Ch. 406..410: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 406-410

Chapter 406: Yes, it’s him!

Gwen sprinted out from the balcony’s door and rushed towards her cabin when her eyes caught the sight of Linda and Karl leaving together.

Her footsteps instantly stopped as he stepped into the elevator and left.

’Should I follow them’ she asked herself and without wasting a second she followed them taking another life.

Gwen was determined to know what exactly happened that night between him and Linda. Her mother’s words kept ringing in her mind and now she was persistent in knowing everything.

She thought they might be heading towards some nearby restaurant as it was lunch time but when she saw him get into Linda’s car a deep frown marred her face.

Gwen stopped at the lobby’s entrance and watched them drive away.

’What if they want some privacy’ The negative thought popped into her mind but she immediately shoved it away and sprinted out of the building and got into her car following the two.

Gwen had no idea why she was following them when she could just call Karl and ask him to meet her. But there was something about this trip that left her restless.

’What if she has got everything wrong? What if nothing happened between the two? What if Karl was right the entire time?’ questions began to flood her mind as she kept following them until they reached their destination with their car stopping in front of the hospital.

"Why did they come to the hospital" Gwen mumbled in confusion as she watched the two walk inside the hospital and quickly followed them.

As she kept tailing them maintaining a distance, she then watched them enter one of the doctor’s cabins.

Since many people were walking around she stopped midway hesitating to eavesdrop, so she decided to wait for them to come out.

Twenty minutes later, she finally saw them stepping out but this time she noticed a file in Karl’s hand.

Avoiding getting caught she quickly hides behind the pillar as she secretly watched them.

Gwen heard began to race when she saw the depressed look on Karl’s face as the stopped just a few steps away from where she hid.

"I hope this proof is enough for you to believe me," Linda said with a defeating tone as she looked at Karl.

"I thought it was better for you to know that I am pregnant with your child" Linda’s confession came like a bolt to Gwen as her eyes widen in shock.

’Pregnant... Karl’s child’ Those words kept replaying in her mind as tears pooled in her eyes.

Her eyes then looked at the file in Karl’s hand as she watched him clutch it tightly.

Gwen’s heart broke once again. Karl’s silence was the biggest stab to her heart.

"But you don’t have to take out responsibility. I can..." Linda began to express but was cut short.

"No!... I’ll take the responsibility" came his remorseful voice startling both Gwen and Linda.

Unable to handle her emotions Gwen quickly turned around and left from there. Her heart wasn’t able to bear the pain anymore.

She wanted to give Karl a chance by hearing the entire truth from him, but now there wasn’t any possibility for them to get back together.

Linda was pregnant with Karl’s child and she could snatch that fatherly love from an unborn child.

As soon as Gwen walked away Linda looked in the direction she left and the corner of her lips curled into an evil grin.

Linda had already noticed Gwen’s car following them and it was further confirmed by Ryan who had been keeping an eye on her the entire time.

’ You aren’t rekindling your relationship with Karl, Gwen. This man is now mine’

Karl on the other hand stood like a defeated person who lost everything with this one confirmation. Early this morning when Linda told him about her pregnancy, he wasn’t ready to believe it.

There wasn’t a chance for Linda to conceive this early, but when she asked him to come for a test, the words the doctor mentioned left him shattered.

Linda was pregnant with his child and as per the doctors, there were possibilities of bearing a child just in one night.

Giving her his words Karl walked out of the hospital and was about to get into his car when he noticed Gwen’s car driving away.

"Gwen... what is she doing here. Did she follow us?" Karl’s eyes widen in shock sensing the possibilities as he quickly hopped into the car and followed her.

Gwen cars drove to one of the familiar streets and soon she stopped in front of the park.

Getting out she was about to walk in but stopped when she noticed another car stop right in front of hers.

Her tears didn’t stop streaming down her eyes but the moment she saw Karl step out she instantly wiped them off her face.

"Gwen" calling her name Karl marched towards her, but she plainly ignored him and turned around walking towards the park gate.

It was the same park where he had accepted his feeling for her. This park held a special place in their heart and maybe it will also be the place where would finally let go of each other.

Karl gulped the lump formed in his throat before he followed her. "Gwen talk to me please.." he begged following her like a lost puppy.

Gwen walked a few steps further and stopped as she turned to face him. "Glad that we are here Karl" she spoke with her cracking voice.

