Noah returned home a little later than lunch time. Because of all the drama, the task which was supposed to take an hour or two at most, had taken up three hours of his time.He found Eliana waiting for him on the couch, but the magazine she had been reading had already fallen off to one side. Her cheek was resting on the palm of her hand, and her eyes were half closed because of drowsiness. Seeing that she was already half- asleep, he quickly rushed towards her. “Ellie! Why are you resting here, that too so uncomfortably-”Eliana quickly opened her eyes wide on hearing his voice, and spoke, without letting him complete his sentence.“I was waiting for you-”Embarrassment started to crawl under Noah's skin and he quickly spoke up in the middle of Eliana's sentence. “I am sorry, I got a little late, actually–”But before he could have mentioned the reason for his delay, Eliana interrupted him once again. “It's okay, Noah. Have you had lunch?”“No, but–”“Let's eat first.”Eliana go
Eliana's hands acted faster than her mind could process this conflict, and her thumb hurriedly moved towards the screen, disconnecting the call. Her eyes then halted on Noah's face, looking at him in complete surprise. Noah realized that unknowingly, his mother in law had helped him out by initiating the topic of him being at the mall; although she would die a thousand deaths if she knew that her accusations had the opposite effect. He would not get a better chance than this, to tell her the truth. He could see everything fall into place– even though it wasn't like he planned, but it was all that he needed.He shifted closer to Eliana and started to speak in a measured tone. “She was telling the truth, I was in a jewelry shop. To be precise, I was in Lotus Jewels–”“Noah, you don't have to explain anything because of my mom. I know you might have your own reasons or some work for going there. So you don't have to say anything in your defense, I trust you.”But when Noah had finall
Noah's POV: Although I had decided to tell Eliana everything, the moment I notice the horror on her face after hearing that they are my step uncle and aunt and didn't like me, I make another split second decision: it would be a good thing to keep the rest of the information to myself.Knowing the kind of sheltered atmosphere she has grown up in, where she was always taught that family comes first– no matter how toxic her family members actually might be– such openly hostile relationships are still fairly new for her.If I go into any more detail, it would only cause fear in her mind…And there is no way I would let it happen.I was so sure about this, but now that it is almost the time for departure, I don't know why I too am feeling a little worried.Probably, it is because I know my uncle and aunt too well, and I don't know if I have done a good thing after trusting my grandfather or not.It was never like if I didn't trust him, that he doesn't love me; because I know he loves and
“You… you have brought gifts for us? How… how did you get money for this?”Otis whispered in disbelief, when Viola screamed out at the top of her lungs.“Oh, Noah! You are getting me all wrong, I didn't mean to offend you. It was just that, your aunty was trying to make this serious situation a little humorous with the in- laws' joke. You didn't need to buy anything, my poor nephew!”Viola continued, laughing along forcibly.“I mean, seriously! You must have spent your months of salaries to buy some cheap souvenirs for us… Noah, I know you have left the house at a very young age, but I haven't expected you to forget all the luxuries you have been born with. And the fact that these cheap souvenirs wouldn't even be used by our staff–”“So dear aunty… are you trying to say that you aren't interested in seeing what I have bought for her?”Noah interrupted, knowing how his aunty's words, narration and expressions were going to change the moment she would see the gift boxes and things that
Noah knew what was coming for him, but this soon! He was not expecting that it was going to be so easy to see his aunt flipping so quickly.He smiled and spoke again;“Okay, aunty! If you insist, then I won't be throwing these out… otherwise aunt Charissa has really opened my eyes to the truth.”“No, no! Noah, I was just saying that… you don't have to follow all my words by heart, my sweet child.”“Really? But I can! I mean, you all are my uncle and aunts, who hold the position of my guardians and parents in my eyes. Then, following your words is something I should do, isn't it uncle Otis! Weren't you saying this the last time I was here?”Noah looked at Otis, noticing that his face was still pale, while he was trying to calculate the price and chances of him managing to save such a huge amount– fit enough to buy all those expensive gifts.This was when Viola spoke up, trying to clear up the damage that had already occurred.“Everyone, I guess we have had enough to talk here. Now I be
As soon as she heard Noah's question, Viola’s face showed some hints of panic, followed by disappointment… but all the unpleasant emotions were replaced by a formal smile, just as quickly. "Of course, dear. I have already gotten a room cleaned up and ready for you, and I will happily give you the tour, in a bit. But won't you finish your dinner first?"Noah gave her a curt smile, shaking his head. "No, thank you. I’m quite tired, and my wife and I would like to rest in our room now."Viola’s gaze flicked to Otis, and the two of them exchanged a quick glance before they both rose from their seats. She turned to Agatha, her voice sharp– not completely hiding her annoyance. “Agatha, clear the table, please."Meanwhile, Eliana looked like a poor deer caught in headlights. Not only was she feeling completely out of place here, but on top of that, Viola’s overly sweet tone and Otis’s silence were also putting her on edge and making her uneasy.Mentally thanking Noah for this, she got up
Otis entered his room with a smile of victory, after settling Noah and his wife in the guest room.It was a clear message for them, not to forget the fact that they were guests here– and not the permanent residents. So, they better behave… or else it wouldn't be a good sign for them.Viola followed shortly after and glanced at the pleased smile on his face. “Why are you smiling, honey? Do you also think that the idiots have bought the gifts that must have cost them a fortune–”“Now that you mentioned this darling, I don't think that anyone on a regular salary– or even someone who has the total shares of the Frosts, combined– can't afford all the jewels he has brought. Especially the one his wife was wearing.”He paused to study the expression on his wife's face, which told him all he needed to continue. “If you haven't noticed it, darling, then she was wearing the limited edition bracelet– or should I say, the only one in the world, of its kind. Lotus Jewels had famously been saving
Noah opened his eyes, in sync with a message popping- up on his phone. It was the sound of its notification that had broken his sleep, and he groggily unlocked the phone.“Come to the living room of the mansion, now.”He read the message from his grandfather, and got to his feet with a jerk, forgetting that Eliana was also sleeping beside him.The moment he realized it, he made sure to walk across the room on his tiptoes, opening the door and leaving the guest room without making any further sounds.But it was already too late, since Eliana's sleep had also been interrupted because of the sound.By the time she gained consciousness and turned around on the bed, she saw the door closing softly. She got up and left the room as well, following in Noah's footsteps.But since she was completely new to the mansion, she bumped into the golden vase placed outside a bedroom as she turned the corner after climbing down one floor. She hissed in pain before steadying the vase that had been place