Between 2 Hearts – Episode 23

        Nathan stormed into the living room, his parents looking up at him in surprise.

“Dad, I really don’t understand what you guys did at the palace,” Nathan said, his voice laced with frustration.

 “Why, son? What happened?” His mother asked 

 “Why make such a decision without my consent?”

 “Why? Don’t you like the idea of getting engaged to the princess?” His father asked.

Like? For heaven’s sake, I’m a grown man! I have the right to make my own decisions, whether I want to get engaged or not!”

 “Calm down, son. There’s no need to be upset. We just thought it would be best since you two seem to like each other.”His mother intervened, her voice calm.

 “Did I tell you guys that I like her? We just hang out like we do back in the state. It’s just a friendly outing.”

“But it would be best if you two got engaged. It can help with my campaign.” His father said.

Nathan’s eyes dropped, unsure of how to respond. He shook his head and left the room, leaving his parents staring after him with concerned look.

  

   Back at the palace, Diva couldn’t contain her happiness as she hugged her mom tightly. They sat down in the living room, joined by Alex and Elora.

“Thank you, thank you, this is the best news ever!” Diva exclaimed, beaming with joy.

Her parents smiled at her, while Alex maintained a calm demeanor.

“You do like him,” King Luke stated, a hint of a smile on his face.

 “Yes, I’ve always liked him.”Diva nodded enthusiastically.

 “Why didn’t I know about this?”Alex asked.

 “You never asked.”Diva smiled mischievously.

Alex sighed, shaking his head.

 “Well, I’m happy you like the idea of you two getting engaged.”  Queen Lala said.

 “I’m super sure Nathan loves you.”Elora chimed in.

 “We can have you two engaged this weekend, since it’s the end of the month.” King Luke said.

 “I’d love that.”Diva’s face lit up.

 “I don’t think so, Father. We need to confirm with Nathan if he wants to go ahead with it.” Alex said.

 “Why do we need to confirm with him? Don’t you want us to be together?”

 “That’s not what I meant.”Alex hesitated, choosing his words carefully.

 “Be happy for your sister, Alex. Isn’t it obvious they like each other? They’ve been hanging out a lot.”Queen Lala intervened.

 “Hanging out together doesn’t mean they’re into each other.”

 “I’m your sister, all I need from you is your support.”

 “She’s right, Diva really loves him.”Elora said, her voice gentle.

  As they continued their conversation, a guard entered the room, bowing low.

 “Your Majesty, one of the workers wishes to speak with you.”

 “Okay.”

The guard bowed again and left, making way for Naomi to enter. All eyes turned to her as she bowed, her face to the floor.

“Your Majesty,” she said,

   “You wanted to talk to me, what is it?”.He asked and Naomi hesitated.

Queen Lala, Diva, and Elora stared at her with disdain, their noses wrinkled in distaste.

“Can you hurry up and state your message?” Diva said, her voice dripping with disgust. “Your smell is overbearing in here.”

 “Diva, that’s enough.”Alex shot Diva a disapproving look.

Diva rolled her eyes, but said no more.

 “Speak, dear. What is it?”King Luke said firmly.

 “I am here to inform you that I will be leaving my position by the end of this month.”

King Luke and Alex looked surprised, while the rest seemed unconcerned.

 “Finally.”Queen Lala said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

 “Why, dear?”

 “Father, why ask that? It’s better if she leaves the palace before we wake up one morning to find our properties stolen.”Diva interrupted, her voice filled with malice.

 “Is that what you want?” King Luke asked 

 “Yes, Your Majesty.”

 “Okay, not a problem.”

 “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 “Where are you going? Did you do what I asked you to do?” Queen Lala asked and Naomi turn to her.

Naomi turned back, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

 “Hope you didn’t steal anything in that bag of yours.” Diva said.

  “These are my belongings. I didn’t take anything.”she said as she knelt down, emptying the contents of her bag onto the floor.

As she packed up her belongings, her eyes flashed with defiance. She bowed and walked away, leaving the royal family staring after her.

