Chapter 264
Noelle thought she’d just have a quick meal with Brandon and then go see Nicolas.
But after accompanying Brandon around all day, the sky was already turning dark. And yet they’d only left Bennett’s lab at 10:30 that morning.
“Brandon, are you done eating yet?” Noelle asked anxiously, watching him slowly sip his soup across the table.
Brandon set his spoon down with graceful ease and smiled at her. “Not yet. You finished?”
Noelle nodded quickly.
Brandon chuckled. “In such a rush to see Nicolas?”
Again, Noelle nodded emphatically—then, realizing how that might sound, she shot Brandon a guilty glance and slowly shook her head.
That only made Brandon laugh aloud. With a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, he rested his chin on his hand and looked at her with amusement. “Noelle, you’re so much fun. I really enjoy being with you.”
“If you like it, I’ll hang out with you more,” Noelle promised earnestly. “Really,” she nodded, widening her eyes in an exaggerated show of sincerity.
Brandon’s smile deepened. “In that case, stay with me a little longer.”
Noelle froze. It was already past 9 PM. She hadn’t contacted Nicolas all day and didn’t even dare text him while she was with Brandon.
“What’s wrong?” Brandon’s voice dropped a little, eyes narrowing. “You seem hesitant. Were you just lying to me earlier?”
“No, I wasn’t, Brandon…” Noelle shrank back a little under his gaze, her voice going small as she tried to explain.
“Good.” Brandon’s expression relaxed, and he smiled again. “Then let’s head to the beach. I heard the night view here is lovely.”
“The beach? In winter?” Noelle muttered under her breath.
Brandon narrowed his eyes.
“I mean—let’s go, let’s go!” she quickly corrected herself.
“Glad to hear you’re excited,” Brandon said with a soft laugh. “You’re making me happy already.”
By the time they reached the shore, the wind was howling. Brandon opened his arms, letting the sea breeze hit him head-on. “Ah, this feels amazing,” he said, eyes closed in satisfaction.
Noelle’s face had gone ghostly pale from the cold. She stared at him silently. ‘Feels amazing? His skin receptors must be broken or something.’
Brandon turned to glance at her. “Why so quiet, Noelle?”
Under the stark streetlight, his flawless face looked almost otherworldly–like a vampire noble wrapped in his dark overcoat, mysterious, elegant, and just a little dangerous.
Noelle had her hands shoved deep in her coat pockets, chin buried in her scarf, and mumbled, “I just… don’t have anything to say right now.”
Brandon’s smile faded slightly. He stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “Is being with me really that boring?”
‘Honestly? A little,’ Noelle thought.
Something about Brandon had changed. Even though he still acted nice, she felt stifled around him now–like she couldn’t fully relax. With Nicolas, she could be her chaotic, goofy self. But with Brandon, she felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells.
Still, there was no way she could actually say that. She blinked up at him and replied half-heartedly. “It’s… not too bad.”
Brandon laughed softly, catching the insincerity in her voice. “So eager to run back to Nicolas, huh?”
Noelle pressed her lips together, not daring to confirm it—but she didn’t deny it either.
Brandon finally let out a long sigh. “Alright, go. I don’t want to be the bad guy here. No need to make it seem like I’m forcing you.”
Noelle’s eyes widened slightly. ‘You’ve been dragging me around all day–how is that not forcing me?’
Clearly, Brandon still didn’t quite get social cues.
“I’ll drop you off. Where is Nicolas now?” he asked casually.
“I’ll check.” Noelle quickly pulled out her phone and called Nicolas.
He picked up almost instantly.
“Baby, done for the day?” he asked, voice gentle and low, like warm sunlight made just for her.
“Yeah! Nicolas, where are you right now?”
“Still at the hotel–just wrapping up a dinner meeting.”
“Want me to come get you?”
“No need. I might be gone by the time you arrive. Just head home first–I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, drive safe.”
“Always.”
Noelle hung up and turned to Brandon. “Can you take me home, then?”
Brandon glanced at his own phone, then smiled. “He’s at the Sightsee Hotel, right? That’s only ten minutes from here. Want to go see him instead?”
“Only…”
“Yep. only ten minutes?” Noelle blinked.
“Then let’s go now!” she said, but paused again, sneaking a glance at Brandon.
She really didn’t want him and Nicolas to run into each other.
Brandon seemed to catch on. “Don’t worry. I’ll drop you off and go–I’ve got things to do anyway!”
“Okay!” Noelle beamed, finally relaxing. ‘As long as Brandon doesn’t meet Nicolas, he’s still good old Brandon.’
Brandon chuckled at her obvious relief, reached out to ruffle her hair, and said fondly, “Alright, let’s go.”
When they reached the hotel parking lot, Noelle jumped out of the car and waved at Brandon. “I’m going to find Nicolas now!”
“Go ahead,” Brandon said with a smile, watching her walk away.
Once she was out of sight, his eyes sharpened. He scanned the area slowly, his emerald gaze gleaming with deadly intent.
‘That little dummy didn’t even realize someone had been following her this whole time. Guess I’ll have to clean up the mess for her…’
Meanwhile, Noelle had made it to the front entrance of the hotel.
Chapter 264
She didn’t call Nicolas to tell him she’d arrived. Instead, she snuck behind one of the stone columns near the door, preparing to surprise him when he came out.
‘He’ll be so shocked! Then he’ll smile that super sweet smile…’
Just picturing it made her giggle as she covered her mouth to hold it in. She opened his location tracking and watched the little dot start moving. He was on the way out!
Noelle tensed with excitement, ready to leap out and throw her arms around him the moment he stepped outside.
The door opened.
A group of people began walking out.
Noelle sprang out from behind the column but froze when she saw Nicolas.
Because beside him… was a young, beautiful woman.