17 Chapter 17 - NOAH

There's always a coincidence in every love story.. like it was actually destined to be. I remember the time when I realized it, since then I start watching you...

Back in Santa Monica, I still remember how you look at me with that creepy look on your face,

"you are definitely spying on me. It's okay if you wanted my signature so bad, I'll give it to you as exchange for you to not follow me anymore" I implied.

"Who are you? I don't even know you" she ventured, with that sharp looks in your small eyes. Is she a Chinese? Japanese? Korean? I don't know.

There's a flame in your eyes, which makes me want to tease you a bit.

"My dear Miss Cashier. I'm currently shooting a serial romance movie"

"You... are an.....actor ?" she lifted an eyebrow, looking at me suspiciously like I am really making a lie right now.

I was so mean that time cause I teased you too much but what makes me adore you is that you don't care who I am.

I don't know how it happens but when I saw your back at the cliff, looking at the night view in the same spot I'd love to stay all night, it feels like a destined coincidence. When you pretended that I am not there, yes... it was actually kinda funny...That time, when I plugged the airpods off your ear, you seemed furious, but you remain calm. I can see it from you expression.

I don't remember how until the time when you look at me at the eyes my heart's throbbing hard. I was trying hard to cover it from you, I don't want to surprise you by this unpredictable feelings. I don't want to scare you since you are new in this town. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, I just have to approach you slowly since you are pretty hard to catch.. One day during my work, I can't stop thinking about you, and that's make me realize, I am already addicted to you. Did you give me drugs or something? I don't know, I just did.

I only remember the moment when you told me, you are leaving by the next 4 months, which shattered my heart, I want to make you stay, I want to confess everything, I want you to stay by my side. It is just hard for me if you leave me.. I don't know what happen to me. There's a moment when I didn't see you for some days. That time I thought you are leaving, I was so mad I don't know why, how could you do that to me? but Noah, who are you? You are just nothing to her, she is just continuing her journeys.

Then when I met you at the café, my heart pumped faster, I wanted to hug you so bad that time, tell you I missed you...I realized.. this is love.. I have fall in love with you.

For me, you are always pretty but when I saw you wearing skirt and that red cloak for the first time, my heart beats faster. That is the cutest outfit you have ever worn. I can't stop staring at you and my heart can't stop beating fast. I wonder did you heart beat for me too?

You know what Steffi? I've always wanted to make your day special. I'm going to try my best, I will always make you happy. I will create good memories for you before you leave me.

I lift my arm looking at my watch ticking to 9. "Ah, Let's grab another Americano today. Can't wait to meet Steffi again"

I put on my hoodie, this time is tosca.

I used to be so busy taking trips, to my mom's private island, to my friend's night barbeque, or joining my dad's meeting since I am the only son and kid he had or mostly because of work stuffs like photo –shoots or movie –shoots. But.. I become love being in Los Angeles. There's a typical city lady that lighten up my day here in Los Angeles, and I want it lasts long. It makes me stay.

I remember the day when you told me, you are about to move to New York few months ahead. I was so shocked and sad at the same time, I want to make something special before you left, or can I make you stay? I wonder how to make it works, I have to brain –wash you? No, Noah.. don't be so selfish.. or I just have to let you go.. but at least, I have to give you good memories before you leave, so you will never forget me as the "Noah" you know, not Noah Hoskins other people know.

I push the door as it jingles, but the woman I always wanted to see.. is not there.. A smile from my face faded away. Cara, her friend is taking her place today. There are just 3 of them. I don't see Steffi around the café. Is she sick? I turn my head left and right trying to find her. My heart pumps faster, there's something uncomfortable inside the chest, I feel something bad is going to happen. Jane took a very deep breath, approaching me with sad expression on her face, Cara does the same.

"This ... is from Steffi.. she wants me to give you this" said Jane, wearing sadness, she looked down, doesn't dare to look at me at the eyes.

I watch the pale white letter as my heart won't stop beating fast, there's a moment when I feel more and more uncomfortable in all of sudden, something bad must be happening. What is going on ? I take the letter and open it. There's a tidy hand writing brushed on the paper, it's Steffi's hand –writing,

Dear Noah,

I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye to you..

I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise..

I'm sorry I fail you..

I'm sorry for everything..

I just had urgent call from my sisters, my dad wants to see me, he's suffering a heart –disease.

