ME AND NATE

The elevator door opened at the basement and we walked to the valet and my limo came right when we stopped at the entrance and we both got in.

"So Noah, can't be the mastermind right? "

'We can't be so sure, we need to be cautious!'

"You sure? Because I don't think Noah will harm me or my family! You did tell me that my father and his father were close?"

'I did. I am not saying he might hurt you physically! Just stay cautious and guard your heart.'

"There you go again, repeating the same thing!"

'Look…I can't see you heart broken! You never tried dating or even tried to have a casual talk with men who liked you. And the reason for that is Noah.

'No…'

"I know Ash, stop trying so hard. You've never forgotten him, you have this soft spot for him.''

I looked away, neither denying nor agreeing to his claim. "Do I?" I asked myself, my eyes staring at the moving buildings.

I thought it was a business union, and I was helping my father. I mean I was young and I did fall for his looks. Could it be that Noah liked me and proposed this union? There's no use ruminating over these things. Why not? He has asked for your hand in marriage again! And Why would he that suddenly after this many years?  Does he need a decade to confirm his love for me?

I was pulled back to reality, when Nate shook me and said, 'We are here!'

I looked outside to find some building with funky colors and designs, ' I thought you booked for a spa!' I groaned.

"Get out now, you will keep coming here after today!" he said, getting out and I joined him.

As we entered the place, the receptionist welcomed us with a warm smile. Nate talked with her and I followed him with an eagerness.

"Go get changed ! " he showed me a changing room, " And wait here, I'll be back!", he disappeared, handing me a key to the locker.

I sneaked in to see women changing into some tracksuits, they were covering themselves with boots and some kind of bomb squad suits. I looked for the locker and opened  in to find similar tracksuits, full sleeve tops and hiking boots. I wore them and went outside locking up the things I brought inside. Nate was waiting and I tailed him. After a few minutes, we were given some protection glass and goggles and gloves to wear.

We both walked together covered with all those protection into a vast ground with a big X and many hideouts.

Nate handed over a gun to me and said, "Let's have fun and it's a paintball gun!" he winked.

'Damn….A paintball game! I should've guessed it. But I don't know Nate, I can't do this!'

"Let yourself loose, It's okay, You are protected, just follow my lead, come on, " he stepped out and I tagged along, when people started coming.

We were divided into two groups and were guided about the game, before starting.

I stayed behind Nate all the time and helped him. Suddenly two guys from opposite group found us and we've kept shooting and we both escaped from their shots. I gained confidence defeating those two and we kept playing and I was shot by my opponent and I left the field. I felt the adrenaline and I felt free and relaxed. Later Nate came back and he said the other group won the game.

We rested for a while and moved to the locker rooms to change into our clothes.