Ch. 36..40: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 36-40
Chapter 36: I want to give us a chance
Ashley felt a knot in her stomach while he stared back at her with his deep intense gaze. Something about his eyes had always bewitched and she would find herself eventually falling weak for his clear blue eyes.
’He is dangerous for my heart’ she thought and averted her gaze before she end up doing something unknowingly that she would later regret.
She slowly turned and was about to step out of the water when he suddenly pulled her back making her sit right in between his legs.
"Where do you think you are going huh? I haven’t finished with you yet" he said and found her body stiff as he wrapped his hands around her stomach making her comfortably sit in front of him.
Ashley felt his chest touch her back and a sudden volt of electric power passed through the skin that froze her completely blowing up her mind.
She could feel his hot breath brush her earlobe as he conveyed his words to her completely blocking her thoughts.
Why was her mind and heart not in her control whenever she was close to him? why was she always losing her sense to act rationally, Ashley was going crazy because she had no answer to them.
"You might think of me as a person who is behind your body and that is the reason I am chasing you. But let me tell you, Ashley Brown, just the way you lost your virginity to me I too lost mine to you. You are the very first women who I slept with and I don’t regret every single moment I spend with you that night" his sudden confession broke her statue-like demeanor and she swift turned herself looking at him in disbelief.
Ashley didn’t know even though she was his first and now she felt more guilty to think of him as those men who whore around. She was so wrong to judge him and now she wanted to erase every thought that she even dare to think about him.
As if the wall around her heart broke completely she leaned closer and sealed his lips taking Tristan by surprise. She didn’t want to stop her overflowing emotions and just embrace them with welcoming hands.
This man was too precious to let go and now she was finally realizing it. Her father was right when said to her that he would be the one who would cherish and love her the way she deserved.
The type of love she was expecting from her previous relationship, Tristan was slowly showing her. The tenderness in his every touch and the truthfulness in his every word made her want to believe him and give him a chance to make her feel happy.
She said she wouldn’t fall in love again because she had enough but this man she was kissing without holding back was slowly making her fall for him.
Sometimes it takes years to feel love and sometimes it’s only a moment that gives you butterflies. And right now she was feeling every possible emotion overflowing through her actions.
Swiftly lifting her, Tristan made Ashley sit on his lap as she wrapped her leg around his perfect torso deepening the kiss. The same passion from that previous night rushed to her mind and she dug her fingers and pulled his head closer to her.
The licking sound of their lips echoed around their entangled body. Ashley had never felt this urgency towards anyone but with Tristan it was different.
He made her feel special with his care and genuineness and now she didn’t want to stop herself from letting her fall again. This love that she felt for him came to her surprise and now she wanted to hold it tight and never let it slip away.
Running short of breath finally, the couple decided to pull apart panting heavily and trying to catch their breath as they rested their foreheads together.
"I don’t know if this raw feeling towards you is due to attraction but I want to give us a chance Tristan. I want to feel your love and make me happy. And if marrying you can bring me true love and care then yes I will... I will marry you"
Tristan who wasn’t expecting this to come after a hot passionate smooch felt his heart accelerate on her confession and he blinked his eyes pulling back and staring at her face with utter confusion.
"W-what did you say?" he asked as he shook his head trying to grasp whatever comes next.
Ashley cupped his face and looked straight into his eyes before she confirmed, "Marry me and make me happy" her words came like a fresh breeze of life and he burst into a contagious smile pulling her for a kiss again.
Tristan couldn’t believe what he just heard but one thing he notice was Ashley being truthful with the words she said and that was enough for him to believe it.
"Are you sure you are not joking?" he asked knitting his brows and again asked.
"Do you want me to change my mind?" Ashley who had never taken the initiative before had proposed to him without thinking twice frowned when she saw how reluctant he was to believe her.
Tristan widen his eyes at her remark and shook his head holding her close," No...! I won’t let you back now" he said tightening his grip on her which made Ashley chuckle.
Things changed so drastically between them and now both Ashley and Tristan wanted to make their bond stronger and unbreakable.
The second chance that Tristan was blessed with turned in his favor and now he wanted to prove to Ashley that not everyone is like that scumbag Greg.
She was that precious treasure he wanted to protect with all his life and cherish with all his heart.
