Chapter - 5 | Secret Admirer

I screamed in frustration when I failed for the umpteenth time to concentrate. My mind kept wandering back to the recent happenings.

Wasn’t meditation supposed to ease my mind? Trust me, it didn't help today. Nothing helped. Not the calming sound of the ocean, the gentle breeze or my yoga. Trixie barked and nuzzled my neck before licking on the side of my face, making me sigh.

It's not that every day I felt restless. Just on certain days like this. I didn’t like that I couldn’t pinpoint the reason for my restlessness. "I want to speak to Noah," I mused aloud as I ran my hand absentmindedly on Trixie's fur.

She gave me a bark in reply.

"What, you miss him too?" I cooed and got another bark as she wagged her tail.

"Then, let's go see him today," I said, getting up and she followed me as usual. Doctors have discharged Noah with an advice of two days compulsory rest, so he should be at home.

Somehow my mind seemed to settle down thinking about Noah. Once again, mom was in the kitchen, cooking us breakfast and lunch.

"Mom!"

"Hey, sweetie…" She turned with a tired smile and I felt myself frowning as I looked at her.

"Mom, are you not well?"

"No. Why do you ask?" She replied without meeting my gaze.

"You look dull and tired. There is no improvement in past three days," I complained.

"It's nothing, sweetie."

"Then, it means there is something," I deadpanned. She opened her mouth to tell something when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," I called as I raced Trixie to the door.

She was as usual faster than me, sniffing and pawing at the door. By the looks, I could tell it was someone she didn't know. I peeked through the peephole and opened it when I noticed it was the courier.

To say, I was astonished just by looking at the magnificent bouquet that stared at me when I opened the door.

"Mrs. Valentine?" The courier boy no the flower delivery guy asked from behind the bouquet, which he now tried to balance in his hands.

"That's my mom."

"Here's a delivery for her," he announced.

I could see that.

"Mom!"

I watched mutely as my mom arrived at the door, staring wide-eyed at the bouquet before signing the receipt with her shaky hands. I was quicker to close the door and pluck the card from the bouquet, which hid her face.

"Dear Kate," I read.

"Baby, no." Mom tried to get the card from my hand unsuccessfully.

"So, is this what you were hiding all the time?" I yelled as I ran to the stairs while she tried to balance the bouquet. Though it was not heavy it was tough to carry when it was so huge.

"Dear Kate, I hope you like the flowers. I saw them at the shop today and couldn't help but remember your contagious smile, so genuine like those white daisies you love so much."

True enough there were white daisies in the bouquet. My heart beat faster as I realized this letter was from my mom's secret admirer. Secret–because I never knew about him.

"The pink roses remind me of your soft lips and-" I skipped to the last as I didn't want to read something that was directed to my mom on a personal level.

"You may keep pushing me away, but my love for you will never change. There is and will always be only one woman in my life and that's you. Yours lovingly, Nolan." I finished reading and looked up to see my mom's pale face, her lips trembling violently.

"Mom, who is Nolan?" I whispered.

You may keep pushing me away, but my love for you will never change. There is and will always be only one woman in my life and that's you. I read again and couldn't help, but wonder how long she had known him.

"Mom, you can tell me you know. I won't judge you," I climbed down the stairs going to her shaking form.

"It's not what you think, sweetie. It's just-"

"This guy loves you, mom. Why haven't you said anything to me? How long do you know him?" I grimaced when I thought how my dad never gave her any gifts or flowers like she deserved.

"I've known him all my life," she whispered and I felt my heart constrict. "He was my best friend and was in love with me as long as he knew me."

"Mom! How?" I asked as my eyes widened like saucers.

"Not now, sweetie. I'll tell you everything. Not now. I can't," she sniffled. "I need to get to work."

"Mom, you can't leave me like this! Whoever this is, he loves you and is sending you flowers. Is he forcing you or something? Was that why you are so dull?"

"No, Sophia. He is not forcing me to do anything. It's just– we'll talk later. I promise," she pleaded.

I nodded half-heartedly and knew my head would burst if I didn't discover the truth sooner.

Who's this Nolan? I looked at the card and there was no last name.

"But, we are talking today."

"Sure, sweetie..."

There was no way I could concentrate on classes today. Picking up my phone, I messaged the girls and told them I was skipping the classes and going to see Noah.

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I stopped by Uncle Mac's home, doing a quick check on his supplies and medicines before walking to Noah's home which was a thirty minutes’ walk from my home.

With the mental state I was in now, I didn't want to risk by taking my car or bicycle. Walking seemed to provide work for my body and brain.

Trixie was excited as she strutted beside me with her tongue lolling to the side. Occasionally she would stop to sniff at certain places and then, follow me. I was glad she was a female, I couldn't imagine having a male canine who would just raise his leg on anything and everything on the street.

By the time I reached Noah's home, my legs were screaming in protest and my body was sweaty and exhausted.

Their home was huge yet compact and gave me a warm feeling every time I looked at it. He had what most women secretly crave, a warm home with a white picket fence, literally.

His two-story wooden home looked like it was straight out of a fairy tale. It belonged to his father's Aunt who died without an heir and his father being the only blood relative alive, inherited the home and her savings.

"Sophia!"

Mili's cheerful voice greeted me and I grinned widely as I hugged the kind woman. I let out a sigh of content as she rubbed my back as she always did. Mili, Noah's mom had been a great friend my mom and myself ever since we met.

"I missed you," I crooned.

"I missed you too, honey. How is Kate?" She asked releasing me from her embrace, the comforting warmth I felt moments ago lost.

"She's good. Ah..."

