Is this destiny?

Chloe was reluctant to go downstairs at first, but she had to agree with her mother. Seniors are impatient and it's not a good idea to provoke them. After all, Chloe's plan included convincing the seniors from the Long family that she came home on her own accord in order to follow whatever they have prepared for her. Only like that, she will seize the right opportunity to flee.

It didn't take long for Chloe to get ready.

Chloe lifted her hair into a bun and pulled a few strands to fall on the side, framing her face. After a dash of concealer under her eyes, with a kiss of lipstick and mascara, her features came into life, like she didn't cry before that.

Out of the vast selection of gowns in her closet, Chloe picked a light blue sleeveless dress that has a silvery wide belt around her waist, black details around the heart neckline, and the flowy skirt ended just below her knees.

Chloe looked at herself in a full-length mirror, observing the perfect young Miss Long who was staring back at her.

Even without any jewelry on, the young woman in the mirror extruded elegance and it was just what her seniors would expect to see.

One step at a time, Chloe descended the stairs and walked toward the living room while fighting her urge to run away.

The voices drifting toward her confirmed that seniors and Steve are waiting for her, with her parents, probably. She didn't care to pay attention to what they were talking about. It would be either irrelevant or something she didn't want to know.

Taking one deep breath and schooling her features, Chloe made the last step over the threshold and observed people in the room.

Just as she suspected, Steve was there, together with Chloe's father and mother, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Leo, Uncle Kevin, and several other elders… and there was one more man who was sitting in the sofa chair with his back facing her.

Chloe wouldn't think much of another person, but everyone from that room was looking at him with polite smiles and addressing him with respect, indicating that he is someone important.

Chloe froze at the thought that this man is Mr. Baldeo, but a moment later she dismissed that as a possibility because this man's hair was not chestnut colored or balding, it was black and slicked backward.

"Here she is…", Chloe's mom said with a stiff smile on her face.

Everyone's gazes moved toward Chloe, and the man who was facing away took his sweet time to turn in slow motion.

He stood up and greeted Chloe with a small smile that made her heart flip. "Miss Chloe, it's nice to see you again."

Chloe's mouth was slightly open, as she was unsure how to respond. The graceful young lady that entered the room was gone, and instead, she looked like a flabbergasted peasant that was stuffed in an elegant dress.

Her mom walked by her side. "I apologize, she had a stressful week and is still not rested."

Chloe was staring at the man in front of her in a daze, and she heard her mom's voice, "Chloe, dear… aren't you going to greet Mr. Bennet? He said you know each other from work…"

An awkward silence blanketed the room, as everyone with the surname Long was looking at Chloe with trepidation.

"I am really sorry…", Chloe's mother said in a shaky voice.

"It's not a problem.", Noah responded with a smile. As much as he enjoyed Chloe's shocked expression, he didn't want to tease her in front of her family.

Noah glanced at the other people in the room. "I believe you have everything from my side. I will take the liberty to stroll through the garden with Miss Chloe while you discuss among yourself what should be done. I expect your decision in fifteen minutes."

Steve nodded in response, and Noah extended his hand toward still non-responsive Chloe. "Shal we?"

Robotically, Chloe put her hand in Noah's and followed him outside of the living room.

"Which way is the garden?", Noah asked Chloe to what she pointed on the left with one jerky movement.

They stepped out and Chloe was looking at Noah from top to bottom with disbelief still painted all over her face. She raked him with her gaze a few times, to ensure that this is the same Noah who held her in his arms the previous night.

Noah's hair was slicked back neatly, and he wore a sharp dark blue suit with black and silver details. His black leather shoes were polished to the point of shining.

She concluded that his suit is probably more costly than what she would earn in a year of working at Blanc as a junior accountant. She recognized the suit since it's one of the latest designs from EY. As a young Miss of the Long family, Chloe follows fashion trends.

Noah also had a fancy watch and a hefty ring with a letter B on his right middle finger, and even his necktie clip was blingy. Chloe recognized the Blanc logo on the necktie clip, but the style of the letter B on the ring was unusual, and she wondered if it stands for his last name.

Everything about Noah screamed 'expensive', and even though when he is not in his black uniform, Noah dresses up neatly, this was too much. Also, it was not only about his clothes. His posture, expression, and overall aura were like she was facing someone from a royal family. She met many young masters, but Noah was in a league of his own. Just what was going on?

When they were far into the garden and high rose bushes hid them from the view of Chloe's family's villa, Chloe nervously glanced back, to make sure no one is in the visual range, before asking, "How come my relatives didn't kick you out? Knowing my Aunt Wendy, she would never talk so politely with a bodyguard, and the thing that happened on Friday would only make it worse."

Noah chuckled. "Your Aunt Wendy wouldn't recognize me with a magnifying glass. On Friday she met a bodyguard, a lowly guy who does not deserve her attention. Today I am the heir of the Bennet family, a director from Blanc, someone worthy of respect. Your Uncle Leo asked me about the man who appeared at your apartment on Friday, and I told them that he was my subordinate."

Chloe thought how that makes sense. Did Noah say that he is the heir of the Bennet family? She didn't care about his family's background, but there was something else she wanted to know… "Why are you here?"

Noah gently squeezed Chloe's hand which he didn't let go of since they left the living room.

"You are beautiful.", he said honestly while gazing into her eyes lovingly.

He thought that her blue dress and his blue suit are almost like a couple's outfits.

Chloe blushed. Is he flirting with her? At this time? She reminded herself to stay focused. "You are handsome but exchanging compliments will not answer my question."

Noah pulled her hand up and pressed the back of her palm against his chest, just how he did on Friday after dinner, on the street in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. "The woman who captured my heart is in trouble. I heard that her family is setting her up for marriage against her will with a man she never met, and I couldn't just sit and do nothing."

Chloe had no idea what Noah was up to, but she realized that he was putting himself in danger because of her. He didn't go to be with someone less complicated; instead, he got tangled in her mess.

Her heart was moved, but her mind told her how this was not a good thing. However, she didn't want to let go of his hand. Ever.

"You don't have to do this.", Chloe said pleadingly.

"I disagree.", Noah responded stubbornly. Her reluctance to accept his help even at this time told him that she doesn't trust him.

Chloe was dejected. She blamed herself for being in this situation. If she is not so meek, Noah would not need to jeopardize himself for her sake. "This is all because I'm too weak to oppose them and fix the situation in my family."

"I'm not here to fix your family or remind you of your shortcomings. I am here to lend you my strength."

"I don't think I deserve it.", she said in a whisper.

Noah touched her chin, lifting her head so that she looks at him.

"Chloe, no matter how guilty you feel or what problems you are facing, I want you to know that I am here for you. The only thing I expect from you is to let me love you."

Chloe's vision blurred from tears and she reminded herself not to lean on Noah because she can't afford to ruin his clothes with snot and makeup smudges. A whole year of working a Blanc would not be enough to repay that suit. But Noah said the word 'love', and she had to confirm.

"Do you mean it?", she asked in a shaky voice.

"With every fiber of my being."

Chloe closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. As she exhaled, the fingers of her hand which pressed on his chest curled around his hand and she held onto him tightly.

"Don't let go, Noah.", she pleaded.

"Never."

Noah's smile reached his eyes. This was the first time that Chloe asked something from him.

He leaned toward her, and she got on her toes, and just like that they held each other and kissed in the garden among tall rose bushes, behind Chloe's family's villa.

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