Chapter 49: Message from Aria

Joshua was sitting alone in his office room. It was very late, in fact, it was past dinner time. All his employees had left for the day-long back. Yet he was still in his seat, thinking about Ivy and her plea for his help. He thought about it for a long time and finally decided to give Noah a call. Only he could tell him what to do now.

At that moment, Noah had returned to his mansion after dropping Aria. He had changed into a black pajama and a dark blue shirt. He was lying on his bed and scrolling through the photographs his bodyguards had clicked.

Before sending him all the pictures, the guards had dared to ask him why he had not taken the opportunity to kiss Aria. Noah had dismissed them by giving them a death glare. All four of them had run away with tails in between their legs.

Ronnie and Shane gave Noah a questioning look, but looking at his cold face, they had kept quiet. They were dying to know what had happened and why their Boss was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Yet they got no answers from either Noah or the guards.

After a lot of internal struggle, Ronnie had made an attempt to ask him. However, Noah had walked away towards his room, leaving him frustrated.

Noah went through each one of the photographs, taking his own time looking at them. There were a lot of photographs. His guards had taken them in all possible angles and directions. Impressed with their work, he thought of giving them a three-month bonus.

Even though most of the pictures were of them being together, Noah's eyes were only looking at Aria. He created a back up for all the pictures and set one of his personal favorites as his phone wallpaper. It was of Aria at the Kyoto garden alone, when she was surrounded by flowers. In the midst of so many flowers, she looked like a flower herself.

'Did you reach safely?' A message popped on the screen. It was from Aria. They had exchanged phone numbers before parting at the hotel on Noah's insist. Although Aria was reluctant, she eventually gave in.

Noah jumped up immediately. He couldn't believe that Aria had texted him first. He grinned and his smile even blinded the stars in the night sky.

'Yes. I reached long back.' He sent a reply. 'Aren't you asleep yet?'

His phone sounded again. But this time it was a call from Joshua. He disconnected it. But his phone rang again.

"What?" He barked, clearly pissed off at being interrupted in his time with Aria.

"Wow, wow, hold on. What got your pants in a twist?" Joshua teased.

"You." Noah's one word was enough for Joshua to shut up.

"If you have nothing important to say, I'll end.."

"Wait. It's very important." Joshua said, sighing. Noah remained silent. He perceived that Joshua had immediately become serious. So, it must be something urgent.

"It's about Oliver."

"What about him?" Noah asked calmly.

"His daughter is searching for him."

"So?"

"She asked me for help."

"Then, you know what to do."

"But how long are we going to hide it from the world?"

"As long as we can." Noah gave him a curt reply.

"Then, what shall I do about Ivy?"

"Who's Ivy?"

"Oliver's daughter."

"Just stall time. Do something, anything. But the truth must not come out."

"She also wanted to know about the Director of Royal Health Care Hospital."

"How did she reach so far?" Noah asked, this time he was actually a little surprised.

"She is a journalist. So, he has a very curious mind." Joshua replied while Noah nodded. He knew how impulsive and fast journalists were.

"We cannot reveal anything about it. It is not our secret to make any decision. So, I guess we have to keep it for ourselves."

Noah gave his answer and ended the call. He then saw the message he had received from Aria.

'Going to sleep now. You?' Noah eyes crinkled. Looking at her message, his mood changed at once. His gaze was instantly filled with warmth.

'Not sleepy. Aria, I am very happy today. I had a very memorable day.' He sent the text and waited for her to answer. Even after waiting for a long time, he did not get any reply from her. So, he assumed her to have gone to sleep.

'Goodnight Aria.' He sent another reply and got ready to sleep.

Meanwhile, Joshua stared at his cell phone. He knew what Noah's answer would be, yet he had made a call to him. As expected, Noah did not even bat an eyelid.

Joshua had all the answers to Ivy's questions, yet he could not do anything. He could only sigh. "Sorry Ivy. I can't help you with this. My hands are bound."

He got up from his seat and exited his office. When he walked out, he saw his secretary, Lucia, dozing off at her desk. He walked to her and tapped on her desk. She woke up with a start.

"Lucia, why are you still here?" Joshua looked at his watch.

"Mr. Martin, you were still inside. So I thought I would wait for you." She said tucking her hair behind her ears.

"It's quite late. You should have left by now. From next time onward, until and unless I ask you to stay, make sure to leave at the correct time. Okay?"

"Okay, Mr Martin."

"Now come I'll drop you."

"No. No. I have my car. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Mr. Martin. One hundred percent."

"Text me when you reach home."

"Okay."

Joshua and Lucia walked together to the parking lot. He waited for her to take off, before he got in his car and drove in the direction of his house.

On the other hand, Ivy did not know that Joshua was not going to help her at all. She was still hopeful that he would find something useful for her in finding her father.