Noah’s POV:
The hotel room was quiet.
I laid sprawled out on the bed, phone pressed to my ear, smiling at the familiar sound of Mirabelle’s voice.
Even with an ocean between us, hearing her laugh eased some of the tension that had been growing in me since I’d arrived in Shanghai.
“Work’s fine,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “A few meetings lined up, but nothing too intense. What about you? How are the kids?”
“They’re doing great,” Mirabelle replied, smiling. “Mika asked if you’d be back in time for her play next week.”
A sting of guilt hit me, and I swallowed hard. “I’ll do my best. I don’t want to miss it. Give her a kiss for me.”
“I will. She’s already made a drawing for you. It’s in your study.”
“Another one?” I chuckled. “She’s going to cover the whole place before I get back.”
“Well, that’s what happens when you’re the hero, Mr. Sylvester,” She teased.
“Hero, huh? I’ll take that title.” I felt a rush of warmth. “How about you? How are you holding up?”
“Me? Oh, I’m just… you know, managing,” She said softly, and I could tell she was trying to sound calm. “The house feels emptier without you here.”
“I miss you.” I said, meaning it more than I expected. I hated being so far away. “It’s only been a few days, and I already feel like it’s been forever.”
“Just focus on the work and come back soon,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “We’re fine here. The kids and I will be waiting.”
“I know, I know.” I rubbed my temple, the ache of distance settling deeper. “I love you, Mira.”
“Really?” She replied, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
I was about to say more when a sudden, unexpected knock echoed through the room. My gaze shot to the door, and I frowned. “Hold on a second,” I said, raising my voice. “Come in!”
I expected to see a hotel staff member, but my breath caught when the door opened, and Natasha stood there, dressed in a tailored suit, her dark hair falling in waves over her shoulders. “Good morning, Noah,” she said with a bright smile.
I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. “Uh, one second,” I managed to say, glancing back at the phone. “Mira… I’ll call you back, okay?”
“Is that Natasha?” Mirabelle’s voice sharpened.
I hesitated. “Yeah, but-”
“Noah,” Mirabelle’s tone turned cold, cutting me off. “Just… call me later. Take care.” I could hear the disgust in her words, but I couldn’t take it back.
“I will. I love you,” I said quickly, sending her a few air kisses even though she couldn’t see me. There was a short, frustrated hiss on the other end, and then the line went dead.
I lowered the phone slowly, feeling the sting of her doubt. But there wasn’t time to dwell on it-Natasha was still standing there. “Morning,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. “What are you doing here?”
She arched a brow and smiled. “You’re not going to invite me in? I’ve been standing for a while.”
I hesitated, then motioned towards the small couch by the window. “You can grab the chair over there.”
Instead of moving to the couch, Natasha walked over and sat down on the edge of my bed, crossing her legs . I tried not to react, keeping my face carefully blank. “So, what brings you here this early?” I asked, ignoring the discomfort creeping up my spine.
“Mr. Ali.” She said, her smile fading. “He called me this morning. Apparently, something urgent came up in Hong Kong, so he won’t be here until later in the week-maybe even next week.”
I let out a frustrated sigh, raking my fingers through my hair. “Great. Just great. This is the third time he’s pushed back our meeting. Working with him has been a nightmare-he’s never on schedule.”
“I know,” Natasha said, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Noah. I wish I knew another seller who’d be as willing to negotiate. But… Ali’s the only one I trust.”
I exhaled. “It’s not your fault. It’s just… I’ve got so much riding on this deal, and now I’m stuck waiting around.” Sighing, I added. “I guess I have to go back to California.”
Natasha reached out, placing a hand on my arm. “I get it. But maybe it’s best to wait. It’s almost the end of the week, and if he’s not here by then, he’ll definitely be here by early next week. Why not just stay and be patient?”
I hesitated, not sure what to say. My first instinct was to pack up and head home-back to Mirabelle, to the kids.
But Natasha had a point.
The week was nearly over, and heading back now only to return when Ali was finally available would be a waste of time and resources.
“I don’t know,” I said slowly. “I was really considering taking the next flight home if this deal didn’t pan out today.”
“I get it,” Natasha said, her tone softening. “But… don’t you want to see the property before making any final decisions? Even if it’s just to get a better idea of what you’re dealing with?”
I looked at her, weighing the options. She was right-I’d come all this way, and the least I could do was get a visual on the land we were hoping to acquire. “Maybe you’re right,” I admitted reluctantly. “Waiting a few more days won’t hurt.”
Her smile widened. “Good! Why don’t we go out for breakfast? I know a place nearby. You’ll love it.”
“I’m not sure,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m not fluent in Chinese, and I’d rather not embarrass myself.”
She waved off my concern. “No worries! I’m fluent, remember? And it’s not just about breakfast-it’s about getting to know the city. Plus, I can take you to see the property, give you a lay of the land.”
I hesitated again, but the idea of seeing the property did appeal to me. It was a chance to get a real feel for the investment and to distract myself from the worry in my mind. “Alright,” I said finally. “Let’s do it. But just breakfast and a quick tour.”
“Perfect!” Natasha beamed, rising to her feet. “Why don’t you get ready, and we’ll meet at the reception in about fifteen minutes?”
“Okay,” I said, nodding. She moved towards the door, pausing to glance back at me, her smile lingering.
“See you soon,” she said, and then she was gone.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, I sank back onto the bed, running a hand over my face. I’d agreed to go out with Natasha, and there was no denying the guilt already settling in my chest.
What would Mirabelle say if she knew?
What would she say, if she knew that I would be here a lot longer with Natasha?
Staring up at the ceiling, I muttered to myself, “How the hell do I break this news to Mirabelle?”