Ch. 41..45: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 41-45
Chapter 41: He wasn’t capable enough
Getting the answer Karl was about to turn when his eyes caught the sight of Gwen stepping out of the refreshment room. His lips curled up into a smile but it dropped the next second when he saw the person next to her.
Gwen walked with another employee and giggle at something he said and that made Karl fume.
He glared at them and turned his head heading straight inside his cabin in a huff.
Gwen reached her desk and took her seat when the person next to her desk told her about Karl asking for her.
Leaning back she peeked through the glass door and saw Karl pinching his temple.
’Does he have a headache’ she thought and stood up from her chair and walked to his cabin just to have a check on him?
As soon as the glass door opened and Gwen stepped in, Karl’s angry voice roared," I don’t want anyone in" his loud voice halt her steps and she fisted her hand in fear.
Gwen was shocked watching Karl lash out at her which made her root on her step and watch him with a tearful gaze.
This was the first time she had heard him raise his voice and that surprised her a lot.
Karl frowned when he felt the person didn’t follow his words and he raised his again to shout but stopped when he saw who was standing in front of him.
His anger dissipated when he saw Gwen and he stood up immediately," When did you come?" he asked masking his startled expression and watching her with a blank face.
Gwen felt his behavior stranger, ignored his question, and took a step close to him. She didn’t care if he shout at her because as his assistant she had to know what was bothering him.
She brushed off his question and reached her hand to touch his forehead. She doubted he had a headache or maybe fever.
" Sir you should take a rest and leave the work on me" she pulled back her hand when he flinched on her touch thinking he might have a fever.
Karl who was dumbfounded by her sudden statement watched her with confusion. What made her think he was having a fever when he was fine and healthy.
Gwen walked towards his desk and opened the drawer taking out the medicine box, popping out the medicine for him to eat.
"Here take this you will feel better" she ignored his confused face and reach to take the glass from his table before she turned to pass it to him.
Karl blinked his eyes and took the glass from her hand gulping down the medicine and giving it back to her.
Gwen saw him behave like an obedient kid who listen to his mother without creating any fuss. She then held on to his wrist and drag him towards the couch making him sit.
"Sir you rest and will get the work done on your behalf," Gwen said and was about to leave when Karl stopped her.
"I don’t have any fever Miss Gwen" his word made her stop on her feet and she turned to see him purse his lips.
Gwen who was worried for nothing felt like someone threw cold water on her face which hit strongly enough to break her thoughts.
"W-what did you say," she asked in disbelief.
Karl cleared his throat and opened his mouth to say," I don’t have any fever Miss Gwen" this time he said loud enough that made her lips twitch.
Karl watched her face change from concerning to angry one and he got up taking a few steps away from her and continued," You don’t need to do my work I will do it by myself" he said averting his eyes from her anguish face and took fast steps reaching his desk and burying his face into the pile of files in front of him.
Gwen who watched him sneak from her anger slammed her foot and turn herself walking out of his cabin.
Karl watched her storm out from his cabin shrugged his shoulder and adjusted his tie saying," She assumed everything on her own, then is she angry" pursing his lips she resumed his work again.
*****
Tristan reached the company after an hour and looked at the work that need his attention. As soon as he entered the last floor his eyes looked around and stopped at his sister’s desk which was focused on her work.
A proud smile curled on his lips and he left from there heading towards his office. Karl was already waiting with his schedule and dictated to him as soon as he took his seat.
Listening to his every word, Karl was about to leave when Tristan stopped him," I hope Gwen isn’t troubling you" he asked.
Karl who was still coping with what happened in the morning shook his head and said," No boss Miss Gwen is a quick learner and is smart too. I feel the privilege to be her mentor"
Tristan knew he had given Gwen responsibility in the right hands. Karl was the right person who would teach Gwen about business and also train her enough to deal with business issues in the future.
"Good to finally listen to someone praising her" heaving out a relief sigh Tristan paused.
He had a lot of things to be taken care of as he had been ignoring his work for the whole week and now it was time to be attentive but before that, he had to search for the person who leaked his and Ashley’s pictures on the internet.
"Is there something bothering you boss?" Karl saw Tristan’s conflicted expression and asked.
Being by Tristan’s side, he understood Tristan’s silence and couldn’t stop inquiring.
