Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 133:

Norah had cto know Susanna, perceiving her as a tender soul, yet lacking the street smarts that Joanna had

developed over time. Joanna, having spent more twith Norah, had a knack for discerning who was genuine

and who was not. But Susanna, bless her heart, was oblivious to such distinctions.

Back in high school, Susanna would have believed the moon was made of cheese if someone told her so. The

last time, had Norah not intervened, there could have been a real problem.

Norah empathized with the Scott family’s predicament. Susanna, being the apple of their eye, had been spoiled

and indulged, but this overindulgence had bred naivety, leaving her unable to tell friend from foe.

Despite her angelic appearance, Susanna’s innocence was apparent. Tears welled in her eyes, tugging at both

Joanna’s and Norah's heartstrings.

Norah gently placed a comforting hand on Susanna’s shoulder. “There, there. Don’t go off the deep end. | doubt

Sean meant to hide anything from you.”

Sniffling, Susanna nodded, her resolve firming. “Norah, my brother and | are thick as thieves. Just wait, I'll ask

him about it when I return!”

Susanna felt she should support Sean's advances, since he clearly had a soft spot for Norah. Plus, she had

developed a fondness for Norah and was eager to make her part of the family.

Watching the exchange between Norah and Susanna, Joanna couldn’t help but muse, “If only Norah and Sean

could hit it off... having a sister-in-law like her would be perfect.”

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“Having a sister-in-law like Susanna wouldn't be half bad—obedient, innocent... not like that scatterbrained

Kathy!” Joanna thought to herself, reflecting on Norah's kind nature, which had often been the target of Kathy's

mocking words throughout her marriage.

Joanna couldn't help but admire Norah's patience with the Carter family. Luckily, Norah was finally divorced. With

the Carter family out of the picture, Norah could return to her own peace and happiness.

“Joanna, rest well in the hospital. I'll take my leave now. See you tomorrow,” Norah bid her farewell, using the

arrival of the grapes as a reason to leave.

“Of course, Norah. Don’t forget to drop by tomorrow,” Joanna replied warmly.

“Count on it!” Norah called back before leaving.

Outside the hospital, in the parking lot, Norah turned to Susanna. “I'm heading home. Care to join me?”

“I want to check on my brother. Can you givea ride?” Susanna asked.

Since Norah could only drop Susanna at the gate, she agreed without hesitation.

Norah stopped her vehicle outside Sean's villa. Susanna fidgeted in her seat, wondering how to invite Norah

inside.

“Thanks for the ride, Norah. How about a drink inside? It would be rude not to offer,” Susanna said tentatively.

Norah grinned. “Are you trying to getto see your brother?”

Suddenly, Norah remembered Bryson’s revelation from the day before, suggesting that Sean might have

overheard what she had said to Joanna about him and Kason. Back then, she had claimed that both Sean and

Kason were her friends.

“I'm only being kind,” Susanna said, trying to sound calm. “Truth be told, I'm not sure if my brother has come

back.”

Despite Susanna’s earnest tone, Norah didn’t buy her words and chuckled. “You said you wanted to have a drink

withinside? Alright, let's go!”

Susanna hesitated for a moment, still considering how to convince Norah. But when she saw that Norah had

agreed, she blurted out, “Okay! Let's go!”

Susanna quickly pulled out her phone. “Hold on a second, | need to respond to a message.” She then typed a

long text to Sean:

“Sean! Drop everything and head home! I've got a surprise in store for you, a real showstopper! Just truston

this one. You'll be happy to see it! Phillip confirmed you've got no prior engagements today, so high-tail it back

home, pronto! The Dreamview Villas. Don’t even think about second-guessing, just make a beeline for the villa in

five minutes flat! And no, I'm not pulling your leg. Get here as fast as your wheels can carry you!”

After locking her screen, Susanna flashed a sweet smile at Norah. “Ready to roll, Norah?”

The next moment, Susanna ushered Norah into the villa, her attention fully engaged. Swinging open the door,

Norah's gaze immediately landed on Sean, lounging on the sofa.

“Well, well, look who decided to grace us with his presence!” Norah said, a smile tugging at her lips.

With a sheepish grin, Susanna kicked off her shoes by the entrance, sliding a pair of slippers toward Norah.

“Have a seat, Norah. I'll fetch you a drink.”

Dashing past Norah, Susanna went straight to the kitchen. Norah took a deep breath, bending down to swap her

shoes.

Maintaining a neutral expression, Norah sauntered into the living room. Though she could feel Sean's gaze

lingering on her, she played it cool, acting oblivious.

“Hey there, Sean,” Norah said, settling onto the sofa and greeting him with a casual tone.

It seemed like Sean had been hfor a while. A half-empty glass of water sat on the table, alongside a tablet

and a laptop. Wearing sleek silver-blue light glasses, he exuded an air of refinement. Clad in a silver-grey long-

sleeved shirt, Sean looked effortlessly dashing with the glasses perched on his nose.

Norah averted her gaze, feigning disinterest.

“So, what's Susanna up to this time?” Sean’s tone was polite yet distant, catching Norah off guard. She half-

expected him to be as eager as ever to engage with her.

Setting the tablet down, Sean's voice shifted, taking on a chillier edge. “She’s young and a bit mischievous. Cut

her sslack. You know she’s got a soft spot for you.”

Norah frowned. “I'm well aware of her fondness for me. She invitedfor a drink, and | saw no reason to

decline.”

Lazily raising her head, she locked eyes with Sean once more. His gaze was inscrutable, as though concealing a

thousand unspoken words.

“Here’s your drink,” Susanna said, walking over with a smile.

She placed the drink in front of Norah, then frowned. “Strange, | could’ve sworn we had ssoft drink with a

delightful package tucked away somewhere. Must’'ve misplaced it.”

Clearing his throat, Sean betrayed a nervous tic. “Norah, love this soft drink. Try it out. Next round, I'll bring over

more for you if you fancy it!” Susanna offered.

Norah's smile was polite but distant. “No need, really. I'll get my own stash of drinks at home.”

Norah took a sip, savoring the aroma lingering on her palate. It seemed Sean and Susanna shared the same

taste in soft drinks. Norah indulged in a few more sips, sitting beside Sean.

Susanna nudged him playfully while Norah continued savoring her drink. “Looks like you've taken a liking to this,

right? It’s top-notch stuff. Fancy taking shome?” Susanna asked.