ISLA’S POV

Noah Jung had turned me into a hot mess. Not only did he not forget about the incident yesterday, but he also had a personal vendetta against me now.

What else could explain his hostility towards me? His sharp gaze still stung me from this morning. My blood boiled as I thought of him shutting the blinds on my face again. How could I focus on work after that?

Even getting back onto decent speaking terms seemed impossible.

And it wasn’t even the end of my troubles.

Sarah looked unusually giddy today. Her steps were lighter, her eyes glazed—I was sure she was practicing for a sensational act today. And what were the chances it was about me?

That was why when the lunch break rolled around, I stuck right next to her. I was hoping she would tone down her act in front of the prime suspect.

“Something shocking happened yesterday,” Sarah started in a conspirative whisper. “It’s about Noah.”

That was enough to get everyone’s attention. News about Noah was rarest of the rare, and no one wanted to miss gossip about their CEO. The handful of colleagues stopped eating and egged her on to share what happened. 

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Sarah didn’t even spare me a glance. I frowned. Was there something else that surpassed the elevator story?

Flushed with excitement, Sarah lowered her voice and said, “He’s finally dating.”

I choked on my food. She didn’t mean Noah and me, right?

Patrick made a face at me and handed me tissues. I thanked him. He asked Sarah, “How do you know that?”

“I met Noah’s maid this morning.” Sarah grinned. “She works for my neighbor. She told me she caught them in the act—right in the living room!”

My mouth hung open. This was spying on Noah in his own house! Still, my tensed muscles relaxed. It didn’t look like it was about me.

“The maid was leaving for the day...”

Sarah stood up and acted out the incident. I watched as she twisted her face into a million different expressions and contorted her body in a circus-worthy performance. I was breathless as I imagined Noah and his partner in those positions.

“And for the highlight! The person with Noah was...” Sarah hooked her finger and asked us to come closer. All of us shared a hesitant look and leaned in. She met our eyes one by one and announced, “Jake!”

There was a beat of silence. And then everyone groaned.

She laughed and sat down. “The maid realized they were just in a brawl. Nothing happened.” 

I rolled my eyes and laughed. Sarah had played us again. Many of her elaborate stories turned out to be duds. But her performance was always enjoyable.

One of the executives, Chloe, asked, “So, Noah’s single?”

“Of course,” Patrick answered, sounding satisfied that Sarah knew no more than him.

And that was the end of lunch.

Battered and beaten by the turbulent day, I dragged myself to the coffee shop after work. Lucy took one look at me and conjured a huge chocolate donut from behind the counter. “You look like you need this.”

I sighed. I usually loved Fridays. The day meant that Noah took mercy on his employees and let us leave on time. And with no swimming lessons scheduled in the evening, I could finally catch up on life.

But even that had been ruined today. Noah’s sour attitude was seeping into my life after work too.

“So,” Lucy started. “Who do I need to beat up?”

“Noah.” I smiled. “Please turn him black and blue.”

Lucy hummed and noted down the order. “That would be a year’s worth of salary. Will you pay by cash or card?”

“I’m broke!” I protested.

Lucy laughed and tidied up the counter.

“He ignored me the entire day. Not even a glance,” I explained. I stabbed my fork into the donut and took a big bite. “Stupid robot. I bet he works at home after work!”

“What happened? Is he ghosting you after...taking advantage of you?”

I almost laughed at that. “Nothing. I was teaching him, asked him a couple of questions, and poof! He got mad!”

“And what did you ask him?” Lucy settled into the chair next to me. The café was near closing time, so it was empty.

“Why he can’t swim.” I shrugged. “If he tried to learn as a kid or not.”

I expected an immediate reaction from her. Calling Noah all sorts of names and giving me moral support. But there was only silence. I looked up from the butchered donut and at her shocked face.

“What?” I became uneasy. 

“You really don’t know anything?”

“Why? What is it?”

Lucy bit her lip, hesitating, and said, “Noah’s parents died in a boat accident.”

My fork clattered onto the plate.

“That’s why he has a water phobia.” She squeezed my hand. “His uncle brought him up after their deaths.”

My heart picked up a strange rhythm. Her words made sense, but I had trouble digesting them. I knew Noah was raised by his uncle. But I had no clue under what circumstances. 

And what did I ask him yesterday? Why he never learned to swim? If he had a bad experience in his childhood? I dropped my face into my hands. I wanted to chastise myself. Of course Noah would react that way.

“How did you know?” I looked up. No one in the office knew about this. I was sure. And it certainly couldn’t be found online with a few clicks. 

Lucy avoided my eyes. “Well… I have a source.”

“What are you hiding from me?”

She gave me an offended look. “I wanted to tell you yesterday!”

Before she could say anything else, the doorbell chimed and the café door opened. Lucy quickly took off her apron and fixed her bangs. She waved at someone. I turned to see who she was looking at.

Jake stepped inside the café. His presence was so unexpected that I almost fell off my chair. I watched Jake wink and Lucy grin. My jaw dropped as I put two and two together. Noah’s best friend? That was her source? 

When did they get to know each other?

Jake stepped aside, and my gaze settled on the familiar figure standing behind him. Still reeling from Lucy’s words and Jake’s appearance, I couldn’t hide my surprise this time.

Our eyes met, and my breath caught in my throat.

Noah was here.