Chapter 69: Playing with new friend

In her room, Sara excitedly pulled Noah inside, her small hands holding onto his as she led him toward a corner filled with stuffed animals, dolls, and various colorful toys. The room itself was warm and inviting, decorated in soft pastel shades of pink and cream. A grand canopy bed sat in the center, draped in lace and silk, making the entire space feel like a princess's sanctuary. A large window with sheer curtains allowed the city lights to twinkle in the distance, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Noah hesitated at first, unsure of what to do in this unfamiliar space. His tiny fingers curled slightly, and his wide eyes scanned the room with cautious curiosity. Sara noticed his hesitation and beamed at him reassuringly. "Come on! Let's play!"

She grabbed a teddy bear and handed it to Noah, who accepted it but simply stared at it. Seeing his uncertainty, Sara giggled and started a pretend tea party with her dolls and stuffed animals. She placed a small cup in front of Noah's bear. "Now, your bear can have some tea too!" she announced cheerfully.

Noah hesitated before mimicking her actions. He lifted the tiny cup with both hands and pretended to give his bear a sip. Sara clapped her hands in delight. "Yay! You're really good at this!"

As time passed, Noah's initial shyness began to fade. His lips curled into a small, timid smile as he started engaging more in their play. They stacked blocks together, created imaginary stories for the dolls, and laughed as they made their stuffed animals "talk" to each other in silly voices. Sara's natural warmth and playful energy slowly melted away the remnants of his hesitation.

After some time, Sara jumped up excitedly and ran toward a wooden desk near the window. She pulled out a box filled with colored pencils and a stack of fresh paper. "Let's draw!" she suggested happily.

Noah blinked at the paper, a flicker of uncertainty returning to his expression. "I… I don't know how," he admitted softly.

Sara grinned, unfazed. "That's okay! I'll teach you!"

She sat beside him and took his small hand in hers, guiding him to hold a colored pencil properly. "Just do it like this!" she demonstrated, drawing a simple flower on her paper. She then handed him another pencil. "Now you try!"

Noah hesitated before pressing the tip of the pencil onto the paper. His first few strokes were shaky, but Sara cheered him on. "You're doing great!" she encouraged.

Little by little, Noah grew more confident. His fingers, once hesitant, started moving with more certainty. He carefully drew a small sun and some clouds next to Sara's flower. When he looked up at her for approval, she gasped dramatically. "It's amazing!" she declared, clapping her hands.

A quiet giggle escaped Noah's lips—his first genuine laugh of the evening. It was soft, but for his family, who had been watching over him from afar, it would have been the most beautiful sound in the world.

After finishing their drawings, the two children enjoyed some snacks and tea, provided by the attentive maid who had been silently watching over them. Sara shared her favorite cookies with Noah, and for the first time, he reached out without hesitation, taking the cookie and munching on it with a small smile.

Soon, their energy began to wane. Climbing onto the soft bed, they engaged in a playful pillow fight, laughing and tossing pillows at each other until exhaustion took over. They snuggled into the plush blankets, their small bodies relaxing against the soft mattress. The maid, seeing them drifting off to sleep, gently pulled the blanket over them and tidied up the scattered toys and drawings. Before leaving, she cast one last glance at them, a soft smile touching her lips at the peaceful sight.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Noah's family was engaged in conversation with the other guests, but their minds were elsewhere. His mother's fingers occasionally tightened around her wine glass, his father's eyes flickered toward the grand staircase every so often, and his sisters, though conversing politely, constantly exchanged glances filled with silent worry.

Ava, noticing their distraction, approached them with a knowing smile. "You're worried about him, aren't you?"

Noah's mother sighed, setting down her glass. "He's never been away from us like this before. It's hard not to worry."

Ava's expression softened. "Sara is a kind girl. She'll take good care of him."

Before they could respond, a maid approached them with a respectful bow. "Madam, the young miss and her friend have had some snacks and are now sleeping soundly."

At those words, the tension in Noah's family visibly melted away. His mother let out a relieved breath, her shoulders relaxing. His father nodded, a small smile appearing on his usually stoic face. His sisters exchanged warm looks, their hearts at ease knowing that Noah was safe and comfortable.

Finally able to relax, they turned their attention to the dining hall, where the host had just invited everyone to take their seats. The grand dining table was adorned with intricate floral arrangements, sparkling crystal glasses, and an array of exquisite dishes prepared by world-class chefs. However, while the guests eagerly began their meals, Noah's family hesitated, their thoughts still lingering on him.

Ava, noticing this, nudged them gently. "Now that you know he's fine, you should eat. You need to take care of yourselves too."

With reassured smiles, they finally indulged in the feast, allowing themselves to enjoy the delicacies before them. The evening continued with guests toasting drinks and exchanging conversations, but Noah's family remained reserved, politely entertaining business discussions but never fully engaging. Their priority was, and always would be, their little boy.

As the night drew to a close, the birthday host stepped onto a small stage at the front of the hall, holding a microphone. With a warm smile, he addressed the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, I want to sincerely thank you all for joining me tonight. It has been a truly wonderful evening, and I am grateful to be surrounded by such esteemed company. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves."

The guests applauded, lifting their glasses in a final toast. His gaze then fell on Noah's family, and he bowed slightly in gratitude. "To my dear friends, thank you for gracing us with your presence. Your family's kindness and strength are truly admirable."

Noah's mother nodded graciously, her hand resting over her heart in appreciation. His father inclined his head respectfully, and his sisters smiled in quiet acknowledgment.

As the evening ended and the guests began to depart, Noah's family made their way upstairs to check on him.

When they entered Sara's room, they found him curled up beside her, his tiny body tucked beneath the soft blanket. His breathing was steady, his face serene.

His mother's heart swelled with emotion. Carefully, she bent down, brushing his soft hair from his forehead before pressing a gentle kiss there. "My sweet baby," she whispered.

His father stood beside her, gazing at their sleeping son with a mixture of pride and tenderness. His sisters exchanged emotional glances before leaning down to plant soft kisses on Noah's cheeks.

With Noah safely in his mother's arms, they bid farewell to Ava and her family before heading home.

They drive home from the banquet was quiet yet filled with a lingering warmth. Noah, nestled securely in his