Chapter 2017 - Secret Audit (6)

"Do you have lunch plans?", Sarah asked and looked at Noah who was getting into his chair in slow motion.

"Not yet.", Noah responded.

"Excellent.", Sarah exclaimed. "This is a great chance to hear updates about Blanc and to catch up over a meal."

Noah had no objections, but everyone saw that Chloe shifted in her seat.

Chloe wondered if the lunch Sarah mentioned includes her as well. Part of her wanted to attend that lunch because it would be a great chance to get closer to Sarah, Aiden, and Noah, and part of her wanted to avoid gossips of her being seen not only with director Bennet but with the big bosses as well.

"Unless you have something important to do, you should join us.", Sarah said to Chloe.

Chloe's eyes moved to Noah and she saw him give her an encouraging nod.

"Are you sure it's OK?", Chloe asked timidly. She saw that Sarah frowned, and quickly explained: "I mean… if you have something secretive to talk about and I shouldn't hear it."

"If it's something secretive, it wouldn't happen over lunch.", Sarah assured Chloe that it's OK to join. Sarah glanced at Aiden and gave him a silent signal to speak up.

Aiden got Sarah's hint and he also saw this as a great chance to make Noah sweat a little. "Come, Chloe. You must join. Normally, Noah would be the third wheel at the table, and like this, he will be less awkward. Think of it as a double date."

Aiden smiled mischievously when he saw that Sarah, Noah, and Chloe reacted to his words. Yup, he still got it. Sarah might give him an earful for this later, but for now, he will enjoy the moment.

Sarah closed her eyes, regretting that she asked Aiden for help. How come she forgot about the years-long rivalry between Noah and Aiden? Noah and Chloe are at a vulnerable stage where they are still not confident in each other and it's easy to tease them. How could Aiden miss this opportunity?

Noah's insides turned into knots as he was not sure if he should thank Aiden or smack him. That will depend on Chloe's reaction.

All three people in the room (other than Chloe) had Eve-lens and were aware of Chloe's anxiety which was tangible.

Chloe released a long breath while cursing her luck. Did Aiden say, 'double date'? Ah, now it's a date! But Sarah is the one who brought up the lunch. Can Chloe refuse it without appearing ungrateful? After all, it's just lunch and there is no way that Chloe can say that she is busy and get away with it when her boss-assistant is right there.

Sarah saw that Chloe is struggling with answering. Noah and Aiden were not helping so Sarah thought how this is a good time for some girl-talk.

"Can you guys give us a minute?", Sarah asked Noah and Aiden.

Noah and Aiden left the office without a word. When the door closed behind them, Sarah looked at Chloe. "What's the matter, Chloe? Don't you want to have lunch with us?"

"I do.", Chloe said honestly.

"But?"

"I am afraid that people will see me with you and start gossiping."

Sarah understood Chloe perfectly. She remembered how when she started working at the White corp. she wanted to keep her relationship with Aiden a secret. Well, Chloe and Noah are not dating, but even if they are just friends, people will start talking.

Sarah was aware of how her actions at that time backfired because Aiden thought that she was ashamed of him, and she was unable to blame him for thinking so. To make things worse, she hurt him without getting anything in return because people saw them spending time together and they were gossiping no matter how much Sarah tried to keep it within boundaries of what is acceptable in the office setting.

"Chloe, by now, pretty much everyone knows that you are working with Noah and the more you try to conceal it, the more their imagination will go wild. Did you do something to be ashamed of?" Sarah smiled when Chloe shook her head. "Then it's settled. Come. We won't bite. You should hold your head high and if anyone gives you a hard time, I am confident that Noah will support you."

"What if I don't want to rely on him?", Chloe asked.

"I know that you are a strong woman, but together we can accomplish more, and Noah is willing to support you. Why are you reserved?"

"I am afraid that I will get used to his help and then… it will stop.", Chloe admitted.

"It goes both ways, Chloe. I don't think you realize how much he is risking by giving you this opportunity.", Sarah said while thinking of the white card that is hanging around Chloe's neck as an employee badge, but she didn't want to talk about it because it will open another can of worms. Sarah decided to change her approach. "I know that you are going through challenging times. There was a time when I left my family in order to pursue my dreams."

"You did?"

Sarah nodded in confirmation. "We had disagreements and it reached the point where I needed to pick between the comfort of my family and the appeal of making my own decisions."

"And you left?", Chloe wanted to know more.

Sarah saw that Chloe was curious, and there was no time to go into details, however, there were a few points Sarah wanted to make. "You are in a unique position to redefine who you are. As long as you are not crossing the line of what is morally acceptable for you, I advise you to grab this chance with both hands."

Chloe was disappointed that Sarah changed the topic. "It sounds easy."

"It's not.", Sarah said and paused before adding: "…but if you look around, you will see people who are willing to support you."

"You mean, Noah."

Sarah confirmed. "By avoiding being seen with Noah in public, you are sending a wrong message. Did you consider how that makes him feel? As for others, you can't please everyone and that is why you should figure out who are the people that matter to you. Focus on those people and yourself and you will be fine. I am not sure about Noah's motives, but I can see that you awakened his protective side. If he ever bullies you, let me know and I will teach him a lesson..."

Lunch passed for Chloe in a daze. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the food was good, but Sarah's words replayed in Chloe's head and she couldn't get out of it.

Everything Sarah said made sense, yet it challenged Chloe to trust others. Noah in particular.

Chloe was confused because Sarah's words could apply to the work setting, but they could equally be valid if she puts it in the context of how Noah was romantically interested in her. Chloe cursed herself inwardly. Only yesterday she convinced herself how harboring any romantic thoughts about Noah was a bad idea, yet here she was again… dreaming… hoping… and blushing like a teenage girl in front of her crush whenever their eyes met.

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