Anaya sat back and heard what Noah revealed to her, and she tried to listen to every word that spilt out of his lips. There was so much that had happened, and she couldn't believe the Sullivans had put Noah through it. Going as far as to killing him was the height of things not going back ever the same.
She didn't understand what Noah might have gone through, and she wanted to comfort him. But at the same time, she didn't know if that was what he wanted. She said,
"Forgive me, but I am sorry that your family were the worst people I have ever known. The more I hear, the angrier I turn... how did you bear it all these years?" She asked with a frown on her forehead. She knew Noah was resilient, but to stand firm like a pillar as if everything was alright was the hardest thing to do.
Noah smiled at her words and said, "You get used to it. Especially, when they are the people you grow up around. You don't have to feel sorry for me, what happened is in the past and I have put it behind me."
"I am glad to hear that," Anaya replied, her heart tugging at his words and presence.
For the first few days after returning from Woodlock this year, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers had tried hard to find a good match for their daughter, hoping she would forget about Noah. But hearing the news about his death made things worse as Anaya didn't talk much until the last few days.
Anaya, who now knew about Eve's truth finally understood the nature of their friendship. She stared at Noah, while thinking to herself on how they were locked to each other. Noah locked to Eve, and she locked to Noah. She asked him,
"Do you have a suit to wear for tomorrow?"
Noah smiled, "I don't. I should probably go buy one."
"Let me accompany you," Anaya said to him, and Noah stared back at her as if he had never seen her before. "You know... you have been staring at me for quite some time now, Duke Noah."
"Pardon me, it has been so long since I last saw you," Noah apologised and said, "I wouldn't want to impose on you... as you might have to prepare for tomorrow."
"It would still be a great pleasure to accompany you, Duke Noah. And I have everything prepared for tomorrow, except for one thing. But we shall see, won't we?"
Noah placed the teacup on the table and stood up. As they exited the room, he asked her, "Won't Mr. Grimes mind?"
"Do you want him to mind?" Anaya asked Noah, as she wasn't in on her mother's mischief and was confused with what Noah meant.
Noah pursed his lips as if trying to speak the right words, and he said, "What if I asked you something, Lady Anaya? Even if it is at the end minute."
Anaya turned to look at him, wondering what he meant, and she asked, "Ask away and I shall see."
He then said, "What if I told you not to attend the wedding and to skip it... would you?"
"I think that would be rude to Mr. Grimes, because I promised him..." Anaya's voice trailed. As touchy as Mr. Grimes was, it was only because he was overly friendly. He had met the woman of his dreams and was marrying her, and Anaya had nudged them to be together.
Noah raised his hand, running his fingers through his hair with slight frustration. He had come here with resolve but it seemed like Anaya wanted to go ahead with the wedding with this man.
When the coachman opened the carriage door for them, Noah offered his hand for her to step inside it. Anaya felt her heart beat loudly, and she placed her hand in Noah's hand, knowing it could ruin her emotions once again but she was willing to do it.
They travelled to the shops which could have ready-made suits that Noah could wear for tomorrow. But during the time Anaya and he shopped, Noah realised how he had missed his opportunity as he wasn't in the same mind frame as her. He said to her,
"I don't think I can do this."
Anaya, who was looking at a grey suit, went, "Huh? We can take a look at other stores. There are several others--"
"It isn't about the suits," Noah interrupted her, and he softly sighed. He then said, "It is hard for me to come see you get married, Lady Anaya. I know I am late and you have moved on, and that I lost my chance, but... it doesn't make it easy. I cannot watch you get married to someone, when I came to visit you with the intention to ask your hand in marriage. With me."
"..." Anaya's lips fell open, feeling air knocked out of her lungs as her eyes widened.
Noah continued to confess, "You are an amazing woman, Lady Anaya and I don't mean it by words. Because if it was someone else in your place, they would have judged me and I know a face when those feelings of judgement pass. You accepted me the way I am, without a second thought and I believed if there was someone who could bear the burdens with me, it would be you. But I am late and I don't want to confuse your feelings. Because it wouldn't be fair when you are going to marry Mr. Grimes. I hope you will excuse me," he offered a small bow, and turned around before walking towards the door.
Anaya was left speechless because Noah had spoken everything she had wanted to hear from him. Realising he had left the shop, she quickly dashed towards the exit.
"Miss!" The shopkeeper, who came out with two suits, noticed her heading out and stopped, "Do you not like the suits?"
Anaya turned back to look at the man with a wide smile, "I will be back in ten minutes!" And she ran out of the door.
She couldn't stop smiling and looked for Noah before chasing him. She called him, "Duke Noah, wait! Duke Noah!"
Noah stopped walking and turned around to see her running towards him. Anaya huffed before she stopped in front of him. She asked, "Where do you think... you are going?" She took a moment before standing straight.
Anaya said, "You see, I am not the bride. I am the bridesmaid and don't have a partner to walk with tomorrow. So... would you like to accompany me... Noah?"
Noah felt a heavy weight lifted from his chest as her words dawned. He asked, "Are you sure?"
"I love you, Noah. I always have and never was able to move on," tears formed in Anaya's eyes. She asked him, "What about you...?"
Noah raised his hand and tenderly placed his hand on one side of Anaya's cheek. She closed her eyes to relish the feeling, and her heart shuddered. She then opened her eyes, waiting for his answer, and he said truthfully,
"I think I am on the path of falling in love with you."
A wide smile spread on Anaya's lips, and Noah smiled on seeing her. She said, "I very much like that. I like that path."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: You can now switch all your votes from AOTN to the new book 'Garden Of Poison' as this book will be coming to an end soon
