73 Causing trouble

Meanwhile in London.

Noah was sitting beside Aria in the car while every now and then he was taking glances at Aria. He had come to pick her up at the scheduled time and was immediately blown away looking at her. She was dressed in a dark purple dress with a netted collar. It was sleeveless and it fell just below her knees. She had paired the dress with black flat sandals and her hair was tied in a high pony. She was looking extremely beautiful. Looking at her all dressed up, he wished to take her away with him and hide her from malicious people.

Just like Noah, Aria too was taking in Noah's appearance. He was dressed in a black tuxedo. There was nothing new about it, it was his usual attire. What made him look different was his hair. He had styled his hair into casual spikes, which gave off a mysterious vibe.

Seeing him looking at her like a hungry wolf, Aria blushed. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes. After you, my love." His words made Aria stumble in her feet.

"Careful." Noah caught her and held her by her waist. He could smell the faint fragrance of her perfume which was very soothing. Aria's face had become as red as a tomato.

"Come." Noah held her hand and led her to his car.

As soon as Aria sat inside, Ronnie greeted her.

"Hello, Madam."

"Hey Ronnie." She greeted him happily.

Noah sat beside her and held her hand. Ronnie started the car. Before that, he did not forget to pull up the partition.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look today?" Noah said as he kissed her hand.

"That means I don't look beautiful on other days," Aria said, as he tried to pull her hand back.

"Yes."

"What? Do you find me ugly?" Aria turned to look at him.

"I did not say that."

"Then?"

"I meant to say, on other days you look pretty and cute. Today you are looking beautiful and gorgeous."

Aria's heart missed a beat. Noah was flirting with her, making her flustered.

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself."

Noah did not reply. He intertwined his hands with hers and kissed her hand again.

"Stop it Noah."

"Nope." He kissed her fingers.

"Please."

"Nope."

"Pretty please," Aria said. She looked at him expectantly and pouted. He stared at her lips which was smeared lightly with lip gloss.

"On one condition."

"What?"

"Give me a kiss."

"What?"

"Either you give me a kiss or I'll kiss you."

"No. Ronnie is in the front."

"He cannot hear us."

"Please."

"Your choice Aria." This Noah kissed her cheek.

"Noah." He kissed her other cheek.

"Okay. Okay. Stop." Aria took a deep breath and gave him a peck on his cheek.

"Now will you leave my hand?"

"Who told I wanted a kiss on the cheek?"

"Then?"

Noah touched his lips with his free hand and smirked. Left with no choice, Aria give him a slight peck and pulled back immediately.

"That was not even a kiss," Noah argued.

"It is."

"Is not. I'll teach you what an actual kiss is." Noah pulled her close and held her neck. His other hand was on her waist. The sudden proximity made Aria's breathing to hitch. Their lips were close, just a few millimeters away. Before he could have his with her, Ronnie spoke on the intercom.

"Boss, we have arrived."

Aria pulled back at once, while Noah cursed under his breathe. She stifled a laugh, seeing him frustrated.

"I'll definitely get back at you." He said. He got down and gave Ronnie a death glare. He shivered. He did not know what he had done wrong. He scratched his head before his bulb lit up. He had interrupted at the wrong time.

'Oh, God. I hope the devil will not be angry.' He thought inwardly.

Noah walked to the other side and held the door open. Aria thanked him and got off the car.

As soon as Noah's car had pulled up, all the people in the banquet hall rushed to receive him. They were being led by the manager of the Public Relations Department.

When they saw a woman alighting from his car, they were surprised. The manager especially was stunned. It looked like she was struck with a thunderbolt. She wanted to make use of this opportunity to get close to Noah. However, now it looked a little difficult for her.

"Welcome Boss." All the employees greeted him.

"Hello Madam." They did not forget to greet Aria.

She gave them a smile. "Hello."

