ARAMINTA’s POV

My eyes wandered around as I got out of the car and Sky led me into a big mansion. It was beautifully structured, and I wondered if it was Noah’s. 

I walked calmly behind me inside and my breath hitched as I laid my eyes on him. 

He was tall and handsome like Noah. Noah was more handsome though. His chest was huge and was peeping through his shirt, he had blonde hair compared to Noah, but I could feel the same cold energy as Noah. 

“Welcome, Princess”. He stood up and walked over to me, his closeness was overbearing, and I just wanted to run into Noah’s arms. I slightly nodded to acknowledge him. No words were formed. What if I had been deceived? Where was Noah? But Sky was Noah’s employee, and he wouldn't do that.

His lips curled into a tiny smile. “You must be wondering why you are here.” 

I didn't have it. I was not there to have a conversation. My eyes squinted at him. “Where is Noah? I asked, my voice sharp and cold. 

He raised his hands in surrender and smiled “No wonder Noah fell for you, you are fierce. I'm Lucas” 

“Where is Noah? My eyes narrowed at him, and he quickly pointed upstairs. I turned my head when he said calmly. 

“I believe Noah hasn't said anything about me, but you don't need to worry, I'm your husband’s best friend.” 

I relaxed a bit but was still guarded and alert, he was quite playful compared to Noah’s usual cold demeanor. “Did something happen to him? My hands were sweaty and shaky as I asked him. 

Lucas stared at me deeply as if studying my reactions before he opened his mouth. “Noah was shot.” 

I had been expecting to hear something like that but when I heard it, I felt dizzy. My heart suddenly twisted into an unknown pain, I shook my head, and my lips trembled. The last time I felt this way was when Kai died. I didn't want to go through the same torture anymore. 

“How—come?” I asked, my eyes getting watery. Even though I knew that he was involved in some criminal act, I had to act innocent. I didn't even care about the background story anymore, all I wanted to hear was if he was fine. 

“It was a stray bullet” he responded, his eyes firm and his voice came out steady without shaking for a moment. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that Noah was not truly involved in those acts, and it was a stray bullet. I wanted Noah to prove me wrong. I don't know how long I could deny my feelings and still pursue my revenge. I nodded and wiped my tears away, 

“Is he still—alive?” My heart was in my throat as I asked him, and I felt it go back to place when he nodded, 

“Yes, though badly injured, and he is not awake now.” 

I took a deep breath to calm myself, he was not dead….he could not die without me taking my revenge. I consoled myself. My fists were clenched together. 

“Where is he? 

“Let me take you” he responded politely, and I was starting to have a good impression of him. He led me upstairs, a lot of artwork hanging on the walls was calling for my attention, but all I needed right now was to see Noah with my eyes. 

Lucas stood in front of a door and stared at me deeply. “Be calm, okay? Noah will be fine”. He studied my expression for a minute before he continued, “This is Noah’s mansion, and we will leave you both. The doctor would be here every 24 hours” 

I gulped hard, but I didn't shake. I nodded and offered him a smile. He had been nothing but calm and nice and my thoughts went to, when Shirley and Maya said he liked only Isabella, but here he was acting otherwise to me. I almost scoffed at my stupidity, I fell for their tricks and took it out on Noah.

“Thank you—-Lucas” My voice was calm and gentle, and he patted my hair, which took me off guard before he muttered “Take care”. 

My lips slightly opened as I watched him leave. I was not used to having people act nice and gentle to me. His attitude warmed my heart, and he felt like an elder brother to me at that moment. I took a deep breath, but my hands were shaky as I turned the door knob. The room was slightly big, and it was not too bright, the smell of antiseptic, a little bitter with an artificial fragrance contained in soaps, lingered in the air. I felt my heavy legs move to a figure lying helplessly on the bed with oxygen attached to his nose.  

I felt tears welling up in my eyes at the sight of him. I walked closer to him, and his bandaged shoulder with chest came into my view. Was he shot twice? 

Did Lucas think I was dumb? How could a stray bullet do this? 

But I was not in the position to worry about that, I knew it was nothing close to that. Noah was a hardened criminal and Lucas might be his accomplice. I shook every thought away from my head, I didn't want to think about it anymore. 

I calmly sat beside Noah, his skin was pale, and his eyes were shut closed. Only the faint sound of his breaths and the machine attached to the oxygen filled the room. 

“Noah? I called out, my voice low and impatient. I stretched my hand and ran my hands through his hair, he looked like he had been in a coma for days and I felt a pang of pain in my chest. 

A voice suddenly whispered to me “You shouldn't be doing this…….he deserved it…..he killed Kai.” 

I covered my mouth as I sobbed, I shook my head. I didn't want to think about that, I didn't want to see him dead. A wave of guilt hit me hard in my chest, but I turned blind, my feelings were getting a hold of me and I couldn't control it anymore. 

I stared at him and held his hand in mine. It was slightly cold and it worried me. I was not used to seeing Noah like this, 

“Would I forgive him if he opened up to me? I asked myself and the answer I got made me slightly chuckle and mocked myself. I kept staring at him, the handsome face that pulled me for the first time. 

A phone suddenly rang and pulled me out of my daze. It was the Queen. 

My lips trembled. What was I going to say to her? It kept ringing, and I just had to calm myself. I hurriedly wiped my tears and cleared my throat. 

“Ara, where are you? Her worried voice sounded as soon as I picked it up. I felt a bit of happiness. I wished I had a mother who worried and cared about me like Noah’s mother. 

“Mother, good morning”. I greeted her calmly, and she responded immediately “No, don't do that. How can you leave the house without informing anyone? 

“Mother, I'm sorry, but I'm—with Noah”, I glanced at him as I responded. She went quiet for a moment before she asked, her voice more calm and a bit concerned, “Is Noah—okay? I mean….why would you go meet him in Italy all of a sudden? 

I clenched my fingers together and bit my lips. “Mother, I insisted on coming to see him—I'm sorry.” 

“No, don't be. I'm just worried. Where is Noah? 

My throat went dry “Mother—” 

“I have been calling him, but he is not picking up my call. I'm calm now since you are there with him”, she explained, and I smiled gently, 

“I will tell Noah to call you soon, Mother.” 

“Hmm,” She responded in agreement and hung up the call. I heaved a sigh of relief and went back to staring at Noah. My eyes caught his revealed chest and my hands moved subconsciously, 

“Gosh, am I insane?” my face turned hot as I scolded myself and covered his chest.