Ch. 6..10: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 6-10

Chapter 6: Potential match

As Tristen stepped inside the mansion, he heard numerous voices chattering in the living hall.

His eyes wandered to his family members who kept talking with each other or, in other words arguing at some point.

Walking towards them, he saw his mother Grace arguing about something while his father Trevor was trying to coax her with his sweet words. Then on the other side were his younger sister Gwen and brother Gavin who kept arguing about something.

"I am telling you he won’t agree.." Gwen, the leader in the argument, voiced against her twin Gavin.

"As if you can read his mind..." Gavin oppose making her dash towards him and pull his hair in anger

The ones who were decent between them all were his grandparents, grandpa Herd and grandma Snow... There were only two people who were talking civilly.

"Everyone... what is that you all are talking about?" he asked with a voice as low as mice, but the entire family could hear him...

As soon as they turned to look at him, standing a few distances away from them with his hand tucked in his pocket Gwen the carefree one, ran towards him and dragged him towards the crowd.

Tristen walked along and took the seat next to his mother, who immediately showed off her dazzling sweet smile, warning him that something was about to happen.

He knew his mother Grace was a sweet and kind lady, but sometimes even her cheeky smile would bother him.

"Tristen, my lovely son... I know you won’t reject your mother’s decision, right" she asked with her ever-so-sweet smile and cupped his cheeks.

Tristen gulped at the sight of his mother’s sweet gesture and turned his eyes towards his father, who signed him by shaking his head.

Understanding the meaning behind his father’s gesture, Tristen looked back at his mother and waited for her to speak.

Gavin and Gwen sat there looking at how their mother’s behavior changed from a fierce tigress to a sweet pup.

"Don’t you think mom is very good at covering up her facial expression" Gavin poked at Gwen, who immediately agreed with him.

"No doubt dad immediately gives in to her every word" Gwen knew their father was a wife enslaved person, and he didn’t mind if anyone shouted it in his face.

Snow and Herd looked at the mother and son duo when Snow finally broke the ice and said," Tristen, we have found a potential match for you."

Tristen’s shining eyes suddenly dimmed when he heard his grandmother. He immediately let go of his mother’s hold and turned to face the head of the house.

"But Grandma, I said I don’t want to get settled yet. There are still many things I haven’t achieved, and marriage is still not on my mind," he said, avoiding the discussion, standing up and ready to leave.

Tristen couldn’t just tell them he had someone in his mind; it was a little complicated between them. His mind was stuck on a specific person he had set his eyes on, and no one would take his wife’s place apart from Ashley.

"How long do you plan to stay single, Tristen" Grace, the sweet one, changed her voice from kind to serious.

It had been two years since they tried to get him hitched, but their elder son wasn’t interested.

It wasn’t that they didn’t ask him if he liked someone, but the answer they got in return was no...

Then why was he declining them when he couldn’t find a perfect partner for himself?

Tristen sighed and looked at his mother, whose sweet dripping face and long gone, and now she was damn serious about knowing his answer this time.

"I said, mom, I need some time. There are many things I have to take care of, and I can’t divert my mind from it," Tristen repeated the same old story.

"See, I told you" Gwen smacked her brother’s head when she won the debate catching everyone’s serious glare.

Pursing her lips, she lowered her head from the deadpan eyes.

"I think you should check to meet the girl first before plainly rejecting her. What if your personalities match" Grandpa Herd said this time.

"Yes, dad is right, and what if you like the girl? It’s not like we are asking you to get married to her but meeting her isn’t a bad idea," Trevor agreed.

Tristen was already in his late twenties, and it was the right time for him to settle down. They didn’t want to force him but wanted him to give them a chance to bring a girl who matched his taste.

Every eye looked at Tristen, who went silent listening to them. Tristen was not someone who let people easily into his life and liked to keep his personal.

Everyone in the knight family likes to keep their personal lives lowkey from the media. They knew how it worked when everything was wrapped around people’s eyes and didn’t like their life exposed publicly.

Tristen thought it when he recalled how Ashley had rejected him right on his face, which was her very bold move. He knew how stubborn she was when it came to her words.

Nodding his head, he agreed to them, making the eager face break into a smile.

"I knew he wouldn’t reject this time" Grace, who was back with her sweet gesture, stood up and walked towards him, caressing his face with love.

"You will love the girl we have selected for you" Grace was confident in her choice, and she knew Tristen would too like the girl.

Tristen pursed his lips and nodded his head, but deep down in his heart, he wanted Ashley to be the girl for him. She was a perfect match for him; he had known it two years back when he had set his eyes on her.

