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"Do you want to explain yourself?"

Ed spoke sassily with his arms crossed over his chest. I didn't know what was happening and I was pretty sure that I wouldn't know anytime soon. My mind went completely blank and I hated it. My eyes shifts from one member to another. Luke. Tanya. Ed. Daisy. Tom.

I soon found myself breathing a little faster, a little quicker. My nails kept digging into my palm as I kept adding pressure into my hands. I felt like there was no oxygen left in my system and my head zoned in and out of my surroundings.

Since everyone was still waiting for a response. They looked at each other before looking back at me with a little concern. I felt a presence behind me and a hand snake around my waist pulling me close to them.

My mind registered who it was and like a comfort blanket, I let out a breathless sigh. I felt someone dip their face into my neck, small puffs of air touching my skin. I shivered as Noah spoke in a soft manner, loud enough for me to hear and focus on his voice,

"Lily are you okay?"

He didn't give a damn about everyone who was stood right in front of us. He used his thumbs and rubbed small circles that calmed me. With everyone still watching like hawks I give a nod. I place my hand over his and give a light squeeze before I spoke hoarsely,

"I'm fine,"

Tanya gave me a look as she commented,

"Are you sure boo?"

With my back pressed against Noah, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and responded,

"Yeah I am, just a little... random panic attack,"

At my response nearly everyone's eyes widened. I quickly lift my arms up and stop them from speaking over each other,

"Before you ramble over each other about my panic attack, don't. Seriously. I'm fine. I've gotten used to it and it happens out of the blue. Literally the definition of expect the unexpected,"

Their raised eyebrows, concerned faces and shoulders deflate. I knew they were going to ramble and I was glad that they didn't otherwise I would've gotten a headache instead. My body relaxes and I give them all a look of confusion,

"Why are you all here? I thought you were all waiting for me,"

Luke speaks up, completely changing the topic,

"I could ask the same for Noah... I thought he was go-"

"- he's going now, right?"

I cut him off, turning my upper body to see him look at me taken back. He removes his hand from my waist and I use this chance to move from him. He points to himself as he questions out loud,

"Me?"

Ed snorts loud and we both look his way,

"Noah and errands? Yeah I'd like to see that happen. When Luke told me I literally laughed so hard that I had tears in my eyes,"

Luke paid no attention to Ed and asked the question that I hoped he wasn't going to ask,

"Yeah but you said that Noah already went when we spoke fifteen minutes ago..."

I give a nervous laugh, trying to come up with an excuse on the spot,

"He came back quickly to go over the or-"

"- we were here the whole time. We would have seen him come or go,"

Ed spoke without wasting time. I had no words. I was so taken back that I had nothing else to say. Luke took a step forward and pointed directly at Noah,

"I knew he was in the room sugarplum. There were two hot cups of liquid content on the tea-table. Anyone would know you had company, but my main question is... where the hell was he in that room? Your office is open and spacious. There's literally no hiding space,"

I bite my lip. Hard. Not finding the right answer. I simply looked at Noah who looked equally lost as me. Before I could even give a reply Ed spoke up,

"Baby girl if you don't tell us we'll personally inspect the room,"

Noah growled behind me making me look his way taken back. His eyes were in slits as he glared at Ed like he was holding, almost straining, himself back. Not wanting anything to happen, I blurted out making everyone's mouth drop open once more,

"Under my desk!"

"You can't be serious,"

Tom spoke, shock laced in his words. I scratched the back of neck, zoning out a little. Now that I had said that out loud I wanted to laugh. I could see it on their faces that they were all holding back their laughter, they weren't planning on getting fired on the spot by the boss himself.

Pushing Noah in the back of my head, I placed a hand on my hip and spoke in the same equal, sassy tone that Luke had, trying to get to the point,

"If we're doing with the interrogation can we please have this evaluation meeting,"

At my question, Luke gave a nervous chuckle,

"Yeah about that... there is none,"

I blinked. I tilt my head a little as I voiced out,

"What do you mean there's no evaluation meeting?"

"He was teasing you all this time kitten. He wanted to know if I was with you or not. He got what he wanted from the moment he inspected the office,"

Noah spoke, answering my question. I gave him a disbelief look as my face scrunches up, an idea randomly popping up,

"No I think it's a good idea actually,"

I had everyone confused at my words. I turn on my feet, running around Noah and back into my office. I run up to my desk and grab a piece of paper and pen, scribbling down evaluation of events. I walk back to everyone who were still confused,

"We're still having this evaluation meeting. An idea just came to head. We can all come together and discuss what when well and what can be improved. It's perfect! Not only can we see where our weakness or flaws lie but also build from it. Two kills one bird,"

"But but..."

