The next day Jake finally appeared in Lu Lijun's office for the meeting they had with project partners regarding the new changes being made. Just as An Tian said, Jake didn't show up for the two days and when he appeared, he looked changed.
"How have you been?" Lu Lijun asked while Noah only looked at him.
"As usual, fine," Jake answered casually and then walked with Lu Lijun to his office.
Noah was busy preparing for the meeting and didn't get a chance to talk with Jake and somewhere he was thankful that he was busy. He didn't know what and how to talk to him as things felt awkward suddenly.
"Finally, you are back. I thought because of you I have to postpone my vacation plan," Lu Lijun commented.
"Vacation? I am glad I didn't ruin it," Jake said as he sat in the chair in front of Lu Lijun.
"Where have you been?" Lu Lijun asked and just then Noah entered the office who also heard this question.
"Somewhere away," Jake answered, not willing to talk much.
Noah put the files on the table, "This is for today's meeting. Go through it once again," Noah said and Jake picked up one file. He didn't look at Noah but he didn't avoid him either, "New changes look good," Jake commented.
Lu Lijun nodded as the three continued to study.
"It's time for the meeting," Noah informed.
The three left to go to the meeting hall where Lu Lijun and Noah sat next to each other and Jake sat opposite them around that rectangular table and others arrived too.
The meeting started when Lu Lijun started to explain things. In between Noah's gaze would pass across Jake who didn't look at him even once and even if they happened to look at each other, Jake would act the way he was with others as if he was not bothered by anything.
When it was Noah's turn to take over the next part, Jake asked him a few queries and Noah answered them. It was totally a professional conversation. When the meeting was over and the others were gone, the three friends continued sitting in the meeting room.
"Everything is finalised, Do you have any suggestions?" Lu Lijun asked Jake.
Jake looked at Noah, "Last time we talked about the data, do you have it?"
Noah nodded and passed the tablet to him in which he had opened one file, "Here."
Jake accepted it and went through it as he looked calm, serious and changed. Noah's gaze would peek at him in between but Jake was all about work.
Lu Lijun looked at Noah and shook his head as if saying- you have messed up big time.
Noah didn't react to it and resumed his work but he could not deny the uneasiness he was feeling inside.
"We can use it," Jake said and passed the tablet back to Noah and then looked at Lu Lijun, "When are you leaving?"
"In a day or two," Lu Lijun answered.
"Rest assured. I will be here. Noah and I will take care of everything," Jake said.
"Thank you."
"President Lu is not here?" Jake asked.
"I don't let her work so she preferred to stay home. Or rather prepare for the vacation."
Just then Lu Lijun had an incoming call. It was Jiang Yuyan. He received the call and left his two friends alone.
Noah looked at Jake, "Are you okay?"
Jake nodded only as he continued to go through one file.
"That night..."
"I was at fault," Jake interrupted him, "I will make sure it won't happen again."
"Where were you," Noah asked.
"You know the answer," Jake replied.
'Jane, he was with her,' Noah reminded himself. "I believe you had a good time," Noah commented.
Jake nodded again, "Better than I had expected."
Noah froze and realized even if he was trying to console himself that it was fine, it hurt him. Jake with someone else....didn't feel right.
'Did he feel the same when I went with other girls.' he could not help but wonder, 'But he didn't feel for me that way at that time or did he?'
Just then Jake's cell phone rang and the name flashed on the screen was - Jane.
Noah's gaze didn't miss noticing it as Jake's cell phone was on the table. He heard Jake talking, "Hmm, I will pick you up in the evening."
'Is he going with her again?' Noah thought.
Just then Lu Lijun returned and sat in the chair, "What do you think about dinner together?"
"I have other plans," Jake replied.
"It's rare for you to decline to be with us," Lu Lijun spoke.
"It's important," was what Jake said and didn't bother to explain.
"Are you meeting someone..."
Jake nodded.
"Well, no worries," Lu Lijun said and looked at Noah who was unusually calm.
Jake stood up, "See you guys tomorrow."
The two nodded while Jake left.
Lu Lijun looked at Noah, "What are you thinking about?"
Noah sighed, "I was thinking of returning to my home. Since we are here, I didn't even visit my home and must be covered in dust as even my parents are not here."
"See what suits you better," Lu Lijun didn't stop him as he knew there must be a lot going on in Noah's mind and he must need his space and alone time instead of just working all the time.
"Thanks," Noah said.
"When I am away, you have to handle everything with Jake. Will you be fine?" Lu Lijun asked.
"Don't worry," Noah assured.
"Try to patch up with him. It's not late yet," Lu Lijun commented.
"There is no such thing."
"Lie to me but stop lying to yourself," Lu Lijun stood up, "I am sure you will think it through when you will spend alone time in your home."
Noah said nothing as he continued sitting in the chair while Lu Lijun left him alone.
Lu Lijun returned home alone while Jiang Yuyan was waiting for him outside.
Seeing him alone, Jiang Yayan asked, "Noah?"
"He went to his home."
"Suddenly?"
"When one has a lot going on in mind, they need alone time."
"Did something happen with Jake again?"
"Nothing happened and that is the issue."
"Then?"
"I am sure they will solve it when I am away."
"Away?" Jiang Yuyan asked.
He patted her head as he stood facing her, "Little girl, don't you want to go on vacation?"
Jiang Yuyan cleared her throat awkwardly, "Are we going?"
Lu Lijun nodded, "You can start packing."
"When? Where?" she asked, feeling curious.
He smiled, "I am glad that you are excited. We will leave tomorrow evening but where? That is a surprise."
"Surprise? I should know where we are going so I will pack accordingly."
"You can get anything there when we reach," he said, not willing to tell her.
Jiang Yuyan didn't insist, "Fine, I will wait."
The two went inside the home where Lu Lijun went to freshen up while Jiang Yuyan could not help but think, "Why do I feel like it's not just a vacation but we are going on a honeymoon."