But that one wish of his wasn’t going to get fulfilled because she rejected him. He had one principle that everyone in the Knight family followed never force anyone for your benefit.

Walking away from there, he headed towards his room. The suite-like room, which had one big bedroom, was personally designed according to Tristen’s taste. He liked light colors, and then the entire room was painted blue because he liked it that way.

Loosening, he walked towards the closet, pulling out a fresh pair of night clothes. He couldn’t even reject them because he knew the one he was trying to court had given him a red flag.

Tristen was about to enter the bathroom when he heard a knock on his door and saw his younger sister Gwen walk in...

"Why did you agree to meet the girl brother" Gwen, who didn’t expect him to give in to his mother’s demand, felt bad for him.

"I had nothing to give us an excuse this time, and how long do you think I can keep on rejecting them," he said, looking at his sister, who jumped on the couch and folded her legs, looking at him with her widened, round eyes.

"Then are you going to let her go just like that..." she said and watched him shrug his shoulder.

" W-who are you talking about," Tristen said, averting her narrow gaze.

Gwen was the smartest among the twins and knew exactly when any of her family members acted weird.

"Do you read I AM A FOOL written on my face, brother?" she said, pointing at herself and standing up and walking to where Tristen stood.

Tristen understood it was a waste of time to act dumb in front of his spy sister when he knew she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted.

"Okay, fine, just don’t around tell everyone" Tristen gave up and slumped his shoulder in defeat.

"I can’t force someone to be with me, Gwen. Even her thoughts are important."

Gwen knew how madly in love her elder brother was with a lady named Ashley, and she also knew how heartbroken he was when he found she already had someone she loved.

He wasn’t confident enough to express his feeling and kept them to himself until one day she stumbled on her photo’s inside his drawer.

That was the day she finally found out her elder brother, who never bothered to spare a glance at women, had a girl whom he adored.

"But the brother she already broke up with her boyfriend what’s his name that.." she thought when Tristen said," Greg."

"Yes, that Greg guy, then why are you suddenly giving up when your path is already clear" Gwen knew her brother was hopeless when it came to courting women because Tristen Knight, who was perfect in everything, unfortunately, lacked this ability.

Tristen didn’t want to keep his hopes high on Ashley because the way she rejected him even after he dominated her told him how decided she was, and there wasn’t a single chance for him.

Gwen stood with her hands on her hip and waited to see any reaction from her brother, but even after one minute, the man seemed stuck in the same thought.

"How stupid brothers I have got one over here is giving up on his crush for two years just like that while the other one is so dumb even to have a girlfriend in the first place" Gwen heaved a sigh out and patted Tristen’s shoulder.

"Let me clearly warn you, brother, if you give up on her, then somebody else would find her" pursing her lips into a thin line, she turned and walked out of his room.

Gwen was very smart when it came to planting a seed in anyone’s mind, and right now, she was proud of herself for throwing the arrow right on the spot.

Chapter 7: She is mine

Gwen’s words had somewhat triggered Tristen as he stood there with his mind repeating her words," If you let her go, then someone else would find her."

’If you let her go, someone else would find her.’

Tristen shut his eyes and shouted," No.. no one will find her.. she is mine..."

His loud and clear voice echoed inside the room as he breathed heavily, trying to calm his pounding heart.

"Hehe..."

"I knew it would work" Gwen, on the other side, had her ear glued on the door squeal when she heard him shout and claim his right on her.

"What are you doing there, Gwen" Gavin, who was heading towards his room, found his sister leaning on his brother’s door and overhearing something.

Gwen ignored his question and kept on listening through the closed door.

Quickly striding toward her, he pulled her ear, taking her away a few distances from Tristen’s room.

"Do you want brother to scold you? You naughty brat" he lowered his voice to make sure no one would catch them.

"Ouch... can’t you be a little gentle, Gavin. You pulled out my ear" Gwen rubbed her ear and started walking towards her room, ignoring Gavin’s frown.

"By the way, what were you trying to catch hold on? Did you find what happened between brother and his lady love " Gavin let go of his foul mood and smiled, following his sister like a cute little pup.

Ignoring his nagging, Gwen entered her room and was about to shut it, but Gavin blocked on the right time," Why aren’t you telling me? Just for once, let go of your anger towards me, Gwen. I am your brother after all," Gavin suddenly made a small face blinking his eyes, acting cute.

"You make me puke, Gavin" letting go of the door, Gwen walked back, sparing him to get in.

Gwen was born two minutes later than Gavin, but she still preferred having the upper hand on him. She believed she had more brains than the one who scolded her for nothing.

