Is this destiny?

The five seniors from the Long family exchanged unwilling glances, but none of them dared to talk back to Noah. Eventually, they retreated reluctantly.

When they were out of the earshot, Chloe exhaled.

"Thanks."

Noah looked at her dejected expression. "Will you be OK?"

Noah is not the one to meddle, but he obviously heard Chloe talking highly of Sarah. There was some respect in Chloe's voice, and Noah appreciated that.

"I don't know.", Chloe admitted. It took her a few seconds to school her features, and she composed herself, at least on the outside.

Noah was holding onto an unopened bottle of water. He got it for himself, but it seemed that Chloe needs it more.

"Here…"

She took the bottle he offered without a word and Noah watched her as she took a few sips.

Chloe looked calm, but the readings on Eve-lens told Noah that she was in distress. He admired Chloe's ability to maintain her façade, and it told him that this was not the first time she faced such a situation.

"You are not a child. Why are you letting them bully you?", Noah asked.

Chloe shook her head. "It's not so bad. Most of the time I am successful in avoiding them. Now they cornered me because they fear that Steve will punish everyone and they were hoping to use me as a scapegoat. I don't want to let them bully me, but I don't have a choice. Until I find a job, I'm depending on my family."

"A job? What kind of a job?"

Chloe didn't want to answer. It's none of his business. However, he just rescued her, and buzzing him off would be impolite. "Finances."

"What's stopping you? There are plenty of banks and companies who are hiring accountants."

"I am a Long. Whoever finds out about my background, wants to use me to establish a connection with those old geezers. And before you mention that I should work at the Long Industries, that is out of the question." Chloe waved in the direction the seniors from the Long family left. "You saw them. Imagine how much grief they will cause me if I'm actually working for them."

Noah nodded in understanding for a second before he thought of something… "What if there is a place where you can work in finances, it's not related to Longs, and no one will try to use you?"

Chloe looked at him suspiciously. He was handsome, and his black uniform was not able to conceal his toned physique, so in terms of looks, Noah was not lacking. However, his personality was an unknown variable. "Really? Are you trying to pick me up?"

Noah stifled a laugh. "If I'm trying to charm you, there would be flowers and chocolates and you would not have doubts about my intentions. Do you want to hear about this job or not?"

Chloe was not sure what to think about this. What kind of a job can a security guy offer? But there was no harm to hear him out. "OK. I will believe that you need a financial advisor or an accountant and that you are not trying to score a date. Tell me about that job. But before you start promising impossible, I want to know, what will guarantee that this is not a trick to use me to get to the Long family or in my panties?"

Noah was irked that Chloe is insinuating that he wants to sleep with her. Chloe is good looking, but not that good looking. Actually, all women pale when compared to his Mistress. Noah touched his ear stud. "Is this a good time for a quick chat? I'm in the West part of the garden, by the fountain…"

He looked smugly at Chloe and then his eyes drifted to the right and he smiled a little. "The owner of this business will not try to use you because of your family. She already has all the connections she wants."

Chloe looked to the side and saw Sarah approaching them.

Noah quickly told Sarah that Chloe is looking for a job. "We spoke last week about how we should strengthen the financial department, and she might be a match to what we are looking for."

Sarah knew that Noah was talking about their finances that are related to the Chaos night club and all the properties that are in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. Even though books show that those are related to the various businesses, they actually belong to the Army of Chaos. They have many civilians working for them in non-combat roles, so hiring someone like Chloe would not be an exception, and the fact that she is a Long does not change anything. 

However, there was something else off with the current situation.

Sarah glanced at Chloe and then looked back at Noah. "You have the authorization to handle our employees without my input. Why did you call me here?"

Noah shifted a bit. "She didn't believe me that there is a company where she can work in finances, it's not related to Longs, and no one will try to use her to forge a connection with Longs." He didn't want to say that Chloe also said how he wants to score a date.

Sarah was not sure how to react to this. "You called me here to prove a point?"