Ed stutters. I give him a forced smile as he stutters out,

"How are you... how are you not taken back with all this?"

I comb a hand through my hair feeling Noah's presence behind me as he lingered, he made no move to step away. Ideally and realistically it was out in the open. If I knew any better, in Ed's and Luke's head, they're happy with Noah.

Both Tanya and Daisy knew about it too but wanted to see for themselves and I guess what they wanted was finally happening and too good to be true. In all honesty, I myself didn't want it whatever we had to stop.

By the end of the day, Noah made me feel things no other man had made me feel. The kisses and teasing said it all. There was no point denying it. I had an intensely growing crush on my boss and there was no way to hide it. I give everyone a tight smile, ushering them to the elevator,

"Come on, I'm sure all your doubts are cleared after being here. Teasingly or not,"

I spin Ed and Tanya on their feet just as they parted their lips, ready to fight me. I gave them no choice as they faced away from me. I caught Noah from the corner of my eye as he tried to slip out of the hallway and into his office,

"No. You're not getting away with from this,"

Noah stops mid-way as he gives me a look. He points to himself in question. I give him a tight nod as I usher him towards me. He lets out a loud whine before making ways towards me. I smiled widely as I reach my hand out, entwining our fingers together.

We stand side-by-side as everyone just stares at us with their mouths hung open. They blink a few times before stumbling on their steps, now heading towards the elevator. I give them a confused look before looking up to Noah seeing him give everyone a glare for no reason.

A heavy sigh leaves my mouth as I simply shake my head. I begin to walk towards everyone, tugging Noah along with me. He complied without arguing. We both step inside the elevator with everyone. Tom presses the bottom for Luke's floor but the doors don't close,

"Why aren't the doors closing?"

Daisy asked in a little panicked voice. Luke spoke up in a calm manner,

"Don't worry Dais, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about,"

"Why don't you say that to the elevator then!"

Ed started to argue back resulting to everyone to usher in a low whisper. Beside me Noah took a deep breath making everyone become quiet instantly. I gave him a look seeing him give a bored and unimpressed look. He spoke,

"Someone needs to get off. There's too many people on,"

"Since you know why don't you get off?"

Ed spoke rather quickly... it was as if he knew why the doors weren't shutting. Noah rolled his eyes before spinning on his feet, coming face-to-face with him,

"Since you know too why don't you get off hmm?"

Ed scoffed defensively as he folded his arms, making his chest two times bigger. I closed my eyes, not believing that they were battling their egos in the elevator. I quickly grabbed onto Noah's arm, pulling him so that he faced me. I gave him a look, my words directed to everyone,

"Me and Noah will leave. How does that sound?"

"Sure,"

"Sure,"

"Sure,"

"What a brilliant idea,"

Everyone except for Ed spoke in unison. Without wasting another second, I walk off the elevator dragging Noah with me. I give the girls a smile before waving them off,

"Go. Me and Noah will join in a few minutes,"

Like a switch turning off, the tension that was built seconds ago dismissed. Tanya gave me a growing smirk,

"Don't take long. If you do we'll know what's been keeping you back,"

I felt my face flush with heat so I avoid all eyes by looking down at my shoes. The men all chuckled, including the adult child Ed. The doors then closed and shortly after it dwelled on me, it was just us two again... alone in the hallway...

Not wanting to face him any time soon I then extended my hand out and continuously pressed the buttons for the doors to reopen. Luckily since Luke's room wasn't that far off, the doors opened fairly soon.

I walked in quickly and leaned against the wall, my hands wrapped around the bars for support. Noah steps in as well and stood opposite me. I sucked my lips as I saw his clean black shoes. I looked up, coming to meet his emerald eyes.

It was no shocker that he had his gaze fixed on me.

We both held out stares, his emerald eyes soon fading into a lustful glint. I swallowed down the dryness, noticing now that he was approaching me ever so slowly. The corner of his lips was tugged upwards. I looked away as he spoke huskily,

"I wasn't going to mention it because I loved hearing it when it's just us two but back there... with everyone..."

He spoke, not finishing off his sentence. He stood right in front of me and I didn't dare to look up, too stunned... too flustered to even meet his eyes in our current moment. He placed his index finger on my chin, lifting my head up.

His eyes searched mine for what felt like forever. His eyes then falling to my lips. I licked them in the heated moment. His eyes found mine once more as he parted his lips, whispering the rest of his unfinished sentence,

"...you said my name,"