Ashley was too overwhelmed by how the situation between them changed drastically that she couldn’t stop herself from getting nervous. This wasn’t something she was expecting when she came to visit him. But now.. everything was different, she was different.
Her heart was pounding like crazy when all of sudden she remembered," Wait! Hold on" her loud words slowly disappeared from the flowery romantic atmosphere around them and Tristan watched her creasing his brows.
"We can’t let the world know about our marriage not when everything around me is messy," she said with an urgency recalling how things around her were yet to be taken care of.
Tristan thought for a while before nodding his head. Even if he was handling things behind her back yet he knew she wouldn’t like it if she finds it out. There were many things that Ashley wasn’t aware of and he didn’t intend to expose them until the time was right.
She was a woman with pride and never liked to completely depend on others and if she wants their marriage to be a secret then who was he to refuse.
"Let us do as you say," he said agreeing with her, and saw her lips curled up before she moved closer and sealed his lips.
****
"I want you to publish every picture that you clicked. Make sure Ashley’s face is visible enough to notice" Greg ended the call and smirked bringing the glass of wine close to his lips and sipping it.
"Did you expect me to sit quietly and watch you ruin my image just like that, huh Ashley?.. No, that’s never gonna happen at least not in this lifetime" his eyes turned darker as he looked at the picture scrolling them and fumes when he saw Ashley roaming with a man but unfortunately his face wasn’t visible which upset him a little but he didn’t worry as he had something to use against Ashley and degrade her reputation even more.
"And this will be my biggest weapon to tarnish your image" he smile evilly and ended up gulping the entire glass of wine.
"I want you to see how you will handle it"
****
After their heated kissing session, Tristan and Ashley headed back to their room. Tristan was still in denial about how his yearning was finally coming to an end and now finally Ashley was accepting him.
He felt like it was a dream but the woman next to him assure him it wasn’t a dream but a reality. Standing in front of her door they kept staring at each other not ready to part ways. They were just a room away but still, it made them difficult to tear.
"I just can’t believe you finally agreed to give us a chance" Tristan heaved out a sigh and smiled as he couldn’t contain it anymore and bent down a little before pecking her.
Ashley too agreed with him as it was so sudden for her to dive into taking such a big decision. But now that she had finally agreed she would make sure to give her best.
"I know it’s too sudden but I did what I felt was right and I agree to accept you with all my heart Tristan but promise me you won’t break it" her words came out of the concern and the anxiousness in her eyes didn’t get unnoticed.
Chapter 37: There’s an earthquake
Tristan could understand her fear. He knew because of her experience she was still hesitant to put her complete faith in him. But, he wasn’t going to make her go through the same insecurity that she felt during her past relationship.
Cupping her cheeks, his eyes soften looking at her worried face and he assured a smile saying," I promise I won’t break your heart because now it’s mine to be taken care of" his words were crystal clear which assured her making her feel better.
Now that she had fully made up her mind she wasn’t going to allow her insecure thoughts to cut in between their new building bond.
Ashley let out a sigh and smiled back palming his hand and tilting her head a little as if she was loving the way he was comforting her.
Everything was so beautiful with him and she wanted to stay like this with him without heading into their respective suites.
As her mind was refusing to let him go she heard his hesitant voice," Do you want us to keep standing with our robes on or step inside. We are still in the corridor" he muttered breaking her thoughts and saw her widen her eyes.
Ashley felt embarrassed about how she forgot they were yet to get changed and yet she was thinking of never parting away from him.
"Ah.. yes we n-need to go now and get ourselves change first" stepping back she looked around avoiding him when she heard him chuckle and that somehow grab her attention back on him.
"You know who is more adorable between us?" he asked and saw her stare at him in confusion as she shook her head.
Tapping the tip of her nose he said," It’s you" smiling he step back and saw her glaring at her before he unlock the door and stepped in.
"Shameless..." brushing off his sweat remark she too entered inside her suite.
******
Sitting in front of the bar table Alice ordered a drink for herself. After warning her mother and ending the call abruptly Alice couldn’t concentrate on her work.
She tried to divert her thoughts from her mother’s rude words yet she couldn’t erase how easily she threatened her using her father’s name.
Growing up as their daughter was the biggest mistake of he life and she regretted every bit of it. What was the use of having such parents when they didn’t even have quality time to spend with their only daughter?
