After days of thinking, Noah wrestled with the idea of involving another woman in his elaborate plan. The weight of the decision burdened his soul, and it took him five long days to explore all the possibilities.

But in the depths of his heart, Noah knew that he couldn't proceed with such a plan. It felt inherently wrong to use someone as a mere distraction, knowing the emotional toll it would take on both parties involved. Furthermore, his heart couldn't fathom the idea of anyone but Scarlett holding a place of significance.

As he acknowledged the impossibility of involving another woman, Noah's mind shifted to the predicament he now faced with Scarlett. Two days ago, he had spun a web of lies, concocting a fictional woman who had captured his attention and possessed exceptional culinary skills.

Now, Noah found himself contemplating the aftermath of those falsehoods. How would he explain the sudden disappearance of this imaginary woman? What would he say to Scarlett, who had unknowingly become entangled in his intricate web of deceit?

Restlessly, he walked back and forth within the limited space of his hotel room, seeking the appropriate words to lessen the consequences of his deception. However, he cannot afford to indulge in that at present as he must prepare for his flight scheduled for tomorrow.

Realizing that he needed to focus on the present moment, Noah made a decision. He would set aside the turmoil and occupy himself fully with the task at hand—shopping for Scarlett. Noah grabbed his jacket and headed out.

---------------

Noah's heart raced as he stepped out of the taxi at the entrance of Scarlett's university. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his appearance, ensuring he maintained the facade of a good friend.

He entered the university, weaving through the crowd, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of Scarlett. Spotting her near the library, engrossed in a conversation with a friend, he couldn't help but feel relaxed. As he approached, he cleared his throat, catching her attention.

"Scarlett!" he called out, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the subtle quiver in his voice.

Scarlett turned towards him, her eyes widening with surprise and confusion. "Noah? What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be away for another six months," she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.

Noah flashed a sheepish grin, attempting to downplay his early return. "Well, plans changed, and I couldn't resist the chance to surprise you," he replied, feigning nonchalance.

Scarlett's initial surprise transformed into a wide smile, and she rushed forward, embracing Noah tightly. "I can't believe you're here! This is the best surprise ever," she said, her voice filled with genuine joy.

Noah found himself torn between the hesitation to reciprocate her embrace and the undeniable power of his love for her. His emotions tangled like a pair of naughty kittens, playing hide-and-seek within his heart. Yet, unable to resist, he surrendered to the warmth of her arms. As they gently parted, he beheld Scarlett's face, her eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions like stars in the night sky. Happiness mingled within him.

"I've missed you," he admitted. A wide smile brightened Noah's face as he looked at Scarlett. "Well, since I'm here now, let's do something different. Give me your keys," he said, reaching out his hand.

Scarlett looked at him with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "What are you up to, Noah?" she asked, handing him the keys to her car.

Noah grinned mischievously. "We're going home," he declared,

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Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "Home? But I have class, Noah," she reminded him

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, come on, Scarlett. It's not like you'll fail just because you miss one class.

"Alright Alright. Let's go!"

-----------------

Scarlett couldn't resist probing Noah as they drove back home. She leaned in closer, unable to contain her curiosity.

Scarlett: "So, Mr. Traveler, spill the beans! What did you get up to in Italy?"

Noah chuckled, giving her a sly smile before answering.

Noah: "You wouldn't believe the adventures I had, Scarlett. There was this one time when I found myself in a gelato-eating competition against a local champion. Let's just say, I did the family name proud."

Scarlett: "A gelato-eating competition? Seriously? You couldn't resist showing off your sweet tooth, huh?"

Noah: "Hey, it's a skill that runs in our family. You should have seen the look on their faces when I devoured flavor after flavor. They had never seen someone so determined!"

Scarlett playfully nudged him with her elbow.

Scarlett: "What else did you do? Did you get a deal for which you went to Italy? How did the meetings go?"

Noah: "The meetings went better than I expected, actually several companies expressed genuine interest in collaborating with us. We discussed potential joint ventures and explored ways to expand our market presence. It seems like we're on the cusp of something big."

Scarlett: "That's incredible news! All your hard work is paying off."

--------------------

As they arrived at the penthouse, Noah parked the car.

Noah: "Ah, it feels good to be home after the long journey. I'm going to freshen up a bit. See you in a few, Scarlett."

Scarlett: "Sure thing, Noah. Take your time. I'll get started on preparing something for you."

Noah went into the bathroom, and Scarlett went to the kitchen. She took out some meatballs from the fridge and started making pasta.

Scarlett fried the meatballs in a hot skillet, allowing them to turn golden brown and crispy.

Next, she poured tomato sauce into a saucepan, sprinkled it with fragrant oregano, and stirred the ingredients together. The sauce started to simmer gently, infusing the kitchen with a rich and savory aroma.

She boiled the water in a pot as the sauce simmered and added a pinch of salt.

While the pasta was cooked, Scarlett carefully flipped the meatballs, ensuring they cooked evenly on all sides. She set them aside to rest once they were beautifully browned and cooked through.

Draining the cooked pasta in a colander, Scarlett let the excess water escape before combining it with the simmering sauce. With a gentle toss, she coated the pasta with the flavorful sauce, allowing it to absorb the deliciousness.

Garnishing the dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, Scarlett admired the vibrant and delicious presentation of the pasta with meatballs.

Scarlett: Delicious!

Just as she put the finishing touches on the meal, Noah entered the kitchen, a towel draped over his shoulders, his hair still damp from a refreshing shower.

Noah: "Pasta? You always find a way to make me the happiest, Scarlett."

Returning his smile, Scarlett replied, "Bon appétit."

---------------------

After they had lunch, Scarlett handed Noah a steaming cup of black coffee. She took a sip from her own cup, savoring the bittersweet taste, before turning to Noah with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes

"So, where is she?" Scarlett's voice echoed around the room

Noah's heart skipped a beat as he tried to gather his thoughts, his mind racing to find the right words to explain the situation.

"Who?" Noah stammered, his voice barely audible.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through Noah as she pressed on.

"Your Italian culinary queen, Noah," she said, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "The woman you couldn't stop talking about that day. The woman you liked. Remember?"

"Ah, her," he finally managed to say, his voice void of emotion. "We ended our relationship."

Scarlett's expression twisted, a blend of relief and disappointment evident on her face. She struggled to grasp her facial expressions

"Just a few days, Noah? Are you seriously telling me you broke up in such a short time?" she scrutinized him closely, as if her eyes were attempting to unravel the truth.

"We simply weren't compatible enough," he replied, avoiding direct eye contact.

"Then why don't you seem sad at all? You don't appear heartbroken," she raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"How old am I, Scarlett? Do you think I need time to mourn over such trivial matters?" he gazed at her, attempting to divert her attention playfully.

"Fine, fine, I won't pry," she didn't push him further, but she knew deep down he wasn't being truthful. Either he didn't have a girlfriend in the first place or something had occurred. But why did he feel the need to lie to me?

She had known Noah for years, and they had always been close friends. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from her. She had a nagging suspicion that his breakup story was nothing more than a fabrication.