Noah’s POVI lied on the hotel’s bed when I arrived at the unit. I’m tired. I have been sleeping less.I instructed Karl to go, and look for Yanna again. Gio found a tip that she’s staying in a hotel. Knowing her, she would never reside in a cheap one. I know she’d stay in luxury hotels even if it means using men to get her way. There are wealthy men here and her beauty could captivate some, for sure.I glanced at my phone but the stain on my pants took my attention. I don’t know why I smiled when I remembered her jolly face when I handed her a new cone of ice cream. Damien would be a little older than her by now if he’s still alive.Her curly hair reminded me of Averill, also her pale, white skin. Her thick lashes also resemble Avi but other than that, she looks entirely different. Her eyes are as black as a coal, and her nose is shouting good genes. I bet her parents look great.F*ck. Why the hell am I even fantasizing over other people’s kids when I am still looking for my own… my
Noah’s POV“What are your plans now?”“I will talk to Averill and ask about our daughter,” I replied, slicing the meat in front of me. I really hate to eat this crap but I had no choice. I’ve been starving since last night. I glanced at the entrance of the restaurant when I heard noisy kids.I frowned, aren’t those the kids yesterday? The little boy looked at me and outright ignored me. Shit? I know he recognized me because he slightly glared at my direction. Well, what would I even gain with arguing over such childish acts? He’s a kid, Noah. You’re a grown up so might as well act as one, okay?”“Are you listening?” I looked back at Karl and raised my brows. “You are not. What are you even looking at—”“Oh, nothing, there was just a brat who glared at me.” I smirked, preventing him from looking back. I glanced over his shoulder and they’re already gone. Oh shit. I did not see whom they arrived with! I could have known who their parents are.And are they siblings? No. They don’t look a
Averill had been on edge ever since she saw Noah in the elevator, and who would have thought she’d see him again in the restaurant. She was anxious. What if he saw Niana? What if he recognizes their daughter?“Mowmy, get well quick, and play with Nian,” the little girl pouted as she play with Averill’s hand. She always does this whenever she wants to get something.It’s the first time Averill got sick after giving birth to Niana so this is her first encounter with her mother in this state. She was bored and worried. “Stop it, Niana. Play with me instead,”The little, matured, kiddo named Shaun entered the room with his mother, and dragged the pouting Niana away from the bed. “Your mom needs rest, grow up, will you?” He scolded her as if he was years older than the other kid.Reese chuckled at the sight of his son acting like an older man when he’s just a boy. She held her tummy, “Your brother is acting a little too mature today, baby,” she talked to her tummy, and Shaun looked at her
“Did Yanna contact you again?” Shiloah asked Averill. It had been over a week since he last saw the cunning woman, and he’s not liking it. Averill shook her head. “No. She told me she’d be leaving the country when we met in the cafe,”“And you believed her?”“You saw her, Shiloah. She’s scarred and scared. You think she’d want to stay in the country knowing that Noah is here? Who knows, John Hulson might be roaming around as well.”“And Noah? Have you talked to him?” She stayed silent. She had not talked to the man since the one in the restaurant. She doesn’t know whether he’s still staying in the hotel, or if he already went away. ‘He’s looking for Yanna anyway…’ she thought.“What would you do if he wanted to get back together?” Shiloah is a man who sometimes says what he wants. He’s a psychiatrist, but look at him talking as if this is a light topic for Averill. The latter could only hope he would not take this matter further, or it would be an unintentional therapy session.“I don
“Mom!” Averill’s eyes widened when she heard Niana’s voice. One turn of Noah’s head over her shoulder, and he’ll already discover the daughter she had been hiding for years. She was going to drag Noah to somewhere far, but it was already too late.Niana had already reached her, looking confused with the number of people surrounding them. “Mom!” She called Averill again. Niana held her hands as she pouted. “You went swimming without Nian,” “The ice cream kid,” Averill looked at Noah when she heard him mumble something. She saw him knelt down, levelling with her daughter’s height. Niana stared at him, looking surprised. She pointed at him as she remembered where she saw the man.“Ahh! You were that man!” Niana shouted, hiding behind her mother’s legs. “Why are you here? Are you gonna scold Nian for putting iysh cream on your pantchs?” She furrowed her brows towards the man. Noah could not respond. He stared at her, studying every feature of her face.Now he confirmed it. She looks just
“Damien… Yanna killed him.” Noah pulled Averill into a hug and held her tightly. He caressed the back of her head as he buried his face on her neck. “Hush, Avi. I_I’m s-sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner. I’m sorry I hid it from you.” He repeatedly apologized.Averill felt her knees weak as she stared nowhere. Tears formed at the sides of her eyes as she engulfed everything that Noah had told her. It was just a few words… Few words that brought her to this state. She could feel her insides turning to dust as her heart ached as if a million needles were stabbing it at once.She cried. She wept. She agonized as she let herself inside Noah’s arms. Without his support, she would have long gone slumped to the floor. “Wh-Why?”“Wh-Why d-did she kill my son? What did Damien do to her? What did that child… ugh, aghhhh!!! Noah. Noah. hahh, WHY?!” She roared. She screamed her heart out as Noah kept holding her. He closed his eyes tightly as he embraced the woman who must have felt lik