They were so busy with their world that they even forgot they a child who would keep longing for their parental care.
"Hah! Why am I even wasting my time thinking about them" Alice let out a disgusting laugh and gulped down the drink served by the bartender?
She so wanted to forget the unfortunate day of her life when she had to talk with her mother and warn them to spare her life.
Gulping down back to back four shots her head slowly began to spin as the alcohol kicked into her system making her vision slightly blurry.
Paying her bills she walked out of the bar stumbling on her feet barely reaching her parked car. Hoping in she drove to her apartment.
****
Noah had just reached the entrance of the building when his eyes caught the sight of Alice’s car whose headlights kept blinking.
Creasing his brows in confusion he stepped out of his car and walked towards the parked one.
"Alice why are you sleeping inside the car," he asked as soon as he reached there and saw her dozing off.
He knocked on the window and woke the half-sleeping girl who looked at him with her dazed eyes.
Sliding down the window glass Alice narrowed her eyes staring at the man who was disturbing her sleep and a smile broke on her lips when she finally recognized who the person was?
"Noah.." she squeal smiling like a fool and reached her hand out from the window.
Noah who watched her act weird fumed when the smell of her breath hit his nostril.
"Where you drinking?" he asked staring back at her with a deep frown.
Noah couldn’t believe this girl who was supposed to be resting in her house was roaming around drinking to her heart’s content.
How was she going to feel better if she keeps ignoring the doctor’s warning? Shaking his head looked at the girl who was smiling like a fool and playing with her hands.
Alice was wasted and didn’t even know what kind of stupid acts she was performing in front of Noah.
As soon as she heard his question she propped her head out from the window and rested her chin on her hand letting out a dumb smile.
"Hehe.. yes I was but not that much. Just.. a little..." she said showing him the amount with her hands.
Noah rolled his eyes at her actions and hurried to open the door. By her behavior, he was aware that the girl had too much to drink and now she needs to be taken to her room so she doesn’t end up sleeping in their parking area.
Carefully taking her out of her car he made her stand properly before shutting back the door, turning back only to find Alice sliding down sitting on the ground folding her legs.
"Alice what are you doing?" he yelled when he saw her sit down on the ground and holding it.
"Noah come sit down there’s an earthquake," she said waving her hand and asking him to join her.
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a frustrating sigh looking at the girl acting weird after getting drunk.
’Why did she have to drink so much when she can’t handle herself. What kind of difficulty I landed myself into’ he muttered and kneeled looking back at the girl who kept holding the ground saving her life.
"Alice there is no earthquake here. Look everything is okay around us" he said making her look around them and explaining to her that everything was fine.
"Is that so.." she asked scanning her eyes around and finding everything as it is.
"Then why do I see everything spinning around me ?" she asked pouting her lips as she reached her hand to hold onto his arms.
Noah’s eyes soften at her cute face and his frustration dissipated slowly. ng her look at him and said," That’s because you are drunk and right now you need to reach your house and take a rest" his voice was gentle as he tried to explain to her and saw her stare at him in a daze.
Noah knew there wasn’t any use in making her understand anything because she wasn’t in the state where his words would make sense to her.
Heaving out a sigh, he took her hand circling his neck while putting one hand under her skirt and the other on her back he picked her up in his arms.
"Noah, are we flying ?" she asked looking down only to find herself being carried by him.
Noah didn’t answer her and just walked inside the building ignoring her rubbish talk. He didn’t want to keep talking to her when he knew his words were not going to make her stop her blabbering.
Reaching their floor he stepped out of the elevator heading towards her door. Stopping right in front of her apartment he looked down at the woman in his arms and saw her playing with his shirt.
"Alice you need to open the door," he said making her look at him.
Damn this girl look so innocent with those big round eyes staring at him in a daze. Was she the same fierce woman he met a few days back, Noah thought and saw her nod her head.
"Put me down," she said patting his chest and asking him to help her stand.
Noah followed her words and make her stand on her feet waiting for her to open the door so she would get inside. But when he looked at the girl his eyes widen.
"Alice what are you doing?" he screamed watching her punch the door with her hand.
Alice watched him rush towards her before she punched the door and get herself hurt.
She looked at him with confusion," Didn’t you ask me to open the door?" she asked creasing her brows as she looked at him in anger.
