As Time Passes By

Chapter twenty-two: Realizations

Layla

January 7th, 2023

"What the actual fuck is this?!" Nama screamed in anger as she threw the papers at me and Giselle. Shit.

I opened the file, my mind felt like it was crushed by cement when I realized the file was about Noah Armstrong.

Giselle gulped hard when she studied the file in realization.

"A protestant! Armstrong is a protestant!" Nama screeched in anger before breaking things like a total maniac.

I panicked, trying to solve on how to fix this shit or Nama would end up in the hospital with a heart attack.

"Nama, calm down. I'm sure therefore it's not a big deal of Armstrong being a protestant on his behalf-"

"Layla, we're a family of catholics! No one should ever be on this behalf or that behalf!"

Nama slumped back on her chair, exhausted. "You both must find a way to make Noelle stay away from this boy." She added before dismissing us both. She was serious as hell.

Giselle was silently stunned throughout the whole walk on the hallway.

I could tell she was scared of what happened. I patted her back, assuring her that everything would be fine.

"But Lays, she's telling us to make Ellie stay away from Noah." She marked fearfully, her voice betraying the truth.

"Hey, just calm down. I'll fix this. We'll fix this." I replied before leading her to her bedroom and closing the door behind me after she walked in.

"Fanculo.." I muttered to myself soon after I reached my room.

I wanted to call Noelle and just tell her to stay away from Noah.

But this shit Nama just ordered? Fuck, this is harder than dealing with gangsters on the street.

Without any minute, I fished out my phone and dialed Noelle's number.

We all just came back after longing on leaving London and going back here in the Philippines, but I have this bullshit mission that clearly makes no sense.

I mean, who fucking cares if any boys the Nichols descendants are like, half catholics? Like, do any human gives a fuck if a catholic would love a half protestant in its behalf?

Hello? Does love really matter in religion and NOT in the way they treat their partner?

The call rang 12 times before Noelle finally answered it after 209 years.

****

Me: Ellie, where the fuck are you?

Noelle: Just around the corner.

Me: Bullshit, why the fuck are you in a hospital?

Noelle: Layla, I-

Me: Are you hiding something?

****

Then, the most unexpected thing happened. Noelle sobbed. She. Fucking. Sobbed.

****

Me: Elle? A-are you okay?

Noelle: Lay... I'm sorry. But I can't hide it. I know it's fucking stupid to not tell Noah that-

Me: You haven't told him what?

Noelle: I have been avoiding his calls and texts since the time that Papa and Mama warned about him. Now, his lying in the fucking hospital with both his fucking wrists wrapped up in a fucking cast because of him overthinking!

****

I froze, not because of Armstrong cutting his wrists but about Noelle having a breakdown because of what he did.

I mean, I saw her cry out multiple times on various people around her. But this? She's having a fucking mental breakdown because of a fucking guy.

****

Me: Elle, calm down. I'll be there in a few minutes. Take your time.

****

I ended the call, feeling stressed out from not my problem but Noelle's.

I don't want to see any of my cousins or even my family having a total problem without me.

I got out of the mansion and took my car. Chill, I'm sixteen and skillfully mastered enough to drive and have my own car.

I tuned on the music and started driving out of the gate.

This shit is urgent for me.

Because it's the one and only Noelle Catalina Nichols, the infamous princess iniquity who's having a fucking radiating problem.

Then, my phone rang like wing wing while I awaited for the red light to turn greeny.

It was Giselle.

****

Me: Twin?

Giselle: Where are you?

Me: Just about to pick Noelle up, why?

Giselle: I just had some... researches about the Armstrong family. And, I think Nama is right on distracting Noelle from meeting Noah Armstrong.

****

Shit. Shit. Shit.

****

Me: Why?

Giselle: Layla, the Armstrongs and the Nichols are truly fucking enemies of Nama whom she had a truce with so no one would fucking die, and if any of the Armstrongs saw Ellie, they would held her hostage, use her to make Nama give them at least another billions of dollars!

Me: Fuck you Giselle, you should've told me before I left.

****

I ended the call and speeding off as the light turned green. My speed limits were in the highest. But I don't give a fucking shit about it.

My cousin is in danger and I would likely die if she does.