"I want you to keep an eye on Greg and inform me what he is up to nowadays. I know there has to be something him behind this pictured leak" Tristan had no proof to conclude it was Greg behind this cunning scheme which he played when Ashley wasn’t in the country.
And him playing the victim card made his doubt even more sure it must be him who was trying to attack Ashley.
Karl nodded his head and left the cabin to follow Tristan’s word. There was something suspicious about Greg being quiet for so long without striking back after Ashley made him lose his work and name in the industry.
He knew the wasn’t so clean-hearted who would let Ashley let go without attacking back. He only wished that it isn’t Greg behind this or else before Ashley could make pay he would take the rein and show him how it feels to be left with nothing in hand to live a normal life.
***
Ashley’s apartment
Sitting inside her living room, Ashley went through the internet and saw numerous comments that pointed to her character. Though she didn’t care about it as she had gotten used to it in all these years but still this wasn’t something she couldn’t ignore.
She knew everything that was happening was his doing and he was the one who had schemed to condemn her. But she couldn’t accuse him of her assumptions. The world didn’t work this way, they needed proof to believe in someone’s truth.
She had only made Greg step down from the projects because she didn’t want to get in contact with him again but what he did in return was not something that she would let go of.
It was fine if people accuse her of being a cheater or call her arrogant but now they were blaming Tristan too even though his face wasn’t exposed. How can she let them go off that easily?
Earlier she didn’t care but now she wouldn’t let anyone point a finger at the man she liked because he had nothing to do with whatever happened between her and Greg.
She looked at the time and got up to get change. Miley had informed Jane about her meeting with Ashley that was fixed for the evening.
"Let’s see what his so-called friend of mine has to say"
She turned and went to get change.
After about an hour Ashley finally stepped out of her apartment and asked the driver to take her to the decided location. Soon her car reached the restaurant where she had booked a table for them both.
She didn’t realize Jane was so desperate that she reached before the time and was waiting for her.
Ashley smirked when her eyes caught the sight of Jane sitting and waiting for her. Walking to her she took the chair for herself and asked," What do you want to talk about?"
Jane ignored her bored expression and came straight to the point," Why did you drop Greg’s name from all the projects he was supposed to do with you?" she said without any glint of guilt in her voice.
Ashley heard her words and let out a chuckle as if she wanted to mock her for asking a stupid question. After whatever they both had done with her, was she saint enough to let them go without any warning.
"He wasn’t capable enough to stand with me in the same frame" she scorns letting her see how disgusted she was feeling about him.
Chapter 42: Better
Jane fumed when she heard Ashley degrading Greg. He was her man now and she won’t let anyone bad mouth him.
"Mind your words, Ashley! You can’t talk anything about my man" Jane slammed her fist in anger on the table asking her to stop her words.
Ashley smirked as she saw how foolish Jane was to think that the man was genuine enough to stick to her.
"Good for you," she said ignoring her fuming gaze, and asked lazily," Did you call me to ask this?" Ashley didn’t wanted to waste her time listening to her my man story. She wasn’t that vacant person to leave her work and listen to her stupid words.
Jane saw Ashley’s rude behavior toward her and felt the urge to so and slam her face just so she could vent her anger. She knew Ashley had a sharp mouth that would silence anyone but she didn’t expect her to be this rude towards her when she was at fault.
Ashley who had her eyes on the woman in front of her knew she was very desperate to show her anger towards her but was restraining until her work was done. But she wasn’t a fool to not know with what motive she had come to meet her.
She waited for her to speak and when she didn’t, Ashley stood up and took her handbag with her, and said," I think there isn’t anything important that you want to talk about, so I will take my leave" saying she turned and was about to leave when Jane’s voice stopped her.
"I didn’t know you would fall so low that you will take your revenge by attacking someone’s profession" her words made her stop and she turned back with a smile.
"Which profession you are referring to, the one which he climbed with success using my name. Sorry to correct you but Greg would have been a struggler till now if he didn’t use me to climb the success ladder. So keep that professionalism to yourself and next time don’t waste my time asking me to meet you" saying she turned and walked away from there leaving Jane with anger.
