Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Mommy!

Chapter 23: Mommy!

Later that day, Noelle went to work at the restaurant with a troubled mind. The unwelcomed memories of Adrian gnawed at her, refusing to grant her peace. Still, she pushed through, forcing herself to focus on her tasks. At least work kept her hands busy, even if her thoughts wandered.

She sighed as she walked back to the counter, grabbing a glass pitcher filled with iced tea.

Evelyn, who had been watching her closely, frowned. “What’s wrong?” she asked with concern evident in her tone. Noelle had been sighing more than usual, as if carrying a burden too heavy to bear.

“Nothing…” Noelle forced a small smile. “I just remembered something I really didn’t wanna think about.”

Before Evelyn could press further, a customer called for a server. Noelle took it as an escape and turned swiftly, heading toward their table, eager to drown herself in work before her thoughts swallowed her whole.

As Noelle approached the table, she quickly adjusted her expression, masking the turmoil inside. She set down the

glasses with ease.

“Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else,” she said with a polite smile before turning away.

But as she walked back to the counter, she felt a lingering gaze on her. It was an unsettling sensation which made the hairs on her arms rise. She subtly glanced around the restaurant, but everything seemed normal. Customers chatted,

utensils clinked, and the warm scent of freshly cooked meals filled the air.

“Are you sure you’re okay, dear?” Evelyn asked again, this time softer, as she wiped down the counter.

Noelle hesitated, gripping the pitcher a little tighter. “Yeah. Just… one of those days,” she murmured.

Evelyn gave her a knowing look but didn’t press further. Instead, she gestured toward the clock. “Your shift’s almost over. Why don’t you take a break?”

But Noelle shook her head. “I’m fine, really. Keeping busy helps.”

the older woman didn’t seem convinced, but before she could argue, the bell above the restaurant door chimed. Noelle

turned instinctively only for her breath to end up surprised.

Standing at the entrance, dressed in a crisp suit with his eyes gleaming under the dim lighting, was Valerian Vasiliev.

And he wasn’t alone.

Alexei stood beside him with his small hands shoved into his coat pockets, looking around the restaurant acting like a big

man just like his uncle.

Noelle watched as the two casually picked a table near the window and settled in.

“Ugh… what now?” she muttered under her breath, rubbing her temple before grabbing a menu. With a deep breath, she forced a pleasant smile and walked over to them.

“Hi… Good evening,” she greeted, keeping her tone professional.

Valerian smiled, his silver-grey eyes watching her with quiet amusement, while Alexei pouted, crossing his arms like a child denied candy.

“You’re really going to act like we’re just customers?” Alexei asked, tilting his head as he studied her.

Noelle arched a brow. “That’s exactly what you are.”

1/4

“Good evening, Noelle,” he greeted smoothly with his deep voice.

Alexei huffed, tapping a finger against the table. “You’re pretending you don’t know us now?”

“You are customers, aren’t you?” she replied lightly, ignoring the way Valerian’s smirk deepened.

Alexei pouted harder. “You didn’t even say hi to me properly,” he muttered under his breath, making Noelle suppress a

sigh.

“Fine. Hello, Alexei. Happy now?” she said, crossing her arms.

The boy only squinted at her. “Not really. You sound fake.”

Valerian chuckled at his nephew’s bluntness. “We’ll have whatever you recommend,” he said, setting the menu aside

without even looking at it.

Noelle blinked. “You’re not even going to check what’s available?”

“I trust your taste,” Valerian said smoothly, resting his chin on his hand.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “One order of steak, medium rare. Burger and fries for the little kid. Wine and orange juice

for the drinks.”

Alexei’s pout deepened. “I didn’t even order yet!”

Valerian smirked. “And yet, she got it right.”

Noelle shot them both a tired look. “I’ll be back with your order.” Then, without waiting for another remark, she turned on her heel and walked away.

As Noelle walked back to the counter, Evelyn raised a curious brow. “Regular customers of yours?”

Noelle scoffed, setting down her notepad. “More like a headache that won’t go away.”

Evelyn chuckled as she passed the order to the kitchen. “The handsome one’s got sharp eyes for you.”

Noelle groaned, rubbing her temple. “Please don’t start.”

Evelyn simply smirked and went back to work, leaving Noelle grumbling under her breath.