"What is it, Sophia? Is everything okay at home?" She asked in a voice filled with concern and I shook my head 'no.'

"Something is bothering mom. She wouldn't tell me why. I tried asking her, but she keeps giving me excuses."

"Are they fighting again?" She asked softly.

"I don't know. You know how mom keeps everything under the wraps. She is bunking with me for past two nights, so I assume they are not on speaking terms," I answered truthfully.

"Don't worry, my dear. Kate is a strong woman. Let me speak to her tonight, okay," she offered.

"Thank you, Mili."

"You're always welcome, honey. Noah is in his room and can you take his breakfast to him?"

"Sure," I grinned as she quickly leads me to the kitchen and filled the plates with Noah's favorite hash browns, bacon, eggs, and toast. He sure eats a lot.

Trixie who was silently watching our communication butted in and  I could hear Mili's voice cooing at her as I climbed the wooden stairs to Noah's room.

Noah was sleeping as I let myself in. It was not new for me, I have been in his room several times before and we had several movie marathons with his sisters.

His room was the biggest in the house, which was still small when compared to my room. Nothing has changed in this room for the past three years, it still sported the blue curtains and polished wooden walls with the limited furniture, which made the room, look big. He even had a small work out area by one corner of the room.

I inhaled the familiar musky scent of his cologne that lingered in his room and set the tray on his working table, which held a grandpa computer and a few stationaries.

Noah looked so cute and peaceful while sleeping. I wondered if he ever snores during the sleep, I've caught him snoring.

"Hey Noah," I shook him slightly, but to my dismay, he was in no mood to wake up. If anything he snuggled further into his blankets.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally had enough and removed the blanket that covered his body to reveal a semi-naked Noah in only his boxers. If that was not embarrassing enough, there was a huge bulge in his front. I felt my eyes pop out of their sockets almost instantly as I threw the blanket on him with a shriek.

"Should've thought before pulling the blanket off me," he croaked in a hoarse voice making me jump.

"You're awake!"

"I am and I was waiting for it to go down when you decided to take a peek," he answered honestly and I felt my cheeks heating up. "Anyway, the look on your face was all worth it."

"Um... I-I brought breakfast," I stuttered as my fingers fiddled with the end of my shirt. I couldn't face him, not after what I saw.

"Come, sit." I almost fell on top of him as he pulled me by my hand. "Look at me," he whispered softly and I shook my head 'no' as my heart sped up at his close proximity.

"I thought you won't come until this evening." His hot breath fanned the bare skin on my neck, making me shiver.

"I skipped the classes," I said in a low voice barely audible. What's happening to me?

He sat up and the blanket pooled around his waist and I blushed a few shades darker as his toned muscles came into view. "I like it when you blush," he stated.

"The breakfast is getting cold," I tried to change the topic and my voice sounded more like a whisper, which was foreign.

"Mhmm..." He hummed and an inaudible gasp left my mouth as I feel his lips press against the pulse of my neck.

His lips–so soft and feather like.

My breath hitched in my throat as his hands encircled my narrow waist pulling my back, flush against his chest. I partially sat on his lap and in this position, I could feel his chest rising and falling with every breath he took. Every contour of his muscle pressed warmly against me.

His lips once again met my skin, this time he kissed the small area behind my ear. "You smell so good, Ava," he whispered, sending another set of delicious shivers down my spine.

My eyes closed as I felt his lips move along my jaw peppering small kisses, his hand turning my face, his lips mere inches away from my lips. My lips tingled with anticipation and my heart skipped several beats when I felt his breath on my lips.

So close...

I gripped his arms tighter. His lips would be meeting mine anytime now…

"Noah! Oh, I-I'm sorry..."

I jolted up in such a speed that my feet got tangled in the sheets, which I didn't know was on my way and ended up with a small yelp on the floor. Mili had her back to us as Noah pulled the sheets back at him, covering his body.

"Mom!"

"Ah... I got a call from the hospital asking if I could make it for an hour or two for a surgery. I wanted to ask if Sophia could stay when I am gone and looks like, I can leave you now," Mili chuckled, her back still facing us.

"Mom..." Noah groaned again in embarrassment.

"That's perfectly fine, Noah. I am so happy for you guys. Anyway, Sophia, the food is on the dining table. Just give me a call, if you're leaving early," she said as she faced us and I could only nod from the floor.

The end of the sheets was still tangled with my feet and I didn't try to move, knowing well that I'll embarrass myself more.

"That went well," Noah commented sarcastically as he removed the tangles from my feet. I stood up gingerly and rubbed my aching butt. Too much for my first kiss.

"Want me to kiss it better?" Noah's cocky smirk had me glare at him.

"It was all because of you. If you hadn't tried to do… that I wouldn't have ended up like this." I pointed my accusing finger at him.

"Maybe... What am I supposed to do when you look so kissable in the morning?" He countered and I couldn't help but blush at his words.

"Eat first. I'm going to check on Trixie."

"She is not a baby. She'll do just fine. Come here first," he called, patting the empty side on this bed.

"No. You-you should get dressed first."

"Why, am I not that good looking?" He asked flexing his muscles and I averted my gaze once again. It was definitely the opposite and he sure knew about it.

I was hardly here for an hour and I have fallen down once, almost kissed him and blushed several shades of red. With his mother out for work, I am not sure what's to happen the rest of the day and can't say that I'm bothered.

I liked this new flirty side of Noah. With me always shying away, at least one of us had to be bold enough to express the feelings and he was doing it with his actions.

I exited his room without giving him any response and went off to see Trixie, trying to regain my composure.