Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Boyle Heights neighborhood ~

Chloe spent almost an hour picking what to wear for dinner. Not because she had a closet full of clothes, but because nothing seemed right.

She didn't want it too tight or revealing, because she didn't want to appear too eager or easy. The outfit shouldn't be loose or granny-style because she didn't want to look like some hillbilly. After all, Chloe is the young Miss of the Long family and she knew how to dress for a dinner occasion. But what if it's dinner in a business setting? Or is it a date? Chloe shooed this last thought away because there is no way Noah called her for a date.

However, Noah didn't say anything other than how he has plans and she will join him, so she was back to not knowing what was appropriate to wear.

Without much confidence, Chloe picked tan dress pants that fit her well without being tight, a silky light-gray sleeveless tunic, and a white cardigan with three-quarter sleeves.

Her tan sandals with two-inch heels complemented the outfit and with that, Chloe went to shower while thinking about her makeup and hairstyle for the evening. Ah, another set of difficult choices!

After getting ready, Chloe gave herself a look in the mirror. The outfit was not too tight, not too loose, not revealing, and not grandma-style either. Her hair was lifted into a bun that was slightly messy, so she didn't look too formal or too casual, and her makeup was noticeable, but not standing out.

She looked ready for any dinner-occasion and Chloe gave herself a thumbs up.

The doorbell rang, and Chloe stumbled toward the door. She took a deep breath before opening it…

Chloe blinked twice before speaking out, "Matilda?"

Matilda glanced at Chloe from top to bottom and smiled. "I came to see if you will join us for dinner, but it seems that you have plans. Is it someone I know?"

Chloe pressed her lips into a line and smiled sheepishly. She took a lot of effort during lunch to explain to Matilda how there is nothing going on between her and Noah, but why did Chloe feel like a child that was caught in mischief?

She knew that any explanations will only feel like an excuse and if she lies, Matilda can find out the truth by just lingering in the hallway, so Chloe went to the truth right away.

"Noah Bennet."

Matilda's eyes flashed knowingly. "Have fun."

Matilda turned to leave, and Chloe couldn't believe that Matilda didn't tease her. But then… Matilda will probably do so tomorrow while demanding to hear juicy details… and there will be none, Chloe was sure of that.

Chloe closed the door and checked the time. It was almost seven o'clock and with nothing else to do, she was getting anxious.

Oh, gosh, a dinner with Noah. She wondered, what will Noah say when he sees her? Will he say anything? What if he doesn't approve? He complimented her look in a dress at the Chaos nightclub… should she change into a dress?

Chloe glanced at the living area and noticed her purse on the sofa and shoes she wore at work scattered on the floor. The bag with a logo of a bakery from down the street which Noah used to bring breakfast that morning was still on the table.

Chloe panicked. 'Uh, uh… Noah will be here any minute, and my apartment is a mess!'

She moved swiftly to tidy up.

When she made sure that her living area was Noah-ready, Chloe went back to check again her makeup and hair.

The doorbell rang and Chloe's heart nearly leaped in her throat. She reminded herself not to run because the most embarrassing thing would be if she trips and ends up sprawled on the floor of the living room.

Chloe exhaled sharply and opened the door.

She stood frozen in shock while her eyes moved between three people who smiled at her as Chloe's last thoughts of Noah disappeared.

"Uncle Leo, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Wendy…", Chloe called when she found her voice. "What brings you here?"

Chloe's eyes darted to the side, and she saw two security guys from the Long family. Those two were personal bodyguards to Chloe's Aunt Wendy.

Chloe pressed her lips into a line. Why did these three seniors from the Long family show up here? Did they come to persuade her to return home? How did they find her? The only people from the Long family that knew where Chloe is, were her parents. Did they hurt her parents or threaten them? Chloe knew that her parents supported her leaving the family and they would not reveal her address easily. Or did the seniors find out about Chloe's whereabouts in some other way?

"Aren't you going to invite us in?", Aunt Wendy asked stiffly. "Or should we talk in the hallway?"

Chloe responded with a tight smile. What can they do? Even if they want her to return home, she will not leave willingly so at most they can scold her, and she didn't want that to happen in the hallway for her neighbors to hear.

…

In a flower shop, several blocks away from Chloe's apartment…

Noah was looking at the vast selection of flowers and contemplating which one to get. He had no intention to pick up Chloe emptyhanded, and since he was taking her to an exclusive restaurant downtown Los Angeles, a bottle of wine didn't seem appropriate, and he had no idea what kind of chocolates she likes, so he decided on flowers.

At the entry of the flower shop, Noah saw a big bucket filled with various flowers and a sign next to it that said 'free samples'. He was running late (damned meeting!), so picking a flower from that bucket seemed like a quick solution, but he didn't want to show up with one flower in his hand. However, if he gets a too big bouquet, it might scare Chloe away, and a small one might be insulting or make him appear cheap. Noah rubbed his chin, unsure what to do.

"Can I help you?", the saleswoman asked. She was aware of Noah's identity and she was watching him for more than ten minutes as he moved through the store and scrutinized flowers. Occasionally, he would reach for something only to retract his empty hand, and then he continued circling around the displays.

"I need flowers.", Noah said.

The lady smiled at his response. Everyone who comes here wants flowers, and Noah seemed so lost that she guessed this might be his first time buying flowers. "What's the occasion?"

Noah cleared his throat. "A date."

The woman hummed. "Red roses symbolize love, and they are ladies' favorites. You can't go wrong with them…", she ended by gesturing toward the center display that was dominated by red roses.

Noah frowned. Love? He was not sure about it. Attraction, yes. Curiosity, yes. Admiration, yes. But love seemed too far-fetched at that moment as he was still trying to figure out what is this feeling that Chloe stirs within him.

He didn't want to rush by giving Chloe hints about love or anything serious. What if he discovers later that what he feels is not love? It will only bring trouble later, for Chloe mostly.

"Is there a flower that symbolizes… a like?"

The woman was not sure how to respond to this. What are they, high schoolers? She didn't want to get on Noah's bad side, but as a woman, she had to speak up. "Flowers have the power to move woman's heart, and if you are not clear about your intentions, maybe you should not get her any."

Noah was surprised by woman's answer. "What kind of advice was that? Do you make any sales?"

Before the saleswoman could respond, Noah's expression changed as he got a notification on Eve-lens that Chloe stepped into the hallway. He saw Chloe talk with three seniors from the Long family while two bodyguards stood on the side. Chloe and the seniors entered Chloe's apartment, and Noah had a bad feeling about it.

"I will be back later…", Noah said to the saleslady and dashed out of the flower shop.

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