"This is the place where we both confessed our love and now it will also be the place where we would end everything between us"

Karl frown when she said those words. Staring at her tearful face, his palm balled into a tight fist as he gnashed his teeth in fury.

"You can’t do that Gwen" he stated as he watched her with seriousness.

Gwen was caught off guard when she saw the change in his expression, but she brushed it away standing firm to her decision.

"And why couldn’t I when there is nothing left for us to reunite? Linda... isn’t she pregnant with your child" Gwen snapped as she felt the void in her heart grow wider.

"I know everything, Karl... I heard everything"

"Then you must also listen to this Gwen. That night nothing happened between us and the child inside her womb isn’t mine..." Karl was done pretending all this time, but not anymore.

He couldn’t see Gwen go through in pain knowing how this separation and fake reality were breaking them apart.

Gwen stilled on his words. ’What is he saying? Didn’t they just see a doctor confirming everything’

Karl heaved a sigh and approached the shocked Gwen. Grabbing her shoulder he made her look at him.

"Whatever you heard isn’t the truth Gwen. How can she bear my child when he didn’t even have sex that night"

"I remembered everything Gwen... everything," Karl said as he began to recite everything to her.

That night after the lift incident, Karl returned home and again began to drown himself in alcohol but fortunately, this time he didn’t lose his sense rather ended up recalling everything that happened that night.

Even though he wasn’t in his senses, he could hear another person’s voice along with Linda, but he couldn’t recall to whom the voice belonged.

It wasn’t familiar for him to remember but when she brought him to the house there was an incident where he had seen Linda kissing some guy, but the alcohol had consumed his entire mind, and before he could react he ended up falling asleep.

Earlier he assumed it to be some kind of dream but that day when he started to clean his room, he found an unknown locket that left him wondering how it came into his room.

But after much brainstorming, he concluded him to the same man who brought him home along with Linda.

Gwen stumbled on her feet as she couldn’t grasp her mind wondering how someone can steep low to ruin anyone’s relationship.

"But why would she do that?" Gwen snapped as anger surged in her heart.

"It’s Charles who wanted her to end her relationship with a guy who wasn’t compatible with her.

The day realization hit Karl too hard, the first thing he did was to gather every little detail about Linda. It was then he came to know about how she had this man she liked but her grandfather object to their relationship in exchange for wealth, which she wouldn’t receive if she doesn’t ditch the man.

"What is his name? The man whom Linda had a relationship with.." this was the first thought that popped into her mind when she tried to connect the dots.

Karl eyed Gwen doubtfully, but in the end, he dropped his guard and answered," Ryan Becker"

Gwen eyes widen in shock when she heard that name. It was the same name she heard from Linda that day.

Quickly pulling out her cell phone, Gwen showed him the image and asked him to confirm if he was the same man.

"Is he Ryan Becker?" she asked.

"Yes, it’s him"

Chapter 407: Down on knees

Walking out of the hospital, Linda noticed Ryan standing outside leaning against his car. It was the same car she had given him for his birthday, a limited edition, but this man wasn’t making the best use of it.

"What are you doing here? Why aren’t you following Gwen" Linda sounded irked finding him neglecting the job he was given.

The smile on Ryan’s face dropped when he noticed the change in her tone. "I just wanted to see you," he said approaching her.

Ryan ignored her tone and was about to hug her but was stopped. "No, not now. How many times should I tell you we can’t meet like this? My grandfather’s men have been tapping my every move"

Linda was being cautious but it didn’t go well with Ryan. His face instantly changed as his eyes darkened with rage and he quickly grabbed her arm. " What’s wrong with you Linda, you have been ignoring me all these days"

Ryan had started to see the changes in Linda’s behavior after that night. She had been ignoring him only instructing him to do the task she would say, but never once had she met him outside the plan.

She had been dwelling around Karl, finding ways to get closer to him and that was somehow affecting him.

Linda hissed in pain as she wriggle in his hold. "Ryan let go... you are hurting me"

Ryan glared at her for a few seconds before he dragged her towards the back seat of the car and shoved her inside.

Hoping in he then hovered over her as he closed the door behind him and captured her lips, kissing her aggressively.

Ryan lost his cool as she raised his voice at him and now he was on the journey to punish her.

Sliding his hand into her top he started caressing her right breast while his mouth kept ravishing her endlessly.

"Do not raise your voice on me... Linda" he warned as he let go of her mouth and started attacking her neck, nibbling and sucking it vigorously.

