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It's odd how she thought to respect my decision to sleep separately, but she doesn't think that her presence in itself is not welcome.
Once more, I find myself conflicted.
She's an enigma I can't explain.
But do you want to?
The answer is a resounding yes…
I spend the rest of the day on phone conferences, handling the pending business back home and getting updates from Carlos on our mysterious seller.
Noelle is maybe two steps away from me at all times, doing exactly what she suggested on the plane.
If I look a little thirsty, she's there with a glass of water. If I'm tugging at my shirt, she takes it as a sign that I'm too hot and brings a fan to cool me. If she notices I've gone too much time without eating, she brings a little snack, leaving it in front of me.
All throughout, she doesn't speak.
Not. One. Word.
"He's meeting you tomorrow. He is a little scared. I'm not entirely sure why, but he said he will only sell if you're alone. If you bring anyone with you, the deal is off and you won't find him again."
"It will be just me and Noelle," I add. "I'm not letting her out of my sight," I say as I turn and almost bump into her.
She's looking up at me, a shy smile on her face as she holds up a plate with brownies.
"Text me the details. I have something to take care of," I tell Carlos before I hang up.
I fling my phone on the couch before I give Noelle my entire attention. After all, she's been wanting it from the beginning, hasn't she.
"What do you think you're doing, Noelle?" I raise a brow at her.
She doesn't speak, merely lifting the plate and pushing it towards me.
"Talk," I continue, impatiently.
She still doesn't say anything, just watching me, her smile becoming increasingly more strained. Once more, she pushes the plate towards me.
"For fuck's sake, stop this goddamn silly act," I sneer.
Exasperated, I don't even think as I swipe my hand, knocking the plate out of her hands.
It falls to the ground with a thud, the porcelain breaking just as the brownies crumble into small pieces.
I blink, surprised at my own outburst.
Noelle barely reacts, still watching me. Her smile falls, her lashes coated by unshed tears.
"Noelle…"
Getting to her knees, she slowly starts picking the pieces of porcelain off the floor.
It takes me a moment to realize what she's doing, or the fact that the sharp shards are perfect for…
Instinct takes over as I swoop her up in my arms, wrenching the shards out of her hands and dumping them to the ground.
Kicking open the door to her bedroom, I place her on the bed, kneeling in front of her and turning her hands palms up to check for any injuries.
Only when I spot not one drop of blood or even a scrape do I breathe in relief.
