Charmed by the Billionaire CEO
Chapter 81: I know it’s too late

Chapter 81: I know it’s too late

Beach

Ashley and Tristan had their romantic candlelight dinner at the beachside and were currently standing by the shore. The small wave flowed past through their legs as they intertwined their hands, looking at the deep sea.

The moonlight above them fell onto the glittery water. The cold breeze made them hold on to each other feeling their warmth. Nothing could be more serene than this moment.

"It feels so good" Ashley smiled and looked at Tristan who was already staring at her.

"And you look beautiful," he said bringing her hand close to his lips and kissing it.

Standing there for a while they both turned and walked back when Ashley felt a tuck in her hand and she stop turning back.

"Tristan..." Ashley gasped covering her mouth when she saw Tristan kneeling on one knee and his hand reaching out to her with a ring.

Scratching the back of his neck Tristan pursed his lips before saying," I know it’s too late, but I felt this was the right time to give it to you"

Ashley was lost with words and could only look at him with her teary eyes. Her lips trembled, looking at her husband who seem to be making her fall damn hard for him.

His unpredictable nature always made her heart pump with love, and she felt more effortlessly drawn to him.

"I know our first meet wasn’t that great, but you made it memorable for me" he winked and saw her gasp," You..."

"And that very moment made me realize what you mean to me" his words melted her heart and her eyes soften.

"You became the person who slammed opened the rusted door of my heart and made your way by showing me the real meaning of life. I know I am not the first man in your life but I want to be the last. I want to spend my entire life with you Mrs. Ashley Tristan Knight" he looked into her glittery eyes as she tried to suppress her sob.

"So... will you give me the honor to love you, cherish you, and spend my entire life with you," he asked and saw her nod her head like a kid.

Reaching her hand out, Tristan slid the ring into her finger and stood up before he pulled her and sealed her lips.

The kiss was full of love and commitment that sealed their fate forever.

*****

Karl’s apartment

After realizing his feeling for Gwen, Karl has been going crazy. He had his cell phone in his hand as he paced back and forth in his room.

"Will she call me today like always" Karl stopped and looked at his phone for the 20th time and sighed in defeat.

He was expecting Gwen to text him just the way she always does. But even after so much time passed she did even text or call.

Karl was getting restless with each passing second cursing himself for pushing her away when he too knew he had started to like her. His fear for the society came in between his feeling for her and now he regretted hurting her by drawing a line between them.

Biting his lips while thinking he finally made up his mind," I will call instead" he said and dialed her number.

The ring went on for a while when the call was received and he heard Gwen’s soft voice," Hello"

Karl’s restless heart calmed down the moment he heard her soothing voice. Now he understood why he like listening to her that much. She could ease his mind and heart with her nonstop banter.

"G-Gwen..." he called her by her name and found his heart skip a beat. This was the first time he didn’t associate with her formally. Her name came out of his mouth with utmost desperation in return to hear her voice.

Gwen on the other side pursed her lips as she tried to control her tears. She didn’t think he would even call her but the moment his name flashed on her mobile screen her breath hitched in fear. Fear of being rejected again by him.

She didn’t talk and just listen to him call her by her name. She felt her heart felt heavy the moment he called her name and she felt like crying all of sudden.

There was a silence on the other end and Karl felt his heart sink. ’Did she not want to talk to him now, he thought, which made him feel worse for hurting her.

Taking a deep breath Karl mustered up the courage to finally talk," Gwen, you don’t want to talk with me?" his voice sounded like a plea and cracked by the end of the statement.

He was feeling so helpless right now that he just wanted to see her hand and beg her for forgiveness.

"It’s okay if you don’t want to talk with me but at least don’t avoid me," he said desperately.

There was no way he could handle her ignorance after he realized what she meant to him. Gwen was the first woman who didn’t judge him by his position. She became friends with him and even like him but what he did, he rejected her.

Gwen gasped as she sobbed loudly and that alerted Karl that he panicked." Gwen are you crying" he asked.

The times he had seen her cry, Karl could easily get her by her voice.

"Gwen talk to me. Are you crying? Did I make you cry? Do you want me to end the call? Say something Gwen you are scaring me" Karl slumped on the couch like a defeated person and waited for her one word.

He wasn’t someone who paid attention to anyone’s feelings but when it came to Gwen she would turn him into a coward. He didn’t realize when she became his habit and how her emotion stir his emotions too.

Wiping the tears off her face Gwen finally opened her mouth to speak," Karl, why don’t you like me back" she asked innocently.

The moment she found that she had fallen for Karl there wasn’t turning back for her. She waited for the moment when the universe would line their ways and when it happened she kept falling for him every second.

"I was stupid to realize it soon" Karl closed his eyes and sighed. Finally, she talk to him and that was enough for him to collect his lost self.

"I was so stupid that I didn’t even give myself a chance to think out of the box. I was stupid to think our ranks would become a barrier for us" Karl now came to understand how stupid he was to say those words to her and push her away from him.

Gwen didn’t say her words as her mind had turned blank after listening to his words.’ Does it mean he too..’ she shook off her thoughts immediately thinking maybe she was just assuming.

She didn’t wanted to hope for anything and then fall on her face if he again rejects her. She wasn’t ready for that, it was painful to learn the person you like doesn’t like you back and Karl was the example of her unrequited love.

Karl again found Gwen turning silent and he continued," But now I don’t care. If this means you will never talk to me then I don’t want it. I like you Gwen and I am sorry for making you hurt and not realizing it early" he confessed finally.

Gwen’s eyes widen in shock and she sat frozen on her bed without any reaction on her face. ’What did he say’ she thought at the back of her mind when his voice broke her thought and she composed.

"Gwen say something?" Karl begged her to speak because now he wanted to hear her after he finally confessed his love.

"Huh! umm... Mr. assistant.. no... Karl. did you just say that you like me" she asked biting her lips hoping her ears weren’t ringing.

Karl chuckled at her words and pulled himself straight, attentively listening to her.

"Why are you smiling?" he heard her again and this time he laughed." You heard it right Gwen. I like you and I am sorry for not realizing before" his smile disappear recalling how hurt she looked when he rejected her.

He could erase that moment but now he wanted to make her happy and never let his insecure thoughts affect their love. He will make sure to keep that smile on her face and not hurt her again.

Gwen squealed and jumped down her bed like an excited kid," Say that again?" she asked him to repeat and confirm again.

Standing up Karl said," I like you, Gwen. Will you be my girlfriend" he was loud enough to make her hear him and he heard," Yes... Yes, I will" Gwen said it without any hesitation and started walking out of her room.

"I want to meet you now Karl," she said and he agreed to her before he picked up the keys and stepped out of his house.