Chapter 321 - Noah's Pettiness

[This chapter is dedicated to Ingi. Thank you for your support. I'd be always grateful for everything.] 

---

The Old Sly Tiefenbacher joined them in the car as they dropped Sofia home. The girls were entertained with the Old Sly Tiefenbacher witty jokes. They were all enamored with him that the girls hung on his every word throughout dinner. 

Jess saw where Noah got his charm. She let the Old Sly Tiefenbacher entertain the kids as she sat back and watched them have fun. It was also clear the Old Sly Tiefenbacher enjoyed the attention the three young girls threw his way. 

"Opa, are you staying with us?" Lucille asked after she bid goodbye to Sofia and waited for Soraya to return from walking Sofia to her doorstep. 

"Sweetcakes, I'd love to but your father would be angry at me if I do." He winked at his great-granddaughter who giggled at what he said and did. 

"Aunt Jessie, can I sleep at your place?" 

"You could, I think." She said, meeting Soraya's eyes on the rearview mirror who nodded slightly. 

"Yay!" She jumped on her seat. "Can I sleep with you?" She asked, grinning in anticipation but her excitement fell down when Soraya called her name softly. She pursed her lips and sat properly. 

The Old Sly Tiefenbacher watched the dynamics between the three girls in silence. A small smile was on his lips. 

Jess also observed the Old Sly Tiefenbacher watching Lucille at the backseat of the car. She knew that the presence of the Old Sly Tiefenbacher in Matsugen wasn't a coincidence. However, she can't ask him directly since Lucille is within earshot. She would love to talk to him alone but it seemed that he had his own plans that no one knows. 

"How will you get back to your place, Opa?" 

"I'll have my driver pick me up." He turned to Jess and asked. "Can I come up to your place to say goodnight to Lucille?" 

Jess scoffed lightly. With the way he worded his sentence and how Lucille sat straight on the backseat with her hands on her lap, waiting for her answer. The Old Sly Tiefenbacher knew that she can't say no with Lucille expecting a positive answer from her. 

"Yes, you may." She replied, secretively rolled her eyes at the Old Sly Tiefenbacher. 

"Thank you, Little Miss Jessie." He grinned. 

"I wish you could call me Jessica, like before." She said since she felt uncomfortable every time he would call her Little Miss Jessie as though he was teasing her every time he does so. 

"Why not? I heard a lot of good things about you, Little Miss Jessie--" 

Before he could finish his sentence, Jess stopped the car suddenly that made him think what he was about to say once again. 

"I'm sorry. It's Jessica then." He smiled brightly, seeing that Jess was already irked. 

The conversation in the car, the rest of the way was between him and Lucille. Jess just listens to them, smiling every now and then. When Jess parked her car in the basement parking lot, the Old Sly Tiefenbacher got out of the car as soon as the car stopped to open the car door for Lucille. 

Jess got out slowly behind the driver's seat and walked to the elevator behind Lucille and Alfred who were walking hand in hand to the elevator. Soraya was walking one foot behind her and both of them walked quietly—content in watching the two in front of them.

All four of them went directly to Jess' apartment and she served the Old Sly Tiefenbacher coffee while Soraya went over to Noah's apartment to get Lucille's stuff for a sleepover. 

"I don't want to overuse your generosity, Jessica." He stood up from the couch with a gentle smile. He ruffled Lucille's hair who hugged his leg before he could take a step. 

Soraya, who came back from Noah's apartment, waved at Lucille to come forward. "Let's get ready for bed." 

Lucille glanced up. "Opa, thank you for tonight." 

The Old Sly Tiefenbacher bent down on his knees, kissed Lucille's forehead. "You're always welcome, darling. I'll see you again soon." 

Lucille kissed both of his cheeks, bid him goodbye and joined Soraya to Jess's guestroom to wash up. 

"Jessica, I can't thank you enough." He said as he straightened his back and walked to the door. 

Jess followed him without saying anything. When they reached the door, Alfred stood, holding the doorknob. "I'm happy with you being part of Noah and Lucille's life." He stretched his hand and caressed her hair. "I hope you could visit me in Berlin, Jessica." 

She smiled. "Let's see." 

He smiled back at her. "I have a feeling it will happen soon." 

She watched him walk to the far end of the corridor before she closed her door. She went to the guest room to check on Soraya and Lucille. 

"Is she asleep?" 

"Yes," she smiled. "Goodnight, Miss Jessie." 

"Goodnight," she whispered, closing the door softly. She headed back to her own bedroom and called Noah. 

"Baby," he breathed throatily. "I'm sorry. I wasn't there." 

"We had lunch with your grandfather. He just left." 

"Fuck that old man! He was supposed to be here." 

"What happened?" 

"His secretary told me that he was in the hospital. This is an important investor." He exhaled his anger. He's already in Shanghai. Missing the opportunity to be with Jess and talk things out with her. Just because of the damn Sly Old Man. "I'm sorry, Jess." 

"Don't be. We can talk when you get back." 

"I know. But…"He exhaled a deep breath, heavy with frustration. 

"Lucille had fun with her friends." She gently said, trying to pacify his anger and frustration. 

"Hmm," he mumbled, still annoyed. He was doing breathing exercises to calm himself down. 

"Lucille is at my place. She's staying in my room." She lied to know Noah's reaction. 

"In your bed?!" 

"Yes." She bit her lower lip to stop a huge grin. Noah, as usual, can be petty as a young child when he's jealous.. It didn't matter if it's his own daughter.