Is this destiny?

Zack panicked while scrambling his brain to fix the current situation.

If his words draw a wedge between Chloe and Noah, Zack was confident that Noah will wedge something in Zack's stomach. A knife probably.

Zack wished that Masika is in the room; she always has a solution to these relationship things. Why did she go to the storage to help load the medical supplies, leaving him behind?

Ah! Chloe is still looking at him and expecting an explanation!

"Of course, Sarah is married.", Zack said and laughed awkwardly. "None of them is trying to marry Sarah or to seduce her or anything like that. They want Sarah to crown them as her favorite. You see, Aaron and Noah are high school friends with Aiden. This is a macho competition between guys to outdo each other. Sarah is not a prize. She is the judge."

Chloe released the breath she was holding. Silently, she scolded herself for doubting Noah. If he has feelings for other women (Sarah in particular), he wouldn't bring Chloe here and introduce her to everyone as his fiancée. Chloe met with Sarah more than once, and even though there is an undeniable closeness between Sarah and Noah, Chloe didn't pick up a romantic vibe.

Chloe reminded herself that she needs to push her lack of confidence aside and feed off the energy Noah is giving her; she needs to be stronger than this, she needs to believe in her relationship with Noah, in their love, in their future… because if she succumbs easily to her insecurities, there will be no future with Noah.

She can't rely that Noah will always run after her and convince her that she is his only one, Chloe needs to believe that she IS the one for Noah.

"That competition is ridiculous.", Chloe said. "Sarah is married to Aiden, of course, she will pick her husband."

"True, that is usually the case, but the others are not easily discouraged.", Zack said. "You will see how ridiculous they are when they get together. Everything is a competition. Well, now that you and Noah are engaged, maybe Noah will act like a grownup and focus on the woman who matters…"

"Whenever you two are done chatting, we can resume work…", Sophia's stern voice came from the speaker.

"Yes, sorry…", Chloe said quickly and stared at the tablet in front of her, realizing that she had no idea from where to start. "What should I do?"

"Let me show you…", Igor chimed in from the side.

At the main table, Noah released a slow breath as he relaxed. Zack managed to fix the situation.

Noah liked Zack's explanation, Sarah is not the prize, she is the judge. He will use that if the topic comes again.

…

Later that evening…

Major decisions were made, units from the Army of Chaos and its allies received instructions and were on the move, and first reports were expected in the morning.

Since it's daytime in Romania, Aaron and Mishi said that they will keep an eye on things and alert others if anything happens in the meantime.  With that, people stationed in Los Angeles (and other locations in the United States), dispersed as they called it a night.

Chloe and Noah entered Noah's office.

"What do you think?", Noah asked Chloe.

Chloe was not sure what Noah was getting at. "About?"

"About what you saw today. This evening in particular."

Chloe understood that he was asking about the Army of Chaos and the emergency mission.

"It's a lot to take in. I never saw so many people coming together, each with a different skillset, and everyone was working for the same thing without trying to overshadow each other, I mean… I was impressed and elated to know that I could help out.", Chloe said excitedly.

Igor and Sophia praised her for good work, and she was proud of herself.

"Were you part of all this from the beginning?", Chloe asked Noah.

"Not from the beginning-beginning.", Noah responded. "When I joined, the organization was budding. I remember that Sarah had no intention of technically owning the entire neighborhood, it just happened."

Chloe's curious gaze urged Noah to continue talking, so he did…

"The Chaos nightclub used to be a strip bar, ran by a local gang. Sarah took care of them, and whoever didn't show malicious intent, got a chance to turn his life around. The waitresses in the Chaos nightclub were strippers in that same place before Sarah showed up. Gangs attacked Sarah, trying to snatch her properties, but she beat them and took their things as a punishment."

Noah remembered that Chloe was working with Zack, Igor, and Sophia, so he decided to share some background.

"Zack was a bodyguard; when he saw how Sarah treats her men, he quit his job and joined here. Sarah saw his potential and he switched from being a bodyguard to a strategist. Many thugs, thieves, and gang members abandoned their past and joined as security, cleaners, bartenders, clerks, filling in the job posts and helping things run. Whoever wants to learn additional skills, they are provided with resources. Igor is a strategist-in-training under Sophia's guidance. I thought that it's foolish, giving them a job and a place to live, but Sarah said how everyone wants a good life and to be part of something bigger."

"She gave them a chance.", Chloe said thoughtfully.

Noah confirmed. "Yes. That is what Sarah does. She believes that people will do the right thing. She taught us that people become criminals only because they don't see a path to succeed otherwise. People you met today are not here because of the paycheck or benefits. They are here because they owe Sarah. Me included. Without her, I wouldn't have this position, influence, confidence, and I wouldn't meet my lovely fiancée."

Chloe smiled. She liked that Noah brought her into the talk.

Chloe wanted to stay up late and talk and do much more with Noah, but a yawn betrayed that she was tired. The last few nights, she didn't sleep much either due to crying (and lovemaking), and her energy reserves were depleted. "Are we sleeping here, or…?"

"It's either here or your apartment."

Chloe was surprised by this. What happened with his numerous apartments and other properties that he flashed proudly? "Really?"

Noah confirmed. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable by taking you to a place you might suspect I shared with someone else. In a few days, when things settle, we will go house-shopping and pick a place to live. I want us to have a fresh start. Until then, we can stay here or go to your place. I don't mind either way."

Chloe was touched by how thoughtful Noah was. It was true that if they went to any of his places and if he said that she is the first woman there… she wouldn't believe him.

"Let's stay here tonight.", Chloe suggested. With how this place had no sitting area and only minimalistic furniture, it was obvious that Noah didn't entertain people (aka women) here.

Noah had no objections.

They showered and got ready for bed. Since there were no pajamas, Chloe wore Noah's t-shirt.

She snuggled next to him and fell asleep within seconds. They had a busy day, full of excitement and even though she hoped for kisses and more, Chloe succumbed to fatigue.

Noah cradled Chloe in his arms and observed her sleeping face. He thought of handcuffing her, but the way Chloe clung to him, told Noah how that will not be necessary.

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