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The next morning, Yunah stirred awake to the smell of breakfast drifting from the kitchen. Stretching lazily, she rubbed her neck with one hand and blinked the remnants of sleep from her eyes. For the first time in ages, she had slept peacefully, dreamless and undisturbed. She couldn't even remember when her nightmare had ended, or how she had managed to fall back asleep after it.
Shuffling forward in a daze, she stepped into the kitchen, only to freeze.
Her eyes widened.
There stood Noah, wrapped in apron, cutting vegetables with the confidence of someone born with a knife in hand.
Her sleepiness evaporated instantly after seeing him, making breakfast.
"Whoa!" she exclaimed, her lips parting in surprise. "You actually know how to use a knife, kid..."
The word slipped out casually, but the effect on Noah was instant. His hand stilled mid-chop, and he turned, eyes narrowing.
"Don't call me a kid," he said flatly. "Do I look like a child to you? Taller than you. Stronger than you. If anyone looks like a kid here.....it's you."
Yunah blinked, momentarily stunned by his intensity. Then she chuckled, brushing it off with a grin.
"Oh, what's this? Did the kid got offended?" she teased, deliberately poking at him. "Height doesn't make you older, Noah. You're still a kid to me, no matter how much you flex."
"I'm not trying to be older," Noah shot back, his voice firm, unwavering. His dark gaze locked on hers, sharp and unblinking. "I just don't like it when you call me that."
Yunah's breath caught. That stare was too intense, too raw that made her chest tighten. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.
"Fine, fine," she muttered, flustered. "I won't call you kid anymore. Just… stop staring at me like that."
A small, satisfied smile tugged at Noah's lips as he turned back to the cutting board. He dropped the vegetables into the simmering pot, acting as if nothing had happened.
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At the dining table, the three of them: Noah, Yunah, and Yogesh, ate in silence until Noah finally broke it.
"Di," he said in a low, velvety tone.
Yunah glanced up, raising her eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I noticed your apartment doesn't have an extra room," Noah began, speaking with hesitation. "So… where will Yogesh sleep?"
"Oh, that." Yunah set her spoon down. "I'm planning to move to a bigger apartment. Might take about a week to find something affordable. Until then, he'll just use the couch."
Noah hummed softly, as though mulling it over. Then, after a pause, he spoke again, his voice deliberately uncertain.
"I… I've been looking for a place too. My current apartment is far from school. I thought…" He trailed off, lowering his gaze like a guilty child. "What if I stayed with you both? I could split bills. And… I'd be here for Yogesh, to protect him. You don't know David like I do. He could target him again."
Yunah blinked, touched by the suggestion. But before she could respond, Yogesh's inner alarm bells were already ringing. He studied Noah closely. "This psycho… why's he acting like some shy puppy in front of my sister?"
Yunah leaned forward. "If that's what you really want… I mean, it could help. But are you sure? I don't think you're used to small apartments, Noah."
Noah lifted his head, eyes shining with carefully crafted sincerity. "It'll be fine. So… is that a yes?"
Before Yunah could answer, Yogesh jumped in. "Di, you don't have to let him move in just because of me. I can protect myself."
Yunah snorted. "Yes, yes. We've already seen how well that worked out." She turned back to Noah. "Fine. You can stay. But you'll also teach my useless brother how to fight. You can't always be his shield."
Noah's lips curved into a beam of triumph disguised as a gentle smile. "Don't worry. I'll make a man out of him." Then he slid his phone across the table. "Can I have your number? It'll be easier to coordinate when we look for apartments."
Yunah took his phone, entered her number, and handed it back. "Here. We'll check places on Sunday."
"Hm," Noah hummed, pocketing the phone, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
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At TRENDS Company…
Yunah was typing away at her computer when a pair of hands suddenly grabbed her shoulders. She flinched and spun around.
"Serena!" she exhaled, half startled, half relieved.
Her best friend grinned, holding up two cups of iced coffee like a victory flag."Here...for my beautiful, overworked friend."