[You bought a mansion? I thought you were staying there only for a while?] Karl asked over the phone after hearing Noah’s newly bought property. It’s not new to him that the man buys anything he wants in a while but this is too short of a notice. He recently left him there and now he has already bought something? “I already talked with Averill,” Noah said, putting on the toys he bought inside the room. He looked around, smiled, and sat on the little bed. This is what kept him busy after he talked things with Averill. She agreed that he could have some time with their daughter so long as they stay in the country. Noah is satisfied with just that. He’d even accept it if he could spend time with the kid even as her uncle. It came as an insult to him at first but now he doesn’t care at all. All Noah wants now is time with their daughter, Niana… and if possible, with Averill. “Why are we here, mowmy?” Niana asked, looking around the huge mansion. Averill smiled at her and knelt with one
Averill looked at her giggling daughter as she held her other hand. They’re currently visiting the beach, Niana had thrown a tantrum and wanted to visit the beach with the three of them. Yes. With Noah. The man is holding Niana’s other hand and the three of them are walking by the seashore.This is a new thing for Averill. She never expected she’d experience this with Noah. They… surprisingly looked like a real family right now. It felt weird, enticing, comfortable, and soothing all at the same time. Averill glanced at Noah who’s playing with Niana. He looked so relaxed with his casual polo with three loosen buttons, exposing his bare chest.Noah placed the camera on a timer, and ran to Averill and Niana. “Okay baby, one two, three, say cheese!” “Cheeshhh!” Niana shouted, and jumped like Noah. Averill chuckled, seeing the two jumping to pose to the camera. It’s the first time she saw Noah this free. It was also the first time she had seen her daughter laugh so much.“You printed them
Noah woke up early and left the villa before even Averill got up from bed. He left a note on the table and a massive box in the living room. He drove to a building not too far from the villa he bought. “You look relaxed. Are you even sure about this?” Karl asked him. Brian and the gang are also there, preparing for Noah’s wedding. The man in his white tuxedo smirked, “Never been sure in my whole life, Karl.” “Tsk.” He went to his stylist and asked for a perm. Brian went beside Noah and tapped his shoulder, “You need to buy me a yacht if she doesn’t say yes.” “That woman loves me. You buy me twenty-five percent of the shares in your new business.” “That’s pretty— tsk, deal. Might as well be your wedding gift.” He followed and excused himself after receiving a call. Noah smirked, realizing who called his casanova friend. “Clayton,” “I will attend your marriage. I just need to finish this.” “That’s why you should have told her what you felt.” He stared at Noah and ignored him after
Averill’s POVI was busy reading through the reports about my hotel. I had left it to Leon for a long while. Funny how I told him he was fired, but he kept coming to the company and managed it while I was busy doing things for myself. I would have never come this far without him.“Coffee?” Leon asked. He placed a hot coffee macchiato on my desk. He could pass as a barista, if not a lawyer. I thanked him without looking at him because my eyes were still busy reading. I can’t help but focus on these things.“I heard about his proposal,” I stopped scanning through the files, looked at him, and smiled. I raised my brows, waiting for what he would say next. “Why did you reject him?”“Do I need a reason not to?”“You love him—”“How’d you know that?” I smiled. Leon stared at me before looking away, putting down his coffee. “When you fired me, you were too emotional. Aren’t you being emotional as well when you rejected his marriage proposal? I thought you loved him and that you sacrificed
“I love you,” Noah muttered as he kissed her deeply. He kissed her passionately, moving his lips gently as he caressed the back of her head. Noah continued until the two of them were out of breath.He stared at her golden eyes, “I love you, Avi.” he repeated, claiming her lips once more. “I love you,” he whispered between their kisses. Averill tried to push him, but he gently pulled her to his chest.He hugged her and buried her face in his body. “I love you.” Again, he told her. Averill still has yet to respond to him. Noah loosened the hug as he gently held her shoulders.Noah looked at her and wiped the tears that fell from her eyes. His thumb gently against her cheek as tears fell from his pitch black eyes as well… like crystals under that sunny afternoon… they cried.“A-Are you c-crying?” Niana approached the two of them. Noah and Averill looked at their daughter, who was also about to cry, confused as to why her parents were weeping. They smiled, gently slipping their hands agai