Gavin ignored her grumpy look and entered the room, shutting it properly.

Gavin and Gwen were twins but weren’t identical. They shared only the color of their eyes. Apart from that, no one would ever come to know that they were born on the same day.

"So tell me did you find why brother agreed to meet the girl whom mother had selected for him," Gavin asked.

"Hmm.. " she hummed and sat on the bed folding her legs.

"He said he can’t force anyone to love him back. Like seriously, after stalking her for almost two years, even after knowing about her relation, how on earth did he give up like that" Gwen couldn’t digest it.

Her elder brother, who was her inspiration, had finally found one attraction apart from work: Ashley, yet he was letting her go without even giving it a try.

"Did he say that? No way... now I finally understood why he looked all worn out as if someone had asked him to give away his kidney" Gavin said,d with a teasing tone and received a glare from Gwen.

"Fine.. fine, I won’t joke on him," he said, laying down on the couch and asking, "When do you think this is going to be the end of our one and only introvert brother’s love story."

Gwen shook her head at his overdramatic statement and kept silent. She knew it wasn’t the right time to let Gavin know about the game she played with Tristen but wait and see what’s come next.

****

A few rooms away from Gwen’s and Gavin’s room, Trevor prepared the bed for Grace and him to sleep but stopped when Grace kept watching the photo in her hand.

"Did you like her so much that now you are ignoring your handsome husband" Trevor walked towards his wife and sat next to her.

Grace sighed and placed the photo back into the envelope and turned to see her husband would look at her with puppy eyes.

"Do you think I will ever be able to ignore your Trevor? Just grow up. You are soon going to be father-in-law" Grace, who was so excited to let Tristen meet the girl of her choice, made Trevor aware.

"Who says a person grows old after their children get married? I don’t think I would lose my charm even after I become a grandfather. I would still look young and handsome, honey," he said playfully, watching Grace roll her eyes.

They walked and lay on the bed before turning off the lights.

"I hope Tristen wouldn’t reject the girl," Grace prayed and turned as she hugged Trevor and closed her eyes.

"He won’t.." Trevor agreed and closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

****

It was finally a new day for Ashley as she had sworn she wouldn’t let her past affect her present and future. She had long let go of her love for Greg, and now she wanted to focus on her carrier solely.

She woke up and got get as per her schedule. Stepping out of her room, she heard the doorbell ring.

Knowing who the person was, she walked and opened the door. Miley had a bright smile lingering as she stepped in, giving Ashley her morning black tea, which she had purchased from the café next to her residential building.

"Miley, have you checked the dress I would wear for the shoot? You know I want it to fit me perfectly," Ashley said, sipping her black tea, which made her mood brighter.

"Yes, ma’am, I have checked everything for today’s schedule. We have two back-to-back photo shoots, and then we have an interview to attend, which wouldn’t take too long, ma’am. Still, not least, Mr. Brown had asked me to clear your schedule for the evening" Miley recited every detail, but the last statement made Ashley look at her in confusion.

"Why did dad ask you to do that," she said but saw Miley shake her head.

Ashley, who had to spend her entire day yesterday with her father, never once heard him say to clear her schedule. Then why was it so sudden he called Miley and let her convey it to her?

Brushing off her thought, she got up and left her apartment. She didn’t want to argue with her father anymore and let him do whatever he felt was right for her. She had once gone against him and faced the biggest shock of her life, and now she didn’t want to make the same mistake again.

If her father had said so, there must be a reason. With that in mind, she stepped inside her car and drove to the studio.

****

Knight’s mansion

The whole night Tristen couldn’t blink an eye. The thought of Ashley finding someone better than him made him go crazy.

"How come she didn’t get swayed by my charm" he walked and stood in front of the mirror in one corner of his gigantic bedroom in front of the dressing table.

Rubbing his chin, he looked at himself from left to right and clicked," No way she isn’t bothered by my handsomeness."

Tristen turned back and picked up his phone, going through the news, which only had Ashley on the headlines.

"Why don’t they just let her enjoy her single life" he muttered and threw back his phone on the bed before heading towards the bathroom.

Tristen changed and headed downstairs, where his entire family was already present for breakfast.

"Good morning, everyone" he smiled, greeted everyone, and took the seat next to his sister Gwen.

Gwen and Gavin sat next to each other as they kept mumbling about something when their mother glared at them," Eat your breakfast first," Grace said, and the two shut their mouth silently, eating their fill.

Gwen turned her eyes and saw Tristen being calm and unbothered by the words she had said to him the previous night.

