chapter[35]

chapter[35]
CHAPTER 35

Noah.

I figured out that love is something that can't be compared with any other feeling in this world. It’s an emotion that can't be brushed aside or pushed away like it never happened. Love is something profound, something that lingers in your heart and soul, meant to be forever—even without uttering the word “forever.” In my heart, she's mine, and that connection is utterly unbreakable, woven into the very fabric of my being.

Love is like a delicate, little crazy thing that needs to be nurtured and cared for, much like a newborn child. You have to feed it well, nurture it, and watch it grow into something beautiful—like a young, healthy man ready to take on the world. But what’s the meaning of illness, anyway? She is suffering from a disease, but so what? I’m determined to do everything in my power to be there for her, because without her, I feel almost dead inside. The thought of her pain is unbearable, and I want to shield her from it all.

Lost in my thoughts, talking to myself and trying to find a solution, Steven’s voice suddenly broke through my reverie. “Hey! What's wrong with you? Let’s go! Ramen is ready!”

I blinked, shaking off the haze of my thoughts. “Oh, okay—come with me,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

Steven stepped forward, chuckling nervously, his eyes darting around as if he were afraid of what I might say next. “Dude! No way! Are you kidding? You don’t know Selena’s bad temper yet. Seriously, good luck.” He patted me on the shoulder, a mix of amusement and concern etched on his face.

“Hey! What’s wrong with you? Wait,” I shouted to stop him, but Ahmet was wandering downstairs, looking around as if searching for something.

“Ahmet!” I called out, hoping he would join me. I needed all the support I could get.

He smiled and stepped closer, peeking at the bowl in my hands. “What the hell is that?” he frowned, pinching his nose with his fingers, clearly disgusted.

“It’s Ramen for Selena. Could you please come with me?” I asked him gently, trying to contain my frustration.

He jumped back, eyes wide as if I had suggested something outrageous. “No way, man! She might kick my ass.”

“What? Wait?” I exclaimed, trying to stop him as he stormed off toward the pool, leaving me feeling even more anxious.

I scratched the back of my neck. What’s going on for God’s sake with both of them? I wondered. I took a deep breath and decided to head to the suite to give Selena the Ramen myself. After all, she’s pregnant, and I don’t want her to starve. Besides, she wouldn’t yell at me for sure! I’m the legend here.

Even if I’m the legend, I’d never yell at her or dare to touch a strand of her hair, I thought, smiling softly as I hastened to the suite, my heart racing with concern.

I knocked on the door, which she had locked, and she opened it after a few seconds, huffing as if I had just interrupted her in a crucial moment. “What the hell is this?” she asked, stepping back as if I were holding something toxic.

What? Has she forgotten what she ordered?

I stepped closer, trying to sound reassuring. “Sweetie, it’s what you ordered! Ramen!” I raised an eyebrow, hoping to jog her memory.

She pushed my hand away, her expression turning sour. “Throw this trash away! The smell stinks! Noah? Do you want to poison me?”

I dropped my jaw in disbelief. “What? Honey, you said you wanted to eat this!”

She shook her head, clearly annoyed. “Yes! But it looks so disgusting! Why would anyone even eat this? Noah, get out!” She huffed and pushed me out of the suite again, slamming the door in my face for what felt like the umpteenth time.

For God’s sake! What is happening?

I heard two familiar voices chuckling loudly behind me. I turned my head to see Ahmet and Steven making fun of my predicament. I shot both of them a deadly gaze and shouted in a gravelly tone that made them tremble, “Shut the fuck up, both of you, or I will grab my gun and finish this scene now!”

I could tell that Ahmet couldn’t handle my outburst. He switched his eyes to Steven, who, surprisingly, didn’t look scared but knew well enough what I was capable of. That’s why Steven just kept his mouth shut. But Ahmet started knocking on the door, his voice dripping with mock concern. “Selena, please open the door! Your husband wants to kill me!” What a girly guy! He was practically crying and shivering.

Selena opened the door, gazing at me with deadly anger. “Look what you’ve done, Noah! You scared my baby! Now go and sleep with Steven in his room. Ahmet will sleep with me tonight.” Selena tapped Ahmet on the back, trying to calm him down as if he were a frightened puppy.

“What are you saying, Selena! I will never let anyone sleep in the same room with you,” I shouted, my anger bubbling over, desperate to regain control of the situation.

But Selena raised an eyebrow, her tone arrogant and final. “End of discussion.” With that, she pulled Ahmet inside the suite and slammed the door in my face again, leaving me feeling isolated and frustrated.

Steven coughed, trying to diffuse the tension. “I think you should just let her be for a while until she calms down,” he suggested, leaning casually against the wall, as if he were an outside observer to this chaotic scene.

I rounded my fists, trying to curb my anger. I wanted to smash the door, exhaling loudly as if I could make it melt from my hot breath. “Steven! Is that normal? Her anger and sleeping with Ahmet alone?” I asked, desperately searching for a way to alleviate my jealousy.

Steven leaned back against the wall, lighting a cigar for both of us. “Well, she has a bad temper, but it’s probably heightened this time because of the pregnancy hormones. But you don’t have to worry about Ahmet; he’s too girly, as you’ve seen. He’s more like a younger sister to Selena. And by the way, Selena never cheats. To be honest, she’s not that kind of woman at all. And I hate to admit it, but she really loves you more than you could even imagine.” Steven spoke calmly, trying to reassure me, his eyes meeting mine with a sincerity that caught me off guard.

Somehow, his words relieved me a little, like a balm on my frayed nerves. I frowned, still feeling uneasy. “I do trust her, but I’m so jealous. But why are you so sure she loves me? What makes you so confident?”

Steven shrugged, taking a drag from his cigar. “Because she never called me or any other boyfriend honey, baby, dad, or sweetheart. And now, could you please help me to date Ahmet? Man, I love him so much.” Out of the blue, Steven hopped from his place and grabbed my jacket like a madman, begging me with wide eyes.

I furrowed my brows, trying to process his request amidst my own turmoil. “Deal, but first help me with the wedding preparation. And by the way, there aren’t many empty rooms, so I guess I’ll be staying in yours tonight.” I rubbed my chin, winking at him playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Oh no! I can’t stay with you! Everyone knows you’re the freaking bisexual who likes to rape when you get horny.”

I licked my lips teasingly and squeezed his butt. “You better keep your ass away then, buddy.”

“God, Noah!” he exclaimed, rolling his eyes but unable to suppress a smile. "You’re impossible."

As we stood there, I realized that love, jealousy, and friendship intertwined in a complicated dance that we all navigated together. The weight of my feelings for Selena pressed down on me, but at that moment, surrounded by friends, I felt a flicker of hope. I could make this work. For her. For us.

“Alright, let’s figure this out,” I said, determination settling in. “I won’t let my insecurities ruin what we have. We’ll get through this together.”

Steven nodded, more serious now. “That’s the spirit. Let’s go save your marriage, one bowl of Ramen at a time.”

And with that, we set off, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.