Love In Memory's Wake

Chapter 24

He pushed himself up with all the remaining self control in his body and stood up. He walked around the room, back and fourth to calm his heart that was beating way too fast.

Hana sat up once again, watching him. "Noah..." She called.

He ignored her. His back was on her while he stood away from her and her pink bed.

He knows she's drunk and her words are nothing but empty desires. She's intoxicated and will most likely forget everything the next day. He cannot let her words affect him. He cannot let his kept feelings show.

"Noah... Come here"

He bit his lip before turning to her. "What?" He asked. Pretending not to know.

"Come." She raised her hand as if reaching him.

He brows furrowed as he looked away. "No."

She chuckled, "Will you keep standing there until Gina comes?" She asked. Her voice sounded tired and sleepy.

"Yes."

She pouted, "You're no fun like always."

No fun? She talks about fun when she's getting me worked up here?

"Hey." He took a step closer to her and flicked on her forehead which made her wince. "This isn't about fun. I'm not joking with you so stop spouting nonsense and sleep."

There was a faint smile on her lips after what he said. Like she just succeeded in getting his attention even if she got flicked.

"What are you smiling about, you crazy girl?"

She rubbed her forehead as she looked up to him,"Have you ever found me attractive?"

Her question shocked him. He did not know how to answer that. Should he answer with his mind or heart? Because both scream completely different answers.

She tilted her head to the side and looked away, "If you don't then isn't that better? Just a kiss. No feelings involved. Purely.... Physical."

Noah ran a hand through his hair before sitting back down, "You look dumb. I don't kiss dumb looking people."

She gave him a look, "Ouch." She said while holding her chest where her heart is.

She was quiet for a while before she dropped her body down the bed and started groaning. "This is the worst birthday ever... How could Hana receive no kisses? Argh..."

Hana made it a routine to always kiss someone before a night at a club ends. She doesn't want a relationship since she doesn't wanna end up like the girls her Father brings home. She's also too scared to get accidentally pregnant so all she does is kiss and kiss and a little hands on each other if the moment suggests it. And now, on her very birthday, the continuous strike ended.

There were only a few things running on Noah's mind. First, she's crazy. Second, she's crazier drunk. And third, she must like kisses a lot.

He swallowed, trying his best to ignore her. He remained still and seated at the edge. Looking at the door and waiting for Gina to open it.

"Noah is the worst..!" Hana yelled

He rolled his eyes but still did not reply. He was doing so well on ignoring her until that one sentence.

"Noah probably doesn't know how to kiss." She laughed to herself.

He turned to her, "Excuse me?"

She looked at him and smirked, "I got it right, don't I?"

He scoffed, "As if."

She started laughing hard, "You clearly had no experience! I can tell!"

"I had plenty, sorry for you." He replied.

"Yeah right. In your dreams."

He had enough. He pulled the blanket and covered her face with it while he pushed her to lie down. "Stop talking about kissing already!"

"No!" She fought back, trying to remove the blanket.

"I'd never kiss you, okay? Especially when you're so drunk that you will just forget the next day!"

She stilled before slowly moving and peeking from a little hole she could find. "then you can just pretend it never happened..."

Noah wondered what was wrong with her today that she's so eager to kiss him.

He does not want to assume that she likes him because he knew they are worlds apart. They may be friends but thats it. He can never think of going beyond that.

He kept thinking until his wind wondered off to a possible answer.

She's about to have her monthly period. That could be why she's like that. He read somewhere that such things could happen.

He cares so much about her that if he takes up on her offer, even if she suggested it, he would feel bad because he knew to himself that she won't be able to remember the next day. For him, it would feel like he took advantage of Hana. And he didn't wanna feel that.

He sighed, "You think I'd be able to sleep if I do that?" He asked her.

"Why? Would that make you hard?"

His eyes widened a bit by her bold statement. "N-No! That isn't what I meant!"

Hana laughed, "Really? Kissing doesn't make you hard, Noah?" She teased him.

He frowned before walking to the door. "I'm calling Gina." He said before walking out.

Hana pouted in disappointment and fell asleep before they even returned.

When Noah returned with Gina, he was relieved to see her sound asleep. He helped Gina to wipe her exposed skin and when she will change her clothes, he told her he will go. Gina thanked him again and he left the mansion.

The next day, it was like nothing happened. He woke up to a bunch of texts from her. Ranting about her intense headache and how she felt like dying.

He knew she'd forget how much she flirted with him last night but he can't help feeling a little disappointed. A part of him wishes she remembers so she can be held accountable for his confused feelings.

Noah replied but refused her invitation to see each other.

For days, Noah started avoiding Hana. His feelings are starting to get real and might slip out if he sees her again. He's afraid he won't be able to stop himself and kiss her so he keeps his distance.

He also took the time to understand what he really felt. If it was still a love for a friend or not anymore. He needs to figure it out so he could easily make decisions in the future.

While Noah got himself busy with work and thinking. Hana was staring at her phone all day and night.

"What's wrong with you?" Brey asked her.

"It's Noah..."

Kath raised her brows, "Have you talked to him about my offer? I told you. We can make him famous. I just really need you to convince him. He only listens to you, Hana. I've been convincing him for years but he always declines." Kath almost rolled her eyes. Obviously annoyed by how much Noah had said no to her. "He can earn with us in a day what he earns with his part time jobs for a month and he still continues to work there, argh!"

Aria laughed, "Well, he will have to sacrifice freedom for that amount of money. I think that's the reason he doesn't want to be in the spotlight."

Kath nodded, "Hmm... You've got a point."

"Or... He could already be tired of seeing your face!" Brey said and started laughing hard.

Kath stood up and started hitting Brey playfully.

Aria looked at me as she calmed down from laughing. "So what really happened to him?"

"He's avoiding me."

The two girls fighting stopped and looked at her. Even Aria was so shocked her jaw dropped.

"Impossible!"

They all said almost the the same time.