Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Boyle Heights neighborhood ~

After breakfast, Noah suggested that he and Chloe go to the Youth Center, and he was happy that she agreed.

Noah had things to do, and he didn't want to leave Chloe on her own.

If Chloe goes out without him, she might bump into the Long family members. It's not that Noah can't get people to follow Chloe and protect her, but he wanted to avoid confrontations at this point.

On the other side, if Chloe stayed in the apartment, she would probably spend time figuring out her escape route from Longs (and Noah), and he didn't want Chloe to bother with those useless things. He was confident in his plan, and that Chloe will not leave.

At the Youth Center...

When Chloe and Noah entered the classroom, other than avoiding overenthusiastic Draco, Noah introduced Chloe to Francisca, Azra, and Camila who were also there, wearing black uniforms and helping out kids with various subjects along several other tutors.

Francisca, Azra, and Camila heard from other girls that Noah got himself a girlfriend, and they were interested to find out more about Chloe.

The three of them returned a few days ago from the Voronin family with Bo, Wing, and Souta. The school was about to start and since Hong got his footing with the Voronin family, the six kids were back and gradually resuming their normal routine, which includes their involvement with the Youth Center.

While girls were tutoring kids from the center with academics, Bo, Wing, and Souta were in the workshop with Nico and Beck, tackling the big project of repairing old stalls and creating new ones for the upcoming event (in two weeks).

The three couples are in turmoil. They are torn between the main base of the Voronin family and the Cliffside villa.

Bo, Souta, and Wing want to stay with Hong (aka Gedeon) and help him manage the Voronin family while completing education from there.

Francisca, Azra, and Camila want to be in Los Angeles because there are many other things to do compared to being stuck in one base and going through reports. It's not that girls don't want to help out, but the Voronin family's operations shrunk after the attacks that were led by the Army of Chaos, and there is not much to do. Hong has Bo, Souta, and Wing, but he also has Maksim and several other trustworthy people from the Voronin family, and girls feel like extras.

Sarah advised the three couples to compromise and spend a few weeks in Los Angeles before deciding if they will return to the base of the Voronin family.

As a short-term solution, that will work because just how they can attend classes online from anywhere, that is how Bo, Wing, and Souta can help Hong remotely since everything is done electronically.

However, as a long-term solution, it will not work because they are all craving for one place they would call 'home' and girls want to stay at the Cliffside Villa, while boys are more attached to Hong.

Francisca, Azra, and Camila are young and eager to enjoy the lifestyle that Los Angeles can provide. Other than the kids at the Cliffside Villa and the fun that can be found in the big city, Francisca, Azra, and Camila are also involved in the art gallery and the Youth Center and they like to babysit kids when Sophia, JoAnna, and other young mothers come for a visit, and the fur-babies are everyone's favorite.

As much as the three girls love their boyfriends, they are not happy to be stuck in the main base of the Voronin family which is bland compared to the variety of activities they have in Los Angeles. For a short-term mission or even a few months is fine, but Bo, Souta, and Wing are thinking of staying with Hong long-term, and girls are not happy about it.

Sarah spoke with Hong and warned him not to pressure boys to stay with him. Hong said that he never did such a thing, but Sarah is aware how just by Hong saying how he is busy and Bo, Wing, and Souta are a great help, the boys are inclined to stay. However, Hong can't chase them away either.

Sarah would prefer if the youngsters stay in Los Angeles, but she understands that boys are loyal to Hong and she will not stop them no matter what their decision is.

Sarah hopes that this doesn't cause a rift between couples because she noticed that they are getting along well, but when the topic of their residence comes up, they are bickering. Ah, parenting is hard.

Back to the present…

With Noah's presence in the classroom, things went as usually with everyone doing their work in silence, and talking happened in whispers and low voices so that others are not disturbed.

At some point, Noah checked his phone and made his way toward Chloe.

"I need to take care of a few things. Will you be OK here?", Noah asked.

"Yes, yes…", Chloe confirmed. "Don't take too long, OK?"

Noah smiled. He liked this clingy Chloe. "I will be back before you know it."

Noah leaned closer, and Chloe was confident that he will kiss her cheek, or maybe give her a quick peck on the lips.

Chloe was surprised when Noah pulled her into his embrace and even though he didn't deepen the kiss, it was slow and sensual and full of longing, and she went soft in his arms, forgetting that they were in the classroom full of young people (and few seniors) who were staring at them.

"That's one way to stake your claim on a girl in front of everyone…", Francisca said.

Camila and Azra exchanged glances and swallowed all the questions they prepared beforehand for Chloe. How can they ask anything after witnessing this public display of affection? Other than announcing to everyone that Chloe is his, Noah also issued a silent warning that if anyone dares to mess with Chloe, he will handle it.

After an unknown measure of time, Noah inched away from Chloe and a sly smirk appeared at the corner of his lips as he observed Chloe's dazed expression.

Two seconds later, Chloe inhaled sharply. "Why did you do that?", she asked Noah in an urgent whisper.

"So that everyone knows you are mine.", Noah said smugly. "I will see you in a bit."

Noah winked and walked away with a spring in his step.

Chloe exhaled dejectedly. Why didn't Noah take her with him? How is she supposed to face these people? Everyone saw them. Everyone. How embarrassing.

Luckily, one girly voice called for Miss Long, and Chloe swiftly made her way there while avoiding to meet anyone's gaze, hoping that they will forget about it.

Chloe was sure that Noah is on a mission to test her limits until she passes out from anxiety.

Yesterday was holding hands, and today he kissed her. What will be tomorrow?

Chloe bit the inside of her cheek while wondering if tomorrow she will be with Noah. She exhaled sadly while doing her best to focus on the question the girl was asking. There was no point in worrying about things she can't change.

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