Is this destiny?

The way Chloe avoided Noah's gaze told him that she is struggling with herself, and he still had a chance. He was not willing to give up without a fight.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Chloe. What's preventing you from accepting my love?"

Chloe looked at Noah and her chin trembled. "I don't know if I can forget the images of you with other women that are etched in my mind."

'What other women?', Noah wondered, but he knew that asking her will be useless and it will bring the topic to those stupid condoms which proved he is an idiot.

"I will never cheat on you, Chloe.", Noah said in a pleading voice. "Don't you love me?"

Chloe didn't deny it. "The fact that I love you is only making this more difficult. It's not about if you will cheat on me or not. The problem is that you CAN do it anytime. There are women all around eager to please you, the signals around me are telling me that you didn't reject them, and I don't have the confidence that I'm enough.", Chloe said and inhaled a shaky breath.

"Noah, even if I assume that you are serious about a long-term relationship with me, I can't be with you while wondering what you are doing and with whom when I'm not around. That will not change regardless of if we are dating or married. I will either go mad or wither away. Is that what you want?"

"Chloe…", Noah called in a whisper. "My past is messy, and it belongs to me. I will do my best so that you don't need to face it. My present and future are yours. There is no one else."

"No one knows what the future brings. I am drained and damaged, and I want to preserve this little dignity I have left. I can't risk you hurting me. You know everything about me, while there are too many things about you that I don't know, and those few things I found out so far are not good."

Noah's heart cracked. How can she say that everything is bad? But Chloe is inclined to look at the negative side; that is her way of coping with the reality that was not kind to her so far.

"I admit that I've kept some things from you, but only because I was waiting for the right time. You said that you don't know where I will be and with whom when we are not together… let me show you."

"Nothing can change my mind, Noah. We can't change who you are and who I am."

"I'm not trying to change you, because you are perfect. But let me show you who I am with the hope that you will ignore or maybe accept who I used to be. I will show you that I changed, and my only focus is you."

Chloe was not willing. "You are making this difficult."

"It's difficult because you are going against your heart. You love me, Chloe. You want to be with me. Don't allow insecurities to spoil something that is real."

"I don't know if I can do that.", Chloe admitted.

Why couldn't he understand that she was tired of fighting? Escaping the Long family drained her mentally and she wanted a quiet life; a job and an apartment and the freedom to pick her clothes and accessories. Was that too much to ask?

She knew that Longs will not let her go if they find out that the engagement to the heir of the Bennet family fell through. She thought of a plan to keep this engagement charade for a few days until she figures out where to go next. She would disappear and Noah can call it off before they sign any agreements, and it can end like that.

"You don't need to do anything, Chloe. I only ask you to trust me."

"Why do…?"

"Because I love you, damnit!", Noah interrupted her. "I love you and I want to fight for us. I will dispel all your worries and carry the weight for both of us until you are confident enough to stand by my side."

Noah saw that Chloe's resistance was crumbling. Well, it was not strong, to begin with, because other than going against Noah, she was going against herself also.

Noah inched closer and kissed her cheek. He was happy that she didn't move away.

"What do you say, Chloe?", he murmured before kissing her again.

"I can't think like this.", Chloe said in a shaky voice.

"Don't think, my little rabbit. I want you to feel. Do you love me?"

"Yes.", she admitted in a whisper.

"Then, it's settled."

"It's not that…"

Chloe wanted to say it's not that simple, but Noah kissed her on the lips and swallowed her words.

Chloe found comfort in Noah's proximity and as much as she feared the heartbreak, she craved for Noah's affection. No one ever loved her like that, making her feel needed and important.

She knew that she was going deeper by caving in, but Chloe was already too deep, and giving him one more day would mean giving herself a day as well. It would be a day where she could dream and let him set the pace while gathering her strength for the next day when she will need to face the reality.

Chloe chided herself internally. Why is she setting deadlines again? She knew that was her way to erect another wall of security and as much as she was afraid, she also hoped that this was real.

After all, even if they break it off right now, her heart will burst into pieces. How much worse can it get if she allows this to go further? Is there further? There was only one way to find out and Noah's persistence gave her the hope that he really meant it.

The kiss was slow and sensual, and it took her breath away.

"Chloe…", Noah groaned when her hand slipped under his shirt. He was aroused, but he didn't want to indulge in carnal pleasures with Chloe. Not now. He needed to prove that she was special and…

"Don't you love me?"

Chloe's question interrupted Noah's thoughts.

"Absolutely.", he responded.

"Then… Make love to me, Noah.", she demanded in a whisper. "Show me that you love me in every way possible until I believe it."

Whatever holding back Noah planned disappeared at that moment. His little rabbit asked him to make love to her, and he will do just that.

…

8:20 AM

Matilda rang the doorbell of Chloe's apartment for the third time and glanced to the side.

Mark, Rosie, Tim, and Chad were peeking from Rosie's apartment, one head above the other.

"Again…", Rosie said to Matilda with urgency.

They all heard the commotion last night and were worried about Chloe, but no one dared to check because this was Noah. He can make them disappear without even trying.

However, now it's work hours and Matilda has an excuse to reach out to Chloe and verify if she is OK.

Matilda steeled her resolve and reached for the doorbell again when the door opened.

Matilda eyed Chloe who was wrapped in a bedsheet, and her left hand was hidden behind the door.

"I assume you are going to be late for work.", Matilda said while trying not to stare at Chloe's messy hair.

"My fiancée will not come to work today…", Noah's voice sounded before the door opened wider and Matilda gaped at his shirtless frame before her sight landed on the handcuffs.

Chloe glared at Noah for a moment before speaking, "I can explain. This is from last night and he can't find the key…"

"Sure, sure.", Matilda said quickly while suppressing her smile. She could see that Chloe and Noah are doing fine. More than fine. "Congratulations on your engagement. Enjoy your day off from work."

"We will.", Noah responded curtly. "Anything else?"

Matilda shook her head rapidly and the moment before the door closed, Matilda heard Chloe's giggles.

Matilda waved her hand to her four companions who were eagerly waiting for details. "No need to worry. Go back to sleep."

"Did I hear that right? They are engaged?", Mark asked.

Matilda exhaled. "Yeah. Sorry, Mark."

---

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