"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 hourglass shape was clad in a two-piece mini skirt and crop top. Spotless skin, short hair... not that he was impressed. There were 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 because his morals 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 drank if she wasn't entertaining customers, but that 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. Isaac pushed another glass towards her, and she smirked, sat beside him on the sofa. "I normally don't drink for men if money isn't involved, so what do I get for this?" She raised her trimmed brow, her catty eyes reflecting the club's blue neon light. He gave her a careful look, trying to guess what she'd ask of him. "What do you want?" A date? Money? Sex? Those were the three things every woman he'd come across wanted from him. One, two, or all three. She beamed at him and slipped her pinky beneath his bracelet. "It's cute. Can I have it?" He stared at his wrist, surprised at what she wanted and deep down, knowing she won't be getting it. "What? It doesn't look as expensive as your other jewellery." Yeah, it doesn't, but it sure cost more than it looked. But that wasn't why he couldn't give it to her. It contained one of his tracking devices. "Why don't I give you something else? Something more expensive." He stretched out his fingers, showcasing two jewel rings. "What an expensive way to say no." She teased. "Let's have the shot together. You must be bored of drinking alone." She raised her glass, and so did he. They clung the glasses, and she gobbled hers down. "Ahh! I'm never drinking this again." She dropped the cup with a dull clunk. "I gotta get to work. I took too much time." He held her hand as she stood up, and she faced him with a questioning look. "I always try to pay back favours, for drinking with me tonight," He pulled the more expensive ring from his finger and planted it in her palm. She chuckled and pulled her hand away from him. "No, you don't have_" She almost lost balance, making him pull her unto him impulsively, but she wedged her hands on the backrest so she wouldn't collapse on him. There's a moment of silence as they tried to get over the incident. "Oh my," She smiled nervously, pulling herself back on her feet. "I must've had too much, I'm tipsy. I'm so sorry." She bowed her head apologetically and walked away, leaving him with a racing mind and his jadeite ring on the couch. He slipped it into his finger and looked in her direction, but she's already out of the parlour. He grabbed another cup and gulped down its content, reclined on the high back chair with a heavy sigh. He normally orders his drinks in shots, serving himself was tasking. He looked around and, through the glass barriers, could see men, young and elderly, enjoying their lives to the fullest. He's a club regular, but he always wondered why no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't clear his mind of his worries, the reality of his life was always persistent in the recesses of his head. The reality that he can never be 'average'. He took another glass as he walked towards the rails, and from up there, he could see youngsters dancing to the DJ's mixtape with clouds of smoke of all flavours filling up the vicinity. He searched around for his 'shadow' but couldn't spot him. He must be getting better at his job; Isaac thought. Always noticing someone follow him around when he wanted to be alone was very annoying. That night, he wasn't in the mood for partying. He just wanted to get so drunk and sleep quietly without his thoughts disturbing his slumber. Even though getting drunk in itself was an uphill battle. After his nine glasses of booze with an extra five, he decided to call it a night and head back home. He's disappointed though that he's still not drunk to stupor, just extremely tipsy. He'd definitely miss the nightlife in Ghufti, just a few months, and the town had really grown on him. Taking extra care not to hit a wall or person or miss a step, he headed for the stairs and could already notice the 'shadow' creeping up on him. Nuisance! He hissed. If it were still Dan, he'd be heading to get the car ready and not following his tail like a baby. His eyes fell on the "bracelet" lady from earlier as he took the last step, and he stopped to give the situation a better look. She's with a group of elderly men and younger ladies, and one of them was obviously trying to undress her amidst her disapproval. The others there didn't seem to be on her side, and Isaac didn't believe he should meddle. As he walked away, he heard a rumble of laughter from their direction and he looked back only to see her crop-top in the man's hand which he flung aside and the lady stood there, face downcast and hands over her bare bosom. Isaac looked away, reminding himself that it's none of his business. She's nobody to him. He doesn't even know her name. But then he heard a dull slap through the deafening music, followed by a chorus of exclamations and sinister giggles. He looked back, and the topless lady was on the floor, her palm on her cheek. The man grabbed a glass of wine and rained it on her. It's none of your business. Isaac said to himself. But_ It's none of your business! He cut his subconscious mind out. Leave this place, Isaac. Doing the exact opposite, his legs walked towards the scene, and he stepped in front of the man who should be at least in his mid fifties. I'll just repay her for sharing a drink with me. He reminded himself. "And who are you?" The man slurred, rocking on his feet. "I'd love to have her for the night." "Get lost!" He tossed him, making him almost lose balance. Almost. His shadow appeared from the crowd and grabbed the man's hands, pushed him down to his knees. "Apologize, and this won't get bad." "Do you know who I am?!" The man struggled to free himself. "Do you know who he is?!" "Let him go." Isaac ordered, having pulled himself together. The bodyguard hesitated but did as his master ordered. "How much did you pay for her? I'd pay double." Isaac offered. "I refuse to_" "Ten hundred pounds." The man gaped in shock. "I paid for her to entertain me. Would you do that?" "Three thousand pounds, Jonas write him a cheque." Jonas acquiesced, and Isaac turned to give the lady who's back on her feet a look. She looked up at his eyes, and her face flashed in recognition. "You?" Isaac concluded she must be drunk and took off his coat, hung it over her shoulders. "Let's go." "Where?