Chapter 469: Meira’s Trouble

That day, once more Meira was late to return home. Julia and Natalie were waiting for her.

"That girl always forgets to charge her cellphone. Let her return and I will teach her a lesson," Julia said worriedly.

Now Natalie felt worried as well and pulled out her cellphone. Meira’s cellphone was truly off.

Justin came out and saw the two worried women. "What’s the matter?"

Natalie told him everything. He got his cellphone and made a call. "Noah, Meira is still not home. Go check at her university," and hung up the call.

Natalie turned to him. "We should keep a bodyguard with her."

"She refused," Justin said. "She said it made her feel different from other students and drew more attention toward her."

Natalie recalled why Lana had to return—because Meira didn’t want a bodyguard and wanted a normal way of life.

"Don’t worry. Noah will handle it," Justin assured.

"It’s good he has a home near her university," Natalie commented, to which Justin simply hummed, "Both of you come inside. The wind is getting harsh."

Both of them listened to him.

----

Noah reached Meira’s university, in her department. There were barely one or two students left, who were packing to leave as well. Noah watched from the door, where Meira was immersed in her work. The white apron she was wearing had color stains on it. Not just her hands but even her face had a few marks of paint.

Out of the two students who were leaving, one of them went to her. "Meira, you truly are a good artist. Can’t tell you just joined us."

Meira simply looked at him, unsure how to react to praise. "Thank... you..."

"Sam," he said. "My name."

She simply hummed and wanted to resume her work, but the guy settled on the stool next to her. "Let me see how you paint it. I can see it turning as beautiful as you are."

Her brush-holding hand stopped before it could reach the canvas, unsure what to say.

He chuckled, "You always seem to be so quiet all the time. Well, how about we become friends?" He put forward his hand.

She simply looked at his hand, contemplating whether it was a good idea to make him a friend.

"Meira," a familiar voice reached her, and she looked at Noah.

He approached them and said, "It’s late. Let’s go home."

She nodded and stood up, ready to pack her things, while the boy looked at Noah. "I’m Meira’s friend, Sam. And you?"

"Family," Noah replied, his face expressionless, as if he had no interest in talking to him.

"Brother?" Sam asked.

In response, Noah walked toward Meira and helped her pack her things. "Do you need to take this as well?" he pointed at the canvas.

"No. I can just cover it and work on it tomorrow," she replied, finishing arranging her things.

"Let’s go then," Noah said, and both of them walked ahead.

"Bye, Meira," Sam said.

"Bye," she said softly and watched Sam leave before them.

As Sam was gone, Noah said, "Ms. Meira, stay away from boys like him."

she thought and simply hummed. And then thought, As they came out of the classroom, Meira said, "Umm... I need to visit the washroom..."

He nodded, and she said, "It’s just around the corner. I’ll be back in a moment."

"Take your time," he said and watched her go to the washroom.

Some time passed by, but she didn’t return. Noah went towards the washroom. He knocked on the door with the sign for women. "Ms. Meira, are you alright?"

There was no reply from her. Noah looked around and then said again, "If you won’t reply, I have to come inside."

Inside one of the cubicles, Meira was panicking. She had gotten her period but didn’t have sanitary napkins with her.

Noah entered the washroom and looked at the many cubicles. "Ms. Meira?"

Finally, the door of one cubicle opened, and Meira came out. She looked nervous and slightly embarrassed.

He observed her for a moment and asked, "Anything the matter?"

Keeping her head lowered, her hand clutching the bag she had carried with her, she said, "Umm... can we go to any store nearby... a general store maybe... where we can buy anything...?"

His face expressionless, his gaze calm, he observed her for a moment and said, "Let’s go."

He walked ahead, and Meira followed him out to where Noah’s car was parked. Noah opened the front passenger seat door for her.

She felt hesitant as she looked at the perfectly clean and bright, soft-covered expensive seat and realised she was going to spoil it. She wanted to say something but heard Noah say, "It’s going to rain. Sit inside."

Half-heartedly, she sat in the car.

Noah drove the car away. Leaving the university, he stopped the car to one side of the road and told her, "Wait for me," and walked out.

Meira hummed and watched him leave. Inside, she was feeling nervous about what Noah would think when he saw the car seat spoiled, and how embarrassing it would be to even let him see it.

She felt like crying.

The rain started, as if making up for her unshed tears.

Noah returned soon with something in his hand. He handed over the paper bag to Meira and drove away.

Meira looked inside the paper bag and was stunned to see what she wanted was there. She hadn’t even told him, but he knew.

Just in the next few minutes, the car entered the premises of a luxury apartment residential area.

Meira looked around and wondered where they were. The car stopped inside the parking lot, and Noah informed her, "Sudden rain and wind can cause traffic on the highway, and we might get stuck there for long. So I brought you here—my home."

She nodded lightly in understanding, and Noah stepped out. He opened the door for her, and she hesitated to get out. She was sure she had not just spoiled her dress but the seat as well.

As he waited for her, she stepped out and looked back at the seat, and the result was what she had expected.

"The cleaner will clean it," she heard Noah say as he closed the car door.

"I’m sorry," she said, her head lowered.

"It’s alright," he said and walked ahead of her.

Cursing herself for her stupidity to cause all this, she followed him anyway. Inside the elevator, she stood a step behind him, not willing to let him see the mess on her dress.

They reached the apartment, where Noah unlocked the door with his fingerprint. He led her inside the apartment, only for Meira to look around. It was a grand luxury apartment with a stylish living room that could make someone wonder how the rest of the home must be.

Why not—after all, he was the assistant of the richest man and now the head of an important branch of the company.