Mad

Since each question Noah asked seemingly steered their conversation back to what had happened between Laila and Jake, Laila decided to spill the beans and she was waiting anxiously for Noah's reaction to this news.

Noah only responded with a surprised, "You what?". Showing that he did not quite believe what he had heard. So, Laila repeated what she had said and elaborated a bit further on what had happened. "I ran into Jake. I had just gotten my suitcase off the carousel when he called out my name. I was caught completely by surprise and before I had the chance to decide what to do, he was already behind me and I had no other choice but to face him."

Noah was silent for a moment before he responded in a fully irritated voice. "Damn it! Even after all these years he still manages to find a way to get into our lives. To think that even moving to another town, a full two hour plane ride away, he still manages to find a way to meet you." Laila could tell how upset Noah was. What she had feared had happened and she was no where near him to make him feel better. So, Laila did all she could do, she tried to make him calm down with her words. "Don't get angry honey. That is just you giving him what he wants. Besides, just like with the other guy, I made it clear I was happily married and pregnant. I have no interest in him and he isn't worth you getting upset over. You are still the one I love and he is nothing but an ex."

Noah let out a sigh before he said, "I know. And I am not mad at you. I know you can't help who you run into and I trust that you handled the situation best you could. I just.. really dislike that guy." Noah's voice had calmed down considerably but that didn't mean that all his irritation about the situation was gone. In fact it flared up as he let out some of his frustrations surrounding the situation. "I mean what are the odds of him being there on the day and the very moment you get back to town after three years?! A stranger hitting on you I dislike. Him getting close to you for any reason, I hate. Just the mere thought of it gets my blood boiling."

Laila was still trying to comfort Noah and help him let go of what had happened as she said, "I know. This is the reason I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not. Or keep it to myself until I was able to tell you in person. You have enough to worry about and part of the reason for this trip is so you can focus on the matters at the office. I knew that if I told you that your mind would be filled with this, instead of what it should be filled with. But I didn't want to lie to you either. So, since you asked me directly, I was forced to tell you. Don't make me regret that by worrying over this. Like you said, I handled it and I am on my way to Maria as we speak. You know she won't leave me out of her sight and she too isn't exactly a fan of Jake. She'll keep him at an arm's length and protect me from him just as well as you would. So, you have nothing to worry about. Just focus on your work and before you know it I will be next to you again."

These last words seemed to have done the trick. "No, don't regret telling me. I am happy you told me and you are right. I shouldn't let him get to me like this. It is enough that I have to be without you for a week. I can't let that be for nothing over that sad excuse of a man. I will let you go now since I have to head into my next meeting. I will use that time to process this and I will call you later today."

"Okay. Promise me you will let this go. Don't let it bother you past that meeting and focus on the important things."

"I promise. When I call you later today we will talk about fun stuff and it will be like you never ran into him in the first place. No grumpiness, no swearing and no complaining." Though Laila couldn't see it over the phone, Noah had his fingers crossed as he said these words before he ended the call by saying, "Okay, I really have to go now. I love you. Say hi to Maria from me and go have fun."

Laila chuckled. "I will and I love you too. Good luck with your meeting." Laila let out a small sigh as she felt relieved and she was happy she hadn't told him about Jake's promise to her, which was more like a threat to her than something to look forward to. Her talk with Noah had gone as good as she could have hoped for and she would consult Maria about the rest. She only hoped that Noah would indeed not let it bother him for too long.

When Laila was finally no longer focussed on Noah and her phone call, she noticed the yellow-bricked house that had been her safe haven more times than she could count. The taxi ride from the airport to Maria's home had passed by in a flash during her conversation with Noah and now she was seconds away from reuniting with her dear friend!