By the time we changed and got out, it was dusk already.
''Should I ask the driver to stop at a nearby Restaurant ? Nate asked, while hopping in the limo.
I got in ," I have to meet Noah! Have you forgotten? "
'Oh ! yes..It's 8 p.m right? We'll be there right on time! '
"Nate…I'll manage, you don't have to! "
'Will you be alright alone?'
"I will be! Just trust me on this.You can drop me at his place and leave !"
"Still ... .Maybe I'll wait for you somewhere nearby! If you want, I can be there the next moment!"
'Hey…he's not dangerous. He wouldn't do anything. I know him.'
"Do you? " he questioned.
'Can you stop being overprotective?'
"Sorry, it's an innate thing?" he shrugged.
'Tch…None can win an argument with you!'
"So, can I tag along?"
'Pfft ... .It's a date, Nate. Don't you spoil my date!'
"A Date? With Noah? Are you kidding me?"
'Hmm. I know him. He will make things happen, if he wants it to happen.'
"But you didn't dress up?"
'I want to see his reaction!'
"And for what? Are you looking for reasons to decide?"
'Damn.. Are you a psyche or some kind of a mind reader? '
"I know you, Ash. I know you very well."
'.....' I looked at him speechless, puzzled by those words.
"Get down already, we've reached !" he pushed.
'Already? Okay, I'll get down. Wish me good luck!'
"Will you get down already? I'm hungry, I need to look for a restaurant! "
'Whoa ! Then find a good place and eat well. See you!' I waved him goodbye and goodnight.
I set foot inside his place.
"EMBER RETREAT"
My legs went to the receptionist, "Um.. I'm here to meet Mr. Noah!"
'Miss Ash! We are waiting for you !' She smiled and directed me to Noah's office on the 1st floor.
I took his private elevator and walked out when it stopped on the floor. As the receptionist said, I turned to my left and walked to the end of the floor to find a door on my right.
I knocked and opened the door. I moved in to see Noah, sitting with his eyes glued on the desktop.
"Ahem!"
He looked up from his screen, 'Ash!' he shrieked, 'You're here?'
"You wanted me to?" my eyes filled with doubt.
'No.. No.. I was just.. ugh…come on…sit…' he moved up from his chair and walked me to the couch on the right.
I settled down and he sat opposite.
'So, What you'll have? Your favorite Spaghetti bolognese? Or chicken Risotto?'
"You remember? "
'Of Course! Now they are my favorites! '
"Ah! " my eyes widened.
'I am so excited you know, to have you here, to have a dinner da…dinner with you!'
I ignored his words and looked at his face, "What do you want to tell me about my father's incident?"
'Oh! Let's eat first!'
" I am not here to eat with you. Don't pretend! "
"You don't like to eat with me? " his face turned pale.
I heaved a big sigh,' Noah…it's not…'
"Please…I'd rather tell you what I know, than to be rejected !" his intense eyes met with mine.
I directed my gaze towards my right side, not to give him any probability of a reunion.
'Psst…I'm hurt!'
My eyes darted towards his side and peeked at him.
"Fine.. Whatever you want to talk…I'll hear…Go ahead…I can let it slide for the information about my father !"
He grinned, 'Then, Let's talk over some food!' He picked up his phone from the sofa table and called someone.
'Chicken Risotto? With Verdicchio?,' he raised his brows at me, gesturing if that's fine.
I nodded, 'Okay. '
Few minutes later, someone knocked and two waiters came in with the dishes and they arranged a small table at the corner of the room, with a wonderful night view, a starlit sky to see through the open glass windows of the room.
As we settled, they served us the wine, Verdicchio and the Risotto. The aroma from the risotto hit my olfactory receptor and I gobbled up the rice in hunger.
'Woah! Slow down!' he chortled.
"Mmm….Hungry!" I said with my mouth full.
' I've never seen you eat like this!' he giggled.
I gulped down the food," Oh my, the aroma was so good and I was so hungry after that game. Woof! " I sighed.
'Game?' his brows raised.
"Yup, Paintball game, we've played for half a day. I am super hungry! " I shoved another spoonful rejoicing the taste,"Mmph…flavorful !" I Closed my eyes remembering the past glorious days with my family and welling up my eyes.
I wiped my peeps dry and Noah was shocked,' You alright, Ash?'
"Yeah, It's just…Nothing!" I focused on the food, but my plate was empty. My eyes widened in astonishment and raised my head when Noah laughed out loud.
' Should I get you another plate? You're eating like you've starved for days? I wonder whom you've taken with to the game?' his eyes eager.
"That's none of your concern!"
'Is that so? I am your fiance and I think it is really my concern , dear!'
"To hell with your concern! Where were you these ten long years? And I never agreed to your proposal and you were my fiancé...not now! " I slammed the table.
'Look hon….I understand your rage, I'm just teasing you and you are already giving in to me !' in a sarcastic tone.
" I'm not !"
' Then, Let's toast for the bright future ,' he raised his glass.
I took mine and clinged it with his, he took a sip and said, 'I will give you all the details I know, only if you believe me Ash ?'
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and gulped down the wine. As I finished, the waiter from afar, ran to me and poured me the liquor and left.
Noah giggled at my embarrassed face, I gulped down the next glass angrily.
'Hey….Hey…..Stop…Hold it…Can you really tolerate so much wine?' he warned.
"You think I can't? "I poured myself another glass , chugged it down furiously and ended up drinking another whole glass of wine.
The waiter cleared the table after Noah finished his food and he signaled the waiter to do it quickly.
The waiters left us alone after clearing the table.
'You….' I extended my arm with my index finger pointing at him, my vision blurry.
I rubbed my eyes, widened them to look at him. But there were two!
I moved up the chair and walked to him, "You were only one before? How come there's another? " I looked at them both.
'You're drunk, come I'll drop you at home!' they moved.
"Ah ... .don't touch", I moved backwards and tumbled down on my back, "Ouch…." I giggled.
'Here…' Noah gave me his hand.
I folded my hands and giggled, shaking the head to my sides in a " No "
'Come on ,' he bent over and lifted me, making me stand, but I refused, shaking my body and we both fell down.
'Such an uncompromising position! ' he murmured at my face.
"Who told you to fall over me ?" I grabbed his collar and his face was an inch away from mine, his hands on the sides balancing his body almost in a plank position.
I sniffed his neck as he smelled good and familiar , as I grasped him closer to know the scent, I tickled my nose at his side neck and he twitched, and lost control, falling over me.
Those familiar lime, white bergamot notes triggered my senses and I kept sniffling him.