Ch. 61..65: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 61-65

Chapter 61: I can’t sleep

Motel room

After facing an embarrassing situation Gwen and Karl felt it weird to start any conversation. Even though he was shy still he kept taking a glance at the girl who sat on the chair away from him.

He didn’t realize his body would react submissively to her touch which surprised him too. All these years he had been on his own and never felt the need to be in a relationship because he was committed to his work that took all of his time.

But now, when he sees himself, he felt that he didn’t know himself at all. His always controlling self-esteem broke when she fell on him and their body touched each other. At that moment he realized he wasn’t less than any other man who got provoked by women.

As he kept thinking, they suddenly heard a knock on the door. Guessing it must be the food that must’ve arrived Karl quickly got up and push open the door.

Taking the food he return to the room and started arranging for them on the table.

Gwen watched him being attentive with his work, smelled the romantic fragrance of the food, and her stomach churned. They both were on empty stomach and didn’t eat anything after they left signing the deal.

"Miss Gwen the food is placed," Karl said and turned to see her but found her already ogling it.

Smiling in his mind, Karl moved and pulled out a chair for her to sit. Gwen walked to the table and sat on the chair.

They both started eating the food and finished it in no time. They were very much hungry and didn’t mind if the food was to their taste or not.

After finishing the food, they got ready to sleep.

"Miss Gwen you can take the bed. I will sleep on the couch" Karl said and pick one pillow before walking towards the couch.

Gwen didn’t object and climbed the bed and laid down pulling over the duvet. She turned to see Karl sleeping on the couch in an uncomfortable position.

A smile appeared on her face looking at his six feet tall frame adjusting on the small couch and she sighed.

’Why can’t he just share the bed’ she thought and closed her eyes trying to fall asleep.

It was hard for her to sleep in a new place that wasn’t her room and she kept stirring on the bed and finally gave up sitting straight.

"I can’t sleep," she said with a cry and turned to see Karl who was sleeping peacefully.

Slowly climbing down from the bed she reached the couch and kneeled looking at his face that was serene and calm.

"He sleeps like a baby" she muttered as she looked at his cute little pout and reached her finger to touch it.

She thought she would sneakily touch his lips and then go back to sleep but when she reached her hand close to his face he turned around and caught on it tucking it close to his heart," Umm..." he groan and again fell asleep.

Gwen stiff like a rock and looked at him who kept his hold on her hand firm.

"What should I do now" she wanted to yell but she could thinking she might end up waking him up and what will happen next will shove her away from him.

She tried to free herself but failed badly because he didn’t let her go and mumbled something in his sleep that stopped her from moving.

Giving up her struggle she sat down and leaned close to the couch while her eyes kept staring at Karl’s face. Soon the darkness engulf her mind and she fell asleep just like that.

****

Alice Apartment

"How can you be so careless Alice" Ashley yelled looking at the girl whose head was lowered for god know how much time.

The moment she found out about her accident from Noah, Ashley had gone nuts. She immediately drove to her place only to scold her and listen to what reason she had this time.

’’ Answer me dammit!" this time her voice raised even more flinching the other two boys who sat on the chair on either side.

Alice lifted her head and watched Ashley frown in anger. She knew she was careless this time and if she hadn’t skipped her meal, the accident wouldn’t have happened.

"It won’t happen again," she said and that made her soften her heart.

Alice wasn’t someone who like to cry but now that she thought so many people caring for her made her heart was filled with guilt.

She had always thought she was alone and had no one who genuinely cared for her well-being but she forgot she had a friend who loved her more than her parents and would feel worse if anything happens to her.

Ashley let go of her anger and sat next to her," You scared me, Alice. Why can’t you take care of yourself" she said feeling bad for shouting at her but she couldn’t hold back when she found her sit and listen to her rant as if she didn’t mind if she gets hurt.

Alice felled her eyes well up and she hugged Ashley burring her face in her neck and cried," I am sorry for making you all worry so much" she said sniffing on her shoulder and letting her tears fall.

Ashley knew Alice wasn’t someone who would do such a big mistake that would come after her life. She knew there was something more that upset her and that was the reason for her accident.

Soon Noah and Tristan left from there leaving Ashley with her.

"Now tell me what happened with you?" Ashley’s words shocked Alice and she looked at her with widened eyes.

"W-what are you talking Ash? There’s nothing, didn’t Noah say I fainted while driving and crashed onto the tree" Alice avoided her narrow gaze and looked elsewhere.

