72

NOAH :

"Noah, there you are at last. Where have you been for so long?" calls Catarina happily and pulls me into a hug.

Smiling, I gently wrap my arms around her and return her warm embrace. It feels good to be able to hug her without any problems. I don't feel anything for her anymore... I'm glad to be honest.

"I'm sorry, I had work to do. How do you like the ball so far?" I ask Catarina and separate myself from her before I briefly hug Fernando and then take a few steps back.

"It is great. Thanks for the invitation... and ?"

And ?

"What and?" I ask confused and look at her.

"Noah, now don't make it so exciting. Where's your friend?" she asks excitedly, grabbing Fernando's hand.

Ah, that's what she means.

"It's not quite ready yet, but it should be coming soon."

Girlfriend...

"And she's not my girlfriend. She's my fiancee." I reply and see Catarina's eyes shine.

"You're kidding me, aren't you? Really ? Since when ? Does anyone else know besides us?"

I laugh and look around, shaking my head slightly. Why is she so excited and hectic?

"Only you guys know, so please shut up. I asked her a few weeks ago, but just got an ant today..." I stop mid-sentence when I spot Mirella.

A smile immediately forms on my lips. She's standing by the stairs with a couple of my female members and talking to them.

she looks beautiful

"Red dress?" Catarina asks interested.

"Red dress." I mumble, walking past her.

Man, I really have to control myself with her. I'd like to grab her, carry her out of here and catapult her straight into my bed. She looks stunning.

As I approach, my members pause and greet me.

"Good evening boss!" they call once and take a few steps away from Mirella.

I smile and wrap my arms around her from behind, greeting my members back.

"Good evening, you all look beautiful. I knew your clothes would suit you." I retort, looking down at Mirella who is looking over her shoulder.

"You're late." I whisper softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Because you were late with my dress." She defends herself and turns to me.

Did I mention how absolutely stunning it looks ? Probably yes.

"That dress looks really pretty on you."

"You said that before."

And I'm happy to say it a thousand more times, because it's the truth.

"I want to introduce you to someone. Come on..." I breathe and take her hand. I want to introduce her to Catarina. You will definitely like her.

She follows me hesitantly, but when she sees Fernando she relaxes a bit. She already knows him and knows that he is nice and Catarina will be nice to her too.

"She's so pretty." I hear Catarina say to Fernando and immediately start to grin.

Yes that is her.

"Cat, this is Mirella. Mirella, this is Catarina. An old... friend of mine and Fernando and you already know each other." I introduce the two to each other and pull Mirella in front of me.

She needs to be a little looser. She's so tense.

"Hello Mirella, I am very pleased to meet you. I've really given up hope that Noah will ever find anyone, but you came at the right time." says Catarina, laughing.

"Nice to meet you too... Noah told me a lot," she murmurs the latter more to herself than to Cat.

"You're wearing a beautiful dress... Where did you get it?" Catarina asks her, clutching Fernando's arm.

Mirella looks down at her ring uncertainly for a moment and then looks at me.

"I need some fresh air." She whispers uncertainly and swallows once.

What's wrong with her all of a sudden? Catarina just talks to her normally.

I look down at her worried and then nod slightly.

"Excuse us for a moment. We'll be right back." I gently pull her onto the balcony with me and take a look at Shadow and Demon. They nod briefly before they follow us and watch inside the door that nobody comes out to us.

Somehow I don't like her now. What is wrong with her ? Relieved, she breathes in and out deeply and apparently enjoys the fresh air very much.

"Thank you..." I hear her say softly.

She shouldn't be thanking me for something like this. It looks like she's not doing well and that's okay. I'm there if she needs anything.

"So... what's going on?" I ask, patting her arm.

"I'm just sick. All these people either look at me like I'm holy or like they want to kill me at any moment. It was just a bit too much." she replies and rubs her arm.

Shit, she's cold. I can't give her my jacket. It's too heavy because of all the guns underneath.

"Come here." I say and pull her into a hug. I cover her body with the jacket, which at least warms her up a bit.

"Better?" I ask, getting a slight nod.

"I'm sorry you have to stand out here with me instead of enjoying yourself. This is your ball. You're supposed to be in there celebrating with all the people."

