Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Boyle Heights neighborhood ~

Monday evening…

After a fancy and super-romantic dinner, Noah and Chloe came to his apartment for the night.

Noah checked his phone and saw that there are few things related to the Army of Chaos that require his input.

"Will you be OK for ten-to-fifteen minutes? I need to…"

"Go ahead.", Chloe interrupted him.

Noah gave her a quick kiss and went to the study room, closing the door behind him. He still didn't tell Chloe about the Army of Chaos and he didn't want her to find out about it by overhearing random pieces of conversation.

Chloe welcomed this brief solitude because she could finally find time to think.

Ever since Noah came to her family's villa and asked her to marry her (and she said, yes), the two of them were inseparable and Chloe feels like she was pulled into some crazy tornado that was spinning out of control.

It's not that she was not happy, it was the opposite, as Chloe was ecstatic. However, she was in uncharted waters and she had a need to pause and assess her situation before moving forward.

So many things happened, and Chloe never did so much (or went so long) without thinking about her actions.

On the previous day, Chloe and Noah had a romantic dinner in the villa filled with roses, as a newly engaged couple, and she found out that Noah was not only acting, or helping her out of her predicament, but he really wants to be with her. Long term.

The two of them spent a steamy night in that villa. It was her first time being intimate with a man, and Noah made it a night she will never forget.

After a morning filled with cuddles (and more lovemaking), Chloe and Noah went to the Youth Center in Boyle Heights neighborhood where they helped kids with studying, and they had lunch, and then Chloe played piano.

Noah was impressed, and Chloe was surprised that Noah was not her only audience as a few kids heard the music and sneaked into the music room while she was playing. They asked her to teach them, and with Noah's encouragement, Chloe accepted.

The kids were beginners, so Chloe instructed them how to practice basic hand coordination. They agreed to train daily and wait to hear from the Youth Center coordinator on the schedule that works for them to use the music room so that Chloe can come and teach them on a regular basis.

From the Youth Center, Noah took Chloe to a fancy restaurant for dinner, and while thinking about Noah's sweet words and his intense gaze Chloe gripped the handrail on the terrace firmly, because she was afraid of flying away from joy.

The view from the twelfth floor showed lights of the Boyle Heights neighborhood and Los Angeles downtown in the distance. It all looked magical with the boost of happiness that radiated from Chloe.

A small sound got Chloe's attention and she turned to see Noah leaning on the doorframe lazily and observing her.

"Done with work?", Chloe asked.

Noah responded with a small nod and a dreamy smile on his face made her heart skip a beat.

"What are you thinking?", Chloe asked when she noticed that Noah was only staring at her.

He wanted to tell her that Steve sent the prenuptial agreement which was modified to include items that the Long family will give to Chloe as dowry for marrying Noah, but he didn't want to talk about it right now, because it would turn this romantic mood to a serious one. They can talk about serious issues later.

"Two nights ago, you were standing here, and I watched you from the back, just like now. I wanted to hug you, but I feared that you might not approve."

Chloe smiled. "I don't know about then, but now… I approve."

Noah stalked toward Chloe and pulled her into his embrace.

"I am happy you are here…", he spoke in her hair.

She leaned into him. "Me too."

"Do you remember what I told you on the first evening when you came here?"

"Hmm?", Chloe hummed, not sure what he was getting at.

"I told you that you are free to change whatever you want. Make it so that it suits your taste. I want us to live here until we figure out something more permanent. It has plenty of space, it's close to work and… everything else." He bit his tongue as he almost said that it's close to the main base of the Army of Chaos.

"I can change anything?", Chloe asked.

Noah confirmed.

Chloe didn't think much about redecorating. This was Noah's place and as long as it had necessities, she was fine. Besides, he said that this is a temporary place, so there was no point in changing anything.

Chloe thought of something. "I remember you said that you are not using this apartment. Where do you usually stay?"

"Nearby. I will show you soon.", Noah said honestly. When he finds a way to tell her about the Army of Chaos, he will take her to the base. "But from now, I will be here with you."

"Why do I feel that you have a wife and a child somewhere and you are hiding me, or them?"

Noah chuckled awkwardly. "There is no such thing."

Even though her reason was off, she was able to figure out that he concealed something. Chloe's intuition is scary.

Before Chloe could ask more questions, he urged her to go inside. "Check for what is here and what you might need and let me know. We can buy whatever is missing. You should also move your things from the guest bedroom to the master."

Chloe remembered that on the first morning in this apartment there was a pile of bags and boxes waiting for her which had several outfits for different occasions. However, tomorrow is a workday, and she would need a few things for the office. Or maybe she already has them; she will need to check everything that Noah brought for her.

"I might need to go to my place and pick up a few things.", she gave him a heads-up.

"Do you need to do it personally, or can I send someone?"

Chloe was not comfortable with strangers going through her things. That apartment is small and doesn't have a lot, but those are her precious possessions. "I want to get them."

"OK. I will accompany you."

"Give me ten minutes to check what all is here first. Maybe we don't need to go…", Chloe said and headed to the master bathroom first, taking a mental note of all the toiletries and grooming items available.

Noah plopped on the sofa in the living room and went through emails on his phone while waiting for Chloe to finish whatever she had on her mind.

He ran his hand through his hair. He couldn't believe that Chloe is in his apartment, moving in, and they are engaged. Things are moving fast, but he was happy. The only thing left was to deal the final blow to her family and for them to get married.

His smile widened with every next thought.

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