Ashley crossed her legs and asked again," You know you can’t hide anything from me, Alice. Tell me everything before I find it myself"

Ashley knew there was something she tried to cover up but she was a master at reading people’s body language and it would only embarrass her more if she happened to find it on her own.

Alice panicked at her determined words and gave up her stubbornness," Fine... I will tell you everything" she said and told her everything that happened while the outdoor photoshoot.

"That bastard, why didn’t you slap him" Ashley’s blood boiled in anger thinking how Alice must have felt when she met the man she had a bad memory with.

"I didn’t know it was his pre-wedding photoshoot since the book was done by his would-be wife" Alice slumped back on the couch in defeat. Only she knew how brave she acted while she faced them both.

All the horrible memories from the past came rushing through her mind and she felt her blood run dry.

Dylan Grey, the man to whom she was supposed to be married came in front of her unexpectedly and all the painful memories came flowing back to her making her heart heavy with pain.

Ashley watched Alice lost in her thought and understood the pain she felt must’ve felt when she saw him with someone else.

"I didn’t expect anyone to marry him when everyone knew he was a womanizer" Ashley sneered thinking about the time she met him for the first time and felt his creepy gaze on her.

"I just hope he doesn’t break another heart" Alice turned and looked at Ashely.

"Avera seems to like him very much" she continued.

Alice would’ve left from there knowing it was his photoshoot but didn’t because the woman whom he was going to marry was very happy. She didn’t wanted to break her smile by leaving halfway.

Maybe he changed. Maybe it was her who couldn’t erase what happened in the past. Maybe her love cleaned his heart. There were many maybe’s she thought and that helped her to stick to her job until she finished the shoot and drove back as soon as possible.

****

Inside the moving car, two men kept silent and didn’t dare to speak with each other.

Tristan fumed looking at the man who invited himself and asked him to drop by his company.

’Was his car a public transport for him to get in as he wished’

"What happened to your car?" Tristan asked looking at Noah who didn’t speak a word from the moment he step in.

"It got tolled," Noah said with a sullen face, and hear him chuckle.

Last night when he rushed to the hospital he parked the car on the road and when he came down with Alice after getting discharged his car was gone.

He still cursed his stupid mind for not being careful enough to face an embarrassing situation when the woman he liked was brought in a normal cab.

"Don’t laugh. It’s already getting into my nerves" Noah warned him to be quiet and not pester him but what he heard next broke his composure.

Chapter 62: Where is everyone

"Do you like the girl?" Tristan’s words made him sit straight, and he turned his head to look at his serious face.

Tristan was his friend and knew him inside out. He may look at a carefree person who only thought about himself, but only he knew how loving and caring person Noah was.

"H-how did you," he asked, not knowing how this man was so clever to guess his mind.

Tristan scoffed his confused look and smiled," Have you ever seen your face when you look at the girl" he asked and saw him pursing his lips.

’Did he look like a lovesick teenager’ Noah thought, but his trance broke when he heard Tristan," Don’t even think you look cute lovesick puppy. Instead, you give me that creepy-looking guy look."

Noah’s lips twitched on his remark, and he glared at him angrily," Seriously, couldn’t you be sweeter with words? I feel bad for your wife who got a husband who doesn’t know anything about a love language."

Tristan’s smile dropped, and he said," That’s not your business to think. And for your kind information, that sweeter side on mine is exclusively for and not for everyone", he declared, making him scoff.

"Anyways, back to the question. Am I too obvious that it could be seen by everyone" Noah didn’t know if he was too open with how he was feeling for her, and it was visible on his face?

Tristan nodded his head and saw him facepalm himself.

"I should’ve known it before," he said in defeat.

"Why don’t you just tell her that you like her," Tristan asked him.

Noah wasn’t fooling around this time but genuinely cared for her, which was visible in his actions around her.

Noah dropped his shoulder in surrender," I can’t wait after what happened that day", he muttered slowly, making Tristan frown.

"What happened?" he asked and watched Noah giving him a meaningful gaze, and he understood that their assumption of his story was correct.

"So we were right all along," Tristan said with a proud smile when his thoughts matched his wife’s, which puffed his heart.

Noah strangely watched Tristan smile by himself, and he could tell love was indeed a feeling that changes anyone, and the proof was in front of him.

*****

The rain had finally stopped pouring, and the dark cloud had cleared, allowing the sun to come out.

