Chapter 137: Massage

"Ivy." Aria sighed. She had expected to ask her sister to come pick her up. But now Ivy had beat her to it.

"Ari, please. Please. I am in Max's house and I didn't bring my bike today."

"Why did you not ride your bike?" Aria questioned sternly. She was dead tired and now she had to go get her sister too.

Ivy remained silent. She did not want to scare Aria by revealing that she was being followed and she had seen her stalker waiting for her right near their apartment.

"Why don't you hail a cab?" Aria was already at the entrance gate. She gave a nod at the nurse who was passing by and stepped out.

"Aria, I can't."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you once we meet. Please Ari, please." Ivy begged. It was very rare for her to beg and Aria sensed that there was something wrong at once.

"Ivy, is everything alright?"

"I'll tell you everything at home."

"Okay. I'll come."

"Thanks a lot. Love you loads."

Aria sighed looking at her. Now she had no choice, other than to drive her car. She turned to proceed towards the parking lot when a voice that was too familiar to her stopped her.

"Are you still trying to run away from me?" 

Aria turned towards the direction she had heard the voice come from only to see Noah standing like the king he was with his hands in his pocket and a devilish smirk plastered on his face. His eyes were fixed on her, amusement dancing in them as he waited for her to reply.

"Noah, what are you doing here?" She ran to him with newfound energy. Her eyes twinkled in happiness on seeing him. All the weariness she had after performing the surgery vanished just by his presence.

"I have come to pick up my girlfriend, who if I am not wrong is trying to hide from me." Noah teased, leaning closer to Aria, so that he was at her eye level.

"I was not hiding from. I was just...I was...Just that. Um." 

"Yes, Aria. You were not trying to hide from and lambs eat wolves."

"There is a possibility that lambs may eat wolves. We never know." Aria argued making Noah chuckle. He found her so adorable and cute that he couldn't stop himself from pinching her cheeks.

"Aww." She swatted his hand and gave him a glare, rubbing her cheeks.

"How cute! Come, let me take you home." He held her hand and led her to his car.

"But my car..." Aria stopped him.

"I'll ask one of my guards to fetch it for you later. Give me the keys." Noah took the keys from her and helped her to get in his car. As usual, Ronnie was waiting for them in the driver seat. He greeted her and she smiled at him in return.

"Wait, we need to pick up Ivy. She is at her colleague's house."

"Give the address to Ronnie." Aria nodded and handed him her phone. Once Ronnie started driving, Noah pulled Aria close to him surprising her.

"Noah, what are you doing?" 

"Nothing."

"Then let me go."

"No. Aria, have you forgotten about your punishment for today's behavior."

"What behavior?" She stifled a yawn. It was then Noah noticed how tired her face looked. He deduced her to have had a very tiring day.

"Are you alright?" 

"I had to perform a surgery today and I had to stand for seven hours straight. My legs are killing me and I am dead tired."

Noah immediately took her legs and placed them on his lap.

"What are you doing?" Aria was flabbergasted by his behavior. She tried pulling her legs back. But, Noah stopped her by holding them tight.

"Let me take a look."

"But..."

"Please." Seeing the look of concern and worry on his face, Aria gave in and allowed him to do as he pleased. She leaned against the window and watched her man remove her shoes followed by her socks. If anybody had told her two months ago that the great Noah Allen Carter would be removing her shoes and socks, she would have laughed on their faces calling them a lunatic. Now, when it was happening in real, she couldn't believe her eyes. As ridiculous as it sounded, it was actually happening.

Noah removed her shoes and socks with utmost care and gentleness as though he was handling a delicate, preserved flower that would crumble if he exerted even the merest amount of strength. Ronnie did not know what was happening in the back seat, otherwise he would not have been able to concentrate on driving the car. There was no guarantee that they would reach their destination unscathed with the way his boss was behaving.

Without another thought, Noah pushed her trousers upwards till her knees to reveal her fair ankles and legs. Noah then held her fair legs and examined them. Aria jerked from the sudden touch.

"Noah, what are you doing?" She tried pulling back her legs. However, seeing her actions. Noah held them securely to stop her. He did not say anything to her and continued with his work. Though there were no superficial wounds or injuries, he could feel the tensed muscles. He started to massage her right leg rendering Aria speechless. She looked at him stupefied unable to comprehend what was happening. 

Noah was massaging her leg slowly and attentively with the right amount of pressure. At that moment, he did not look anything like the great businessman whose net worth was in trillions. Instead, he was the doting and loving husband who was taking care of his adorable wife who had had a rough day at work.

Aria closed her eyes in satisfaction. His massages were very soothing making her body relax and feel good. The pain she had slowly faded as his expert hands pressed on her calf muscles. Maybe due to the exhaustion from work or the fact that her body was relaxed, she fell asleep after some time, with her back leaned against the window.

Noah continued his work. After massaging her right leg, he kneaded her left leg until there were no knots. The car was silent. He did not hear a word of protest from Aria the entire time.

"How do you feel now? Are your legs aching still?" When did not receive any response, he looked up to see Aria sleeping soundly with her head lolling to the side. She looked so vulnerable right now that he wanted to take her far away from the scheming world and protect her forever. 

Noah covered her legs and eased her legs down. He moved to her side and slowly, but gently, pulled her to him so as to not disturb her sleep. He hugged her with her cheeks on his chest and started patting her back, soothing her more. He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.

"Please don't leave me when you find out the truth."