CHAPTER 567: WHO COULD THAT BE?

While music and laughter filled the reception hall, Nicholas pulled Rocky to a quieter corner, "I’ve been meaning to ask," Nicholas began, rubbing the back of his neck. "Could I rent the apartment you’ve got near the school? I’m in a bind, and I figure I might get a better rate from you."

It looked like an odd request, given where they were, for it even made Matt gape. Was that Nicholas’ way of diverting attention? Who was it that had grabbed his attention for the all-knowing Nichoals to do this?

Rocky arched a brow. "A moment," he said, and walked back to Ava. This time, it was both Nicholas and Matt’s turn to exchange glances. But they waited patiently till Rocky returned.

After a brief, whispered exchange, Rocky walked back, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Ava said you can use it for free. Since we co-own it, I can’t make the call alone ... but typical of my Ava, she didn’t even hesitate."

Nicholas’ eyes went wide. He was surrounded by two friends from wealthy families, but Nicholas never took advantage of them. He took pride in earning his keep, so this was unusual for him, and he hesitated to accept it.

"For free? No, I can’t possibly ...."

Rocky, knowing and already expecting his response, cut him off with a laugh. "Don’t you consider me a friend?"

Nicholas stammered, then laughed, torn between gratitude and disbelief. Just then, Matt tilted his head with a grin.

"Careful," he teased. "If word gets out at school, you’re giving away property, the line will be longer than the buffet."

All three laughed quietly, the private moment sealing itself as another memory of the day ... one rooted not in grandeur, but in simple friendship.

"Come on, man, you’re practically family, and Ava is no stranger to you. We had purchased that apartment so that she could be closer to me at school, but now that we’re married, there is no need for it. The place will be vacant anyway, so you’ll even be doing us a great favour by taking care of it."

With it being put that way, Nicholas finally put his worries at bay, but it was in that moment that Nicholas affirmed his resolve to work hard and earn a place for himself in society. In that moment, he also decided to absolutely quit the adult film editing that he had been doing on a part-time basis. It paid well, but he did not want that to come back and bite him when he least expected it.

Nichols did not know that this moment and decision would save him a lot of heartache in the not-too-distant future.

"How about I move in with you, Nichoals?" Matt asked,

"Do whatever you want!"

The three friends finally moved back to Ava as the evening drew to a close.

***

"It was ..."

Samantha paused, causing Ingrid to squeeze her face in annoyance,

"Samantha? Can you complete your statement?"

"Right! Sorry! I wasn’t too sure, but now I am.... She was with that woman in the hospital that day!"

For a moment, Ingrid stopped short.

"You mean...?"

"YES! Now I know that nothing good comes out of anyone related to that woman!" Samnatha stopped,

"Apart from you, though...."

Ingrid smirked,

"Mum and Dad went that way and she is close to their heels.... Let’s try to get to her before she gets the chance to do anything."

The two girls sprang in that direction, but the person seemed to have disappeared as soon as she turned a corner.

The two girls stopped, knowing that no wedding guest was allowed to be in that part of the estate.

They frowned.

"Let’s go find Mum instead. Dad will know what to do."

They stopped a random worker,

"Where are mum and dad?"

"They are in the breakfast room, Miss...." Samantha nodded at the workers, and she and Ingrid set off in that direction.

In the breakfast room:

Ian guided his Elfin gently into the dining chair, his hand steady on her back. He sat by her, massaging her back, and Shelby sank into the motions, sighing in contentment.

Murray appeared soundlessly and placed a small glass vial before her. Shelby reached for it as fast as she could, gulping the whole thing down. Ian chuckled, rubbing her stomach now,

"The little one demands a lot,"

"Yes, he does," Shelby said fondly, settling back comfortably as Suzie personally set the table. She found that she was becoming a little reliant on the vial and couldn’t get through the day without having the need to take one. When she didn’t, the knowing hunger never left. She had initially been worried, but considering that the baby she was carrying was partly Fae and a royal blood at that, it was unsurprising for the people around her.

Suzie placed a steaming omelette and bowls of carefully prepared, nutrient-rich dishes in front of her. One would say that Shelby’s appetite had become troublesome as she was constantly craving everything and nothing. Suzie found happiness in making sure that Shelby had eaten her fill of everything, even if it was one bite of many dishes.

