CHAPTER 36
For Adriana, going back home to face a man who had stolen her heart all for revenge was the hardest thing to do. She had been pushing off this very moment. But it was inevitable. She knew it was something they'd have to talk about. And tonight, she intended to get this over with. She didn't cook. It was pointless. So, she bought some meals and microwaved them. As the twins chatted happily, she half-listened and half-watched them. Noah, on his part, played the perfect father. He answered their questions and cautioned them when they were out of line. Finally, the meal was over, and it was bedtime.
"Mom, you and dad should tell us a story." Elizabeth said pleadingly.
"Not tonight." Noah said, his eyes locked with his wife and he nodded.
Adriana was surprised. He had somehow sensed her foul mood. "Go to bed and be good. If you do, you'll get some treat tomorrow." She added, and the twins nodded happily while their father took them in. she cleared the table and stored the dirty dishes in the sink. Upstairs, she undressed and waited for Noah impatiently. He didn't come up immediately, and she wondered if he was avoiding her too. She went to turn off the light, hoping to catch some sleep in her widely disturbed state.
Tossing and turning, she gave up sleep and tried to remember how she had met Noah, wondering if their first meeting had been planned. Had he planned this revenge before meeting her? Or was it after he knew her as the enemy's daughter that he started this? They had met after a court case she had handled. Her mom had insisted she left the case, but she had been adamant. The client was a hardened criminal charged with the offence of killing his neighbor. Because he had served and was known with anger issues, it was easy to believe he committed the crime. To nail him further, forensic and psychological evaluation of the body pointed out that the assailant was angry. The depth of the wound was too deep to be ignored. The client's father had approached Adriana. He knew this time that his son was innocent as he was his alibi. They were together the day the murder happened. He was bent on clearing his son's name.
Several lawyers had turned him down, and Adriana was his last resort. She took the case and, having proven the man was innocent, dug her nails in. It was a complex case to crack. Even the jury found him guilty. After series of digging, the real victim, the neighbor's husband, was found. And Adriana had won again to the surprise of every lawyer who turned it down.
Of course, the media was ablaze. To evade the cameras, Adriana used the back door. As she stepped out, Noah had been there waiting for her.
She had used this door to avoid the cameras and all, but sometimes, it wasn't strange to find a few people waiting at the backdoor. That day, it had been just Noah. Maybe she should have been suspicious. But her relief when it was just one person lying in wait didn't make her see any foul play there. Thinking about it now, she remembered seeing another person. He was walking away from the courtroom.
"That was an impressive performance." Noah applauded as she came down the few steps. She smiled at him but continued on her way. "Everyone assumed you'd lose the case."
"What a vote of confidence. FYI, I have never lost a case." She gave him a look before walking towards her car.
"Another impressive record." He smiled at her.
Adriana had stopped when he smiled, and she was ultimately won over. He had a charming smile. "Do you need something?" She asked. "I'm exhausted."
"No. I just came to cheer you up. You did well."
"Thanks. Then, I have to be on my way." He was standing in her path, she reminded herself as she walked into the car. The driver started the car and was about to drive off when she noticed him murmuring something. She lowered the glass. "What?"
"Can I have your card? I might need a lawyer for this case."
Again, that smile! She handed over her card, smiled tiredly then tapped the car so the driver could take her home. They never did get round to the case he needed a lawyer for. He had called some days later. They had a few drinks. Then they went on a date, and before she knew it, they were dating and crazy over each other. One thing was clear now, Noah knew who she was from the beginning. He had been in the courtroom that day and knew exactly who she was and what she did. She tossed on the bed, wondering what was keeping him waiting.
Finally, the light flipped, and Noah walked in. He saw her squint at the light. "Sorry," he apologized. "I would have slipped into bed but decided something is bothering you. We should talk about it. Yeah?"
She nodded. Damn, right, we should. "Yes, let's." Sitting up, she said, "You can start by telling me what your name is and what I did to deserve this."
