The Royal Contract

She only raised her voice a few octaves so that he could hear her. She could not help it when it was clear that he was not taking her seriously. Putting her in this ridiculous situation was a perfect example.

She quickly thought of her story and the questions she had prepared. She was not allowing distractions to deter her from her task, not when she could help it.

“I have no such intentions to do such things.” He said in a loud voice. “I doubt that anything could scare you.” He mumbled the last part, clearly fascinated with the female reporter.

He did not lie to her. He believed she was the kind of woman who did not easily get spooked by just anything. However, he was tremendously curious about her persistence, tolerance, and limitations.

What would she do for a story? What would it take for her to give up? What else would she sacrifice to get to the bottom of the truth? Would she compromise her morals for fame?

“Well, I heard that.” She commented, not letting him get away with anything. “Well, it would take more than your little stunt to drive me away from this story.” She confirmed his statement.

.....

She tried to find a more comfortable position, holding her hand onto something every time the car swerved from side to side. She was not afraid, just not prepared for the unexpected movement that the vehicle made.

On the contrary, she was actually enjoying the thrill of the ride. She found herself wanting to try her hand on the wheels. She wanted to test her limits on how far she could go and how fast she could drive such a machine.

“I am glad. Then, you will not mind if I pick up a notch.” He stated, adjusting the engine for the next gear as he stepped on the clutch and then on the gas again.

Now, it would seem that she would go beyond his expectations. If his assessment was correct, she was actually enjoying the experience of riding at top speed. She did not seem fazed at all.

Most would be experiencing nausea and dizziness at this speed, but she seemed to be doing alright so far. However, if he pushed to another level, she might finally give up.

After all, that was for the experts only. Sometimes, professional drivers also had bad days and could not stand such tremendous pressure. He opted not to put her in such a risky move.

“Go ahead.” She challenged him as adrenaline rushed to her system. She could feel her heart thumping, accelerating with the drumming of the engine.

It was indeed faster than what her car could do, but she still could manage it somehow. Now, she had more appreciation for what a race car driver could do.

It must be a pure talent to possess such high concentration on the road ahead. An ordinary spectator would not realize the tremendous strain driving a car this fast could put on a body unless they experienced it themselves.

If she was not used to driving fast, her heart might have exploded at the tension it was subjected to. She could feel every nerve ending of her body on heightened alert. The experience was extraordinary.

“So, let me hear your questions while I show you a glimpse of my life in the fast lane.” He told her loudly but in a friendlier tone, giving her a megawatt smile as he glanced her way.

He was fascinated with her the first moment he caught her eavesdropping in their meeting. However, he had never dated a reporter before or anyone in the media business.

He had bad experiences with a few press people in the past, and he never trusted them that much after that. Although he might be seen in many news items or magazines, he never really liked doing interviews unless it was an official statement.

Most of his pictures scattered in the media were taken by paparazzi who never knew their limitations. Media people who had no care about the privacy of other people.

“Well, let me see.” Suddenly her mind went blank after his one hundred eighty degree shift in attitude. Then, her eyes fixated on that smile that had her captivated from the start.

She had sworn to lay low from men after her experience with Nick. She decided to focus on her career at the moment. Strike while the iron was hot. And her stories were selling like hotcakes in the market worldwide.

She could not lose her focus on her goal, not just because a man smiled at her. She quickly snapped out of her trance and rummaged her brain for all the questions she had meticulously prepared for since she had discovered the abduction.

“First, when are you setting up my interview with the couple?” She asked him since it was the first that popped up in her mind.

Out of respect, she did not want to ambush them by showing up unannounced. However, she really wanted to personally interview the couple about their experience in the hand of their abductors.

Many speculations were buzzing around, but the couple remained silent about the case. There was no gag order from the court. Therefore, she believed that talking to her should not be a problem.

“Give them some time. What happened to my cousin and his wife could not be easy to talk about?” Lance looked at her quickly with a plea for understanding.

Many already tried to ambush them for interviews, but luckily, their security was able to stop them. Both had already released an official statement, but the press wanted more.

There was an instant that a paparazzi even pretended to be a pro bono client and tried to get an appointment with Dani. Fortunately, it was discovered after a thorough review of his case.

“Fine. I am not a monster. I understand what the couple is going through. But make sure to set it up when both are ready to talk.” She commented, agreeing with his statement, but she still believed they should talk to her.

Maybe somehow, she could also help them with the case. She was still continuing her investigation in all things about Nick. Personal life and business. Past and present.

She believed Nick should be brought down from his peg and pay for his crimes, not just for her but for all the women he had used and abused and what he did with the couple.

“Thank you.” He mouthed as he turned to her quickly. She might not hear the sound, but she understood him, loud and clear, even beyond the noise caused by the roaring engine.

“But I still have several more questions to ask you.” She pointed out, not wanting him to think that the interview was over. “Do you think Nick acted alone on this, or did he have some accomplice?”

She would chase this story even at the end of the earth or the deepest ocean. If that was what it would take to make Nick answerable to justice.

In truth, this story was not just about helping the couple or making a story. Nick had become her personal vendetta. He had become her great white whale.