Chloe took a deep breath in. And then let it all out. "Was there anyone else around that could have seen you?"
They both remained silent, exchanging only a short cold gaze. That was right. Neither could confirm that.
"I didn't see anyone," Luca said.
"I... I saw the assistant manager as I was going to the pond. He left before Luca arrived," Noelle said.
"What is that assistant manager's name?" Chloe asked coldly.
"I think George..." Noelle replied, looking at Chloe's keyboard. She couldn't meet her eyes.
As Chloe was writing his name down, Noelle took a quick look at Luca. He was looking with narrowed eyes. He seemed worried.
"More damage control… I should rebrand myself as a private investigator. So, we solved the issue of how Noelle got wet. But, what happened to you?" Chloe asked Luca.
Noelle couldn't wait to hear what he would say about that. So interesting!
"Well the water was deep, and she couldn't swim. I couldn't let her drown. You wouldn't let me off easily over something like this."
You imbecile! Do you think I can't swim!?
Noelle felt blood rising to her head. She, after attending swimming classes for six years, starting at five years old? She, after spending so many summers with her grandparents by the sea? She, who was the first to jump into the pool? She didn't know how to swim?
What an insult! And on top of that, he was portraying himself as her saviour!
"Noelle, you can't swim?" Chloe wanted to know.
That was a reasonable question. She tried to quickly remember if she had said anything to Chloe about swimming, but she couldn't remember. So there it was; one more lie.
"Unfortunately, I can't."
"You can't? You really can't?"
"Never learned."
Chloe pinned her with a stare that didn't need much explanation. She then shook her head, like trying to gather her thoughts.
"Ok. We will contain this. But if Luca West tried to physically harm someone…"
"I didn't harm her!" Luca protested. "Are you serious? Me?"
"I don't know anymore, Luca. I don't understand a thing," Chloe told him.
Chloe would eventually realize they were both lying. She was certain.
"Noelle, please leave us alone," Chloe asked.
"Of course," Noelle replied, she got up and left the office, closing the door. She sat at her office, pretending to work on her laptop. Lexi was looking at her, as she was dying to find out what happened, but Noelle shook her head.
Not now Lexi…
Chloe was talking, looking angry and disappointed. Luca kept silent. His head lowered.
Noelle was gripping the mouse in her hand and clicking aimlessly.
It was a lecture Luca didn't have to listen to. If he had told the truth, chances were that Noelle would be at his spot now.
But no. He lied and took full responsibility. Why?
There was only one conclusion; he was crazy.
After a few minutes, she saw Luca standing up angrily and saying something to Chloe, who looked a bit intimidated. He then opened the door and walked out. He nodded at Lexi and left without another word.
It was her chance!
She grabbed the bag she had brought from home and ran after him.
The hallway was empty. He was heading to the elevator. "Hey wait!" Noelle called as she was walking fast to catch up with him.
Luca stopped and turned around. He squinted his eyes when he saw her, but waited.
"What is it?" he asked, annoyed.
"Just two things. Why did you lie?" Noelle impatiently asked. She feared Chloe would appear on the door any second now.
"Isn't it obvious? You own me now. If I kick you out, won't you ask for revenge?"
"I would never do that!" Noelle protested.
"I don't know that. I don't know you, and I don't want to take any risks. So, all I can do is to keep you happy for now," he said, smirking.
He was right. He didn't know her and he didn't care to learn anything about her. That was a bit hurtful, but it was the truth. He wasn't crazy apparently. He calculated everything reasonably.
One more thing to do, then.
Noelle extended her hand holding the bag. "This is the second," she said, staring at the bag.
"What is it?"
"Your clothes," Noelle replied, still looking at the bag.
He gaped. "My clothes? What clothes?"
"The wet clothes from yesterday. You left them on the bathroom floor, so I took them to wash them," Noelle said, feeling a little bit embarrassed that she had to explain all this. She raised her eyes to see if he had now understood what clothes she was talking about.
Luca was standing still and silent, with an unreadable look on his eyes. His gaze was fixed on the bag now.
He must be thinking that they aren't clean enough.
Her hand was starting to ache. They were heavy. When she was about to ask him again to take them, he extended his hand and clutched the bag handle.
As he did, his fingers brushed hers.
The touch sent an electric wave all over her body.
Just for a second they were holding the bag together. But it felt longer - much longer.
Luca pulled the bag from her hand, turned around and left without a word. He didn't bother to wait for the elevator. He vanished down the stairs.
Crazy… Crazy and impolite.
She didn't expect anything like 'It was so thoughtful, I appreciate your help' sort of thing. But just a nod perhaps?
She hadn't washed someone else's clothes before. Not even her parents' or brother's clothes. And there she was, staying up all night to wash and dry his clothes, spending her precious detergent and all that water and electricity.
His underwear included. The thought sent a strange shiver through her.
She was so stupid! She should have left them where she found them.
Back in the office Chloe was waiting for her by her desk. "Can I ask what that was?" she asked Noelle calmly.
What on earth was she supposed to say now? The truth? It would sound fishy. Half truth? Maybe it was a way out.
"I accidentally took a jacket from the trailer when I gathered the wet clothes. I returned it to him," Noelle said, hoping that this wouldn't raise any more questions.
Chloe just nodded. A nod so much undefined. And then she walked to her office.
Lexi went next to Noelle.
"Chloe told me that he pushed you into the pond. Poor thing! That's why you were in shock."
"I was not in shock. I was just very cold."
Lexi rubbed her shoulders, as if to warm her up. She then said: "Still, I'm a bit surprised that Luca came to confess on his own what happened. When he does something wrong he usually disappears. He still hasn't grown up completely!"
That sounded right. His behaviour was childish.
Noelle, seated now on her chair, thought of all the times he behaved like a child. There were many.
But the strange thing was that that immaturity was making him more attractive to her eyes.
When acting like a child he was playful, carefree and silly. And it made him smile.
At times, there was that mischievous look nn his eyes that she couldn't escape.
She knew that he was precisely the type of man she should be repelled by. The right man, she was certain, would be a force of nature – strong, mature, clear about his desires and purpose.
Yet… What fun would such a man be?
The sound of an incoming message interrupted her thoughts.
She took it in her hand to check the notification but it turned off. There was something wrong with the phone.
She turned it on again, but some crazy glitches flashing across the screen were signalling the end of life for this product. The pond water had finally done its damage.
Noelle managed to open the messages app. There it was.
An unread message.
Her heart started racing when she saw the name of the sender.
When she read the six-letter word, she realised she was out of breath.
Luca had just texted her.
'Thanks.'
Noelle found herself smiling. And there was that strange feeling in her guts. The one that scared her.
And then, suddenly the screen turned black again.
"No, no, no! Not now!" she said ignoring the curious look Lexi was casting at her.
She frantically pressed the power button with all her strength. To no avail.
The phone was dead. And with it, the only proof that Luca had shown her a single sign of gratitude.
Had I read correctly?