The Royal Contract

However, today as he gazed at the most special woman in his life sitting by his side, he could not help the smile from forming on his lips. He could not contain the joy that was bursting inside him.

“You have a very nice plane.” She said excitedly in that sweet melodic voice as her eyes sparkled with the thrill of joining him on this trip. “Maybe I should borrow it more often when I want to go visit my friends.”

It was indeed her first time flying in his plane since she usually declined most of his offers to join him on vacation. But this time, it would not be just temporary. She would finally be living with him.

“You can use it anytime you want, Grandmama.” He smiled at her, not at all bothered by his teasing.

He would give anything to her to make her happy until her last breath. She had devoted her life to him. Now he was returning the favor, the kindness, the care, and the unconditional love.

“You are so sweet, Evan,” Angela took his hand and held it in both hands as she stared at the beautiful, blue, vast ocean underneath them. “You don’t need to give me more. You are more than enough.”

.....

She turned to stare into his eyes with all seriousness covering her face. He could not read his grandmother’s thoughts, but he could tell she had more to say.

“But I want to.” He insisted, feeling he would be forever grateful for her sacrifices and that giving her material gifts would never be enough. “I want to give you more.”

“If you insist, there is only one thing I like, want, need.” Angela let go of his hand and touched his cheeks like the way she would caress him when he was a child.

Somehow, he felt that he had fallen into another of her traps as he looked into her eyes. The mischief in them was evident as if she was preparing him to accept his misfortune.

“What is it?” Evan asked defeatedly, knowing he could not feel mad or disappointed with this woman, no matter how much she insisted on meddling with his love life and plans.

Because she only meant well.

This woman had no selfish bone in her body. Her heart never harbored hatred. Well, at least none of that he had known about since he had learned to talk.

Therefore, how could he feel differently but love this woman with all his heart? The only woman he had given his heart with complete trust and love.

“I have everything I could want in this world, do what most could only dream of, love the best man I ever met and a grandson that made me smile every day of my beautiful life.” Her eyes suddenly turned melancholy, but her smile never wavered.

“But you still had one more wish.” Evan never wanted to say it because he already knew what she was about to say.

Her eyes suddenly twinkled as if a new hope rose from somewhere inside her. Her smile lit up her face, brightening the room.

“Of course, we should never stop dreaming until our last breath,” Angela uttered with a renewed spirit as she touched the window as if she was reaching for the sky. “I know I might not last long, but I always dream of not leaving you alone in this world.”

Still, her dream showed her captivating character, thinking of him rather than herself. But could he ever fulfill her dream, knowing it went against everything he believed at the moment?

He was not saying he would never get married and have kids eventually, but not anytime soon. He believed he was not ready for such a commitment, not when he was still enjoying his bachelor’s life.

“But I am not alone, Grandmama.” He insisted. “I have David, Alex, Marcus, and Lance as my family. Even Dani and Jacky. You would love them once you meet them all.” He excitedly said, but he knew it would take a while to convince her.

Besides, it was not as if he had any prospect at the moment that he could instantly put on the altar and say I do. It did not work that way anymore. Arranged marriage was stupid as far as he was concerned.

If he would tie himself to one woman, she had to be the best of all the women he had been with and probably more. She should possess qualities they would have in common, so their relationship would not end up boring.

And many more traits he did not want to enumerate at present. But it would take time for him to know the woman before he could tell whether they would be compatible enough for him to marry her.

“I have nothing against friends. I am sure that I will love them all. But family is different. Someone who would take care of you. Love you.” Angela muttered frustratedly, just like when he was a teenager when she talked, and he hardly listened.

“But anyway, I am tired. I do not wish to exhaust myself more when you refuse to listen.” Angela pulled him closer and dropped a kiss on his cheeks. “Show me where I can rest.”

With that, he assisted her at the back of the plane. A small room with a comfortable bed awaited his grandmother. Then, he returned to his seat and asked for a glass of whiskey to accompany him this time.

He twirled the content, letting the ice slowly melt into the amber liquid, then drank half of its content. His throat felt the heat as the alcohol passed through, making him gasp with satisfaction.

But he never felt the gratification as his eyes searched the clouds outside for the image forming in his mind. Why did this woman keep popping in his head?

Because she was the only woman who had refused to sleep with you, his logical brain reasoned. He doubted that, but at the same time, he wanted to believe it because it was the simplest explanation for his odd behavior.

The other one his mind could think of was too complicated and messy. But somehow, he found it intriguing and exciting. Still, was he ready to vow to be faithful?