hapter 47


    Arnold listened its solence, his i


    He did not ask another question


    The silence between them was beavy, and he only nodded slightly before turning away


    Meanwhile, in the other side of town Nora was busy at home


    able, carefully preparin


    124 twice and made


    documents she needed for the day Every sheet was arranged in nest piles. She checked her


    determined and calm as she packed her bag with the necessary


    was about to leave, a knock sounded a


    Standing there was her trendly neighbor. In his arms, he carried a line boy with curly hair and bright, curious eyes.


    the neighbor locked andous as he spoke. "Nora, I have a family emergency to attend to. Could you please drop Brian off at school today?" He looked


    an answer qy.


    clock on the wall


    plenty of time before work and the school was on her way


    "Ofme Tean da thu


    patted the lima boy''s head gently, and Brian smiled shyly. The neighbor thanked her repeatedly before hurrying


    About half an hourter. Nors drove to the school with Brian sitting quietly in the front seat


    The mort


    the roads were cal


    As she pull up near the school entrance. saw something that made her slow down.


    gether as if they were a happy family, were Arnold, Linda, and Alex.


    They talked andughed, and their harmony was almost tangible


    i squinted his eyes and pointed.


    nuan next to ham?" He asked in a small confused


    nced at Brian, ber heart tightening. She did not want him to know what he was seeing


    the said, "Krep it a secret, Brian, Just today, you must not tell anyone that I sent you to school" Brun, though young nodded


    a secret, and be j promised t


    I to keep quiet.


    i had left tad Nora gently take Brian out


    They walked slowly tu


    As they peared. Brian gave bet


    ment. Nora felt a br


    mth that softened the hardness (her heart.


    11:59


    ately, she felt a familiar presence in her mind.


    Leo was munnking with her, asking in his warm, teasing tome, "When will you be arriving?"


    Nora quickened her pace,


    She reached the door of the office building faster than she expected.


    There, waiting by the entrance, was Leo,


    They saw each other, and both of them broke into warm smiles.


    Leo opened his arms, and Nora stepped into his embrace,


    Wee back, my na


    my partner," Leo said softly, his eyes spar


    sparkling with joy and a hint of mischarf.


    message was filled with affection and anticipation.


    Their hug was gentle, a promise of mutual support and understanding.


    ide Starline Studios:


    Inside the office of the well known studio, named Starline Studios, a crowd of coworkers had gathered by the windows.


    They whispered excitedly as they watched Nora and Leo walk in together..


    One of them asked, "Who is that wo


    womangging our general manager? Is she his girlfriend?"


    Another voice replied. Oh my god, did you see her face? It is so beautiful, like a moonlight goddess descending to Earth."


    Lit seems like sh


    A third person added. "And it seems like she is the new employee who is going to be hired today." Everyone was chattering in excitement ext


    except for one man who sat grimly at his workstation.


    A coworker nudged him and said. "Drew, aren''t youing over to see her?"


    Drew shook his head slowly, his face set in displeasure. He had a serious look in his eyes.


    Linda, being Drew''s old schoolmate, had been introduced to thepany through Drew when she wanted to join Starline Studios


    Today was the day Landa had nned for her entry into thepany.


    Larber that morning. Drew had earlier texted Linda. "When are you arriving? I am too eager to wee you."


    She had soon replied to the message, saying:


    "You don''t know? I am noting. I was reced because Leo had has reasons. Whatever."


    He had been surprised to hear Linda say that Leo did not need her for personal reasons.


    In that moment, Drew realized the truth.


    The information that he had gathered suggested that Leo had gone so far as to give Linda the position


    that was meant for her in order t his lover to enter thepany


    Drew''s expression turned sour as he understood what had happened


    He felt that this decision was unfair to Linda, who had worked hard to earn her reputation


    As the murmurs grew. Nora and Len walked confidently into the office.


    rosan fell silent for a moment as everyone took in Nora''s p


    to arrange for


    One excited youre broke the silence, asking. "Is this beauty our new coworker? Another person added, "It


    is not just a simple now employee." Leoughed lighth


    "This is Noca, out firm-" He paused for a moment, about to say "partner," when Drew interrupted sharply. Is she the reason you kicked Linda out?" The room stilled further, and Leo''s smile faded into a more serious expression


    11:59


    "Yes," Leo admitted with a start. "I will exin more about thatter."


    Drew''s eyes narrowed as he looked directly at Nora


    "Linda just earned her doctorate this


    year and is already making a name for herself in the design world. If Ms. Nora was able to push her aside


    to enter thepany, then her personal ability must be extraordinary, right?"


    In his mind, he had already decided that Nora was Leo''s new lover. He recalled how Linda had mentioned over the text that Leo was not hiring her fo personal reasons.