Chapter 72 - The Comfort They Both Craved

Once in the car Ivy sat in the passenger seat and Noah in the seat next to her. Thomas started the car and they left the hospital to go home. She was deep in thought on how to get Noah to let her help him by using her as the bait. She kept her eyes on the night scenery as it flickered past and then felt a strong arm grab her and she looked at Noah as he pulled her onto his lap without saying anything.

"I want to help."

Ivy held his face with one hand as the other was bandaged. His eyes looked into hers, his two dark pools pulling her into his life and she dove in without hesitation.

"No, I have many other ways to kill the old man... no need to dirty your hands."

"I'm sure you do... I just want to be of help. This way seems the quickest and smartest. He will let his guard down thinking he has me and that you will run in blind to save me, but we will of already had a plan."

"I said no."

His voice was cold and hard and wasn't at all the kind of tone he usually used with Ivy. He thought back to earlier when he held her limp body in his arms. He wasn't sure of his feelings after all he had not felt anything for anyone in a long time. He could have anything he wanted it all came easy, but Ivy was the one thing in the whole world he had found that he wanted to cherish and protect. He wanted all of her and that was all.

They were both at a stalemate neither wanting to give in. The cars atmosphere became heavy and Thomas sped up to get home faster. They arrived at the underground car park and they got out. Thomas helped Ivy out of the car and to the lift. Thomas almost felt like she was trying to leave Noah behind as she walked at a fast pace, where are they fighting?

Noah coughed and glared at Thomas. Thomas let go of Ivy's arm and stood back. Heiden was left staring at the lift as both their employers entered and the door closed.

"Are they fighting?"

"I hope not, I can't go through that again."

Meanwhile, in the lift, Ivy shook off Noah's hand. She was upset he wouldn't even listen to her idea. She could fight, she had been trained from she was young so she could help. She huffed and stared in any direction except Noah's.

"I thought you were dead."

Her head snapped to look at Noah as his voice wasn't loud she thought that she had imagined it. 

He held her hand again and didn't speak anymore. His grip was firm as if asserting his feelings. The lift opened on the floor of his apartment, they got out and went inside together. He helped her with her jacket and she helped him with his coat. This was their sweet habitual routine.

They got ready for bed and when they lay down together Noah cuddled her to his bruised chest. She softly rubbed it with her fingers the sensation made his heart twinge.

Neither spoke any further and they just fell asleep in each other's arms holding one another on their king-sized bed. It was the comfort that they both craved.

Two days later and Ivy has been stuck on house arrest. She felt a bit lost and bored for one she was injured and it left her unable to do most things and also she hadn't seen Noah. Noah had thrown himself into work and when she went to bed he wasn't there and when she woke up he was long gone. The sheets were cold but his scent remained.

She only knew Noah had s his suits lay on the bathroom floor along with the towels he had used. She left out new pyjamas bottoms every night like she usually did and he had worn them and discarded them in the morning.

She was truly frustrated with Noah. She didn't know why he was avoiding her. Ivy walked to the door and opened it and saw her spy Thomas, standing there as usual.

"So you spy on me, now it's my turn... so tell me where is Noah?"

Thomas was taken aback by Ivy's abrupt behaviour and questioning. He had also noticed Noah avoiding Ivy but couldn't say where Noah was.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Ivy smirked at Thomas she knew he was lying but how could she get him to talk.

"I'm sorry Ivy I would rather face your wrath than the bosses."

Ivy felt impatient she still had one arm bandaged and the other she drummed her fingers on the door. She knew it was true and Thomas would rather she beat him than give out any information on Noah, his wrath would indeed be worse. She squinted her eyes at him then huffed, she gave up.

"Ok come in I'm bored."

Thomas complied this was the most agreeable option for him. He followed Ivy to the living room and they both sat down together.

"Tea?"

"I'll make it Ivy."

Ivy didn't oppose with one arm she had trouble doing the simplest of tasks.

"Thanks."

Thomas made them tea and they sat together again.

"So how's Teo doing?"

"Heh, Noah gave him extreme guard training. Anyone close to you... Noah will put them through that special training just encase they need to protect you at any time."

"That's intense and a lot of pressure."

Ivy felt unhappy Teo would have to go through any hardship due to her. She couldn't talk to him as his phone was confiscated on the first day. She had checked in with his mum and she was doing well. Ivy suddenly thought.

"I don't want you to ever get hurt or die for me."

After the other day, she realised just how dangerous it was being close to Noah. But it didn't scare her, she was only scared of losing those closest to her.

Knock Knock

Thomas got up to answer the door and Ivy got comfortable and sipped her tea.

"Hey Doc, come in."

"I thought you stayed outside?"

Thomas rolled his eyes at Doctor Stewart who loved to poke at him with words and needles.

"Funny... Ivy wanted company."

Doctor Stewart walked in and sat beside Ivy on the sofa and put his doctor's bag on the coffee table. He took out some scissors, antiseptic and dressings.

"Hi, Doctor Stewart, sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble, Noah pays me well."

Ivy took a sip of tea and put it down, she turned to the side and let the doctor patch her up. After a while  

"How am I healing?"

"All good, just a gauze on it now. No need for the bandage. Keep it dry ok and the wound will heal nicely. If you're afraid of scars..."

"No, I'm not, this is one scar I could keep."

Ivy smiled and picked up her tea again as she got cosy on the sofa.

"Thanks for the dog food."

Doctor Stewart packed up his stuff and walked out.