Linda who was startled by his sudden aggression lost it in the pool pleasure her body received through him. Without any restrain she started to reciprocate, enjoying the roughness all over her body.

Sliding down her skirt, Ryan pulled down his pant and without any warning, he slammed into her, thrusting his dick deeper into her core.

Since the car was soundproof and no one was able to see or hear whatever was happening inside, but the couple surely had their ride of pure bliss as they both came out simultaneously.

Ryan never used protection while having sex with Linda, not until the day he learned how her grandfather forced her to break up with him.

He knew letting go of Linda would snatch away all the wealth she bring along. So to stop her from changing her mind he started manipulating her and would have sex with her barely until one day, she conceived.

Ryan thought it was the only way, from stopping her from leaving him. He didn’t want to let go of the lavishing life he was living because of her.

Even if her grandfather doesn’t accept him, he guaranteed she would never leave him, but after Karl comes into her view, he started to see the change in her.

Though it wasn’t big but he could tell she had an attraction toward him. He wasn’t bothered too much, but one day she came up with a plan when her grandfather put one condition for her to inherit all the shares her mother had in the Acme group and it was she has to marry a stable and compatible man.

He wasn’t ready to accept it but then she came up with another plan and that was to marry Karl and get the shares under her name and once it was transferred she would divorce him as they will lead their life away from everyone.

But now he started to see that dream was slowly shattering and before it crumble down he had to remind her of the words she promised him.

Still buried inside her, Ryan watched her flushed face with dark eyes and asked," Have you started to develop feeling for Karl" his teeth gnashed as he questioned her.

Linda who was still immersed in the sensual moment stiff as she shot open her eyes and looked at him.

Her lips parted a little when she noticed that murderous look on his face.

Linda never mentioned Ryan about her having a crush on Karl since middle school. She thought after so many years have passed that her teenage crush would have disappeared, but she was wrong.

Even after so many years, she was still attracted to him and deep down wanted to be closer to him. But she can’t tell this to Ryan, because she knew if she did he wouldn’t let her in peace.

"W-why would you say that... you know I only love you and always will..." she asked slowly bringing her hand up to cup his face.

She kept caressing his cheeks unless he calmed a little. ’No, she would never let Ryan know about her secret desire towards Karl’

Ryan heaved a sigh once he heard her confession and leaned forwards to kiss her. "Never think of changing your love for me Linda. I won’t tolerate it" Though he was gentle with his actions his words had an undying meaning.

Linda could feel the chills run down her spine when he pinched her waist firmly before pulling back.

She knew it was a warning from him and from now on she had to be more cautious around him.

*****

[Park]

Gwen stood still as she tried to absorb everything she learned about Linda and the Ryan guy. So it was all her plan since the beginning. She wanted to create a misunderstanding between them because she wanted to marry Karl.

But then the question was why him and not some other guy. ’And what’s with this pregnancy drama... was she truly pregnant.’

"What about the child in her womb? Is it true or it was also a set for trapping you" Gwen snapped out as she looked at Karl with bloodshot eyes.

Her blood was boiling with the rage that kept on increasing every passing second.

Linda’s one lie made her doubt the man she loved since childhood. Knowing he wouldn’t ever betray her, her fake setup ended up corrupting her mind.

"I don’t know if she is pregnant or not, but if she is then the child surely belongs to that man," he said firmly, meeting her eyes.

Karl has tried to connect all the possible dots and every conclusion only led him to Ryan Becker.

A moment of silence engulfed the two as they kept staring at each other and before anyone, one could understand both of them rushed into each other’s arms slamming their lips together as they expressed their longing through that kiss.

Grabbing the back of her head Karl deepened the kiss as he slid his tongue into her mouth kissing her endlessly.

The yearning of being closer to her finally dissipated a little but the desperation in his head didn’t stop. With this one kiss, he was going to seal their fates together promising her that no matter what she was never allowed to leave him or think of leaving him.

Gwen too didn’t hold back and kept ravishing his lips like a desperate woman. She wouldn’t lie about the longing she felt for him throughout their separation phase.

Tangling their tongues together she kissed him hard pouring all her emotions into it. She didn’t realize when tears began to stream down her cheeks.

She was happy but at the same time, she recalled those heartless words she spoke in her anger forgetting how much it stabbed her too.

