Angelina didn't think she needed to hide anything from her husband. They were life partners now and she wasn't the kind of person who felt the need to keep everything inside her heart. She was always talkative and expressive because she believed it was the best way to get along with your partner."I think Noah would understand why my attitude is different towards Vivienne," said Angelina with a slightly teasing smile directed toward Noah who was quite helpless today stuck under the joint attack of Aurora and Angelina at every single turn. And he hadn't even started chasing Vivienne seriously yet.He could only imagine what these two friends would do to him once he really became a little more serious towards Vivienne and he already had an inkling that he wouldn't be able to escape. He might have thought that it was a momentary attraction before but from the moment Vivienne said that they were impossible, his thinking changed. Maybe he had a rebellious attitude now. In view of the fact
Noah did not expect to hear this from Vivienne. He had a complicated look in his eyes when he glanced at Vivienne. For years, he really thought she left because of him. It made him feel guilty at times too. He did not expect that his rejection had nothing to do with her departure. "Is that true?" asked Angelina but the question was directed toward Aurora who shrugged indifferently."It is true," responded Aurora. "It's not like intentionally hid it from you. I did tell you that Vivienne was supposed to leave anyway, don't be so hostile to Noah. Remember?"Angelina vaguely recalled having such a conversation with Aurora in high school right after Vivienne left. But she was too emotional at that time and did not take her words seriously, especially when everyone around them had something else to say about it. A lie spoken a thousand times starts feeling like the truth and rumors are the same. Angelina sighed to herself and drank the cocktail from the cocktail glass feeling the need to
"Vivi, you have to tell me how you made this tiramisu and why I am unable to stop eating it," Angelina had long forgotten about her diet plan as she could not put down any dish that she tried. She felt like this was the first time she couldn't even restrain herself despite having such great self-discipline. She had to believe in Aurora's words that she could never say no to Vivienne's food. "Just teach my husband how to make it."Vivienne looked over at Liam who nodded in agreement, "Yes, please do. I'd love to know how you managed to make it this delicious.""It's Vi's secret recipe," said Aurora proudly. She was not only proud of her best friend's creations, but she was even more proud of the fact that only she had tasted Vivienne's food before today. At least, there was no one at this table that had the honor of tasting Vivienne's food."What secret recipe?" Vivienne laughed at her words. "I just learned it from an old grandma in Italy when I was traveling there. I'll write the reci
Liam gave his cousin a very interesting look as he mentioned, "It's such a coincidence that Noah's dad also wanted him to study law so he could take over the Sullivan family's law firm. But Noah had other plans and dreams." Noah pursed his lips slightly as he took small sips of the drink in his hand. He also found it quite fateful that Vivienne had studied law. Although he didn't know why she wasn't practicing anymore, he was certain that she'd have been a very good lawyer. Someone as smart and empathetic as she was meant to study law. She had always been good at arguing but tried to restrain herself. She also was defensive, critical, and analytical thinking. All of those qualities are needed in a lawyer. Her fleeting emotions did not go by him but he intentionally didn't question anything else. Everyone had their own secrets and he had no reason to pry into her privacy when they weren't close enough.Anyway, he had one very good quality and that was his patience. He didn't think any
"Let's play," said Vivienne as she picked up the cue stick to examine it carefully.Although Noah was expecting this answer, he was still happy when he heard it. "So, you agreed to the bet?""Hmm..." Vivienne hummed in response. "So easily? It makes it seem like you're also looking forward to our date," teased Noah on purpose as he couldn't hold himself back again. He felt like he was really beginning to act a little childish with her around. It was like being free of everything that's been weighing down on him as he could be just himself with her. Because he knew, she won't be the one to judge him.Vivienne threw him a stinky eye saying, "It's just that I believe you won't be the one winning. Your biggest mistake today is that you're underestimating me."Noah gave an 'oh' as an answer which implied something deeper.The pool table was positioned right beside the huge glass windows with sunlight falling over it perfectly enhancing the atmosphere this afternoon. The pool table was an
Hearing the hint of exasperation in her voice, Noah found it quite adorable."Is that so?" Noah replied, stepping even closer until their shoulders touched. "Maybe I'm trying to rub off some luck from you."Vivienne managed to focus enough to make a shot, the ball sinking into the pocket. She turned to Noah, raising an eyebrow, "Nice try but I don't let anyone take anything from me. Even if it's luck."The game progressed, each move more intense than the last. They were neck and neck, each shot more crucial than the previous one. Noah's competitive streak came through, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride every time Vivienne made a good shot.Finally, it was Noah's turn again. He lined up for what could be the winning shot, his expression serious. He shed away his flirtatiousness and teasing demeanor. His attention was entirely on the ball right now with only one thought that he wanted to win. He hadn't felt this competitive in ages and today, he had to win this bet and take
Vivienne was stumped by his question and her hand on his head also stiffened. Only now did she realize what she was doing unconsciously. But she didn't take back her hand immediately in a fluster too, that would show that she was embarrassed. Besides, she loved the texture of his hair and really wanted to run her fingers through his hair like she did the other night.Thinking of the other night, her eyes flickered and she cleared her throat unnaturally as she replied, "I'm appreciating you for your effort and help."Noah raised his brow at her inquisitively, "Oh?""Don't look at me like that," Vivienne wanted to pull her hand back from his head but Noah placed his hand on hers and stopped her movement. "You can continue if you want," he said very naturally with a subtle smile in his eyes. "I don't mind this kind of praise. I was just taken aback that you were treating me like a kid.""That's not the case," retorted Vivienne. "You should know that I traveled a lot in the recent years s
"When did you become so self-deprecating?" questioned Vivienne when she noticed the change in his expression. Earlier, he seemed to be just jokingly or teasingly asking her but now, she could tell that he was genuinely curious about why she was so firmly refusing to go out with him. "The Noah Sullivan I loved would never speak about himself with such modesty."Noah raised his brow at her as he stepped back and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Oh? Then why don't you tell me more about the Noah Sullivan you loved? I'm intrigued now."Vivienne raised her hand to pat her chest and took a few deep breaths to calm her excited heartbeat. Now that he had taken a step back, she finally could breathe again. The feeling of suffocation that his proximity brought to her was lifted and she felt a little bit lost.She looked towards the sun that had almost dipped down making the sky turn darker and darker. Her silence made it feel like she had no intention of answering his question. For a mi