Archie's face flushed with anger, stormed out of the cafeteria, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. He was seething in anger, determined not to let the humiliation go easily.
But as he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes met the gaze of the men in black who had thrown him out. Their stares were filled with an unsettling wrath that sent a shiver down his spine. He knew that if these men pound on him, he would not survive it.
"I will not let this go," Archie yelled on top of his voice, "Listen to me very attentively Niçholas , I will make sure you go back to that jail. I will tell my sister what you did to me, she will never forgive you. I will make sure you come back to my feet and beg me to forgive you,"
"Beat it!" One of the men in black ordered with very bold, menacing voice. Fear gripped his heart, and without another thought, Archie turned on his heel and bolted away.
Niçholas , bewildered and confused, cautiously took a seat in the chair Archie had vacated, letting out a deep sigh. A sense of calm washed over him as he settled into the space, the tension slowly dissipating. In front of him, the lady poised herself, a gentle smile gracing her features. Niçholas peered at her, searching for familiarity in a face he had never seen before. He was still trying to figure out why she made such entrance by declaring him as her fiance. He had never come across this lady, had he? He asked himself.
"Okay, I know this is awkward but at least, could you please tell me what is happening here? I am not trying to be an ingrate, I appreciate what you did, I just don't understand why you did it," Niçholas ventured, his voice wavering with uncertainty. "And why are you claiming to be my fiancée when we've never even met,"
The lady extended a hand towards Niçholas , her voice soothing and melodic as she spoke, "Perhaps, I should say I apologize. I am sorry for the whole drama I pulled up. I am India Avendano, by the way and I know you are... Niçholas Loughty,"
Niçholas 's confusion deepened as he tried to make sense of the bizarre situation. How could this stranger know him? Why had she sought him out?
"That can't be all, I don't think we've met, so how did you know someone like me?" Niçholas queried.
Taking a seat across from Niçholas , India began to explain, "I don't know how weird this is going to sound, but my grandfather had kinda informed me some days ago that I already have a fiancé, and upon his instructions, I have set out to find him and the 'him' happens to be you. It seemed you were not quite the man I had imagined. I discovered that you were once an ex-prisoner, that's not so what I'd wish for,"
Niçholas furrowed his brow, struggling to comprehend the sudden revelation. He had never heard anything about a fiancée, no one ever told him anything like that. He tried to ignore the fact that the self claimed fiancee just regarded him as an ex-prisoner, which sounded like a red flag to her.
Before he could voice his concerns, Niçholas 's phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket, noting the caller ID. It was his master, the one he had met three years ago in prison. The man who had not only taught him martial arts but also entrusted him with his vast wealth.
"Excuse me please," he said to India before answering the call, Niçholas greeted his master, his voice laced with respect.
"I am sorry for contacting you by this time of the day. I have been wanting to call you since, but the warden didn't allow me. I just had to bribe one of them. You're probably busy, I just need to inform you of something," The old man said, his voice steady over the phone.
"No, you can go ahead. I am not busy," Niçholas responded, his voice lit.
"I just wanna enquire if any lady has come to meet you," the man said slowly.
Niçholas 's eyes flickered towards India, unsure of what to divulge. But an unspoken understanding passed between them. He couldn't keep secrets from his master.
"I just met a lady who claims to be my fiancée, if that's what you're talking about," Niçholas confessed, searching India's eyes for any hint or confirmation. The silence on the other end of the line was pregnant with tension, before his master finally spoke.
"I apologize for not informing you earlier, The lord of Avendano owes me a debt, and as repayment, he has requested that his granddaughter, India, marry you and I reckon that's the best option for you. Don't worry, I know you are divorced already, I was informed and I am really sorry but believe me, it's a blessing in disguise," his master revealed, his voice heavy with tension as he doesn't know how Niçholas would react to this.
Niçholas was dumbfounded, the revelation hitting him like a thunderbolt. He momentarily forgot about India, his thoughts mired in the unexpected turn of events.
India, elegant and composed, observed the exchange silently, her eyes never leaving Niçholas 's face. When the call ended, she broke the silence, her voice filled with unexpected warmth.
"Is everything clear now?" India questioned, her gaze filled with a mixture of vulnerability and curiosity.