Noah closed his eyes and opened them staring at her with pure annoyance. How was he going to handle her? Noah was going crazy by the dumbness that he felt about leaving her and going to his apartment instead.
Alice who saw him shout at her started to cry," Why does everyone keep shouting at me. What have I done to get scolded by everyone?" she asked bursting into tears and turned her head away from him as she kept crying.
Noah was left stunned by her sudden crying and shut his mouth when he watched her sobbing. He didn’t know that his words would upset her and she would cry.
’What should I do now’ he thought looking at the girl who had her back facing him and her shoulder kept trembling letting him know that she was crying because of him.
Chapter 38: Anonymous
Noah who had never coaxed any girl found it very hard to stop the one who was now crying in front of him.
"Okay okay don’t cry I won’t shout at you," he said and saw her stop trembling which somehow calmed him a little.
Alice stopped crying and wiped her face before she turned to see Noah who looked at her with concern," Promise?" she asked and saw him nod his head.
’Jesus this girl is so damn cute with that sexy attire on her body’ Noah couldn’t stop his dirty thoughts rushing into his mind.
He was a playboy, after all, how couldn’t he notice what she was wearing.
"Promise" came his immediate words and he saw her smile at him that knocked his heart.
This was the first time he had seen her smile at him without any filter that skip his heart a beat. How didn’t he notice that she had a beautiful smile which she hide behind her poker face?
Alice nodded her head while her head kept spinning and she lost her balance falling on him." Alice?.." Noah couldn’t believe she passed out on him.
"How will I send her in?" he asked and looked down at the woman in his arms.
Brushing off his words he carried her in his arms and took her to his apartment. Placing her on his bed he tucked the duvet covering her body before he turned to leave.
Noah had never brought a girl to his house. Even though he was labeled as a playboy still he never allowed any women to enter his bedroom and sleeping on his bed was way more than nothing.
’How did she end up sleeping on my bed’ he muttered and turned off the light walking out of his bedroom.
****
The next morning Alice woke up with immense pain as if her head was being hammered badly. Lazily getting up she sat on the bed and slowly opened her eyes.
Clearing her vision she looked around as her eyes gradually opened and her mouth dropped.
’Where am I? And whose bed am I sleeping on? How did I reach here?’ bombarding herself with multiple questions she tried to recall what happened last night but her head was paining so damn much that she couldn’t remember anything.
"Argh! why do I even have to drink myself to forget everything" she blamed her weak mind that always gets messed up after having any conversation with her parents.
She quickly removed the duvet and climbed down the bed when her eyes caught familiar-looking things inside the room.
’Wait a second why do feel I have seen this appliance before?’ Alice thought for a second when she gasped with sudden realization.
"Don’t tell me it’s Noah’s room and I was sleeping on his bed"
Alice felt like crying when she remember she was the one who helped him to bring the stuff inside his house.
Taking steady steps Alice tried to sneak out of the room without letting him know but before she could step her foot out the door to the room opened and Noah stood in front of her with a glass in his hand.
"Where are you going?" he asked creasing his brows and seeing her straighten up.
Alice stood like a statue when Noah walked passed her and place the glass on the table next to her bed before turning back to her.
Noah waited for her reply but still, the woman turned to answer him back. Sensing something was wrong with her he walked towards her and stood back in front of her," Alice are you okay? Do you want to puke?" he asked and he saw her turn herself to face him.
She stood there pursing her lips into a thin line as she was too embarrassed to even utter a word. What was she supposed to answer him when in reality she was trying to run away from him before he could see her.
Noah stopped speaking when he saw her turned quiet head and the voice in his throat automatically lowered
’Why was she silent’ he couldn’t figure out when her voice broke his thoughts.
"T-thank you for bearing my nonsense last night. I really appreciate your tolerance and will forever be grateful" she said with much hesitation as she tried to end the conversation on her behalf and dash out as soon as possible.
Noah was surprised by her politeness but rather felt like puking blood. Alice and politeness were two different things that didn’t fit in one frame and now her sweet and calm words were turning him deaf.
"Wait a minute let me just clear my ears," he said and brushed his ears before he resume looking back at her.
"Okay now you can just begin with your rant," he said controlling his laugh watching her flare her nose.