Gasping for air, Gwen pulled away and looked into his deep eyes, letting her eyes cry for the pain she gave him.

Gwen could see the change in his eyes as they went from feeling happy to worried.

"Gwen.." Karl called out her name as panic erupt within his heart but the thing she did next second caught him off guard.

Falling on her knees Gwen held her ears a she looked at him with teary eyes.

"Karl, I know I am not perfect. I make mistakes without thinking about the consequence it would bring to me, but you... you have always understood me, forgiving my silly, stupid mistakes without judging me.

You kept loving me despite knowing how easily I get jealous whenever I see you talking with any other woman. I kept hurting you making you prove your love towards me, every time letting my negative thought overpower my sane mind. Yet, you didn’t stop loving me.

But this time I said some words which I wouldn’t be able to take back. Knowing how much I mean to you yet I let my jealousy get into our trust. Instead of talking with you, I let that doubt root in my brain, and in that suspiciousness, I ended up breaking such a beautiful relationship we share"

Chapter 408: Not this time.

Karl stood there dumbstruck looking down at the girl who was pouring her heart out. He couldn’t believe Gwen would go down on her knees to express her mistake.

The words she poured out made his heart freeze for a moment. She not only accepted her mistakes but also went on saying how she had been missing him and that was enough for his heart to melt.

Gwen had a unique way of expressing her feeling which would wash away all the doubts from his heart.

No wonder he was head over heels for her because he knew she was the only one for him...

Gwen on the other hand kept kneeling with her eyes keenly watching Karl. His lack of response slowly dropped her confidence, with her chest suddenly felt heavy.

She thought about him having some second thoughts and that made her feel more remorseful.

Tears pooled in her eyes as her hands held her ears dropped in defeat. She didn’t know what she was supposed to say in order to make him believe, that was regretting doubting him.

Lowering her head, she tried to hold back her sob but her lips kept trembling making it hard for her to stay silent.

Gwen now understood how it felt to get rejected. The pain she had seen in his eyes when she told him to end the relationship, she could now feel in her heart too.

Her heart throbbed inside her chest, feeling the pain of rejection, remorse, helpless all at once,

While she silently cried, hiding her tears away from Karl, she kept thinking of how she was supposed to live with this burden of breaking his heart.

He kept telling her to listen to him, but her anger and doubt overtook her mind and she left, abandoning him for the sin he never did.

’Maybe that’s how it has to be... she has to bear this punishment for breaking his heart by not trusting him, for saying those harsh words without finding the truth’

Wiping off her tears, Gwen heaved out a sigh as she tried to stabilize her emotions. Her face had turned red with the excess crying, but she didn’t care.

Standing back on her feet, she faced him but avoided meeting his gaze. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, knowing how heartlessly she treated him all these days.

She let her ego come in between her love and didn’t even care to visit him in the hospital when she learned how he had tried to hurt himself.

’How can she do that when she claims to love him’

’It isn’t love, because when you love someone you trust them wholly, you accept them with flaws, never let the outside world meddle in ’

Standing there for some time, Gwen took a deep breath as she raised her head to finally face him.

’If this is the end of us then I am not ready for it. This man is mine and will always be mine’

"Karl.. if you think your silence would stop me from pursuing you then you are wrong, because now... I am never going to leave you, even if you stop loving me one day... I will still keep loving you. So get this fix in your mind, you are mine, and no matter what you will always be my man" came her firm

Karl who was silent all this while curled his lips. His Gwen was back. The girl he loves. The girl who never holds back expressing her love for him.

" And I love you, Gwen..." his eyes welled up in tears.

Taking a step closer Karl pulled her closer with his hand wrapping around her waist and slammed their lips the next instant.

He didn’t want to prolong his love anymore. They both knew planned circumstances broke them away but now they will use those same circumstances to trap their enemies.

*****

After receiving Tristan’s warning, Patrick finally mustered the courage to speak with Sandra.

Driving to her place, he entered the house and headed straight to her room. The dreadful silence around the house was giving strange vibes to him but he choose to ignore them until he reached her room.

Tristan had been very clear with his words. It was high time for him to make Sandra understand that Tristan can never be hers and if she tries to hurt his wife then he wouldn’t think twice before taking her life.

Patrick didn’t want any war knowing how powerful Tristan was and provoking him will only bring suffering to his clan. It was better if he makes Sandra withdraw and leave this country for good.