’Isn’t he taking any kind of action’ she thought and brought the slice of breathing close to her mouth and took a bite.

She poked her elbow, choking Gavin, silently enjoying his breakfast, and glared back at Gwen, who motioned him to come close.

"Why is he calm as ever," she asked, pointing at Tristen.

Gavin shrugged his shoulder and saw Tristen getting up from his seat and leaving, " I will take my leave," saying he stepped towards his mother and pecked her cheeks.

"Don’t forget about the date today" Grace made him remember and saw him pursed his lips before he nodded yes and walked toward his grandmother, pecking her cheeks too.

Gavin and Gwen, who were waiting for some drama over the matchmaking thing, we’re left unentertained as the hero himself walked out without creating any scene.

"Nothing can happen of him" Gwen sighed and completed her breakfast before she and Gavin headed to their college.

****

Stepping outside the mansion, Tristen found Karl already waiting for him.

"Morning, sir," he said, giving him the tabloid discussion about his schedule as he stepped into the car and drove to the company.

Chapter 8: I can’t loose you

"How long will it take them to take down the news" Tristen’s eyes as he glances through the rear mirror, ask Karl.

"The news is already taken down, boss," Karl said, showing him the portals published about Ashley’s breakup on his command.

"Good, I don’t want anyone bad-mouthing Ashley," he said and looked back at the tab in his hand.

Tristan was so into Ashley that he feared to show his liking towards her. He wasn’t that courageous when it came to expressing his heart. He had been secretly eyeing the man Ashley loved and planned to expose how scum he was to cheat on a girl who fought with her father for him.

Looking out the window, he recalled the first day he saw her. She was the most beautiful woman who caught his attention. She was surrounded by the limelight, making her the most amazing lady on the runway.

He was reminiscing about it. A smile formed on his lips, and he removed his phone from his pocket, looking at the wallpaper on his screen lock.

’I can’t lose you now, Ashley,’ he thought and kept staring at her picture.

*****

Vanessa studio

Ashley walked ahead with Miley trailing behind her as she discussed the arrangement made for her.

Vanessa Studio belongs to her long-time friend Alice Stewart, who helped her rise to stardom by clicking her stunning photos and had also been with her through all the hardships she faced after entering the industry.

"Hello, darling. I wasn’t expecting you to be on time" Alice walked towards Ashley and hugged her, and then turned towards her manager Miley," Hi Mil, I hope your boss didn’t give you a hard time for waking her up early," clicking her tongue she looked at Ashley who rolled her eyes on her remark.

"You know I am not an early bird Alice yet for you, I have to push myself to wake up so early" Ashley knew Alice liked taking photos in broad daylight, giving more nature and aesthetic look to her everlasting beauty. So without making any fuss, she easily agreed and reached on time.

"Yeah. I know"

The trio walked inside the dressing room and waited for Ashley to get changed. When she changed, the hairstylist came in and started making her hair.

"I couldn’t believe Jane would do such a thing with you. She and Greg. Eww. I want to puke on the" Alice, who knew whatever happened with Ashley, cursed them both.

She knew Ashley’s loyalty throughout her relationship with Greg, yet that bastard cheated on her. She was out of town when she found the news of her breakup circulating on every news channel.

She wanted to slam the media for making a false assumption and publishing anything about her friend.

"I should’ve seen it coming" Ashley heaved a sigh and signaled the hairstylist to leave after she was done.

Alice, who knew Ashley from their childhood, knew she wasn’t a person who liked to yell about her emotions, but deep inside, she knew she was affected badly. Greg was the only man she loved from her heart and invested too much in keeping their relationship steady.

But in the end, she couldn’t hold on to a relationship based on lies.

Alice pulled her by her hand and made her look at her," forget that scumbag. We have much fish inside the lake to attack," Alice winked, making Ashley chuckle.

"I bet you have already ridden them" Ashley knew Alice was cock teaser who liked flirting with men until she got bored.

"I wish I could have everyone but my dear friend. I can spare you at least a few hot guys," Ashley broke into laughter, listening to her friend’s shameless words.

"Perv," Ashley remarked before heading for the photo shoot.

*****

Melanin Internationals

Tristen entered his cabin, where all the arrangement for his first so-ever interview was made. He had never liked to be in the spotlight as he preferred a private life.

"Good morning Mr. Knight" the interviewer reached his hand for a handshake which Tristen gave back in return.

"Good morning, Mr. Wards," Tristen said, reading the id’s name and shaking hands with him.

Mr. Wards was a well-known interviewer from a renowned publishing company who had interviewed many influential people, but Tristan Knight was at the top of the list he finally reached.

