Noah then headed out of the school to the supermarket, and as someone who prioritized his family’s health, he headed to the large supermarket that specialized in organic goods. With over $300,000 in his bank account, Noah had the financial freedom to make healthy choices. He wasn’t concerned about splurging on the best products—no pesticides or herbicides, just natural, wholesome food.
As he walked down the aisles, Noah made deliberate selections. He grabbed two kilograms of premium steak, four whole organic chickens, and three kilograms of free-range lamb.
The meat would keep the family well-fed for 3-4 weeks. In the produce section, he carefully picked out vegetables—carrots, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes—just enough to last without spoiling.
He added a variety of sauces, spices, and drinks to round out the meals. Being mindful, he avoided overbuying fresh fruits and vegetables; wasting food was something he didn’t want.
By the time he reached the checkout, his cart was full. The total bill came to around $500—an estimate he had already anticipated. Noah handed over his card without batting an eye. He wasn’t just buying food; he was investing in the health and well-being of his family.
With four massive bags—two in each hand—Noah headed outside where his Uber was waiting. The bags were heavy, but Noah barely felt it. Years of consistent training made them feel like nothing more than gym bags. When the Uber pulled up in front of his house, he quickly unloaded his groceries and approached the door, knocking lightly.
His mom, Caroline, opened the door. The moment she saw Noah carrying the oversized bags, her maternal instincts kicked in. “Oh, Noah, you troubled yourself with all this. Let me help you with those!” she said, leaning forward to grab a bag.
Noah smiled warmly at his mom, shaking his head. “It’s alright, Mom. They’re not heavy for me. Otherwise, what’s the point of all the training I do if I can’t even carry groceries?”
Caroline chuckled, stepping aside to let him in. “Fine, but let me help you put everything away, at least.”
They walked into the kitchen, where Noah placed the groceries on the counter. Together, they carefully organized everything—the meats were placed into the freezer, the vegetables and fruits into the fridge, and the spices and sauces into the cupboard.
Once they finished, Noah sat down at the kitchen table while his mom poured them both a glass of water.
“So, how are you feeling about the interview at An’s Gourmet tomorrow?” Noah asked, sipping his glass of water.
Caroline nodded, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “I feel good, but I’m a little nervous, it’s because I have never done an interview before you know? I’ll try my best.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Mom. You’re an amazing cook, and you got this,” Noah encouraged her. “I’ll call them and make sure the interview is set for 4:30 tomorrow. Is that time okay?”
“Perfect,” she said, smiling gratefully. “I’ll be ready.”
After chatting with his mom for a while longer about the upcoming interview and the usual family updates, Noah realized he still had some personal matters to take care of. Standing up, he grabbed his phone, ready to head out.
“I’ve been so caught up with everything, I haven’t even checked out the companies under my name lately,” he mused to himself.
He needed to see how things were running at Walls4Us.
However, Noah wasn’t in the mood to make a high-profile visit. He decided against using any of his luxury cars, opting instead for another Uber. If he showed up in his fancy ride, the staff might act differently around him, and he wanted to observe the business as it truly operated—without anyone knowing who he was.
When he arrived at Walls4Us headquarters, Noah stepped out of the Uber and admired the building’s sleek design.
It was an impressive setup, modern and clean. As he walked inside, he was greeted by a receptionist who radiated professional charm.
“Welcome to Walls4Us. How may I help you today, sir?” the receptionist asked, her kind smile widening as she took in Noah’s presence.
Noah glanced around, making sure no one was listening before leaning in slightly. “I wanted to work here, but before I apply, I have a question,” he whispered, his voice low and confidential. “How do the managers treat the employees here? I’ve heard different things, and I want to know the truth.”
The receptionist, momentarily stunned by his handsome features and the tantalizing scent that seemed to waft from him, blinked, her mind racing.
Noah’s proximity, his cologne, and the way he spoke made her head spin for a moment.
It was as if Noah was exuding a natural magnetism—whether it was his looks or something else, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she felt drawn to him.
Struggling to maintain her professional composure, she replied, “Oh, well, our managers are actually quite good. They treat the staff fairly, and there’s a lot of room for growth here.”
She paused, as Noah’s intoxicating smell and the softness of his whisper made her slightly flustered. She felt as if he was pulling her into a secret world, making her heart race.
“That’s good to hear,” Noah said, smiling gently. “You know, I want to make sure it’s a positive place before I start. The last thing I want is to join a company where the staff feel mistreated.” He stepped back slightly, breaking the spell just enough to let her breathe.