Standing outside her room, Patrick knocked on the door. He expected her to open the door for him, but when she didn’t, he panicked.

There was this nagging feeling in his heart which kept on troubling him about Sandra’s unpredictable behavior.

"Sandra.." he called her lightly knocking on the door, but when he didn’t hear her back, he tried to open the door.

With one turn the door clicked open and he dashed inside the room only to find it empty.

Patrick’s eyes narrowed witnessing the destructive look of the room. Everything was a mess...

"Where did she go.." Patrick flared in fury and rushed out of the room asking the servants if they had seen Sandra, but all they answered was no.

Even the butler responsible for Sandra’s whereabouts had no idea where did their miss go.

Panic aroused in his heart as he ranked his hand through his hair. "Go and look for her. How can you let her leave the house" Patrick screamed at the top of his lungs as he dashed out of the house.

’He couldn’t let anyone find her or else it would be a huge problem’

*****

After making up both Karl and Gwen reached the office. They decide to put act just to make Linda believe that everything was going according to her plan.

The entire day they worked inside the respective cabin barely talking to each other, maintaining their fake disputes in front of Linda.

By the time evening came and it was time for them to leave, Karl decided to approach Linda in her office.

Knocking on the door, he stepped in and found her still working. "You shouldn’t work some much. It will affect the baby’s health," he said catching her attention.

Linda who was happy with how everything was going according to her plan, smiled when she saw Karl making his way to her. Her plan of making him believe that the child in her womb was his, she could finally see hope.

" It’s just a little work, after that I am done" she responded with a smile.

Karl gave her a nod and watched her thoroughly. He couldn’t believe someone can be this evil with that innocent-looking face. His blood boiled seeing how she didn’t flinch when she came up with such a cunning plan of trapping him into her so-called lie.

’His child... my foot’

"I am sorry that I left you alone in the hospital" Karl began to speak as he took a chair for himself and sat in front of her desk.

Linda paused and turned her eyes at him as she forced a smile. "It’s okay... I can understand how hard it must be for you to grasp the news, but trust me Karl it wasn’t my intention to bother you"

’Woah... what a great actor she is’

If Linda was an actress she would have won awards for acting with such confidence. Who would believe that behind such a sweet face was a wicked and cunning lady residing.

"I am still remorseful for whatever I have done to you and I am ready to take responsibility for it"

Linda was taken aback when she heard him repeat those same words from the hospital again. It sounded so genuine that she wanted to believe him but there was something within that stopped her from entirely letting her guards down.

"Karl.. can I ask you one thing?" Linda was trying to test him but wasn’t sure if he would be true to her.

It was quite hard for her to trust this guy knowing how he had always pushed her away even after she created that fake one-night stand situation.

’Is he trustworthy’ she thought as she watched him look at her.

"Yes," he said maintaining his composure.

"Are you sure, you want to take responsibility for me and my child?" she asked as her eyes scrutinized him keenly.

"You have always loved Gwen, are you ready to forget her because of the child" she further questioned.

Karl remained tongue-tied for a few seconds before he heaved out a painful smile.

"After whatever I did to her, it’s impossible for me to gain her trust. I not only betrayed her but also dragged you into this messed up situation and the results are out in the form of my child. I don’t think I would be able to get her back knowing how I can’t escape taking responsibility for my child"

Karl tried to sound as convincing as he can understanding the reason behind Linda’s intentions. ’She was testing him’ he knew it from the way she had been staring at him the entire time.

’But not this time. He won’t let her fool them anymore’

Chapter 409: Could it be...

Linda’s eyes softened a little as Karl sounded convincing, but she didn’t drop her guard down entirely.

"I can understand what she must be going through. It isn’t entirely your fault somehow... even I ended up hurting her" she expressed.

Karl pursed his lips, giving her a pitiful nod, and watched her finish her work and soon left the office.

"By the way, does your family knows about the baby," Karl asked as they made their way out of the company’s building.

Linda was startled but quickly composed herself as she answered.

"No... you are the first person. I wonder what my grandfather will do if he comes to learn about the baby" Linda stated with a depressing tone.

Now that Karl accepted the truth, she couldn’t wait to play her next cards. She had to marry him and transfer the shares under her name.

While She kept talking, Linda noticed Ryan standing at a distance and her eyes widen in shock.

