New and improved

Laila was surprised to hear these words. She looked at Giselle and Gretchen wide-eyed and calmly asked them what they meant. When she asked around a bit more, Laila found out that in this life she hadn't been as kind as she was in the life she remembered. It appeared that her living without hardships after getting together with Noah, had made her forget where she had come from and caused her to become one of those people who felt better than the staff that worked for her. She had also never started her fashion brand. Instead she had just let herself be spoiled and get showered with the love that Noah felt for her.

In her life before, she had gotten in touch again with many people of her past, of her life of poverty, when she lost her baby. In this life, she didn't have such a visit from the past. This was of course in many ways a great thing. Because it meant that she hadn't lost her baby and she was living a happy life with Noah but she didn't think it would cause her to lack respect for and genuine care for the people around her. Even if those people were being paid to be around her in the first place.

Of course neither Giselle nor Gretchen said anything like this but from the way they were answering her questions, the words they were using and the silence that fell sometimes as they were talking, told her plenty. Using motherly instincts and changes due to her being pregnant as an excuse, she told the two women that she had decided to change her ways for the better and that from now on she wished to get better acquainted with each and everyone of the people working in the mansion. The two girls smiled brightly upon hearing this and responded politely, "Of course madam. I am sure that it will please everyone to hear it. Master Noah has always been friendly and genuinely kind to us. We knew that someone that he loved so dearly and had chosen to marry, could not be any less than him."

Laila was happy to see that she hadn't ruined the chance of getting along with the staff yet with her apparent behaviour in the past and was curious to find out what else was different in this life. She thanked the two of them and left them to continue their work as she got ready for a walk around the house and the lands in order to familiarize herself with everything.

Laila slowly walked into each room, went up to each floor and even wanted to go out to explore the backyard, including the beautiful garden she could see out of their bedroom window but as she got ready for that part of her exploration, she heard someone say "Master Stephens, you are back so soon?" When Laila heard that, she rushed back downstairs and as she was standing on the stairs, just a few steps away from reaching the main floor, her eyes landed on Noah. As if feeling her presence, his eyes immediately shot towards where she was standing and she was face to face with Noah once more.

She let out a soft-spoken "Hi.." and walked down the remaining few steps. He closed in on the remaining distance between them and grabbed her in his embrace as he helped her off the last step. As he gently lowered her to the ground, without letting her go, he said, "Hi to you as well. How are you feeling?"

Laila looked around at the people that were surrounding them but their spectators were gone before she could use them as an excuse to create some distance. When the staff saw that husband and wife had found each other, they quietly exited the room and gave them some privacy. Laila decided to accept the embrace and as she looked back up shyly she asked, "Yes..I am doing fine. How come you are home so early?"

With a low chuckle Noah responded, "Why? Don't you like it when I am home?" But before Laila could deny the accusation, he gave his actual reply to her question. "I came home early because I was worried about you. You looked so dazed this morning and last week you had such a bad case of morning sickness. I wanted to see you were fine and take care of you and our little mischief creator myself, so I decided to leave the office early and work from home for the rest of the day."

The corners of Laila's lips automatically lifted up as she heard these words and she smiled at Noah gently and as radiantly as ever. This was definitely the Noah that she knew. The type of guy who would drop anything and everything in order to help or take care of the people he loved. Laila was happy to see that success hadn't changed that side of him.

Seeing Laila's smile was the thing that still made Noah's heart flutter and bring his heart at ease all at the same time. He automatically smiled back and stroked her face as he brushed some strands of hair behind her ear. He cupped her face and planned to go in for a kiss when they were interrupted by the sound of Noah's phone going off just before their lips could actually touch. He froze in his movement and with a frown and some grumblings he pecked her lips before whispering "I'll be right back." and picking up his phone. Giving Laila the chance to calm her racing heart from this new and 'improved' Noah.