Karl slept holding Gwen’s hand the whole night inside the cosy room. He tried to move but stopped when he felt a tuck on his hand, and he slowly opened his eyes only to find Gwen close to him.

For a second, he forgot to breathe as he tried to scrutinize her natural beauty, which skipped his heartbeat.

’Beautiful’, his mind screamed at him, and he slowly pulled out his hand and brushed her cheeks light with his thump.

This woman was crazy, but she had started to make him feel things he had never experienced in his twenty years of life. She was pure and innocent and spoke her heart without any filter, making him keep listening to her non-stop bantering.

Though he was careful yet it made her stir in sleep, and he immediately pulled away his hand and shut his eyes close before she felt embarrassed.

Gwen opened her eyes with a smile and looked at Karl, who was still sleeping. She felt relief that he didn’t wake up before her, or else they would have been in an awkward situation.

Slowly getting up from the ground, she stood up to leave but stopped and bent down before kissing his cheeks lightly.

"Sleep tight," she said and walked towards the bathroom without making any noise.

The shutting sound of the bathroom doors made Karl open his eyes and heaved a breath.

"She kissed me", he muttered and touched his cheeks where she kissed him, and a smile appeared on his lips.

*****

Karl and Gwen left the motel when the roads cleared, and the mechanic also repaired their car.

Karl informed Tristan about their delay, and he understood the situation without questioning him further. He felt relaxed because his boss was an understanding man.

The car soon reached the Knight mansion, stopping at the front gate.

Gwen stepped out of the car and entered the mansion while Karl left after dropping her.

Stopping in front of the door, she was calming her nerves because she knew by now the entire Knight mansion must’ve turned upside down.

Being the over-protective daughter of her parents, she knew by now her mother must be crying for her, and her father and brother must’ve sent their men to search for her and Karl.

Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the door and stepped in, only to be welcomed by pin-drop silence.

"Where is everyone?" she muttered, arching her brow and looking around as she expected them to create havoc because she didn’t make it home the other night.

But what she saw was the opposite. No one was there waiting for her, and everything around was quiet.

"Did they forget that I even exist?" she asked, twitching her lips in annoyance and watching her brother descend whistling.

"Hey Gwen, when did you come?" he asked casually, which irked her even more.

She ignored her brother, pushing him by his shoulder and ran upstairs to her room.

"Huh! What happened to her now" Gavin asked in confusion and stepped out.

****

Grace room

"Mom do you even remember you have a daughter who was out the whole night"

Gwen barged into her parent’s room and snapped at them in anger.

Grace and Trevor looked at each other before looking at Gwen, who was huffing in anger with her hands resting on her hips.

"How can you not even show any sign of worry on your face," she asked, looking at their faces which didn’t show an ounce of concern for her.

"Honey, why did you want us to worry for you when we knew you were stuck due to the rainfall issue" listening to her father’s words, Gwen’s jaw dropped in shock.

’Was she creating a fuss for no reasons’

"Karl already informed Tristan about it, and it was safe to stay there instead of getting stuck in the middle of the road" Grace nodded and saw Gwen composing herself.

It was true that Karl had informed Tristan about their stay, and that calmed them enough because they knew Gwen was in safe hands.

Karl was Tristan’s most trusted man, and everyone in the house treated him like their family. Her being with him only lessened their worry, and they didn’t have to stress because of her not returning home.

"Honey, you should get change and rest for some time," Grace said and saw her agreeing with her immediately.

Gwen turned to leave without saying anything and sprinted out without turning back.

"She is getting weirder day by day," Grace said, watching her daughter’s strange behaviour and looking at her husband, who was grinning like a fool.

"What?" she asked.

"Darling you look so beautiful even when you complain" Trevor didn’t listen to her and just kept staring at her like a lovesick puppy.

Grace rolled her eyes and ignored her husband, resuming back her work.

*****

Ashley reached the agency as she was supposed to sign another endorsement deal with a clothing company. She was the only model soaring high in her career, and every company wanted to sign her as their model.

But Ashley wasn’t someone who liked to work for money. She first trusted the product she was supposed to endorse and then signed the deal. She had many fans who followed her, and she didn’t want to give them any false results.

Entering the room, she found the team members waiting for her arrival.

"I hope I am not late," she said politely and took the seat, followed by Miley, who passed on the file that mentioned the condition listed by Ashley.

Agreeing to her terms and condition, the company finally signed the contract.

*****

Inside the car

"Any news about why they replaced Jane and took me on board," Ashley asked Miley.