Her eyes turned red as she tried hard to calm her boiling blood but burst slamming her hand on the plate hurting herself instead. Jane ignore the shocked eyes and kept staring at Ashley’s retreating figure," You will pay for this Ashley. I won’t leave you this time" she muttered and got up from there leaving in a hush.
*****
Ashley left the fuming Jane inside the restaurant and walked to her car. Before she could step inside she heard her phone ring and just looking at the caller’s name a smile crept on her lips.
"I was waiting for your call" Ashley’s face bloomed talked to Tristan.
"Is it then would you mind turning to your left" his words puzzled her but she did what he said and turned to her left only to him standing near his car that was parked on the other side of the road.
Tristan waved his hand as soon as their eyes met and said," Come with me".
Without any hesitation, Ashley nod her head and ended the call before informing the driver to leave and crossing the road to walk toward his parked car.
Stepping in they both drove from there unknown to the eyes that stalked them.
Jane who storm out of the restaurant after Ashley left saw her step into the car which wasn’t hers and frowned.
"Is he the same guy from the picture which Greg showed me" she muttered and stepped into her asking her driver to follow their car.
Jane was curious from the moment Greg told her about Ashley having an affair with someone and they had to take advantage of that fact just misleading the audience about their breakup.
Though the picture wasn’t clear but just with one glance, Jane could tell the man was handsome and now she wanted to see who Ashley was seeing this time.
*****
Inside the car, Tristan looked at Ashley who sat next to him without speaking a word. He rushed to her as soon as he learned she had gone to meet Jane. He didn’t want her to face any problems because the people around her didn’t have good intentions toward her.
"I thought you would be pouncing on me after meeting me after a long time" Tristan fake his anger and folded his hand huffing like a kid.
Ashley who heard him couldn’t help but laugh as she saw him complain like a child and she reached to pinch his cheeks," Ow... don’t do that" he flinch moving his head behind and stopping her from pulling his cheeks.
Ignoring his warning she still reached and pinched his cheeks making him frown.
"Cute.." he heard her say and the next moment he pulled her close by her wrist and saw her eyes widen in surprise.
"Call me cute again and I will show you how horny I can turn the next second" he smirked when she blushed, blinking her eyes like a little kitten.
She was so easy to get distracted, he thought before he leaned closed and broke her trace by sealing her lips.
Ashley was caught off-guard when she felt his lips touch her and the very next moment she forgot what they were talking engrossing her mind completely in that one mind-blowing kiss.
Tristan switched on the button to his right, putting the partition between the front seat and the back not allowing anything to be visible to anyone’s eyes. He knew he wasn’t going to go easy with the woman while he devour her mouth satisfying his hunger, didn’t wanted anyone to invade their private moment.
The licking sound of their kiss echoed in the back seat as the couple was completely immersed at the moment forgetting about everything. Slowly crawling onto his lap Ashley wrapped her arm around his neck to have better access to his mouth and kissed him back with the same urgency.
They did get to see each other the entire day and that somehow ignited the yearning they felt for each other.
After meeting with Jane Ashley wanted to divert her mind but before she could do something Tristan stood in front of her and the uneasiness inside her heart vanished as soon as his smiling face came into her view.
Tristan who found her sighed as she pulled back after the never-ending kiss and rested their forehead together calming their unsteady breaths.
"Are you okay?" he asked finally breaking the silence that bothered him the moment she stepped into the car.
He knew the conversation between her and Jane had somewhat affected her mood. She was trying not to lash out at them but her resistance was somewhat affecting her internally.
They had broken her trust in such a way that it pierced her heart in such a way that she could barely control her anger against them. She might tell her heart that their betrayal didn’t bother her but deep inside her heart she had trusted them blindly and yet they decided to hurt her.
Ashley nodded her head and hugged him burying her face in the crook of his neck and inhaling his cologne to calm her nerves. She might look okay from the outside, but inside she was still fragile.
One thing Tristan had come to find about Ashley that was she like to be hugged whenever she would feel low.
Wrapping his arms around her he held her securely in his embrace and let her stay like that. Lightly brushing her back he saw her body calm down and she finally pulled back staring into his deep blue eyes that looked back at her with love.
This kind of love she always wanted in her life which she couldn’t get from Greg was given by Tristan. She wanted to laugh at her stupidity to believe in Greg’s every lie that she didn’t realize how badly she was getting herself trapped in his fake love.
