Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 61: Muted

"You like it?"

Noah watched Gianna carefully as she slid the lasagna mechanically into her mouth, the way she had been doing since they sat down to eat.

The movement was automatic, devoid of pleasure. Chew. Swallow. Repeat.

And again, he wondered what had her all knotted up tonight. Was it her work? The convention she had mentioned? Or had Zane done something—said something—that had lodged under her skin and refused to dislodge?

He never believed there was no history between them.

He slowly dug his fork into his own food, but when silence greeted his earlier question, he realized he was technically alone at the table. The lasagna tasted like ash in his mouth.

What could he do?

"Gianna..." he called gently when he couldn’t take it anymore.

This wasn’t the woman who had him aroused every five seconds with those fiery, unapologetic eyes of hers. This woman looked distant, muted, wrapped in thoughts that didn’t include him.

She looked at him then. And as if reading his mind, she chuckled drily, shaking her head once.

"That bad?"

Noah wasn’t sure what she was asking but he nodded all the same.

"Sorry... my mind is just all over the place, with the convention and all..."

So, it was the convention?

For some reason, that explanation didn’t feel complete.

His face went blank as the word itself, carefully neutral, as he continued eating at a leisurely pace, knowing better than to push. She would talk when she wanted. When she felt ready.

But would she talk to him?

They weren’t that close—yet—even if he wanted them to be. Badly. Still, he was taking her current presence in his house as a right step forward, however fragile.

"So, tell me more about you, Noah Newman..."

Gianna wasn’t pleased with herself either—with the headspace she was giving to the events of the night, with the wondering look she had seen in Noah’s eyes seconds ago.

She hated that look. It was best to get him talking, she thought. If he spoke, maybe her mind would drift away from the night, from the past, from the future, from everything pressing tightly against her ribs.

Her eyes focused on Noah, and she caught the flicker—an indecipherable emotion cutting swiftly across his eyes.

What? The question wasn’t improper.

She took another fork of the delicious lasagna. Wasn’t that the first question asked when two people met for a date?

And as far as she was concerned, this—right here—was a date. Maybe she would cancel tomorrow’s.

"Well, for starters, my name is Noah Newman, and I am a businessman."

Gianna rolled her eyes when he chuckled. It was either that or fawn over the tingles that ran down her back at the sound of his laughter. Beautiful it was. Warm. Disarming.

"I have just one sibling, as you know—Esme. My parents are still alive and kicking. And I hate doughnuts."

Gianna raised a brow. "You hate doughnuts?"

"Yeah. Am I not permitted to?"

She shrugged, taking another bite of her food. "Continue with your introductions."

"I love watching sports. Soccer especially. And I play a little basketball. My color is black."

The last part was quite obvious, she thought, taking note of his attire again. He was still in the black-shirt combination.

"Do you love women?"

Noah smiled. "Of course I do, beauty. Why else would I be after you?"

Gianna scoffed. "I’m asking if you’re a playboy. I hate being involved in scuffles, neither do I appreciate being waylaid by a jealous girlfriend. So, Mr. Noah—are you currently involved with a woman?"

He smiled that disarming smile of his again. "No, I am not. I don’t double-date or play around with women either..."

With looks like that, Gianna found that hard to believe. She took the answer with a pinch of salt and asked after his work.

"Why are you settling down here? Why did you leave your base abroad?"

Why bother Spider when she could get the answer from the horse’s mouth?

"I needed a change of scenery. Needed competition too." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Gianna frowned. That sounded too simple. The unease settling in her chest confirmed it.

"Just that? Not that you are here to usurp your uncle?"

This time, she caught the emotion that flitted past his eyes. Hatred.

She swallowed, looked away, focusing on nothing on the wall. What was going on here? What had she walked into?

The last thing she needed was to be caught in a war between two families.

"As much as he can be a bother—no to that answer. It’s as I told you."

Gianna nodded slowly, not believing a single word. Noah didn’t strike her as a man who wasted precious time on scenery changes.

There was a knock on the door.

Gianna frowned, glancing at the time. Midnight.

Who would be knocking?

She stared at Noah, but he looked surprised too. What—he didn’t expect a girlfriend to visit him?

She held in a scoff. Men.

"Aren’t you going to check it out, Noah?"

The sweet emphasis she placed on his name made Noah sigh audibly. "Really, Gianna. I have no girlfriend."

She didn’t dispute it. She simply watched as he pushed his chair back and started toward the door. She followed him into the sitting room, done with her food after all.

When the door opened, Esme staggered into the room.

A drunk Esme.

Great! Gianna enthused when their eyes met. Just great!

"You—" It was like the drunken haze disappeared from Esme’s eyes. "You bitch! What are you doing here?! Already slinkering your way—"

"Esme!"

Noah’s harsh call halted whatever nonsense Esme was about to spill.

While Gianna watched, two men dressed in black combat wear stepped into the sitting room, from the hallway, hands crossed before them.

For a second, fear spiked—until she saw them incline their heads to Noah, until they grabbed Esme and started pulling her out.

Gianna didn’t understand. Where had the men come from?

Her brows furrowed as she retraced her steps—from the car, to the elevator ride, to entering the apartment. She hadn’t seen them. Where had they been hiding?

She wasn’t surprised by the presence of guards—rich men had them—but this was too fast. Efficient.

"Beauty, I am sorry about that..."

Gianna nodded slowly, licking her lower lip. "It’s okay."

A pause. "I have to retire now. I am tired. Thanks for tonight, Noah."

"Of course, beauty. But are we seeing later today?"