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Chapter 35

It was nerve-wracking when Nathaniel talked to Richard - Angelina's father yet he manned up himself not wanting to disappoint his Angel. Talking or meeting with father-in-law wasn't an easy task, it took a lot of courage and preparation, and talking to him met him unexpectedly. All the questions his father-in-law asked him were truthful without a lie, the responses came to him naturally, and he was very happy to get approval from the man.

When he saw Angelina's tensed body and fiddling fingers, he held her hand to comfort and to support him from his hot seat. Under the cold breeze from the sea, nervous sweat could be detected underneath his shirt. His heart ran over the miles when Richard sent him a disproved face and when he lowered his eyes... Well, if Richard didn't approve of him, by hook or crook he would get it if it was pleading or manipulation.

After the video call, Nathaniel's phone vibrated, and irritation flashed in his eyes as he received the call from an unknown number.

Who the fuck call a newly wedded couple, he hissed, placing the phone on his ear.

"Nathaniel, speaking," he said in an irritating voice.

"Oh!, hi," an unsure voice said, "This is Paul, remember?" the voice asked then continued, "We met at Aunty Sally's place years ago with my friends" loud music could be heard in the background… maybe a club.

"Hmm," he hummed, pinching his forehead. He didn't remember everything but could remember the incident that occurred which made him do something with them.

"I want to ask whether you've time tomorrow to catch up, Uhn? we missed you".

He opened his mouth to decline because he was in Seychelles to enjoy his time with his Angel not to catch up with strangers, well... Acquaintances but Angelina gave him a nasty look which made him a sighed.

"Okay," he reconsidered and accepted the proposal.

When he hung up Angelina lectured him and scolded him, "They honored you that's why they invite you" she muttered, "You've to accept their invitation" she went on about rejection felt and he felt bad not for thinking of declining.

_________********_______

Nathaniel and Angelina set out to go to the amusement park, which Eric informed them about.

Nathaniel wore a green turtle-neck shirt with long sleeves that hugged his chest firmly and black pants while Angelina wore a shaggy blue skirt that stopped at her knees, showing off her short thick legs and long sleeves red top. She used a multicolored handkerchief to do a bandana on her brown hair, giving her badass vibes with her nose ring and black eyes liner yet the innocent looking.

Angelina couldn't contain her excitement as the car drove to the park. Nathaniel ignited the engine of the car off after parking in the parking area, he undid his seat belt and walked over to help Angelina down.

Nathaniel paid for the tickets for both of them and collected them before entering the amusement park. The amusement park was crowded with people - families, couples, and children, the noises of people cheering, chanting were relishing.

Angelina was giddy to explore the park. It has been a long time since she visited one since when she was in her country with her father. Every new year she and her father used to go to the lekki beach where she used to feel like a kid again. She laughed relishing the memories where she and her father would ride the Ferris wheels when the ferri was at the highest, it would be they wanted to be thrown in the large sea but when it was going down, it would be like they were to be thrown on the passing wheels on the road. It was fun, seeing her father screaming at the top of his voice, afraid of being thrown in the sea or road. Her father was afraid of the Ferris wheel yet every year, he used to accompany her to ride it. She smiled, dragging Nathaniel to the candy stores.

They bought different flavors of cotton candy before going to the Ferris wheel. The Ferris was huge, enormous, and blue and white, rotating as the operator worked on it. They gave the tickets to the man who was controlling the wheels. The man smiled down at them and gently helped them to enter the two-seater transparent cabin. "Enjoy your ride," the man said, closing the door with a small bow. The Ferris wheel was different from the one back home. The seats of the Ferris were like a box where only two persons could seat.

"Ready" the man yelled before operating the wheels. It moved slowly, turning to the highest and lowest, and made it move in a circular motion. At the top of the Ferris, noises of people roared as the screaming of Angelina's excitement could be heard by Nathaniel who was content in watching her as she jumped up and down in her seat, dancing. He smiled widely at Angelina who raised her hands in a circle as if she was steering with a happy expression. Exhilarating and excitement ran through Angelina, her body sizzling with excitement.

Angelina looked at Nathaniel and both of them shared a grin before, collecting the cotton candy from him and devouring it in a go, shaking her head while dancing to no music. The view from the top was beautiful, people looked small, kids running, couples sharing kisses and everything.

Nathaniel loved the moment, away from business, paparazzi. Just him and her. Just the two of them.

They slipped at the pinnacle of the rotation as the carriage opposite them stopped to exchange passengers. The wheels shuddered to life, pulling them forward and the ride continued, enjoying the moment.

_____*****_____

They got down from the Ferris after three rounds to participate in other activities when they stumbled on a man who wore a shabby dress, coaxing both of them to check their stars. Nathaniel was apprehensive about it, he didn't believe in star reading or fortune reading, he believed all were in the hand of the Controller but the moment he saw the eagerness in Angelina's eyes, he begrudgingly followed the man inside the tent.

The inside was dressed red with a hint of black, a round table was presented with a woman who wore cape seated at the front, twirling a crystal-like round object, muttering different language. The red light was dimmed when the woman abruptly raised her head, showing only her eyes which were glowing not her entire face, her face was covered with a veil.

Angelina shivered under the woman's gaze, who was watching her or studying her with her hawk big eyes and continuously twirling the crystal.

"Welcome" her melodious voice filled the room. The woman's voice sounded like music to the heart which could lure anyone to the abyss of nothingness.

"Can I see your left palm my child?" the woman asked, bringing her hand forward, waiting for Angelina to put her hand.