"Not sure ma’am but what I heard from the people it was miss Jane’s, unprofessional behaviour that got her down, " Miley said what informed her.

The day the endorsement company approached her to sign Ashley as their model, she happened to ask why to replace Jane, who was their first choice.

But then, when she heard their reason, she felt a little strange. It wasn’t like they didn’t know about the model they signed before approaching her.

Jane and Ashley were the models of the same agency, and yet they picked Jane first but then why did they suddenly drop her from the project and take her instead?

Ashley didn’t think much about it and let it be. She knew Jane wasn’t someone as she appeared to be and would always create problems on the set, asking the company to compensate her for every demand.

Chapter 63: It’s hard to process

Jane was sitting in her room and drowning herself in alcohol. She was removed from all the projects overnight and replaced with new models.

Her red bloodshot eyes looked at a particular place, and she emptied another glass of drink before getting up and stumbling on her steps.

Looking into the large wall mirror inside her room, she started laughing like a crazy woman.

Jane had worked hard to come to his height. She was just an ordinary girl who wanted to become a model and make her name. She did many things to overcome every model who fought for the title but ultimately lost it to Ashley as she became everyone’s first preference.

"Why, Ashley, why do you always have to come to snatch my things? First, it was the top model title, then Grey, and now my work."

Jane was burning with anger when she found it was Ashley, whom she was replaced with, making her even more hateful towards her.

"I won’t let you win every time. Just like I took Greg away from you, I will snatch every work that will land in your palm. Just wait and watch," she fumed, looking at her madness in the mirror as her lips curled up into an evil smile.

*****

Alice’s Apartment

After Ashley left, Alice was left with no work as the doctor asked her to rest until she felt better.

Sitting on the couch in her living room, she turned on the television and started watching ramp shows. Being a photographer, her schedule never gave her the amount of rest she wished to have.

But now, when she had finally got one, she couldn’t find herself resting. As her mind kept thinking, Noah’s thoughts crossed her mind, and a smile appeared on her face.

She remembered that day when she fell asleep in his arms. It was the most peaceful sleep she had had after so many days.

Maybe his body smell or warmth made her doze off, but she felt fresh the next day.

As her mind ran through his thoughts, she heard her doorbell ring, breaking her trance. Quickly getting up from the couch, she walked to open the door and saw Noah standing with a smile on his face.

"Tada... it’s eating time," he said with a cheerful voice and entered the house.

Alice was now getting used to his presence and knew she loved him near her.

"I heard you went to work, then how come you are here?" she asked after closing the door and walking towards him.

Noah pursed his lips and looked away, walking towards the table and placing the food.

Alice frowned when he didn’t answer back and was about to ask him again. She saw him turn, and the sight of his handsome face stopped her.

His eyes looked sad as he watched her. She didn’t know why he was staring at her with a helpless look, which made her uneasy.

"Alice... that day, whatever I said in my drunk state. I’m sorry for it" he lowered his gaze and looked at his feet.

Noah had mustered the courage to apologize to her because he didn’t want her to hold any grudge against him. He had misunderstood her relationship with her brother, making him feel more guilty.

His words broke Alice’s stature, and her eyes softened at his cute gesture. She didn’t know Noah had this sweet side within him too, and that made her heart puff.

Noah waited for her to say something, but he began to panic when she didn’t utter a word.

"Alice, if you want to punish me, you can do it. I won’t utter a word. You can even ask me to bring food for you every day. I won’t mind but please don’t be quiet. It’s hard to process when I don’t talk with you even a single day" his shoulder dropped by the end of his speech, and Alice felt her heart move.

They weren’t even friends, to begin with, but he still cared for her when he found out about her health. From that moment, he kept pissing her every time they met and even came to pick her up when she never once told him to do it.

How can she forget that Noah had been protecting her without showing or expressing it, but just like a selfless person, he came to help her?

She was so amused by his clear word that she reached her hand and pinched his cheeks," I wasn’t angry with you, Noah. And those words you said to me, I didn’t even take it to my heart."

She smiled when he looked at her like a kid his mother was coaxing.

Alice was also surprised at how soft her actions were towards him, but she didn’t mind if that made him happy.

"Are you telling the truth? You won’t shove me, right" he asked with a cute pout, making her smile.

"No, I won’t," she said and was about to turn when Alice pulled her into his embrace for a bone-crushing hug.