Niçholas , still grappling with the weight of his master's revelation, managed a weak smile. "Perhaps there has been a misunderstanding. We should talk and clear the air between us, I don't even know what to say right now, I just got divorced unofficially. I had a wife few hours ago,"
India's smile was small, but it held a hint of mischief, "I don't know why you are nervous, you are divorced and you just came out of prison, that must have been alot. I have never supported arranged marriages, but I must admit, you look really handsome and that might sway me to give you a chance. And oh yea, I apologize for mentioning the ex convict thingy,"
Niçholas 's smile widened, recognizing a spark of interest in India's eyes. She was intriguing, and he found himself eager to uncover the layers of her personality. As a friend, for now, perhaps.
"No, it is totally fine. I really don't care much about the label, it's the truth by the way. But I must admit you look breathtaking as well," Niçholas noted, trying to ease the tension between both of them. If his master had called for this marriage, then there was nothing he could do.
However, the moment was abruptly shattered when India stood up, her face paling, her whole body trembling. An overwhelming dizziness took hold of her, causing her to grab onto her head with white-knuckled hands. Her eyes flickered, turning almost red, and she seemed on the brink of collapse.
Fearing for her safety, Niçholas sprang to his feet, discarding all hesitation. He rushed to her side, instinctively pulling her into a protective embrace before she could crumble to the ground. His heart pounded in his chest as he held her, his voice filled with concern.
"Are you alright? India, what's going on?" Niçholas whispered, his worry etched across his face. But India could not respond, her body swaying dangerously in his arms. She beckoned for him to stay put, but the urgency in her eyes compelled him to act.
"What have you done to her?" The men in black, realizing what was happening rushed towards them.
Without thinking, Niçholas tightened his grip around her frail form, refusing to let her collapse. "I didn't do anything," Niçholas replied, realizing the cold stares of the men.
The moment the men in black witnessed India collapse into Niçholas's embrace, they lunged forward with urgency. "What have you done to her? Why isn't she responding? What did you do?" their voices rasped with accusation, cutting through the air like a serrated knife. Niçholas's heart pounded with both worry and determination as he gently eased India onto the cold floor, his hands trembling with a mix of fear and tenderness. The sight of her pale, lifeless face drained of color sent a surge of panic through him. Her labored breaths echoed through the silent cafeteria, the stillness broken only by the hushed whispers of onlookers. Niçholas, his brow furrowed in deep concern, tapped India's cheek lightly, urging her to say something and not stop breathing. Every passing second only heightened the realization that her condition was rapidly deteriorating. Sweat glistened on her forehead, a chilling testament to the internal battle consuming her fragile body. What could have sudden
The men in black cast a stern gaze across the bustling cafeteria. Their presence commanded attention, and it seemed as though the onlookers couldn't tear their eyes away. The murmurs of hushed whispers filled the air, but the sight of these guards instilled fear and respect. It was not every day that one encountered the protective force that shielded India from any harm. "You all should return to your business. If any of you look here again, I will make sure I poke out your eyes," One of the men threatened. Reluctantly, everyone averted their gazes, their curiosity replaced by a cautious wariness. India, still seething in anger, directed her piercing glare at Niçholas, who stood in the midst of the confusion, an expression of genuine confusion etched upon his face. What kind of question was that? He thought as he waited for India to talk again. "You need to explained to me why you were harassing me publicly, I thought you were responsible," India tutted her teeth.
