Chapter Fifteen

"Paris? Just like you said?" she asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, Paris, just like I said," he replied and rolled his sleeve up.

"So when do we leave?" She asked after putting the box into her wardrobe.

"Whenever you're ready to leave," he answered as he stood up.

"Tomorrow will be fine," she answered as she straightened the sheets she sat on. "I hope you don't feel guilty for what happened to me?" she asked, and he stayed silent.

"You shouldn't feel guilty. It was bound to happen," she said as she bit her lower lip.

"But what those people did to you, I can't even imagine. If I find out who is responsible, I'll kill them bit by bit with my own hands," he said as anger shone brightly in his eyes.

"You don't have to. Unfortunately, I killed them myself. The irony," she said, looking away with shame and regret radiating from her.

"I killed three men with my own two hands. I took away their lives. What are their families feeling right now?" She looked up at him as the thought of the death of the men had hit her.

"Hey, if you didn't kill them, they would have killed you instead," he said as he crouched down to her height.

"Look, some things are just bound to happen. Okay? Don't feel guilty for something that you aren't supposed to feel guilty about," he said as he quickly ran his hands through his hair.

"Yeah, I won't think like this," she said as she sighed.

"I have to leave now. I have to get to work and pack up some things. Are you okay with going for a quick shop before we leave tomorrow in the afternoon?"

"Yeah, I need some clothes for the weather there," she said as she stood up from the bed. "I'll walk you out."

"No, it's fine. You need some rest. It's going to be a long flight tomorrow. Bye," he said before he left her room.

Despite being back together, things still feel awkward, Noah thought as he entered his car.

Pedro stood at the window as he walked into his office.

"You're back. I have information for you," he said as he dropped some files on his desk.

"These are the men we suspect could be responsible for the kidnapping and the bombings. We hired some people to spy and monitor their movements for the next few days. So that also frees you up to go on holiday with Ava."

"I haven't told anybody about that. How do you know?" he asked, confused.

"I have my source." He smiled as he double-tapped his chest before he left.

Noah chuckled and nodded his head before he pressed on the intercom.

"Book us a flight for tomorrow at 2 pm. Ava and I. And take care of that paperwork before you leave," he said to his temporary assistant.

She answered with an, "Okay."

Noah's phone vibrated in his pocket, and he dipped his hands into his pocket to check who was calling: NATALIE.

He placed his phone on his ears, and he was taken aback by the loud shriek she gave. Despite being the oldest, she still acted like a child sometimes.

"We heard you're going on holiday with Ava," she said cheerfully.

"Where are you guys getting this information from?" he asked, yet again confused.

"I have my sources," she said, and he imagined her winking after her statement.

"Grandpa has already reserved a five-star hotel and a car for you guys. Make sure you buy some lingerie when you go shopping tomorrow," she said as she giggled.

"Do I have some invisible microphone on my body?" he asked, surprised by her awareness.

"Oops, I was not supposed to tell you about that. I'm going now. Bye," she chuckled softly before she hung up the call.

***

There was a light knock on her door before Ava's eyes flew open.

"Can I come in?" Daniel asked in a low tone.

"Yeah, come in," she acknowledged as she yawned in the process.

He came in with a plate of some toast and orange juice.

"My favorite!" she exclaimed and then smiled as she watched him come closer.

"I figured you needed to start your day with a smile on your face," he said, settling down beside her on the bed.

"I guess it worked," she said with a mouth full of toast.

"Take it easy a little. The food is not running away," he said, but she ignored him completely and munched on her food happily.

"Your flight is set for 3 pm today. So shower and get dressed. Noah will be here in an hour. I'm leaving for work," he said as he pecked her softly on her forehead.

"But I thought you would see us at the airport," she said in a sad tone.

"I really wanted to, but we have a patient that got into an accident and they need my help. I am the only one with great experience in that part. I'm really sorry. Don't be mad at me, please," he said in a baby tone.

"Hey, it's fine. You are out there saving lives. Who am I to stop you?"

"I'll miss you," he said before he stood up. "Stay safe and eat a lot," he added before he left the room.

Once she was done eating, she showered and dressed and fixed her hair. Once she was done, she carried her plates to the kitchen. On coming back to the parlor, she heard the doorbell.

She immediately rushed to the door, expecting it to be Noah, but it was someone else entirely.

"Hello," the redhead said. "Erm, is Daniel around?" she asked nervously.

"No, he just left thirty minutes ago. Is there anything you want to tell him? I'm his sister," she said, and she tensed a little bit.

"I'm his girlfriend…" she paused. "Well, I'm his ex. He dumped me because of a misunderstanding. It's a little bit complicated."

"So why are you here?" she asked, sounding rude rather than soft.

"I'm one month pregnant with his child," she said with fear in her voice. Fear of rejection.

"Oh my God. Come in. Don't stand at the door."

