Gwen's words had somewhat triggered Tristen as he stood there with his mind repeating her words," If you let her go, then someone else would find her."
'If you let her go, someone else would find her.'
Tristen shut his eyes and shouted," No.. no one will find her.. she is mine..."
His loud and clear voice echoed inside the room as he breathed heavily, trying to calm his pounding heart.
"Hehe..."
"I knew it would work" Gwen, on the other side, had her ear glued on the door squeal when she heard him shout and claim his right on her.
"What are you doing there, Gwen" Gavin, who was heading towards his room, found his sister leaning on his brother's door and overhearing something.
Gwen ignored his question and kept on listening through the closed door.
Quickly striding toward her, he pulled her ear, taking her away a few distances from Tristen's room.
"Do you want brother to scold you? You naughty brat" he lowered his voice to make sure no one would catch them.
"Ouch... can't you be a little gentle, Gavin. You pulled out my ear" Gwen rubbed her ear and started walking towards her room, ignoring Gavin's frown.
"By the way, what were you trying to catch hold on? Did you find what happened between brother and his lady love " Gavin let go of his foul mood and smiled, following his sister like a cute little pup.
Ignoring his nagging, Gwen entered her room and was about to shut it, but Gavin blocked on the right time," Why aren't you telling me? Just for once, let go of your anger towards me, Gwen. I am your brother after all," Gavin suddenly made a small face blinking his eyes, acting cute.
"You make me puke, Gavin" letting go of the door, Gwen walked back, sparing him to get in.
Gwen was born two minutes later than Gavin, but she still preferred having the upper hand on him. She believed she had more brains than the one who scolded her for nothing.
Gavin ignored her grumpy look and entered the room, shutting it properly.
Gavin and Gwen were twins but weren't identical. They shared only the color of their eyes. Apart from that, no one would ever come to know that they were born on the same day.
"So tell me did you find why brother agreed to meet the girl whom mother had selected for him," Gavin asked.
"Hmm.. " she hummed and sat on the bed folding her legs.
"He said he can't force anyone to love him back. Like seriously, after stalking her for almost two years, even after knowing about her relation, how on earth did he give up like that" Gwen couldn't digest it.
Her elder brother, who was her inspiration, had finally found one attraction apart from work: Ashley, yet he was letting her go without even giving it a try.
"Did he say that? No way... now I finally understood why he looked all worn out as if someone had asked him to give away his kidney" Gavin said,d with a teasing tone and received a glare from Gwen.
"Fine.. fine, I won't joke on him," he said, laying down on the couch and asking, "When do you think this is going to be the end of our one and only introvert brother's love story."
Gwen shook her head at his overdramatic statement and kept silent. She knew it wasn't the right time to let Gavin know about the game she played with Tristen but wait and see what's come next.
****
A few rooms away from Gwen's and Gavin's room, Trevor prepared the bed for Grace and him to sleep but stopped when Grace kept watching the photo in her hand.
"Did you like her so much that now you are ignoring your handsome husband" Trevor walked towards his wife and sat next to her.
Grace sighed and placed the photo back into the envelope and turned to see her husband would look at her with puppy eyes.
"Do you think I will ever be able to ignore your Trevor? Just grow up. You are soon going to be father-in-law" Grace, who was so excited to let Tristen meet the girl of her choice, made Trevor aware.
"Who says a person grows old after their children get married? I don't think I would lose my charm even after I become a grandfather. I would still look young and handsome, honey," he said playfully, watching Grace roll her eyes.
They walked and lay on the bed before turning off the lights.
"I hope Tristen wouldn't reject the girl," Grace prayed and turned as she hugged Trevor and closed her eyes.
"He won't.." Trevor agreed and closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep.
****
It was finally a new day for Ashley as she had sworn she wouldn't let her past affect her present and future. She had long let go of her love for Greg, and now she wanted to focus on her carrier solely.
She woke up and got get as per her schedule. Stepping out of her room, she heard the doorbell ring.
Knowing who the person was, she walked and opened the door. Miley had a bright smile lingering as she stepped in, giving Ashley her morning black tea, which she had purchased from the café next to her residential building.
"Miley, have you checked the dress I would wear for the shoot? You know I want it to fit me perfectly," Ashley said, sipping her black tea, which made her mood brighter.
"Yes, ma'am, I have checked everything for today's schedule. We have two back-to-back photo shoots, and then we have an interview to attend, which wouldn't take too long, ma'am. Still, not least, Mr. Brown had asked me to clear your schedule for the evening" Miley recited every detail, but the last statement made Ashley look at her in confusion.
"Why did dad ask you to do that," she said but saw Miley shake her head.
Ashley, who had to spend her entire day yesterday with her father, never once heard him say to clear her schedule. Then why was it so sudden he called Miley and let her convey it to her?
Brushing off her thought, she got up and left her apartment. She didn't want to argue with her father anymore and let him do whatever he felt was right for her. She had once gone against him and faced the biggest shock of her life, and now she didn't want to make the same mistake again.
If her father had said so, there must be a reason. With that in mind, she stepped inside her car and drove to the studio.
****
Knight's mansion
The whole night Tristen couldn't blink an eye. The thought of Ashley finding someone better than him made him go crazy.
"How come she didn't get swayed by my charm" he walked and stood in front of the mirror in one corner of his gigantic bedroom in front of the dressing table.
Rubbing his chin, he looked at himself from left to right and clicked," No way she isn't bothered by my handsomeness."
Tristen turned back and picked up his phone, going through the news, which only had Ashley on the headlines.
"Why don't they just let her enjoy her single life" he muttered and threw back his phone on the bed before heading towards the bathroom.
Tristen changed and headed downstairs, where his entire family was already present for breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone" he smiled, greeted everyone, and took the seat next to his sister Gwen.
Gwen and Gavin sat next to each other as they kept mumbling about something when their mother glared at them," Eat your breakfast first," Grace said, and the two shut their mouth silently, eating their fill.
Gwen turned her eyes and saw Tristen being calm and unbothered by the words she had said to him the previous night.
'Isn't he taking any kind of action' she thought and brought the slice of breathing close to her mouth and took a bite.
She poked her elbow, choking Gavin, silently enjoying his breakfast, and glared back at Gwen, who motioned him to come close.
"Why is he calm as ever," she asked, pointing at Tristen.
Gavin shrugged his shoulder and saw Tristen getting up from his seat and leaving, " I will take my leave," saying he stepped towards his mother and pecked her cheeks.
"Don't forget about the date today" Grace made him remember and saw him pursed his lips before he nodded yes and walked toward his grandmother, pecking her cheeks too.
Gavin and Gwen, who were waiting for some drama over the matchmaking thing, we're left unentertained as the hero himself walked out without creating any scene.
"Nothing can happen of him" Gwen sighed and completed her breakfast before she and Gavin headed to their college.
****
Stepping outside the mansion, Tristen found Karl already waiting for him.
"Morning, sir," he said, giving him the tabloid discussion about his schedule as he stepped into the car and drove to the company.