The receptionist, still slightly flustered, nodded quickly and responded, “I-I’m sure you’ll find it a great place to work, sir. Let me know if you need any more information.”
Noah gave her a polite smile, “Okay, thank you.” He turned away from the reception desk and moved toward the seating area, finding a quiet corner. Taking out his phone, he dialled a number, his fingers moving with practised ease. After a couple of rings, a voice answered on the other end.
“Hello, Mr. Thompson,” came the voice of John, the CEO of Walls4Us. His tone was respectful, even slightly nervous. He knew exactly who was calling—Noah Thompson, the enigmatic owner who had bought the entire company’s shares in a single transaction. John had only spoken with Noah once before, a brief conversation where Noah gave him a stern warning, leading to the firing of a director and a site manager.
The absence of direct involvement had left John on edge, always wondering what Noah’s next move would be.
“Where are you right now?” Noah asked, his tone casual but carrying an underlying authority.
“I’m in my office, sir. I just finished a meeting with a client who was harassed by one of our former site managers,” John replied, sounding relieved to give a productive answer.
Noah’s curiosity piqued, and his eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s her name?” he asked, feeling an impending doom arrive.
There was a brief pause before John spoke again, “Sarah, sir.”
The moment John said the name, Noah heard the soft chime of the elevator from across the room.
His heart skipped a beat as the doors opened, and out stepped Sarah. It was as if John had conspired against him at that very moment.
His eyes locked with hers, and for a brief second, time seemed to stand still. His mind raced, and his pulse quickened. Of all the people to walk out of that elevator right now… why her?
Noah cursed internally, not just at the situation but at John for giving him the name just a second too late. He quickly ended the call, his brain working overtime to figure out how to handle the sudden, awkward encounter.
John on the other side of the phone, was confused.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Shit, I’m gonna get FIRED!” Said John, as he paced in the room with anxiety building within him, with each passing second.
Sarah, standing just two meters away, also seemed caught off guard. Her face flushed as their eyes met, and her own heart thudded loudly in her chest. The air between them felt heavy, filled with unsaid words and emotions neither of them was ready to confront.
Sarah, clearly flustered, tried to recover as she approached him. “Good mor—uh, I mean, good afternoon,” she stammered, her words stumbling over each other as her nerves betrayed her.
“Good afternoon,” Noah replied, nodding curtly. He was doing his best to maintain composure, but he could feel his own awkwardness creeping into his voice.
For a moment, they just stood there, both of them unsure of what to say. The proximity—being only a few steps apart—made the silence even more unbearable.
Sarah, still visibly shaken, forced a smile and asked, “What are you doing here, Noah?”
Noah, caught off guard by the question, scrambled for a believable answer. “I-I’m here to check this place out. I was planning to build a small shop,” he said, trying to sound casual, but the words came out less confidently than he intended.
Sarah nodded, her face still slightly pink. “I see. Well, good luck with that. Bye,” she said quickly, clearly wanting to escape the situation as fast as possible. Without waiting for a proper response, she turned on her heels and hurried away, her footsteps echoing in the lobby as she made a beeline for the exit.
Her entire demeanour screamed of someone running from an awkward encounter, and Noah could only sigh as he watched her disappear around the corner.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Noah exhaled deeply. “That was… awkward,” he muttered to himself. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before pulling out his phone again. He tapped John’s number once more, listening as the line rang.
“Sir?” John answered, his voice shaken and worried.
Noah didn’t waste time. “Come down to the lobby,” he said, his tone sharper than before. He wasn’t angry, but the series of awkward events had put him on edge, and he needed to focus on business now. “I’ll be waiting.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be right down,” John replied, his voice filled with a mix of worry and urgency. Hanging up the phone, Noah ran a hand through his hair, shaking off the lingering awkwardness from his encounter with Sarah.
As John headed down, he muttered to himself with a crying expression.
“He definitely called me down, so he can fire me.”
As he stood waiting for John, Noah’s thoughts drifted back to Sarah. Their eyes had only met for a brief moment, but it was enough to stir something inside him that he tried to bury.
“A real man is one who fears the death of his heart, not of his body,” muttered Noah, as he calmed his emotions.
He realised that he couldn’t escape it anymore, burying his emotions was only gonna burden his heart and weaken him.
“I will make sure to end this today, either this is resolved or we part in peace.”
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