Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Library

Chapter 22: Library

Valerian took a step closer while his silver-grey eyes gleamed with amusement as he extended a hand toward her. “I’m Valerian Vasiliev, and this little troublemaker is my nephew, Alexei Dimitriv.” His tone was smooth with a warm expression on his face, but there was something in the way he carried himself that made Noelle hesitate.

She glanced at his outstretched hand but made no move to shake it. Her grip tightened around the strap of her purse

instead.

“Are you sure… he’s your nephew and not your son?” she asked, her brows slightly furrowed. She had to clarify-she

could’ve sworn she misheard earlier.

Valerian let out a low chuckle. It was a deep, rich sound that sent chills down her spine. With an affectionate smirk, he rested a hand on top of Alexei’s head, ruffling the boy’s soft curls. “I get that a lot,” he admitted. “We do share quite the

resemblance, don’t we?”

Alexei grinned proudly, puffing out his chest.

“But no,” Valerian continued as his gaze settled back on her. “This ‘mal’chik’ isn’t my son. I’m just the unfortunate babysitter.” He let out a mock sigh, shaking his head. “Believe me, I’ve got my hands full.”

Alexei tugged on his uncle’s coat with a frown. “Hey! I’m not that bad!”

Valerian chuckled again, but Noelle barely noticed. She was too busy trying to figure out a way to escape the situation, but

it was already too late. Valerian’s sharp gaze told her he had seen right through her.

“I liked how concerned you were for my nephew last night,” Valerian said suddenly, his genuine tone pulling Noelle out of

her frantic thoughts.

“Huh?”

“To be honest, last night was a first for me. Who would’ve thought I’d get scolded by a concerned mother just trying to help?” He smirked, clearly amused.

“Excuse me?? Mother who?” Noelle asked, clearly offended, but Valerian only found her reaction more entertaining.

“You,” he said, tilting his head. “Who else sounded like an angry hen last night? Scolding a complete stranger just because

she thought the child was being neglected?”

Noelle’s jaw dropped. “Angry hen?!”

Valerian smirked, clearly amused. “Yes. You were quite fierce.”

“I-I was not an angry hen!” Noelle sputtered with hands on her hips. “I was just-concerned! Like any decent person

would be!”

Alexei nodded sagely. “You did sound like my nanny when she’s mad.”

Noelle gasped. “Oh, you little-” She stopped herself, exhaling sharply before shooting Valerian a glare. “Well, maybe if someone was actually a responsible adult!”

Valerian chuckled, completely unbothered. “So I’m irresponsible, huh? You wound me, milaya.”

Noelle huffed. “Whatever. I have places to be.” She turned on her heel, ready to march away, only for Alexei to grab her

wrist.

“Wait! Don’t go, Angry Hen!”

Valerian let out a full laugh this time, and Noelle groaned. Somehow, she had a feeling she wasn’t escaping them anytime

soon.

And she was right.

As Noelle continued on her path toward the library-determined to enjoy at least a moment of peace, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being followed. Sure enough, the two of them trailed closely behind her, leaving their men to wait by their vehicles. Noelle kept her head down, acting as if she hadn’t noticed them, but Alexei was having none of it. He started whistling, loud and carefree, as if to announce that they weren’t even trying to be subtle.

Noelle’s frustration grew, and she let out an exaggerated exhale, trying to focus on the few steps left until she reached her

destination. As if the universe itself was mocking her, she finally reached the library’s entrance, feeling a tiny victory as

she stepped inside. At least it was quiet… for now.

She moved toward shelves with her fingers lightly grazing the spines as she walked by. The familiar scent of paper and

ink calmed her, and she pulled a book from the shelf at random.

She then cleared her throat before finding herself a chair, hoping they’d take the hint, but Valerian and Alexei remained

there, as if they were part of the furniture.

She shifted in her seat, trying to pretend they weren’t there, but the sound of Alexei’s quiet whistling broke the silence,

making it clear he wasn’t going anywhere.

With a sigh, Noelle dropped her gaze back to the book, flipping another page as if it would magically give her some space. But she could feel Valerian’s eyes on her, a little too intense for comfort, and Alexei was still standing too close, shifting

his weight from one foot to the other like a kid who had to pee but didn’t want to leave.

“Do you need something?” Noelle asked, her voice a little tighter than she meant it to be.

Alexei blinked at her innocently, “Just making sure you’re reading something good.”

Noelle blinked, utterly perplexed. “Uh… okay?”

Valerian chuckled behind her, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing. “You know, we could always grab coffee after, if you’re done reading. I promise, no more spying.” He said the last part lightly, but Noelle could hear the tease in his

voice.

She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “I’m not sure I’ll ever be done reading at this rate.”

Alexei, never missing a beat, piped up, “We could get snacks too, if you want.”

Noelle resisted the urge to facepalm. It seemed she was never going to be left alone, and the peace she so desperately sought was slipping away. With a deep sigh, she slammed the book shut and the sound of pages thudding against each

other startled eAlexei, who jumped slightly in his spot.

“Okay, that’s it,” Noelle muttered, standing abruptly. She grabbed her purse and started walking towards the librarian’s desk, not sparing a glance at either Valerian or Alexei.

Alexei blinked, watching her retreat, before his voice rang out in the stillness of the library. “Hey! Where are you going? You

can’t leave without us!”

Noelle gritted her teeth but didn’t respond. She approached the librarian, who was sorting through a pile of papers.

“Excuse me,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady, “I’d like to borrow a book.”

The librarian looked up and smiled, nodding. “Sure, but you’ll need to register first. We require a membership for all

borrowers.”

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Of course, Noelle thought, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. She’d come all this way for peace and ended up with

paperwork. Still, she nodded, pulling out her ID from her purse. “I’ll register then.”

The librarian handed her a form, and Noelle filled it out quickly while her mind was still on the pair trailing behind her. She wasn’t sure which was worse-Valerian’s teasing or Alexei’s persistent energy. Either way, she was about to have company whether she wanted it or not.

“Noelle McGrath…”

Her name rolled off Valerian’s tongue so comfortably as he read it from her paperwork, which caught her off guard.

“You have a really nice name. Suits you,” he added, the compliment spoken casually, yet it made Noelle flinch.

For a fleeting moment, Noelle’s thoughts spiraled back to Adrian. She could hear his voice, soft and tender, telling her how much he liked her name, and how unique it was-just like her. The memory hit her like a punch to the gut, and her heart clenched painfully in her chest. She didn’t want to be reminded of him, not now that she finally found herself things she wanted to do. Adrian, the man she loved but cruelly betrayed her, who had made her feel like nothing more than a rebound, still haunted her thoughts. The sting was always there, even when she tried to forget.

Noelle shook her head, pushing the thought aside as she took a deep breath to steady herself. She couldn’t afford to get lost in the past again. And so, Noelle turned back to the desk and handed her document.

“Oh, done already?” the librarian asked with a touch of surprise as she looked up from her desk.

Noelle nodded, forcing a tight smile. “Yeah, just needed to finish up the registration.”

As she handed over her form and received the borrower’s slip, she could feel Valerian’s gaze on her which made her even

more uncomfortable. Without a word, she quickly turned and walked away once the book was in her hands.