India's cheeks reddened as she continued to gaze at Niçholas, her heart racing with anticipation, as she continued to think about the massage. She must admit that Niçholas's hands felt really good on her. Niçholas, sensing her gaze, turned to her and inquired gently, "Is there something else you want to tell me? We're taking longer than expected in here." Taking a deep breath, India mustered up the courage to voice her desire. "I would be honored if you could come and visit me at home, Niçholas. After all, you have already been announced as my fiancé. It's only fitting that you meet my family. I am certain my mother will be so happy to see you," Niçholas felt a nervous flutter in his chest at India's request, how was he supposed to go about that? But he recalled the words his mentor had imparted to him. He had been divorced afterall, even though it's unofficial, he doesn't have to feel guilty for anything, and now, he was determined to follow his mentor's guidance. With a resolute ex
The atmosphere in the lobby grew heavy with an unmistakable silence as the man's words lingered in the room. The astonishing news of a new revolutionary medicine that claimed to cure Asthma sent waves of disbelief and astonishment through the gathered crowd. Glances were exchanged, eyes filled with doubt as they struggled to fathom the possibility of such an extraordinary breakthrough. One man, still skeptical of the Royal group's ability to achieve something so remarkable, couldn't help but voice his reservations. "Is this news really true? Can we trust it?" he asked incredulously. Asthma, a condition long deemed incurable, suddenly held the promise of a potential solution, sparking significant implications in both the realms of health and wealth. With a determined nod, the man confidently replied, "I received this information from a reliable source. It's authentic, and it has been trending on various social media platforms. This is an amazing news, famz." The Avendano family, ren
Nimah's eyes narrowed as she glared at Niçholas, her anger simmering just below the surface. "What do you mean?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration. Niçholas was standing and speaking with confidence that no one was anticipating. Niçholas stood his ground, his gaze unwavering as he met Nimah's glare. "I've said what I needed to say," he replied coolly. "And it's the truth. So, yea, do not you dare insult India, because if you do... You're gonna regret it for the rest of your life," Nimah's voice trembled with righteous anger as she confronted Niçholas. "Why do you doubt my boyfriend's ability to secure a contract with the Royal family? Do you even know who he is? You think he's just a dirty cheap fool like you?" she said, scanning him from toe to head with disgust. With a composed smile, Niçholas retorted, "Why not give it a try, if you can." The challenge in his voice sent a surge of fury through Nimah. Unable to back down from Niçholas's provocation, Nimah swiftly bro
The Avendano family gathering extended into the waning hours of daylight, prompting Lord Avendano to suggest that each and every guest stay the night in the manor, before returning to their own dwellings the following day. As the final rays of the sun bathed the grand dining hall in a golden glow, they all partook in a delectable feast, filling the air with laughter and camaraderie. However, Niçholas was left to sit at the end side of the table so he would be far away from India, but he didn't mind. He was just too tired and a lot was still going on in his head. Soon after, the guests were assigned to their respective suites, embraced by the opulent tranquility of the manor's luxurious accommodations. Niçholas stepped into the suite, his exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. The Avendano family gathering had stretched on until the sun had set, and now, the grand manor seemed like a sanctuary in the darkness. He yearned for the comfort of his bed, ready to surrender to sleep.
"Is that all you got?" Niçholas said mockingly as he wiped off the blood on his lips. The air crackled with tension as Alex's hand trembled in mid-air, poised to strike once more. The pain from the earlier blow had barely registered in his mind, as anger fueled his every action. He was determined to avenge his wounded pride, to teach Niçholas a lesson he would never forget. But Niçholas, standing tall and composed, defied Alex's expectations. Niçholas's eyes gleamed with a quiet resolve. With lightning reflexes, he grabbed hold of Alex's fist before it could make contact, his grip unyielding. With a swift twist of his arm, Niçholas effortlessly flung Alex aside, sending him careening into the unforgiving wall. The force of the impact reverberated through the room, and Alex crumpled to the floor in a dazed stupor. D'Grin, witnessing his friend's defeat, felt a surge of fury course through his veins. His fists clenched, he stepped forward, ready to unleash his wrath upon Niçholas. But
Niçholas's heart raced as he looked over his shoulder, his gaze meeting a suspicious crowd. Their eyes brimmed with doubt and uncertainty, causing a knot to form in his stomach. He wondered how he would convince them to leave the room so he could care for India unimpeded. He glanced at India and averted his gaze to the crowd again. Awareness settled upon him like a heavy cloak, as his eyes fell upon India's mother, her face contorted with anger at their proximity. With a clearing of his throat, Niçholas summoned his confidence, willing himself to speak with authority. "I kindly request that everyone evacuate this room immediately," he announced firmly, his voice resolute. "I assure you, I will take care of India myself. There's no need to take her to the hospital, I promise." India's mother, however, was not so easily swayed. Upset, she stepped forward, her eyes burning with anger. She looked directly at Niçholas, her voice laced with skepticism, "What skills do you possess that mak