Noah picked up the sleeping Aria princess style and walked towards the car. Ronnie was waiting at the spot where he had dropped his boss. Seeing Noah carry Aria, he was surprised. 'What the hell happened there that Boss is carrying Madam?' He immediately got down and opened the back door.
"Boss, is everything alright?'"
"Yes, she is just drunk."
Noah got inside the car and placed Aria on his l_a_p, with her head leaning against his c_h_e_s_t. He took deep breaths to calm himself. He was having a tough time controlling himself with the way his little buddy was aroused. The fact that Aria was sitting on his l_a_p was not helping him either.
After a long time, the d_e_s_i_r_e he had for her was suppressed and he opened his eyes. The woman in his arms was deep asleep with her breath fanning his neck. The fire was ignited once again. He cursed under his breath. What was this little woman doing to him? His body was not at all listening to him.
Then something struck him. He remembered that Ronnie had brought him here. Did he know about Aria's plans? "Ronnie, did you know about today?"
Hearing Noah's question, Ronnie answered immediately. "Yes, Boss."
"When did you plan this?"
"When I had come to pick up Madam, she expressed her wish to surprise you and asked my help. How was the surprise Boss? Did you like it?"
"I am very surprised to be honest. Wait a minute. Was this what you were texting on the phone?"
"Yes, Boss."
"Hmm.
"Boss, about my punishment...."
"You will be punished. There is nothing you can do to avoid it." Noah said as he kissed Aria's forehead.
"Okay, Boss." Ronnie was dejected. He had thought that after seeing Madam's incredible surprise, his Boss would forgive him and let him go. Who knew that would not be the case?
"And your punishment is you can take a paid leave whenever you want."
"Boss?" Ronnie was surprised.
"Yes and for any number of days."
"Thank you, Boss." Ronnie was on the verge of crying. His Boss had always been generous. But seeing him extra generous today Ronnie was speechless. His Boss was the best and his Madam was incredible. Maybe she was the only person in the whole world who could make Noah change his mind. He suddenly had a new profound respect for her.
"Boss, I have something to tell you."
"Hmm." Noah hummed as he patted Aria's back. As though she had a feeling that she was in safe hands, Aria snuggled closer to him and rubbed her cheeks against his c_h_e_s_t. After finding a comfortable spot, she went to sleep again. Noah chuckled looking at her sweet gesture. He was filled with warmth when he realized that she had attempted to surprise him in spite of being tired. So, he allowed her to sleep as much as she wanted.
"Boss, when I went to drop Madam in the afternoon, I saw Tim."
"Who?"
"Tim from the Vipers gang."
"What?" Noah asked, his voice raising an octave.
"Yes. He was right opposite to Madam's building and he was keeping an eye on the building."
"Why would he do that?"
"I don't know Boss."
"Do you think they have found out about Madam and they want to attack you using her?" Ronnie asked skeptically.
"Impossible. I don't think that is the case."
Noah thought for a while as Ronnie drove towards Aria house. "Do you think Tim is the person following Ivy?"
"That may be a possibility. What do we do now Boss?"
"We cannot risk it at all. I'll ask Ivy if he is the one who is following her."
"Yes, Boss. We cannot kill him off that easily too now that he is associated with the Vipers."
At that moment, Aria g_r_o_a_n_e_d and opened her eyes groggily. Silence filled the car and Ronnie closed the divider separating the driver seat and the back seats. Noah bent his head to stare at the woman who was rubbing her eyes.
"Where am I?" She asked and looked around her.
"We are going home Aria." Aria was startled by the voice beside her. Seeing the man in front of her, she flung her arms and hugged him. "Darling, where had you been? I missed you so much. Why did you leave me for soo long?" She wailed and squeezed him hard. Noah made a crying face. Aria was still drunk and her craziness was increasing every time. He wondered now what melodrama she was going to perform.
"Darling, why are you not speaking?"
"Aria."
"Yes, darling." She slurred.
"Go to sleep, okay."
"Promise me that you are not going to leave me."
"I promise. Now go to sleep." Noah made her lie on his c_h_e_s_t as he started patting her again.
"By the way, where are we going?"
"We are going home."
"Hoooome. I love home. Yay."
Aria giggled and looked around the car. She was just like a cute little girl who had been taken to Disneyland for the first time.
"Boss, we have arrived," Ronnie announced.
"Who was that?" Aria questioned, her face searching for the man who just spoke.
"That's Ronnie."
"Ronnie, that cutie?"
"Cutie?" Noah raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, he is so cute."
Noah's face darkened in jealousy. How dare she call another man cute. It was unacceptable. No way.
"Aria?" He called in a warning tone which she missed completely.
"Hmm?"
"You need to be punished again. But I will punish you later. Now let's go home. Ronnie, see if Tim is nearby."
"No Boss. He is not here." Ronnie had already confirmed Tim's absence. His eyes had immediately darted to the place where he had spotted Tim earlier in the afternoon
Noah carried Aria and went inside the building as she swung her legs. "Baby shark doo do do do."
"What happened to her?" Noah did not have to answer her as Aria started singing which confirmed her suspicions.
"Baby, shark doo do do do."
"Aria is drunk." Ivy declared and smacked her forehead.