Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

At the tea house,

Noor, who had just decided to focus on her work to avoid disappointing her father, gasped when a cup of steaming tea appeared in front of her.

She hadn't ordered yet. She had thought to order when she started working so her eyes focused on the hand and identified the owner. She uttered as she looked up, "Young Master Morgan!?"

Arsh sipped his coffee, facing the river. He moved when Noor took the cup from his hand. Sitting on the bench at the other end, he casually placed his left hand on the arm as he took another sip of his coffee.

Noor held the cup in her hands watching Arsh. "How did you know I will be here?" Then she thought he might have guessed and he has watched her for many years that, probably he knows her better than her. She pursed her lips and looked at the flowing river.

The tea house was a place where Aria and Alan often visited to enjoy nature in peace. They would exactly sit on that bench but the difference was, they would sit close together and have smiles even in silence. Whereas she and Arsh were sitting at the ends without smiles.

Noor had asked Aarvi to take her to that place and liked the quietness so she often visited the same place but alone. This was the first time she had company.

Arsh glanced at Noor who inhaled the tea fragrance and a soft curve appeared on her face before she sipped her tea. It was her favorite Earl Grey tea with the hint of dried orange, Bergamot oil, fennel, and the brilliant blue of cornflower petals. She loves to savor it with a touch of honey.

Not just tea, Arsh knew every little thing about her. He had dropped Aria at her office and spent a little time with her. All the while he knew Noor would be distracted while working. She wouldn't like it if she does something wrong and realizes she was distracted. So here he was before she could walk away.

"What happened?" He asked to know the situation that made her disappointed in herself.

Noor slacked on the backrest as she sighed. "I was distracted in the meeting. Dad sent me out." She revealed like always. But the difference was she noticed that he always made her speak by talking less and she always spoke every worry with him and got solutions and lightened her heart.

That struck her, she always got to know him by watching him. She hardly asked him anything as he always stayed silent. So she realized she doesn't even know much about him.

Forgetting she had decided to focus on her work, she looked at him curiously, "Why do you like me?" She asked the question without beating around the bush.

Arsh glanced at her before he gave a thought. Why? He had no particular reason to like her. He even gave thought it might be because of her quietness and politeness but he wouldn't mind if she talks nonstop or becomes cheeky.

Noor, who waited for a second, didn't have the patience this time. "You don't even know?" She asked in disbelief. "Did you really like me because I said I will cook for you every day?" If he says yes, she was ready to smack him hard so her gaze was a little sharper.

Arsh shifted his coffee cup to the left hand and turned to impatient Noor as he supported his elbow on the backrest. "Because you are dumb."

Noor wanted to retort but realized she calls herself dumb. Pouting, she looked away from him and audibly sipped her tea displaying her hint of annoyance without her awareness.

Arsh knew Noor is a little reserved around him else she was also a little mischief, kind and happy girl who smiles for little things and also gets angry if needed.

Arsh stretched his hand and held her ear. Turning her to face him, he asked a question that would be an answer to her first question. "If I love you for having a pretty little face, should I stop loving you if you become ugly?"

He watched her blink before a soft blush crept up her face. He realized it was because he said 'I love you,' in the instance. Well, he had said just like that without thinking.

'Ouch.' She held her ear when he purposefully pinched. 

Now focusing on his words, she understood he meant he loves her not her appearance or a particular character. She felt him so complicated. "Does that mean, you like me even if I am dumb?"

Arsh half shrugged his shoulders, "When were you smart anyway?" He sipped while seeing her pout.

"Even if I turn smart?"

Arsh patiently hummed.

"What if I like somebody else?"

Arsh still patiently responded, "You won't see him again." He will just deport that man away from the country.

Noor: "..."

She had thought he might say he would let her choose whoever she likes to be with. And that means he would give up on her. She didn't know if she should be happy about that or not.

Arsh questioned after leaving her silent for a long time, "Do you fancy cold tea?"

For a moment she thought he was asking her likes and dislikes before realizing her tea was getting cold. "Young Master Morgan, you could tell me to have my tea."

Arsh's lips curled hearing her, slowly but surely, she will get casual with him without even being aware. He was always the same as his responses, which helps her mind to think two ways simultaneously, it was just a simple mind training.

"Are you trying to change me before being my wife?" He teased without showing many emotions but his eyes glinted in mischief. 

Noor flushed bright red and looked away from him, understanding he wouldn't mind changing a bit for her. She focused on her tea until she drank it as she calmed down her nerves as she slowly remembered what she had decided.

She also made up her mind to tell him about her decision. She didn't know how the Morgan family was going to treat her after this but she didn't want to leave Arsh hanging for her response.

She took a deep breath before turning to him. For some reason, he appeared slightly colder and stared at the water. She doubted if he already knew what she was going to say.

She peeked to look at his face and his face softened as he turned to face her. "I am sorry, Young Master Morgan, I want to focus on my career without any distraction." She flashed an apologetic smile, in her rejection.