The Bride Widow
Chapter 119: Ch 119: Can I borrow her - Part 2

Chapter 119: Ch 119: Can I borrow her - Part 2

Mrs. Elara shifted nervously, clearly unsure what to make of the situation. Anabella tried again.

"Seriously, he’s just messing around—"

"I’ll take full responsibility. I assure you...nothing will happen to her...as long as Anabella does not want it."

Noah cut in, his voice still pleasant but with an undertone that sent a chill down Anabella’s spine.

Mrs. Elara hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded slowly.

"She can...go. We’re not too busy today"

she said quietly, avoiding Anabella’s panicked gaze.

"Wait—what? You can’t be serious!"

Anabella’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Mrs. Elara didn’t respond, already turning back toward the bread racks with hurried efficiency, as though eager to remove herself from the conversation.

Noah smiled triumphantly.

"Looks like you’re free for the day."

"I’m not—"

Anabella started, but Noah was already by her side, gently guiding her toward the door with infuriating ease.

"Let’s not keep Clair waiting. I promised her I would be near her location by this time."

He teased, opening the door with a flourish.

Anabella shot one last pleading look at Mrs. Elara, but the woman kept her back turned, hands trembling slightly as she rearranged the loaves.

As soon as the door swung shut behind them, two of the younger bakery employees, Mira and Joel, hurried over to Mrs. Elara, their faces filled with confusion and concern.

"Mrs. Elara, what just happened? Why did you let her leave with that guy? Anabells looked uncomfortable. Maybe she did not want to leave with that guy. Should we not have helped her out? "

One of the workers whispered.

Mrs. Elara raised a shaky hand, silencing them.

"It’s...complicated."

Joel frowned.

"But why didn’t you say no? You’re the manager; you could’ve stopped him."

Mrs. Elara’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"Trust me...when you’ve lived long enough, you learn when not to fight battles."

The weight of her words sank into the silence. Mira’s eyes widened.

"Who was that? You...you recognized him, didn’t you?"

she asked, almost fearfully.

Mrs. Elara exhaled slowly, her fingers trembling as she wiped nonexistent flour from her apron.

"I’ve seen that face before. People like him tend to cause trouble and make a name for themselves quite easily."

She admitted quietly.

"And? You need to continue. You cannot keep us in suspense like this."

Someone asked.

Mrs. Elara shook her head.

"It’s better if you don’t know."

Her words left a heavy stillness in the air. Mira and Joel exchanged uneasy glances, dread creeping into their expressions. Whatever history Mrs. Elara had with Noah, it was clear that he was dangerous.

And Anabella—

"...Poor girl. She has no idea what she’s gotten herself into."

The manager whispered.

______

Outside, Anabella yanked her arm free from Noah’s grip the second they were far enough from the bakery.

"What the hell was that? You can’t just...take me like that!"

She hissed, her breath coming in sharp bursts.

Noah raised an eyebrow, unfazed.

"Take you? Don’t be so dramatic."

His lips twitched into an infuriating smirk.

"I rescued you. You looked like you needed a break."

"I don’t need a break," she snapped. "And you had no right to—"

"Relax," he interrupted smoothly, his voice light and teasing. "You’re free to go if you really want to."

She glared at him, fists clenched. "I do."

He sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me."

"Good."

But even as she spat the word, she knew leaving wasn’t an option. Not really. Whatever game Noah was playing, she was trapped in it—for now.

"Fine," she muttered. "What do you want?"

Noah’s smile widened, dark and knowing.

"Everything."

Anabella stared at Noah, her arms crossed defensively.

"What do you mean by everything?"

she demanded, narrowing her eyes.

Noah blinked, tilting his head in mock confusion.

"Hmm? Did I say that?"

His expression was so innocent it almost seemed genuine—but she knew better.

"Yes, you did."

Her voice was firm, though she couldn’t ignore the tiny flicker of uncertainty his gentle smile caused.

He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck like a sheepish schoolboy.

"You must’ve misheard me. I probably meant...everything good. Like...a nice day? A fresh start?"

He offered a hopeful smile, his dark eyes shining with sincerity—or something close to it.

Anabella sighed, unconvinced but unwilling to argue further.

"Fine. What now, Noah?"

His face lit up with excitement.

"Come on! Clair and I have a surprise for you!"

Before she could protest, he gently took her hand and began leading her down the street. His touch was warm, almost comforting, and she found herself following despite every instinct telling her not to.

"You’ll love it, I promise,"

Noah said, glancing back at her with an eager grin.

"We’ve been planning this for weeks."

"We? Clair’s involved in this too?"

She echoed, bewildered.

"Of course! She’s very excited to see you."

Noah laughed, as if it were obvious.

Anabella frowned but let herself be led toward a sleek, dark car parked near the curb. Noah opened the passenger door with a flourish, beaming at her like a proud kid showing off a new toy.

"Your chariot awaits."

Despite her wariness, she couldn’t help but crack a small smile.

"You’re ridiculous."

"Maybe. But you’re still getting in"

He agreed easily. And as much as Anabella wanted to refuse him, she knew she had no way to do that. Noah had too much of a hold on her.

Reluctantly, she slid into the passenger seat, her heart pounding. Whatever this "surprise" was... she had a feeling it would change everything.

"Fine, I am getting in. But you better buy me a coffee on the way."

Anabella asked, and the smile she got back made her eyes hurt. Noah was...just too much for her heart to handle and he seemed to know it as well.

"Sure! I will get you coffee. Wait, I left Clair’s coffee behind. She is going to kill me. Ok, new plan. We are going to get you and Clair coffee and then head to her."