Alice was genuinely thanking him for his patience with her last night because she knew, she becomes a whole new person when she is high on alcohol.
Boiling in anger she reach his bed and threw the pillow right on his face," I shouldn’t have appreciated you" yelling she turned and walked out of his apartment.
Noah pulled away the pillow and so her storm out from his room like a bullet train leaving him amused by her outburst. In his eyes, the girl had many personalities which surprised him. She can be fierce at one time and then the other time she is sweet and kind but then she also has a cuter side on her which showed her innocence.
"Why do you try to hide your true self Alice," he said staring in the direction from where she walked out for a while before he turned back and started adjusting the bed.
****
Alice stormed out of Noah’s apartment and entered hers. She was so pissed by his action that she wanted to punch his face but she stopped because of his help.
"What does he thinks of himself hah? Can’t he be serious for some time"
Alice just wanted to show her gratitude towards him but that over-smart man couldn’t stop being mischievous with her.
Her head had been throbbing badly and she wanted to calm it somehow but now she felt it was paining more than before.
Brushing off their talk her eyes looked at the time on her phone and she gasped, "It’s already afternoon, and stupid let me sleep" she muttered low when she remembered that he had brought her something to drink.
"He is so caring then why does he keep teasing me" pouting she slumped on the bed and closed her eyes falling back to sleep again.
****
Resort
Today was the last day as both Ashley and Tristan decided to register their marriage as soon as possible keeping it away from the public’s eyes.
"I hope you are fine with us keeping our marriage a secret?" Ashley asked hesitatingly while they sat opposite each other having their morning breakfast.
She knew because of her issues, she asked Tristan to keep their relationship a secret but now she felt bad about snatching his right to flaunt their relationship in public.
Tristan reached his hand to hold hers and nod his head assuring her with a smile. He didn’t care if the whole world knew about their marriage all he cared about was she was finally going to his and everything else didn’t matter to him anymore.
"I don’t mind until you decide to break the news in public. All I want is you to be fine" his words melted her heart that instant and she passed him an adoring smile.
The couple finished eating their breakfast and return to their room. Tristan didn’t want to waste a single day away from her so they decided to travel back home. He was so excited to break this news to his family, especially his mother who was so keen to get her son to settle down.
Now that everything was falling into its place he didn’t want to waste his time spending in the resort and rather return rushing to get their marriage registered first.
****
Country S airport
After nine hours of travel finally, the couple returned home. Both decided to travel alone as they didn’t want to catch any attention that would land them in trouble.
Tristan decided to exit the airport first, walking out toward his parked car where Karl was waiting for him.
Staring at Karl’s sullen face, Tristan asked," What happened to your face, Karl?" opening the door for him Tristan hopped in followed by Karl.
"Boss you need to see this," he said passing on the tablet to Tristan.
The entire headlines were flooded with Ashley’s news about her love interest which lead her to cheat on Greg and break their relationship.
Scrolling down the page he saw the picture of her and a mystery man hanging in Basin city walking hand in hand away from the public’s eyes. That is what the news stated.
"Did you find who published it?" Tristan’s aura turned cold as his cheerful face turned indifferent after reading the news.
"No boss.. the picture was posted by some anonymous person so we couldn’t find him," Karl hesitated while he spoke and saw Tristan’s face turn even worse.
Chapter 39: I had immense faith in you
Miley had come to receive Ashley and was waiting for her at the exit of the airport. Ashley wore a mask as she hide her identity avoiding getting caught by the media stepped out and saw her manager waiting for her.
As soon as she saw her walking towards her she opened the van door for her and she stepped in followed by her.
Ashley was about to relax inside the car when Miley pulled down her mask and showed her madam her worried face.
"Why does it look like you are about to cry?" Ashley who was used to Miley’s exaggerated behavior rolled her eyes and leaned back to take a nap ignoring her face.
"It’s isn’t me who is about to cry but you ma’am" she muttered with her trembling lips and saw Ashley shot open her eyes and glare at her.
Miley who felt her soul leave her body covered her mouth and watched Ashley’s deadpan face.
’Why did she have to deal with this when everything was under control’ Miley felt like getting out of the vehicle and taking the first bus which would take her back to her hometown.
She knew after what Ashley was going to hear will make her life more tiring than it already was.
