chapter 06

The day was fun it help me to relax alot, As I walked into the house, the familiar warmth of home greeted me, along with the sound of Aunt Mina's voice. She was deep in conversation with her assistant, Miss Li, discussing the upcoming runway show she was organizing.

"Hey, sweetheart, you're home," Aunt Mina said, her face lighting up as she noticed me entering.

"Good evening, Aunty. Good evening, Miss Li," I greeted them both with a smile before settling down beside my aunt on the couch.

"Miss Li," Aunt Mina began, her tone businesslike but warm, "make sure to finalize the venue for the event date. And remember, the theme is Treasures of the Sea, so please ensure the event manager coordinates all arrangements accordingly."

"Of course, ma'am," Miss Li replied with a nod. "I'll also prepare the guest list and ensure everything aligns with the theme."

Checking her watch, Miss Li added apologetically, "It's getting late. I'll need to head back to the company to work on some drafts for the team. Maybe next time I can stay longer."

"Miss Li, why not stay for dinner? It's almost that time anyway," Aunt Mina offered graciously.

"Thank you, Mam, but I really need to get back to work. I promise to join next time," Miss Li said politely.

Aunt Mina gave her a kind smile. "Alright then. Drive safe, Miss Li."

As Miss Li excused herself and left, I leaned back, watching Aunt Mina shift seamlessly from her professional demeanor to her usual warm and caring self. It amazed me how effortlessly she handled everything, always maintaining her grace and composure. It was no wonder she was such a respected figure in her field.

"How was your day, sweetheart?" she asked, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.

"It was refreshing," I replied with a small smile. "Rose and I visited the rescue center. I introduced her to Rain and some of the other animals. She was a bit overwhelmed at first, but she ended up enjoying it."

"That's wonderful," Aunt Mina said, her voice laced with pride. "Your mother would be so happy to see you cherishing the things she loved."

Her words brought a warm feeling to my chest, "So, new runway show is coming, means new dress in market."

Aunt Mina smiled knowingly. "Yes, it's one of the most ambitious shows we've done so far. The entire concept is inspired by oceanic beauty—pearls, corals, the shimmer of waves under moonlight. It's not just about the outfits; it's about creating an experience that transports people into an underwater dream."

"That sounds amazing, Aunty," I said genuinely. "I'm sure it'll be a huge success. Do you need any help with it?"

She chuckled softly. "Your offer is sweet, Lyla, but I want you to focus on your own journey. Your debut is just as important. Speaking of which, how is everything going on that front?"

The mention of my debut brought a slight frown to my face, and Aunt Mina immediately noticed. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her tone filled with concern.

I hesitated for a moment before explaining everything—the songs being reassigned, the frustration of starting over, and the uncertainties that came with it all. Aunt Mina listened intently, her eyes narrowing slightly as I spoke.

When I finished, she placed a reassuring hand on mine. "Sweetheart, the world is full of challenges, and not everything will go as planned. But remember, you're a Knight, and knight's don't back down easily. If something was taken from you unfairly, find a way to make them see your worth. Your talent will speak louder than any privilege or favoritism."

Her words were exactly what I needed to hear, unlike crystal or uncle who would have start darling the numbers of board members of my company, and making them pay for even little injustice i have felt. Aunt Mina knows me very deeply like a mother knowing her child. I nodded at her words, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

"Now," Aunt Mina said, her tone shifting back to its usual warmth, "go freshen up. Dinner will be ready soon, and I want to hear more about Rain and Rose's first encounter."

I laughed at the memory as I stood up. "You'll love the story, Aunty. It's one for the books!"

*

Late at night, my phone buzzed, and seeing Noah's name flash on the screen sent a flurry of butterflies through my stomach. Without wasting a second, I hurriedly answered the call.

"Lyla," his deep, velvety voice greeted me from the other side.

My heart skipped a beat. The way he said my name always held a certain warmth, and the fact that he addressed me so naturally never failed to make me feel special.

"Hi," I replied, my voice tinged with both nervousness and excitement. It wasn't the first time I was speaking to him, but this feeling never seemed to fade.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I answered quickly, trying to calm my racing heart. "Mr. Cheng mentioned something about the deal. Did you finalize it?"

"Yes, we sealed the deal," he said smoothly.

"So… are you coming for Grandpa's birthday?" I asked hesitantly. Though I tried to keep my tone casual, the anticipation was clear in my words. It had been two long years since he left the country, and now that his work seemed to be done, I hoped he'd finally return.

"Do you want me to come?" His sudden question caught me off guard, and the teasing tone in his voice was unmistakable. Noah Anderson was teasing me.

"I—uh—I…" I stammered, completely flustered.

"Yes, you, Mrs. Anderson," he said, emphasizing the title playfully. "Do you want me to come?"

If I had any doubt about his teasing, it vanished with that statement. My cheeks flushed at his words, the term Mrs. Anderson echoing in my mind and making me blush even more. Gathering all the courage I could muster, I finally managed to say, "Yes."

"I'm delighted to hear that. It obliges me to come when Mrs. Anderson wants me to," he replied, his laugh resonating through the phone.

His laughter was rich and melodic, a sound I had never heard before. It stunned me, leaving me momentarily dazed. I never thought I'd hear Noah Anderson laugh like this, and it was in that moment that I realized—our relationship had grown into something far more.

"What do you think I should give Grandpa for his birthday? I want it to be something meaningful," I asked, trying to change subject from this topic.

"That's very thoughtful of you," he said, his tone calm and composed. "But don't worry about the gift. I'll arrange it on your behalf."

"No, I want to buy it myself," I replied quickly, my words rushing out in protest.

"Lyla," he began, his voice steady but firm, "we're married. What's mine is yours, and anything I buy for Grandpa will be considered a gift from you as well. There's no need to feel embarrassed about this."

His straightforward explanation left me speechless. How did he see through my hesitation so easily? I could feel my cheeks heating up, the blush spreading rapidly across my face.

What was happening today? The way Noah was speaking felt… different. His tone was casual, even warm, as though we were much closer than we actually were. It wasn't like the formal calls or polite messages we usually exchanged.

This new Noah stirred emotions within me—feelings I couldn't quite identify but couldn't ignore either. It was as though he was peeling away the layers of distance between us, and I didn't know whether to feel nervous, excited, or something entirely unfamiliar.