"Alice, you don’t know what kind of burden you have lifted from my heart. I am sorry I shouldn’t have misunderstood your relationship with your brother. I was stupid," he said, looking back at her surprised face.

"You won’t break our friendship because of that, right" Noah had already declared her as his friend the day she first helped him to shift his stuff. Even though he knew she didn’t consider him one, that was enough because he had already made up his mind.

Alice was dumbfounded by his words, shook her head with thinking, and saw him smile.

"Thank you", she heard him say, and he held her wrist and made her sit on the chair.

"I couldn’t bring myself to eat alone as my mind kept drifting towards you. So, here I am with you" Noah didn’t hold back whatever he felt in his heart and expressed them openly, but Alice felt like an arrow being struck into her heart, and her stomach churned.

’Is he trying to seduce me’ she thought, looking at him who kept blabbering to her, and they ate their food.

****

Tristan’s cabin

"I asked you to take a day off Karl," Tristan said to Karl while looking in the file as he read it.

After dropping Gwen at the Knight Mansion, Karl drove to his apartment and changed before reaching the company.

He didn’t like to neglect his work when he knew his boss needed him on every step.

"There is nothing to worry about, boss. I can manage," Karl said and watched Tristan raise his head.

"You can’t keep working like a machine Karl, there is life apart from work that you have to enjoy" Tristan’s words made Karl widen his eyes.

’Look who is saying. He is the same man who once married his work.’

Tristan looked at Karl’s perplexed face and cleared his throat breaking his trance.

"Take a day off I will manage everything," he said and again pulled back his attention on the file.

Karl watched his boss with a dumb expression before leaving the cabin.

As soon as the door closed, Tristan looked up and heaved a sigh," Did I shock him too much" he muttered and pursed his lips, knowing his actions recently were making everyone in shock.

******

Tristan finished his meeting and was heading back to his cabin when his phone rang. His lips curled up at the caller’s name, and he picked up the call.

"Hello," he said and entered the elevator without paying attention to the employee staring at him in denial.

"Did the boss just smile" one of the employees asked?

"I don’t know either, or I am just hallucinating" the other one beside him brushed his eyes and looked at Tristan, who entered the elevator with a lingering smile.

Everyone who worked for Tristan had always seen him as a cold person who never smiled but kept a straight face. But now, when they see him opening up, it shocked them until they couldn’t digest it.

****

Inside the car

"Umm, Tristan", Ashley moaned when Tristan captured her lips as soon as he stepped in the backseat.

Ashley headed to Melanin because she suddenly started missing her naughty husband. She kept it lowkey because she didn’t want anyone to see them.

After a long passionate kiss, Tristan finally pulled back and hugged her," I missed you", he said, burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling her scent.

Ashley circled her arms around him, caressed his back, and stayed like that until he pulled back.

"I missed you too," she said, cupping his cheek and giving him a peck before the driver started the car and drove out of the company premise.

*****

Hello readers,

Since the book is taking part in WSA 2022, it will need power stones and the golden ticket to enter the ranking chart. Hope you all support the book and shower it with your immense love and support.

Chapter 64: Jealous Tristan

Ashley took Tristan to the restaurant at lunchtime, and she knew Tristan would skip it if no one told him. She had seen how he ignored his meal if no one reminded him about it.

Entering the booked room, both Ashley and Tristan settled down.

Unknown to them, another person was present in the same restaurant as them, but he happened to be in the other room next to them.

Greg had signed a contract with another agency that wasn’t as big as his previous one, yet it gave him the chance to stable his crumbling career.

"Are the rumors true that Ashley left you for another man" Quinn, the manager of the New face agency, asked?

The news about Ashley and Greg had sparked so many questions about their relationship that everyone he would meet kept asking the same thing.

Greg pursed his lips and nodded his head. He knew he was the one who was trying to defame Ashley but still, everything turned in her favor. Even after defaming her still, she stood with her head high, and the one who suffered was them.

Jane lost every modeling assignment, and even he was removed from the agency.

His genuine fans supported him, but it couldn’t help to change anything, and he was left with no work.

"Such a shame she lost a good man like you," Quinn said with a depressed face, and they began to devour the food.

****

After finishing their lunch, Ashley and Tristan left the restaurant. On their way toward the parking space, Ashley realized she had forgotten her cell phone inside.

"I am waiting in the car," Tristan said and walked ahead while Ashley returned, heading inside the restaurant where she happened to stumble upon a person she never wished to see.

"Slow down, Ashley," a familiar voice made her look up and smile drop.