"When you say it that way, it sounds wrong."

Sarah pinched the roof of her nose. "What will I do with you? Instead of offering her a job in finances… How about you give her your job?"

Noah paled. "Give her my job?"

"Yes. Miss Long looks smart enough to know NOT to call her boss only to impress a girl!"

"I didn't try to impress her.", Noah denied it right away, making Sarah laugh.

Sarah never saw Noah that flustered, and it made her wonder if Noah likes Chloe. Well, if there is a possibility that Noah found a romantic interest (other than Sarah), Sarah would definitely try to help him out. And Aiden will be delighted to hear about this! Sarah told herself to play it cool. She is still Noah's boss, but she will not give him a hard time.

"Sure, sure… Fine. Whatever you say.", Sarah said to Noah before turning to Chloe. "Since I'm here, I will confirm that the job I can offer you is just that, a job. Your Long last name will not bring you any trouble, but not any preferential treatment either. Did you graduate?"

Chloe shook her head. "One month away."

"That is not a problem. Your start date is negotiable. You will need to pass the interview and if you qualify, you will enter the company as a junior accountant and work your way up based on your performance." Sarah glanced at Noah. "Send her the usual packet where benefits are described and set up an interview with people who are proficient in finances. I will leave the rest to you."

"Thank you.", Chloe said happily. She was still recuperating from this sudden job possibility, but she got the hint that Sarah is planning to re-join the party.

"Hmm…", Sarah hummed and gestured toward Noah. "Thank him."

Sarah walked away and wondered if something is wrong with this party. First, Jarred calls her and mentions some shady meeting, and now Noah called her to confirm if he can offer Chloe a job. Both of those were unnecessary and she hoped that she didn't miss much from the spar matches.

Chloe looked at Sarah's retreating back and smiled. Eventually, she looked at Noah who was also staring in the direction Sarah disappeared. 

"You admire her.", Chloe said. She didn't miss the sparkles in Noah's eyes.

"She is a woman worthy of admiration.", Noah said matter-of-factly. "If you are lucky enough to get a job, you will see for yourself. She takes care of her people."

Chloe realized that Noah is much more than just a security guard. Based on the conversation between him and Sarah, the two of them are close and he can manage people who work for Sarah.

"Thank you, uhm… what's your name?"

"Noah."

"Thank you, Noah. I'm Chloe.", she said and offered him her hand for an official introduction with a handshake.

"I know.", Noah said as he shook her hand. He noticed Chloe's strange expression and his blunder. Was he supposed to say that he knows her name, address, date of birth, and much more because of the Eve-lens? He thought of something that might work… "I am the head of security that works under Sarah, so I am familiar with names of the guests."

Chloe whistled. "All the guests? Impressive."

"It's nothing. I should go back to work, and you can go back to the party. I believe that those old guys will not give you any trouble here. If they do, I will be watching."

"Oh, thank you.", Chloe mumbled. She guessed that for the rest of the party they will behave, but when she gets home, she will need to hide in her room. Chloe saw him walk away and she remembered… "Hey, Noah! About the interview…"

Noah understood right away. "I know your name, Miss Long. Finding your phone number will not be a problem. Someone will get in touch with you about the job in the next few days."

"Chloe."

Noah didn't get it. "What?"

"You called me Miss Long. Call me Chloe, Noah.", Chloe clarified.

"Alright, Chloe.", Noah said with a small nod and walked away.

Noah was worried if Sarah will scold him later because he called her. Chloe didn't believe him, and she even accused him of indecent intentions, and he wanted to make a point but… he ended up disturbing his Mistress. Ah, what if she scolds him later? It's not that he fears physical punishment (actually, he welcomes it), but lately, Sarah realized that the most effective punishment she can deliver to Noah is for Sarah to distance herself from him. Last time, he didn't see her for the whole three months! Now that was torture!

Noah was lost in his thoughts and he didn't notice that Chloe didn't move. Her eyes sparkled as her sight lingered on him.

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