Contract Marriage; Fated Love

Noah rushed to him and grabbed his neck.

“How dare you! What did you do to my father?”

Jessy pulled himself free and pushed Noah away.

“This is just the beginning. Your father killed my father!”

Noah slapped him hard across the face and pushed him to the wall.

“Beginning of what? You dare to touch my father!”

They were both skilled in martial arts. They had taken the classes together when they were younger. They faced each other but Noah was way stronger than he was. Noah only sustained minor scratches but Jessy was bleeding. Noah flung him down the stairs and the household servants gasped in shock.

“Scram! Get out all of you!” he yelled and they all disappeared instantly.

Jessy spat out blood and held Noah’s hands which were almost coming down on his face.

“You don’t want to kill me, do you?”

“Of course, I want to kill you right now! Why will you attack my father? I let you get away with what you did ten years ago and you had the guts to return. Do you think I will let you go this time?”

“Your father killed my father.”

“No, he didn’t. Your father died of heart failure.”

“It was all thanks to your father.”

“Shut up, you idiot! He died because he couldn’t stand it anymore. He couldn’t believe he ran from his enemy and you caused it. You nearly killed me ten years ago and that’s why your family went on exile. Now, I will kill you for what happened ten years ago and what you did to me today.”

Naoh raised his hands to give him a fatal blow but he cried out,

“It’s still me, Noah! You can’t murder me, not after everything.”

That alone did the magic. Noah stood up from him and walked out of the house without looking back.

News of what happened spread like wildfire. But the press and the paparazzi didn’t dare publish anything related to it for fear of the unknown. What happened reawakened everyone’s initial fear for Noah and no one dared to provoke him.

He was a very strong man and a devoted son. He went extra miles for his father, yet, he quit when his best friend pleaded.

When Emily heard the news, she recalled what the governess told her a few months ago.

“I left the USA in a hurry because my life was at stake. My God son committed a crime and offended a big man. He found solace in my place but this man learnt that I was housing his target. I fled for my own good.

The boy named Jessy, nearly murdered his friend and the father of the boy was after his life. The father warned me never to meddle in his affairs or step foot into the country again. He gave me twelve hours to disappear from the USA. Jessy swore to revenge. I pleaded but he paid deaf ears. I haven’t seen him in two years. This is my dying wish. If you ever find him, hand this letter to him. His picture is in it too. I am telling you this because he still has a lot to tell you.”

“So, this is the full story of Jessy? And Noah was that friend?” she questioned herself.

Noah hired nurses for his father and made sure everything was at his disposal. He also visited his father everyday at the close of work. He often spent about two hours with him. Three days went past but there was no improvement.

Noah was with him as usual on the fourth day when his hands moved. His eyelids fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes. He started responding to treatment from that day to Noah’s greatest relief.

Noah played the violin and enjoyed the serenity of the garden. The past few days haven’t been easy. He was trying to juggle things up. His work, his new project, his father and of course, Benny Jones. His insomnia didn’t help matters. He spent a greater part of the night awake and restless.

He was about to drive out that morning when he saw Grace Shields in front of the house. He jammed his brakes and she hurried over. Before he could say Jack, she had gotten into his car. He kept mute and stared at her.

“I’m sorry about what happened. I didn’t know you guys were no longer friends. It’s also very…. Oh my! Jewel, you didn’t sleep last night. Look at your eyes! What’s going on?”

She reached out and touched his face.

“Get your hands off my face.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“I am only concerned, my jewel. What’s bothering you? Is it your father? Didn’t you take your pills? Or have you stopped taking pills?”

She was one person who knew Noah too well. She alone knew that Noah had insomnia and took pills for it.

But Noah had stopped taking the pills following the doctor’s instructions. He only read a book or played the piano to pass time till nature took its course.

Grace touched his face again and he pulled back from her.

“Grace, what do you want?”

“Jewel, I want you. I came back solely for you.”

“I am not interested. Stop showing up around me, I’m getting married. Now, get out of my car.”

“Common jewel, don’t talk like that. I only…”

“Out! Don’t make me say it again.”

She also knew how horrible his temper could be whenever he didn’t sleep. She opened the car and left. She kept looking back to see if he would call her back but he didn’t.

Noah on his own part didn’t ever want to see her again. She was his past and he didn’t ever want to be reminded of the pain he felt back then.

His inability to sleep the previous night was taking its toll on him. He felt weak and his eyelids felt heavy. He bade his father goodbye and left.

Emily held the letter the governess had given her in her hand and made her way towards the ward. She looked and saw a figure approaching from the other end of the corridor.

Noah Harper! What was she going to do?