4

🌹 4 🌹

Joan stretched in the bed and felt around for Noah and he was right beside her.

Her eyes slowly parted as she breathed in the sweet scent of lavender in the air.

She turned to lovingly caress his face.

“Oh Noah.” Her heart could literally burst from all the love she felt for him.

But what was more overwhelming was his love for her which he never failed to show exactly how much he loved her.

How did she capture the heart of such a cold multi-bllionaire?

It's a question she's still yet to have an answer for.

“What are you looking at?” His midnight eyes came to life accompanied by a lazy seductive smile that was half a smirk.

“You.”

“Come here.” He grabbed her and pulled her until she was on him.

“Noah!”

He passionately claimed her lips. “Delicious.” He admired her when their lips parted. “I have something for you, a pre-wedding gift.”

“How many gifts do you wanna give to me?” She smiled.

“As much as I love you.” He pulled out some documents from the bedside table. “Here.”

Joan quickly looked through the papers and back at him. “You're giving me the waterfall and the cabin?”

“You love that place, now it's yours.” He said.

“No, no, Noah I can't take this.”

“Why not? It's our special place and I want you to have it.” He caressed her naked back.

“This is too much. That place costs millions.”

“My millions.”

“What about your dad?”

“It's mine, peanuts, mine.” He reassured.

“You didn't have to do this.”

“Well I'm not taking it back it. Everything is signed, it's yours. Just be kind enough to share with me.” He nuzzled her neck and she giggled.

“Thanks.”

She heard her phone vibrate under the sheets and tried to reach for it but he grabbed her hand. “I'm right here.”

“What if it's urgent?”

“What if I make love to you again?” He kissed her.

“Noah..”

“No..” He pinned her in the bed and claimed her lips again.

Joan was soon shuddering under him, enjoying every ecstasy he drove her into.

Minutes later, her phone buzzed again and she quickly picked it when she noticed he was sleeping.

“Shit.” She read through her messages and quietly got down the bed and tiptoed to the bathroom, turning to see if she woke him.

She needed to make an urgent call.

Noah slowly opened his eyes and sat up in the bed.

His fingers made fists on the sheets.

What is she hiding.

Noah hesitantly walked to the door of the bathroom and hardly stopped himself from kicking the door open.

This is officially a pattern for her whenever that same person calls.

Who is it?

“I am so excited!” He heard her whisper a squeak. “No way Abel! Oh my God! I love you so much! You're the best! I can't believe it's finally happening!” Noah took a step back from the door.

Who is Abel?

“I will call you when everything's set. I have to make a strategic plan. You know I can't just walk out of here. God, I can't wait to see you.” She continued to whisper.

She wouldn't dare cheat on him, no, Joan isn't like that, she's can't do that to him.

“Love?” She smiled once she stepped out of the bathroom. “I have to go.”

“Okay.” Noah, who was already back in bed nodded.

“You will not drop me off?” She frowned a little.

“I have work, it's urgent.” He answered. “I'll have the driver drop you off.”

Joan went back home and sneaked into her room, hoping not to bump into her parents.

“Sis!” Vera called, she was punching her laptop on the window seat with a plate of wafers and apple juice.

Joan jumped a little and sighed when she spotted her sister. “What are you doing in my room?”

“I'm lonely, my room is boring, and I miss you.” Vera pouted. “I didn't have enough time to show you the things I got for you from Europe.”

“We will have plenty time to discuss about Paris.” Joan said and walked into her closet. “Vee!” She gasped.

“Yeah!?” Vera chuckled and wore an innocent face as she walked into the closet.

“What did you do?” Joan turned to her. “What happened to my clothes?!”

“I heard…”

“You heard?” Joan threw a murderous look at her sister.

“Let's go out and I'll explain everything to you.” Vera cajoled.

“You know I don't like public spaces. Where do you have on mind?” Joan hesitated.

“My treat.”

Vera took Joan to one of the infamous restaurant and they were taken to their reservation.

“Daddy told me that Noah gives you everything you ask for.” Vera shrugged.

“So?”

“So I used the opportunity to change your wardrobe! You are getting married to a billionaire! You have to upgrade your fashion sense!” Vera said.

“He doesn't have a problem with the way I dress.” Joan scoffed.

“Just because he didn't complain about it doesn't mean he doesn't have a problem with it.” Vera said.

“Vee..”

“He approved my budget for your new wardrobe and gave me the money instantly! Doesn't that speak volumes?” Vera sipped her smoothie.

“Moments ago, you were at his throat. You still don't like him even after all these years and now you're using his money?” Joan questioned with a smile.

“He bumped into me and made me drop my things, then he was so arrogant to even apologize! Who the hell does he think he is?”

Their order was soon placed on the table in-between them.

Joan only looked at her sister with wonder. “His father is one of the richest men in the continent and you know it.”

“Daddy money.” Vera rolled her eyes.

“He worked for his money too.”

“And since he decided to pick you as his bride without even considering your own decision, he should pay for it, no?”

“Your parents agreed to it without my consent.” Joan reminded her and bit into her kebab.

“You were fifteen!” Vera threw her hands in the air.

“You're just a drama queen.” Joan poured herself some wine.

“I will not just sit back and watch you settle for less. He chose my sister, he should know that you're not cheap.” Vera said with a mouth full of steak. “And you need to make him understand that or else after your wedding, he will seek another woman's warmth. Now you don't want that do you?”

“Stop spilling rubbish.”

“But I'm right. Wealthy people like him always cheat on their wives. Two months into the marriage, he will lose taste in you and go for a next woman and so on, the circle continues.” Vera wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Noah isn't like that. He is different.” Joan defended.

“How sure are you?” Vera frowned a little, looking at her sister suspiciously. “You are not in love with this man, are you?”

“Just shut up.”

“No for real though, you know he doesn't love you, right? He just wants a trophy wife. Don't fall for his lies. Just because he gives you everything doesn't mean he is actually in love with you.” Vera warned.

“Vera, please.” Joan loudly dropped her spoon.

“I am rich enough to take care of our family.” Vera reached to the other side of the table to hold her sister's hand. “You can back out now and we will leave, we will move out of their property and dad and mom will look for new jobs. We will be our own bosses.”

“Can you hear yourself? What about father and mother? Is that what they want? You can't just make these decisions because of your emotions! That's selfish. What about me, Vee? It's not always about what you want.” Joan sadly said to her.

“I know, I know.” Vera sighed. “I'm sorry. What do you want?”

“Let mother and father make decisions for themselves. And me, I'm not complaining. I want the wedding so let it be.”

“You really want to get married to him?” Vera sadly asked.

“Yes.”

Vera looked at her sister for a while. “I know a club.”

“No, no, absolutely not.” Joan shook her head.

“Why, why, why not!? It's going to be fun!” Vera pouted. “Don't tell me Noah restricts your movement?”

“Don't, Vee stop. Leave him alone.” Joan couldn't help but smile. “It's not him. You know I don't like the club.”

“I bet he clubs too!”

“I'm not going.”

“You are! And I got the perfect dress for you!”

Joan's phone beeped.

“Who is it? Let me guess, Noah!” Vera mocked.

“No, and excuse me.” Joan picked her phone and walked away.

Vera watched her with a frown.

What is so private that she can't pick her calls in her presence? They had or have no secrets between them because they tell each other everything. Even with the past few years, they face time and text about almost everything.

So who was that? What's it about?