AT CASTELLANOS MANSION,
Another day for Johnathan to mark in his life. By now, death seemed more enchanting than the sinful life he's living. Johnathan held back the anger bubbling inside. He couldn't wait to get out of his father's sight.
After he met with Alastair, it was his father's turn to scrutinise and criticise him, but he's used to the notion of getting grilled mercilessly by Christopher. It'd almost become second nature to him, but only his words burned harsher than the fire. Head bent, eyes downcast, Johnathan was good at pretending to listen.
"Where did you meet Alexander's son?" Christopher asked. Johnathan was startled at the sudden question, but masked the shock immediately with a look of confusion. He'd prepared himself for the queries about his disappearance from the country. But never expected his father asking about anything related to Alexander. The King appeared to be nonchalant, but Johnathan knew his father better..
Christopher Castellanos hated Alexander to the core, and if he suddenly developed an interest in his son, there could only be one hidden motive. He wanted to get his hold on Alexander's weakness. They'd caused enough damage to Felicity and Alexander's life, and Johnathan wouldn't agree to any of his father's absurd demands from now. He wouldn't be a pawn in his dirty game anymore.
He knew his father had his men monitor his every move just as his brother did. So he couldn't lie about his visit to London. He would rather die than sabotage the safety of Felicity's son. Though he was worried about his father finding Ace Hunter, he knew for sure, Christopher wouldn't dare to touch that boy. Alexander would skin him alive if his father even looked at him.
"Why would you think I met Alexander's son? How would I know where he is?" He asked in reply. His father scoffed, fixing him with an 'I know everything' look. Johnathan remained unaffected and bravely declined every assumption and accusation. "I visited a few orphanages and schools to offer financial support. I'm sure your spies reported that already," he said with disinterest, mimicking his father's relaxed demeanour.
Johnathan was more afraid of Christopher discovering about Hera's existence. He'd worked so hard for years to keep Hera alive, and if Christopher reached her before Alexander, God knows what would happen.
"Alexander said he would kill you the next time he gets his hands on you. How many times should I bow my head before him in defeat? I'm tired of losing against him and all because my worthless son couldn't take responsibility and fulfil his duty for once," finally, Christopher gave up the pretence of a caring father and snapped at Johnathan.
'So the devil already issued a warning of his arrival.'
Johnathan bit back a smile. He knew how much Alexander intimidated his father. He could only wish for Alexander to reach Hera before his father could harm her.
"Should I keep begging him for your pathetic life? Why couldn't you do as told and stay away from him?" Christopher shouted at him, his frustration reaching its peak. Johnathan smiled, satisfied at his father's dismay. "You don't have to worry about my life. If dying in the hands of Alexander would ease my guilt or wash my sins, I would gladly volunteer," Johnathan said and stood up from his seat.
"With your permission, Your Majesty," he said and bowed before his father. Meanwhile, the King watched in condemnation as his son left his study.
Johnathan was tired to the bones when he went to bed. Changing into his night attire, he switched all the lights off.
Everything around him seemed soaked in the orange light illuminating the bedroom. The only source of light he'd left on, came from the table lamp.
A silhouette appeared before him until he could recognise the outline of the person as Myra.
The woman had the most expensive silk robe on, dressed for the bed. She walked, swaying her hip elegantly and a warm smile played on her lips. No doubt she looked pretty as a picture. But she wasn't enough for him as his heart never stopped craving for Felicity. He couldn't love any other woman while she occupied the throne in his heart.
Johnathan closed his eyes and turned to his side, pretending to fall asleep. But he couldn't dodge the look of hurt and disappointment crossing Myra's beautiful face before he closed his eyes. He was guilty of not providing the comfort and love a woman craves from her husband. His broken heart wouldn't agree to settle for anyone other than Felicity.
Even now, when Myra appeared from the closet and walked towards his bed, all he could see was Felicity walking to him. Hallucinating Felicity had become an incurable disease which he embraced warm-heartedly. He didn't ever wish to replace her either. It had always been her, and Johnathan wouldn't want it any other way.
The scenes from his past started playing behind his closed eyelids, and each of it highlighting her presence. Johnathan didn't know if it's a hallucination or he's going crazy, but he didn't want this sorcery to end.
He could endure anything if it meant seeing her beautiful face.
Like every other night, he saw Felicity once again. She was walking in slow steps as though lifting her feet caused her pain. She looked so fragile, tired and weak. He couldn't help but worry for her, and he knew, it was his entire fault.
As their eyes met, Johnathan gulped in fear, fear of getting caught and proved guilty in front of her. She removed her gaze off him only to look at Alexander. As her eyes roamed around her wrecked home, terror written all over her face, Johnathan wished he could undo everything he'd done that day.
Alexander carefully carried Felicity in his arms and placed her on the soft sofa, adjusting the cushion behind her. She didn't need to voice out her thoughts. He'd revealed everything before she could ask. Alexander neither lied, nor tried to hide the truth from her.
Johnathan was beyond shocked while Alexander briefed everything exactly how it happened as though he was there, sitting between Johnathan and Baresi twins, listening to their plan.
He knew every single detail of their plan. He knew how Marco and Franco, the Baresi brothers, planned to kill him and kidnap his son and how Johnathan was their pass to breach his security team. He explained how Johnathan had drugged her coffee, which caused her unconsciousness.
Much to Alexander's frustration, his wife shook her head in dismissal. Despite all the details provided, Felicity adamantly refused to believe Johnathan could be guilty of Alexander's accusations. It broke his heart further because she was fighting with her husband for his sake. She cast aside the issue of drugged coffee as if it didn't matter to her one bit, as if it didn't make any sense.
When Johnathan finally dared to look at her, she was battling hard to keep her eyes open. Though tears were streaming down her cheeks, the drowsiness of the drug didn't wear off yet. "You need to rest, Felci, please let me take care of you. We'll talk about it later," Alexander said and ignoring her weak attempt at the refusal, he lifted her into his arms.
Johnathan could see Alexander's broad back through the open door of their bedroom as he carefully placed Felicity on the bed.
The team of doctors waited in the living room, giving the privacy the husband and wife required. They were more than happy to avoid Alexander's vicinity for as long as they could prolong after grasping the dangerous atmosphere surrounding them.
Alexander cupped Felicity's face and whispered soothing words, all the while leaving a trail of sweet kisses on her cheeks. It was painful to watch their interaction, so affectionate, so intimate, Johnathan felt his heart bleed. He looked away from them though he couldn't help listening to their conversation. He heard the fit Felicity threw at her husband in their bedroom.
Involuntarily, his eyes moved, and he chanced a glance at them again. Felicity shoved at Alexander's shoulders with her soft hands, trying to free herself from his hold but he only pulled her more into his chest. She wasn't bothered the least bit about being discreet while she fought with Alexander.
He watched while Alexander left her on the bed for a few seconds. When he returned to her side, he held a glass of water in his hand. Felicity drank half of the contents in one go, and Alexander wiped her lips with his thumb. Setting the glass on the nightstand, he walked to the door only to shut it close.
Felicity's eyes met with Johnathan's for a brief second, but before he could read emotion in them, Alexander's sword-like sharp eyes pierced into his. Johnathan sighed exhausted, and Felicity's face disappeared behind the door.
Johnathan breathed out another sigh. Had Felicity not interrupted, he would've died by this time. Alexander wouldn't have wasted another second more before drilling the bullets into his head. She saved his life for the time being.
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