MY TREASURED DESIRE

CHAPTER TWO: The Reprisal Attack

Brentford Hotel and Towers, London, UK.

Princess Ndidi – in preparation for the Youth Empowerment Programme in Africa – needed to conclude some facts and figures with the Board of Directors of the NGO that would also benefit from the annual event. Hence, the NGO booked the Banquet Hall of a Six-Star, Brentford Hotel and Towers, London, for the meeting.

Princess Ndidi only attended the meeting with Reynold as her only associate.

In the meantime, six Ford Mustang Jeeps pulled up at the Hotel’s Car Park. Alighting from the cars were about two dozen well-built expert fighters who wore navy blue ninja suits and wielding light weapons. These men proceeded into the hotel lobby, overpowered the Hotel Staff and Reception Security Guards, and made their way to the Banquet Hall where the Board Meeting of the NGO was in progress.

Inside the Hall, at the same time, Reynold informed Princess Ndidi that he had to leave the venue for something important, just as the hotel’s 40 men-strong elite security personnel surrounded the Conference tables to protect their clients – after a security tip-off. Two minutes later, when they saw the leader of the ninja-suit clad bandits who entered with ninja warriors, fear expressions appeared on the Brentford Hotels’ Security Personnel’s’ faces: They are playing hosts to the Brentford Mafia, led by the old war general, Carlton Abbot!

“We come in peace,” Carlton Abbot announced arrogantly as he raised his two hands and played with a dry smile on his scarred face. “No one will get hurt if you just allow us to arrest that lovely lady whose bodyguard disarmed and disgraced our footmen at the Brentford Boulevard two weeks ago!”

The Leader of the Non-Governmental Organisation was a Knight of the British Empire and one of the owners of the Brentford Hotels and Towers. He rose only to appeal for the peaceful resolution of the impasse.

“You are here, dear friends and co-patriots in Brentford,” he greeted. “If I have always found favour in your sight as one of your community leaders, please let me handle this matter on behalf of our young sponsor…”

But Carlton Abbot raised his hands again, this time with a murderous expression on his face, and instructed that the Knight be forcefully subdued. The Hotel Security Personnel – though afraid of the mafia – had to resist the jungle justice. However, in ten minutes, the Mafia’s Ninja warriors have clinically brought the more numerous elite fighters that secure the hotel to their knees, and in the pool of their blood: No death was recorded. Afterwards, Carlton raised his gun and aimed to shoot Princess Ndidi. But simultaneously, deep darkness engulfed the Banquet Hall of the Hotel. The electricity supply has been cut off. A great commotion took over the hall as Carlton proceeded to fire his shot all the same without losing a second. Now, bone-cracking, followed by painful cries and wailing, filled the air. Then, in another ten minutes, the electricity supply was restored!

The situation in the now well-lit Banquet Hall was saddening. Carlton was on the floor with his wrists pierced through with silver strings that could be described as barbed wire. Human corpses littered the floor, and those soldiers – with the security personnel that were not yet dead - were screaming and writhing in pains of death in the bloodied hall.

But neither did the Old Knight, nor any one of the NGO personnel get any type of hurt… Strangely still, Princess Ndidi and Reynold Chang were both absent from the hall. A few seconds later, London Police Personnel marched into the Hall to clean up the mess and arrest the intruders, who had been left in excruciating pains!

***

Brentford Specialist Hospital, UK.

The Special Recovery Ward of the Specialist Hospital was decorated with flowers. Reynold bowed over the calm and lovely resting figure of Princess Ndidi, checking her pulse, checking her eyeballs, and with caring affection, inspecting the bandaged left upper arm of the Princess. He planted a soft kiss on her lips, and she shivered.

“Ma’am,” Reynold muttered audibly. “Sorry about the bullet wound. The metal has been successfully removed and no ligament or bone was damaged.”

Princess Ndidi managed a sweet smile, coinciding with when Reynold perfectly struck two acupuncture needles into two acupuncture points on her body. She felt more relieved.

“You did a clinical job back there at Brentford – subduing those Ninja Warriors in ten minutes,” Princess Ndidi told Reynold with a look of admiration on her smiling face.

Reynold returned the caring look and bowed closer to her face, whispering: “I never expected my boss to be able to make martial arts' super moves that reconstructed the shapes of some Master Class experts in seconds… in the dark. I must confess that I was shocked at your speed and prowess, Beautiful.”

Princess Ndidi seem just to have noticed the romantic closeness and narrowed her eyes to stare into Reynold’s eyes. They both felt some warmth and held each other. Reynold was about to steal a meaningful kiss when she surprisingly spoke: “Is this how you will protect me, Mr Reynold?”

Reynold got frozen and was glued to looking at her very beautiful face... Then the doctor on duty – with a gorgeous nurse - entered the room. The doctor checked the Princess’ temperature while the nurse began the procedures of checking the blood pressure. At the completion of their examining the vital processes, the doctor smiled as he scribbled something on the bedside chart. He told the Princess:

“You are a very strong Alpha female.” The four occupants of the room smiled. Then, the doctor faced Reynold and said, “In about 24 hours, she would be discharged. The Police Chief respects the bravery of both of you, Couple. And Congratulations!”

“Thank You, Doctor,” said Reynold.

And Princess Ndidi added: “We genuinely appreciate you, Doc. Please ensure that this incidence is kept as confidential as possible. We kept it away from the Press and Family so far.”

The doctor nodded as he said, “Precisely, The Police Chief advised that keeping an absolute silent disposition, in this case, will help their investigations as it concerns the underground group that came to attack Miss. Anderson.”

Anderson is the maiden name of Princess Ndidi’s Mother, Lucy – And the family is very influential in Great Britain. The doctor and his nurse soon left again, and the Princess informed Reynold that he should proceed on a One-Month Vacation in two weeks’ time. The family would be joining the extended family in Africa for the Youth Empowerment Gala.

After a brief pause, the Princess avoided Reynold’s eyes and said: “Mr Reynold Chang, think about making a decision to spend your vacation with my Father’s Family in Africa… If you are not well-disposed to the idea, you are at liberty to decide where to spend your 31 days’ vacation. Your needs and bills will be fully catered for: Collect your customised Black Card from the MD’s Secretary. Your Birthday is the Password. Thank You!”

No response was immediately required or delivered. But Reynold’s heart became so heavy suddenly… Why?

Will Prince Reynold Chang opt to follow his heartthrob home to get to know her family better? Is there a thing that bothers the Crown Prince that should be considered? Will the decision to join the Africa trip - or not - affect Reynold’s plans? Or will it not? Will his thoughts be a risk that will “blow his cover” or not? Will the growing romance between the two royals be hindered when they get themselves apart for a whole month?