Chapter 74: Spiked drink

"What the hell was that?" Noah asked, when all the commotion had died and he was left alone with Aria. His tone made her feel that she had done something wrong.

'Maybe, I angered him. Did I step over the line?'

"I am sorry. I know I am wrong. I shouldn't have behaved that way. This is your company and she is your employee. I had no right to interfere." Aria said, looking down at her feet.

"Hey. Hey. Hey. What are you talking about? You did nothing wrong. Sometimes it becomes necessary to show people their places. And who told you that you had no right to interfere. You can do anything you want. You are my girlfriend. That alone is enough." Noah said holding her hand. His touch calmed her down a bit.

"Girlfriend?" Aria repeated what he had said.

"Yes. Girlfriend. Don't you want to?"

Aria blushed and her cheeks were covered with a beautiful shade of pink.

"Anyway, how did you call me before?" Noah said, looking at her expectantly. One word from her had loosened all the nuts and bolts in his body.

"What? What did I call you? I don't remember." Aria said, although she clearly knew what Noah was talking about. He wanted her to call him honey again.

"Really now?" Noah realized that the woman was shy.

"You are lying. You need to be punished." Noah said and without waiting for her response pulled her along with him.

"What punishment? Noah, where are we going?" Aria saw that they were at the entrance and they were leaving the hall. He gave a nod to his secretary and left without another word.

Ronnie was already waiting for them at the entrance. How did he know that they were leaving? That was a question. Aria had not seen Noah make any call.

He opened the door for her and slipped in beside her. Before Aria could even sit comfortably, Noah had pulled her on to his lap.

"What are you doing?" Aria stuttered. She placed her arms on his chest and pulled back, keeping a distance between them.

"Did you forget about your punishment?"

"What punishment?"

"That is for me to decide." Noah pulled her closer to him.

"Wait." Aria pulled back once again.

"Either you call me what you called me before or get ready for your punishment."

Although their relationship started only a few days back, they had got quite comfortable with each other to the extent that they did not mind being touchy.

"Don't I have another choice?" Aria knew she had none. She was trapped in Noah's arms and his grip on her was like iron. She could not escape from him.

"Let me think. Um. Nope. So, make a choice."

Aria avoided his gaze. Her cheeks were painted red and her hormones were at war. She could hear her own heartbeat and feared that it was audible even to Noah.

When Aria remained silent, Noah leaned in.

"Wait. Wait. I'll say."

He was a little disappointed. He wanted to actually kiss her. He could make her say what he wanted any other time. But his desire to kiss her, could not be controlled. Yet, he did not continue.

"So?"

"Um. Honey." Aria said softly.

"Come again, love. I did not hear you." Noah teased, although he had heard her crystal clear. He pulled her closer. This time their chests were pressed together while her hands were tightly clutching on his suit jacket in between them.

"Honey," Aria said with a hoarse voice. Her throat had become dry. Somehow to Noah, it sounded seductive and sexy.

"Say again." He said. This time it was more like a demand.

"Honey, darling, sweetheart. Alright, I said it there." Aria said. She covered her flustered self by showing anger on him.

Noah could not wait any longer. He pulled her head and presses his lips on hers. Aria's voice widened. She started to tap on his shoulders. However, Noah pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Before he could taste the sweetness of her mouth, he was interrupted by Ronnie. This was the second time he had done that.

Aria was startled listening to the sudden intrusion. When Noah was momentarily distracted, she pulled back. She jumped off his lap and sat on the seat.

"You cheater." Aria punched his chest. "You did not keep your words."

"Everything is fair in life and war, love," Noah replied and grinned.

"Sir, we are at the London Nights."

After getting down, Noah once again glared at Ronnie. It was thousand times intensified now. Ronnie shivered. It was like he was standing in Antarctica naked.

"You remembered?" Aria said. She had calmed her racing her and her fixed her messy hair before getting down the car.

"How could I forget? Come let's go."

After ten minutes, they were inside the club and the music was blasting through the speakers. The club had been reserved for the people from the conference exclusively that night. So, there were no other people.

Aria hopped on a chair at the bar and looked around. Many people were dancing on the dance floor, while some were playing some games and others were just chatting their time away.

"Do you want something?" Noah questioned when he saw that she was rubbing her stomach.

"Yes. I am a little hungry." Aria pouted.

"Wait here. I'll get you something to eat."

Aria nodded. After Noah left her alone, Stuart came to her.

"Look at you. Bringing your boyfriend everywhere now, are we?"

"Stop teasing me." Aria pinched his hand.

"So, do you want to have a dance with me?"

"Sure, why not?" Noah was not back yet, she could as well break a leg before he returned.

She went with him and started to match her body with the rhythm of the song that was currently playing.

Mason watched her getting close to Noah as well as Stuart. He knew who Noah was. It was not a mystery. He got irritated with her getting to close to other men.

After the song ended, Aria and Stuart returned to their seats. Mason approached them. Let's make a toast. He said and handed them a drink each.

"Mason, I don't drink," Aria said.

"Relax Aria. This is just apple juice." Mason handed her glass. She took it and inspected it. She did not trust him even one percent.

"Don't you trust me? I'll drink it then." Mason said.

"It's alright. I'll take the drink." Aria said and drank it in one go. She licked her lips. The drink tasted weird. It was a little bitter.

"This is good. I want another."

Mason chuckled and handed her another glass.

Stuart looked at them and noticed that something was wrong. He took the glass she had emptied before and smelt it. It was some traces of alcohol smell.

"You bastard." He punched Mason. "You spiked her drink."

Mason ducked his punch. "Come on. It's just for fun."

By then, Noah had returned. He had heard Stuart and Mason. Without waiting, he made Mason to face him and punched his face. Blood started to trickle. Probably his nose was broken. He raised his arm to give another punch. However, he had to stop mid-air. Aria had hugged him from behind and was rubbing her face on his shirt.

He turned to look at her. Her face was flushed and her eyes were in a daze.

"Noahhhhhh." She dragged his name. She jumped on him and hugged him tighter.

"Noahhhhhh." She said again and laughed.

It did not take much time for Noah to realize that Aria was drunk.