Angelina rubbed her clamped hands together, feeling excited and a little fear, she raised her hand and placed it on the woman's hand. She flinched a little, feeling the coldness of the woman's hand seeped into her.

Too cold.

"Hmmm… a gloomy future- waiting to be cleared. An heiress in the midst of bangs and yet to be found. Love life connected and interwoven…. A happy ending confirmed" the woman closed her eyes, "You are fortune" the woman smiled and released her hand.

"You aren't a believer" the woman stated, slightly bent her head, turning her gaze at Nathaniel, analyzing him. "do you mind?" the woman asked, putting her hand forward. Nathaniel stared hard at her hand before he was nudged by Angelina then placed his left on it.

The woman closed her eyes and hummed, "Can you lose yourself a little?" the woman spoke in a gentle voice.

"You are unreadable, different shades yet simple" the woman gave him an unsettled smile before abruptly releasing his hand.

Nathaniel wasn't surprised to hear the woman's read, he stood up ready to go out because the place was making him uncomfortable, he placed his hand in Angelina's hand to help her up when the woman stopped them and opened her drawer.

"This is a lucky charm" the woman gave Angelina a wooden bracelet, "Always use it dear" the woman smiled. Before they could step outside of the tent, the woman's voice rang behind them, "I hope you guys have a very peaceful journey".

Angelina couldn't stop staring at the beads the woman gave her, it was simple yet elegant. As they walked forward to another store, Angelina's eyes caught a monkey toy inside the glass. She pulled Nathaniel back, pointing to the monkey, "I want it" she said, looking at some couples beside them who were also targeting the monkey. The monkey stood out among all the toys in the glass box. It looked like the Aladdin monkey - Abu.

A stout man who was the owner of the toy store came out with his big mustache, rubbing his big tummy. The man's eyes showed greediness when he saw many couples trying to win the monkey.

Opportunity.

"Oh welcome couples" the man clapped his hands, addressing the couples, "the money there" the man pointed to the toy, "is just for $2 if it can be caught from the cave" he grinned, putting a bowl down for whoever wanted to participate.

All the couples came together as Nathaniel was the second to the last. Four couples in the queue had tried but none of them won. Angelina was already getting nervous, will they get it, she thought, glancing at the toy in the glass. Nathaniel rolled his sleeves up to his elbow, inhaled then exhaled as he got ready for his turn to throw the ball at the bottles to win the toy. He dropped his money inside the bowl and stood to the drawn line. Angelina walked to him, she smiled at him before taking his hand in his then kissed it, "I know you can do it. I trust you" she whispered to him and pecked his cheek, "That's Goodluck" she said, "Fighting!".

Nathaniel twirling his hand in the air before throwing the ball as Angelina closed her eyes anxiously, waiting for the sound of broken bottles and fortunately, the ball hit all the bottles. Angelina screamed at top of her lungs as she threw herself on Nathaniel who was still throwing his hand in the air jubilating. His reflex nerve worked and he quickly caught Angelina who had wrapped her legs around him.

"You did it, babe," she said in a breathy voice, pulling her hair at the back of her ear.

"Yeah Angel, your good luck worked" he grinned as Angelina brought her lips to his, initiating their kiss for the first time.

_____******_____

They left the toy store with Angelina hugging the monkey while the shopman looked upset that they won.

They went to a merry-go-round, mini-golf, bumper car, and kiddie ball before they met Eric at the center of the park.

"Hi, nice to see you guys here" Eric smiled, standing some feet away from the couple. He was still feeling the pain from the handshake he had with Nathaniel.

"Hi Eric, yeah... Thank you for mentioning this place, it was so much fun for me" Angelina gushed out, gesturing to all the settings in the park.

"Ye-ah" Eric stuttered while Nathaniel smirked, looking at Eric's wrapped wounded hand. He felt satisfaction in his gut.

"That is my twin sister Erica," Erica said, waving to a woman.

"I know her" Angelina exclaimed, "she was the woman in the market" she nudged Nathaniel's side, reminding him of the fishmonger.

"It is nice seeing you here" Erica smiled, she looked different from the market. More beautiful.

"Yeah…".

"So what are we doing here… let's go to the haunted trip" Erica chimed, holding Eric's hand.

"OK," Angelina agreed, dragging a queasy Nathaniel with her. When they arrived there, the lean man was in a grim reaper dress, opening the gate for them as they entered the train to the underground cave.

They entered as the light was dim, the train had been going slowly, gulping very hard as the train was meeting with bumps which made Nathaniel flinch. Nathaniel cringed when heard any creaking sound the train made. Suddenly a dangling skeleton slid out of the darkness which made him screamed terrified.

His heart beating hysterical, nearly removed from his ribcage. He put in a strong facade for his Angelina whereas he was afraid of anything horror-ish in nature or darkness. It made him remember when he was young in the cage. He gripped the rim in front of him, with trembling hands, praying everything would be over before he was grabbed from behind, he nearly jumped out of his skin. A loud wailing sound was heard with a burst of manic laughter.

Angelina looked at Nathaniel worriedly, she didn't know he was afraid. She felt guilty for making him join her and touch him only to have him jumped.

"It's me," she said in a soft voice, taking in his pale face.

"Oh, Angel" he responded in a shaky voice as his hands were white from gripping the rim tightly.

She knew all these were illusions, she didn't know he was afraid of horror. She felt horrible for pushing him. She touched his hands, rubbing them soothingly, seeing him calming down. He looked vulnerable, she never saw him like that, he was always composed but this was another side of him.

"I'm here" she whispered, hugging him.

"Please don't ever leave me".

~**~

Hello Royhans

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