The Royal Contract

He still could not believe she had followed him inside the locker room. But he could not help what he did just a few moments ago when she would not stop.

Although he did feel guilty for being so rude to her. She did not deserve it, and he knew it.

“So, what was that all about?” Rick stood by the cubicle opening, unmindful if he was scrubbing his body off its sweats.

He was curious about what was going on with his apprentice, trying to get into his mind and conditioning. After all, the race was not very far from now. He needed his racer to be in top shape, not only with his body but also in his mind.

He did notice the way he was driving today. It was borderline devilish and reckless. Devilish if he was in the zone and breaking records like today. But reckless if his mind was zoning out into somewhere else. Then, that would be deadly.

“It was nothing. Just a reporter who could not wait to get her story.” He dismissed the question as if it was nothing to worry about.

.....

He knew what his mentor was thinking, and he did not want him to worry. He had everything under control. Although he could still feel the restlessness of his body and mind.

He knew he would find a way to solve all his problems. He just needed a little time. But at the moment, that was not what he had. He had to think fast. Or he would find himself married to someone he cared about but did not love.

“If it becomes something, you know I am always here to listen.” Rick tapped him in the back before moving away, knowing that he could not force him to open up if he did not want to.

“By the way, maybe you can release some of that tension so that you may feel more relaxed,” Rick added before continuing on his way.

Lance knew what he was referring to. Somehow, Rick might be right. It had been a while since he had a serious relationship. A very long time, it would seem, to be exact.

But he was not the kind of guy who slept around. He would not subject a woman as someone he could use and then leave behind. He just could not do that.

Although, he did not also make a vow of celibacy. He still craved a girl’s touch. If he was being honest, he was indeed obsessing about someone too.

“I am heading home.” He shouted to Rick, who was still talking to some of his crew. Then, saying goodbye to the other guys.

After a few more minutes, he walked outside the locker room, scanning the place for her presence. He wondered if she was still waiting for him, but he believed she might still be.

One thing he was beginning to understand about her. She did not easily give up. Something that he was starting to like about her. Her persistence and tenacity.

“I thought you might have drowned in the shower.” She said as she came out of the shadow. She was sitting in one of the chairs in the lounge area behind a plant.

She was still feeling slightly embarrassed about her earlier actions. Especially when men came out of the locker room, looking directly at her with a smile on their lips.

She was still a girl who could still feel shame for her uncontrollable actions that sometimes had brought her into trouble. She did have some regrets about her impulsive behaviors, like the one she had with Nick.

“Fortunately, I know how to swim.” He responded, seeing that she had not lost her humor after her earlier experience.

He gestured for her to follow him. He guessed that he would not be able to get rid of her yet. He walked toward the parking lot where he had left his car earlier.

“My car or yours?” He asked, planning to end this tonight.

If she could not wait for tomorrow, he might as well finish the interview right now, even if it would take him all night. It would be good for him to finally get rid of her permanently.

“What are you planning?” Eida asked, curious about his question. She looked at him as they stopped in front of his car. She wondered if they were doing the interview inside the car or was he planning to go somewhere else.

“Your car then.” He decided, raising his brow at her, questioning which one was hers.

He did not see the sports car she was using the other time he saw her. Besides, he could always ask his driver to pick him up or take a cab after they were done talking.

“Sure.” She walked not far from their position as he followed close behind. “Where are we going then?” She asked, planning to drive her car.

She finally stopped in a family car, not the usual car she would like to drive, but it was a reliable car when she stalked a story. It could easily blend in with the other vehicles, unlike the other car she drove, which usually stood out, attracting a crowd.

“Well, this is interesting.” He was indeed surprised by her choice of car. But the condition of the vehicle was not relevant. He had another issue that he needed to finish.

“Just drive.” He said as he sat on the passenger’s seat, and this time, he was putting his life in her hands.

But he had not realized the lateness of the night as he found the bars already closed. He had started talking about his life, selecting only the topics he wanted to be included in his story.

“I guessed that should conclude my life.” He said, wanting to end the night.

He could not find a place where they could talk. So, he thought that information should do it. It would be enough to make a good story about him.

“Wait, that barely scratched the surface.” She complained, not ready to let him go yet. “I think I have an idea.” She said, rerouting their direction to another path. She did have control of the car. Therefore, she was using that power over him.

“What do you have in mind?” He asked, raising his thick eyebrows towards her.

He doubted she would find any clubs or bars in this area that would still be open until now. But he would like to know what she came up with as an alternative.

“I was thinking of my place. It is quiet, and we can talk all night about your life.” She eagerly suggested, springing up what her mind conjured first in such a short time.

Besides, she did not want him to have an excuse to set her aside again. If she could finish the interview tonight, then there would be no more reason for her to see him. She could finally say good riddance to the quite attractive prince.