9 You look beautiful

Alice, who had been quite suddenly smirked, irked Ashley.

"What's so funny," she asked with a glint of irritation.

Alice had always found it adventurous whenever she would be asked by her father to go on a blind date, and that always ended up being one nightstand for her.

Ashley was single and was ready to mingle. Then why not go on a date and meet people who would match her standards and are better than that scumbag Greg.

Excitedly moving closer, she held onto Ashley's hand and made her look at her," Ash, don't you think it's a nice idea to meet new people and get to know them? What if you end up liking the guy" Alice grinned, making Ashley's lips twitch.

Her already sour mood turned even worse, and she pulled back her hand, slapping it away," Do you think it's some joke Alice.. How can I like someone when I have just ended up being heartbroken. You know Greg was the first man whom I have loved.. " the anger on Ashley's face disappeared covering it into a saddening one.

Alice, who saw Ashley's face sadden, made her stop her teasing, and she pulled Ashley into a hug," I know you loved him with all your heart Ash, but you need to move on and let him go. That bastard didn't deserve you at all and even you have come to understand it..." she pulled back and looked at her with a serious face.

"Not everyone will break your heart, Ash. What if your father's picked match turns out to be a better man? What if you finally find the one who would cherish you with all he has.." Alice's words were so soothing, which made Ashley ponder on them.

What if she was getting angry for nothing? What if going out and meeting someone new would make her forget about that man who broke her heart.. what if Alice's words turn out to be true... Ashley thought for a while before she nodded her head.

"I think you are right. If dad wants me to meet that guy, then he must have already known about it," she said, understanding that her father wouldn't set her up with someone he doesn't know.

He was very protective of her, and making her go on a blind date meant he was sure whom she was meeting was the nice one.

After the shoot was done, Ashley went for another photo shoot. She had to cancel the interview, which was scheduled for the evening.

By the time the shoot ended, it was already sunset.

She headed back to her place after dropping Miley off.

Ashley had no clue whom she was meeting because her father didn't mention anything about the man she was supposed to go on a date with. All he told her was to be ready for the blind date and don't ask anything.

"Fine, dad, if that's what you want," she sighed and walked to freshen up.

After taking a shower, she walked through her walk-in wardrobe and picked out a green color pencil skirt and one-piece dress that fitted her perfectly, showing her curvy body.

She had done decent makeup, which wasn't that flashy, and wore a pencil heel before she took a final glance and walked out of her house.

Her driver was already waiting for her downstairs. Opening the backseat door for her, Ashley stepped in, and the car drove to the notified destination.

Ashley had been calm like the sea throughout the drive and didn't ponder much on the date.

The car soon stopped in front of a lavishing hotel, and Ashley stepped out, walking inside.

The hotel manager recognized Ashley and soon guided her to the private room specially booked for her and the date.

"This way, ma'am," the man said, showing the private dining room door.

"Thank you," she politely answered, and the doormen opened the door for her letting her walk in.

As soon as she stepped in, her eyes searched for the man she was supposed to be meeting.

Roaming her eyes in the room, she finally found the man seated on the chair with his back facing her.

Ashley felt a little nervous as she hasn't gone on a date with someone for long. It was all with Greg, but why was she even thinking about that cheater?

Composing herself, she stretched out a smile before she headed toward the table.

" I hope I didn't let you wait for too long," she said, coming face-to-face with the man that soon made her smile disappear.

"YOU!!" She screamed when she saw Tristen waiting for her as her blind date.

"Don't tell me you are the one I am supposed to have a date with" Ashley couldn't believe her eyes and looked at him with utter disbelief.

The man she rejected right on his face was the same man whom her father had selected for her. No way she must be dreaming...

'Was fate playing a joke with her' Ashley felt like crying.

Tristen's face bloomed into a bright smile when he saw the woman his mother had selected for him; this out to be the same woman he had been secretly in love with...

"Yes. I am the one you are set up with" Tristen stood up and walked behind her, pulling a chair for her.

Ashley saw him walk past her, ignoring her scream, and pulling out a chair for her like a true gentleman.

"You shouldn't stress yourself, Ashley. It will ruin your makeup" Tristen smiled and made her sit before he walked to sit back on his.

"If I would've already known it was going to be you, then I would have rejected it," Ashley muttered under her breath, ignoring the staff who stood at one corner.

Tristen was more than amused by how Ashley didn't storm out of the room when she saw him.

He had no clue that his foul mood would beam with happiness just by watching her face.

"I know, but unfortunately, you can't..." Ashley looked up at his words and glared at him before she averted her gaze.

She had made a fool out of herself when she rejected him and now came here to attend a blind date, and what was worst, her father had picked this man for her.

Tristen, observing her, couldn't help but get swayed by how she looked. He had always seen her confident with whatever she wore; today, her simple yet decent attire made her shine even more.

"You look beautiful," he said as he couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Huh!!" Ashley was startled by his open comment and felt shy as she watched him look at her.

He had this intimate aura that made her feel a little reserved. It wasn't bad either, but the way his eyes bored into her showed his inner self.

"I said you look beautiful," Tristen repeated, making Ashley hum.

Why was he so vocal with his thoughts? Can't he be more generous? Ashley felt like Tristen was too shameless when expressing his thoughts.

"Do you tell this to every woman you meet?" she asked, keeping her face straight as she didn't want to let him know that his words were doing something to her.

Tristen let out a chuckle and leaned back, staring at her," I don't go out and every woman.. You are the first" he didn't hide it from her.

Tristen was labeled as country S's most handsome and charming bachelor, but no one knew that man ever batted an eye toward any woman. He likes to focus fully on his work until, one day, he finds Ashley.

Her alluring charm made him avert his focus from his work and turned him into a stalker who liked to keep updated with her daily schedule.

He became so obsessed with her that he didn't realize when he slowly lost his heart to her.

Back then, he restricted himself because she had someone whom she loved. He was fine to keep looking at her from afar but not now when she was single.

He wouldn't let this chance go when he had finally found the way to be with her.

Ashley, who was again surprised by his bold words, coughed.

"Here, take this" Tristen passed her the glass of water.

Ashley took it and gulped it down. She had never met a man who was so shameless to flirt with the women he met for the first time.

No, wait!!.. for the third time, she corrected herself.

While coming here, she had cleared her thoughts and decided to agree with Alice's words. She knew she had to let go of her past and look ahead to the present and future, but she didn't think she would stumble on Tristen in this setup thing again.

Ashley smiled inwardly, thinking how small the world was for her to meet the man she had rejected earlier.

Tristen, who watched her lips curl up, smiled and asked," What is there to smile? Did my words sound funny"

Ashley shook her head and smiled even more," I am just laughing at my fate. I rejected you earlier but look, now I am sitting in front of you as your date. Don't you find it funny" she asked.

"No, it isn't funny when you know what is meant to you will eventually come to you" his sudden confession surprised Ashley, and her eyes stared at Tristen.

His face didn't show any glint of tease in them. His eyes were crystal clear, as if he was proving that all he said weren't funny, but he was damn serious.

Ashley couldn't move her eyes from him and felt her heart skip a beat.

Why was this man affecting her so much? She couldn't understand.

Maybe he was the one who took her first time, made her more drawn to him.. or maybe she was getting attracted to him.