Charmed by the Billionaire CEO

Ashley’s eyes darkened as soon as he confirmed the words. Tristan was already doubtful about the people residing in the dungeon and now it was confirmed that the place was a hideout.

Tristan noticed the change in Ashley’s expression and was about to take a step closer to her when his phone buzzed once again and this time, he saw two image notifications.

Quickly opening them, his eyes widen in shock when he saw Max and Tori together and his mouth opened a little in disbelief.

"So it’s him she is working for" he mumbled with his eyes glaring at the mobile screen.

A creased marred on Ashley’s forehead and she walked closer to him, looking into the phone. "Max..." her voice came out in a whisper and she looked at Tristan with an unexplainable expression.

Tristan could tell, she had the same thoughts running in her mind as him and it didn’t take them long to conclude everything.

"It’s all Gabriel’s doing," Ashley said while placing her palm on her forehead. She couldn’t believe it, the person behind all of this was Gabriel.

He not only moved his entire base into the dungeon but also planted Tori in her house.

"He turned out to be way smarter than his father. It’s just that I underestimated him" Tristan heaved out a humorless chuckle, but soon his face turned blank.

Gabriel wasn’t just planning on harming Ashley but he was planning on eliminating everyone close to him.

Ashley now was extremely worried for Richard. ’What if he makes a mistake and they wouldn’t spare his life’ the fear of something happening to her father once again engulfed her heart.

"Tristan we need to do something. Dad... we can’t let him stay there for long" Ashley choked on her voice as she started to tremble.

It was the first time he had seen Ashley fall so weak that she broke into a panic state. Her eyes unsteady moved around the room as she started biting her lips.

’This isn’t good’ he thought and quickly embraced Ashley for a hug. He made sure it was a firm grip, keeping her pregnancy in mind, and started talking to her.

"Shh... calm down. Gabriel won’t harm him" Ashley whose body was trembling slowly calmed down when she heard his words and pulled back with Tristan’s arms still wrapped around her waist.

"How are you so sure about it, they didn’t spare Piper when she found out about their secret. My dad won’t be an exception" Ashley wanted to believe him but her mind wasn’t ready to think rationally.

Tristan could see the obligation in her orbs. She was scared for her father and why wouldn’t she be after knowing his life was at risk?

Letting go of Ashley’s waist, Tristan cupped her face and looked straight into his eyes. "Do you trust me?" he asked. His voice came out firmly as he bored into her intently.

Ashley pursed her lips and looked down. "I do Tristan. I trust your every word but I don’t trust them" she pulled his hands down her face and turned around.

She had turned way more sensitive, unable to handle her emotions and let them take over her firm thoughts.

Tristan was now feeling helpless. He wanted to rest assured Ashley but she wasn’t ready to understand.

Gabriel had played his cards very well but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to defeat him. He might end up scaring everyone dear to him but it won’t shake his determination of defeating him.

He wasn’t his enemy before nor he was now, but when he happened to cross his line after he tried to harm Ashley using his mere pawns, Gabriel ended up provoking Tristan.

Tristan kept staring at Ashley and heaved out a sigh. ’Damn you Gabriel’

******

As promised after office hours ended, Karl took Gwen to his house. Carrying the take-outs in their hands both entered the apartment.

Take a quick shower, both had their dinner together and now they were currently sitting on the couch having ice cream.

"Hmm... I so wanted to taste this new flavor." Gwen moaned out savoring the delicious flavor of the ice cream in her hand.

Karl smiled watching her eat like a kid and reached his hand to wipe the small taint of cream from the corner of her lips.

"Do you like it that much?" he asked and watch her bob her head. "Very much. I think you should taste it" she said and passed a spoon full of ice cream for Karl to taste.

Without any hesitation, he took a bite and to his surprise, the flavor tasted good than the one he was having.

Nodding his head Karl agreed to her. Soon they both finished eating and Karl walked into the kitchen to place the empty bowl into the sink.

By the time he returned to the living room, he found Gwen sitting on her seat absentmindedly. Taking a quick walk toward the couch, Karl sat next to her and asked," What are you busy thinking?"

Gwen had been in her thoughts, snapped out, and turned to look at Karl. Her eyes stared at him in a daze as she watched him give a confused look.

"Gwen, is there anything wrong with my face or... you like it so much that you are planning on kissing me" Karl joked making Gwen gape at him in awe.

Gwen felt her face burning up at his cheesy words and she quickly averted her eyes from him.

"No, it’s not like that. Why would I plan on kissing you when I can kiss you anytime I want? You know I don’t have any restrictions for that" she said shrugging her shoulder, but little did she know, her cheeks had already tainted pink due to shyness.

Karl let out a small chuckle as agreed with her. "I know... but then let me guess what else you might be thinking," he said leaning closer to her face as his eyes tried to see through her thoughts.

Sensing the closeness, Gwen turned her head and found Karl’s face extremely closer to hers, while his eyes intently observing her.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked feeling the heat creep through her entire body.

"Reading your mind," he said.

Gwen blinked her eyes finding his behavior a little stranger but before she could think any further Karl let out a chuckle making her frown.

"Look at your face. You look like a little innocent lamb" Karl mumbled as he kept grinning.

"You..." anger erupt within her heart and she slapped Karl on his arm.

"Stop teasing me..." she yelled, getting upset. She wasn’t expecting Karl to tease her when she was seriously busy thinking about something.

Crossing her hands over her chest, Gwen looked ahead, ignoring Karl as she could handle the laugh.

Karl on the other hand noticed her displeased look and stopped smiling. He shouldn’t have pulled her leg knowing how sensitive she can turn at times.

"Okay, I am sorry... I didn’t mean to upset you" Karl apologized but Gwen didn’t spare a glance at him.

Left with no other choice, Karl turned Gwen by her shoulder and made her look at him. This time he didn’t appear to be in a mischievous mood and that somewhat lowered her anger.

"I was just trying to ease your mood after I saw you deeply immersed in your thoughts" Karl tried to explain.

Gwen’s anger had completely dissipated by now and she was no longer upset with his prank. Letting go of her folded hands she sighed as a small pout appeared on her lips.

Sensing the change in her mood Karl relaxed. Taping the tip of her nose, he pulled her into his arms and leaned on the backrest of the couch.

"Tell me what were you busy thinking so much," he asked with a gentle tone as he started stroking her arm.

Gwen was a little hesitant to speak about what was going on in her mind but she had to tell him. Taking a few more seconds she finally opened her mouth as she wrapped her arm around his torso and said," Linda...don’t you think she is trying to befriend me"

"Why would you think that?" Karl asked. His head craned a little down as he watched her bite her lips.

"I don’t know but her over-friendly behavior is bothering me. She wasn’t like that when we first met. What made her change her behavior towards me"

Gwen couldn’t forget how Linda tried to look down on her when they first met. She had been judging her for being too young for Karl. The way her eyes kept criticizing her, Gwen couldn’t forget.

She was so upset that she fought with Karl, thinking she wasn’t good enough for him.

"Maybe she understood, that she was wrong" Karl stated.

He too saw the change in Linda’s behavior but he was too busy to ponder on it. He just wanted to maintain a professional relationship with her and nothing else.

Gwen went silent on Karl’s words. ’What if she really understood her mistake and now she was trying to mend it’ she thought but there was still something that stopped her from completely letting her guard down in front of Linda.