Yunah accepted it, taking a quick sip. "Thanks. I really needed this," she admitted, her voice carrying a trace of exhaustion then she got back to work again.
Serena leaned closer, her eyes were sparkling with gossip. "So, guess what? I just heard the Director of T.R. Company invited our Director to dinner tonight. Can you imagine? He must be on cloud nine. He's been chasing their investment for months."
"T.R.?" Yunah frowned. "But why now? We've been trying to get their attention for a whole year. Why the sudden interest?"
Serena shrugged, swirling her coffee. "Who knows? Business politics, maybe."
Before Yunah could respond, a voice boomed from the intercom. "Miss Yunah, report to the Director's office immediately."
"Oh, great…here comes the devil's call" Yunah muttered under her breath. Serena quickly raised a thumb in encouragement.
Standing outside the Director's door, Yunah hesitated for a moment before knocking.
"Come in," a cold, firm voice answered.
Yunah stepped inside, bowing slightly. "Director, you called for me?"
"Yes, Yunah." Director Arav leaned back in his chair, his expression unusually… polite. "I wanted to inform you that you'll be accompanying me tonight for dinner with the Director of T.R. Company. You're sharp and efficient. I'll need your support." His smile was gentle, almost pleasant.
Yunah froze. Gentle? Polite? This man was notorious for barking orders and belittling employees, and now he was smiling at her? It made her skin crawl.
"But… Director, wouldn't Elina be more suitable? She's always handled these matters better than me," Yunah said carefully, trying to deflect.
Arav's lips curled into a thin, unsettling smile. "Yunah, don't undervalue yourself. You're far better than Elina. Unless…" His eyes hardened, voice dropping into something sharper. "Are you planning to refuse your boss?"
"I… dare not, Director," Yunah replied quickly, bowing lower.
"Good. Then meet me at the company entrance at six sharp. Don't be late." His smile this time was anything but kind. It was more like a warning than approval.
Yunah walked out stiffly with her heavy heart . As soon as she sat down, Serena leaned in. "So? What happened? Why do you look like you just lost a fight?"
"He wants me to go with him tonight… to the dinner." Yunah let out a frustrated sigh.
Serena nearly choked on her coffee. "WHAT? You? Not Elina? But she's his favorite!" She glanced around nervously at the other employees and lowered her voice. "This doesn't make sense."
"I don't know either," Yunah whispered, her tone uneasy. "But I'll find out tonight… whatever he's really up to. I hope it's not like what I think..."
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That Evening -At Serenity Villa.
Noah entered, his aura heavy and suffocating. Darkness clung to him like a second skin, his cold eyes deeper than an abyss, so different from the warmth Yunah once saw in his eyes. He wore a sleek black suit, a long coat draped across his shoulders. Black leather gloves still clung to his hands, as though he refused to let the world stain him.
The room fell silent as he moved. Only the sound of his footsteps could be heard echoing in that huge living room. His men rushed forward, taking the coat from his shoulders. Noah removed the gloves slowly, deliberately, revealing faint smears of dried blood across the leather. He raked his fingers through his dark hair, exposing his sharp forehead, before sinking into the couch with calculated ease like a king who owned every breath in the room.
His voice cut through the silence, cold and razor-sharp. "What did you find out?"
One of the men stepped forward, his posture trembling despite his attempt at composure.
"Young Master… T.R. has made their move. The director of T.R. has invited the director of TRENDS Company to dinner tonight. And…" He faltered, swallowing hard before forcing the words out. "…they specifically requested Miss Yunah's presence."
For a moment, silence.
Then Noah laughed. Not a sound of amusement, but a low, dangerous chuckle that sent a chill crawling down every spine in the room.
"They dare…" he murmured, his voice venomous, "…even after I warned them."
The man dropped to one knee instantly, his voice desperate."Young Master, should I… take care of it?"
Noah's gaze flicked to him, sharp, merciless. Then a slow smirk curved his lips.
"No." His tone was final, absolute. "I'll handle it myself."
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An hour later.
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Outside TRENDS Company.
As scheduled, the sleek black car waited for Yunah. She approached quietly, her heels tapping against the pavement, and slid into the front seat beside the driver.