’Huh!... what is he doing here? Didn’t I ask him to stay away from the workplace’

Ryan had asked her to keep her distance from Karl but to get through her plan she had to get close to him. He was doubting her feelings for him and she didn’t want him to make any mistake by doing something reckless and ruining their plan

"Ah... Karl, I am getting late. I think you should head back home too" Linda quickly changed the topic as she looked away from Ryan and smiled.

She couldn’t let Karl see him.

Karl creased his brows in confusion and bobbed his head. "Okay..." saying he watched her hop in her car and drive away from there.

As he turned around to get to his car, Karl noticed a man standing in the distance and his eyes darkened.

"Ryan.." he muttered under his breath, watching him turn around and leave.

’So this is the reason why she is running away’ Karl smirked mentally but then an idea popped into his mind as he tried to think further.

"Could it be.." he mumbled at the sudden realization and quickly hopped into his car driving out from the company’s gate.

*****

The shooting finished and Ashley stepped out along with Miley. It was a hectic shoot but she managed to pull off every scene with much elegance and realism.

She even received some scratches while doing a few stunt scenes.

Making her way out of the shooting location, Ashley noticed a tall figure leaning against the car.

It didn’t take her time to know who the person was and just like that all the fatigue she felt flew away.

With a pleasant smile, she approached the man as she watched him stand straight.

"I wasn’t expecting a ride from you today" Ashley spoke standing in front of Tristan.

She had warned him never to show up on the set after that day. She was still embarrassed about how he threatened the writers and directors to eliminate all the romantic scenes between her and Riel.

Though it was a requirement, still no one could go against him. In the end, they change the scenes between the two with only a few romantic gestures like holding hands or tucking the arms around.

Kissing as forbade.

Scratching the back of his neck in awkwardness, Tristan pursed his lips unable to give her the reason why he decided to pick her.

After leaving Patrick’s place, he went straight to the base alerting his men to be more than ready knowing it wasn’t too long for them to trap Sandra.

By the time he was done instructing them everything, he then realized it was already evening and Ashley’s shooting might finish anytime soon. So without wasting a second, he drove to the location

"I..." he began to speak when his eyes fell on the scratches on her forearm and he frowned.

"How did you get this? Did sometimes try to harm you? Was there an attack again?" he bombarded her with questions, forgetting about their surrounding.

His presence had already grabbed a lot of attention but his over-anxious reaction was creating a talk among the crowd.

It had been a month since she had started shooting and in that period, they had witnessed a lot of articles about them.

There wasn’t a day when their pictures wouldn’t circulate over the news channel. Some of their fans had also opened an account where they talked about the most sophisticated and powerful couple who weren’t caught in scandals even once.

Being with Tristan has somewhat stopped the hater to see the good side in her as her image was slowly recovering from worst to better. But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t affected by the sweet comments she would about her man.

Tristan didn’t mind stepping out of his comfort zone, since the day he decided to marry her. He was always open to the idea of flaunting their relationship all over the world, but he respected her decision of keeping it a secret.

Ashley had her reasons and he accepted them but the day she gave him a nod to disclose their relationship, he didn’t waste a day and became obvious.

They yet didn’t know about their marriage and he wasn’t in a hurry. He was happy that he was able to walk hand in hand in front of the world showing that this beautiful lady belongs to him.

Ashley stared at him helplessly before she let out a chuckle. "You worry for nothing Tristan. It’s just some scratches I received doing a stunt scene"

Tristan whose eyes had already turned darkened turned even more threatening when he heard her.

"You did the stunt?" he asked. His eyes staring her intensely.

Ashley’s mouth parted a little when she realized what she just said and quickly began to justify.

"I-It wasn’t as intense as you assume it to be. Just a normal one..." she explained, expecting him to calm down a little.

The darkness in Tristan’s eyes dimmed a little but it didn’t fully vanish. Even if it was a minor stunt wasn’t he clear she wouldn’t be doing it? Then why would she intend to go against the rules?

Staring at her for a few seconds, Tristan took a deep breath and said," Come let’s go" Holding her hand he guided her into the car with his eyes excusing Miley on the way.

Getting into the car, they drove away from the location.

Inside the moving car, a dreadful silence engulfed the two, making it quite suffocating for Ashley.

She could sense with Tristan’s silence that he wasn’t happy with what she did, but for her, it wasn’t as threatening as he assume it to be.

She made sure both she and the baby were fine, but how was she supposed to explain to him, she wondered.

As she remain rooted in her seat an idea popped into her mind and she quickly started to caress her slightly swollen stomach.

