Is this destiny?

Seeing that Noah was not budging or releasing her hand, Chloe decided to be blunt and address the pressing matter. "I won't give you what you want. So, unless you plan to force yourself on me, I suggest you find a woman who is more willing."

The harshness of Chloe's words surprised Noah, but he was also pleased that she was speaking her mind. "Spending the weekend together does not entail us having sex, Chloe. I will never force you to do anything against your will. Do you see me as a rapist?"

Chloe's heart cracked a bit. Or maybe that was a crack in the wall around her heart.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.", Chloe said quickly. "I wanted to say that you should stop wasting your time on me as I bring only trouble."

Noah noticed that Chloe relaxed. Well, maybe not relaxed, but at least she will not run away. His hold on her wrist loosened and his hand slipped lower, to hold onto her hand which seemed small and soft compared to his. Noah was happy that she didn't pull her hand away.

"And what do you think is a better use of my time?", he asked softly.

"It's Friday evening, and it seems you are free. Go and have fun, and if you seek female company, find a woman that is less complicated."

"When you speak like that, it appears that you have a female on your mind."

Chloe didn't deny the obvious. She was used to the fact that Noah can see through her easily. "The server lady from the restaurant."

Noah's brows furrowed. His first thought was how Chloe was jealous and that would be a sign that she likes him, but he knew that it's not that simple. He needed more information. "You think that Daphne is a better company for me than you are?"

Chloe was upset that Noah was avoiding the point.

He was playing a silly game and Chloe was not interested to be his weekend entertainment. However, it was obvious that Daphne was interested in him, and Daphne would not be brave enough to touch him if he didn't allow her to do so. Chloe saw Noah with his employees, his subordinates, his admirers, and no one dared to put their hands on him. No one. The silent interaction between Noah and Daphne indicated intimacy. Why wouldn't he go with a woman who was willing to please him? Why was he sticking to Chloe to the point of giving her a headache? She had serious matters to deal with and no time to play with Noah for his amusement.

"Are you going to deny that you have a history with her?"

"She is no one.", Noah said honestly. Compared to Chloe, Daphne was insignificant.

"Is that how you treat women who admire you after you had your fill?"

Noah opened his mouth and then closed it. What would he say? Friends with benefits? Fuck-buddies? Should he tell Chloe how one evening, two years ago, he and Daphne were both drunk and lonely and things happened… and that after that, things happened several more times, but it didn't mean anything? Or maybe he should lie and tell her that he never touched Daphne, but based on Chloe's attitude, she already figured out a lot. "It's not like that."

"And how is it?", Chloe snapped at him.

She wanted to yank her hand out of his, but he tightened his hold again.

He spoke calmly like she was not struggling to get her hand out of his grasp. "No matter what I say, it will make your opinion of me worsen, because you will think of me either as a liar or a scoundrel. However, I hope that you will believe me when I say that she is not important."

Chloe stopped moving and narrowed her eyes at him. "And I am?"

Noah could see her gaze filled with distrust and anger and sadness and helplessness and heartbreak and his heart ached as well.

Noah's hand which held Chloe's moved and he laced his fingers with hers. He lifted his hand with hers and pressed the back of her palm on his chest, right in the middle, where his heart is, hoping that she will realize he will say the truth. 

"Chloe…", Noah called and locked his eyes with hers. "You are important enough to make me want to get to know you. You are important enough to make me neglect my usual duties so that I can spend work hours at Blanc by your side. You are important enough to make me worry witless when I thought you might be in danger. I am a regular customer at Diner House, but this was the first time I've brought a woman with me for a meal. It does not matter if Daphne or any other person gives you ambiguous looks because neither of them is relevant in my eyes, and that is exactly why they are looking at you… they never saw me bring a woman in public on a date. So, you tell me, Chloe, are you important?"

Chloe's eyes were open wide to the point of hurting. She didn't expect him to say all these things and it sounded like a confession.

"A date?", she whispered.

"Mhm…", Noah hummed. "A date is how you call when a man and a woman go for dinner on a Friday evening. If you didn't notice, I dressed up and brought you a flower. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my initial reservation fell through, but I still had fun spending my time with you, Chloe. The part where you suddenly shut me down without explanation was not enjoyable, but every other moment was."

His hold on her hand tightened as he continued. "I know that your experiences with people were not positive and it caused you to be cynical, but I am asking you to give me a chance. Don't look at me as director Bennet, or as your boss, or a sergeant. Don't look at how other people see me. I want you to look at me with your own eyes, and see who I am."

Chloe's eyes darted over Noah's face as she tried to make sense of his words. He said that their dinner was a date and then he said many other things, but she was not sure if he was expecting her to respond. After some time, Noah spoke again.

"I am asking you for this weekend. One weekend of no titles, no labels, no backgrounds. It will be just us, Chloe and Noah, spending time together and getting to know each other. After that, if you don't want me in your life, just say so and I will leave and not give you trouble. What do you say?"

Noah didn't want just one weekend, he wanted much more, but he had a feeling that if he asks for more, Chloe will reject him. She was back to looking like a scared rabbit who was ready to dash out of sight and he needed her in his visual range.

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