Chapter 984: Reason...

An Tian's home, in the evening...

Noah was home when An Tian returned.

"You didn't work till late today," An Tian asked, removing his shoes near the door as he put them in the shoe rack.

"The reason I stayed in the office till late is on leave today," Noah replied as he went towards the refrigerator and pulled out a water bottle.

"Lu Lijun?" An Tian concluded and informed, "He went to see his brother."

"I know." Noah poured water in one glass and carried it to An Tian, who sat on the sofa. "I'm worried about him," Noah added.

An Tian sighed, "I too," and accepted a glass of water.

Noah looked at him to ask what did he mean but just then, his cell phone rang. The name flashing on the cellphone screen surprised Noah, "Lijun?"

An Tian too looked at him and waited to see why Lu Lijun called. He felt worried, thinking if something happened as it was not any other normal day.

Noah received the call and heard Lu Lijun, "Where are you?"

"I'm home," Noah replied.

"Are you alone?" Lu Lijun asked.

Noah looked at An Tian and replied, "Brother Tian is here too."

"I'm coming there," Lu Lijun informed and hung up the call before Noah could ask anything.

"What happened?" An Tian asked, looking at puzzled Noah.

"Lijun is coming here," Noah replied, feeling worried as he added, "He didn't sound so good."

An Tian said nothing and stood up after drinking the water, "Others would be here too in a while. Welcome them; I'll get fresh."

Noah nodded, and An Tian left. Noah understood who others were coming, Jiang Yang and Lu Feng.

After a while, the doorbell rang, and Noah went to open the door, thinking it must be Lu Feng and Jiang Yang. Opening the door, he was ready to welcome the two handsome men, but when he saw who stood in front of him, his eyes were left wide open.

"Jake?" Noah exclaimed, his face covered with shocking expressions.

Jake stared at the shocked guy in front of him and felt like hugging Noah tightly but controlled himself as he stood in his place, coldly.

"How come you are here?" Noah asked.

"Can't I?" Jake countered.

"No, I mean you didn't inform," Noah explained.

"Do I need to?" Jake asked, and Noah left with no word.

Trying to get hold of himself, Noah stepped aside, and Jake entered home.

When An Tian came out of his room, he saw Jake entering the home. It surprised An Tian too, but he knew his younger brother well, so he didn't bother to ask him anything.

Greeting his brother with a slight nod, Jake went to his room, carrying his bag. An Tian looked at Noah, who was still at the door, and looked lost as if he didn't know what to do.

Just then few more people arrived home that diverted Noah's attention, and he talked to them.

Lu Feng and Jiang Yang were there. Since the morning they were with An Tian and planned to be together in his home afterwards while Lu Han returned to his home.

"How are you, Noah?" Lu Feng asked, and Noah pulled out his usual smile, "I'm fine."

"But you don't look fine," Jiang Yang countered, and Noah gulped.

"Are you guys planning to stay at the door?" An Tian asked, stepping towards them. His main intention was to interrupt the talk between Noah and Jiang Yang as Noah was already nervous because of the sudden arrival of Jake.

Jiang Yang patted Noah at the shoulder, "I was joking."

Noah left out a sigh of relief and followed the elder brothers inside the home.

"Excuse me," Noah went to his room, as he needed some time alone.

"Is he fine? His face looked flushed as if something troubled him," Jiang Yang asked.

"You will know soon," An Tian replied as he looked at the bags in his friend's hands, "Give it to me."

An Tian put the bags in the kitchen as they had the plan to cook.

Whenever these friends had the time or a special day, they enjoyed having time like this together and cooked by themselves while talking about so many things.

Noah went to his room. The moment he closed the door, he lay down on the bed. Closing his eyes, his hands ran through his hair as his mind was busy asking so many questions.

'Why is he here? Can't he inform instead of appearing all of a sudden? Why is it so hard to behave like before? I hate this...I hate being like this...what should I do? How should I behave with him? Why is it so hard to even look into his eyes...those damn eyes...I hate them too..." He continued sighing and feeling frustrated.

In a while, Jake came out of the room freshening up and changing into new clothes. Seeing Jake, Jiang Yang, and Lu Feng felt surprised.

"When did you come?" Jiang Yang asked.

"Just a while ago," Jake replied and went to them as he greeted them by shaking hands.

"Good to see you," said Lu Feng.

Jake went to the kitchen to get water while Jiang Yang looked at An Tian, "So this is the reason."

An Tian nodded, and the three looked at Noah's room as the guy didn't come out.

"Reason?" Jake, who heard it, asked.

It startled the three, and An Tian tried to cover it up, "The reason you appeared suddenly. I'm sure you are not here because you missed your brother."

"Do I need to have a reason," Jake answered.

An Tian sighed, "You must have missed your friends."

Ignoring it, Jake looked at Lu Feng, "How is Lijun?"

"Should be fine," Lu Feng answered.

Hearing it, An Tian remembered something, "He is coming here so you can see how he is."

It surprised Lu Feng and Jiang Yang while Jake thought it was good that he was coming. His friend must be lonely that day like every year and must want to be with his friends.