Is this destiny?

Chloe was impressed when she heard that kids get a chance to create artwork and sell it. "They get to earn money?"

Noah was pleased with Chloe's reaction, and he had to add, "We also offer financial advisors so that they can invest their money wisely. Kids can sell much more than artwork. As we go through the center, you will see that kids here can learn crafts and earn money from them. We all hope that once these kids are out of this place, they have a diploma and at least a few more skills. Only like that, they will be self-sufficient and not fall into poverty..."

Chloe listened to Noah and thought how this place is amazing. She was moved when he told her that there is also ongoing support for the ones who left the youth center, and they can come anytime to ask questions or assistance. 

"Noah is in the art studio…", Ade's voice came from behind Noah and Chloe, making them turn to see Ade and Daniel at the door.

Chloe immediately recognized them as boys who are associated with Sarah and Aiden.

Chloe was embarrassed that she and Noah were still holding hands, but Noah was totally cool about it, and she was grateful that Ade and Daniel didn't bring it up because she didn't want to let go of Noah's hand.

"How come you are not down in the study room?", Daniel asked Noah, confirming Chloe's guess that Noah comes here regularly.

"I'm giving a tour to Chloe.", Noah responded.

"Chloe Long, right?", Ade asked and when Chloe nodded, he said, "I'm Ade, this is Daniel. It's nice to have you here. What do you think?"

Chloe smiled at Ade's welcome. He was relaxed and smiling and not over the top... it seemed genuine.

"Thank you for having me. It's a lot to take in.", Chloe admitted.

"We are not done.", Noah said to Chloe and then looked at Ade and Daniel. "Chloe was amazing. She helped with math."

Daniel nodded in approval. "You should come whenever you can. We could always use extra hands."

Noah gave himself a thumbs up for this move. He was holding Chloe's hand and he was confident that Chloe was feeling a tug on her heart every time someone told her that she was welcome and needed. Noah needed her as well, but somehow… he felt that he was not enough to make her stay.

Actually, he had a feeling that his presence and the attraction they feel might make her leave. Chloe is a kindhearted person, and she wouldn't want him to be inconvenienced with her issues but that only made Noah want to keep her closer to him.

"Why are you here?", Chloe got a start when she heard the question and she relaxed when she realized that it was Hande talking to Ade.

"I came to check on you.", Ade said with a pout. "You were taking too long."

"Sorry, sorry… We have more pieces than usually, and it took longer.", Hande quickly explained. "Xiaohui said that she will finish so that I can go to the music room."

Hande glanced at Chloe and smiled. "Hi Chloe, it's nice to see you here. We don't mean to be rude by leaving right away, but we are late for the rehearsal…"

Chloe returned the greeting, and she was surprised that everyone knows her name. She attended several events with the kids from the Cliffside Villa present, but Chloe never interacted with them. Of course, she doesn't know they are all using Eve-lens that shows them much more than just her name.

"Music room?", Chloe asked Noah.

"That's our next destination.", Noah confirmed, happy to see that Chloe's face lit up again.

Chloe and Noah entered a room that had about twenty kids, each holding an instrument. There were trumpets, violins, cello, cymbals, flutes, clarinets, a harp, and of course, a piano.

Ade and Hande were standing in the middle, each with a violin in their hands.

One man in his mid-forties was wearing a black uniform and he was standing in front of everyone in his role as a conductor. He told them to get ready before he started waving his hands and smooth music filled the space with Ade and Hande leading them.

Noah watched Chloe as she swayed slightly with the music. He was mesmerized by her smile and he noticed that her eyes were resting on the piano.

The song lasted about ten minutes. The conductor gave a few pointers and they started from the beginning.

Chloe looked at Noah and tilted her head toward the door, silently asking him to leave. She didn't want to talk in order not to disturb the musicians.

"Are they practicing for something specific?", Chloe asked when they were in the hallway.

Noah hummed in confirmation. "On a Saturday afternoon, in two weeks, there will be a performance. It's open to the public and the neighborhood gathers to enjoy the music. Other than what we heard, kids will perform individually as well. There will be stalls with food and knick-knacks, and there are various games and events. It's something like a fair where kids get a chance to earn money and interact with the neighbors; that helps them integrate into society later. I hope you can come."

Noah saw that Chloe lowered her head and he knew that she was thinking how in two weeks she will be far away. He decided to change the topic. "We could have stayed longer in the music room. You looked like you were enjoying it."

"I did, very much.", Chloe admitted while skipping the part that she really-really wanted to sit at that piano and give it a go. "But you said that there is more to this place, and I am curious."

"Alright.", Noah said. "I hope that one day I get to hear you playing the piano."

Chloe paused. "How did you know?"

Noah smiled smugly. "I saw the way you were looking at it. So, unless you were smitten by Miranda who was playing it, that longing was directed at the piano."

Chloe was again surprised by how perceptive Noah was. Why does it feel that he can read her mind? "Am I that easy to read?"

"Only for the ones who are paying attention."

"Are you paying attention to me?", Chloe blurted out.

"You have no idea."

Chloe didn't know how to respond to this. Noah was overwhelming and she really wanted to throw herself at him, but at the same time, she knew that was not a good idea.

Chloe was torn between her heart crying to hold onto Noah, and her mind screaming how she should leave; so she lied to herself that holding hands was enough and that this was only for the weekend, and after that… it will pass. Somehow.

Noah brushed over the topic, knowing that he can't push too much because Chloe might run away like the scared rabbit she is.

His net was in place, but he needed to tighten it up more around Chloe before making his move. 

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