C2 Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

LUKE

I grip the file tightly as I feel the anxiety eating me out, slowly I feel the gravity pulling us down and-

"Mr. Stevens, are you alright?"

"I am," The words came out from my tight jaw as I tried to ease up my nervous stance. The feeling of bile rising up my throat is almost impossible for me to control. I hope, I can hold it for another five minutes.

"I'm perfectly, fine. Thank you." I answer back at her with a smile, trying to resist the urge to gag. She nods back at me in understanding and I watch her took her place back on the front as she announce our landing.

"All passengers, please be informed that in any minute now, we would be taxiing down the airport. Fasten your seatbelt and just relax." She smiles at me and wink.

Oh, gals.

I was almost ready to throw up when there's sudden change. The plane started to shake vigorously as it prepared to land down. I can feel its wheels scrape as it rolled unto the port.

Then, all movement stopped.

I can hear mutterings all around me as the passengers prepared themselves to go down the plane, attendants guiding them on the exit.

All things that I should do as I go down the plane blurred past me. I was so used on going out and about that it felt like a breeze. Soon, I was situated on the back seat of a cab; the driver sneak past each vehicle, as a slight drizzle moisten my hair. Looking out the rolled down window, I glance down the street and smile.

This is the place where I truly belong: London.

I arrived at my apartment just before it started to rain hard, my vest soaking. I was struggling to find the key so I could open the door when someone called my name.

"Luke," it repeated.

I turn to my left to see no one. "Who's there?"

"Mr. Lucas Hansel, I'm here to collect you as the king has ordered. " I watch as the wind blew, sweeping the dried leaves making them scrape on the pavement. A tall man stood there in front of me with his jaw tight, gold buttons traced his shoulder and pins littering his chest.

He really is fit for some kind of a royal knight or guard. He' paraded himself too well.

"What? You've mistaken. I am Luke Stevens. Mister--?" I stared at the man as he bowed down in front of me.

"Argus Johansson, Sir. Call me, Argus." He smiled, looking me down and up, "I'm appointed by the king to fetch you."

"King? I thought there is only the queen?"

"Not the royalty of Britain, but of the French."

"Wait, they have a royalty?" he just nod at me, his face serious.

"Okay, so why would the king be interested in me to order a guard to fetch me? I just came back from Germany. I don't need you to fool me, I have to attend to my company's needs..." I turn around and picked at my keys, trying to open my front door.

"But you are much needed on the palace, my lord. The king, he really needs you...and I am not kidding." He pleaded as he bowed once again.

"I don't understand." I turn back around and scrutinize him under my gaze. " Why would he want a commoner, like me, on his grounds? I'm barely recognized by any royalty, much more by the politics and the media...why the sudden change?" I arched an eyebrow at his direction, as I lean on my door.

"That, I don't know. I was just called to fetch, not to give answers. Come, the king is waiting." He suddenly pulled my hand towards my back making me struggled. A black limo came rushing down the road as Argus tied my wrist using some cable ties.

"Urrgh, Argus! My company needs me now. You better make sure that all this is not just a prank!" I snap at him as he forced my head down. He open the door on the back seat. "Don't kill me...my company, it can't--"

"I'm sure that this is much more important than that of your dilapidated company." He smiled, showing off his silver teeth as he push me down the open door, "And may I just add, I am a royal guard. Not some random prankster or serial killer or whatever that floats in your boat...." With that, he locks the door and roll the window up.

Though before the engine started, Argus produce something from his pocket, smiling once again as he cover my eyes with the thin black cloth, "Uggh," I kick and trash around but it was such a very worthless act. Great...I'm kidnapped. I was thrown at the backseat with my eyes covered. Maybe it is for some prank or maybe for some kind of harassment then they will surely kill me...

"I guess, today is my lucky day..." I sarcastically say as he switch the engine on and drove down the city.

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I breathe a sigh when the engine stopped.

I could hear somebody talking with Argus as the back door open I was surprised when someone suddenly snatched me up and slung me on their shoulder like some kind of doll. I can feel his struggle as he shifted me and threw me on something flat; well, not actually flat because I can feel myself sinking and-

"Mornin', rogue... " I felt my eyes sting as I opened it into a bright room. I looked around only to see Argus standing on the far side of the room, eating some apple and a guy, whom I assumed is the one who carried me, sat beside me.

"What are we goin' to do with this, mate?" Oh yeah, a Scottish lad. Nice One!

"Wayne, will you just keep your mouth shut and wait for Genova to arrive? She'll be the one to take care on this. She will groom him just before six according to our timeline..." He said in a nonchalant tone, enjoying his apple as he took another bite out of it.

The two "royal" guards watch me like a predator unto their prey, observing every move I take as I struggled with the cable ties. I was almost delighted when the door opened yet, out came a dark and very healthy lady. Very, very healthy lady.

If you know what I mean.

"Such a delicious young man..." She licked her lips before she settled on the chair beside the bed, grabbing my chin, inspecting every inch of my face. "What a nice piece of sculpture. These features are rare, kept within the royalty for a long time hmm....and this nose and lips," She chuckled before taking up her pair of scissors and brush.

"Gentlemen, you may now leave the room. I'll take good care of this lad."

The two men look at me and back at her, giving me a thumbs up before they took an exit out.

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