Karl, who had already gone through the questions that were supposed to be asked, warned the interviewer so he wouldn’t step out of his line.

Tristen had given a lot of thought before agreeing to an interview that would be circulating like fire all over the news channel.

As the interview began, Wards felt a sudden drop in the atmosphere around them when he lifted his eyes and saw Tristen staring at him with his fierce gaze.

Even if no words were said, the man understood the meaning behind his deadly glare, and that was enough for him to know that he had to minimize the time of the interview...

"So Mr. Knights...."

*****

Mr. Wards walked out of the cabin wiping his sweat, and rushed out from there as soon as possible.

Karl saw the man enter the cabin and watched his boss walk towards his seat.

"You seem to scare him too much; Boss" Karl knew how professional Tristen turned when he wasn’t with his family.

"You need to keep them on their toes, Karl, so that they wouldn’t cross their limit," Tristen said and passed him the tabloid," I want the publishing channel to get down his name" Karl nodded his head and read whatever was written inside.

"It will be done soon," saying. He walked out, making a call to the director of the publishing channel.

"No one is ever supposed to point a finger on the women Tristen knights adore," he said with his clear cold eyes as he looked at the rubbish inside the portal that that Ward guy was planning to publish about Ashley.

***

Ashley had already drained half of her energy by the time the photo shoot was over.

"You need to pay attention to your model’s needs Alice. You literally couldn’t stop licking me," Ashley complained.

"That’s because you are the only face that is making this poor photographer get recognized" Alice winked and took the chair next to Ashley.

"By the way, what are you doing this evening? I was thinking of having a girl’s night out," Alice proposed.

"I don’t think I will be available in the evening. Dad has asked me to clear my schedule for the entire evening," Ashley said and realized something.

"Just a second, I need to make a call" saying she stood up and walked away from there.

Alice left alone, found Miley standing a few steps away from them, and waved her hand, asking her to come and join her.

"So.. my dear Miley, do you know where your boss is going today evening," she asked because Alice knew only Miley knew every small detail about Ashley.

Pulling up her specs, Miley pulled out her tab. She searched about the schedule, "Miss Alice, ma’am, is supposed to be going out for dinner this evening" Miley then lattlatered what Richard had said and immediately told Alice.

Alice creased her brow thinking about whom Ashley was supposed to be having dinner with and that too arranged by her father.

’Why do I feel something is fishy’ she thought, not realizing that Ashley had returned.

"How could dad do this to me" her angry voice beamed, breaking Alice’s thoughts, and she looked at the angry bull flaring her nose while she looked at her cellphone...

"W-what happened now?" Alice asked and saw Ashley turn her fierce eyes, boring holes into her soul...

"Dad just set me up for a date!!!!" She clutched the phone in her hand and was ready to break it.

"WHAT!! How and when...and why did you tell me about it, your best friend" Alice felt left out when Ashley kept such a big thing away from her.

Rolling back her eyes on her friend’s dramatic reaction Ashley slumped back on her chair," As if I already knew about it."

"W-what.. wait for a second, you are going on a date, and you aren’t aware of it.." she asked and saw her close her eyes in frustration.

"I feel like dad was waiting for me to end my relationship with Greg so he would set me up for a matchmaking tour. Like seriously, how can he go on without asking me once" Ashley was trying to mend her relationship with her father and had hoped he would give her the time to get her life on track.

But she didn’t know her father would throw a bomb on her head in the name of a blind date.

Chapter 9: You look beautiful

Alice, who had been quite suddenly smirked, irked Ashley.

"What’s so funny," she asked with a glint of irritation.

Alice had always found it adventurous whenever she would be asked by her father to go on a blind date, and that always ended up being one nightstand for her.

Ashley was single and was ready to mingle. Then why not go on a date and meet people who would match her standards and are better than that scumbag Greg.

Excitedly moving closer, she held onto Ashley’s hand and made her look at her," Ash, don’t you think it’s a nice idea to meet new people and get to know them? What if you end up liking the guy" Alice grinned, making Ashley’s lips twitch.

Her already sour mood turned even worse, and she pulled back her hand, slapping it away," Do you think it’s some joke Alice.. How can I like someone when I have just ended up being heartbroken. You know Greg was the first man whom I have loved.. " the anger on Ashley’s face disappeared covering it into a saddening one.

Alice, who saw Ashley’s face sadden, made her stop her teasing, and she pulled Ashley into a hug," I know you loved him with all your heart Ash, but you need to move on and let him go. That bastard didn’t deserve you at all and even you have come to understand it..." she pulled back and looked at her with a serious face.

