63

NOAH :

"I don't know." She says quietly after a few minutes and smiles slightly.

"My parents have been together for a very long time and I really don't know why. My dad made so many mistakes, ruined us..." she says, looking away. "But my mom stayed with him anyway and didn't give up on him. I think... when you love someone you want to do whatever it takes to help the person be with them...even when things get tough."

Like she does to me? She's the first person to hold on to being friends with me, so she loves me... whether friendly or not.

"Love is beautiful." I whisper softly, looking at her lips.

"Yes that is her."

But she's not made for someone like me. If I loved someone, that person would be in great danger. I can't allow that.

Swallowing, I look away and close my eyes for a moment.

"Back to business. I have paperwork to do." I say succinctly and get up.

I don't want to put Mirella in danger. "I have to go now too." I hear her answer and raise my eyebrows. Why does SHE have to go?

"Why?" I ask her and grab my papers. I'd rather go to the office.

"Shadow asked if I had the time and inclination to train with him, and since I didn't have anything to do, I agreed."

Shadow...

"Mhmm..." I mumble and turn away from her. That bastard.

"I should teach you everything." I say irritably and suddenly I feel her hand in mine.

"You should think about your work and Shadow will take care of...."

"Shadow shouldn't worry about it, though. He should keep his hands off you." I suddenly snap at her angrily and pull my hand out of hers.

Shit.

Calm down, Noah. You can't afford that jealousy shit.

"What does he want from you anyway? He was so shitty to you until recently and now he's acting like he's your best friend. Just go train with him, I'm not interested anyway." I hiss annoyed and leave the room.

Damned !

MIRELLA :

What was that ?

I look after Noah in confusion and no longer understand the world. Was that just... jealousy? Why should he be jealous of Shadow?

Maybe I really shouldn't train with Shadow. It just doesn't seem right for Noah and I don't want to cause any stress.

With a sigh, I grab my phone and text Shadow that I can't come after all because Noah needs my help. Maybe I should go to his office and ask what's going on. I'm sure that if I approach the matter calmly, I'll get an answer from him.

20 MINUTES LATER... NOAH :

"Yes, but I want black fabric and the black color of the dress should match my outfit." I say into the phone, looking at the sketch of Mirella's dress. I've gone through them all, for each female member... just Mirellas is difficult to design, everything suits her, but everything just isn't perfect enough to match her beauty.

What's the matter with me? I can't get her out of my head.

"If you're already on my mind, then at least be naked." I hiss in frustration and only check after I've said that that I still have the seamstress on the phone.

Damn.

"Excuse me?" she asks confused.

"Not you, Diana. It should be black. I'll send you the sketch I drew and then you can start with it." I say before I hang up and suddenly there's a knock on the door.

Without. I don't want to talk to anyone now.

"No!" I yell once. My people know they're not allowed in here if I say no, but someone opens the door anyway.

I said no.

When I see who the person is, my heart immediately jumps.

"Ella.... c-come in." I stand up smiling and walk towards her.

Shouldn't she be... with Shadow?

"Don't you have your training? With Shadow?" I haunt his name and look down at her.

Smiling, she nods slightly and closes the door behind her. "I turned him down. We need to talk."

Talk ? What do we need to talk about ?

"Let's get started then." I answer and lean against my desk. We don't have to talk about anything.

"Why... are you jealous?"

"Bullshit." I answer her and point to the door.

"You can go again." I snort, pissed off.

I don't want to admit it to myself... but I like Mirella. Very much... but I'm not allowed to show it.

"You're trying to get rid of me, but you know very well that you have to talk to me by tonight at the latest. Why don't you do it now and tell me why you..."

"I really have to work Mirella... You should go now..." I whisper, moving closer to her.

I don't want her to go.

"And if I... don't go? What are you going to do with me then?" she asks uncertainly.

Smiling, I walk closer to her while she takes more and more steps backwards until she eventually hits the wall and there is no way out for her.

"Do you know what I would like to do now?" I ask her quietly, looking down at her full lips.

Swallowing, she shakes her head slightly and looks at me expectantly.

This is so wrong and yet I will make this mistake.

I carefully take her face in my hands and lean in to kiss her.

I want her. Shadow should keep his hands off her. He'll just want to lay her down.

My lips meet hers and for some reason that kiss makes my heart race. It wasn't like that when we kissed the first time, but now it almost jumps out of my chest.

"Mhmm.." she says softly. She puts her arms around my neck and pulls me closer to her. I sigh softly into the kiss and wrap my arms tightly around her.

She should never disappear from my life again! I always want her here with me. She makes me happy.

Fuck. This woman drives me crazy. If I really get involved with Mirella, then she'll be in danger... and as arrogant as I am, I'm still taking that risk.

"Don't stop." she breathes in front of my lips and shoves her tongue into my mouth.

How could I?