Is this destiny?

Chloe's eyes swept over the people in black uniforms who were standing around five black Bentleys, and she paused when she recognized one large guy. Mark.

Mark met Chloe's gaze for a second and then quickly looked down, fearing that Noah will scold him or make him go through more hellish training.

The last two days were horrible and Mark's whole body was aching. He wondered why that training felt more like punishment and instead of heading home to heal his sore muscles, he got another mission as a bodyguard.

Now that he saw Chloe and Noah walking out while holding each other, Mark understood that his instincts were correct, and the training was a warning because he dared to make a move on the sergeant's woman.

Noah didn't miss Mark's reaction. He approved. Noah requested Mark specifically to come here as a bodyguard so that he sees Chloe is taken. If after this Mark still tries to get chummy with Chloe, Noah will send him on a loooooong mission to South America.

Noah opened the door for Chloe, and they sat in the back seat with Lizzie and Scarlet in front, and five luxury cars smoothly drove off the Long family's property with the sound of fine pebbles cracking under the tires.

Chloe had so many questions, but with those two Amazonian women in front, she decided to keep her questions for later.

Chloe leaned on Noah who held her close to him, and the trip passed in silence.

Chloe had no idea where they are going, and she didn't care. What mattered was that Chloe was leaving the Long family and that Noah was by her side and he promised to never let go, and even though she was not sure if he will break that promise, she wanted to enjoy the moment.

…

Almost one hour later…

Five black Bentleys cruised over the paved driveway of a large property that was filled with large trees, making it look like they are driving through an ancient forest.

They stopped in front of the small villa that was located high on the hill overlooking Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Noah was impressed that Chloe didn't ask him anything so far. She was snuggled with him in the back seat, content with his proximity. He liked that.

They stepped out and Lizzie gave car keys to Noah before Lizzie and Scarlet saluted and went in one of the other four cars without a word spoken.

The four black Bentley's left, leaving one behind, together with Chloe and Noah in front of the villa.

"Why are we here?", Chloe finally spoke. She didn't care where they will go, but she assumed that they will end up in his apartment, or maybe hers. This was unexpected.

Noah led the way inside and responded with a mysterious smile,  "I told you. I prepared something."

They entered the villa that had modern furnishings and Chloe's steps halted at the sight of roses. Wherever Chloe looked, she saw white and red roses filling the space in the hallway, on the staircases, in the living room.

The outside looked like an ancient forest, and the inside was like rose garden.

Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent.

"Do you like it?", Noah asked and observed her expectantly. The Eve-lens told him that she was touched, but he wanted to hear it from her mouth.

"From a guy who showed up with one flower on Friday, this...", Chloe paused and gestured to the sea of flowers around them. "...is unexpected."

"In my defense, I was in a hurry at that time."

Chloe stifled a laugh. "It's beautiful."

Noah hummed in satisfaction. The saleslady from the flower shop gave him a very smile when he came into the store and said that he will take all red and white roses they have. While swiping his credit card, she congratulated him for making up his mind. 

With every step she took through the villa, Chloe's smile widened and when they reached the dining room, her cheeks were hurting.

She was telling herself not to get carried away because the proposal was just a play for her family to see, but Noah brought her to a villa full of roses and he was holding her hand and she couldn't help herself from thinking that maybe this is real, maybe just a little bit.

The dining table was set for a romantic dinner for two, all completed with more roses and lit-up candles.

A massive window was pointing toward the West, and Chloe could imagine that they will have a wonderful view of the sunset.

"You are really taking the engagement seriously.", Chloe said as her insecurities bubbled up within her.

"Aren't you?", he responded with a question.

"There was no need to go that far.", she said in a small voice.

"I saw that my little rabbit is ready to run again, and I had to act quickly. This was the only thing that came to my mind."

Chloe looked at the diamond ring on her left ring finger and she rubbed it with her right thumb a few times before grasping the ring to remove it.

"What are you doing?", Noah asked while clasping Chloe's left hand with his, preventing her from removing the ring.

Chloe inhaled with difficulty. "It's just the two of us, there is no need to pretend. I'm sure this thing costs a fortune, so…"

"Pretend?", Noah interrupted Chloe.

If Chloe thought that she will wiggle out of this, Noah had no intention to make it easy for her. Unless she clearly says that she doesn't want to be with him, Noah will not let her go, and based on the readings he got from Eve-lens, that will not happen.

He cupped her cheeks and made her look at him.

"Chloe, I asked you to marry me in front of your parents and your extended family, and you said 'yes'. Are you going back on your word?"

"You were serious?", Chloe asked in a squeaky voice, and her heart rate shot through the roof. 

"Don't you want to be with me?"

Chloe was completely flustered. How did he switch the topic from marriage to spending time together? She needed to clarify a few things.

"I want to be with you, Noah. But marriage? Uhm… Don't you think it's too soon?"

"Too soon? How much time is needed for you to accept that your life changed drastically? When I said that I can't imagine my tomorrow without you in it, I meant it. Can you return to your place and not think about me? Be honest, you will miss me because just how you changed me, I changed you as well. I don't want to wake up to a day without you by my side, Chloe."

Chloe pressed her lips into a line in an attempt to control her expression. Other than being unpredictable, and eccentric, Chloe also added 'overwhelming' to the list of attributes associated with Noah because she was overwhelmed by his presence and he just confessed his feelings again. He didn't say, 'I love you', but what he said was equally impactful if not more.

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