Is this destiny?

"We will not have dessert. If you can ask Flynn to get us the check, that will be great.", Noah said to Daphne and turned to Chloe whose bio-indicators told him that she was experiencing emotional turmoil.

"Was the food good?", Noah asked.

"It was great."

"Are you sure you don't want a dessert? The cherry pie is amazing."

Chloe shook her head, rejecting his offer. "It's fine."

Noah heard Chloe's answers of 'great' and 'fine', which meant that she was shutting herself in again and he didn't know how to prevent it.

Noah let out a long exhale. "Chloe, you can talk to me."

Chloe blinked. "I am talking to you."

"You are not.", Noah said. "I can tell that something is weighing on your mind. Why are you not letting me in?"

"Whatever is weighing on my mind, is not your problem to solve.", Chloe said, irritated that he is so persistent.

"I told you that I can listen."

Chloe couldn't help but succumb to doubts that grew within her. What's with the act? Why would he care? They met two weeks ago at a party, and for the last three days, they are occupying the same office during work hours. They have no connections or ties, and she can't even label him as her friend.

Who is Noah? He is her boss, an acquaintance at most, her superior in every possible way.

Chloe's own relatives are either harming her or ignoring her, why would an outsider like Noah be willing to help? Is he really doing this without expecting anything in return? Chloe was certain that nothing comes for free in life, so… what are Noah's reasons for stepping in? Does he think that by helping her a few times and getting dinner he will get her to sleep with him?

She didn't want to think of Noah as a lowly guy, but she had nothing to offer other than her body, and no matter how attracted she was to him, Chloe was aware that getting entangled with Noah Bennet for one night (or more) will only bring her trouble.

Chloe pressed her lips into a line. 'I was so stupid!'

Flynn came to their table with the bill and Chloe pushed her credit card in his hand.

"What are you doing?", Noah grumbled at Chloe in disapproval. He brought her here for dinner, so he should pay. And as a guy (and a gentleman) he should pay. 

"I will pay for this dinner, as a thank you for helping me earlier.", Chloe responded stiffly.

Noah yanked Chloe's card out of Flynn's hand and gave him his. Noah's glare told Flynn that he should not linger, and Flynn got the hint right away.

Noah placed Chloe's credit card in front of her. "I didn't help you because I expected you to repay me."

"And why did you do it?", Chloe challenged him.

Noah realized that Chloe was questioning his motives. "You needed help, and I was in a position to assist you without much effort on my side. Why do you sound like I did something bad? Or are you doubting my intentions?"

"I'm not doubting them. I want to know what they are…", Chloe said and stuffed her credit card in her purse. Now that he gave his card to pay for the meal, that thing was settled. She asked Noah about his motives, and his silence only proved that he was playing with her. The only good thing was that at least he didn't lie by selling her some cheesy story.

Chloe felt that there was a lack of oxygen and she wanted to leave.

"There is no need for you to answer that.", Chloe said while scooting out of the booth, away from Noah. "Thank you for everything you did for me, director Bennet. I hope that someday I will be in a position to return the favor."

Noah was flabbergasted. What happened? How did things escalate to the point of Chloe leaving him behind? And why did her words sound like a goodbye?

Chloe walked out of the restaurant while telling herself not to run. Noah is a famous person and if someone sees her dashing out, it would only cause a scene. At least she can discretely leave that restaurant and this neighborhood.

The dinner was over, and it was time for Chloe to face the reality where her seniors know where she is and they will not let her go peacefully.

Chloe didn't know if she will return to the Long family or if she will flee far away, but she knew that in either case, she needs to pack.

Her legs were moving steadily, but her mind was racing. She will get ready tonight, and in the morning she will give her Blanc employee's badge and resignation letter to Matilda with the hope that her good neighbor will be able to settle things in the company.

It was not safe to stay in that apartment longer, and Chloe hoped that her seniors will not look for her until tomorrow morning. By then, Chloe will leave that place with a decision on her next destination.

Chloe's eyes were getting blurry from tears that pooled into her eyes. For the last week, she had hope that things will work out, that she can live her life and do what she wants… but her seniors found her and reminded her that she can't fly out of the Long family's cage freely. Even after finding a job and moving out of the Long family's property, Chloe was shackled, like a prisoner and her choices were to follow their rules or escape like a thief and live her life in hiding. How can any of those be good? She blinked rapidly while trying to suppress her tears from falling. She didn't want to cry in the middle of the street. The last thing she wanted was to attract attention to herself.

Chloe's steps halted when she felt a grip around her wrist. Chloe panicked. Is the Long family back to take her by force? She yanked her arm away, but the hold was too strong, and she was unable to escape it.

"Chloe…", Chloe heard Noah's voice and stopped resisting. A second later, she gritted her teeth. Why is he making things worse?

"Let me go…", Chloe said while looking away from Noah. She didn't know what his expression was, but she could guess that it was nothing good.

Noah was at his wits' end. Are all women this complicated, or is it only Chloe? He thought that they were doing good and making progress. They shared a meal and chatted, and he even made her laugh… but then she left without explaining what happened.

Eve-lens can tell him when Chloe is upset or sad, but not the reason behind it, and Noah is not a mind reader. Sure, he had a feeling that this was triggered by Daphne's appearance, but he needed more information.

"Where do you think you are going?", he asked with irritation in his voice.

"To my apartment.", Chloe responded.

"I will come with you."

Chloe was shocked by his statement. Did he just self-invite to her apartment?

"That is my apartment. You can't come as you see fit."

"But you promised to spend your weekend with me, and it's Friday evening, so…", Noah's voice trailed away.

Chloe looked at him in disbelief. "I'm sure that there are many other women who will be happy to spend their Friday evening with you. Does it need to be me?"

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