RISE OF THE EX-CONVICT

CHAPTER 5

   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.