Chapter 62: You Think She cares about Me
"Nora, these are for you," Lucas said with a smile in his eyes.
Nora's brows furrowed slightly. "Lucas, if you expect my forgiveness, you better start treating me like a stranger."
"If becoming strangers is the price, then I'd rather you hate me," Lucas said, holding her gaze. They say love can turn to hate, right?
Nora, at a loss for words, replied, "Lucas, do you really think this is fun?"
"Yes, making things right with someone you care about is always worth the effort," Lucas said.
Nora's irritation grew. "Lucas, how many times must I repeat myself? We can't go back to how things were. Please, step aside."
"Nora, you can't deny it. Aren't we still married?" Lucas blocked her path relentlessly.
On the roadside, Noe parked the car and immediately noticed Nora entangled in an exchange with Lucas.
"Mr. Gordon, that looks like Nora," Noe remarked.
In the backseat, Aaron lifted his gaze from his laptop and frowned at the sight of Lucas pestering Nora.
"Go bring her over," he ordered.
"Right away."
Noe exited the car and walked towards them.
Nora was visibly upset.
"Lucas, can you please just let me through?"
"First, take the flowers."
"I don't want them."
"Where are you off to? Picking up your child? Let's go together."
Just as Nora was on her last nerve, completely exasperated, she heard Noe call out to her, "Nora."
Surprised to find Noe there, she replied, "Mr. Noe?"
Noe glanced at Lucas and asked Nora, "Need some help?"
Nora, caught off guard again, quickly nodded, "Yes, please."
Noe stepped in front of her, "Mr. Lucas, please stay here."
Holding the flowers he hadn't managed to give, Lucas watched Noe lead Nora away and was still somewhat in a daze.
He knew who Noe was—Aaron's special assistant. Rumors were spreading that Aaron hadn't died, but he was now in a wheelchair.
What puzzled Lucas was how Nora knew Noe so well—they seemed to be quite familiar with each other. A fleeting thought crossed his mind, too quickly for him to catch.
"Nora, Mr. Gordon is waiting for you in the car," Noe said with a respectful gesture, inviting her to proceed.
Aaron was waiting for her in the car?
"How did he get out here?" Nora asked.
"Mr. Gordon went to the office today, he's been busy all day," Noe replied.
He reached the car and opened the back door for Nora.
As Nora got in, she saw Aaron focused on his laptop. His handsome face was expressionless, and he looked a bit pale.
Nora frowned slightly, "Thomas, you're still recovering. You need to rest, not push yourself like this."
Hearing that, Aaron looked up at her, "What, worried I'll wear myself out and extend your treatment?"
"Of course," Nora didn't deny.
Aaron challenged her, "If you're concerned, why not stay by my side until I'm recovered?"
Nora met his gaze and detected a hint of complaint. She looked away, "Thomas, you're an adult. You should know your limits. If you want to recover faster, manage your time better."
"Too much work to do," Aaron said, turning back to his screen.
Nora, her pretty face tensing, snapped his laptop shut.
"Which is more important, work or your health?"
Aaron raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile, "Nora, if I fall apart, wouldn't that just be another chance for you to cash in?"
Nora was speechless.
Was this man really just enjoying their banter so much?
Noe, overhearing their back-and-forth from the driver's seat, couldn't help but lightly cough, "Mr. Gordon, Nora, where are we going now?"
This was a novel side to his usually reserved boss.
"Noe, you take him back first. I'm off to pick up the kids," Nora said, still looking peeved, reaching for the car door.
Aaron caught her hand, "I'll come with you to pick up the kids. Noe, drive."
"Got it."
Obedient to Aaron's directives, Noe immediately started the car.
Nora's lips parted, ready to object, but the engine's purr preempted her protest.
She fell silent, her mouth shut tight as she watched the cityscape slide by, a muffled stillness filling the cramped interior.
Aaron noticed her lingering irritation and set the laptop aside. "Still upset?" he asked, his voice laced with concession. "I've closed the laptop; I'm all ears now."
Nora ignored him, though her expression softened slightly.
Aaron recalled the recent encounter and broached the topic. "Did Lucas give you trouble just now?"
Turning towards him, Nora replied in a cool, detached tone.
Aaron's long fingers rhythmically tapped on his thigh. "He brought flowers. Trying to woo you back?"
" You can't move forward if you keep looking back," Nora retorted.
Aaron's eyebrows quirked, a touch of admiration in his voice. "Quite the pride, but I suppose you're not exactly lacking admirers."
After all, ditching one ex-husband, she still had a childhood friend waiting in the wings.
Nora turned to him, leaned in a little closer.
Her pleasant scent enveloped him, tightening the muscles across Aaron's frame.
"What are you doing?"
Nora teased, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
Aaron's lips parted, about to respond, when the vehicle came to an abrupt halt.
Caught off guard, Nora lurched forward.
Quick reflexes allowed Aaron to pull her into his arms, protecting her from crashing into the seat in front.
"Noe, what's happening?"
"Sorry, Mr. Gordon, there was a pedestrian crossing unexpectedly, and traffic here near the kindergarten gets heavy," Noe explained, remorse in his tone, as he gradually set the car in motion again.
In the backseat, Aaron continued to hold Nora in his embrace.
Heads bowed and lifted, their eyes met, each finding their reflection in the other's gaze.
Whose heart was pounding so furiously? Nora could feel the heat radiating from the man, kindling warmth in his own heart as well.
"Mr. Gordon, Nora, we've arrived," Noe called from up front.
With a swift motion, Nora pushed away from Aaron, nonchalantly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as if to mask the moment.
"I'll get the kids."
She hurried out of the car door, the urgency in her step not going unnoticed.
Aaron watched her intently, his gaze softening as Nora gathered the enthusiastic trio, planting a kiss on each little head.
A twinge of envy struck Aaron. Unexplainably, he yearned for their simple joy.
At the kindergarten entrance, Nora guided her trio of little ones towards Aaron's car.
"Mommy, did you get a new car?" Alex asked, his face a mix of confusion and curiosity.
Just then, Aaron rolled down the rear window.
Samantha spotted him right away and called out excitedly, "Mr. Thomas!"
Aaron, his eyes crinkling with a smile, opened the backseat door for them.
One by one, Nora helped the kids inside the car. Samantha jumped into Aaron's arms, her face lit up with thrill.
"Mr. Thomas, how come you're picking us up from school today?"
Aaron ruffled her hair gently, "Just wanted to."
Not far off, Lucas had just picked up his son. When he noticed Aaron in the backseat of the car, his expression was one of absolute astonishment. He wasn't mistaken; there was Aaron seated in the car! So, the man he had seen earlier in Nora's house sitting in the wheelchair—it was Aaron? Nora had actually saved Aaron!
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