"Are you too upset with mommy, my sweet little bean" Ashley’s voice snapped Tristan’s attention in her direction.

His eyes squinted a little when he watched her talk with their child using that sweet charm of hers.

Sensing his eyes on her Ashley smiled mentally and continues. "You aren’t right... but there is someone inside this car who is upset with Mommy. Do you want to know who that person is.." she asked slowly lifting her head in Tristan’s direction.

"Your dad... he seems to be upset with Mommy and isn’t talking with her at all. Do you also think mommy is careless" she asked talking to her child but her eyes expectantly staring at Tristan.

Tristan cocked his brow in awe but didn’t voice his thoughts. He just kept a blank face as he looked at his wife who was trying to act cute, sidelining from the mistake she did by using their unborn.

Resting his elbow on the edge of the window, Tristan leisurely rested his face on his rounded palm and watched his wife.

He couldn’t believe she would use this trick to grab his attention when in reality he had his eyes on her the entire time but he choose to keep quiet.

Tristan’s eyes were busy scanning the route they were traveling, making sure no one was following them. He wanted to make sure everything was fine and he couldn’t relax. But who would have thought Ashley had something else going in her mind and would end up distracting him?

Ashley paused for a second when she saw him sit like a king on his seat while his eyes intently looked her way.

"Don’t stop, please continue. Let me see what our bean has to say regarding my displeasure"

Ashley’s lips parted a little in disbelief. She couldn’t believe Tristan wasn’t able to get the reason behind her actions.

’Or was it he was just being playful’

’With that poker face... never... is definitely serious’ Ashley’s mind was busy analyzing his reaction. She was finding it difficult to guess if he was really upset or if was it his stunt to tease her.

It would have been easier if he had shown any reaction, but his lack of muscle contortion was making her doubt whether she was making a fool out of herself by acting strange.

Chapter 410: Crashed

Dropping all her act, Ashley huffed like an angry child and looked away. "No, I won’t," she said as she crossed her hands.

Tristan was surprised to see how easily she got upset, but that didn’t stop him from teasing her.

He wanted to make her realize her mistake but he also knew prolonging it for too long would only make her angry.

"Why not?... Don’t you want to hear what our bean has to say" saying Tristan moved a little closer to her and wrapped his arm around the backrest of her seat, as he slowly inched closer to her ear.

Ashley gaped when she felt his hot breath fanning her face, but she didn’t dare to turn around.

Tristan had managed to make her still with his actions, accelerating her heartbeats rapidly.

She wanted to voice out what he was trying to do but couldn’t, knowing how it was impossible for her to even utter a word when he would use his charm.

"So, where were we" she heard him say as he brought his left palm closer to her stomach, resting it over.

Tristan’s actions were making her lose her self-control. His actions were cute but his intentions were bold and she could feel it with the way he started caressing her bump.

Ashley gulped at his gentle touch while his face was still close to her, making it hard for her to stay calm.

"O-on our bean... I told him how his dad is upset with me" She finally managed to muster the courage to speak.

Ashley was a confident lady but when it came to Tristan she would feel all her confidence wash away in a second.

"Ha... yes... so did he answer you back," Tristan asked moving his eyes from the side of her face to her stomach where he was gently caressing her belly.

"Y-yes..." she said eyeing him from the corner of her eyes.

Tristan turned his face around and watched her steal a glance at him. "What did he say?" this time he made his attention entirely focused on her.

Ashley couldn’t contain the scrutinizing gaze of his eyes and slowly turned her head to face him. She wanted to yelp scolding him for making it so hard for her to speak, but then wasn’t it always like this?

Whenever he would find her actions wrong he would make her accept it by making her go speechless.

Ashley wanted to look away as she found herself melting with the way he looked at her. She wanted to scream accepting her mistake of being wrong for doing a stunt even though it wasn’t harmful to her or her child but she couldn’t.

Just like her mind, even her body had come to a standstill as she bore back into his blue eyes, finding it hard to speak.

It took her a while to return to herself as she finally decided to answer him but with an annoyed tone. "Fine... I accept it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have done the stunt, putting both our lives at risk"

Using her palm she pushed him away and looked out of the window. Her heart was running a marathon inside her chest but she managed to remain composed.

Tristan smirked when she finally defeatedly accepted her mistake, but he also presumed she wasn’t happy with it.