Oh, what nonsense. The ball is only there to let the mafia have some fun. This is definitely not about me. I always have a lot of work to do, but it makes me famous.

"I'd rather be with you, so don't worry about it. I would always rather be with you than anywhere else."

And that's really not a lie. Since knowing Mirella my life has been much better and I couldn't imagine life without her. The few weeks without her were horrible, but now everything seems to be perfect again. I'm happier than I've ever been. Holy shit, I'm even engaged to her. I never would have thought in my life that this would ever happen.

"You charmer." She whispers laughing and looks up.

My hand slowly wanders down to her buttocks, which I pinch lightly. Then I pull her even closer and rest my forehead on hers.

She is everything I want and definitely everything I need.

"I love you, Mirella." I whisper softly and close my eyes.

"I love you too." She breathes back, pressing her lips to mine.

MIRELLA :

"I'll be right back, baby. I have to clarify something." Noah says quietly and looks up at Fernando, who nods and then goes with him.

He's not really leaving me alone with Catarina now, is he?

"How long have you and Fernando been married?" I ask Catarina after a few minutes of silence, trying to loosen up a bit. I'm sure she's nice. I'm way too nervous.

"For four years... the marriage was a dream and he's a great husband. I hope you make a good wife for Noah." She murmurs, sipping from her glass.

Why shouldn't it be me?

"You know... it's difficult to be with a man like that... everyone around you wants you dead and hates you and someone like you is in danger because of that, because Noah is even more powerful than Fernando. I don't know if you can do it. I mean... don't blame me... but you don't look like the woman I had in mind for him. I thought by his side is a woman who is strong and doesn't put up with anything, but you're more the type of woman who lets herself be protected and keeps him from his work. So you should reconsider everything. I've always wanted someone for him, but someone... who's also compatible with him. Noah's an 11 out of 10 and you... well... you're cute but just not what suits him."

Ouch...

At least that's what I would have expected. Noah always told me good things about her and she seemed so nice before and now that Noah isn't around.... She's totally abusive.

"You should face the truth and break up. That would be the only right thing. I am sure that neither you nor he will be happy in this marriage. He'll find someone better."

What ?

"What do you mean by that ? Why shouldn't I..." I stop immediately when I hear Noah's voice again and look down at my glass.

"I thought by his side is a woman who is strong and doesn't put up with anything, but you're more the type of woman who wants to be protected and keep him from his work."

Am I really keeping him from his work?

"Hey... and ? Did something happen ? Are you okay?" Catarina asks them both happily and kicks my foot lightly to signal me that I should look up, which I do immediately.

"Yes it's all good. What were you talking about?" Fernando asks, looking at me with a smile.

I wonder if he thinks the same of me...

"Woman stuff." I murmur under my breath and take a sip of my drink.

I want to go home... My good mood is gone again. I thought Catarina liked me, but it looks like the opposite is true.

"I want to dance. Fernando, come on." Catarina calls laughing and pulls him with her.

She's so mean to me. Why shouldn't Noah and I be happy? We're a sweet couple.... Aren't we? I mean... we're always so happy and excited to be with each other. Why is she saying that?

"Do you want to dance too?" Noah asks me and sits down next to me.

I don't think I'm in the mood for that.

"I should go back to the hall now. I... am tired." I breathe softly and stare at my glass.

"Oh... okay. Let's go then."

Us ? He just can't go. This is his ball, he has to stay here.

"No, it's okay. I can also..."

"I'll drive her." Shadow interrupts and joins us.

"You don't look very fit today. Are you alright?" he asks me worriedly and puts his hand on my forehead.

I'm fine... I just want to go to bed and get out of here. I thought I would have fun at this ball, but Catarina alone ruined everything.

"I should drive her home." Noah cuts in again, grabbing my waist.

“But that's your ball. You have to stay here and see that there are no problems. I'll bring her home safely, I promise! I'll come back afterwards if you want that." Shadow says smiling and pulls his car keys out of his jacket.

"He's right. It's your ball. So you should stay here." I join in now and blow a kiss on Noah's lips.

He looks back and forth between Shadow and me uncertainly and then nods.

"Don't do shit. Otherwise you're a dead man Shadow!" he warns him.

What is he supposed to do?

"Promise boss."