Greg, who was stepping out, encountered Ashley on his way out of the restaurant.

The smile she had on her face disappeared when their eyes met.

Greg wasn’t a faithful man, so he stepped out and had an affair with Jane to satisfy his sexual desires. But even after fulfilling his needs, he couldn’t ignore his beautiful relationship with Ashley.

"Excuse me" Ashley ignored him and tried to trespass when he stopped her by her wrist.

"Now, you will ignore me?" Greg said, looking at how she brushed off his presence and was trying to leave without even greeting him.

Ashley looked at his hand and jerked it off her wrist before she rubbed her hand and faked a smile," I am sorry, but I don’t remember you" her words came like thorns that made him fume in anger.

Greg was highly self-centered, liked the attention, and never wanted anyone to ignore him. Even when he dated Ashley, he had always found her a submissive person who tried to dance on his finger.

But now, when she purposely ignored him, he couldn’t take it

Ashley, who noticed his expression change, smiled internally and turned, leaving him there in embarrassment.

Greg was left speechless by her ignorant action. Ashley, who used to be like a sweet pet agreeing to his every word, failed to acknowledge him.

Gritting his teeth in anger, he looked everywhere, making sure no one saw him and her interacting, and left from there in embarrassment.

Ashley quickly went and brought her cell phone back and stepped inside the car.

The window slid down, and Greg watched her hop into the car, but he didn’t fail to notice a figure of a man already sitting inside the vehicle.

"Is he the same man from the photos" Greg frowned, remembering the photos James had sent him, making him fume?

****

Inside the car

"What took you so long?" Tristan asked, pulling Ashley closer to him.

"Nothing just met an unwanted person,"

Tristan raised his brow when he saw her upset mood and made her look at him holding her chin.

"And that unwanted person upset you," he said, and she nodded her head.

Heaving a sigh, she leaned, resting her head on his chest, and closed her eyes," It was Greg," she said with an emotional tone.

Even though she felt nothing for him, she couldn’t stand his sight. All his lies and distrust would flash in her mind. How easily he fooled her and didn’t even once apologize for his sins.

Listening to Greg’s name Tristan hold onto her arm tighten, and his eyes turn cold the next instant.

"What did he do this time?" he asked with extreme indifference in his voice.

Finding the change in Tristan’s behavior, Ashley pulled back and saw him clench his jaw in anger.

"I ignored him," she said, cupping his cheek to soothe him.

Tristan did like Greg from the beginning, and what he did to Ashley enraged him even more. He did everything in his control to break his career behind the curtains, but still, the man didn’t change.

Not only did he frame her by leaking those pictures, he also accused her of being the cheater in their relationship.

"Good for him," he scoffed and looked at the other side, making Ashley smile.

"Are you jealous?" she grinned and saw him roll his eyes.

"Scoff.. why would I be jealous of him? He isn’t even handsome like me."

Tristan had always seen him like a giraffe with no good physic nor a gorgeous face, just a tall man. He doubted what Ashley had seen when she agreed to date him.

"Hmm... I thought you were" she sighed and leaned back on the seat.

"No, I wasn’t," Tristan answered, turning his head to her side and seeing her purse on her lips.

Tristan would disagree, but yes, he was jealous of Greg because he happened to find Ashley first than him. He wanted to be the first man in her life who showered her with happiness and love and never once broke her heart.

Soon they reached Melanin, and Tristan stepped out, heading straight inside the building.

Since she was going to move back into her apartment, Ashley thought of returning home so she would spend some more time with her family.

****

Knight Mansion

Gwen was getting bored without doing anything. She had a day off, but now she regretted taking one.

After spending alone time with Karl in the motel, she became more attached to him. She grew fond of his company and suddenly got the urge to see him.

"Should I just go and meet him?" she said, sitting straight on her bed.

She wanted to talk with him, but she feared he would think of her as clingy.

Gwen didn’t have that many friends as she preferred true friendship and not the friend with benefits. And now, with nothing to do, she cursed herself for being picky.

Dropping her shoulder, she stepped down from the bed and walked out of her room. Outside she watched Ashley coming, and her lips broke into a widened smile.

"Sister-in-law," she waved her hand and watched her smile in return. Before she could reach it, Gwen ran to her like a kid and stood in front of her.

"Thank god you came. I was getting bored sitting inside my room," Gwen complained with a pout and saw Ashley smile.

On the other hand, Ashley was getting fond of Gwen’s presence and liked how cute faces she made whenever she had nothing interesting to do.