Ashley arched her brow and looked at Miley with question-filled eyes," Just spill everything before I ask you to shift permanently in my apartment" Ashley used her blackmail card on Miley which she feared to hear from her mouth.
Miley shook her head and waved her hand in no," No ma’am I will say.. no I will show you" she said and turned on the tablet passing it to her.
Ashley who was calm all this while didn’t bat an eye on what was written in the article that stated because of her affair with some other man Greg broke up with her.
"So now he puts the entire blame on me, stating me as the cheater here" Ashley smirked and passed back the tablet to her again leaning her head on the headrest and closing back her eyes.
Miley was dumbfounded by her reaction and watched her with doubtful eyes taking back the tablet hesitatingly and shrugging her shoulder thinking how can Ashley be so calm when her entire world is standing on the edge of the cliff.
Keeping her mouth shut she let go of the topic and waited for what was Ashley going to do now when Greg accused her of being the cheater in their relationship. She could only wait for the next.
*****
Jane’s apartment
"Do you think this plan of yours will work? What if she exposes us" Jane asked looking at Greg with concern.
Greg wasn’t initially planning to use Jane in his plan but he wanted to keep his side safer if he had to survive and strike back stronger than before.
"She won’t expose us not when everyone is standing against her," he said and laid back a little resting on the bed.
Jane moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest and started drawing circles on it.
Greg propped his head a little and saw her in deep thought that made him arch his brow," Are you still worried about us getting exposed?" he asked making her look at him.
Jane knew how fierce Ashley can turn if someone stands against her fighting like a brave lady until she get successful. And now the people she was facing were those who backstab her by putting on a mask of a friend.
Greg who watched her still hesitant about his step sighed and cupped her face staring straight into her eyes," She doesn’t have any proof against us Jane. No one knows it was me who cheated on her, then how will she prove her innocence" he said making her understand about no one being aware of him having an affair with her apart from Ashley.
Jane thought for a while grasping his words and a smile broke on her face," You’re right" she said when she realized that no one except Ashley was aware of their love affair.
"Now I only need to act as if I was the victim here and let the people question her character. She tried to destroy my career but not anymore... she can’t always have her ways like before" Greg’s eyes turned dark the next moment when he recalled how badly he was cut off from every endorsement just because Ashley rejected to work with him and that lead question on their relationship status.
*****
The entire news channel was flooded with Ashley’s and the mysterious man’s photos which kept circulating on every channel she changed.
"Don’t they have anything else to broadcast" throwing back the remote she lazily laid back and closed her eyes?
Even if she was calm and silent but her brain kept thinking about how someone managed to click hers and Tristan’s pictures when they were alert to their surrounding.
There was no chance someone was keeping an eye on them every time they were together.
’What if the capturer has seen Tristan with me. But then why isn’t his picture clear in the photos’ she thought and sat straight reaching her hand to make a call.
She was about to call Tristan and asked him about the photos that were circulating on the television. She just wanted to make sure he wasn’t in any trouble because of her but stopped when her eyes notice that it was Tristan’s back the photographer and captured while his face wasn’t even visible.
Ashley thought that there can be a possibility that the photographer only clicked her but couldn’t click Tristan because every picture of their have her face seen but Tristan’s it was only his back that had been captured in the pictures.
Ashley relaxed a little when her cellphone rang and the person who called was her father Richard.
"Hello" she heard her father’s concerned voice.
Richard had been trying his best to suppress the news of his daughter ever since her picture with that anonymous man had started to circulate in the entire news channel. He had been receiving many calls asking him about his daughter cheating on her former and that lead them to break up.
Richard knew the real reason but even if he tried to clear his daughter’s name yet some Greg fans tried to mock them back by calling his daughter various names.
He worried that in his absence his daughter would get targeted by those anti-fans
Ashley knew her father was worried for her and she didn’t want him to get his blood pressure high by thinking she was again having an affair without his knowledge.
Heaving out a sigh, she told him everything and the person whom she was with. She didn’t want to keep her father away when she had finally decided for herself.
Her father’s words had somehow managed to knock some brain in her head and she didn’t want to hide anything from him.
Richard finally relaxed when he heard Ashley’s every word. So his daughter had finally agreed to marry Tristan. He felt so happy to see his daughter had finally started to see Tristan’s love for her and that surprised him.
