CHAPTER 14:

“The coach showed us the training map. Right? We just need to work on it guys!” They all were sitting in the palace game room.

“Sam, You need to work on your dribbling. Just practice different moves to take on and attack defenders.” Noah said while picking his cocktail glass from the tray.

“I don’t know what happens to me in the field. In practice sessions, I do fine but …” Sam was half sitting on the couch, his head rested against Tomah.

“Practice Sam. Lots of practice. Be prepared for all the screaming and cheering. You lose your confidence around it.” Gavin tried to explain while sipping from his fruit punch.

“Hey, Sam. Ask your siblings to cheer for you while you practice.”  A friend tried to quip and everybody started roaring with laughter but the boy whose name was Sam was all cool about it.

He had eleven siblings and twelfth was on the way.

“Spare him you all.” Noah tried to defend Sam, “Now on a serious note, use all your senses while heading the ball. Don’t forget to apply pressure on the other team player if he possesses the ball. And Gavin, you need to stop players from turning with the ball to play forward.” Sam slapped on Gavin’s lap making him wince.

“But for that, he needs to shift his focus from his girlfriend sitting in the stands. Somebody needs to remind him in the field that he needs to romance with the ball.” Another boy joked    

Noah James was with his friends discussing the next day planning for their soccer game when his phone started ringing.

He knew the number. Taking his phone with him he went aside to receive it, “Hey Hazel. Where are you? You are not even coming to school.”

He was worried about her thinking that she might be sick. But what she said next was enough to blow his mind, “Prince Noah. I need your help. We are outside our house, under the open sky …”

She was still speaking when Noah quickly turned to his friends covering the speaker with his palm, “You people carry on with the discussion. I would be right back. If it gets late then fill me in about it later.”

His phone was still against his ear, “Hazel. Stay right where you are. I am on my way.”

He said it in a very low voice not to let anyone near him hear.

With that, he canceled the call.

When he got off his car along with his guards, she was sitting with another young woman who was holding a child in her arms. Noah’s heart went out to them.

Hazel hurriedly filled him in with all the details. One of the guards knocked on the door. After few minutes an angry Alec was there rubbing his eyes due to sleepiness, “I swear Hazel. Knock one more time and … What the hell!”

Nothing prepared him for the uniformed guards standing outside his door. Guards pushed him aside and Prince Noah James entered the house along with the two girls.

Noah asked one of his men to fetch the lawyer immediately and sat in the living room. 

“Whose property is it, Mr. Alec Bernard?”

Alec who had lost his voice after facing a royal, pointed his forefinger towards his own chest, “Me.”

It was less than a whisper.

His niece did tell him that she was befriended with the prince and he did not believe her. He thought she was doing it to keep herself safe from his wreath.

He had always enjoyed scaring Ivy. It used to give him pleasure when her beautiful complexion used to turn white because of terror.

That pleasure was supposed to be doubled when his niece joined the bandwagon. But no matter what he did to her or scare her away. He could never witness any kind of fright or fear on her face.

Every time he used to go extra mile for her to give her pain, she used to scream and plead but her eyes were never cast down. She always used to look in his eyes and somewhat he felt like her eyes were challenging him.

Inviting him to come and pounce on her. Due to his witchy niece, his focus had shifted from his wife for some time.

But today he felt proud of himself. He was sure that both the girls will knock on the door with the money in their hands. He was planning to throw them away after receiving the money.

He knew about her bank balance from her phone.

When he found it unlocked, he started looking for the pictures. Something spicy to blackmail her and got bored when he found none.   

But after going through her messages he realized that he had hit a jackpot.

He opened the door expecting to receive a bag of money but here…

“Hmm.” Noah looked around, “Mr. Alec Bernard, please bring the property papers at once. Now!”

Alec nodded hesitantly and went inside to fetch the property file.

When the lawyer arrived, Noah gave him the property file. The state lawyer came prepared with all the necessary documents.

Taking the property papers from Alec, the lawyer tore them into pieces. Alec was open-mouthed but could not argue.

“Milord. May I ask what the commotion is about? I mean I could have come to you then why take the pain to …” Alec was blabbering in his panic.

“Mr. Alec. I took the pain because of my friend Ms. Hazel.” He gestured towards her. “And I am here to teach you a lesson. If someone messes with my friends, he messes with me.” Though his tone was calm but he was holding a deathly glare.

On a new stamped paper the state lawyer asked Ivy to sign it. And then completed the file.

“Here. Milord. It’s done. Just as you wanted it.”

Noah nodded and then turned to Alec, “This house belongs to Ivy Bernard now and after that, it would be transferred to the child. This is no more your house. If you wish to reside here then I am afraid you need to pay the rent as decided by its owner. Have I made myself clear?”

Alec swallowed audibly before nodding. Noah handed over the file to a shocked and nervous Ivy Bernard.

“Right now you need to leave. Stay out for three months. Do not come near this house or its residents otherwise I would get you beheaded.” Then with a side smirk, he eyed Alec, “Or should I get you beheaded right now so that these ladies can live peacefully.”

Alec had turned white this time.

“Your highness. Behead me if you listen to any complaints. Just give me a chance. Please your highness.” Noah looked at Hazel with a raised eyebrow.

Hazel nodded silently with a small smile.

“Then it’s decided. Stay away from them.” The guards held Alec and ushered him outside the house.

“All set?” Noah smiled looking at Ivy and Hazel. Both had tears of gratitude in their eyes.

“I am so obliged and honored Prince Noah. I …”

Noah stopped her to speak further.

“No problem Apple pie. Do let me know if I can do anything else.” With that, he turned on his heels and exited the house.

That night Hazel and Ivy were excited to have peaceful sleep after a long time. They both were tired and shared the room that night.

Sometime after midnight, Hazel sat up feeling thirsty. It was unusually dark and she remembered that they switched on the side lamp. She turned to check on Ivy and missed a heartbeat.

Ivy and baby both were missing. Her heartbeat accelerated.

I should not be alarmed. They might be in the living room.

Just then she noticed a dark figure lurking beside the window. It was the silhouette of a man. But it was not Alec.

Did Alec send someone to kill us?

Terror started building in her chest. “Who are you? Where are Ivy and the baby?”

She wanted to shout but seemed to lose her voice. She was not scared of him but was desperate to keep Ivy safe.

The silhouette turned around and walked towards her taking few steps and stopped. His face was still not visible.

“Don’t worry little one.” He said gently. She had heard this voice somewhere. She tried to remember it. “I am not here to harm you. Ivy is safe. And no one is going to do any harm to either of you. I promise.”

“Then why are you here? Come forward!” She commanded with authority.

“I am here to tell you that Zek would come to you. Just trust him.”

“Who are you? How do you know Zek?”

The man came forward, his face now visible causing her to gasp. She knew this man.

“You do know me, honey. My name is Albik, and I am here for the final goodbye.”

Right at that moment, she woke up taking long and deep breaths. She looked around and found Ivy and baby sleeping peacefully.

It was a dream. Albik had died and was there to meet her one last time.