"Sorry I didn’t mean to-" her words were cut by Tristan before it was completed.
"You can always rely on me, Ashley. I will be there for you whenever you need me" his words were gentle as he cupped her face with both his hand and looked into her vulnerable eyes.
She can act all strong in front of the entire world but in front of him, she can show her weakness. He wouldn’t judge her.
Ashley was so touched by his words that her tears rolled down from her eyes and she broke that strong wall she build in front of her heart just to hide her pain.
Tristan let her feel relief and wiped off her tears after she was done. He didn’t want her to carry any baggage of her past that would hurt her unknowingly.
"Better?" he asked still cupping her face and saw her nod her head.
While the couple inside were busy comforting each other the car behind them lost track as the driver speeded the car leaving her car behind.
"Dammit!!" slamming her hand on the seat she looked at the road ahead and could find the car which she saw Ashley get in.
"How can you lose them" she yelled at the driver who flinch at her scary scream.
Chapter 43: I don’t snore
Ashley laid her head on Tristan’s shoulder and realized that the car wasn’t moving. She pulled back and looked around her surrounding," Did we already reach?" she asked and brushed her eyes as she tried to clear her vision.
Tristan had been holding her close to his heart when he had heard her small snore. She had fallen asleep after crying on his shoulder and didn’t realize when she dozed off to sleep not until she sensed the car had stopped moving and her eyes opened.
"Yes" she heard him and her eyes widen at his words.
"Then why didn’t you wake me up," she asked and saw him brush her cheeks.
"Because I didn’t have the heart to wake you up when you look all adorable with that little snore of yours," he said plainly but the woman on his lap turned red like a tomato on his remark.
"I don’t snore," she said lowering her voice and avoiding meeting his intense gaze.
’Can’t he be a little mindful before telling her about her sleeping habit’ she muttered under her nose and heard him chuckle.
"Adorable," he said and then stepped out of the car after Ashley adjusted her dress.
As soon as she lifted her head her jaw dropped looking at the lavishing mansion in front of her. It took her too long to understand what did he mean to take her somewhere.
"You somewhere was here... in your mansion?" she asked getting anxious as she had never imagined this man would manipulate his words and bring her to his house.
Ashley wasn’t prepared to meet his family felt like he had thrown a bomb at her which she had to dodge without any practice.
She was unbeatable when it came to her profession but socializing was something she lack. She had grown up without her mother’s care, her father was the only family. She didn’t know how she would react when she met his family.
Will they like her? Or will they consider her as some arrogant lady? What will I talk about with them? she had no clue at all.
Many questions aroused in her mind and she started getting anxious.
Tristan who was watching her understood her fear and he gripped her hand a little tightly breaking her thought and pulling her attention towards him.
"Everything will be okay. My family won’t bite you" he teased her and got slapped in return.
"I won’t forgive you for deceiving me" she warned flaring her nose in anger and looking ahead.
Tristan scratch the back of his neck knowing there wasn’t any lie in her words because he didn’t said her where they were going and just asked her to come with him.
Ignoring her deadly glare he then walked taking her along with him and stepped inside the house.
Ashley who kept her hold on Tristan’s hand tight felt nervous as they entered the mansion. Her eyes looked at the group of people who were sitting in the huge living area and gulped when their eyes turned to look at her.
Grace stood up from her seat and walked towards the couple her eyes well looking at Ashley who was the exact carbon copy of her mother.
She stopped in front of her and smiled as she couldn’t hold back her tears and let them roll down.
Ashley saw her crying and got worried immediately turning her head to look at Tristan who gave her an assuring nod.
"I’m sorry I couldn’t stop my tears" Grace who realized her actions wiped her tears and looked at Ashley who looked concerned for her.
"You have your mother’s deep brown eyes," Grace said and held her hand before she took into a motherly hug.
Grace still blamed her for not being with her friend at the time she was breathing her last breath. She learned about Raven having a clot on her brain which was slowly killing her day by day. If she had the slightest idea her dearest friend was going through so much pain she would’ve rushed to her side not letting her feel alone with no family to look for her.
Ashley stiff when she heard her talking about her mother and she felt her heart turn heavy. She had been a child who lost her mother when she was three and since then she had only seen her father taking both the part of being and father and a mother too.
