Heartthrob of Aclea

Chapter 18 - My Wicked Cousin

I walked into the main ballroom, eyes roaming to search for my brother. Some dukes and duchesses were busy conversing about their financial problem, city maintenance, and their aspirations. Their faces were mainly critical of their previous vision and mission and they looked like they wanted to run a long arse meeting, sharing of what seemed to be popping up in their heads. Most of them were in the mid-forties and the unsatisfactory revulsion from their senior's rules remained concentrated as they clicked their pens and scribbled down their negative remarks before they tossed the papers in their pockets. Jazz playing in the background was let passing by every pinna, unappreciated. It was like a ghost event.

I was about to reach a glass of Absinthe when a hand slapped exactly at the wrist, forcing my forehead to wrinkle. 'You can't drink anything alcoholic yet, you stupid.' Brian's angry face wasn't that angry. In fact, he looked extra cuter, making it hard for me to refrain from releasing a sardonic laugh. I had forgotten why was I looking for him and I kept tailing him wherever he went until a familiar silhouette stood exactly three meters away from us. Donning a blue suit and a pair of black pleated pants, he strutted along the buffet lunch and his hand ruffled through his black hair endlessly. His honey skin confirmed our assumption; our wicked cousin, Joaquin, had arrived.

'I thought you didn't invite that twat.' My curiosity was piqued. I turned left, just to find out that Brian was at unease. He clenched his jaw in disfavour.

'I didn't. Why would I?' A whisper flew within the lines of his gritted teeth.

As I was ready to fire back, strong hands wrapped around us in a friendly manner, locking us with tight grips on our shoulders. 'What are you lads whispering about? I didn't gather of you being a fan of gossips!' Joaquin appeared with a fake grin hanging just below his strong nose.

Why was he wicked? Lord Joaquin Henstridge had always been obsessed with our Royal institution. He wasn't always here, in Aclea, but that didn't stop him from sticking his nose into our business. His position was quite lower to be crowned as our King. Hence, the undying, morbid feeling of jealousy sprouted in his heart like wild mushrooms right after a downpour. He wasn't a good guy. I didn't want to be judgy, but every time I was... vulnerable, he would take every chance that laid before his eyes to tarnish my reputation. He once hired a PI to capture my indecencies - being high, drunk and sometimes way too concentrated on gambling - and shared them to the world. His hatred towards me wasn't too important for us to be focusing on. It was his intention towards destroying The Armitage and carrying our kingdom under his name that we placed our concern on.

If he were to hurt Brian...
Nope, he couldn't and he wouldn't.

As long as Aaron Armitage was still breathing.

'To what do I owe the displeasure of meeting you?' Brian broke the unpleasant hug and distanced himself a bit. Silent whispers started to mask the jazz when The King of Aclea made his first scowl. We barely reached the nightfall, yet the drama seemed to release her curtain.

'Can't a Lord celebrate his cousin's coronation? You could only get coronated once in your lifetime.'

'I can't seem to have two bollocks to give.' Brian's stern tone was evident and I couldn't help interfering the cold conversation.

'Neither do I. So, fuck off, man. We were never mates.' Joaquin pulled a long face. His hands clutched onto his Bourbon, veins popping out like they were going to burst in any minute.

'Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Rude remarks weren't the thing I've been looking forward to. But it's okay. My time isn't worth fighting with you two shitheads.' Ah, the audacity to speak such things. He really wanted a three-hole punch through his small brain. I wanted to give him my best jab, so bad that the adrenaline seeped deeper through every of my nerve ending, conflicting whether to just allow the devil to take over my body or just admit defeat and naff off.

Before we could explode into a brutal fight, our guards pulled us from Joaquin and brought us into Annabelle's office - because it was much closer and soundproof. I landed unfortunately on what I assumed to be a hundred-year-old carpet and I wasn't lying when I saw dust flying freely from it. Literally.