He didn’t ask her when and how she had a change of heart and finally she agreed with his setup. All he wanted was his daughter to have a happy life away from all hate that she kept receiving the day she announced her relationship with that scumbag Greg.
After talking with Richard for some time Ashley finally ended the call. She was so relaxed that her father didn’t judge her the way everyone out there was pointing at her.
She knew even if she publish a statement saying she wasn’t the one in the picture and it was morphed just to target her still it won’t make a difference. The pictures were already out in public eyes and now the environment around her was heated enough that her words wouldn’t change anything.
She could only wait for the fire to dissipate a little before she comes out and explain herself.
****
Tristan reached the mansion and entered the house where he found his parents and grandparents sitting with seriousness on their faces.
He frowned and walked toward them when Grace sense his presence and lifted her head.
"What am I hearing Tristan" her words made him frown even more.
Tristan turned to his father and saw him shook his head giving him a disappointed look. He couldn’t understand what his mother was talking about and why his father staring at him as if he had done a grave mistake.
Snow and Herd sat quietly motioning him to take the seat next to them.
Following their words, Tristan sat next to his grandfather and waited for his words.
"How can you not tell us, Tristan. I had immense faith in you and yet you didn’t let your family know about this" Herd’s hurtful words made Tristan look at them in confusion.
"What are you all talking about?" he asked as he couldn’t take their disappointed look on him and just wanted to know his mistake.
He looked at every face with a concerned-filled eye waiting for anyone to come and speak when.
"Pfft... hahaha.."
Chapter 40: Where did she go?
Tristan watched them all burst into laughter which made him even more confused.
’Did they lose their mind’ he thought giving them a clueless look.
Grace saw his baffled expression stood up and went to hug him," Awe my son..." she pulled back and pinched his cheeks lovingly.
"Richard called us and told us everything about yours and Ashley’s decision to get married" her words made Tristan choke and he coughed.
He didn’t know Ashley would tell her father as soon they land and he would soon inform his parents.
"But when did you and Ashley make the decision. Weren’t you on your business trip?" she asked rubbing her chin and thinking deeply.
"Yes you are right, Grace told me you were traveling for work then when did you and Ashley meet?" Snow narrowed her eyes making him gulp hard and he said," I think I should just get changed, first grandma" pursing his lips he turned to leave like a bullet train without turning back.
"Pfft.. did you see how he ran like a scared cat before getting caught. I can’t blame anyone though every man in this house is a coward when it comes to their love life" Snow said looking at Herd who smiled cheekily making the couple next to them arch their brows.
"I didn’t know dad had this cheeky side too" Trevor who watched his father acting all smitten looking at his mother felt weird
"Don’t you have that too" Grace said and left leaving Trevor behind who kept pouting at her stern remark.
"So what if I have it too"
*****
Tristan reached his room and shut the door making sure his mother doesn’t follow him and ask him more questions.
He had barely been able to sneak out from there before his mother had started interrogating him. He had no face to answer them that he had fool and was spending his time pursuing his lady love.
Ignoring the rushes in his heart a smile appeared on his face curling his lips as he recalled what his mother and grandmother said downstairs.
Though they had decided to get married secretly without anyone’s attention except their families he didn’t think Ashley would tell her father as soon as they reach.
Pulling out his cellphone he made a call to Ashley who picked up the call after two rings as if she had been waiting for him to call her.
"Hello.." her sweet voice had a tint of shyness in it which swayed his heart and his smile widened even more.
"....."
Ashley waited to hear Tristan speak but the man seem to be in no mood to answer her which made her curious.
"Tristan" she called his name this time to which he hummed.
"I thought I was talking to a ghost" her sarcastic word made him chuckle.
"Yes, a ghost who would like to stick with you like glue" Tristan didn’t know she like to crack jokes which weren’t laughable at all.
Ashley smiled at his comment and turned silent. She didn’t knew after spending so much time with him still she would feel shy talking to him. It was like she had been so intimidated by him that she felt lost for words whenever she was with him. Even now, she felt he was next to her while they were talking on the cellphone.
"My family seems to be too excited than we are," he said breaking the silence between them.
"I didn’t knew my father would immediately inform your family as soon as I tell him everything. It’s like e knew all along I would be agreeing to marry you" she smiled remembering how her father seemed to be happy the moment she told him that she agreed to marry Tristan.
