the tray aside, he cupped her face and looked deep into her eyes," How can you even think I would ignore you" he said, making her whine.
"Then why are you avoiding talking with me? Was it because of what I did earlier" she asked?
Ashley knew it was a wrong move for her to tempt him, knowing how badly he loses when she seduces him. How can she do such a thing? She cursed.
Tristan heaved a defeated sigh and rested their forehead together," I lose myself whenever you are around Ash. It’s like, just your mere presence is enough to turn me on."
Ashley looked at him and saw how badly he was trying to keep calm around her and what she did, she gave him a tough time.
"It’s just that I don’t want to hurt you by acting recklessly just because I want you. For me, your health and your safety come first."
Tristan could keep on taking cold showers if days like this happen again. He wanted to keep himself in control, knowing his wife’s needs.
"I am sorry..." Ashley felt terrible for him. She shouldn’t have acted that way, ignoring her situation.
"But I promise to make it up to you once my hand is healed," she declared, making him smile.
"I am just waiting for that day to come soon" Tristan felt a little better, and he pinched the tip of her nose before pecking her lips.
****
Sitting inside his cabin Noah was pondering on Alice’s thoughts. He didn’t want to think that way, but Alice’s behavior disturbed him.
’Why would she lie to me?’ He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
That day when he saw Dylan’s message on her cellphone, he felt strange. Noah knew Alice was in charge of the pre-wedding shoot but wasn’t it already done, and she had even handed over the copies? Then why was he still in touch with her?
He didn’t want to doubt his intentions, but the way he kept staring at Alice made him think he was interested in her.
"Why did he text her and ask her to meet him?" he frowned, recalling how Alice lied that time.
His eyes darkened, thinking about whether she was planning to meet him because the way she lied only made him ponder that way.
"You are thinking way too much, Noah. Alice is not that type of person. You have been with her," he tried to make himself understood.
Maybe he called her because he had worked with her and was only overthinking.
Brushing off his thought, Noah focused his attention on his work when his phone began to buzz. It was Alice who texted him.
[I will be late, so don’t come to pick me up and return safely home]
Am frown marred his forehead reading the message, and suddenly, he felt his chest heavy.
’No...no, don’t go that way again,’ he thought as his mind drifted to the thought he had just ignored.
****
Keeping her phone aside, Alice began to work. She had some drafts that she wanted to sort, which would take some time for her.
She knew Noah would come to pick her up as soon as he finished his work, so she informed him beforehand about her work.
Her eyes were fixed on the screen when her phone buzzed, and she smiled at Noah’s message.
[ Okay, call me when you are done. And don’t overwork- Smiley emoji] a smile appeared on her face, and she looked back at the screen when she again received a message.
Thinking it was again Noah, she immediately picks the phone to reply to him, but her eyes narrowed when she saw it wasn’t Noah who had texted her. It was Dylan who had texted her.
Dylan’s constant bugging pissed Alice. In these two days, she had blocked him many times. But every time, he would text her using a different, which was too frustrating.