Chapter 47 - Milk Tea

Ivy ran out of Noah's apartment she was thankful that Thomas and Aiden were not outside as they would have stopped her. She had no plan she just knew she needed to run. Doubt entered her mind, did Noah tell them to let her go because after her confession he had no time for her now. Ivy got to the underground car park and saw her bike she was thankful that it was ready she jumped on it and hit the gas.

Ivy drove for a long time, she needed to calm down and think. She couldn't go to Jamie's or Pierces house, Noah could check them. The thought of running to her dads made her scoff. Her dad would rap her in a bow and send her back to Noah. She had already turned off her phone so Noah couldn't track her, but it left her with no GPS, no idea what time it was and she couldn't use her phone to pay for anything.

Her mind raced as did her bike. Her bike started to slow then and she checked the fuel. She was empty and running on fumes. She pulled over and looked around, she wasn't sure where she was so she hid her bike and went to look around. She was cold, her leather jacket didn't offer her much heat either. She was used to riding in Noah's cars so she didn't have to wear layers as she used to when going out. Noah had spoilt her that way.

This was apart of the city she had not been to before so she did not recognise anything. It was dark and there were not many people. Ivy looked around for somewhere to sit for a bit and think. She went around a few streets before she saw an elderly man with a street stall. He sold magazines, newspapers, teas and coffees. There were a few tables and chairs nearby. Stalls must be here during the day and the old man must still need to make some money so he stays open later.

Going over to the old man's stall she looked at his old features and shaky hands.

"Can I have milk tea please?" Ivy smiled the best she could and tucked her hair behind her ear.

The old man looked up with his wrinkled face and smiled back at her. "Young lady it's not safe to be out so late at night."

"I have no choice, what time is it?." Ivy wrapped her arms around herself to retain heat.

"It's near 9 pm. You should head home after this." The old man warned her as he made her tea.

"Can I sit for a bit?."

"Sure take your time." The old man nodded and decided to stay open as long as she needed.

"Why don't you go home?." Ivy asked as she looked around the empty neighbourhood.

"There's nothing at home now so I may as well make money. I used to rush home every day to my wife but now she's gone I may as well earn some money." Ivy nodded she agreed as she thought if Noah wasn't home she would get bored and restless waiting for him to come back.

"You take care it's also not safe for you to be out late, your wife wouldn't want you out so late."

The old man passed her the milk tea he made and she paid him. She always kept a twenty-pound note in her leather jacket for emergencies. It wouldn't be enough for a hotel room or enough gas to get home. She had had a full tank of gas when she left Noah's, she didn't realise she used it up while driving earlier.

She took a seat and thought of her home. She had her dads home that was more like a prison of rules. Then there was Noah's that was the second place she thought of as home. It wasn't at the start but as she slowly started to love the man she added the things to his apartment that made it feel homey. She bought candles, flowers, put up pictures, made sweet treats and meals for them both. Noah never said anything so she thought he didn't mind but maybe he did and he thought she was in the way.

She didn't understand how they got here. He listened to her through a device, how many times and why. Did he not trust her. He had threatened her friends when they came to him with their concerns. Their concerns had merit did he not know he has many enemies and they can't publicise their relationship or she may be in danger. He had heard her say she loved him. She was the only one to confess her feelings this made her embarrassed and fearful.

Now he knows how she feels would he throw her out, so she left first. He never said any words of affection but he showed them to her every day. Her nana would always say judge a man by his actions and not his words. Cole had pretty words but his actions well left her disappointed. Noah never said anything but she had a home, passion, warmth and protection.

When she had said she felt like a bed warmer he had said she was worth more and he wouldn't do those things for someone who warms his bed. So did he mean she meant something to him. Was that his kind of affection?

She shook her head not knowing the truth. She held the warm milk tea for heat and took a sip. The caffeine waking her up and the heat warming her. She looked around and saw the old man sweeping. She would help him when she had calmed her mind and heart and returned. But returned to where she wasn't sure. Would Noah want her back or see her love as her being needy.

She watched as ten men approach the old man's stall. There was loud chatter from them, then one pushed the old man's newspapers everywhere. The old man bent to pick them up and the men laughed. Ivy stood and went over to help him pick up the newspapers that were scattered.

The old man looked up with concern. "Young lady you better leave and not help me."