Ashley thought for a while before she spoke. "Is that so? Then how about we do something exciting."

Gwen’s eyes sparkled in excitement, and she nodded her head.

****

Inside the kitchen

"Cooking is the best passing time job," Ashley excused the chief and started preparing the dinner for everyone. She took Gwen along to help her, and she was surprised by how excited she was to cook.

"Why didn’t I think about this before? I agree with you. Cooking is the best way to pass your boring time," Gwen agreed with Ashley, and they both started making preparation.

No one in the house knew what the girls were up to when Gavin entered the house and heard them chuckle.

"Oh my... my... Gwen, my lazy sister, is cooking" he entered the kitchen space and watched the busy ladies cooking.

"I am not lazy," Gwen snorted and ignored her brother, who liked to annoy her.

Gavin was the only one who knew Gwen liked to look too, but she was too lazy to speak up in front of her parents, whom she thought might stop her from stepping into the kitchen.

"Don’t burn the whole house. Did you forget what happened when you made your brother’s birthday cake? You set the entire kitchen on fire" Gavin was proud that his sister was willing to learn cooking, but after what happened back then, Grace had forbidden her to step inside the kitchen.

Gwen’s lips twitched on his remark, and she angrily flared at him.

"Get out from here, or else I will chop your tongue like these veggies" Gwen pointed the knife at him and saw him flinch back.

"You better keep that away," Gavin stuttered, hiding behind Ashley, knowing how Gwen could put her words into action if he kept pestering her.

Chapter 65: Disturbing a married man

While the girls were busy cooking, Gavin kept them company. Ashley found him adorable, just like Gwen.

"I guarantee mom is going to like the food. She is a fan of pasta, and the one you made smells very good" Gavin, who looked at the different dishes, could assure that it would taste heavenly.

"Thank you," Gwen said and saw him raise his brow.

"What, thank you!.. I didn’t praise you," Gavin smirked, watching her smile drop, and before she could beat him, he ran out of the kitchen only to collide with his brother.

"What out Gavin" Tristan’s husky voice made him compose himself, but his grin didn’t stop.

"Brother, you surely found an amazing wife for you," he said, giving him a thumbs up, and darted to his room.

Tristan did understand his words and was about to enter the kitchen when he saw Ashley walking out with Gwen.

Tristan stopped, and their eyes met.

"Ahem... I think I should call everyone for dinner" Gwen sneaked away from there and went to call her parents.

"When did you come?" Ashley asked.

Tristan had returned a while when he heard from the maid that his wife was cooking dinner for everyone. He got freshened up and was about to join her, but I guess she was done cooking already.

"A while ago," he said and held her wrist as they walked towards the dining.

"Why did you cook by yourself? There are maids here to look after food" Tristan didn’t want Ashley to tire herself when they had servants around.

"I wanted to," she said.

"Umm... I smell delicious food" Grace and Trevor joined the couple.

"Mom, I swear you will love everything," Gwen squealed and took the chair next to Gavin.

"Hmm.. can’t wait to taste it then."

The food was served, and everyone loved it, especially Tristan, who had heard about her cooking but tasted it for the first time.

"HAH...How I wished Gwen could also someday cook for all of us," Grace said and took a bite of the dessert served in the end.

"Gwen makes the dessert," Ashley said, making everyone widen their eyes in shock.

The last time they remembered Gwen burning the entire cake, which scared Grace so much that she stopped Gwen from entering the kitchen but now, what a surprise she received.

"You made it," she asked and saw Gwen shrug her shoulder.

"Am I hallucinating?" Tristan said absentmindedly and took one bite, "This taste so good," he complimented her.

Even though the cake she made for him burned, he didn’t allow the made to throw it away. Everyone had tasted it because it was the first time Gwen had cooked, and no one wanted to upset her.

Even though she was upset that things didn’t turn out as she hoped, no one opposed it.

The dinner went with everyone enjoying the food, and it was time for Ashley to leave.

****

Hyatt Residence

"I will miss sleeping with you?" Tristan hugged Ashley from behind, burying his face in the crock of her neck.

"I won’t stop you from coming here, but make sure you won’t get caught" Ashley, too, didn’t want to part with Tristan as now she was getting used to sleeping peacefully with him next to her.

Tristan pulled back and looked at her with amusement," Really!" he asked, making sure he just heard something wrong.