Letting out a playful chuckle, Tristan reached his hand and grabbed her chin making her look at him.

"You know Ash.. you are becoming more like a kid. It was you who started. I just played along yet you are the one who is upset"

Tristan had his share of teasing because it was the only to make her accept her mistake. He didn’t like scolding her because he loved her way too much to make her cry, but that doesn’t mean he liked watching her upset face either.

"Then why do you have to go this extreme" she pouted, trying to free herself but couldn’t as her cheeks were quickly cupped between both his palms.

"Because you know, you can’t avoid them by saying it wasn’t that threatening"

Ashley remained quiet pondering his words and heaved out a defeated sigh. "Fine... I won’t do it again. I will also forbid from lifting a glass of water on my own" she snarled rolling her eyes skyward.

Tristan couldn’t help but chuckle at her cute reaction. "That would do. How about I appoint a person who would do all the work for you, in return all you have to do is sit"

"HAHA... very funny. And who is going to do the job? Did you forget I have a movie to finish? Sitting in one place wouldn’t help me complete my scenes" Ashely stated as she found herself slowly pulled closer by Tristan with his palm rubbing her arm gently.

"Then how about we let your body double get all the things done for you and in the final cut we would edit your face in every scene"

Ariana jerked back giving Tristan a weird look. "Have you hit your head somewhere? If yes, then we really need to show you to a doctor"

"..."

Ashley couldn’t help but want to check his mind for being this absurd with his word. Doesn’t he worry about the money he will lose if the movie doesn’t come out as it has to be?

"I just wanted to make things easy for you" she heard him say.

"Then don’t do it. I am fine with how things are going just the way they are. Please don’t make it more difficult for the director and team as you have already scared them enough" saying she return resting her head on his shoulder. ignoring his pouty face.

Watching his wife ignore him, Tristan didn’t bother to utter another word again and kept hugging her, as he slowly closed his eyes.

The couple was busy enjoying their peaceful moment in each other’s arms when suddenly a loud honk was heard from the side and within a split second a huge vehicle collided with their car.

"Boss.." they heard the driver yell but it was too late for them to react.

Their car rolled upside down until it hit the tree trunk on the other side of the road.

Tristan held Ashley closer to him preventing her from getting hurt, but the second the car hit the tree Tristan’s head slammed on the window until it cracked a little.

Even with such a tremendous impact, Tristan tried to remain cautious as he looked down at Ashley.

"Ash...hey... wake up" Tristan tried to speak keeping his vision clear, but the moment blood started to drip down from his temples it became hard for him to stay conscious.

Ashley had lost her continuous as she remained still in his arms without any movement and it was enough for Tristan to panic.

He tried to open the door but found it difficult as he had no strength left within his body. The excess loss of blood was making it hard for him to move and before he could realize everything around him turned dark as he lost his last bit of self-awareness, and slumped into a deep abyss.

*****

After leaving the company Karl drove to his place. He was busy typing a text to Gwen informing her that he reached home but the moment he opened the door his eyes widen in surprise.

"Gwen..." he yelped finding the girl he had been texting the entire walk was already standing in front of him.

"Yes, it’s me" came her dull reply as she turned around and walked further into the house.

Karl blinked his eyes in confusion as he was expecting a hug or at least a kiss from her end but he got neither any of the two of them.

Pouting he entered the house and his eyes widen in shock when he noticed the messed living room with multiple bottles of alcohol rolling over the floor.

"How much have you been drinking," Gwen asked as she turned to face him.

She wanted to give him a surprise, so instead of going back home she decided to head towards their cozy place but when she entered the house the weird smell of alcohol hit her senses so bad that she felt everything around her spin for a matter of second.

Karl shot his attention in her direction and watched her arch her brow at him. She looked so pissed with the way she was welcomed in her house that he ended up gulping a mouth full of saliva.

"I... will clean this mess" Karl muttered as he couldn’t fathom his thoughts and quickly kept his office bag off the couch before keeling on the floor and picking the empty bottles.

Karl was so ashamed that he didn’t even dare to look up and quickly finished cleaning the space.

After returning home from the hospital, he couldn’t articulate his life as he kept seeing and listening to Gwen’s voice everywhere inside the house.

For him, the entire world came to a standstill as he couldn’t function and to soothe the pain in his heart, he started to drink. Though his tolerance was still the same and it made him feel miserable when he couldn’t get her out of his mind.