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her along, heading for the exit. "Where do you live?" "Huh?" "Where do you live?" He stopped and faced her. "I can't leave yet." "Why?" "I am to be with him tonight." "I've settled with him, now tell me your address." "I can't." "Why?" "I don't have one." "Then where do you sleep?" She gave him a silly smile. "Anywhere. Wanna dance?" And she's already heading to the crowded dancefloor. Isaac considered leaving her there and heading home, but something in him kept insisting that he saw to it that she got out of there safely. As if she's some special somebody.Cold, pain, and exhaustion. That's what Isaac slept and woke up with for over a month. At first, it was bearable and he tried his best to keep himself in check. But with each passing day, especially after his father informed him that he had registered Natalie's death, Isaac found it harder to keep his brain within his head. It was in the clouds one minute, and under the ground the next, most times, it was hovering above his ears, torn, blank, and dark. The days were long, the nights longer, and the more he tried to pick himself up, the harder he fell apart. The king refused to let him leave home, but staying there proved to him to be worse than leaving. He felt suffocated and mad at everything, not just everyone. The air, ground, couches, walls, light… everything made him angry. He wanted so badly to grab a bottle, but he feared that he'd end up collapsing again; moreover, his father surely wouldn't let him access liquor, and his grandmother would wreak havoc if he became a d
Isaac squeezed the paper in his hands to a ball, his heart thumping wildly in his ribcage. “Call my father.” He ordered, his eyes darting to Jonas, who was standing behind him. Jonas did so and handed him the phone. “Where is Natalie?” He asked as soon as the call was answered. “What's that supposed to mean?” The king sought in a disinterested voice. “Don't try me, your Majesty. I'm really not interested in this game you're playing. Bring her back before I lose my mind.” “Speak words I can understand, Arden. What's the matter?” “You had Natalie kidnapped! Don't play dumb!” The king was mute for a long while, and Isaac wondered if he really didn't have a hand in it. “Wait, you didn't do it?” “Hold on. I'll get back to you.” “Wait_” but the king ended the call on him. “Damn it.” He straightened the paper again, and his eyes scanned the words. ‘Worry not, Your Highness. Your woman is safe and shall return when she's fit to be with you.’ “You said you don't know w
Chills fluttered like restless sparrows across the earthen room, the air thick with the heady scents of incense and herbs. Flickering candles cast eerie shadows over the surfaces, their golden light dancing across the walls as if trying to chase away the secrets that lurked within. Ancient shelves and cabinets groaned under the weight of potions, spell books, and mysterious artifacts, their contents spilling out in a riotous display of colour and curiosity. A heavy-footed man lumbered into the labyrinthine space, his footsteps echoing off the walls as he made his way deeper into the room. With a reverence that bordered on fear, he knelt about three feet in, bowed in submission to the rear of a mid-aged woman who's whispering chants to an idol ensconced in a detached cubicle, its presence both captivating and intimidating. “We lost him, my lady.” He declared, his voice heavy with defeat and his failure palpable. She stopped chanting but didn't turn around. “The King's men don't hav
“How has it been with your practice?” Isaac asked. “She's… keeping up.” Mrs Peoni plucked his brows. “Is there a problem?” He faced her, noticing the reluctance in her voice. Mrs Peoni stood straight, putting the tweezer back in the kit. “There's none.” Isaac threw his head over the chair, his eyes hooked on her wizened face. He knew she's hiding something, and he decided not to force it out of her. If she didn't disclose it, then it must be something he wouldn't want to hear. “If I may ask a question, your Highness?” Jonas pitched in from where he stood by the shoe rack. “About?” Isaac sat up, staring at his reflection in the mirror. “I hope you don't plan on marrying her?” Isaac's brows furrowed, and a dark glint pitched in his eyes. “That's supposed to mean?” “She does not fit to be your spouse.” Isaac clenched his jaw, then leaned forward on the dressing table to hide his annoyance. “Why do you think so?” Jonas rocked on his heels. “She's… a hussy, your High
“Then fucking tell me! I can't get into your mind and fucking read it!” Natalie stared pointedly at him as his chest rose and fell with his shallow breaths. She sighed. “Forget it.” And headed out. “Ah fuck!” He threw his head up, exhaling sharp breaths. “Car key.” Jonas handed it to him and as he headed out, he saw Dan standing just by the door. He bowed, and Isaac gave him a dirty look before dashing out. The king must've sent him back, that's the only thing that could explain his instant return when he clearly told him to buzz off. He looked around and spotted Natalie trekking down the road, hugging herself. He rushed after her and held her arm, turning her around. “Isaac please…” She trailed off as he cupped her face, his warm breath defrosting her cold cheeks. “Don't.” Her voice was reduced to a whisper, her eyes on his lips. “Look at me.” His thumb grazed her jawline. “Enough, stop this.” “I'm fucking mad at you, love.” “And so am I.” “Then fucking look
Isaac dragged his feet up to his room, slumped down on the bed when he reached. He wondered how his brother was doing and what those people would do to him. The Queen Mother had him sent to the North as a peace treaty. Vincent had cried and wailed and pleaded for mercy, but she insisted it's the best solution to the issue. He should go there and apologise for his actions. If he's forgiven, fine and good. And if not, they should punish him how they deem fit. The king refused to intervene no matter how much Isaac pestered him to, his excuse was that Isaac had already brought up the issue about his wedding, and that in itself was enough to cause a dispute between he and the Queen Mother. ‘One at a time.’ The king had said to him. ‘Vincent isn't a coward. He'd be alright.’ Isaac had wanted to go along with him, but the king literally had him locked up until they'