Shelby picked up her fork obediently, playing around with the eggs before bringing a forkful to her mouth.

Unknowingly, the people around her heaved a sigh of relief when she chewed and swallowed. Some might think it dramatic, but for all the assassins and Ian, Shelby had become their little world, and they loved to make sure that she was comfortable. Ian watched, attentive but wordless, dabbing her lips with a napkin after each bite, as though she were something fragile and irreplaceable.

The clatter of footsteps broke the quiet as Samantha and Ingrid hurried in. Laughter should have followed, or chatter .... but instead, a hush stretched across the room. It was not entirely surprising because Gabriel was not with them, but the girls looked unusually silent and solemn.

Samatha looked around, noting that apart from her parents, only Currey, Murray, and Suzie were around, which was strange. Per their deduction, the person should have been in this room as well.

’Did I hear wrong? ... or am I just on edge?’

Samantha shook her head as Ingrid took in the whole space, trying to find anything abnormal. Ingrid knew that with Ian around, no one stood a chance, but she also wanted to ensure that she did her small part.

Shelby raised her head at them, noting their solemness, but she found it cute instead. She also knew that till she was done with her meal, Ian would not be happy if she engaged them. That had been used as an excuse more than once.

"I want some juice..."

She whispered as she beckoned to them, but Ian beat her to it, pouring some for her.

Shelby put it to her lips....

’Just a little more.... Just a little...

She frowned, putting the juice back down and looking around. She frowned, noting that all eyes had turned to her, as if they were wondering why she did not take the juice.

’Why is Mum going to drink that? It looks weird.’

Shelby turned to Ingrid, hearing her voice, but she saw that Ingrid had not moved her lips.

Her eyes widened. She heard them, yet no sound had left their mouths.

Her fork in her left hand slipped against the plate. She turned sharply to her husband.

"Wait," she whispered, breathless. "Are those... thoughts?"

"What do you mean?" Ian asked, finally turning on his ability to read other people’s minds, but it was all quiet, so he frowned, not sure of what Shelby was referring to. Ian turned all his attention to Shelby, ignoring the two kids as they moved closer to take a seat.

Samantha stopped, looking around,

"Mum, let me get Gabriel first, we want to tell you something..."

Shelby nodded, wondering what that was about, especially the first words she had heard.

Just then, "That bitch! I will get her this time..... Why the fuck is she not drinking the damned -"

Shelby snapped her head as the voice stopped abruptly, as if someone had hit a stop button.

"What the hell?"

"What is it?" Ian asked, alarmed.

"I-"

Shelby was unsure of what was happening.

"Mummy? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, baby.... Looks like Mummy is really tired."

Ingrid nodded, but like all the others, they looked worried.

Shelby picked the juice again, but this time she was hesitant to take a sip.

They all heard Gabriel’s wild chatter before he came in, followed by Samantha....

’Eat... take it... now... Don’t look away... You cannot refuse... Come on... just a little..’

"Did you hear that?" Shelby whispered to Ian, who looked around, wondering what Shelby had heard.

Shelby’s hand trembled slightly as she set down the juice. Her brow furrowed for a bit before she looked up. Her actions made Ian’s guard go up.

"Samantha?"

"Mum?"

"Can you go out, stand there for two minutes and come back in?"

They all frowned, wondering what was up. Shelby stilled her trembling hand as the voice rained curses on her,

"Fuck this bitch! Why isn’t she drinking? Is she pl-"

The voice cut off as soon as Samantha left the room. Shelby looked around, studying everyone there. The voice was not one she had ever heard.

’Does that mean that someone is here?’ She asked herself, and Ian used their mind link to ask,

’I’m not sure, Ian, but I think that -’

Just then, Samantha came back in looking as puzzled as all the rest. Shelby picked up the juice and placed it to her lips, but did not drink it,

’Just drink the damn thing! Wait- does she know?! No, it’s not possible.... Even that man can’t hear me, why and how can she?’

Shelby turned a surprised gaze at Samantha, and her gaze grew cold.

*********

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