I love the time we spent together, you're making my day in L.A. precious. You've changed my gloomy little life. I hope to see you again, Noah

Steffi

And I feel like my heart is shattering into pieces, I know it will happen sooner or later but this is just too fast, I haven't say anything yet to you. there's a lot of things I'd like to tell you, there's a lot of things I'd like to share with you. I sigh, yes I have to understand her, but how I wish I could send her warm hugs before she left, and please her to come back to Los Angeles. Or I could just confess to her that I love her...

I took a deep breath "Thanks" walk away from the café, I have no appetite to taste any morning coffee right now. My mood is actually ruined. I walk back to my apartment as I see the Bonny's Apartment still there in front of mine, but still.... Steffi is not there anymore...

"Good morning Mr. Hoskins" the security greeted, I give him a thin smile, rushed in quickly before I meet my dad. He might be asking too much questions if I wear this expression on my face. It's hard for me right now to change the mood I had.

I push the elevator panel, bring myself inside, I tap a card and push the "N.H." button. I live in the last floor, my dad designed them for me so I could make myself comfortable in private place.

The elevator door wide open, I bring myself inside and sit on the bar, resting my cheek on the marbles, watching my phone's with me and dad as the wallpaper holding a big fish we caught. I didn't even have her phone number or the pictures we took when we started to know each other. It's pathetic.. I thought I have to play it slow, asking for her phone number when she is about to leave... I was wrong. It's all a mess up.

I choose you... and will always do... but I will always happy for you.. please Steffi.. Be Happy.. I hope everything is okay..

***

"Let's Welcome the top actor this year NOAH HOSKINS"

I wave my hands and smile. I never get nervous or confuse. I think I am just born to be like this and I am happy with it. The voices of babbling happily, big applauses as I walk in the studio. A cacophony of applause and cheering, hollering, clapping, palpable excitement buzzed through the charged air, infectious grins, patting one another on the back.

"NOAH HOSKINS !" the host gave me a high five.

"Hi !" I greeted. Smiling is the power I had.

"Nice to meet you Noah, well.. your movie, The Male Leads is now in the top American Hottest. how do you feel ?"

I smile "Woah, it is amazing. First of all I'd like to thank all people around the world who supported the movie and me and the others.."

They clap another hands for me..

"I am so blessed to have you all here. I love you !"

And another claps, some of them screaming my name.

The host chuckles, "Noah Hoskins, do you have a crush on someone? Is it an actress? or a model? People are dying to know your personal life"

"Hmm....." I mumbles, to make it more intense.

"There's one. Still a secret, nobody for everyone, but she's everything to me"

I heard another scream followed by crowd hands applaus.

"Woaw... how does she look like?"

"She is a sweet, shy, and a pretty woman. A very hard to approach .." I shrugged my shoulders.

"is she an actress or a model?"

"Can I keep it as a secret?" still smiling, yes I have to keep it for myself.

The host laughed, "Give a big applaus to Noah Hoskins!!"

After the talk show...

"Noah !" I tilted my head, Sally comes approaching me, running with her long legs. She is just 5 cm shorter than me. A beautiful young lady which is still about 20 years old.

"Let's have a dinner?" she asked, giving the best smile she has.

I mumbles, "hmmm"

Yes, it's been a month since Steffi left the town. I want to move on.. but my little heart refuses. "No Sally, I think I have to take a rest today.. I am sorry"

Sally pulled a long face, seemed disappointed. Sorry, I just can't. Maybe it needs time. Everything needs time. Sally leaves me as I can see her bare back walking farther away.

"Noah !" I turned my head as my manager Polly walking towards me with a document on her hand.

"Yes Polly?" I asked as I sip my afternoon coffee.

Her eyes are looking at the paper, reading the tiny words printed on the white paper "You are going to have a photoshoot session in Italy next month"

"Gucci" she added

"Okay" I nodded

"So, don't go anywhere during this month, next month or couple months ahead ! Stay in Los Angeles or I will pick you up during your vacation" she lifted her pointer, "There's another photoshoots session.. you are pretty busy this year... and next year.." she moved her eyes rapidly as she flipped the paper one by one.

I chuckles, "okay...okay.." nodding my head slowly.

"Oh! and.... There's a serial drama you signed couple months ago, they will start shooting the movie next year"

"Yes, The Truth Is...right?" I lifted an eyebrow

Polly nods her head "Okay. See you soon then"

"Okay Polly. I'm staying here in Los Angeles, not going anywhere, not going for a vacation with my mom or dad or a barbeque in a private island. I am staying here"

Polly lifted her thumb and walk away.