Arranged Alliance

Amusement Park

Nora Duke

Nicholas was really excited about where we were going. We were in a car. It was really refreshing being outside and on a vacation. "Nicholas?" I called his name. He hummed in response; I bit my lip, then asked, "Where are we going?" I asked, and he sighed.

"Nora, you asked like fifty times and I said that it was a surprise." He said,

"But I want to know," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. Nicholas ruffled my hair and just smiled. He put on music. It was electronic music. I started to vibe to it. I looked at him wanting to strike up a conversation. "Do you like music?" I asked. He glanced at me then turned the car to the right.

"Yeah, sometimes when I am bored," he nodded. "Do you like music?" He asked.

"No, I just like one direction." I joked, but it was true. I really like them. Nicholas laughed.

"I like them too. What is your favorite song for them?" he asked in the conversation.

"Umm... At first I really liked 18, but now I like night changes." I said, looking at him. "Who's your favorite singer?"

"Taylor Swift." He spoke. Looked at him in disbelief.

"Are you serious, Taylor swift?" I looked at him like he was crazy.

"Yeah, what? Is that a problem?" He looked offended. I pursed my lips.

"No."

"Then?" He pressed the topic.

"Nothing, I also like her. She is just really fast writing on her ex's." I spoke. Well, he was the one who was pressing.

"It's because she doesn't have the one man who she wants. All of them don't deserve her." He said, too into the topic. I bit the inside of my cheek to not smile. I leaned towards him; he tensed a bit but still drove.

"So, who does she deserve? You?" I said, mischief in my voice. Smiling a little. He froze for a second then glanced at me. There was a red signal, so he stopped the car. What perfect timing. I was still smiling. He turned towards me and ruffled my hair.

"The one who deserves me," he smiled, "is you." He said, touching the tip of my nose. He pulled the broken hand and started the car. My smile faded as my whole face heated up.

I looked out of the car window. My face was still flushed. I was looking outside but my mind was scattered at what had just happened. Enchanted by Taylor swift was now playing and, for me, more annoying was Nicholas who was humming to it. I glanced at him and his eyes were on the road but he was smiling and very excited. I can tell he was very satisfied with what he did to me. At least he was not bad at singing.

A little turn and finally Nicholas stopped the car. I look at the time. It was already 5 and this place was empty. I looked everywhere to find some people but I couldn't find anyone.

"Nora"

"Huh", I looked at him.

"We are here," he pointed out. I glared at him.

"I can see that. But no one is here." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"So?" He asked, mimicking my actions.

"So?" I said in disbelief. "Nicholas, this is an amusement park and you are saying so." I said, now worried. If this was Sana plan I-. My thoughts were cut off as Nicholas grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

"Your dad sent us to Bangkok; my dad booked an amusement park for us." He said, laughing. I looked at him and I knew what my expression was. I am awed and shocked.

"Wow. James did it." Nicholas stopped for a second. I looked at him and raised my brow at him.

"I just call your dad Mr. Duke and you call my dad James." He spoke.

"It's because I am close to your father, you are not." I responded, walking past him and getting to the ticket booth.

"We don't need that." he said, grabbing my hand and dragging me inside.

"Really?" I said excitedly. "Is it free?" I asked. He nodded. I jumped excitedly and ran for the first ride, yelling 'yay'. I know I am

acting childishly, but I am free. After being in prison for twenty-three I am finally free. That's how it feels? Then it feels great.

"Now what?" He asked after we took a ride on the roller coaster. He was literally yelling to stop the ride. I looked at him and he looked really tired. But I wasn't. I looked around to find a ride. "Nora? Aren't you tired?" He asked, looking at his watch, "Look, it's already 7, we were here at 5. Come on, I am tired and hungry." He whined like a child and shook my hand.

"Come on Nicholas, we just ate pointed." I pointed at the ferris wheel, smiling widely at him. "How about that?" He looked at me. Then to the sky. The sun was setting and it was night. "Nicholas?" I called. He looks at me defeatedly.

"Okay, but this had to be last," he said in a stern tone. I smiled and nodded my head. We didn't have to wait. It was only us and I loved it. "Aren't you scared of heights?" he asked absently. I looked at him.

"No, are you?" I asked with amusement in my voice. Nicholas looked at me and shook his head.

"No, no, not at all," he said hurriedly.

"Didn't you say the same thing about the haunted house?" I said, remembering how he freaked out and the staff had to come to pick him up. He was so embarrassed. His whole face went red and I looked at him amusingly. He was so grateful that no one saw him like that except me. He grabbed my hand and dragged both of us in a cart. I was still smiling. After a minute, the wheel started.

"Look outside. Not at me." He said, irritated. I laughed and looked outside. The sun was setting, I pulled Nicholas's sleeve and made him look out of window, we were at the top. Suddenly, the wheel stopped and we jolted. Slowly, the whole park's lights were going off. My smile fades.

