Chapter 3: I thought I left him behind

Aria

The sun slowly crept across my face, pulling me out of sleep. The first thing I felt wasn't the softness of the bed; it was the steady warmth of an arm wrapped securely around my waist.

Memories of last night flashed right again. After eating, Noah showed me the trophies he had won as a hockey player. He was so gentle with me, his eyes showing warmth, not like the Noah I was used to seeing. He seemed different.

I lifted my chin slightly, studying his face. He looked so peaceful in his sleep.

My fingers twitched, tempted to brush the loose strand of hair that had fallen across his face. Just once. To know if this was real.

I curled my fingers into my palm instead.

What are you doing? my inner voice snapped. He has other girls… plenty of girls to be with. Don't start imagining things.

You do not belong in his world. The thought hit harder this time.

Of course. What was I even thinking?

I eased myself gently from his grip, making sure not to wake him.

My dress was folded neatly on the couch, dry-cleaned.

He did that?

I shook the thought away and got dressed quickly, grabbed my heels and turned for the last glance before creeping out of the door. He was still sleeping; the memory will stay with me till my hair turns gray, a night with Noah Sterling.

Finding my way out wasn't easy. It was a huge penthouse.

I eventually ran into a woman who looked like a nanny, I assumed. She guided me toward the exit.

“Noah has never brought anyone here before,” she said softly.

A knot twisted in my stomach.

“I was surprised when he asked me to take care of you.”

I swallowed down the saliva that had now built up. Hope is dangerous. I do not belong to his world, and I will never be.

“Please… don't tell him you saw me leave,” I said gently, holding her arm.

“I won't, dear”

Back at the hostel, Erica wasn't there; no trace that she had slept at home.

I took a shower, made something simple and started folding my clothes neatly into my bag.

I had a long journey ahead, and there was no use stalling for time. I had to make sure everything was packed before leaving.

I remembered when I applied for the secretary position. I almost gave up when I didn't get a quick response from them. I had been getting a lot of R-mails before I stumbled on that position. I knew I wasn't qualified, a soon-to-be high school graduate.

But I couldn't give up if I didn't want to return home.

Luckily, I got the job.

It was a few days away by train, and it came with free accommodation and food for a year. I could eventually save up before going to college.

I didn't need anyone to tell me, I was lucky.

It was almost night when Erica came in.

I was done packing, and my traveling bags were pushed to a corner. I had also dry-washed Erica's clothes and placed them on her bed.

“I feel so nauseous…we drank too much yesterday,” she groaned

Then, quickly, without taking a breath.

“How did you get home, Aria? I'm so sorry, I should have watched out for you. Please forgive me”

“It's fine,” I cut in, smiling gently. “We had our fun.

Now go take a shower and come eat; I made dinner.”

Her worn-out face lit immediately with a smile. “Oh, Aria”.

She suddenly gasped

“What's wrong? I rushed to her side.

‘You are leaving already?” Her eyes welled with tears.

A relief sigh escaped my lips.

“Yes, there is no point waiting. I've graduated”

“Stay a little longer.”

“I can't. I have to resume immediately”

Her expression softened.

Silence followed, with our eyes staring deep at each other.

“Just like yesterday when you came in here with a broken eyeglass”, she muttered.

We burst into laughter together; how could I ever forget that? On my first day locating my room, I fell on the stairway which led to my broken eyeglass.

I knew she was just trying to make the atmosphere lighter, but a tear had already dropped, defying her.

“I will miss you.”

With no words, I pulled her into a hug. I would miss Aria, no doubt. She had been my only friend since I was twelve.

“Enough of this,” I said lightly, pulling away from the hug. “Go take a shower”.

The next morning came too quickly. I checked my phone, hoping for a text message… from Noah.

Not that I expected but deep down I knew a part of me longed to get a response from him. I pushed the thought away.

I was dressed and ready to leave when Erica came with her hands behind her back.

“Close your eyes”, she said, and I did.

“Now open”, It was the gold dress.

“You can have it”

“I… can't”

“I have more than enough, and besides, I want you to have something that reminds you of me.”

I hugged her tightly

“I will miss you, Ari”

“I will miss you too”

We held onto each other a little longer, sniffling down tears that were now clogging our throats.

They said growing up comes with sacrifices. I guess this was one of them.

Two days later. I arrived.

My accommodation was ready, just like they had promised. Clean. Comfortable. Free

“This is where you’ll stay,” a woman said. “You can resume tomorrow. You have to be trained before the Chairman arrives.”

“The Chairman?” I asked.

“Yes. He resumes in two weeks.” Her name was Miss Gina—my supervisor.

It took a while before I got settled in. My dinner was brought in, and I must say it was a meal I could never afford. I made sure to sleep in early so I could wake up early.

The next day, I resumed.

Miss Gina took me to my office, which was opposite the chairman's office.

“You would be taught everything you need to know before he arrives." She explained. "He’s quite young, so you fit the role perfectly,”

The days passed by quickly, and the memories I had of Noah had begun to wane. I've adjusted, learned and made a few friends in the office.

Life felt stable and normal.

A few days before the expected Chairman's resumption. I was on a video call with Erica, showing her my office and the scattered files on my desk.

“Wait”, she suddenly said. “Who is that behind you?”

I turned, and a pair of polished shoes came into view.

My gaze travelled upward. Tailored trousers. A charcoal suit. Broad shoulders.

Then…

Slicked-back dark hair.

My fingers tightened around my phone. The air suddenly felt too thin.

Noah Sterling.

"Hello, gold lady"

My world tilted… What was he doing here?

The door opened, and Miss Gina walked in.

“Oh, good. You’ve met him already”

“Met who?”

“This”, she continued, “is the new chairman of our cosmetics company.”

The world went silent.

Noah Sterling… the Chairman?

And me…his secretary?

My head spun

How?

Why?

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

It wasn't warm. It wasn't friendly.

It was the smile of someone who has just accomplished a big feat.

“Nice meeting you, Miss Cole”.