She didn’t knew how she was supposed to react because she had no memory of her mother as she was too small to remember it.
Composing herself Ashley pursed her lips and pulled back only to see Grace looking at her lovingly.
Since didn’t know how it felt to have a mother’s care but Grace’s warmth was enough to make her feel that love that she always craved her whole life.
Ashley smiled back at her as she took her along with her to meet the other members of the family.
"Did I tell you Ashley would be perfect for you Tristan?" Snow said and patted the side next to her asking Ashley to come and sit next to her.
Ashley recognized the woman and smiled. She was his grandmother the head of the family and the most loving woman whose name was still on everybody’s tongue as she had done many charities for needy people during her early days when she was handling the business along with her husband Herd Knight.
Tristan scratch his forehead and pursed his lips avoiding his grandmother’s words. Everybody here knew about his liking for Ashley. He was the only one who wasn’t aware of it.
"You have found a diamond for you, Tristan," she said caressing Ashley’s face and praising her turning her head towards the other members.
"So when do you plan to register your marriage. I can’t wait for Ashley to become our daughter-in-law." Snow said looking at Tristan.
"Soon," he said looking at Ashley who blushed at the mention of their marriage.
They talked for a while getting to know each other. Ashley was the one who was overwhelmed with the love she was receiving from Tristan’s family.
She had only heard rumors about Knight’s being the almighty and never liked to associate with people that much but now when she met them everything mentioned about them started to fade.
They were all kind and welcoming people who didn’t for once made her feel inferior. They knew their decision to keep their marriage a secret away from the public’s eye and also agreed to them.
Ashley never felt so connected with anyone but now after meeting these lovely family she couldn’t wait to come and stay with them forever.
Ashley had her dinner with them and soon the couple left the place. Tristan wanted to drop Ashley home so he would get to spend some time with her.
Reaching the destination, Tristan stopped the car in front of her building and they stepped out.
"I really can’t wait to bring you to my house as my wife," Tristan said pulling Ashley close to him as he captured her lips kissing her.
Ashley too didn’t want to waste time prolonging their marriage when she knew her heart wanted to be with him.
Pulling back she smiled and cupped his face before she said," Let’s get married tomorrow" her words surprised him as he widen his eyes asking," Really?"
The astonished look on his face made her nod her head and he beamed pulling her into a hug.
"I am so happy Ash, You don’t know what you have given to me," he said in happiness and pulled back before he pecked his cheeks.
While the couple was busy enjoying their happiness, a pair of shocked eyes stared at them ready to pop out from its socket.
Spending some time together the couple finally bid goodbye and Ashley turned to walk into the building when her eyes caught Alice standing with her hands on her hips.
Her nose flared in anger as if she was ready to kick her and that made Ashley gulp hard.
"A-Alice, from how long you were watching us" her voice shake in fear when she saw an evil grin appearing on her friend’s face.
****
Inside Ashley’s apartment
Alice sat on the couch with her legs crossed as she gawked at Ashley with deadpan eyes. She couldn’t believe her best friend hide a big thing from her.
"From how long you two were together?" she asked clenching her fist open and close as she tried to scare her.
Ashley knew Alice was upset with her for keeping the secret of her marrying Tristan from her but what was she supposed to do when she didn’t even get the time to call her.
Shaking her head she said," Not too long just a few days" as she said those words Alice’s eyes widen even more scaring the shit out of her.
"Few days ago and yet you didn’t have the courtesy to inform me" Alice was now even more upset with Ashley.
Chapter 44: Don’t be mad with me
Before Alice smack her Ashley walked toward her and kneeled in front of her holding her ears.
"Alice don’t be mad with me, I was going to tell you everything but didn’t get the chance" Ashley didn’t like when Alice would get upset with her. She was not her friend but more like a sister with whom she shared everything from happiness to sadness. They were partners in crime and didn’t keep even a little thing away from each other.
Alice who saw Ashley’s sad face dropped her shoulder failing to keep her anger anymore. She knew Ashley must have had her reasons or else she wouldn’t have kept it away from her.
"Okay now don’t kneel and tell me everything," she said stretching a smile on her face and easing Ashley’s, heavy heart.
Sitting next to her she told her everything from the day she stumbles on Tristan and how things started from there till now.
