My Prince Of Edinburgh's

Chapter 53. Alright.

Nicholas walks back and forth in front of the ICU room, waiting for news of Dara's fate being handled by the doctor inside. He was determined, if Dara survived, he would take the girl away from Edinburgh. He would take it away from his family - how could he express his anger at them, especially Portia.

Tired, he placed his weight on a waiting room chair across from the ICU. Long he struggled with bad thoughts that haunted his mind. Until a doctor meets him to tell him that Dara is fine, although still unconscious and not allowed to visit. However, it has made Nicholas relieved not to play.

Thomas comes to see Nicholas and invites his younger brother to a little breath of fresh air outside the hospital. At a cafe across the street. He knew Nicholas was so tense these days and the highlight was finding Dara in the empty house.

"How is that bragging? Is he dead?" ask Nicholas. The anger was still dominant in his heart. If he could, he still wanted to beat up Braden for what the young man had done to his lover.

"No. He's not dead. My friend took care of it. They will both be jailed for kidnapping and attempted murder. If Dara's conscious, she's gonna have to testify in court."

Nicholas shakes. "I want them to go to jail, but .. I've been planning to take Dara away from Edinburgh as soon as she wakes up."

"Why?"

"I don't want Portia to do anything more than this. I don't want Dara to be fucked again."

Thomas smiled as he nodded. "It only took one testimony from Dara and that was enough to send the two men to prison, Nic."

Nicholas mere mas his face rough. Then, the beer bottle was cut to half.

"Where do you know you're going?" ask Thomas.

"Yet. I don't have much money" Nicholas said. "But, the important thing is that I'll take Dara to a safe place and we can start a new life."

"You know, Nic . I'm proud of you. I think you'll forever be the only child who can squander the Johanssen family's money" said Thomas. But he said all of that in earnest.

"Well, my answer will probably sound cliche. I'm in love, Thom."

****

Nicholas had to stay one night in the hospital to wait for Dara to be transferred to the treatment room. The girl was already conscious, though still unable to move because the gunshot wound on her chest was quite deep. Fortunately, the bullet did not hit his vital organs.

Now, in the room of the hospital room that is not too wide, Dara is lying limp on the bed. Staring fixedly at Nicholas who sat beside him while clasping his hands tightly.

"Nic, I'm sorry ...." That's all that came out of Dara's lips. All this happened because he did not heed Nicholas' warning to not get close to Braden again.

"Why should I apologize. You have no idea how happy I am to see you again in good health."

Dara smiled thinly. It felt like his heart was hurting. He felt that he had wasted Nicholas' sincerity all along, and had opened his heart for too long to the handsome young man with a sad look in his eyes.

"I love you, Nicholas" said Dara. Steady with his feelings.

"What?" Nicholas brought his face closer to Dara. "What did you say?"

"I love you." This time Dara did not mind repeating her words, even though Nicholas was only pretending not to listen.

Nicholas's smile was on its way. Delayed her cheeks gently. "I can finally hear you say it in earnest."

"I'm sorry, I've been expressing my feelings to you for too long. Sorry, I .. if my treatment of you all this time is not pleasant. Sorry, I'm too annoying ...."

"Sttt!" whispered Nicholas. "Doesn't matter. What matters now. Forget about yesterday. I don't remember it anymore."

"Our wedding plan failed" kekeh Dara.

"Who said he failed? You think I don't want to continue? You can't dodge any more after this, Dara."

"Oh, shit," said Dara while giggling.

"If you recover, I'll marry you, no matter what."

"How's mom?" ask Dara. Her smile disappeared while remembering the woman named Portia.

"Not to think about it. After his evil plan failed, I'm sure it took him a while to plan something again."

Dara mere mas Nicholas' palm that is still in his grasp. His gaze remained clashing with the blue iris of the young man.

"We're leaving Edinburgh."

"Oh yeah? Where to?"

"I'll think about it later. After marriage, I'll take you anywhere, '" said Nicholas.

"How's college?" asked Dara while frowning.

"Not to think about. College is not a difficult thing. You believe me, don't you? I'll guarantee you your life, Dara." A firm determination. That's all Nicholas has right now. However, he was truly unafraid of facing the world with all its complexity, as long as there was Dara beside him.

"Don't go, Nic. Just here, okay?" pinta Dara, sounds spoiled.

Really am. This was the first time Dara had been so spoiled for Nicholas. The young man was happy not to play. During this time, Dara always survives with her high ego, unwilling to admit that the girl needs her presence.

"Do I look like I want to go?"

"I'm scared ...." Sure, Dara's still traumatized by the kidnapping. And, just being near Nicholas, he felt safe.

"There's your prince here. Oh, not .. your knight, who will always protect you." Nicholas patted his chest confidently. Want to not make Dara escape her laughter. Start again attitude over confodent Nicholas who likes to be proud of himself.

"Have gone down in degrees now? Not a prince anymore?"

Nicholas thunts. "What's so good about being a prince? Many rules. So annoying."

"You've changed a lot, Nic. From the breng sek youth who rode the Cadillac arrogantly, to being a responsible youth."

Nicholas chuckles. "You sound like Thomas, you know?"

"That's not just me feeling it, is it?"

The young man took a deep breath. "The bed is too narrow," he lamented, making Dara frown.

"Why indeed?" ask Dara in astonishment.

"I want to sleep next to you. Hugging you, kissing you ...."

Dara clucked. "It's a hospital, Nic."

"So what?"

"You're crazy!"

"One kiss might be okay, Dara."

"Nick!" Dara glared as Nicholas brought his face closer to her. "Stop!"

"There's nobody. It's just a little kiss anyway."

Dara shook her head while pointing behind Nicholas' back. A woman whispered as she muttered, "Based on young people!"

***