Chapter 2020 - Weekend Plans (3)

Chloe peeked into the bag that was on the table and confirmed that it has pastries.

"Do you deliver on weekends also?", Chloe asked jokingly while trying to lighten up the mood.

"Do you want me to?"

Chloe froze. "I was just asking."

She was half-bending over the bag, and she wanted to straighten up, but she felt Noah's presence right behind her.

"I can bring you breakfast every morning…"

His voice was close to her ear and she slowly looked down to her right only to see his legs right behind hers. This man will be the death of her. What is he doing? Is he trying to get her to have a heart attack?

Chloe side-stepped and turned to face him. "I don't want to inconvenience you, director Bennet."

"It's not inconveniencing, miss Long.", Noah responded while enjoying her flustered expression. "Why don't you sit and have your coffee? It's not good when it's cold."

Chloe didn't like that he called her 'miss Long', but she addressed him as 'director Bennet' first so she couldn't complain.

Chloe observed the coffee cups for a moment. They were disposable ones with lids on top that have one small hole for the vent, and a bigger opening for drinking. She grabbed the closer cup of coffee and sat on the sofa chair with her legs curled under her. She relaxed slightly when Noah sat on the sofa.

She took a sip of coffee and grimaced. It was dark coffee with no cream or sugar, reminding her of the first time when Noah got her coffee.

Noah laughed. "It seems that one is mine."

He gave her the second cup and took the one from her hand.

Chloe watched Noah without blinking as he took a sip and he slowly licked his lips. He didn't wipe it or anything. Isn't that an indirect kiss? Chloe chided herself internally. 'What are you thinking? We are grownups and things like indirect kisses are for kids and teenagers…'

She took a sip of coffee and hummed in satisfaction.

"I assume it's to your liking.", Chloe heard Noah say and she nodded in confirmation.

"How come you brought me breakfast? Aren't you a busy man?"

Noah nodded earnestly. "I am busy so how about this…? We will take turns."

Chloe didn't get it. Why is Noah so confusing? "Take turns?"

"Mhm…", Noah hummed before clarifying. "One day I bring you breakfast, and the next one you get breakfast for me."

Chloe's lips twitched. What kind of a deal is that? "You are kidding."

Noah chuckled. He enjoyed the variety of expressions Chloe showed him. "I am. There is no need for you to bring me breakfast. I will get breakfast for you every morning."

"I can't agree to it."

"What's there to agree? It's not a big deal for me. Me coming to your apartment in the morning will double as a wake-up call. Like that, you will not be late for work."

Chloe shook her head. Now she was confident that he was messing with her. The man was impossible to negotiate with and he was eccentric.

She desperately wanted to change the topic. "What's in the bag?"

"Just a moment…", Noah said and stood up. Chloe watched him walk to the kitchen and a few seconds later he returned with a plate.

Noah took the napkins out of the bag and arranged pastries on the plate before placing the plate in front of Chloe. "Help yourself."

"Thanks…", Chloe said and took a croissant. It went well with the coffee and for a few moments, Chloe forgot that Noah is in her apartment.  Besides being ravishingly handsome, that's her boss's-boss's-boss. Director Bennet. Did he really come to her apartment to deliver breakfast? Chloe was flabbergasted. 

He was holding the coffee cup in his right hand, and a danish pastry in his left one and looked through the apartment as if he was searching for something.

"The walls are empty…", Noah voiced his thoughts. "Is minimalistic your style or you didn't get a chance to shop for accessories?"

Chloe was glad that he stopped with the silly topic of bringing breakfast and whatnot. Without suspecting anything, Chloe responded. "I don't like clutter, but this bare for my taste. I plan to go this weekend to shop."

Noah smiled. "Great. I will join you."

Chloe choked on the croissant. Did the man just self-invite to her shopping outing? "You will?"

"I can show you good shopping areas and help you carry stuff. There is a flea market in the morning where you can find almost anything, and I will make sure no one rips you off."

"There is no need…"

"I insist.", Noah cut her off.

Chloe was exasperated. "Don't you have anything else to do?"

"Not on this weekend.", Noah said and spread his arms. "I am all yours." He narrowed his eyes at Chloe. "Unless you have some other plans and I'm not welcome."

"No, no… It's just that…", Chloe fidgeted. "I kind of promised to someone that he can accompany me."

"I don't mind.", Noah said innocently. He knew very well that 'someone' was Mark. Too bad that he can't disclose to Chloe how Mark will NOT be available this weekend. Mark will be very busy with intense training at the base of the Army of Chaos. "Is it a group of females and I can't join because I won't fit?"

"No, no. He is my neighbor and…"

Noah raised his hand, indicating to Chloe to stop talking.

"That's fine. I understand.", Noah said dejectedly.

Chloe's eyes shifted nervously. "What do you understand?"

"You probably have feelings for him, and you don't want me to ruin your date."

"It's nothing like that!", Chloe exclaimed in a hurry. "It's just… Your status is not small, and I have a feeling that he will not be comfortable with you around."

"As I said, I understand. Let's not talk about it.", Noah said sternly. He kept the coffee on the table and wrapped the leftover danish pastry in the napkin, indicating that he was done with it. He turned toward Chloe and looked at her seriously. "You know, Chloe, most of the people from here would feel privileged to see me off the clock. You are the only one who thinks that is a problem. It makes me wonder if you have something personal against me."

Chloe's mouth hung open. How did things escalate to this point? How can she have anything against him? It's the opposite… she likes him, maybe too much. But he was right. She saw people look at Noah and talk about him like he is some deity, yet she thinks of him as a problem.

"It's nothing like that, Noah.", Chloe said in a small voice.

Noah was not willing to let this go. He was aware that something is preventing Chloe to act according to her feelings, and he was adamant about breaking those walls. "Then, what is it?"

"You are putting me in a difficult situation."

"Are you finding it difficult to say the truth?", Noah challenged her.

"You said it. Most of the people here would feel privileged to have your attention."

"But not you."

"That's not what I said."

"What are you saying?", Noah persisted.

Chloe bit her lower lip and looked at him guiltily. "I don't want people to think that I'm latching onto you for personal gains."

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