"Not everyone will break your heart, Ash. What if your father’s picked match turns out to be a better man? What if you finally find the one who would cherish you with all he has.." Alice’s words were so soothing, which made Ashley ponder on them.

What if she was getting angry for nothing? What if going out and meeting someone new would make her forget about that man who broke her heart.. what if Alice’s words turn out to be true... Ashley thought for a while before she nodded her head.

"I think you are right. If dad wants me to meet that guy, then he must have already known about it," she said, understanding that her father wouldn’t set her up with someone he doesn’t know.

He was very protective of her, and making her go on a blind date meant he was sure whom she was meeting was the nice one.

After the shoot was done, Ashley went for another photo shoot. She had to cancel the interview, which was scheduled for the evening.

By the time the shoot ended, it was already sunset.

She headed back to her place after dropping Miley off.

Ashley had no clue whom she was meeting because her father didn’t mention anything about the man she was supposed to go on a date with. All he told her was to be ready for the blind date and don’t ask anything.

"Fine, dad, if that’s what you want," she sighed and walked to freshen up.

After taking a shower, she walked through her walk-in wardrobe and picked out a green color pencil skirt and one-piece dress that fitted her perfectly, showing her curvy body.

She had done decent makeup, which wasn’t that flashy, and wore a pencil heel before she took a final glance and walked out of her house.

Her driver was already waiting for her downstairs. Opening the backseat door for her, Ashley stepped in, and the car drove to the notified destination.

Ashley had been calm like the sea throughout the drive and didn’t ponder much on the date.

The car soon stopped in front of a lavishing hotel, and Ashley stepped out, walking inside.

The hotel manager recognized Ashley and soon guided her to the private room specially booked for her and the date.

"This way, ma’am," the man said, showing the private dining room door.

"Thank you," she politely answered, and the doormen opened the door for her letting her walk in.

As soon as she stepped in, her eyes searched for the man she was supposed to be meeting.

Roaming her eyes in the room, she finally found the man seated on the chair with his back facing her.

Ashley felt a little nervous as she hasn’t gone on a date with someone for long. It was all with Greg, but why was she even thinking about that cheater?

Composing herself, she stretched out a smile before she headed toward the table.

" I hope I didn’t let you wait for too long," she said, coming face-to-face with the man that soon made her smile disappear.

"YOU!!" She screamed when she saw Tristen waiting for her as her blind date.

"Don’t tell me you are the one I am supposed to have a date with" Ashley couldn’t believe her eyes and looked at him with utter disbelief.

The man she rejected right on his face was the same man whom her father had selected for her. No way she must be dreaming...

’Was fate playing a joke with her’ Ashley felt like crying.

Tristen’s face bloomed into a bright smile when he saw the woman his mother had selected for him; this out to be the same woman he had been secretly in love with...

"Yes. I am the one you are set up with" Tristen stood up and walked behind her, pulling a chair for her.

Ashley saw him walk past her, ignoring her scream, and pulling out a chair for her like a true gentleman.

"You shouldn’t stress yourself, Ashley. It will ruin your makeup" Tristen smiled and made her sit before he walked to sit back on his.

"If I would’ve already known it was going to be you, then I would have rejected it," Ashley muttered under her breath, ignoring the staff who stood at one corner.

Tristen was more than amused by how Ashley didn’t storm out of the room when she saw him.

He had no clue that his foul mood would beam with happiness just by watching her face.

"I know, but unfortunately, you can’t..." Ashley looked up at his words and glared at him before she averted her gaze.

She had made a fool out of herself when she rejected him and now came here to attend a blind date, and what was worst, her father had picked this man for her.

Tristen, observing her, couldn’t help but get swayed by how she looked. He had always seen her confident with whatever she wore; today, her simple yet decent attire made her shine even more.

"You look beautiful," he said as he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

"Huh!!" Ashley was startled by his open comment and felt shy as she watched him look at her.

He had this intimate aura that made her feel a little reserved. It wasn’t bad either, but the way his eyes bored into her showed his inner self.

"I said you look beautiful," Tristen repeated, making Ashley hum.

Why was he so vocal with his thoughts? Can’t he be more generous? Ashley felt like Tristen was too shameless when expressing his thoughts.

"Do you tell this to every woman you meet?" she asked, keeping her face straight as she didn’t want to let him know that his words were doing something to her.

Tristen let out a chuckle and leaned back, staring at her," I don’t go out and every woman.. You are the first" he didn’t hide it from her.

Tristen was labeled as country S’s most handsome and charming bachelor, but no one knew that man ever batted an eye toward any woman. He likes to focus fully on his work until, one day, he finds Ashley.

