Something is changing

Adriana flipped the pancake and landed it on Aria's plate.

"Ooo, thanks, mom." She poured chocolate syrup over it and Adriana put sliced strawberries on top of it.

She missed doing this for both Aria and James. She couldn't wait to get to Paris. She put down her pancakes unfortunately she slipped out of nowhere and the flour fell all over her body.

Aria gasped and she ran to check up on her. "I'm fine, stay there so you don't mess up your clothes." Adriana stopped her.

Aria giggled and went back to her seat.

Adriana groaned when she saw the pancakes burning. She turned off the stove quickly and decided she would go to a coffee shop since there was no more flour to make more pancakes.

She started cleaning up while Aria ate. Her daughter wanted to help but she was looking really pretty today and she didn't want her to mess up her look.

She went to take a shower and she picked out a pair of purple leather pants, some small heel boots, black in color, and a pretty long sleeve white blouse that left her collarbone exposed. She chose to brush her wet hair and dry it with the hairdryer. She left it down and grabbed her purse.

She also prepared a small white backpack with some snacks, baby wipes, extra clothes, and a first aid kit just in case. Aria put the small backpack on and smiled excitedly.

"Let's go!" She cheered.

Adriana smiled and opened the door, she held her hand and they walked into the elevator to leave.

Noah watched their smiling faces leave and he clenched his fists. He closed his hotel room door and waited a few minutes for them to leave first.

He walked towards the elevator and waited for it to open again. He then walked inside and choose his floor. When he exited the elevator the pair of mother and daughter were entering a car.

He waited until they drove away and then walked inside his own car.

He arrived at the office and started working even though it was his day off. He was not in the mood. Last night was full of dreams from the past and he was not at all content.

"Why are you here?" Briana asked, she came right inside his office without knocking.

He didn't have any energy in him to correct her actions. Sometimes she forgets that he's still her boss and she should knock on his office door before entering. He dismissed her action and greeted her. He then turned to his work again.

"I have work to do." He replied shortly.

"I see...it's bad for you to be in an office all the time. How about we go enjoy the day?" She offered with a bright smile.

He would have accepted but then again...he really wasn't in the mood.

"Maybe another time."

Briana frowned and she took a seat in front of his desk.

Before she could speak he interrupted. "Go call Angel over to report to me about what I asked him before."

"Noah…"

"Yes?"

"Did something happen? Recently you are so cold to me? You know I care about you so don't push me away okay?" She gave him a sad smile and placed her shoulders on his desk, making a cute appearance. She looked like she was sulking.

He raised an eyebrow at that. Hmm, the cute innocent picture didn't suit her well. He didn't like that about her. She always seemed to be showing him half of her face and hiding the other half. It made him uncomfortable at times like this but he would always dismiss it.

"Nothing happened. I'm just busy."

"Seriously? It's because of her, isn't it? Your health isn't great these days and yet you still find the energy to think about that woman!"

"What does she have to do with anything?" He questioned finally putting down his work and looking at her.

"You see! That's exactly what I mean! As soon as I mentioned her you paid attention to me." She complained.

"Briana calm down. What's got you so irritated, that you are even meddling into my affairs so boldly?"

"I'm your friend!"

"Not even my mother acts like this!" Noah's patience reached its peak and he raised his voice.

She gave him a dumbfounded look and he could swear he saw liquid in her eyes.

He sighed and massaged his temple. "I'm sorry. I'm not in it today so please leave. Call Angel in here." He dismissed her.

Briana gritted her teeth. "Fine! Whatever you want Noah." She angrily slammed the door close.

Angel passed by her and their shoulders bumbed.

Briana stopped and smiled. She took a step back and looked at Angel.

'Ah, those scheming eyes again.' He thought and waited to see what she was going to say to him.

"Angel...you know how she acted in the past. I bet she taunted him again. His mood isn't the best right now. Since you are closer to him I'm sure you can talk some sense into him."

"Why should I?"

Briana's smile froze.

"What do you mean? You of all people know what she did to him? You even told him the truth and helped him to escape her clutches. You have to help me prevent it from happening again!"

Angel smirked. "I think if they get back together everything will be solved. That way me and you won't have to be there right? We can have fewer worries if they talk it out themselves."

"Angel that makes no sense." Briana chuckled giving him a questioning expression.

"No, it does. I don't feel like helping out anymore. It's none of my business."

Briana felt her heart stop.

What?

She felt something being snatched from her hand. It felt horrible. It made her angry. She hated losing things she worked hard for. And deceiving Angel was pretty hard. It took so much of her energy….

"Angel…" She placed her hand on his cheek and had him look into her eyes. "Seriously? Don't joke around. You trust me right?" She whispered in his ear.

"Yes, I trust you. But...I really don't feel like it this time." He removed her hands and took his distance with a smile. He then walked inside Noah's office and knocked on the door.

'I'm just doing my part. This is only the start...' He thought holding back a laugh.

Briana clenched her fist and walked away, calming down her emotions.

She took a deep breath and answered an incoming call from Noah's mother. She tried to stay calm but there was something that kept bothering her.

The change of attitude people have towards her. Something was changing but she was having a hard time laying her finger on it. If she could she would solve it immediately.

****

"So, I looked into it and what she claimed is completely true. Indeed Aria is her adopted daughter who she saved from Mrs.Garcia." Angel reported.

"Are sure you aren't deceiving me again?" Noah asked.

"Noah… I don't have any right to say anything. I found out she was alive and I promised I wouldn't say anything."

"So it must have been entertaining watching me live like this thinking she was dead." Noah talked nonchalantly but his anger was unmeasurable.

He couldn't get over it. It annoyed him so much.