At the hospital.

Aria had finished her work and now it was time for her to go home. Just thinking about her home, her cozy bed which was calling out to her, her sleep which she could finally have after a long day of work made her happy and satisfied. She could catch up on a few hours of sleep before she met Daniel for dinner. She had not driven her car and she could not call Ivy to pick her as she had work to do. So, she could only hail a cab.

"Goodbye Miss Sawyer." Aria waved at her as she stepped out of the hospital. She sighed. To get a cab, she had to walk to the hospital entrance and she was not sure if she would be able to drag her heavy body till there. She was tired, but she had no choice.

Aria started walking slowly, more like ambled towards the gate. At that moment, her phone started to ring. She picked it up with great difficulty without seeing who it was.

"Hello."

"Look back." She heard someone speak. His voice sounded oddly familiar. However, her muddled mind had long stopped processing anything. She turned around without thinking. There stood Noah tall and handsome, looking as suave as ever.

Aria blinked twice to see if her mind was playing games with her. Noah looked at her puzzled expression and grinned inwardly. She looked lovely though she looked was tired.

"You are really here?" She asked when he stood in front of her.

"What do you think?" Noah questioned her back with a smirk.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am here to pick up my girlfriend. Any problems?"

Aria's heart skipped a beat hearing his words. Her face flushed red as she stared at him without blinking.

"Come let's go." Noah held her hand and led her to his car. Ronnie was waiting for him in front of the car.

"Hello Madam." He greeted her.

"Hello," Aria replied abstracted.

Noah opened the door and Aria slipped inside, still absentminded. She did not even register when Noah had sat beside her and the car had started moving. She was silent until he spoke.

"You know I got a call from my grandfather." Noah started.

Aria had forgotten about the matter completely. She had also presumed that Noah would eventually forget due to his busy schedule. But who would know that he would bring it up as soon as they met?

"That's great," Aria muttered half-heartedly.

"Do you want to know what he told me?" Noah said gazing at her.

"No." Aria blurted out without thinking. She immediately realized her mistake and blushed in embarrassment. Noah chuckled at her shy look.

"But I still want to tell you," Noah replied as he pulled Aria closer towards him.

Aria remained silent.

"My grandfather told me that somebody wants to give him great-grandkids." Noah started. His gaze was still fixed at Aria, taking in her cute expressions.

"I wonder who it is. Do you have any idea Aria?"

"No."

"Ohh. If you ask me, I am ready to make kids with her. But I doubt if she is ready for what is coming her way." Noah spoke confidently with a tone of arrogance.

"Who told I am ready to make kids with you? You must be dreaming." Aria retorted back.

"When did I tell it was you who had stated about giving grandkids to my grandfather?"

Aria cursed herself for the slip of tongue. She realized Noah was too good at word games and was very proficient at speaking. She did not know what to say.

"On a second thought, he did mention that was you who wanted to give him grandkids. Is it true?" Noah raised an eyebrow as he waited for her to answer.

"I did not say anything like that. It was just that Rachel and your grandfather ganged up on me. That's it."

Noah laughed out loud at her awkward reasoning. Aria glanced at him and turned away from him huffing. She looked like a chipmunk in his eyes.

"Okay fine. I am sorry. I won't tease you anymore. Alright?"

Aria still did not turn towards him. He pulled her and made her lean against him, her head against his chest.

"I am sorry alright? Please talk to me."

" Okay," Aria replied with a yawn which Noah noticed.

"Sleep. I'll wake you up when we arrive."

"Where are we going?" Aria struggled to speak.

"I am taking you home."

But there was no reply. Aria had long succumbed to sleep. Noah patted her back and tucked some of the loose strands behind her ears.

In no time, they had arrived at Aria's house. Noah looked at the sleeping Aria and his lips curled up in a sweet smile. She looked so peaceful and tiny in his arms. It felt just perfect and he hoped that time would standstill at the moment. He wished to watch her sleep every day and see her wake up.

Sensing the loss of movement, Aria opened her eyes groggily.

"Where are we?" She asked as she tried to move away from Noah's hold.

We have reached." Noah replied kissing her forehead.

"Oh, why didn't you wake me up?"

"We arrived just now."

"Okay."

Aria got away from his embrace, making Noah frown. The sudden loss of contact made him feel empty. Both of them got down from the car.

"So, I'll get going then," Aria said.

"Won't you invite me in?"

"Do you want to come?" Aria asked unsure. The last time when she had invited him, he had declined it. Now he was inviting himself. What was wrong with him?

"Yeah, if you do not mind."

"Sure. Come in."

Aria led him inside the building and waited for the elevator. Nosh did not forget to hold her hand in the meantime.

They got out on the third floor and went to her apartment. She had her keys with her, so she opened it immediately. She did not know Ivy was already home and Joshua was with her.

As soon as Aria entered inside, she heard voices from the kitchen.

"Ivy, are you home?" She shouted as she dropped her bag on the table in the living room. Noah followed her silently. He knew that Ivy and Joshua were already inside.

"Aria?" Ivy walked out with Joshua behind her.

"I didn't know you were here," Aria exclaimed. Noah too feigned a shock.

"What are you doing here Jo?"

"I had some work here." Joshua shrugged his shoulders.

"You guys sit and talk. I'll be back in a minute." Aria mumbled and went to her room.

"What are you doing here Jo?" Noah asked again. "How did you guys even meet?"

"Do you know him?" Ivy asked Joshua perplexed. She did know that they were acquainted with each other.

"Yes, we are friends since childhood," Joshua replied.

"Wow."

"Noah, I am here to help Ivy find someone."

"Who?"

"Ivy, shall I tell him? Maybe he can help you too."

Joshua and Noah looked at her. Their acting was on point and Ivy did not suspect them at all. She thought for a while before nodding her head.

"It's like this." Joshua started and told Noah everything Ivy had told him about her father's disappearance.

"Oh."

"Yes. We wanted to see if we have left out anything in the process." Ivy added.

"I'll also help you in this matter. I have better resources and more men." Nosh chipped in.

"That would be great. Thank you." Ivy looked at him gratefully. "Wait a minute. I'll bring all the information I have accumulated in the last three years."

She got up and went to her room on the left. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she did not see the two men giving each other a nod praising the other silently. Their plan was in action. If they could get a hold on the information they were looking for, everything would be alright.