Her alluring charm made him avert his focus from his work and turned him into a stalker who liked to keep updated with her daily schedule.

He became so obsessed with her that he didn’t realize when he slowly lost his heart to her.

Back then, he restricted himself because she had someone whom she loved. He was fine to keep looking at her from afar but not now when she was single.

He wouldn’t let this chance go when he had finally found the way to be with her.

Ashley, who was again surprised by his bold words, coughed.

"Here, take this" Tristen passed her the glass of water.

Ashley took it and gulped it down. She had never met a man who was so shameless to flirt with the women he met for the first time.

No, wait!!.. for the third time, she corrected herself.

While coming here, she had cleared her thoughts and decided to agree with Alice’s words. She knew she had to let go of her past and look ahead to the present and future, but she didn’t think she would stumble on Tristen in this setup thing again.

Ashley smiled inwardly, thinking how small the world was for her to meet the man she had rejected earlier.

Tristen, who watched her lips curl up, smiled and asked," What is there to smile? Did my words sound funny"

Ashley shook her head and smiled even more," I am just laughing at my fate. I rejected you earlier but look, now I am sitting in front of you as your date. Don’t you find it funny" she asked.

"No, it isn’t funny when you know what is meant to you will eventually come to you" his sudden confession surprised Ashley, and her eyes stared at Tristen.

His face didn’t show any glint of tease in them. His eyes were crystal clear, as if he was proving that all he said weren’t funny, but he was damn serious.

Ashley couldn’t move her eyes from him and felt her heart skip a beat.

Why was this man affecting her so much? She couldn’t understand.

Maybe he was the one who took her first time, made her more drawn to him.. or maybe she was getting attracted to him.

 

Chapter 10: Did you like the girl

Ashley kept observing Tristen the entire dinner and was quite surprised that he never once brought up the past topic. He had been very considerate around her, making sure she was comfortable.

Ashley had never thought the man she thought was scary and dominating was a reasonable observer who kept attention on every little detail.

’She judged him wrong,’ she thought as her eyes kept looking at Tristen’s small gesture making him look like a true gentleman.

For that time, she forgot she had been through heartbreak with Tristen; she didn’t remember anything as if there was no one except them at that moment.

"To be honest, I didn’t know that you were going to be my date," Ashley took a sip of wine from the glass and said.

Now that she was finally on a date, she thought, why not enjoy it and not let the past interaction spoil the mood?

"Same here.. even my parents didn’t let me see whom I was meeting. I guess they wanted it to be a surprise.." Tristen joked, which made both of them chuckle.

But honesty, even he too had no clue that it was going to Ashley, whom his mother had selected for him, and now he wanted to go and kiss his mother for getting the best girl for him.

Ashley nodded her head and again went silent. She didn’t remember if she had talked so much before. The evening felt calm and peaceful for her, with no fear of being watched or perfect around.

She didn’t want to think of a past that wasn’t that pleasant. It was all her in that relationship based on lies and nothing.

Looking back at the man in front of her, she finally took the time to observe him. This was the second time she checked him out, but her eyes couldn’t get enough.

She recalled their first meeting, which wasn’t that pleasant and cheery when she provoked him and tried to pay him for the one-night stand they spent together.

She had thought him to be a male escort who was present there for sex. How stupid of her to think of a man who was the most influential personality of country S to be a male prostitute.

Now she felt bad to think of him that way. Maybe her emotions were too high, and his sudden words did her act out of her character.

Soon the dinner ended, and it was time to part. Tristen, who had his eyes on Ashley, didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to spend more time with her, but he also knew he couldn’t ask her to stop.

He had seen her so lively and free-spirited for the first time as they talked the whole night. She wasn’t the one from the night who cried in his arms.

She was different, and he liked that difference in her.

Tristen waited for Ashley’s car to arrive before heading out of the restaurant.

"It was nice meeting you," Ashley said with a genuine smile.

She had never felt so relaxed and carefree in these five years. Whenever she was out for dinner or a party, everyone she met, whether a man or woman, had always looked at her as an arrogant lady.

But him, she felt it different. Even after mocking him and using hurtful words, Tristen didn’t take revenge on her. All he did was be good to her.

"Me too.." he replied and saw her car stop in front of them.

Tristen hesitated for a while when he reached out his hand and pulled Ashley, kissing her cheeks.

"I hope you will consider this date to be a memorial," he whispered next to her ear, which made Ashley blush damn hard.

Nodding her head, she looked down and turned to get in her car.

Hopping in, she watched her car move while her eyes kept staring at the man who just made her feel giddy.

