Understanding

The moment Lucas realized the person standing behind him was Noah, he hastily grabbed Noah's shirt with his left hand tightly. His eyes widened in shock, and he found himself caught between disbelief and a sudden rush of emotions.

Noah, on the other hand, responded with a calm glance, his eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise seeing him struggle for air made Noah wonder if he should give him CPR. But thinking back, no one needs CPR while they're still conscious. He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the absurdity of his own thought.

While Noah was busy contemplating the situation, things in the meeting room suddenly seemed to take control of themselves. Mary, their mutual colleague, took charge and directed everyone to leave the room. Her attention shifted to Noah. He looked at her with confusion, only to be met with a mischievous smile. Mary's expression transformed her into a character straight out of a fairytale – a cunning witch who had just discovered a love potion, grinning slyly as she ushered everyone.

Noah smile back to Mary then turning his attention back to Lucas, Noah spoke with a reassuring tone, "You, good? Everyone has left. Now it's just the two of us." Despite his words, Lucas grip on Noah's shirt hadn't lessened. "Did you hear me?" Noah's hand found its way to Lucas's head, his fingers gently caressing the disheveled hair. "You will be fine."

However, seconds turned into moments, and there was still no response from Lucas. He remained immobile, as if caught in a trance. Noah's concern deepened, and he attempted to push Lucas away gently. To his surprise, Lucas suddenly released his grip on Noah and replaced it with an unexpected hug, wrapping his arms around Noah's waist. Noah's arms instinctively raised in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden display of emotion.

"A minute," Lucas muttered, his voice muffled by Noah's shirt.

Noah sighed, the tension of the moment giving way to the lightness of their banter. The two of them remained in the meeting room, a comfortable silence settling in. However, it wasn't long before Lucas broke the silence once more.

In a moment of vulnerability, while still holding onto Noah, Lucas posed a poignant question, "Have you ever seen someone you care about get hurt?"

Noah's brow furrowed as he considered the question. He inwardly mulled over the people in his life, assessing the risks they might face. His family? His father who was the leader of an underground organization? Or his mother a daughter of the Japanese yakuza? Not to mention his younger siblings who were skilled at using weapons when they were only four years old. Their enemies barely survived. Oh wait, or the children? But he had taught them how to protect themselves. He glanced down at Lucas, who was still nestled against him.

"Is there a need to think that hard?" Lucas's voice interrupted Noah's thoughts. "I'm just asking. You don't have to answer either. Not everyone experiences that." Lucas finally turned his face up to look at Noah.

A wry smile tugged at Noah's lips. "No. We are perfectly normal." Trying to changing the topic, "Are you all right now?" Noah asked Lucas, concern lacing his voice.

Lucas nodded while still looking up at Noah.

"Then do you mind releasing me?" Noah inquired, his tone gentle and cautious.

Lucas's eyes widened in realization, and he quickly let go of Noah, turning his head away in embarrassment. His apology was swift, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "I'm sorry."

Noah's gaze shifted to his crumpled shirt, the sky-blue fabric now wrinkled from Lucas's firm grip. He tugged at the fabric, attempting to smooth out the creases. Lucas, realizing his impact on Noah's appearance, turned his head to face him again, a mixture of concern and apology in his eyes.

"Don't worry," Noah reassured him, offering a warm smile as he continued to tug at his shirt, attempting to restore it to its former state.

"Come to my office" said Lucas.

The two of them walked side by side towards Lucas' office in silence. At that moment, Noah remembered his conversation with Sebastian last night.

In fact, when they were traveling together on their way back yesterday, suddenly the driver was contacted by phone ordering him to take all of them to the Trevillion company headquarters building.

They were all brought there on the orders of the person on the phone. Once there, they were taken to the top floor to meet the president except for Lucas. He remained in the car because he was still unconscious. Well not only him, Emma and Andrew as well, both of them sleeping like a log. But Noah couldn't help but feel guilty for Lucas, maybe he had been too harsh on him. 

But for now he should worry more about himself than Lucas, since he is summoned here probably means that his identity has been exposed. Noah looks at Michael who insists on coming because he doesn't want to be left alone with those sleepyheads. 

Upon Arriving in front of the president's office, a man in a suit welcomed them with a friendly smile. "The president has been waiting.". He opened the door and escorted them to the office.

Noah clunkily lifted the edge of his lip and went in while reaching to Michael's hand. Michael looks at Noah disapprovingly and whispers to him, "What are you doing Noah?" In which Noah quickly whispers back, "I'm quite nervous right now Michael, please let me just hold your hand until we sit down." Michael looked at him and sighed. "I will protect you if they are bad guys."

"Well, thank you. That's very comforting." Noah suddenly felt really proud of how far Michael has grown during his time with him. With that Noah can imagine Michael growing up as a very charming and brilliant man in the future. 

"President, they are here." said the man in suit.

Noah suddenly went back to his senses upon hearing it. He looks at the sofa area and finds a man sitting there puffing a cigarette while staring at the glass window.

"Please sit down." said the man in suit again toward Noah and Michael.

Both of them walk closely to the couch while looking at the president. Realizing that he was being stared at, Sebastian shifted his attention to the guests who were about to sit down. The three of them met their eyes and Sebastian suddenly widened his eyes in shock. He almost drop his cigar but managed to get a hold of it. "Wait." he blurted out without realizing it. Noah and Michael simultaneously pause while looking at Sebastian confusedly. Sebastian stuck his cigarette in the ashtray and put it out.

"Is there any problem, President?" ask the man in suit.

Sebastian then lifts his hand and points his index finger toward Michael. He frantically asks. "Who is he?" But before he got his answer, he continued again, "Don't tell he is.." while looking at Noah.