Minutes later, she balanced the tray with ease and made her way back to their table. She set down the plates quietly,

refusing to engage.

“Enjoy your meal,” she said curtly, ready to leave.

But Alexei, ever the troublemaker, grinned up at her. “You should sit with us.”

Noelle blinked. “Why would I? Can’t you see I’m working?”

“Then we’ll wait,” Valerian said smoothly.

Alexei nodded eagerly. “Yeah! We’re not leaving until you do.”

Noelle who has been trying her best to keep her temper in check finally let out an exhausted sigh.

“What do you two really want?” Noelle asked, crossing her arms as she leveled them with an unimpressed look.

Valerian leaned back against his chair as a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He folded his hands together with elbows resting on the table as if he had all the time in the world. “Good thing you asked,” he said smoothly.

He didn’t continue right away and took his sweet time, as if measuring his words. Noelle tapped her foot impatiently, but

he remained unfazed.

2/4

Chapter 23 Mommy!

415 Fores

“Tomorrow is Alexei’s family day at the academy,” he finally said. “You know his parents haven’t been home for a while. I

haven’t been able to reach them either.”

Noelle let out a scoff, already seeing where this was going. “And?” she shot back. “That’s not my problem. You two are strangers to me, and it goes both ways, in case you forgot.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned to walk away, ready to put as much distance as possible between herself and

this ridiculous situation.

Then, the sound of a wailing cry pierced the air.

Noelle stopped dead in her tracks.

“Are you really not coming home, mommy? Please come hoooome!”

The restaurant fell into stunned silence for half a second before hushed murmurs erupted all around her.

Noelle instantly turned back. Her stomach dropped as she took in the sight before her. Alexei, sitting in his chair with fat tears rolling down his cheeks while sobbing loudly, and his little fists rubbing at his eyes. Valerian, meanwhile, was utterly unbothered, casually cutting his steak into perfect slices as if nothing unusual was happening. If anything, the amused

flicker in his gaze told her he was enjoying this.

Noelle’s pulse skyrocketed as whispers rippled through the restaurant.

“Did you hear that? She is clearly neglecting her child.”

“What a shame… so young, too.”

“That poor boy, begging his mother in public like this.”

Noelle’s breath caught in her throat as a deep, burning embarrassment crawled up her spine. Her face heated as more

heads turned as their eyes began to fill with pity, judgment, and scandal.

“What the-?!” she hissed under her breath before rushing back to Alexei. She crouched beside him, her hand shooting up

to cover his mouth. “What do you think you’re doing?!” she demanded, her voice coming out in a desperate whisper.

Alexei blinked at her with big, teary eyes, his lower lip trembling for extra effect. “Mommy doesn’t love me anymore?” he

whimpered, his voice just loud enough for nearby tables to hear.

Noelle’s jaw clenched as she turned to Valerian, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel. “Valerian, shut him up,” she demanded knowing her patience is hanging by a thread.

Valerian, who had been casually slicing his steak, suddenly flinched and stopped with his knife hovering in mid-air.

It was the first time he heard his name sound so… appealing. Noelle’s voice, although it was edged with authority and

laced with a desperation he hadn’t expected, made his name roll off her tongue in a way that felt almost intimate.

Something stirred inside him. An odd thrill at the way she said it, as if it was the most personal thing he’d ever heard.

For a moment, he was frozen, staring at her with surprise and something darker. Something that he quickly buried

beneath the surface. His hand lowered the fork and knife to the plate slowly and the sound of the utensils settling in front

of him echoed in the awkwardness between them.

Noelle’s gaze held him, demanding, as she waited for him to do something to end the scene Alexei had caused. But Valerian didn’t move immediately.

Valerian’s gaze softened just a fraction, but his smile never wavered. He leaned forward while his eyes never left hers as

he called out calmly to Alexei, “Enough, Alexei.”

Alexei immediately quieted, wiping his eyes with a sniffle as he looked up at Valerian, waiting for further instructions. Noelle exhaled in relief, though the knot in her stomach didn’t loosen.

3/4

Chapter 23 Mommy!

Valerian’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he spoke again.

“Come with us tomorrow. Please, malysh…?” He managed to plead, which Noelle didn’t expect.

‘Huh?’ Noelle thought, confused what the last word meant.

+15 Pomts>