"My god... you finally lost your virginity?" Alice squeal with happiness and covered her mouth not able to believe what she heard.
Her virginal friend finally lost her innocence to the man who is none other than Tristan Knight but then how did that workaholic man forget his way to reaching the club instead.
Shaking off her thoughts she was excited to turn to meet Ashley’s flushed face which turned red at the mention of her first time. Alice grinned looking at how different from that time. The reason why was she rejecting Tristan at first was this.
Owe my poor girl did she think her ignoring him will change her fate. Alice was just happy that finally, Ashley had found the right partner for her.
Ashley ignored her friend’s over-excited self and turned silent. She didn’t know how long she was going to hide their marriage because of what happened today she don’t know if Jane would stop following her.
Yes, she had seen Jane following Tristan’s car when she was hugging him. Before she could tell Tristan the diver accelerated the car leaving Jane’s car behind.
Now she was sure it was all hers and Greg’s plan to defame her by posting the pictures on the internet.
Didn’t they have better things to do in their life, she thought and slumped back on the couch closing her eyes.
Alice noticed her foul mood and asked," What’s it that is bothering you?"
Alice understood Ashley more than anyone and also understood when she would get upset.
Heaving out a sigh she pulled herself up and turned to face Alice puking anger, "Aren’t they satisfied after fooling me that now they still don’t want me to be happy"
Alice understood whom she was talking about. She was aware of the pictures of hers being circulated on the internet along with a mysterious man.
Alice who found out about it immediately rushed to meet her after Miley told her that she was back from the trip. She thought it was just a conspiracy from her anti-fan who tried to destroy her image but after what she saw she understood that the pictures were true but the words stated were wrong.
"That bas***d just took advantage of that pictures and put the entire blame on you. Such a jerk" Alice was fuming with anger and fisted her palm as if she ever see Greg she would smack his face showing him his rightful place.
Ashley turned silent again just trying to connect the dots on how someone managed to click their pictures when she remembered something.
"Greg had sent someone to spy on me but unfortunately he couldn’t click Tristan and ended up giving Greg half information" Alice couldn’t believe her words and asked," But why? Does he have a death wish" she flared.
"He is finding ways to defame me for what I did to him and now he is playing this victim card just to clear his image and come out clean blaming everything on me," she said as her eyes turn cold.
Even his name would disgust her and she cursed the day she agreed to be his girlfriend. Her father tried to warn her about him but she was too dumb to believe his words.
Nevertheless now she was aware of the evil schemes that he used against her and now she won’t keep quiet giving them any chance.
They tried to mess with her and now she was going to show them how it felt to fall into your own trap.
After spending some time with Ashely, Alice left from there.
Ashley too freshen herself and went to bed as tomorrow was the big day for her and Tristan. It was so sudden for her to fall in love with someone in a short period of time but she knew it was right for her.
A smile crept on her lips just by the thought of her marrying Tristan and she closed her eyes waiting for the next to arrive.
*****
The next morning Tristan arrived at Ashley’s apartment and picked her up from there heading straight to the registration office. He made sure to keep the security around them tight not allowing anyone to see them.
It was already chaos happening around Ashley’s life and by getting caught again he didn’t wanted to make things difficult for her.
Reaching the marriage registration office, they waited for the two witnesses whose signs were needed for the completion of the marriage process.
"Did you tell her the timing?" Tristan asked Ashley looking at the time.
"Yes, I warned her to be on time and not let me wait for her" Ashley got her phone out of her bag and was about to call Alice when she heard some footsteps coming closer to them.
" Tell me I am not late" Alice huffed standing in front of them and looking at Ashley with a pitiful gaze.
She would’ve reached there on time if she had not met Noah on her way down her building. Because of his constant pestering, she didn’t realize she had gotten late and now she feared if the almighty Tristan Knight next to her friend was going to shoot her with his deadly gaze.
"Hello, Mr. Knight I am Alice, Ashley’s best friend and your witness" Ashley poked her elbow making her whine in pain.
She motioned her with her eyes and pulled Alice closer to her.
"What took you so long?" Ashley asked trying to stop Alice from making fool of herself before Tristan finds her weird.
Alice ignore Tristan’s cold eyes, smiled cheekily, and turned to face her friend.