Everybody was baffled once again. They had not expected the woman beside their Boss to be this amicable and down to earth. They had expected her to be arrogant and bossy. Their impression of her became good immediately.

"Let's go in." Noah held Aria by her waist and walked her in. His employees followed behind.

"Who is that lady beside our Boss?" They started whispering amongst themselves.

"She looks beautiful and friendly. She might be his girlfriend."

Hearing the word girlfriend, the female manager clenched her fists. She ought to do something. She walked in with her head held high and saw Noah and Aria talking to some of his employees.

Aria did not understand anything they were talking about. It was all the financial stuff that she found miserable.

"I'll be back." She whispered to Noah and approached the food stall. There were a lot of delicacies. She took a bottle of orange juice and sat at one of the tables. She turned and looked at Noah, to see he was staring at her. She gave him a smile which said she was fine.

Seeing that Aria was alone, the female manager went to her.

"Hello. Is this seat occupied?" She asked and without waiting for her answer, she sat down.

"No," Aria said.

"So, how do you know my Boss?" She asked directly. Her voice gave away that she was here to create trouble for Aria. She realized it and decided to entertain her, anyway she was bored.

"Oh. We are good friends."

"Friends? Listen you poor woman, stay away from Noah. He does not need a poor woman like you by his side. You are a bitch. What he needs is a real woman." She attacked her directly. It was true that Aria's dress was not as expensive as that of the one the woman in front of her was wearing. However, she looked elegant and classy, while the other woman looked like a cheap woman with the heavy make up and the dress which hid nothing.

"Noah? I did not know that the employees in the Carter Empire addressed their Boss using his first name." Aria retorted. By then a small group had formed around them.

Noah saw the commotion and went to Aria immediately. Seeing the crowd, the woman started her acting.

"What are you saying Madam? I did not do anything. Don't blame me unnecessarily." She started crying.

"What happened?" Noah came to Aria and held her waist.

"I don't know. You ask her." Aria shrugged her shoulders. Noah took her hint. The woman in front of them was putting up an act.

"Boss. I just wanted to sit beside Madam. But she called me a slut who seduces my Boss. I couldn't tolerate the insult to you." She whined pitifully.

The onlookers stared at Aria in shock. The woman they had thought to be good was actually a bitch.

Aria folded her hands and tapped her foot.

"Not only that, but she also said that you were her dog who obeyed her every wish and command."

Everybody gasped. Noah looked at Aria. To the others, it looked like he was glaring at her. Only Aria knew that he was looking at her lovingly.

"Are you saying the truth?" Aria asked.

"Why would I lie?" The woman said.

"I will give you one last chance to go back on your words."

"I am not lying." The woman was adamant.

"Then don't regret this."

Aria pulled out her phone and played an audio recording of her and the manager. It was very clear and everybody got to know immediately who was at fault. The female manager was stupefied. She did not know that the woman had secretly recorded their conversation. She trembled and turned to Noah.

"Boss, I am sorry. I wanted to see if she was with you only for your money." The woman said as tears gushed down her face. Her makeup was ruined and she looked hideous.

Aria had had enough of this. She held onto Noah's hand and placed her other hand on his chest.

"Honey, is this the way your company treats a guest?" Noah was pleasantly surprised when she called him honey. He smiled like a fool. However, his employees were in a different state. They were trembling, especially the woman. She looked forth between Noah and Aria.

"Guards throw this woman out," Noah said, while his eyes were still on the woman in his arms. Anybody could guess what the relationship between the two was. His gaze towards Aria was filled with love.

"No. Boss, I am sorry. Give me one last chance."

"Wait a minute." Aria stopped the guards. The woman looked at her hopefully.

"You told me I am a bitch right. Let me tell you something. Where there are rich, there will be a bitch. And in this case, you are that bitch. Now take her away." Aria said.

During the entire time, Noah's gaze had not left from Aria's face. He was still reminiscing the moment when Aria had sweetly called him as honey.