"Nicholas?" I called his name. He didn't respond. I turned to look at him. I can't see his face. I started to panic. "Nicholas, Nicholas." I called him again, my voice shaking. Strong arms wrapped around me as I hid my face in his chest.

"Shhh, nothing happened. Only the power goes down." He started to say soothing words and rub my back. He pulls his phone out and turns on the flashlight on the phone. He wiped the tear that was rolling down my cheek, that I didn't even know. "Why are you crying?" He asked. I looked at him and sobbed.

"I- I hate dark." Hearing my words, his face softened.

"I am so sorry, Nora." He said, pulling me close.

Nicholas moved back, opened the cart door. There was nobody. "Nicholas, I am scared." I said, pulling my own phone out and on the flashing light.

"Come here." I was a few steps away from him, I took a few steps towards him, but someone caught my arm.

"Nicholas" I shouted. He ran towards me, grabbed my other hand and kicked the man who grabbed my arm. The man has the same height as Nicholas, although he was bigger than him.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he wiped my eyes and looked for an injury. I nodded and he pulled me into his embrace. "Shhh, everything is going to be alright." I nodded and pulled out. I looked at him as he's eyes widened, he pushed me. I fell on the ground. I looked up and saw Nicholas was grabbing the man's hand. He had a knife in his hand. My eyes widened as he started to push Nicholas back. The man's one hand had a knife which Nicholas grabbed and his other hand was on Nicholas' neck. I looked around for something to help Nicholas. The lights were still off and I couldn't find my phone. The man shoved Nicholas at the counter and took the knife closer to his neck. Nicholas blocked his arm.

"Nicholas" I shouted his name. I took some steps towards him but stumbled on something. I crouched down and found what I stumbled on; I found a stick. I grasp it and look at the man, rather than at Nicholas. Nicholas is placed on the counter, the man bringing the knife close to his face as Nicholas tries his full power to shove him back. The man got angry and he punched Nicholas but he still didn't budge. I took some steps towards the man, grasped the stick in my hand and smashed his head. The man's grasp loosened on the knife and he grabbed his head where blood was dripping. I dropped the baton and kicked him in his stomach. The man didn't fall but he took some steps back. He ran towards me but I kicked him in his shin and picked up the stick and smashed hard on his head. The stick broke into pieces and he fell on the ground. Nicholas looks at me then at the man.

I looked at the man, then took some steps back. There was blood on the ground, so much blood. I felt dizzy. I grabbed my head so it could stop. Nicholas was still dazed.

"You are so cool, Nora." Nicholas spoke, his voice was awed.

"Nicholas". I got to my senses and ran to him, only to be pulled by him in an embrace. I cried so hard. He said some soothing words to me but I didn't hear anything. I was still dizzy. We pulled back. I was looking at the man who I had beaten up.

"Look at me, Nora, look at me." Nicholas said as he cupped my cheek and wiped my tears. There were some lights coming from behind us. I turned around as the police came, and looked at the scene rather than at us. I clutched to Nicholas body. The chief came to us. I looked at the man who was in a pool of blood, then hid my face in Nicholas' chest.

"What happened here? And who are you?" he asked. He flashed the torch in front of me, his face looked like he was remembering us. I felt comfortable as I snuggled more into his chest. He sensed my anxiety, and hugged me.

"I am Nicholas Bretons, and this is my wife, Nora Bretons." Nicholas introduced us coldly to him. Hearing our names, his eyes widened.

"I am so sorry Mr. and Ms. Bretons." He apologized, looking at me. I nodded. Nicholas grabbed my hand. "I am Henry, Chief of this society. Can you tell me what happened? I will deal with it personally."

"Nice to meet you, Henry, and thank you. Actually, we were on a ride when suddenly the whole park shut down. We were already at the end, so I got down easily. I opened the door and this man came from nowhere and attacked us. My wife, trying to save me, smashed his head and then you came." He explained everything. Henr looked at the guy and crouched beside him checking is pulse.

"Is- Is he d-dead." I said in my shaking voice as a sob came out of my mouth. Nicholas looked at me concerned, a lady constable took steps towards me, but Nicholas was fast as he pulled me in an embrace and rubbed my back reassuringly, trying to stop my sob.

"Is he?" Someone asked Henry as I snuggled into his chest more.

"No, he is breathing." Henry answered him. I sighed in relief and I heard Nicholas doing the same. He put his chin on my head and tightened his embrace.

"Actually, my wife is a little scared, so we are going to leave. You can have my number if you want anything from us. I will send someone to dig into this. You don't have to do it, thank you for your concern," Nicholas said.

He pulled out his jacket and wrapped it on my shoulder. He gave his number to Henry and wrapped an arm around me as we started walking to the car. I snuggled more into his arms.

Why can't those people leave me alone?