Not again

By the time Ashley woke up, it was evening. She slept for too long that she didn't even realize that had already started to turn dark.

"I slept for too long" getting up lazily she brushed her eyes and looked out.

Ashley had so much to eat for lunch that made her fall asleep without any effort.

'Thanks to the tasty food' she said and climbed down from the bed.

It was her first day here and yet she hasn't done anything exciting, to begin with. Thinking for a while she remembered knowing a pool that was built on the terrace of the building.

"Good.. how about go for a swim," she said excitedly and rushed to get herself change.

Reaching the terrace of the building Ashley looked at the empty swimming pool and felt relaxed that no one was around except her.

Removing her robe she stood wearing a black lace swimsuit that fitted perfectly on her body showing her sexy curves.

Tying her hair into a bun she stepped inside the pool adjusting to its temperature.

While coming here, her eyes looked at the closed door of Tristan's room and felt relaxed that he wouldn't follow her.

She began to swim and let herself get relax inside the warm water. She wanted this kind of peace in her mind which didn't let her remember her heartbreak.

"How I wish Alice would also have been here" Ashley muttered...

"Whom do you wish to have here?" a loud voice startle her and she turned to see Tristan standing wearing his boxers.

"Not again..." she cursed rolling her eyes and turning away resuming her swim.

Tristan stepped inside the pool and joined Ashley but the women ignored him as he wasn't present there.

Swimming towards her he blocked her way which made her rise up and glare at him with anger," Why did you block me" her irritated voice came loud.

Tristan who heard her felt a sudden irritation in his heart when he thought about her missing that Greg guy. He didn't want her to have the slightest memory of that cheater who broke her heart.

Holding her by her shoulder Tristan looked at her annoyed face. He could tell that something was bugging her and he wanted to know.

"You didn't answer me.. who were you expecting here with you" his voice held a trace of coldness in it which made her shiver in the warm water.

Ashley who had seen this deadpan face made remember how he had asked her to take responsibility for taking advantage of him.

Keeping a straight face she jerked his hand away from her shoulder and began to swim again.

She didn't want to answer him because his dominating and controlling behavior was annoying her.

Letting out a sigh Tristan turned back and began to swim letting go of her words and just being casual around her.

Ashley who found him turn silent without pestering her made her stop and she said," My friend Alice. I was expecting her to be here with me"

Ashley didn't know why she explained herself but his silence was bothering her. She had always seen him being mischief around her and his sudden quietness was disturbing her.

Tristan stopped his movement and his lips curled up. He was getting upset thinking about nothing.

Facing her he walked to where she stood staring straight at him.

"I told you earlier too I can be your travel companion if you let me be. In that way you wouldn't feel lonely" he stopped right in front of her with a smirk lingering on his lips.

Ashley hated that teasing look on his face but when she stared at it for long she found him more charming.

She thought about it when she returned after their lunch. It wasn't a bad idea to let Tristan be with her unless he wouldn't test her patience. If was good with her all the time she wouldn't mind his presence.

"You should have said it earlier. I wouldn't have spoiled my mood" he muttered under his breath hiding his displeased look.

Tristan would've kept burning in jealously just thinking about Ashley still having a soft corner for her ex.

Ashley who heard him chuckle at how cute he looked with that complaining voice.

She didn't know this tall and handsome man would have a childish side in him too and that made him look like a cute little kid.

Ashley felt her lips stretch into a smile which made Tristan look at her in confusion.

"Did I say something funny?" he asked and saw her suppress her smile by covering her mouth.

Tristan couldn't guess what she was thinking didn't take it any longer and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer to him.

"Tell me what you are thinking" his hoarse voice make her stop smiling and she found herself getting drawn in his blue eyes.

They were just like the water beneath them clear and pure.

Ashley who forgot to push him felt like melting in his embrace. His gentle touch of holding her made her kneels fall weak and felt herself getting bewitched by his charming face.

"I- I don't know w-what you are t-talking about" she muttered as she couldn't think straight.

Her mind was turning into a mess with the closeness of their body and she felt like her blood rushing through her veins making her cheeks turn pink.

Tristan was quite amused with the way her cheeks tint into pink letting him know that his closeness was bothering her in a good way.

He knew she would have pushed him by now if she wasn't liking it.

Ashley didn't realize when his hand rested on her cheeks and she brushed it lightly," You are blushing.." she heard him say which broke her composure pushing him away from her.

"I-it's too hot here. I need to leave" avoiding him she turned back and step out of the pool amused Tristan.

Wearing the robe back she closed her eyes shutting them tight. She knew Tristan must have been laughing at her but what was she supposed to do when he was so close to her.

Before she could run away from there she heard them say," You didn't answer me Ashley" his words made her turn back at him.

He stepped out of the pool showing his good-built body making her irresistible to ignore his stunning personality. Those wet hair and that pink rosy lips were making her pounce on him but she brushed off her thought when she was him stopping right in front of her.

"Huh.."

Tristan rolled his eyes looking at how clueless this girl was forgetting everything that he said to her.

"You know you are not that smart that you try to show everyone. This brain of yours is too slow to recognize" he flicked her forehead making her whine in pain.

"Ow. Tristan" she glared at him looking like a cute angry bird.

"Okay, I won't tease you but at least answer me. Would you like me to be your travel partner? I promise to keep a good company" his genuine approach made her skip her anger and nodded her head.

Ashley had already made up her mind to agree with him and since she kept recalling her father's words she wanted to see if Tristan was trustworthy just as he said. And having him along on this trip would make her know him more.

"But if you do pester me. I will smack that smirk off your face" warning him she saw him chuckle and they both walked out heading to their respective room.

****

Melanin International

"Why does he have to give me loads of files to read in one day" Gwen who was going through the company's history couldn't help but feel proud of his father and brother who put their sweat to bring the company to a position where it stood now.

"How I wish to become like them" she muttered reading the final report which had the annual profit of Melanin.

As she was busy going through the file Karl walked out of the meeting room and headed to see if she was fine with the work he had given her.

When he reached her desk his steps slowed down when he found her completely focus on her work.

Karl had never associated with Gwen before so he didn't know that she was just like her brother when it came to working. The way she fixed her eyes on the papers she read made him think highly about her.

She was twenty-three and was soon going to graduate but she wasn't like that young teenager who liked enjoying their life. Her dedication to learning surprised him.

Heading towards her desk he stopped in front of her and asked," Miss Gwen have you completed the work given to you"

Gwen who was so focused on reading the file didn't realize when Karl came and stood in front of the table.