’Why do I feel strange today? It was just a kiss and that too on my cheeks,’ she said, placing her hand on her cheek.

Blushing, she shook her head and leaned back, reminiscing her time with Tristen.

The rumor’s about him didn’t match the ones she had seen with her own eyes. Why do the media like to highlight things which weren’t even true?

****

After dinner, Tristen drove back to the mansion. Stopping at the main entrance, Tristen closed his eyes and muttered under his breath," Be ready to get spammed," saying he opened the door and saw his entire family waiting for him in the living area.

"Tristen honey... how did the date go? Did you like the girl? How is she? Did she match your liking? " Grace bombarded Tristen with questions and pulled in to sit on the couch.

Grace had this worried expression on her face, and she could hold herself back when she saw Tristen entering the house.

"Mom, he has just returned. Why don’t you let him get fresh before interrogating him," Gavin said with a bored expression that made Grace glare at him.

Pursing his lips, he sat there quietly and pulled his attention back to his cell phone.

Snow, who too waited for Tristen to speak, asked," Tristen, you didn’t answer your mother. Didn’t you like the girl?"

"Why do I feel brother didn’t like the girl" Gwen, who was quiet all this while, spoke.

Grace felt much more worried when she averted her eyes from Gwen and saw Tristen’s face, which didn’t show any sign of happiness.

"Everyone, can you all please give him a break," Trevor said, making everyone’s assumption stop and letting Tristen breathe for a while.

Tristen looked at the eager-looking eyes and opened his mouth to speak," The date wasn’t wrong, at least not for me, but I don’t know about the girl" he created suspense, narrowing his eyes as he rubbed his chin.

Everyone went silent, listening to his words when Tristen took the opportunity to get away from there. He knew one more second he stayed there. They wouldn’t let him go until they listened to every damn thing during dinner.

Tristen was about to close the door heading towards his room when Grace stopped him.

"Can I get in" Tristen was surprised to see his mother follow him, nod his head, and step back to let Grace get in.

Grace was getting restless to ask Tristen what exactly happened during the dinner when Tristen’s words shocked her," How did you find that I like Ashley mom."

Tristen wasn’t naïve to not see what his mother was trying to do, but he couldn’t understand for how long she was aware of his unrequited love for Ashley.

Grace felt like a giant stone get lifted from her shoulder, and she heaved out a sigh," You know how hard it is to act as if you don’t know anything" she chuckled and sat on the bed, patting the space next to her asking Tristen to join her.

"You aren’t a good actor, mom," Tristen guessed, being exposed to his mother when he saw the girl she selected for him was Ashley.

His mother was his friend who had guided him to the right path, and hiding such a big secret from her was already making him feel like a burden.

"I know.." Grace always had more share of her love towards Tristen because he wasn’t someone who liked to share his emotions with anyone.

He liked keeping it in his heart and wasn’t that active like her other two kids.

He had been that proud son of hers who stood by his family no matter what, and that’s what made him the person he was today.

Everyone feared him for his exceptional working ethic, but no one knew how soft-hearted person he was.

Grace had seen him hiding Ashley’s photo in his drawer, and just like a curious mother, she was so eager to know who the girl was that she caught her son’s attention.

Unfortunately, when she came to find out about the girl Ashley was already in love with someone else. And just like Tristen, it even broke her heart.

"Mom, you know you didn’t have to do that. I had already decided to court her," Tristen smirked, making Grace gasp.

"I didn’t know my innocent son would change so much" Grace faked an act in front of him, making both of them laugh.

Tristen didn’t want to force Ashley; he wanted her to fall for him gradually and not get a tag with him because of their parents.

"Ashley is just like her mother, beautiful and pure," Grace muttered, making Tristen raise his brow.

"How do you know her mother," he asked, making her smile.

"She happens to be the daughter of my childhood friend Raven. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to meet until the news of the demise reached me" Grace and Raven were childhood friends who grew up together, but due to their different education courses, Grace had to move to another city.

If she had the slightest idea that Ashley was Raven’s and Richards’s child, she would have proposed for the marriage before and not let her son feel depressed watching his love roam with some other guy.

But luckily, she happened to meet Richard at one of the business parties, and that’s when she learned that Raven was no more.

Richard was a wise man who loved his wife and child very much, but she also knew how worried he was for Ashley’s future.

He didn’t like the guy whom Ashley was dating and wanted to get somehow them separated when they came up with the idea to set their children together.

But before exposing the man, someone had already sent Ashley to the place where Greg was present with Jane, and every problem for them was solved just like that.