Contract Marriage; Fated Love

“Noah, when are you going to come and see me?”

“See you? Dad, do you want me to travel to visit you?”

“I’m back. I returned two days ago.”

“Oh! Goodness me!! I totally forgot you were spending only two weeks. I will definitely make time to come and see you today.”

“Alright. I will be expecting you.”

Noah thought of taking Gu Yanxi with him. He asked her to come to his office and they went from there.

“Good evening, young master,” the servants greeted in unison.

“Where’s dad?” he asked, ignoring their greetings totally.

The old Butler smiled at him and answered,

“He’s in his room upstairs.”

“Why isn’t he downstairs? Is he okay?”

“Yes, he is.”

Mr Joshua was seldom in his room at that time. This was his reading time and he spent it in the study.

Noah nodded. He asked Gu Yanxi to make herself comfortable and went up the stairs. He took a step forward and stopped. He turned to the old Butler and asked after him.

“And how are you, Mr. John?”

“I am very fine, thank you, young Master. How do you do too?”

“I’m fine.”

The butler’s grin almost reached his ear. For the first time in many years, Noah asked after him and he was very happy. He had spent many years in that house and knew when Noah was a child. Till he left the house after his mother’s death, they exchanged very brief pleasantries everyday but it changed after he returned.

Hence, great was the old butler’s joy when Noah did what he used to do in the past.

The broad grin on the man’s face nearly made him laugh. He tapped softly on the door and entered when he was invited in. His father was sitting on his bed, reading a book.

“You are here.”

“Yes. I said I will come. Why are you reading here and not your study?”

“I just decided to stay here. Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just that I’m used to your reading there at this time of the day. But that’s by the way. How was your trip?”

“It was good, son. Thanks to you, I feel better now.”

“That’s how holidays are meant to be. Refreshing and invigorating.”

Noah hesitated briefly. He moved closer to his father on the bed.

“I found her, dad.”

“You found who?”

“My sister.”

“What sister is that?”

“The child that mum gave birth to before she died.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I told you the child passed away as well. Why? I thought you had accepted the truth after your research? Didn’t you go through the hospital files?”

“I did. There was nothing in it because something was altered. This is beyond every doubt. She’s my sister, I have conducted the tests.”

“That’s your business.”

“Tell me dad, what actually happened? Tell me the truth I need to know.”

“I should tell you what happened where? And what truth do you need to know?”

“I want to know what really transpired between you and my mum and how she gave birth to that child.”

Mr Joshua closed the page he held in between his fingers and placed the book on the table.

“Listen. I have told you all that you should know as an adult and as a child. Your mother lost her life and the baby followed suit. Every other thing you are saying, imagining or insinuating is up to you and you mustn’t bother me with it.

I thought you came to welcome me from my trip?”

“Yes, that’s what I am here for.”

“But you have ended up digging up a topic that we have rounded up with.”

“That’s because I need to know the truth.”

“If you will keep saying that, then you can leave the house.”

“I came with her.”

“Who?”

“My sister.”

“You alone know what you are talking about. I think it’s time for you to leave and let me read my book in peace.”

The old man focused his attention once more on the book. He clearly wasn’t interested in talking to Noah anymore.

“Don’t forget to close the door when you leave.”

“Alright dad.” he answered and left the room, closing the door behind him.

“Where’s he?” Gu Yanxi asked when he came downstairs.

“He’s upstairs. We will see him next time. Let’s go back.”

“Where will you drop off? At Emily’s place or do you want to go anywhere?”

“I am going home of course.”

“You can stay at my place if you want.”

“No, president Noah. I can’t.”

“When did you ever call me president Noah? You always opened your mouth wide and called me by my name.”

“We weren’t friends then.”

“But we are siblings now and you chose to add the President. Interesting, Yanxi. Hey, you need to change that name of yours.”

“Why? I love that name.”

“Because you are now a Harper. Mum wanted her daughter to bear the name Nelly. So, I think you should pick up an English name. Gu Yanxi is Chinese.”

“Nelly, Gu Yanxi. I still love my name.”

Noah looked at her and smiled at her childish behaviour.

Her phone beeped and she exclaimed,

“Ohh! I nearly forgot. Can you drop me off at Bingley’s place? I just remembered I have a date with Jessy.”

The smile on her face contrasted sharply with his mean face.

“What’s your relationship with Jessy?”

“Jessy? He’s my boyfriend.”

“Ohh. I see.”

“What’s the problem? You guys don’t seem to get along.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Drop me off at home then you take her wherever she’s going,” he ordered the driver.

“Yes sir.”

“Yanxi, you will have to find out from Jessy.”

“Why, when you can easily tell me?”

“He will tell you if you ask him.”

They didn’t talk again until Noah got home. The driver opened the door for him and he alighted. He looked straight into Gu Yanxi’s eyes and said,

“As long as I live, and I am your brother, I will never let you have anything to do with Jessy.”