Charmed by the Billionaire CEO

Soon everyone gathered at Noah’s house except for Gwen who was running late due to work. Congratulating the couple they expressed their joys to see the little one soon.

"By the way where my wife?" Tristan asked when he didn’t see Ashley around.

"She is with Alice inside the kitchen. I heard they are preparing dinner for us" Noah said taking a sip from his wine glass.

Tristan bobbed his head and then looked at Karl who seemed to be lost in some thoughts and asked.

"What happened? Are you still thinking about Linda’s marriage proposal" his words snapped him out of his trance and he responded meekly.

"I am glad that you managed to delay the wedding a month later. It gave us the time to execute the plan securely" Noah said. He too was aware of things happening around his and Gwen’s life.

Like Tristan even Noah was a brother figure to her and watching their sister getting hurt pissed them off.

"And now we have to be quick before that cunning lady comes with another scheme" Karl answered finally taking a sip from his drink.

"I heard from Gwen that Ryan had been following you. Did he confront you or something" Tristan asked.

"No, he didn’t. Even I expected the same but the man simply tailed me until I reached the company and after that, he drove away, which was quite weird"

"If he didn’t want to confront you then why did he follow you" Noah muttered confused by Ryan’s action.

"Maybe he just wanted to see if I am not double-crossing them and my intentions toward Linda are genuine" Karl stated.

"But what if he is jealous and wants to expose you in front of Linda so she can’t marry you? Didn’t you mention the man was an insecure kind of person" Noah pointed.

He was good at judging people by their actions because he had dealt with a few insecure exes of his fling who came to warn him. He was familiar with these kinds of psychology.

Snapping their head in Noah’s direction both Tristan and Karl eyed their friend weirdly. He finally talked about something that made sense to them.

"Noah, I didn’t realize after being a father your lazy, rusted brain finally thought something perfect"

Noah’s lips twitched at Karl’s comment. Gnashing his teeth in frustration he flared," I was always the smartest amongst the two of you. You were the one who was slow like a snail. Did you forget how long it took you all to get your lady loves? Huh! And here you both are doubting my brain"

Shooting a glance at each other, both Tristan and Karl let out a contagious laughter. For them, annoying Noah was the easiest thing to do on earth. The man was easily pissed off, giving them the chance to tease him.

While the boys were busy laughing, Gwen entered the house, following the sound of their laughter.

"Why are you all laughing?" she asked watching Karl and Tristan laugh while Noah sulked in his seat like a child.

It didn’t take her time to realize what was happening around her, so she simply ignored the two and went towards Noah.

"Are they again bullying your brother?" Gwen asked hooking his arm and shot a glare at Tristan and Karl simultaneously.

Their smile faltered a little as Gwen’s cold gaze intimidated them for a second. While Tristan was still smiling Karl slowly closed his mouth.

Once they stopped smiling Gwen then looked back at Noah and hugged him. "Forget about them, brother. You are going to be a father. Congratulations...." she squealed hugging him making Noah forget about his grumpy mood and soon smile taking over again.

"And you are going to be aunt," he said patting her back and they pulled back.

"By the way were his sister-in-law. I want to congratulate her too" she said and he pointed towards the kitchen.

"She is with Ashley. Go meet her" Noah said and she quickly ran towards the kitchen.

Watching her run like a child, Noah smiled. "She is still the same. Always running around like a kid" he said and turned to look at them and his smile faltered.

Karl glared at him like he was ready to attack him. "Why are you giving me that glare? Did I say something wrong?"

"Don’t you think you are taking advantage of your fatherhood? My girlfriend literally ignored me and you are asking why I am glaring at you"

"Is it fault she wanted to congratulate me first?" Noah said in defense. Was it him why they were here in the first place, then was it obvious everyone would congratulate him first?

Tristan simply smiled at the two, enjoying their banter.

*****

[Inside the kitchen]

Ashley and Alice had done preparing the dinner and were about to step out when Gwen sprinted towards Alice and hugged her.

"Congratulations sister-in-law," Gwen said pulling back from the hug.

"Thank you..."

"I heard you both were preparing dinner, Can I help?" Gwen asked moving her eyes across the kitchen island and pouted

"You both have already finished cooking" she muttered looking back at them.

"Yes, so don’t worry and enjoy everything we made," Ashley said ruffling her hair like a mother does to her child. For her Gwen was still a child, the youngest Knight.

Gwen smiled bobbing her head and soon the girls walked out of the kitchen together. By the time they reached the living hall, they saw two people arguing with each other while the third one was busy enjoying the sight.

"Why are you two arguing?" Alice said taking a seat on the couch next to Noah and shooting a glare.

"Yes, why are you arguing Karl? Are you a kid or something" Gwen slapped his back before sitting next to him.

"Argh!.. don’t stare at me like that babe. He is the one who started it because his girlfriend ignored him, and chose to congratulate me first"

"...."

Except for Tristan everyone was shocked by Noah’s claim.

Covering his face Karl tried to hide his embarrassment. He didn’t realize his actions were so silly that he ended up making fun of himself.

Gwen on the other hand was shocked at first but when she noticed the blush on Karl’s cheeks, a smile formed on her lips and she slowly leaned towards him and whispered, "You want me to first greet you"

Karl who was already drowning in the poll of embarrassment felt like digging a hole for himself. ’What kind of mess he landed himself into’

Ignoring her words he stood up and walked toward the porch.

Smiling at his action, Gwen too excused herself and tailed him outside.

"Awe... Karl looks so cute when he blushes" Alice said with a dreamy look on her face unaware of the man sitting next to her freezing cold like ice.

"You call that cute. STUPID!... he looks stupid" Noah didn’t like his wife admiring another man in front of him. He was the only adorable kid in her life and after would be their child.

Ashley who was observing the too turned to look at Tristan who kept on drinking glass after glass of wine while he kept smiling.

’Don’t tell me he is drunk’ she wondered and quickly took the glass from his hand.

"Stop, you already had enough," she said placing the glass back on the table ahead.

"But-" Tristan tried to explain but when she shook her, he pouted.

Though he little tipsy as he forgot the count of glasses he consumed while enjoying his friend’s fight, still he wanted to more.

*****

[Porch] 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Karl was still coping with his embarrassment when Gwen joined him. He knew she would follow him and instead of being happy, she put on a serious act, concealing his blush from her.

Standing next to Karl, she leaned forward and peeked at his face which was still red but he managed to hide it with a serious face.

"Whatever brother Noah said inside, was it true. You were upset because you wanted me to meet you first" Gwen asked.

When Karl reached the office, he could meet Gwen properly as she had to leave for an emergency meeting on behalf of Tristan. So when he received a call from Noah, he hoped to bring her along with him, but Gwen said she would come a little so he should head first.

And just like that he lost another chance to be with her. He was barely able to spend some peaceful time with her so he tried grabbing every chance to be with her.

And now it was circumstances that kept them away.

When Karl didn’t answer, Gwen understood the problem was serious. She realized he needed her to clear his head after whatever happened at Linda’s place.

Heaving out a sigh, she wrapped her arms around him. "I am sorry..." she apologized for her ignorance and hugged him.

Karl who had his eyes fixed ahead blinked a few times as his shield broke in her embrace. He wasn’t upset with her. He only wanted to be with her for himself.

The whole of Linda’s matter was draining him mentally and he had no clue how long she was going to stay in their life.