“If I may share an opinion, Your Majesty?” His page pitched in after he ended the call.“Yes?”“Hiding the truth will only worsen your relationship with the prince.”“He'll get over it.”The page wanted to leave it at that, but he decided not to. “I could look into it, your Majesty.”“Let it be.”“Seven people died, your Majesty. You should not take the blame for it.”The king faced him with unexpressive eyes, and he bowed his head.“My apologies, your Majesty.”There's a brief silence as the king kept staring at him. “Let it be, John.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”“You're dismissed. I want to be alone.”But the Queen Mother chose that exact moment to be when she'd barge into the cabinet, and she's followed by the queen.The king sprang up to his feet as his mother approached the chair he's sitted by the fireplace, adjusting his imperial robe.“I received no message that you'd be here.” The king said in a low voice, his hands folded before him and moving away to allow her room to sit on the c
The night was cold, almost harshly so. The trees danced to the chilly, singing wind, and the moon dazzled like a ball light.The dormitory was quite busy. Students went on and about even though it's already past 10 pm.He stood outside by the bar gate, which allowed him to see the inside of the humongous three-storey building that housed hundreds of students. The lamps and security lights helped the moon illuminate the verdant surroundings more.He received a lot of glances from students who passed by, but he didn't care. Perhaps they found him weird and called security, or maybe not, or maybe Dan explained to them or sent them away, but thankfully, nobody bothered him.He chugged on a bottle of rum as he lingered in the passenger seat of his car, his feet lodged to the ground and his eyes fixed on the gate.He wasn't waiting, in particular, neither was he going to barge in. Or maybe he would, but perhaps he shouldn't. Truth is, he didn't know what he's doing there, nor was he aware of
Twenty hours had passed since Isaac's unexpected visit, and Natalie couldn't shake off the remorseful and broken look in his eyes. She kept wondering if she was the sole reason behind his struggle, and although she wanted to believe otherwise, she knew she had contributed significantly. Was she too hard on him? Perhaps she should have taken it easier on him. The pain and guilt in his eyes kept her awake throughout the night, and his sorrowful voice continued to echo in her mind. For the nth time, she reached for her phone to call him but hesitated due to her lack of resolution. What would he think if she called him? That she had forgiven him? But she hadn't. The loss she encountered was still fresh in her memory, and the pain was brand new. She doubted she ever wanted to go back to a relationship that would keep her on her toes forever. Plus, he wanted her to be his wife. Wife? She had never thought of being legally bound to a man. She had never even thought of being in a committe
“Your Majesty.” Mrs Peoni curtseyed before him as he walked into Isaac's room accompanied by his page and Dan. Isaac lay in the middle of his bed in a sheer cotton shirt, deep in slumber, and the duvet covered up to his waist. “How is he?” He asked worriedly, his eyes not shifting from his son. “He woke up four hours ago, around 11 pm. The doctors checked on him and his vitals were back to normal. He had a light meal and freshened up before falling asleep.” The king furthered into the room and sat on the empty side of the bed to give Isaac a better look. He ran his fingers over his son's head, and Isaac twitched a little. He had bags under his eyes, and his lips were pale. His father held his hand, which laid before his trunk, and leaned in to give him a kiss on his temple. He knew Isaac would definitely beat himself up due to the past events, but he didn't expect it to be to the extent that he'd fall unconscious. When he called that morning, Dan informed him that Isaac's heal
“I will consider stabbing you if you touch me.” He threatened, his voice low and menacing, and the king left his hand hovering in mid-air. “I don't wish to hear whatever you have to say, leave while I'm being nice.” The king dropped his arm with a sigh. “Arden_” “Leave.” “I was worried_” “Will you just fucking leave?!” He thundered, throwing his arm in the direction of the door. “How shameless can you get?” “I'm sorry.” Iaaac chuckled humorlessly. “Damn you make me sick.” “I had to protect you.” “You fucking killed people!” “It's all in the past_” “In the past? You're a stinking murderer. My father's a bloody murderer. It doesn't bother you but it bothers me.” His words dripped with venom. “I'm sorry, son. It's all my fault. You did nothing wrong.” “I never said otherwise, but look at me.” He pointed at himself, his anger and frustration boiling over. “I'm suffering thanks to you.” “Arden,” He stepped closer to him with pleading eyes but Isaac moved farther away. “Just l
"Hey," Natalie beamed at him, placing the tray on the table. "Was asked to serve you. Ten shots, you got one free for being my first customer tonight."Isaac ran his eyes over her, hot, he thought, her figure-8 shape clad in a two-piece mini skirt and crop top. But he wasn't impressed. There are at least a million girls he knew who were just as perfect.He pushed one glass towards her as she's about to leave. "Take it."Literally, he meant her taking it back cos his ethics don't allow him to accept free gifts. But she mistook him and raised a brow teasingly, chugged down the drink in one go.Don't get her mistaken, she rarely drinks if she wasn't entertaining customers but this brown-eyed guy seemed to want to test her waters."Wow, it's stronger than I thought. Who takes such strong combos these days?"Impressive, Isaac thought. Not a single person he'd ever offered a drink for a first was able to take a single gulp without spitting it out or giving up. Both men and women alike.He p
He followed behind her and she waited for him with a beam, held his hand and began stepping to the beat.He barely danced, just kept staring at her as she enjoyed the moment, she obviously forgot that he's standing there after some time.He wondered briefly how she seemed so hyper after the humiliation she just went through and decided to blame it on her alcohol.And then he got captivated by her smile which he had to say, was very beautiful.He must've been entranced for a long while as a young man appeared behind her and groped her waist prompting Isaac to tear her away from him."Back off." He warned."Ooh I thought she's alone." The man smirked and backed away.He faced her and the surprise on her face made him realize what he just did, making him release her hand.Awkwardness swept through them and she looked away from his intense gaze, slipping her hands into the coat's and thinking of what to say, realizing without liking the fact that her thoughts were getting clearer."Do you
The sun was blazing and so was the wind blowing. It's just a normal November afternoon down in Azores.Isaac loved everything about the state except its weather. He would've left, four mouths ago, but the thought of that girl…Bella. He mumbled to himself, staring absently at the swaying grasses.He had gone back to the club in Ghufti countless times over the months, even postponing departing on that day just to hear from her, but, she never called.The club informed him that she's just an on call good-time girl, didn't really work there so they couldn't give much information about her.He had retrieved the coat which she had left behind to be given back to him so there's literally no hope about she contacting him.He had thought about every possible reason why she wouldn't reach out to him but just decided to belive she lost the card even though he believed that that was very unlikely.But he still visits the club hoping to meet her or perhaps miraculously run into her which was why