"Now that's my Ashley. " Alice squealed in happiness praising her friend.
Both Alice and Ashley never liked anyone looking down on them. They were that sleeping tigress who once provoke would think twice before slitting their enemy. And now it was Greg and Jane who tried to betray her then how was she going to let them go.
After talking with Alice, Ashley felt a little better. She was the one friend who didn't judge her for her decision and accepted her even though she made numerous mistakes.
Slumping down on the bed Ashley felt her eyelids turn heavy and soon she drifted off to sleep.
In the room next to her, Tristan was busy working even though he said he would be enjoying his holiday. Being the CEO of Melanin brought him many responsibilities and he didn't want to neglect them whenever his attention was needed.
Ending the conference call Tristan decided to go through the things which he would do by staying with her.
Ashley was the only woman who managed to catch his attention and now he wanted her to be more than a muse for him which he watched from far.
He recalled the event when he had first seen her among all the influential people who came for the award ceremony. He had walked inside the event hall without getting captured by the media and also kept his presence lowkey within the crowd.
There were barely a few businessmen who managed to recognize him and tried to approach him but Karl handle everything brilliantly without letting his presence known.
Between the midst of people, his eyes captured the figure of a woman whose beautiful smile reached his chords pulling the string of his heart and making him get swayed by her bewitching aura.
He had never seen such a pure and beautiful woman in his entire life who managed to break his reserve shell and bring him out of his workaholic life.
The way she spoke without leaving her smile and how her eyes widen whenever she heard something that surprised her made his heart sway by her beauty.
Tristan for once wanted to let go of his cautious head towards the girl who had caught his attention but before he could reach her he got an important call that made him leave the event without letting anyone know.
It was Karl who took the award on his behalf of him and after that, he never got the chance to ask her out because a few days later her relationship with Greg went public disheartening him and making him look at her from distance.
Remembering about his time back then when he thought he wouldn't get a chance to let his heart to her but everything turned in his favor when Karl found out that Greg was cheating on Ashley.
He was so enraged by the bastard that he wanted to go and punch him black and blue until he realized what he had done. Greg was playing with Ashley's feelings by fooling her making her believe that even he loved her but his lies didn't stay unhidden when Ashley went to surprise him.
It was Tristan who asked Karl to send her the image of both Greg and Jane and let her know in which hotel they were staying.
Tristan had thought Ashley would just ignore some anonymous news and still keep her faith in Greg but he was wrong when he saw her heard towards the given address and the rest was history.
She was termed as the smartest lady by her fans but as a matter of heart, she believed the wrong person.
Closing his eyes Tristan tried to forget about the past as for now he wanted to focus on his present and how to make Ashley fall for him. He was going to be patient with her and let her feel his love before she agreed to marry him on her own.
Just the thought of marrying Ashley brought a smile to his lips and his thought drifted to what was Ashley doing at the moment.
Climbing down from the bed he walked towards this balcony and stepped out. Peeking to the other side he saw the glass door was closed.
Guessing she must be resting he walked back inside his room and continued with his search.
****
Alice's apartment
Getting herself busy with cooking Alice finally made something edible for herself to eat. She wanted to make the best out of her day she decided to cook steak and spaghetti for herself.
Arranging the small dining table she was about to take her seat when she heard some noise coming outside from her house.
"Did someone move into the next apartment" Alice knitted her brow and heard the noise getting louder?
Ignoring the commotion outside she concentrated on the food in front of her eyes and started to savor it.
By the time she was done eating every small piece on her plate, the noise outside her house had also reduced.
She had been the only person who was living on the last floor of this building while the house next to her was vacant till today but not anymore. With the way the owner of the house arrived with a loud and noisy entrance she hoped whoever it was wouldn't try to befriend her.
She liked to keep her distance from strangers and never like to get close to them. Being alone for more than five years had made her keep herself isolated from unknown people.
Picking up the empty plates she was about to walk toward the kitchen when she heard the doorbell ring.
Keeping the plate in the sink she washed her hand had walked to open the door.
"Sorry to disturb you but can you help me in picking this box," Noah said looking at the woman when his eyes widen realizing who she was..," YOU..."
When Alice had finally thought she had forgotten the morning unfortunate incident, the personal omen came and stood in front of her door.
Noah's lips curved up with amusement and leaned on the door frame watching the lady who had fought with him in the morning.
"We meet again" his teasing tone irked Alice.
She kept her face straight not showing him how badly she wanted to scratch that beautiful face of his. If she even had the slightest idea that he was going to be her new neighbor she would've vacant her house.
She looked down at the box and then back at him," I don't help strangers"
"But we already knew each other don't we" Noah was surprised by her audacity to reject him on his face which made him see how feisty she was.
Alice wanted to shut the door right onto his face so his lame smirk would wash off forever. She knew her blood was boiling inside her body but she still kept her calm and force a smile.
"I am sorry but I don't remember you. And if you are done then I am busy-" she was about to close the door when Noah blocked it.
"Is this how you shove a needy person when he asks for help" Noah did imagine she would try to shut the door on him but when she did he let go of his mischief and turned serious.
Alice halt her action and pulled the door open looking at how serious he was now. If he would have kept it neutral she wouldn't have to shove him this way.
Letting out a sigh she agreed to help him move the big box which the men he appointed left just like that.
"Ugh.. why is it so heavy" Alice felt like he had packed a big rock inside the box which made her run out of breath.
"Gaming system," he said cheekily and they both carried the box to his apartment.
Placing the box in the living hall, Alice's eyes scanned the house and she was surprised to see so much furniture and much different stuff for a man who was going to live here alone.
"What? Haven't you seen someone shifting before" Noah who was staring at Alice found her arch on her brow and that made him ask her?
"I have seen it, but I have seen so many appliances before. I mean are you sure you are going to live here alone" Alice who really couldn't believe her eyes were surprised to see him bring so many goods along.
"Do you doubt? They are all mine and being a gamer I need to be prepared okay"
Noah was never once told of being too much when it came to his needs. Being a spoilt brat he had got want her wanted and never thought one day he would be told about it.
Alice saw him get offended by her blurt words but she couldn't stop herself. She just said what came to her mind and she didn't care if he felt bad or anything.
"I think I have helped you enough, now I'll take my leave" saying she walked out of his house without waiting for his answer and headed to her apartment shutting the door with a loud thud.
"Why is she always in hurry" shrugging his shoulder Noah too closed the door and walked in.