'What now?!' Annabelle smacked her desk whilst flashing us her creepy crimson lenses. I looked at Brian, Brian looked at me back. Then, both of us turned our heads to Elliot, trying to crack his skull on what reason we should drop lest getting kicked out.

She was still fiercely breathtaking...which was royally unfair for other princesses or duchesses to shine.

'They were millisec away to rip each other's flesh out.' Elliot explained. 'A bloodbath wasn't included in our schedule. You Armitage brothers, stop being such a nutter!' He then twisted our ears. Brian and I winced in response and rubbed off the pain. So much for being macho in front of Annabelle.

'You can continue working. Just pretend that we're not here.' Brian reasoned. Annabelle just scoffed and pootled towards a rack to arrange her files. I sat on a couch near the door and tried to nap. I was volunteering to call it a night before another drama knocked to be invited in. Brian pulled out his phone and then, furiously typed a long arse essay for Catherine. He didn't want her to worry. Or maybe he was being clingy. Eh, not my problem.

This whole Joaquin meeting had ruined his important day and he couldn't get out of this room, not without our guards' approval. Ethan and Jason stood at the corner of the room, watching us from head to toe while Elliot discussed with Daniel and Alan on how to entangle this dilemma.

'Chips?' A bag of Doritos was shoved in front of me. To my surprise, it was from Annabelle. I thought she was busy with her work. 'Let there be peace, Aaron. I don't want to fight with you.' She pouted in innocence, eyes darting elsewhere besides mine, brows soaring higher to add intensity of her guiltlessness. I rose and stuffed my mouth with Doritos. 'You think you can bribe my trust with Doritos? You ought to play harder, Miss Wilson.' Her eyes locked in mine. She didn't take a minute to snatch the snack, including the pieces I was holding. She tossed it in a dustbin and took a seat at her desk. Was she sulking? 

 'Anna, no hard feelings. It was a joke.' Silence. Elliot whistled nonchalantly and walked everyone except Annabelle and me over the shelves that stood between the desk and the window to allow some privacy. I advanced towards her. I poked on her forehead and gave her my best fake smile. When she looked up, almost expressionlessly, I felt my legs melting despite the cold weather. My heart skipped a beat. Why did I feel nervous? What kind of spell did she cast on me?

Was she really a witch?  With a warlike kind of look in her eyes, she trapped me in a hostile world, forcing me to bow before her in spite of our different standards and titles.

'Sulking is for babies and I'm nothing like them. Move this finger before I break it and stick it to where the pain strikes unspeakably.' I quickly moved the finger away and spread my hand atop her delicate, bony fingers. Maybe she was really hurt by my action. Maybe she was sincere to forgive and forget, and restart our so-called love-hate relationship.

'I apologise for my attitude. I'm aware I'm full-time a fool. Sometimes, I take things too far.' She tried to hide her smile, but I caught it faster. A staring contest was held without us noticing until the loud thump of a few files on the ground grew as Brian accidentally pushed them in attempt to eavesdrop on us. It was brief, but it was worth an ocean. Elliot's walkie talkie blurred to a faulty noise, saying that Joaquin had been sent back to his motel - because, dahoy, he didn't get the privilege to stay here. They made their way out and resumed the rest of the event like nothing ever happened. Funny how the rules were made. It should be Joaquin being locked up or the authorities must be stressing on, nevertheless, Brian and I were chosen to be kept away from the danger.

'Why are you still waiting here? Go join your brother.' She finally spoke after a while.

'I haven't got your forgiveness yet.' I smiled.

'Gah, I forgive you. Okay, off you go.'

'We've got an after-party later. Fancy joining us? I'll prepare whatever you want.' 

'Okay, Aaron. I'll see you tonight. Now, shut up and go.' She pushed my back across the room. By the time she swung the door close, I winked at her, praying that she would appear at the party.

And then, a hearty laugh escaped from her bordeaux lips.

Nothing was more mesmerising than that; my heart had confirmed it.