Days Are Numbered

40: Gripping hard

An opulent car glided to a halt in front of a pristine white villa, Noah sitting motionless inside as he braced himself for the impending storm. His gaze lingered on the house, memories of fleeing his mother's wrath to find solace in Emery's arms flooding his mind. Each time, it was a simple text and a gentle knock that granted him refuge for the night. Yet, now he realized it was all a facade, an illusion of love that left his soul wounded forever. With resolve, Noah unlocked the door and headed towards the entrance, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

He pressed the doorbell, waiting patiently, knowing Emery's habit of dressing up before answering the door. Noah clenched his fists, emotions roiling within him as he anticipated her response. The door swung open, revealing Emery with her beautiful bleached hair and emerald eyes that once captivated him.

"N-Noah," her voice trembled. "W-when—" Before she could finish, Noah was already making his way into the house, preferring the privacy of indoors for their conversation.

"Hey!" She scolded, hurrying after him.

"Are your parents home?" Noah inquired.

"They'd be back soon," she replied, her gaze intense as she looked at him.

Noah nodded, his voice cracking with emotion as he asked, "How have you been?"

"Me? Are you insane?! You just left and your mother won't say anything to me, heck! She didn't let me pass the gate." Emery blurted, "so," she shrugged afterward, taking a step to close the distance between them with a flattering smile spreading on her face. "How have you been?" She reached out to caress his check. Noah intercepted her hand, gently holding it in his.

"My emerald was stolen, maybe it never belonged to me in the first place." He confessed, his voice tinged with resignation and a hint of bitterness.

She chuckled, though it sounded hollow against the backdrop of their strained conversation. "I don't understand. Well, we'll meet again, and you'll explain further. You need to get going though," she stated, her eyes flickering toward the stairs, a silent plea for him to leave.

"No," Noah said, his voice faltering as he struggled to find the right words. But before he could continue, a voice interrupted them from the stairs.

"Babe! Get over here, I'm cold. Your parents will be back in 4 days. Stop acting all stressed up," Noah recognized it to be Antonio's.

Noah felt a sharp stab in his chest, but he pushed the pain aside, burying his emotions deep within. Emery stood before him, looking flustered and desperate. "It's not what you think," she pleaded, her voice trembling as she squeezed his hand.

Noah released her hand, his expression unreadable. "I'm not mad. You found love in someone else."

"Yeah, well, you were gone for so long!" Emery retorted, her voice tinged with defensiveness.

"Antonio, my best friend," Noah interjected, his tone almost firm and unwavering.

Emery's demeanor shifted, a flicker of disbelief crossing her features. "Listen—"

"One month after I disappeared, it wasn't the first time, was it? You and Antonio were already together, hooking up behind my back, I was too blind to notice," Noah stated bluntly, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Emery froze, her emerald eyes widening in shock. "She told you! That jealous witch! Emma, that backstabbing snake!" she cursed under her breath.

Noah shook his head, his heart heavy with the weight of betrayal. "You told me. I called for help, and you said it all."

"Help?" Emery's eyes narrowed, a hint of concern shadowing her features.

"Nevermind. Now you know. We walk separate paths. You hold no place in my life, and I hold none in yours," Noah declared, his voice tinged with resignation as he turned to leave.

"You've changed! So much! You'll never leave me!" Emery's voice rose with emotion, her desperation palpable.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I couldn't be what you needed. I hope you find it in him," Noah replied with a heavy heart, his resolve firm as he walked towards the door, battling to keep his composure.

"What happened to you? The scar! You look like you just came back from hell! What did they do to you?" Emerald called out gently.

Noah paused, then sighed, "They served me right." He replied.

"Noah, I didn't mean to, he—" Emery's words trailed off, but Noah shook his head, refusing to entertain further explanations.

"I know. Goodbye, Emery," he whispered softly as she turned away.

"Hell! Is that Noah?!" Antonio's voice echoed from the hallway as Noah shut the door behind him.

Slumping into the car, Noah instructed the driver to hasten their journey, his mind swirling with tumultuous thoughts and emotions, a tempest raging within him.

Noah walked in, his emotions tightly clenched as he tried to navigate through the turmoil of his day. The exams had been grueling, with whispers and rumors trailing behind him like shadows. Students speculated wildly, some painting him as worse than before, others branding him with labels of violence and affiliation with dark underworld groups. The staff's judgmental glances and snide remarks only added to his discomfort. What a welcome.

Then there was Emery, her lies cutting through him like shards of glass, reopening wounds he thought had begun to heal.

**********

"Hey, dear!" Cordelia's voice broke through the haze as she spotted Noah by the garden, she was making arrangements with the gardener for the roses.

"I want them all roses," she instructed before turning her attention to Noah and walking up to him.

"Hey, honey. How was the exam?" She inquired, her hand gentle on Noah's cheek.

Noah smiled, masking the turmoil within. "Great," he replied, though his eyes betrayed the hurt lurking beneath the surface.

Her smile faltered as she caught the flicker of pain in his eyes. "Great?" she echoed, concern etching her features.

Noah nodded, making an excuse. "I'll retreat to my room, I need to rest. It has been a long day," he said, longing for solitude to let his emotions unravel. Without waiting for her response, he made his way towards his sanctuary.

Watching him leave, Cordelia made a mental note to speak privately to Mark, sensing something off.

Alone in his room, Noah shut out the world, his headphones drowning out reality with the haunting melody of "Another Love." Each note felt like a dagger to his already bleeding heart, yet he found solace in the pain, a reminder of the depths of his loss and the fragments of himself that remained scattered, the echoes of the original Noah fading into the abyss brought more good than harm.

A/N

Do y'all want me to continue this book?

Edited...