Ronnie drove the car towards the sisters' house, looking around to see anybody suspicious. He had been with Noah for a long time and he had also received the hellish training to reach the level he was at right now. So, it was obvious that he was extraordinarily skilled and talented.

Ivy's eyes immediately darted to the spot where she had found Tim hiding for the last few days when he was trying to keep an eye on her. To her relief, he was not anywhere to be found. Even his car was not present.

"He is not here." Ivy expressed her relief loudly. "Maybe he left thinking I wouldn't be coming out as it is late already."

"Are you sure?" Noah asked skeptically, his eyes wandering around to see if what Ivy had said was true.

"Positive."

Ronnie stopped the car in front of the apartment building.

"Come in. Let's have dinner together." Aria suggested holding Noah's hand. Ivy had already got off the car.

"I am fine. It's late anyway."

"I am calling you since it's late and it's dinner time." On noticing that Noah was about to object, she pecked his lips, stunning him. "I insist."

That was it. All the rationality, time sense, calmness, objection flew out the window. He got down immediately and held out his hand for Aria to take.

"Why don't you come inside too?" Aria invited Ronnie, it was quite late and he must be hungry too.

"No. Madam, I am fine." He objected immediately.

"No. No. Come in."

"Aria, he will be fine." Noah's eyes grew grim seeing her not giving him her attention. Though he was happy that she was taking care of his guard, he was also unhappy about it. "Besides, he is fasting tonight."

"Why are you fasting?" Aria was surprised. She did not expect him to fast out of the blue.

"Just like that." Ronnie shrugged nervously. He did not know why his boss had told her he was fasting when he was actually very hungry. But he knew not to cross him, he had to continue the act for his own safety.

Aria narrowed her eyes doubtfully. Something was not adding up, but she did not know what. Since Ronnie was adamant about not having dinner, she couldn't force him. So, Aria got off the car and held Noah's hand. Ivy had already gone inside the building.

Ivy had started cooking when the couple ventured in. "It will take some time for me to finish cooking."

"Take your time." Noah sat on the sofa while Aria handed him a glass of water. She wanted to take a bath quite badly. She could smell the hospital disinfectants and blood on her body from the surgery. She wanted to get the smell off her body.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll be back." Aria told him and went to her room. Noah gave her a nod a took out his phone to find any clues on Jared. He had already heard what had happened to Rachel from Joshua when he had called him the evening. He was unsure either why he had missed her calls and messages from Ian.

'How is the search coming along? Did you find anything about him?' He sent the message and waited for the reply which was quite immediate.

'On it. Will be ready by tomorrow.'

Ten minutes passed. Ivy was busy in the kitchen and Aria had not yet returned. Having no work to do, Noah got up and entered Aria's room. It was cozy and comfortable just like her. The walls were painted a sky blue and white. There was a study table at the corner of the room beside the window. On the other side, there was a book rack with books on medical science. In the middle of the room, there was a queen-size bed with light blue colored duvet on it. There were some pictures of Aria and her family hanging on the walls.

After taking a thorough look at the room, Noah settled himself on her bed. He found a book on the bedside table and picked it up to see what kind of books Aria preferred to read. It was a thriller and it was half-read. There was a bookmark on one of the pages. While he was taking a look at the book, the bathroom door opened and Aria stepped out wiping her face. She was wearing shorts paired with an oversized white T-shirt. Her hair was tied in a bun with a few unruly strands falling our her face.

Noah lifted his head on hearing the door open and saw Aria looking so delectable and cute. She looked tiny in the shirt she was wearing. Aria too was startled to see Noah sitting comfortably on her bed.

"Noah, what are you doing here?" She saw that he had already removed his coat and tie and the top to buttons of his shirt were undone. The sleeves were folded till his elbows and she could see his strong arms and chest. The sight was too hot for her that she unknowingly gulped, her eyes fixed on his body. Noah smiled seeing her go in a daze.

"Inspecting your bedroom." He answered without taking his eye off her.

"What is there to inspect in my room?" Aria scoffed. It was not like she was hiding something from him.

"I don't know. You must say. Are you hiding something from me?" Noah narrowed his eyes as though he was scrutinizing her. Yet there was amusement and mirth in them.

"What could I possibly hide from you?"

"Pictures of hot men." Noah's nonchalant answer rendered Aria speechless. She lowered her eyes guiltily.

"What are you talking about? I don't look at hot men." She argued, her face flushed red with embarrassment. She fiddled with her shirt, her eyes not daring to look at him.

"So you are saying that I am not hot?" He folded his hands, waiting for her answer. He couldn't deny that teasing Aria was so much fun. She gave the perfect reactions expected of her. Her flushed cheeks resembled apples urging him to take a bite which he would surely do, but that would have to wait for now. He was not done teasing her.

"I did not say that."

"Then what did you mean by 'you don't take a look at hot men'?" He air quoted her sentence.

"It does not apply to you."

"So, you mean that I am hot?" Aria subconsciously nodded her head.

"I am touched. Tell me more about what do you feel about me."

"What?" Aria's eyes widened. How did the conversation take such a turn? It was highly unexpected of him.

"I think the dinner is ready. Let me go take a look." Aria tried changing the topic and took a step only to tugged back by Noah. Her back hit his chest and he cuddled her from behind.

"What do you feel about me?" Noah whispered, his breath lingering on her already red ears.

"I..." Aria suddenly felt very weird. The room temperature increased drastically, making her feel hot.

"Ummm?" Noah prompted, giving a small peck to her right cheek. He then kissed her neck from behind, shocking Aria. She stood still like a mannequin, her mind had gone blank long ago.

"You were saying something?" He prompted as he ran his hands over hers. Aria shivered with his touch. She did not know what was happening to her. Nervousness and excitement filled her mind, his touch had already made her mute making her unable to utter even a sound. Yet she tried to speak.

"I...I..." She had just begun her sentence when he silenced her completely by locking her lips with his.