Noah's words made Sarah feel uneasy. It almost sounded like he was suggesting they enter into some sort of mutually beneficial arrangement, but the way he phrased it made it clear that he was the one calling the shots. "Both of us need each other at this moment," he said with a smile. "I could provide you help if Damien appears again and you could cover me in terms of my ex-girlfriend."
Sarah struggled to find the right words to respond to Noah's proposal. She knew that she didn't want to date someone just because it was convenient, and she didn't want to involve someone else in their problems either.
She finally mustered up the courage to decline his offer, albeit timidly. "I appreciate your offer, Mr. Noah, but I don't think it's a good idea. I don't want to involve anyone else in our problems, and I think it's best if we handle them on our own." She avoided meeting Noah's gaze, feeling a knot form in her stomach.
They finally arrived at Sarah's apartment. Noah walked Sarah to her door and waited patiently as she fumbled with her keys. When she finally managed to unlock the door, he smiled to face her.
"Thanks for letting me walk you home," he said with a smile. "I just wanted to make sure you got back safely."
Sarah smiled back, feeling grateful for his concern. But as she turned to enter her apartment, Noah reached out and took her hand.
"I really enjoyed meeting with you today, Ms. Sarah," he said, holding her hand tightly. "I can't wait to see you again and you could think again about my offer."
Sarah's heart raced at his words, but the way he held her hand made her feel uneasy. She quickly pulled her hand away, trying to hide her discomfort.
"Thanks for everything, Mr. Noah," she said, giving him a polite nod. "I'll see you around."
Noah watched as Sarah closed the door, a small frown forming on his face. He had hoped for more of a reaction from her, but he knew that he would have to be patient if he wanted to win her over. He turned and walked away, already planning his next move.
"What?!" Noah answered the phone that had been vibrating for a while now.
"When will you pay me? It looks like your plan has gone well…" The person responded to Noah's rage in calmness.
Noah gritted his teeth. It was the woman he hired earlier, to play the role of a prospective tenant and make Sarah feel pressured to rent the house immediately. It was a dirty trick, but he knew that it was the one way to get her to sign the lease.
"Don't worry about the payment, I'll take care of it immediately. And keep in mind that if you ever breathe a word of what we did, I'll make sure you regret it." he said through clenched teeth.
<><><><>
Noah drove up to his secluded house in the hills, grateful for the solitude it provided. As he pulled into the driveway, he noticed a car parked near the entrance. He got annoyed as he recognized his father's car.
He had been estranged from his father, Jacob, for years, and the thought of facing him now made him uneasy. He had come back to the country without his father's knowledge, hoping to avoid any confrontation. But he knew, nothing could be hidden from his father forever.
Noah took a deep breath and stepped out of his car. His father's bodyguard stepped out of the car and stood at attention, watching him with no expression.
"Good evening, sir," the bodyguard said, his tone neutral.
Noah nodded in acknowledgement and walked towards the house, his father following closely behind. They entered the living room, and Noah poured two glasses of scotch, silently handing one to his father.
"What brings you here?" Noah asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
"I heard you were back in the country, son. Since you wouldn't come to see me, I thought I'd come to you," Jacob replied, taking a sip of his drink.
Noah smirked, felt his anger rising. His father had never made an effort to see him before, so why now? He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Well, as you can see, I'm doing just fine on my own," Noah said, gesturing around the room.
"Yup, with my money." Jacob leaned to the chair and then crossed his legs. He swirled the drink in his cup while smiling looking at Noah.
Noah's fists clenched. He couldn't help but roll his eyes at his father's comment. Jacob had always been quick to remind him that his wealth came from the family business, but he conveniently ignored the fact that it was Noah's hard work that had helped to grow the business in the first place.
"I've worked hard to get where I am today. And I don't owe you anything."
Jacob laughed. "You're so dramatic, son. Always have been. But let's be real here, you wouldn't be where you are without me. You're just like me, Noah. Arrogant, cold, and ruthless. It's in our blood."
Noah glared at his father. "I'm nothing like you. And I'll prove it to you. I'll make my own way in this world, without your help. And when I'm successful, you'll see that I don't need you or your money."
"Then return everything right now…" Jacob said it casually but his eyes showed that he was threatening.
Noah didn't respond. He took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. He needed a bit more time to get out of his father's grip. He didn't want to risk losing his plan by acting impulsive. It was a delicate balance, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could maintain it.
Noah stood up, "I'm done with this conversation. If you're just here to insult me and make threats, then you can leave." He gestured towards the door.
Jacob leaned forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "You think you've earned everything, but you forget that it was my company that provided you with the opportunities to succeed. Without me, you'd be nothing."
Noah took a deep breath and forced himself to remain calm. "I'll remember that," he said through gritted teeth. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
He walked towards the door, his father and bodyguard following closely behind. As he opened the door, Jacob spoke up one last time.
"This isn't over, son. You'll regret it if you ever plan to cross me."
He closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Walking back into the living room, picking up the glass of scotch that he had poured earlier.
"I need to act fast." He muttered to himself. His company that he built and hid from his father was still unstable, so he had to be careful not to let his anger and frustration get the best of him.
He took another sip, savouring the burn of the alcohol as it went down his throat. As drinking alone didn't feel the same and he needed to blow off some steam, he decided to call his best buddy, Elijah.
"Club?" He asked.
"Of course! I am always free when it comes to clubs and girls!" Elijah shouted over the phone.
"Usual place at the same time." Noah said, hang up the phone.