chapter[33]

chapter[33]
CHAPTER 33

Noah.

Okay, now I truly understand the profound meaning of the world revolving around someone! For so long, I’ve immersed myself in countless books, pouring over words and sentences, trying to decipher the essence of this phrase. I never thought it could hold such weight in reality. I assumed it was just a romantic notion, a sweet sentiment reserved for novels and stories, something that existed only in the fantastical realms of fiction. But now, in this moment, I grasp that concept fully and completely—I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with Selena.

She is my entire world, the sun that brightens my darkest days, and everything I know and cherish revolves around her. The thought of her absence sends a chill through my very core, threatening to unravel the delicate fabric of my existence. Without her, my world would fall apart into a chaotic mess, leaving me lost in a void of despair. This kind of love is not just sweet; it is laced with pain and longing. The deeper I fall, the greater the intensity of my feelings becomes, which inevitably leads to a sharp, bittersweet ache in my heart. It’s like the complex flavor of a perfectly ripe strawberry: deliciously sweet but still tinged with a hint of acidity, creating a dance of flavors that is both delightful and painful.

I find myself with no choice but to think of her constantly, to be tethered to her in every way imaginable. My soul, my body, my heart, and my mind are all intricately connected to her, forming a tapestry of affection and need that binds us together. Yet, amidst this overwhelming connection, a question looms large in my mind, haunting my thoughts: does she feel the same way? If she does, if our feelings are mutual, then surely she will always be by my side, never forgetting me, always coming back to me in times of joy or sorrow.

The moment she caressed my cheek, her touch gentle and warm, I was struck by a wave of emotion. She looked up at me with those big, expressive eyes, adopting that sweet puppy face that always melts my heart. "I wanted to slap your face but renege!" she declared, crossing her arms over her chest with a playful pout that made her look utterly adorable, like a mischievous kitten.

I widened my eyes in surprise. "Why?" I asked, genuinely perplexed by her sudden outburst.

She dropped her jaw in mock disbelief, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why didn’t I slap your face?"

I shook my head, still trying to understand her logic. "Now, why did you want to slap my face?"

With a dramatic flourish, she pulled my wrist and gestured for me to look at her, her expression shifting to one of mock annoyance. "Idiot! I was talking to you for more than half an hour and you didn’t pay attention to a single word of mine! Where were you? Are you planning to abandon me now and kick me out of your life?" she teased, playfully mocking me with her lips.

"What? Are you crazy? I was thinking of a wedding party for my wife," I replied with a wink, trying to lighten the mood despite the flutter of anxiety in my chest.

She pinched my nipple, a playful yet painful gesture that made me groan in surprise. "Jerk! We haven't even moved yet! Ask the driver to go!"

"Ouch! That’s painful! Be careful! Okay, sorry, I got that," I rubbed my chest, recovering from her playful attack. I quickly commanded the driver to take us to one of the hotels I own, conveniently located near the hospital. It was luxurious enough for a royal wedding, which I hoped would lift her spirits and make her feel cherished.

'I just hope there are no more bombs this time,' I whispered silently to myself, a lingering worry gnawing at the back of my mind.

As we drove, Selena’s cellphone rang multiple times, and she quickly grabbed it, answering with a cheerful tone. "Yes, seriously? Are you here in Italy? Yes, I will send you my location. I missed you so much. Bye for now, bestie!" she grinned widely before hanging up. My heart sank slightly as I couldn’t hear the conversation. I peeked at her phone screen, trying to catch a glimpse of who was on the other end.

How could she say "I love you" to someone else in front of me? Did I look like air to her? I was flabbergasted to see that the caller was a man. My teeth clenched in irritation, and I snatched her cellphone from her hands, my protective instincts kicking in. "Give me this now."

She blinked, her expression shifting to one of amusement as she studied my reaction. "What’s going on with you, Noah?"

"Who the hell is Ahmet?!" I demanded, raising an eyebrow and shooting her annoyed glares, my heart racing with jealousy.

With a glimmer in her eye, she clapped her small, creamy hands excitedly, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "He is my bestie! My best friend. I love him so much."

