"So what now?" Neil asked me crossing his usual limits of alcohol. Not the same question! Again!

"What?" I replied as seriously as I did the last time.

"You get married, make lot of babies, huh?" He said laughing at his own move. Fucker. But someone was in a good mood.

"The last time you said this thing, I did something crazy you yourself punished me for. You want me to do that again?" I said while he continued laughing.

"Only if you want to get grounded for a week this time." He said pulling my leg if any of it was left.

"Come on!" I whined my body still aching since Charles let out all his anger on me. I literally fell at his feet and apologised. I'm never leaving CCTC without permission, ever. Even if I become the Commander one day.

"Then stop crying and answer the question." He said getting little serious.

"Make a lot of babies? While being grounded? Yeah sure." This time he laughed his ass off.

I controlled for a few moments and then joined him.

Getting our shit together, we talked like adults.

I was about to ask him why was he so interested to hear my answer. But thankfully my tongue held back when I realised that he can't have it for himself and may be he's trying to be happy for the future through me. Why me? Because apparently he is so casual just with me. Fucker told me to be independent. But look at him - clinging on me like a three year old.

I really wonder how I'm going to date Merlen with this kid around me all the time.

"What was that?" He looked at me with pointing eyes.

"My many babies. I was having a conversation with them. How they're so unlucky to get an uncle like you." I said with conviction hoping that he didn't hear what I was thinking.

"You don't keep them against me!" Neil said seriously and I had to hold back a laughter. God he's such a p*ssy himself when it comes to kids.

"My girls won't like you." I said getting on his nerves.

"You are right. They'll love me, more than you." He said proudly.

Well that's no lie. Not just my girls - but any. He was such a gentleman I felt jealous of him sometimes. How could he be such an asshole and so respectful in the same body?

I guess that's why Lauret was head over heels for him. He called her 'ma'am' and treated her like a queen without any second word.

I wouldn't believe if he ever said that he has never been laid. Women die for men like him and dumbass runs away from them.

"Yeah. You'll steal them from me." I said and he chuckled.

"But I know your boy will hate you." He said and it was my turn to get offended.

"Excuse me? He'll be a daddy's boy." I challenged him.

"With that attitude? Never." He said pointing at me.

"Shut up. He'll love me. We'll be like best friends." I said laughing at myself. God the alcohol was really getting to our heads tonight.

"And I'll have grandchildren. Absolutely." He said laughing. I threw an ice cube at his face knowing it will never hit him. But why not take it out on the poor water?

"James Dwight!" A male voice came beaming and echoing. That was Norman. Shit.

"Help me." I begged Neil.

"Your girl. Your life. Your rules." Fucker threw my own words back at me.

"DWIGHT!" The voice became louder and closer.

I got up and stood straight while Norman stormed towards me. "Sir you-"

Without a blink, he punched my left eye. Hard.

"Hmph!" I made that sound mindlessly because bitch that hurt!

"You fucking dare!" He shouted angrily.

Neil snapped his fingers and immediately the whole bar was vacated. Thanks brother.

"Sir I..." "Shut your fucking mouth!" His eyes were gleaming fire at me.

"If I find you anywhere within five miles of her, you'll hate me more than I hate you right now." He said getting into my face.

"I can't." I replied.

Neil scoffed, refilled his glass and started sipping. He was having a live action show.

"Come again?" Norman warned and I gathered courage to look into his eyes.

"Your sister made me promise that I won't leave her side. And I'm going to stay." I said sternly and immediately my right cheek was smashed.

Fuck! He punched hard!

"Promise, my foot!" He was breathing loudly through his nostrils.

"Five miles, piglet. Any nearer than that and you're dead." He gave me a last glare and left.

As soon as he did, I cried out in pain. "Fuck that hurts!" Neil passed me the ice tray chuckling and I covered my face with cubes.

"Had fun?" I said when Neil didn't stop laughing.

"Oh absolutely! Nice to watch! Treat for my eyes!" He said.

"You're welcome." I replied sarcastically.

I removed the ice and touched my face gently to check for any permanent damage. When I found no blood on my hands, I held my jaw and moved around to ensure that it's still intact.

"Thank god." I sighed.

"Thank the lady." Neil said getting sober.

"Huh?" "He held back because of her."

I pointed at my face and said "You call this holding back?" For real?

"If I were him, you'd be dead without that warning." Neil said seriously. Fuck, the Prince in him just spoke.

"So you mean to say that he doesn't want me to be around her sister, and he also doesn't want me dead?" "Madame made him promise the second part."

He said with such conviction my braincells woke up.

"He came to know that you were with her, must have had a heated argument with the lady, she told him what you mean to her now and that if he does anything to you, it will hurt her. And boom, he just punches you. Twice. And also, you're still breathing." He said sipping another sip.

"Did you just make it up right now, or your birds have made a nest in her apartment too?" "I used common sense, which you clearly lack." He tucked his glass at me.

I pressed my lips and gulped the insult down. "What do I do now?" I sat with a thump, putting an ice cube over my left eye. That shit was turning black next morning, no doubt.

"Win his trust. Make him believe you're good enough for her." "How come you have answer to every bloody thing?"

"They call me a wise man." He scoffed and finished his drink.

"Enough. We're going back now." I said worried for him.

"I'm not done." He spoke reaching out for the bottle again.

I slid the bottle out of his reach and put his glass away. "We're leaving, Neil. Now." I said sternly. My heart would be thumping loudly but I looked in his eyes hard.

He said nothing for few moments. He looked at me like he was hurt but couldn't do anything about it. There's no doubt it was about Lauret.

"You don't need alcohol to talk about it, Neil." I said insisting him to open up. "You're right. I don't need alcohol. I need just the right time. I hope that comes soon."

He tried again to take the bottle from my hand and I moved it away. I raised my eyebrows.

He looked down and sighed. Did he just give in? Wow!

I carried him back with one of his arms around my shoulder and dropped him on his bed. He glided into sleep immediately. Poor man.

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Can't say we didn't see that meeting coming. I'm glad it settled down with just two punches! 😆 And bugger Neil!

But I feel so bad for Neil! He's bottling up so much. ☹️

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Vote and COMMENT how you think James is going to make it work? 😄