[This chapter is dedicated to SubrataRoy2018. Thank you for reading and supporting not just this story but my other stories as well.]

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"Hey," Luke called her when they finally met at the lab.

They were both too busy with their respective tasks and Luke for the first time, came to work five minutes late when he was never late. He's always early, sometimes too early even when they are at the university. He's dedicated and responsible, hence, Professor Boa liked his work ethic and made him his student assistant slash supervisor.

But today, Luke was late!

"What happened to you?" she asked worriedly.

"Can't talk right now because I have to oversee the microbes we are breeding, but are you free at lunchtime?"

"Dr. Sison was scheduled to check the other research team and she wanted me to join her. I'd probably be outside during lunch. How about after work?"

"I'm late today. I wanted to make up for my tardiness," he sighed.

"I have something important to tell you, and also I want to ask you what made you so busy last night that you couldn't answer my call and at the same time, I want to know what happened that made you late today."

"You are being a mother hen, Jess. I haven't seen this side of you for a long time."

"Don't avoid my questions."

"Tell Noah you are having a girl's night tonight."

Jess arched her eyebrow, "What girl's night? It's work week!"

"I know my calendar, Jess," Luke rolled his eyes. "What I mean is, I'll sleep over at your house tonight. And if you want me to answer your questions, Noah should not be in your apartment."

"Okay. See you tonight."

Luke grabbed her for a hug, "Laters. You just have to miss Noah's flask for a night," he whispered maliciously.

Jess pinched his arm when she heard the word flask from Luke again. "You aren't going to let go of that flask joke, are you?"

"Nope!" he waved his hand in the air as he turned his back from her to go back to babysitting his microbes.

Jess watched Luke as he walked away and just returned to Dr. Sison's office when she could not see Luke's back.

"Jessica, are you ready to go?" Dr. Sison was already gathering her stuff when she entered her office.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll just grab my things."

"Can you help me carry this bag?" She asked, pointing to a navy blue tote bag that was on the top of her desk.

"Yes, ma'am," she hurriedly grabbed her things, grabbed Dr. Sison's tote bag then hurriedly followed Dr. Sison who had already left her office.

From joining Dr. Sison, she realized she was always on the go. Despite her age, she was extremely energetic and wanted things done as quickly as possible. Therefore, she appreciates efficiency and effectiveness.

***

"Jessica, you can leave now. Be early tomorrow because there will be an orientation for the group that will go to Mumbai."

Jess lifted her head from the folders she was reading when she heard Dr. Sison called her name. She was surprised when she told her to go home and when she checked the time it was already six forty-five in the evening.

After joining Dr. Sison with her usual rounds with the laboratories within ANAT, she asked her to accompany her to her luncheon meeting. She was asked to be her driver because according to her, her driver was on holiday.

Not only did she become Dr. Sison's driver for the day, but she also worked as her secretary. During the meeting, Dr. Sison asked her to take down notes for her and when they returned to the office, she was asked to type all the notes for her and have them on her table.

Not only did she skip lunch, but she also had no time to read the research materials that she was supposed to study. And since Luke was waiting for her at home to have a girl's night talk, she wondered if she had time to do some readings.

She was already in the parking lot, opening the driver's door when she realized that it wasn't just her lunch that she skipped. She also forgot to message Noah. She just remembered when Noah suddenly appeared next to her while she was opening her car's door.

"I'm sorry," she said the moment their eyes met. "I was just too busy today."

Noah didn't say anything, just pulled her to his chest. They stood and hugged each other's back for a long time with none of them talking.

Jess felt all the tiredness of her body evaporated the moment her face was buried in Noah's chest. She inhaled a deep breath and tightened her arms around his back and whispered. "Sorry, I forgot to send you a message today."

Noah stroked her back and whispered back with his chin resting on the crown of her head. "The day wasn't over, yet, Jess."

She chuckled. "Yes, that is true," she lifted her face because she remembered what Luke told her. "Uhm, Luke will sleepover at my place because he has something important to discuss with me…" she grinned awkwardly when she saw the disappointment in Noah's face.

"I was looking forward to opening your apartment door."

"Sorry, this one is important for Luke and I," her tone was soft and hesitant. Noah can be a bit irrational because of his clinginess, hence, she was surprised when he agreed not to drop at her place without much complaint.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

He cupped her face and dropped a soft kiss on her lips, "I will put it in your credit where I would collect."

"Are you going back to work?"

"Yeah, I just escaped from Antonio's eagle's eyes. I have tons of work, so don't feel guilty about spending time with Luke. I'm also busy."

There are words she wanted to tell Noah but she's cringing deep inside with how cheesy those words were. Thus, she simply tightened her arms around Noah's back.

He gave her a deep kiss before gently shoving her inside her car, "Drive away before I kidnap you, Miss Zimmerman."