"That stupid neighbor of mine never leaves a chance to irritate me. I wished I had punched his face before coming here" fisting her palm in anger she was about to talk further when another person stepped in and her eyes lifted to see who it was...
"You.." she screamed finding Noah standing in front of her eyes as he too stared back in confusion.
"You both know each other?" Tristan asked creasing his brow and looked at Noah who composed from his confused self and turned to face Tristan with whom he had so much to talk about.
"What if I know her but first tell me who calls his friend early morning threatening him to come in the marriage registration office" Noah who had no clue what was going around saw Tristan’s deadpan face as reality struck making him gasp.
"Don’t tell me you are getting married?"
"Here we go... He doesn’t even know his friend he getting hitched then hello mister why do you think you are called here" Alice has now confirmed this man had no brain inside his head who can’t even get his friend’s words.
Noah glared at her before he was called by Tristan," I will explain to you everything just come and sign here"
Tristan was getting impatience with the delay, ignore his question, and asked him to come and fulfill his duty.
After the marriage was registered all four of them stepped out of the building.
Noah was following the ladies behind along with Tristan whose face was sullen after his wife ditch him just to walk ahead with her friend and snorted," Does she even know I am still here?"
Noah who was also ignored by Alice felt his mood turn sour but what upset him more was Tristan’s secrecy which he only found out today.
"You deserve that. I hope she keeps ignoring you like this" Tristan shot a glare at him and saw him shrug his shoulder.
"What do you expect me to speak from your side when you didn’t even inform me about your marriage. In your dreams... I should’ve known I got a friend who doesn’t even consider me as his friend" Noah huffed like a kid complaining about his mother who ignore him on his face.
Tristan ignored his words and walked ahead leaving him behind letting him cope with it on his own.
Noah watched him walk ahead with disbelief as he didn’t expect him to just ignore him rather than giving an explanation.
Chapter 45: He is weird
"Didn’t I tell you he’s weird" Alice whispered to Ashley as they walked ahead and stopped after reaching their car.
Ashley shook her head and watched Tristan walking towards them from Alice’s back.
Stopping right next to her he wrapped his one arm around her waist and said," Should we leave" his voice soft and sweet as honey melted Alice’s heart.
"Ow he is so loving," Alice remarked loudly catching both attention.
Tristan looked at Alice and smiled when Noah reached and stood beside her, dropping her smile. Taking a step away from him she smiled and looked at the couple with pure adoration.
"Stop showing your teeth and let them go," Noah said breaking her smile and shot a glare at him.
Ignoring her glare Noah then looked at Ashley and introduce himself," I know this man must have not bothered to tell you about me, so I will take the initiative. Myself Noah your husband’s best friend and now your brother-in-law" he said reaching his hand to handshake her but was jerked as Tristan didn’t allow him to touch her.
"I was just introducing myself" he complain glaring at him but was ignored.
"No need. I will tell her about you some other day. We have other important things to do rather than introducing you"
Noah twitched his face showing his displeasure but that didn’t affect the man who ignored him like air.
Ashley who saw Tristan’s rude behavior cut in and reached her hand for a handshake instead," Ashley" she said with a smile
Noah grinned watching his friend’s face sullen and shook hands with Ashley.
Even though he knew Tristan was kind of possessive towards his loved one kept the conversation limited and then bid goodbye to the couple.
Walking towards his car he was about to enter when his eyes caught the sight of the woman who just ignored him the whole time in the marriage register office.
He couldn’t understand why was she so rude to him even after he had helped her. Ignoring her, he was about to hop in but stopped when he saw she didn’t bring her car and was waiting for a cab.
Opening the car’s door he stepped and drove to where she was standing stopping the car right in front of her.
"Get in," he said as soon as he slide the windows done.
Alice saw him ordering her and felt like kicking his branded car and leave but she didn’t because she thought he would look unethical.
She bend a little while looking inside the car and saw the man who sat on the driver’s seat," I don’t need your help. I can manage on my own" her words made him turn head arched his brow watching her reject his help.
"Do you think you would find a cab for yourself on this deserted road" Alice creased her brows and turn to see the road which had no vehicle passing through it.
She remembered she had to reach the studio to work and thought for a while calculating the time she will take to reach by the local bus. She didn’t even complete it and concluded that it was better to take help than get your pride in between.