"You heard me right, husband" she turned, wrapped her arms around his neck, and slowly leaned to peck him.

Tristan, lost for words, suddenly lifted her, cupping her butt as she wrapped her legs around his waist and carried her inside the bedroom.

Dropping her on the bed, Tristan hovered her and captured her lips without giving her any chance to speak.

"You don’t know how happy I am right now," he said in between the smooch and quickly unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it on the floor.

Since his wife gave him the person to stay with her, he wasn’t going to waste his time by doing nothing.

Ashley saw his lustful eyes and gulped. She wanted to say something, but before she could utter any word, his mouth sealed her lips, and he savored her juicy lips in hunger.

"Umm... Tristan I... " Ashely rested her hand on his chest and lightly pushed him, making him stop his action, and he pulled away a little, looking at her flush face.

"What happened?" he asked, breathing heavily.

"We can’t d-do it," Ashley felt shy when he said those words.

Tristan, who first wanted to know the reason, saw her hesitant gaze and asked," Are you on y-your periods."

Ashley covered her face with her palm and heard him sigh. Her initiation aroused Tristan that he thought tonight was roughing to be the roughest one as he wanted to try different positions with her.

But now, he couldn’t do anything when his wife was in her menstruation period.

Slumping down next to her, he closed his eyes and sighed again.

Ashley turned to see him sweat, and she could tell he was looking forwards to a heated session, but she ruined everything. Her eyes went to look at the massive bulge under his pants, and her eyes widened.

’What kind of a feral creature it was, she thought.

Tristan had more stamina than her, and she doubted whether his dick would ever get satisfied by her.

She quickly rested her head on his chest and brushed his arm just in case he calmed down.

"I am sorry," came her whisper, making Tristan opened his eyes looking down at her.

"Why would you say that?" Tristan was upset because of her. His needs kept increasing after she came into his life, and he forgot about the problems women faced every month.

He reached his hand under her chin and made her look at him. Boring into her deep eyes, he said," I am not upset with you, Ash. Isn’t it common then why would you say sorry" he slowly caressed her face with her thumb and leaned down, kissing her.

"Do you feel any discomfort?" he asked, sliding down his hand and bringing it to her stomach.

Ashley did get her periods after she reached home. Earlier, while cooking, she didn’t feel any pain, but as time passed, she started to experience minor cramps.

Making her turn and she laid with her back resting on his chest while his hand crawled over her stomach and slowly started to massage it." I don’t know if it works, but I had read it somewhere that massage helps."

Listening to his words, Ashley let out a chuckle," You read it right. It does help," she said and rested her hand on his hand that was massaging her stomach.

Tristan was so gentle with Ashley that she didn’t realize it when she fell asleep.

It was her tiny snore that made him look at her sleeping figure.

"Good night, wifey" kissing her head Tristan pulled out his hand under her head and slowly sneaked out from the bed heading straight into the bathroom to take a cold shower.

****

After clearing Alice’s misunderstandings, Noah asked her to be his friend. He wanted to take slow steps, and all he could think was to be friends with her.

He wanted to laugh at himself because even after being labeled playboy, he didn’t know how to pursue a girl.

"Such a shame on you, Noah"

Standing in front of the mirror, Noah brushed his teeth and kept thinking of various ways to pursue Alice. But even after brainstorming so much, he couldn’t find the easiest way.

If he were supposed to act like a jerk, he would’ve directly asked her to sleep with him but knowing Alice, and he didn’t want to get kicked on his balls.

Washing his face, he stepped out of his bedroom and sat on the bed like a loser. Wasn’t there any way he would convey his feelings for Alice?

When he was busy scolding himself mentally, he remembered Tristan." I think he can help me," he said and picked up his cellphone to dial his number but stopped when he remembered Tristan was useless, just like him in the matter of the heart.

It took Tristan two years to get his ladylove, and he wasn’t that patient to wait for her to accept his feeling that late. He wanted to let her acknowledge him, which she hardly did.

Thinking for a while, he brushed off the negative thoughts and called Tristan.

Scooping his wife to sleep, Tristan was fast asleep when his phone started to buzz, and he stirred, pulling away from his wife.

Looking at the caller, he frowned, ended the call, and turned to sleep when the phone rang again.

"Ash***e, Cant he just sleeps" Cursing in his mind, Tristan climbed down the bed before tucking Ashley and stepping out on the balcony before picking up the call.

"Why the hell are you disturbing a married man Noah.." Tristan scolded, making Noah shut his mouth.