His Secret [Completed]

Original: Chapter 44 - Reunited

Noah's POV:

Walking away from her was the hardest thing I've ever had to do but what choice did I have? How can I try and fix this with her still in my life? I had to tell her to leave, if she were still here she would just be in the way of what needs to be done.

They know she is my weakness, from the moment I first met her during that interview I just knew she was different than any other women I have met. I know it sounds cliche but from the moment I met her, I knew she was my future. But now I've ruined our chances of happiness. Sophia is a beautiful, intelligent woman and there was no way I could tell her to wait for me.

It's unfair on her if I told her we could be together eventually because it could take years for me to fix the mess I have created for her because I still don't know how to go about it. If I would have just had the confidence to say no I would have never subjected her to this hatred and theft. I didn't think I would fall in love with her, is that why it was so easy for me to give up her name to Brooke when she demanded the money was hers?

Deep down I knew that Sophia was my future. We had this unspoken bond, it wasn't until I stole the letter from Sophia's grandmother that was in my father's study and read it that I realised who she truly was.

'Every week I ended up going to her home and having afternoon tea with her, I even met her grandson. He was a real sweetie, he was kind, caring and always gave me a hug when I arrived'

I met Sophia when we were little and I was smitten with her. I was so young but still knew of love, I think I've loved her ever since then even if I didn't realise it was her when we met years later.

Her grandmother was wrong about me though, I'm not kind or caring. I wasn't even able to protect Sophia from one man- one man who had such little power compared to me. So why didn't I help? That's the question I've been asking myself every day since this all happened.

I continued down the corridor to the elevator not daring to look back. I knew I wouldn't have the willpower to continue walking. I could hear a small sob leave her lips as I walked away her cheeks were more than likely stained with tears so if I turned around for one more look at her I wouldn't be able to leave.

I feel the need to comfort her and tell her everything is going to be okay but for now, it's better for us both if I walk away.

Once outside I felt like I could finally breathe. The rain fell on my shoulders as I looked into the sky not caring that my suit would get ruined. I needed time to think. The valet ran towards me with my car keys in hand.

"Shall I bring your car around sir?" He asked.

"I'm going to take a walk, I will be back in a while," I told him and started walking down the road.

The rain was still pouring but I didn't care, I just felt free. It was around 5 am now and the sun was starting to rise. I hadn't slept at all and somehow I didn't feel tired. I continued down the vacant street towards a coffee shop I knew was open at this time in the morning.

When I went to college here in New York my apartment was small and as far away from campus as possible. I didn't want to accept money from my parents for college and stability, I wanted to build my empire up from the ground alone, I wanted to feel like I had achieved something. I would have to wake up extra early in order to get to class on time so most days I would stop off here for a quick coffee and energy boost.

As I walked up to the front door nerves started to kick in, I was a regular once and the family knew me well but since I hadn't been back in years I felt a surge of guilt flood through me. The daughter who worked there was one of my closest friends in college but we drifted apart and it's all my fault.

The bell above the door chimed as I pushed the door open and stepped inside. I wiped my feet and walked over to the counter. The woman standing behind the counter had her back turned and seemed to be cleaning a machine.

"What can I get you?" She said without turning to face me. I knew it was her the second I heard her voice.

"The usual please sweetheart," I said and instantly she whipped around to face me.

"Noah?"

I nodded and grinned at her.

She dropped the towel she had in her hands on the counter and ran so that she was standing in front of me.

"It's good to see you Lia," I smiled and stepped forward to wrap my arms around her.

"Eww stop you're soaked. Come on I'll get you a towel to dry off," I followed her into the back of the small cafe. "How have you been?"

"I could be better," I confessed. It wasn't like me to open up to anyone but seeing Lia again reminded me of how good my life used to be. I regret ever losing contact with her and who I truly wanted to be.

"Girl troubles?" She asked only earning a shrug from me. She passed me a towel.

"How'd you guess?"

"Because I'm going through the same thing. I miss talking to you Noah,"

"Me too. I'm sorry for losing touch, I've been so focused on MKT and building that up that I forgot who I needed in my life. I hate to admit it but I've been lonely over the past few years."

"No supermodel fiance then?" She giggled.

"You've seen the papers," I muttered embarrassed and she nodded, "I never loved her Lia, but now I've found someone that I do love and I can't be with her."

"Why not? Tell her how you feel and screw everyone else, if they don't like it they will have to get over it."

"It's not that easy..." I explained the events to Lia who willingly listened with intrigue. It felt like we hadn't drifted apart, our friendship felt stronger than ever, "...anyway so what's your relationship troubles then?"

"I've been seeing this girl for a few months but she still isn't openly gay and I think I'm falling in love with her. I don't want to live a lie anymore, any time we go out she pretends that we are just friends. I know I can't force her to come out if she isn't ready but it's hard on me, you know?"

"Just give her time Lia, tell her how you feel."

"Yeah, you're right. So what are you going to do about this Brad?"

"I don't know, I need to find a way to enforce the law upon him. He seems to think he is the law just because he's in the police force. If I get rid of him I can get rid of Brooke too."

"Are we talking about Brad Connor?" She asked, how the hell does Lia know him?

"You know him?" I said.

"He's one of the detectives at the station."

"You're in the police force?" Yet again I failed to think of anyone but myself. I failed to even ask my closest friend what she's been up to these days.

"I'm the lead detective's assistant, nothing major but yeah I work there why?" She said

"I think I'm going to need your help," I smirked.

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A/N

The book isn't finished yet! There has been some confusion from readers thinking that LWMB is finished, but it's not and I assure you that you will find out what happens between Noah and Sophia.

Also, many people downloaded the free version of 'It's never that simple' from Amazon but I haven't any reviews from people who said they would. So please consider writing a review and purchasing the books. It would mean a lot and LWMB updates will be more frequent because of that.

Thanks :)