Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Noor stood two steps away from Arsh, "I…" She gulped her saliva, to wet her throat, and then she spoke, pointing behind her, at the door, "I didn't mean to listen…" She paused, recalling that Arsh wouldn't blame her for it, "I came to say bye." Her feeble voice sounded like she was going to cry at a small trigger.

Arsh didn't want to send her home in this state so he needed to rest her thoughts that were scaring her. Again starting from zero would be harder.

He turned behind and went to the nightstand. Grabbing his water bottle, he unscrewed the cap as he reached her, "Drink some water."

Instead of giving her the bottle, he went closer and helped her drink. Noor didn't back away, instead, she continued to stare at him, holding the corner of the bottle while drinking. She tore her gaze away for a second or two before she stared back at him after drinking water.

Arsh's face further softened looking at her gaze. It felt like she was waiting for her death sentence to be announced.

"Are you thinking I am going to ask you to marry me right away?" He asked. He left the bottle on the bed and looked back at her.

Noor gave a thought. For the man who always considered her in every decision he took, she knew Arsh wouldn't recklessly ask her to marry him. So she shook her head. But recalling how much Arsh loved his family and Arna, she nodded her head immediately.

She heard him heartily chuckle at her response. Her fearing face slowly softened and started blinking. She liked his expressions, rather than an aloof face. 

Arsh didn't want her to worry even in the back of her mind, so he decided to word it clearly for her. His fingers brushed her long bangs away from her face as he cupped her face, "I won't ask you to marry me until you are ready for it, alright?"

Noor didn't evade his touch. Hearing him, her heart finally rested at ease, her eyes brightened as she nodded in acceptance with a hum.

'That was easy.' Arsh had thought he would have to coax her for a long time to get the fear out. He was glad she trusts him and that was enough to solve most of the problems that they might have to face.

"Or else…" He trailed his words and she tilted her head in his hands. Seeing no fear but curiosity, he completed the other option, "How about you let me know when you feel like you are ready for it?"

Noor smiled hearing him. Until she tells him, he won't ask her. She felt it was a good option. Her lively voice was back,  "That's best." She easily fell into the trap.

Arsh didn't want to make her smart. She was cute being dumb. He nodded without revealing his second option was just a tease.

"Then I will go home. Good night." She wished. Since she was used to one-way wishes, she turned around and started walking.

Arsh followed her so that he could drop her home which she would never ask.

Noor suddenly halted two steps before the door. Arsh too paused a step early and saw her head tilt, then she inhaled audibly and gasped.

She turned around grumpily and stumbled back seeing him right behind her. Arsh effortlessly wrapped his arm around her waist and steadied her.

There was a pout on her lips, when she pointed her finger at his chest, revealing she discerned the trap, "You tricked me again." She sulked like a bullied child.

"Really?" He feigned ignorance, entrained by so many roller coasters of emotions on her face in such a short time.

Noor let out a feeble hum, "If I let you know I am ready for the wedding, it means I will be proposing to you to get married."

"So?" His one-word response continued. He realized Noor wasn't conscious of being close to him anymore.

Noor thought to say he should propose to her when she would be ready for marriage. Then she thought how he will know when she will be ready. It only felt clear and fair if she proposes to him as she was the one who needed time.

She slipped from his arms, "Never mind, I don't think I will take a decade to propose." She teased before running away.

Arsh: "..."

He had thought she would appreciate him for giving her so much time but hadn't expected her to tease him calling it a decade.

Following her out, he took her to Wood's mansion, dropped all the shopping bags inside, greeted the elders before ready to leave.

However, Noor tugged his jacket without letting him leave. When he faced her, she shyly, voluntarily revealed to her family that she was dating him.

While Noah had a long face, the rest congratulated them. Arsh imagined Alan behaving like Noah for Arna.

Alan, sitting in a corner and sulking to see Arna being taken away by Ivan. That put him in an amazing mood when he left the Wood's mansion.

----

Arna focusing on her show and being together with Ivan, Eva accepting Arna as their daughter-in-law, and Noor slowly opening up to him, Arsh thought everything was going well.

He went to work at his home office without any concern. He didn't know he was going to worry Noor, beyond her control.

---- At 2 in the night ----

Alan woke up to his mobile ringing, he quickly muted it to avoid disturbing Aria's sleep. He frowned looking at Arsh's number. He wasn't expecting Arsh to go out on any mission. 

Pulling himself up, he leaned on the headboard of the bed and answered the call to hear, "Dad."

The door wasn't locked so, "Come in." He ended the call after it. He reached for Aria who was disturbed by the ring. When his hand glided on her head, her eyelids flung open accurately guessing why Alan got a call and waking her up.

Arsh was donning a black uniform when went inside. His firm boot steps were light to avoid making any noise. He emerged out of darkness to the faint light of bed lamps. Alan was helping Aria to sit when Arsh sat at the edge of the bed near his mother.