Noah’s POV I stared at my daughter, sleeping soundly on my lap. She had played all day with the dog we brought from Hawaii. We’re currently in the UK. Thankfully, she wasn’t looking for her mother much. I just won’t have any more excuses had she asked once more. I have a hunch on where Averill might be, but I want to give her more time. I don’t know why she had not even met with Niana. I know she loves our daughter. I know she loves her with all her heart and won’t abandon her. No way that is not the Averill that I know. The Averill that I fell in love with has so many flaws… but she’s not an irresponsible mother. She’s sometimes selfless to the point where even I would pity her helplessness. Averill is a woman who would not care even though she’s hurt. And she’s also the type of woman who would stand firm if anyone vital to her was hurt. I did not love her because she was perfect but rather because she was so perfectly imperfect that even though her flaws were visible, her pure
Averill woke up with someone stroking her hair. “Noah?” Surprised, she saw Noah beside her, sitting on the bed. Looking at her, smiling with his teeth. “Good morning, Avi.” “Avi?” Averill looked at Leon, who was currently feeding her. It had been a day since she was admitted. She fainted after donating blood to Noah while she was injured. “Did Noah wake up?” Leon shook his head. He tried feeding her again, but Averill looked away. “You need to eat.” “I did my best. Why is he not waking up?” “His body needs rest, Averill. And you do too. Eat, I am begging you.” “I’m not hungry.” Leon sighed at her response. After fainting from fatigue, she did not sleep a wink overnight. She would have stayed by Noah’s door if she had not fallen to the floor. Waiting for the man to wake up. Noah’s grandfather came later that evening. He deliberately stopped Averill from coming to Noah’s room. He was so mad when he heard what had happened to his grandson. “I told you enough to get away from my
Leon drove as fast as he could when he heard the news about Averill. He could not believe they had just left the woman there. He heard about Noah’s condition but still! Was it too hard to get the woman as well? Leon parked recklessly in front of the cafe. Some men barged in his direction, attacking him with metal pipes, but he was way faster than these men. He punched and kicked and pushed… It took him five minutes before he could enter the facility. And his blood boiled when he saw Averill looking so lost in one corner. He scanned the room, and there was Kyle, looking at Isabella fiercely. Looked like they had an argument. “WHO KILLED MY DAUGHTER?!” Isabella shouted. Leon looked around again and saw a woman lying dead on the floor. ‘So she died. What a waste.’ Leon thought, thinking about the charges he could have done to put the woman forever behind bars. “You’re still thinking of Yanna in this situation? For Pete's sake, Isabella! They are holding you as their hostage!” “I do
Kyle’s eyes were sharp as he stared at the woman’s crying face. His jaw clenched as he gritted his teeth. He could feel his muscles tremble in anger. Why is another man touching what was his? Why are they touching Isabella? What is going on here? He could not think straight. He stared at the gun in his hand and looked at the three people that were left on his side. In an instant, he pointed the gun at them. Karl was alarmed by his sudden movement but was immediately caught off guard when Kyle killed the three remaining people on his side. Why? Why did he kill them? Karl could not wrap it around his head. Why would Kyle Jackson kill these people when they are his allies? This is crazy. Kyle Jackson is an absolute madman with lots of screws lost in his head. Karl signaled his men to approach Averill and Noah. Kyle is yet to notice them. He is still busy looking at the men which he killed. “One more step, and you’ll follow them.” Karl’s men halted. Was he watching? Jackson was watch
Averill looked at him with wide eyes. She could feel her entire body go cold as she trembled hands touched Noah. “Are you okay?” Noah asked, still worrying about the woman, albeit the circumstance. “What are you even saying? Why did you do that?” She cried, Averill saw Yanna pointing the gun at her, but Noah was too fast to cover her from the bullet. And in a blink of an eye. Everything happened. “No… no… no, no, no, NO!!” Everyone looked at Kyle when he started acting odd. His eyes shake as he stares at the two people on the floor. One is covered in blood while the other is covered in tears. Kyle’s hands were shaking. He pulled his hair and glared at Yanna. “You! “How dare you!” he shouted. “How dare you touch my target!” His eyes were dark as he pinned his nails on Yanna’s arms. He could see nothing but the fact that Yanna pulled the trigger against Averill, and it hit Noah. His targets were touched by another person. Kyle is this type of crazy person. He never wanted anyone t
Mason did not move, Kyle was too swift that he did not notice him in front of him and grabbed his gun. They fought with each other as Kyle’s men started swarming with the other men that were left in Noah’s group. Chaos started to sip in, plates and glasses were shattered. Tables were wrecked. Chairs were thrown.It was total chaos inside while the men fought each other. Noah hugged Averill in one corner. “You should have not said that. You were provoking him!” “Why are we here, Noah?”“What?”“We’re here to get Yanna. But what are you doing?” Averill looked at him. She pushed him away from her. “Stop protecting me. When we learned about Kyle, we expected this already, that’s why we asked Shiloah to bring her to New York.”“Averill—”“If you’re gonna tell me to be careful. I am. I am already doing that so stop being a coward. We just need Yanna. You’ve let her loose for so long.” She stood up and walked away, she grabbed a stick and went her way to Yanna.Kyle was there, sitting by th