  “Excuse me.”Alex stood up,

He left the room, heading towards his quarters, leaving the rest to wonder what had just transpired.

*

*

*

 Days later, Nathan and Alex cruised down the road, returning from a trip to the mall.

“Don’t be pressured by it, take your time,” Alex advised, referring to the impending engagement to his sister.

 “It’s not that I don’t like your sister, I do. But we’re not that deep, and we just started hanging out. I don’t want to rush into it.”

 “Then take your time.” They chuckled, enjoying the warm sun on their faces.

 “What if I don’t end up with her?”

 “It’s your choice, Nathan. I can’t force you to marry my sister.”

 “What about you?”

 “What?”

 “You’re facing the same thing. You were forced to be with Elora. I told you before, you don’t love her.”

 “Can we not talk about this?”

He turned his face away, gazing out the window. His eyes landed on two familiar figures walking together under the scorching sun, using a paper file as a makeshift shade.

   “Nathan, pull over”.

“What?”. He asked as he  pulled over, finding a spot far from the two ladies.

Alex’s voice was low. “Look over there.”

Nathan turned, his eyes following Alex’s gaze. He spotted Naomi and Mia walking together, their faces flushed from the heat.

 “Why are they walking under this hot sun?”

Without hesitation, Nathan drove back to where Naomi and Mia were walking. He honked the horn, startling them. They turned, their eyes widening as they spotted Nathan and Alex in the front seats. Nathan rolled down the window, a friendly smile on his face.

  Nathan’s voice was friendly as he leaned out the window. “Hey.”

Naomi and Mia were surprised to see them, their eyes widening in astonishment.

 “Where are you ladies off to?”

Naomi and Mia exchanged a hesitant glance before turning back to Nathan and Alex.

“Get in,” Alex said firmly, his voice brooking no argument.

Naomi and Mia hesitated, unsure of what to do.

“Um, we’re almost close to the bus station,” Naomi said nervously.

 “Get in, we’ll drop you off wherever you’re going.”

 “Come on, get in. It’s too hot today.”Nathan added his persuasion.

Naomi and Mia sighed, then reluctantly moved to the backseat. As they settled in, they felt the cool air conditioning envelop them, a welcome respite from the scorching sun.

“Thank you,” Mia said, her voice soft.

Nathan smiled as he rolled up the windows and accelerated the car. “You’re welcome.” As they drove, he glanced at Naomi and Mia through the rearview mirror.   “So, where are you ladies coming from?”

Naomi and Mia exchanged an uneasy glance. Alex seemed to sense their discomfort.

“Feel at ease, we’re not going to hurt you.” Alex said.

“We’re coming from a phone repair shop. Naomi’s cell phone fell and went blank, so we went to get it fixed.” Mia said.

 “Oh, I see.”Nathan nodded.

The atmosphere in the car was quiet for a moment until Naomi’s phone rang, breaking the silence. She rummaged through her bag and answered the call.

“Hello?” she said, her voice cautious. There was a pause before she spoke again. “What?”

Her tone was alarming, and Nathan and Alex turned to her quickly.

“Please calm down, Aunt, and tell me what’s going on?” Naomi asked. She listened intently, her face growing more and more distressed. Suddenly, she let out a surprised scream.

Nathan quickly pulled over, and they all turned to her, concerned.

“What’s wrong?” Mia asked, his voice firm but gentle.

  “Which hospital? I’ll be there.”Naomi’s voice was laced with worry as she continued on the phone.

Tears began to well up in her eyes, and her voice cracked with emotion. She listened for a few more moments before hanging up the phone.

 “What happened?” Mia asked.

 “Dad was rushed to the hospital.”

The news was met with surprise and concern from the others.

 “Which hospital?”Alex asked firmly.

 “General Hospital.”

Without hesitation, Nathan started the car and sped off, heading towards the hospital. Mia pulled Naomi into a consoling embrace, trying to offer what little comfort she could.

As they sped through the streets, each of them lost in their own thoughts, worried about Naomi’s father.

TBC