He was faithful enough to be positive this once when it came to Tristan and that somewhat enlightened her heart.
There wasn’t any doubt her father had chosen the right person for her because she now could finally see what she was trying to ignore just to not get heartbroken again.
"And what about you? Are you excited?" he asked making her turn silent.
Ashley felt her heart race the moment she heard his serious voice. She knew he wasn’t teasing her but genuinely asking about her opinion. She didn’t know how long it will take her to fall for him but one thing she was sure and that was, Tristan was the right person for her.
"What do y-you think?" she rather asked him unable to speak her heart out.
Tristan smiled at her words and sighed," I think you are smitten enough by my charms that made you fall for me" his words made her laugh and she nod her head agreeing but sadly Tristan couldn’t see it.
"You wish" she scoffs at his words but the truth was that she was actually charmed by his kindness and his breathtaking personality which made it irresistible to get smitten with him.
’What are you talking’ her subconscious mind knocked her head stopping her from building poetic thoughts about Tristan.
Ashley stopped her running thoughts and heard him chuckle on the other side. She found it melodic to listen him laugh at the words that somehow brighten her heart.
Tristan kept teasing her when he remembered something and his smile disappeared.
Ashley who found him turn quiet, asked," Why did you stop laughing?" her words broke his thoughts, and his hold on his phone tighten.
"I didn’t knew we would get clicked secretly" he sounded upset as he spoke to her.
Ashley didn’t blame him just because they got exposed publicly and the best part was no one knew he was the one with her. She was relaxed that because of her people didn’t target him.
"Still I should’ve been more careful" his remorseful voice made her sigh.
He was blaming himself for nothing when they didn’t know even after being careful they were still captured.
"It’s not your fault Tristan we can’t keep hiding from people’s eyes every time. I am just happy that no one saw your face. It’s only me who is focused more in the photos" Ashley genuinely was satisfied that Tristan’s face wasn’t exposed and that was enough for her to calm down.
Tristan kept silent for some time and asked," Whom do you think is behind this?" his eyes burn in fire waiting for her answer.
Juts her doubt and he would peel off the person’s skin who tried to target his women. First, it wasn’t convenient for Tristan to step into her matters because she wasn’t even his to call. But even after telling himself to keep his distance from her matters yet he couldn’t pull himself away from helping her know Greg’s cheating on her.
All he cared about was protecting her from getting heartbroken but after finding the truth she managed to stand tall without letting her breakup hurt her and for that he admired her even more.
Yes, she was weak at times and that was nature because she was also a human who failed to keep her relationship with Greg only to get cheated by him in the end.
"I have someone I doubt and if my guess turns out to be true then that person needs to be taken care of very carefully" her words sounded normal but the hidden meaning in it screamed a warning.
Behind her calm face was a monster who like to play with her prey before showing them hell.
Tristan didn’t ask her anything further because he trusted her enough to let her handle this matter on her own and all he would do was stand with her and support her in every possible way.
After talking for a while Ashley ended the call and thought for a while. She immediately called Miley and asked her to set a meeting with Jane as now she was back and had to make some things clear with her.
She just wanted to be sure that it wasn’t their doing and if it was then she knew how she going to handle them.
"Even after so many years you still couldn’t understand me, Greg. You thought I wouldn’t understand anything that you are trying to do. Sorry but you are mistaken again and this time I wouldn’t go lenient on you both" she was damn serious with whatever she said and she only prayed that they don’t do anything more that would make her sabotage their life mercilessly.
*****
After dropping Tristan home, Karl returned to the company as Tristan asked him to go first and take care of the minor work which didn’t need his presence.
First Karl was surprised by Tristan’s words but then he brushed it off when he realized where this change come from. He was happy to finally see his boss having a normal life apart from work.
As soon as he stepped in his eyes went to Gwen’s desk and he frowned when he didn’t find her at her seat.
"Where did she go?" he muttered and looked around but didn’t find her.
Karl then walked towards her desk and asked the employee who sat next to her," Have you seen Miss Gwen?" his words sounded serious that made the employee gulp.
"Yes sir, she just went to the refreshment room to get some coffee for herself," he said hesitatingly and saw Karl nod his head.