The Royal Contract

“Who is she?” Another person asked. This time, it was unfamiliar. It had a deep tone that sounded like a man.

“Ssshhh!” The woman hushed him to silence. Then everything was silent again.

She felt herself smile before returning to sleep, snuggling dipper into the cushion. Her mind kept telling her that it was just a dream, so she never thought more about it as she succumbed back to deep slumber.

After a few minutes or an hour, she could not remember. Her eyes fluttered open, realizing that it was probably late in the morning as the blinding light came from the window.

She scrunched her nose in the air, smelling the delicious fresh muffins and coffee surrounding her. Then, she wondered if she was still sleeping. Because if she remembered correctly, she was still in the hospital.

“Angela.” She slightly voiced out her name, trying to keep it low because she might still be sleeping. But the nurse from last night said that she might wake up this morning. She would like to know if she needed anything.

.....

She stretched on her position, finding her muscles protesting from the crampiness of her makeshift bed. Then, gradually she shifted into a sitting position.

Her eyes quickly landed on the bed that was currently empty. The machines were still there, but the patient was not. Her eyes immediately roamed around her.

“Angela?” She called again, finding this scene like a deja vu. Her friend seemed to like playing the disappearing act.

Then, fear gripped her, thinking that she might have fallen on the other side of the bed. It was impossible to see her from the things blocking her view at her vantage point.

She quickly moved, but her cramped legs gave way under her, making her stumbled down on the floor. From this position, kneeling on all fours, she finally had a good view of the floor on the other side of the bed.

Relieved came over her, seeing it empty, but still, it did not mean that Angela was ok. Where was she? But before she could change position.

“What are you doing?” A voice she vaguely recognized spoke behind her. Her head quickly turned to check on the source but realized her compromising position.

Quickly, she moved to a kneeling position, finding it embarrassing that she had her ass facing whoever he was. But standing up was way more complicated, still feeling the cramps in her legs.

“I was looking for Angela.” She finally answered, struggling to shift into a standing position.

“Need any help.” The man was now standing just behind her, sensing from the nearness of his voice. He extended his hand as he moved to her side.

She grabbed it, not wanting to keep kneeling before him. She believed it was a more awkward position if she did not accept his offered help.

When she took his hand, he quickly assisted her to her feet. She immediately held on to the side of the bed near her reach to get her equilibrium back. But she also abruptly snatched her hand away from his, not liking how his hand gripped hers firmly.

“Why are you looking for Angela under the bed?” He asked, with a slight smirk on his lips. It was clear he was finding her situation amusing.

She finally had the chance to stare at his face, finding him attractive but still not someone she could trust. She wondered what he was doing in the room anyway.

“It is a long story. Anyway, who are you, and what are you doing in this room?” She could guess that he was not hospital staff, judging from the expensive clothing he wore.

Still, she wondered where Angela was. She was supposed to be lying on her bed, either still unconscious or recently woken up. Maybe she should check on the nurse’s station to get some answers.

“I should be the one asking you that same question.” The man standing in front of her responded, not at all fazed by her questioning.

But she was not backing out of his stare. She was not easily intimidated by men who think so highly of themselves. In truth, she hated men like him.

He seemed to be a typical man, who used women because they thought, they deserved to play with their emotions.

Maybe this man thought he could make any women fall on their knees because of his money and looks. But she was not like those women. His charms would not work on her.

“I ask the question first.” She insisted, this time, regaining all her body functions, standing straight in front of him.

“Amelia.” The sweet of Angela echoed at her back, making her turn around.

She watched the elderly lady being wheeled back inside the room by the nurse from yesterday. It appeared she was perfectly ok, except for the part that she was sitting in a wheelchair.

The color on her cheeks seemed to be back. Then, her eyes seemed to be smiling with her lips as she faced her, then the man in the room.

“Angela, you had me worried. How are you?” Amelia turned to her friend with a genuine smile, glad to see her friend looking better despite what happened to her.

“I have you to thank for my life, I believe.” The sweet woman reached out to her, holding her hand and placing it on her soft, warm cheeks.

“I am just glad that you are ok.” She patted her hand, believing that she had returned a favor.

Still, her eyes kept glancing at the man who kept silent, just watching their interaction, wondering about his role in Angela’s life. Then, the smile on the nurse’s face reminded her of something.

“Well, I am glad that we are both ok.” Angela looked at her once again before turning to the other visitor in the room. “I believe you already met my grandson.” Seeing her give him a warm smile on her lips.

Finally, she had put the puzzle together, thinking that his voice sounded familiar. Now, she could put a face on the voice.