"Ding..."
As soon as the door of the elevator opened Ashley strode away from there leaving Tristan behind.
Tristan watched her run as a cat smirked at how cute she looked even when she was trying to avoid him.
Ashley kept walking ahead without paying attention to whether Tristan was trailing behind her or not. She didn't want to come close to him because his presence was messing with her thoughts and she feared she would again make the same mistake she did when she was drunk, but this time, it would be a sober one.
It was already noon and Ashley was damn hungry. She initially had thought to ask the room service to provide her food in her suite but then she skip it thinking about her being on vacation here.
She walked towards the reception and inquire about the dining area. Knowing she turned and collide with a firm chest hurting her head.
"Ahh.... can't you see-" her voice died as soon as she looked at who was the person she hit.
"You shouldn't be in hurry Ashley" Tristan with his million-dollar smile touch her head and brushed it gently freezing the person in front of him completely.
Ashley for a second forgot she had to avoid Tristan but then again he began with his gentle and caring gestures that turned her mind blank.
'Was he always this charming' she thought as she couldn't get her eyes from his alluring beauty.
His long eyelashes blinked as he kept caressing her head while his lips kept talking which went over her mind.
Being in the modeling field she had seen many handsome men who would make any women drool with their masculine bodies. But this particular man beat them all.
Tristan looked at Ashley who was silent all this while he spoke with her, shook her body lightly breaking her trance and she moved back quickly.
"I-I am okay," she said tucking her hair strand behind her ear and turning to leave when Tristan stop her from holding her hand.
"We are heading the same way. Why not go together" Tristan asked and saw her nod her head.
Ashley's mind was so messed up that she didn't find a reason to ignore them when he talk so sweetly with her. Where did the bold and fierce Ashley go when it came to him.
His powerful aura was taming her fierce persona and just like an obedient puppet, she agreed to him.
Tristan and Ashley walked along and reached the dining area where she couldn't see a single person.
"Why isn't no one here?" Ashley looked around and only found the staff present inside the dining hall.
"Welcome Sir, Welcome Ma'am" Ashley saw the manager of the resort greet them.
"Have you done the arrangements?" Tristan asked the manager and saw him nod his head?
Ashley who had no clue what kind of arrangement Tristan was talking about felt like ignoring them both and just going and having her lunch.
As she was busy thinking of ditching Tristan she heard his voice that broke her trance.
"Let's have our lunch"
"Huh.." Ashley who thought she would be alone on this journey found Tristan tagging along.
Holding her hand he took her towards the table which was specially prepared on Tristan's orders for them.
"I thought we were supposed to be having lunch on different tables " Ashley was surprised when she found this was the arrangement Tristan was talking about with the manager.
"How can I let you alone when you have me" he winked and pulled a chair for her which Ashley took without asking anything further.
Ashley was surprised to see how properly the table was prepared. Her head turned when she inhaled the fresh aroma of the mouth-watering food that one by one staff brought to their table placing them on it.
"Now I am sure you were following me" Ashley would have ignored his words earlier but now she was sure he was keeping a tab on her.
Tristan gulped when he saw her narrow her eyes on him. That sharp gaze of her wasn't scaring her because of getting caught but instead it was heating his body.
"Ahem. I think we shouldn't waste any more time and let's just dig in" Tristan avoided her gaze and asked the staff to serve them.
Ashley averted her gaze when the aromatic fragrance of the food hit her nostril and she forgot everything.
The food that was set on the table was all that she liked and without hesitating anything she started eating.
Tristan felt satisfied that she loved whatever he had ordered for her. He had known all of her likes and dislikes and he was grateful that he knew about it or else he wouldn't have been able to see that content look on her face.
*****
Karl stopped the car and stepped out to open the door for Gwen but even before he could reach there Gwen had already hopped out.
"Mr. Assistant did you forget I am just an employee here" Gwen playfully reminded him and walked ahead leaving him behind.
Karl could only shake his head at her extra excited behavior and follow her silently.
Gwen had never once stepped her foot in the company nor did they attend any business party. Their identity was kept wrapped just to not let the media invade their private life.
Grace and Trevor wanted all their three kid to live a normal life without being tagged with snapper all along. Tristan too had a normal life until he decided to take over the CEO's position but Gwen and Gavin didn't want to reveal their identity yet.
Reaching the last floor of the building Karl guided Gwen toward the office area where all employees worked.
Karl had done every arrangement when he received Tristan's order. He knew since Tristan had given Gwen's responsibility to him he wanted to live up to his expectation.
"Miss Gwen this is your table and you would be assisting me from today onwards" Karl who switched into his professional mode looked like a more serious and determined person.
Gwen who was too surprised at how professional he seem was quite impressed with his change. The man who kept his mouth shut throughout their ride to the office was now in his work mode which looked cool in Gwen's eyes.
"Okay.. sir" she stretched the word and purse her lips suppressing her smile and took the seat.
****
Alice reached back home after bringing every necessary thing from the supermarket and started to arrange them in her fridge.
She would never be available at home as she always spend her time in her studio completing her shoots or traveling around. In her profession, she had clicked with many celebrities which was a big thing for a newcomer like her.
She had been into photography for four years and she had learned so much from her work that made her a high-rated photographer.
"I think it's enough for a month" picking a can of beer from the fridge she closed the door and walked into her living room.
She had been thinking about not getting a single call or message from Ashley since yesterday.
'Where did the girl disappear' she thought and made a call which she didn't receive.
As she was about to call Miley her phone rang and she immediately picked it up, "Where have you been Ash. I have been calling you for so long"
Ashley who was back in her room made a call to Alice as soon as Tristan entered his suite.
After finishing lunch she excused herself as she wanted to rest. Tristan too agreed to her and they headed back to their respective suites.
As soon as she stepped in she pulled out her phone and saw Alice's missed call. Without wasting any time she immediately called her back.
"I know you would be shocked but I am here in country Z enjoying my vacation," Ashley said and pulled the phone away from her ear.
"WHAT!!.. how can you leave me alone Ash. You Bit*h. I thought we were friends and yet you decided to ditch me"
Ashley knew this was going to happen but what was she supposed to do when she all of sudden came up with this idea to sneak away from Jane.
Bringing back the phone close to her ear she kept hearing Alice rant without any break," ALICE.. listen to me first" her loud voice made the girl finally reduce her voice.
"Good... now will you let me speak," she said and heard her hum.
Sighing Ashley told her everything that happened after she dropped her at her studio.
"Now why does she wants to meet you. Is she trying to humiliate you even more or does she wants you to help her so-called boyfriend.." Jane who didn't like Jane's closeness towards Ashley had sensed her to be a double face woman who tried to cling to Ashley just because she was more successful than her.
"I don't know but I am not going easy on them this time. They provoke the wrong person Alice and they have to face the consequences" Ashley must have been sweet with her because she was her friend but not now. This time she wanted them to see how it feels when you break someone's trust when they genuinely believed you.