"As expected from you, Yunah. You are on time. Don't let me down tonight" Director Arav's voice carried a soft laugh as he leaned back, then signaled the driver. "Let's go."
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At Hotel Paradise.
Twenty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of HOTEL PARADISE. The glowing sign loomed above them, but to Yunah it felt less like a hotel and more like a trap. Her chest tightened with every step she took beside Director Arav. She knew danger waited beyond those doors but fear of losing her job chained her feet forward.
The director stopped at the massive double doors of the VIP lounge. With a practiced smile, he pushed them open.
Inside, Director Yuvraj of T.R. was sprawled across a couch, half-drunk, surrounded by escort girls who clung to him like shadows. His bleary eyes locked on Yunah, and his lips curled into a creepy grin.
"Ohhh! Director Arav," Yuvraj drawled, lifting his glass. "You've arrived. And you brought Miss… Beautiful."
Yunah's stomach twisted. She instinctively stepped back, but Arav's firm grip on her arm and dragged her inside. The doors shut behind them with a heavy thud.
Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to speak. "Director… I think I should leave. This doesn't look like a dinner to me." Her pleading eyes searched Arav's face for mercy.
"Aiyoo!!! Did I scared you, little girl?" Yuvraj lurched towards her, a wine bottle still in his hand. His arm snaked around her shoulders, reeking of alcohol and lust.
Yunah shoved him away, her voice steady despite her pounding heart. "Sir, please behave yourself. I'm not an escort. If you touch me again, I'll report you for sexual harassment."
Arav's face hardened. He seized her wrist with surprising force, his voice sharp and furious. "Yunah! Do you even know what you're saying? Apologize to Director Yuvraj. Now."
But Yuvraj only stumbled forward, laughing, waving Arav off. "No, no… don't shout at the pretty girl. She's feisty. I like that." He reached out, his hand brushing against Yunah's cheek, slow and deliberate.
Her skin crawled. She slapped his hand away.
Yuvraj's grin widened into something uglier. "If she pleases me tonight, perhaps I'll consider investing in your company, Arav. What do you say?"
Yunah's patience snapped. Her voice was sharp, cold. "I've tolerated enough of your filth."
Before Yuvraj could react, her knee shot upward, slamming between his legs.
"AHHHHHHH!" Yuvraj crumpled to the floor, clutching himself, his scream echoing through the lounge. "You bitch!"
Yunah's chest heaved, adrenaline flooding her veins. But before she could take another step back, Arav spun her toward him. His hand cracked across her face.
The slap was brutal. Pain exploded across her cheek, blood beading at the corner of her lips.
"How dare you!" Arav snarled, his voice dripping with rage. "How dare you lay a hand on Director Yuvraj!"
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At Hotel Surveillance Room.
Noah lounged in the chair, one leg propped lazily across the desk, his boot pressing down on the keyboard. His eyes, however, were locked on the surveillance screens. Every flicker of movement inside the VIP room sharpened the fury simmering inside him.
He clenched his jaw as Yuvraj's drunken hands crept toward Yunah. His fingers tightened into fists when he saw her push back with courage. But when Arav's hand struck Yunah across the face, when he saw the blood glisten on her lips, Noah snapped.
The chair screeched backward as he rose, his body trembling with barely contained rage. His fist smashed through the monitor in a single strike. Glass shattered, sparks crackled, blood spilling freely down his knuckles.
His voice was a low growl, venom dripping from every word. "How… dare he." He was literally trembling in anger.
For a moment, the room pulsed with silence, save for the drip of blood hitting the floor. Noah's eyes burned with storm of violence, a predator unleashed.
He pushed the door open with a violent shove, stepping into the hallway, his injured hand trailing crimson. Every step toward the VIP lounge echoed with lethal intent. His men, who were guarding outside the Surveillance room, followed him silently without saying a word. As they knew, if they ask, they might end up losing their life.
Noah stormed forward, each stride faster, heavier, the weight of death following him as he closed in on the room.
When he reached, he kicked the door open.