In a moment of instinctive jealousy, I raised my hand as if to throw the cellphone out the window, but I quickly curbed my anger and handed it back to her, my voice low but firm. "Don’t love anyone else, and don’t say those words to me!"

She pouted childishly, her brows knitting together in mock seriousness. "He is my best friend, the only one I have until now. And he is—" she raised an eyebrow and paused, teasing me with her words.

I narrowed my eyes, pressing her for the information. "Yes, he is what?"

She blurted out, laughter bubbling up, "He is gay! Idiot." Her laughter was infectious, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief wash over me. But that didn’t mean she was allowed to love anyone else. Just me and only me. Not even our baby. I wanted all of her love and all of her heart directed solely at me. Yes, I was selfish, more than ever before. Every day I spent with her, the more I transformed into a possessive and obsessive person, utterly consumed by my feelings for her.

Selena quickly grabbed her cellphone again, sending Ahmet her location with the ease of someone accustomed to multitasking. She noticed we had already stopped in front of the hotel I owned, aptly named "N.O.A.H. Hotels." She was smart, and that intelligence made her a worthy opponent in love. But I liked that; it kept our dynamic interesting and vibrant.

She hopped out of the limo and enthusiastically dragged me along with her. "Let’s go! I want a royal suite. Yes, sure, you own this place, and I will have what I want. I like that!" she giggled, her happiness contagious, lighting up the gloom that often plagued my thoughts.

I watched her with admiration, captivated by her emotions and the sheer joy radiating from her. At least someone else could help her recover soon, and I was grateful for that.

She bounded ahead like a child, bouncing with excitement, and barged into the hotel, striding confidently toward the reception desk. I hung back slightly, allowing myself a moment to observe her. To be honest, I missed the old Selena—the rude, unfiltered woman I had met by coincidence in the hotel all those months ago.

Selena knocked on the counter again, this time a bit more forcefully, as the receptionist seemed to ignore her on purpose. Jealousy, I mused, could be a cruel thing, and I knew it all too well. Selena was different; she was the most beautiful woman on earth, and she deserved to be treated as such.

Finally, Selena raised an eyebrow at the girl behind the desk and hollered, "If you are deaf, then you can’t work in this place! And if you are blind, then I have to tell you that even blind men could see a woman like me! But if you are an idiot, then you have no place working here!"

'What?! She’s being incredibly rude this time! She’s heartless!' I thought, surprised by her assertiveness.

I stepped a few paces closer to watch the unfolding scene, my heart racing in my chest. The receptionist crossed her arms defiantly and huffed, "And who are you to say those words to me?! I have to tell you, no one here can fire me. Do you know why? Because I’m too close to the owner!"

'What the hell?!' I thought, feeling a mix of irritation and disbelief.

Selena widened her eyes, taken aback for a moment. "Do you know what? I was going to say I was harsh on you. But now I have to say that you are fired!"

The girl dropped her jaw, visibly trembling. "What? Who are you?"

Selena maintained her composure, speaking calmly yet confidently with a smirk on her lips. "I’m the owner’s wife! Bitch! Now get out of here…" she commanded, her voice unwavering, filled with authority.

At that moment, I stomped closer, swiftly pulling Selena to my chest, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalated further. "Sweetheart, I swear I do not have any relation with that girl," I explained, gesturing toward the receptionist, who looked utterly flabbergasted.

The girl stuttered, hesitantly approaching Selena, her bravado crumbling. "U-um, madame, I’m sorry."

Selena raised an eyebrow at me, her expression a mix of amusement and defiance. "Noah, I do not forgive! Please keep this in your mind, and she is fired." Her tone was stern, but the underlying message was clear: even if she loved me deeply, she would never forgive me for any mistake I might make in the future.

In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of the hotel lobby, I felt a rush of conflicting emotions—pride in her fierce spirit, worry for what this all meant, and a fierce determination to keep her safe and happy. I knew that in this life, filled with uncertainties and challenges, our love would need to be the anchor that held us steady, no matter what storms we faced together.