"No, it's fine. Just tell me where I can find him," she said with desperation in her eyes.

"He is at the hospital already," she replied to her.

"Thank you so much," she said before leaving.

"Sorry, what's your name?" she asked the girl.

"Bella, that's my name."

"Good luck, Bella. Don't hesitate to tell him how you feel," she said.

She watched her as she left before closing the door, then her thoughts were interrupted by a phone call on the home phone.

She came closer and answered the phone.

"Hello," they answered at the same time, and she blushed as she realized who it was.

"Why weren't you picking up your calls?" he asked in a cool tone.

"I had a visitor at the door, that's why," she answered.

"I hope you're ready. I'll be there in 15 minutes."

"Yeah, I'm done. I'm just waiting for you here."

It was just a few minutes before she heard a light knock on the door to her room.

"Come in," she invited.

The door slowly creaked open as he walked in, and the room was filled with his cologne.

Forbidden thoughts ran through her head, and she bit her lip as her eyes raked over his body.

Ava pulled herself together. She mentally scolded herself as he came closer.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yeah," she replied as she gulped down a huge amount of saliva.

She moved back, and she almost slipped on a wet wiper. But he caught her in time before she could fall.

His eyes locked into her lavender ones, and he stared at her as if he wanted to pierce her soul. But she broke eye contact as the intensity heightened.

"I'll...g-grab my purse," she stammered as she moved away from him. She could feel his eyes boring into her back as she picked up her fallen purse.

The sexual tension in the room was so high that she could feel the room close up around her. She started feeling uncomfortable in the dress she wore. All the confidence that she emitted a while ago was gone.

Noah could feel how uncomfortable it was, and he decided to leave the room before her.

She could hear her thumping heart echo in her ears as she put on her shoes. After she calmed herself down, she exited the room.

"We are going to the mansion after we finish shopping. I have to grab my cards," he said, and she only nodded in response.

The trip to the mall was a little bit more suffocating than she expected. Everyone kept on trying to get her autograph the moment they realized she was the model on the supermarket's billboard. The sales in the store had doubled two times because of the crowd she brought in.

They had to leave the store because it started to become more crowded. She only managed to grab a jacket and a head warmer.

"Sometimes I forget how famous you are," he said with a chuckle.

"I couldn't even get anything to wear," she whined. She felt defeated.

"We can shop in the best malls of Paris. It would also serve as a kind of souvenir," he said as he placed her head on his shoulders.

It wasn't long before they got to the Faustino mansion. She was about to follow him inside, but he stopped her and asked her to stay outside.

After waiting a while, Noah exited the mansion with a small traveling bag and Natalie at his back.

"Oh my God, I hope you're okay?" she asked, running her hands into her hair. "We all heard about your incident, Ava. You are such a strong woman," she said, and Ava smiled. She was genuinely concerned about her.

"You guys be safe, okay? Don't eat stuff that looks foreign to you, okay?"

"I packed some lingerie for you in the bag, so make sure you wear them," she whispered in her ears, and Ava laughed softly.

***

Natalie rushed to him with her stomach looking bigger than the last time. She let her hair fall on her back.

"Where is Ava?" she asked with one hand on her waist.

"She's waiting outside. I told her I needed to grab something," he said as he walked to his grandfather's room with Natalie trailing behind him.

"How can you let the poor girl stay outside in that hot scorching sun. Where is your heart?" she asked.

"She's going to be fine. If she feels hot, she can turn the air conditioner on, so there is nothing to worry about," he said before entering the room.

"You have really gotten accustomed to not knocking when entering," Grand Faustino's voice echoed the room as he entered.

"It's my grandpa's room. It is also my room."

"What if I was busy with something?" he asked.

"Then I'll know your secrets," Noah answered.

His grandpa laughed and patted his grandson's shoulder.

"Have a great time, Son."

"Be safe, Grandpa," he said before leaving the room.

"Hold up!" Nathalie hauled herself behind him.

They reached where Ava stood outside the mansion.

She kept on pestering and tormented the poor girl with questions about her health and the trip.

"I really want to see you with a baby bum." She winked before she left.

He hadn't told them about Ava's condition.

He looked at her, and she carried a sad but happy face.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked as they drove to the airport.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," she said as she moved closer to Noah. "Can I ask you a question?" she continued.

"Yeah, I'm all ears," he said as he gave her his attention.

"Do you think she will give birth to a boy or a girl?" Ava asked as her left hand played with her hair.

"She will give birth to a boy so she can name him after me. Noah junior."

"No, really, Noah." She giggled. "She will name the baby Arla. She will be the younger sister I have always wanted."

"I like your fantasies, but Natalie's baby will be a boy," he said firmly

"What makes you sure she will be a boy?"

"What makes you sure he will be a girl?" he asked, and the argument continued till they arrived at the airport.