Noah who watched her confused face smirked and saw her open the car’s door and step in without making any fuss.
Making sure she was good he started the engine the car soon left.
*****
Karl was the one who drove the car as he completed all the remaining formalities before joining the couple.
Ashley recognized the man and gave him a nod before she turned to see Tristan with his eyes stuck on her. The way his loved fill eyes bore into her made her feel giddy. She was a married woman to a man once she rejected him after misjudging him as arrogant.
She cleared her throat and asked," Will you stop doing that, it’s uncomfortable with everyone being around" Ashley had turned red with the intense gaze Tristan was showering on her that she felt weird to be seen like that by the other two people with them.
Tristan wasn’t amazed by her red tint face because now he was getting used to it. She would turn red whenever she felt shy and he felt happy when the reason for her shyness was him.
Leaning close to her ear he whispered," Get used to it wifey because you are going to get flabbergasted whenever we are this close" Tristan said referring to their closeness where even air didn’t have a way to pass.
Ashley wanted to bury her face listening to his shameless comment moved away from him a little keeping a distance and turned her face away looking outside the window.
How can a man be so obvious with his words and action that he forgot two more people had turned red just like her.
Ignoring his bold words, she kept quiet until they reached the mansion.
Tristan and Ashley had come to conclude that she would be living in her apartment until they keep their relationship secret. She wanted to prove herself innocent of the accusation Greg had a claim on her.
She knew she didn’t have enough proof against him so it was better to play safe before throwing a bomb on them. If he had this impression of her being in relation then let them be in that bubble.
The car soon stopped in front of the Knight’s mansion and they stepped out heading inside the house where everyone was waiting for their arrival.
Richard too was waiting for them along with the others. He was proud of his daughter who finally made the correct decision for herself.
As soon as the couple entered everyone circled them around and congratulated them.
****
In the living area, everyone settles taking their seat.
Ashley sat next to her father while Tristan sat opposite them. His eyes ponder on his wife’s face as she kept her head lower throughout.
"Ahem... brother you are being obvious" Gavin whispered to his brother and broke his trance.
Tristan glared at him making him shut his mouth.
"I was just saying" he shrugged his shoulder in defeat and moved back.
"I think you should stay here for some days before your return," Grace said.
Everyone inside the room was aware of the couple’s decision and they didn’t object to them. They were mature enough to take decisions for their life and they didn’t want to interfere.
"Yes it will be so much fun" Gwen squealed with joy agreeing with her mother’s words.
"What do you say Ashley" Snow asked as she too wished her to spend her time with them.
Ashley nodded her head agreeing to their request. She too had started to like them. Everyone around here was so welcoming and kind that she didn’t want to upset them.
After talking with each other for a while Richard left the mansion. He could now be at ease as he trusted the people with whom his daughter was going to live henceforth.
After Richard left, Gwen took Ashley away from the living area as she wanted to talk with her. The only people who were left behind were the elders and Tristan.
"Are you sure it’s that Greg guy who clicked your pictures?" Trevor asked Tristan.
"I am sure or else he wouldn’t have given that interview if he wasn’t behind it" Tristan had investigated Greg and he found it was him who was behind this photo leak.
"What do you plan to do with him" this time it was Grace who asked.
"Ashley wants to handle them in her way and I will just support her" his words received a proud smile from his mother.
"I wished to hear that from you and make sure to make them realize their mistakes," she said.
They talked for a while before Tristan excused himself to see his wife.
****
Bedroom
"The pictures don’t do justice to the beauty you carry originally" Gwen had seen her pictures but in reality, she was way more beautiful in person.
Ashley smiled looking at how pure and innocent Gwen was who spoke without a filter. She always wished she could have a sibling with whom she could share her childhood.
"Even you are beautiful," she said making the young girl blush.
Both the girls chat for a while getting to know more about themselves. Ashley was so happy from the heart that she liked them all.
"You should’ve seen that glow on brother’s face when he returned home after dropping you yesterday. I have never seen him so happy" Gwen said recalling how Tristan beamed into a contagious smile when he declared about their marrying tomorrow.
Ashley listened to her very obediently. Recently she came to learn one thing about her being attentive to Tristan’s life which she learned by observing his surroundings and the people near him.
He was a nice man and she came to conclude that...