Chapter 182: Dinner plans

Noah had got all the answers he needed for now. But there was something else that was bugging his mind. Aria was leaving the next day to go to the war zone and there were chances that she might be hurt in the battle. Though there were soldiers who would protect the medical staff at all costs, he could not rule out the other possibilities.

Just the thought of it made him shiver. He was unable to imagine his life without her, without her smile, her beautiful face. However, he was helpless. He could not stop her from doing what she wanted to do. If given a chance, he would have taken her far away from the world where they could be alone. He would have spent his entire life just looking at her. But that would only make Aria sad. She was meant to be free and he would not do anything that would take her freedom away.

Noah wanted to take Oliver to meet her before she left, or at least see her. They would be taking a huge risk just to do that. But he did not want to take this right away from them. He took a deep breath. "Mr. West, I have a suggestion for you. Aria is going on a medical camp with her friends tomorrow and we don't know when she will return." Noah lied to him that she was going on a camp and not to the war zone. He didn't want to scare him than he already was.

"Ivy will be there to drop her. Do you want to take a look at them? I would have liked it if you had met them, but you know the circumstances. So, if you want, you could see them from a distance."

"Is it possible?" Oliver's eyes sparkled listening to this idea. If he could see his daughters, even from a distance, then he would be happy and satisfied.

"Yes, definitely. Joshua and Ronnie will come pick you up tomorrow. But you have to disguise yourself a little."

"I have no problem with that," Oliver replied with a huge smile on his face.

"I am going to go now, Mr. West. Take rest."

Noah looked at his watch and gestured Ronnie to leave with him. It was almost time for him to go meet Aria. Her meeting would have started by then.

Around six in the evening, Aria reached the hospital. She met Ian inside and they went to hear the briefing together. It was a short meeting with the hospital staff who were going to the war zone the next day. They were given some instructions to follow and were asked to perform their duty and responsibilities correctly. They were also warned not to do anything that would degrade the hospital's name as well as to stay safe. The meeting ended after an hour or so.

"Done with the packing?" Ian asked as they walked out together.

"Sort of."

"Yours?"

"Not yet. Have to do now. Look, who is here to pick you up. Your boyfriend is here." Ian teased seeing Noah come to them. Aria blushed hearing his words. It was almost every day that Noah came to pick her up after work. So, she was a little worried that people would have found out about him and her by now. Nobody could ignore his king like appearance and aura, it was just that strong and mixed with his handsome face, he was just the ultimate package. He was also the great Noah Allen Carter. Who didn't know him?

Even Aria who had accustomed to his handsome face, couldn't stop herself from drooling, let alone people who were seeing him for the first time. People still turned to look at him as he walked towards Aria and Ian. 

"Done with your meeting?" He asked the both of them. However, his eyes were fixed on Aria. Now that Aria would not be with him for weeks, months even, he wanted to take in her face and features as much as possible and save it in his memory. In the next few days of separation, he could only satisfy the urge to see her by looking at her photographs and remembering their sweet moments together.

"Yes. Why are you here?" Ian asked him, though he knew why he was there. It was always good to tease the cold and aloof man whenever they had the chance. Noah rolled his eyes listening to Ian.

"I heard that you were treating us to dinner. So, I came here to empty your bank balance."

"Oh, please. Spare me. Among us, who is the rich one here?"

Aria nodded at his question. She had no idea that the man beside her and her colleague were both rich. So, she assumed Noah to be the only rich person among the three.

"Really? I thought that in friendship, we did not care who was rich or poor."

"That is correct too." Aria nodded again.

"Aria, who are you supporting here?" Ian was perplexed with the way she was changing sides like a pendulum.

"What? Don't look at me that way. One is my boyfriend and the other is my friend. I support both of you." Aria shrugged her shoulders. "I don't care who is the one to open their pockets. Any which way I get to fill my stomach."

Ian and Noah gave each other a look. "Aria, how about this? You treat us this time." Ian started while Noah nodded.

"What?" Aria's jaw dropped.

"Yes, you give us the treat. There is nothing wrong with treating us, right? One is your boyfriend and the other is your friend." Noah repeated her words after upgrading it a little.

"How did it turn this way? I was clearly a bystander. How did I get dragged into this?"

"You did not get dragged. You were already here. So, come on. Let's go and empty Aria's pockets today." Ian said smirking.

"Since it is my girlfriend's treat, I am going to eat a lot. My stomach is completely empty anyway and I am damn hungry."

"Hey, how about this? Since we are going to leave tomorrow, let's all meet and have dinner together."

"Sure, that's a good idea. You call Jo and I'll call Ivy." Noah added. Though Noah wanted to spend some time alone with Aria, he also did not despise the dinner plan. They could have a great time together. Ian and Noah were busy making calls. They did not notice Aria's sorrowful face. 'Oh my hard-earned money, goodbye.'