The Royal Contract

It was her fault. She was not paying attention to her task, thinking that her body would work automatically. But she was not a robot as her mind floated in the clouds, worrying about something.

“You seemed distracted today,” Eida mentioned, seeing her friend more agitated than usual. “Maybe I should continue with that before you burn the house down.” She offered.

Her friend moved closer to her position and took the spatula from her hand. Then, she asked her to relax instead and drink her coffee.

She did not protest, knowing that Eida was correct. She had not been herself since last night. She barely had any sleep. She had been pacing the kitchen that morning to have an excuse to leave the house all day.

But it was the weekend, so there was no foundation she could go to as a reason for going out. She had no friends nearby to meet. Of course, she could come up with some form of alibi, but she was no good at lying. Eida would see right through her.

Why did she have to leave?

.....

“What is wrong?” Eida finally asked the question she dreaded.

Her eyes sharpened at her as if studying her reaction.

“Nothing.” She quickly responded, not wanting her friend to be suspicious. But she could tell she was not doing a good job.

Luckily, Angela was out early, buying some fresh fruits with the private nurse Evan sent to watch her. Or, she would be dealing with the two of them, three if you counted the nosy nurse.

Based on Angela, the nurse was not only for her. It was to watch Eida too. Although Eida seemed fine with her pregnancy, Evan felt responsible for her.

He did not want anything to happen to Eida and her child under his watch. He felt guilty enough for lying to his friend, Lance. He could not take it in his conscience if something untoward happened to their baby.

So, he was taking the responsibility that should have been Lance. Well, at least until Eida realized she needed the father of their child. She could not live without him and return to his side.

“I know what is wrong with you.” Eida scooped the cooked eggs onto the plate and then cracked a new set on the boiling oil to cook.

Then, she turned to face her with that look that said I don’t believe you. Her hands were on her waist while her feet gently tapped on the floor.

She appeared to be waiting for her to confirm her statement even if she had not said anything. Maybe she was fishing, trying to catch her with no bait.

“Nothing is wrong with me except a headache.” Somehow, that was not a lie since she was beginning to form one from the lack of sleep and the tension on her neck muscles and shoulders.

But it was not the entire truth either.

She knew why she was feeling so agitated. It all had something to do with what Angela said before she had gone to sleep. Her last words haunted her until now.

“I think the headache was caused by what was wrong with you.” Eida corrected her, smiling instead of being alarmed. “I know what you need.” She moved into the kitchen and took a glass of water.

“What is this for?” She asked, confused with her friend when she handed it to her. Although she knew water and hydration were good for a headache. She could tell it was not what her friend was trying to say.

“Splash yourself some water, or better yet, hit the shower because I believe you are in heat.” Eida teased her, slightly chuckling while turning the egg on the pan.

She was not that naive not to understand what her friend was insinuating. She was not in heat, although she could feel her cheeks heating up from embarrassment.

Not that she had something to be embarrassed about in her current situation. She believed she was not alone. Besides, it would happen at the right time with the right man.

“Laugh all you want, but that is not my problem.” Amelia defended herself.

Then, she knew she had made the mistake of admitting that she did worry about something. She could already see in her friend’s eyes the curiosity. The way her eyebrows rose to the air meant she was waiting for some answers.

“Spill it before I make you,” Eida told her, pointing the spatula at her. “Remember, I am a pregnant woman that should not be stressed out.”

Her friend was becoming good at using her condition to get what she wanted from her. Not that she was being abusive, just more persuasive.

“Ok. You are right. Happy now. It had something to do with our guest today.” She finally admitted, unable to name him, afraid he would suddenly appear on their doorstep.

She had no idea what seeing him would do to her again. In all honesty, she had never stopped thinking about him since they last saw each other when she left him back home.

He had been a constant star in her dreams. Their kiss had not stopped replaying in her head, constantly reminding her of what it was like to be kissed by a real man. Not the one she experienced a long time ago.

“And you are not helping.” She quickly added, stopping Eida from speaking what was on her mind.

“But I have not said anything yet.” Eida tried to defend herself this time. “All I was going to say is relax. Everything would be just fine.”

She could tell the mockery in her friend’s smile. It was not insulting but more of playing with her. Her friend always believed she was too uptight, afraid to live for the moment.

But before they could argue some more. A movement by the door alerted that someone was about to enter the room. But both knew it was Angela because they had given her a key.

“I am back and looked at what I found waiting downstairs,” Angela shouted as she moved closer to the kitchen.

Could she wish it was a stray cat?

But that would be wishful thinking, knowing who Angela was referring to, and she had no more way to escape the inevitable reunion.

She readied herself for that boyish smile that would greet her, that masculine voice that created goosebumps on her skin. She prepared herself for a mild heart attack and the lack of oxygen when that man was near.

“We are in the kitchen.” Eida hollered at Angela, directing her to where they were waiting for her and her guest. Well, their guest of honor.

Angela said Evan was coming here to pick her up, but she was contemplating if she was ready to return to his place. It was silent in his home with no one but a few cleaners who came by to clean the entire house.

She asked if she could stay a few more weeks with Evan visiting on the weekends. Eida seemed to have no problem with that. Well, she also welcomed her friend to stay.

“Good morning, girls. I bought your favorite fruits.” Angela greeted them as soon as she walked into the kitchen, carrying a small bag.

“You should not be doing this. I can buy this stuff for you.” Amelia suddenly offered, seeing that she should not be exhausting herself.

Then, her nurse, Bea, came in behind her, carrying the other bags in her hands. “Good morning, Ms. Amelia and Ms. Eida.” She greeted, placing the groceries on the marble counters.

“Nonsense. I also need some exercise. Right, Bea?” Angela turned to her nurse, who nodded in agreement.

“I thought you said you found something downstairs,” Eida asked the question for her.

Amelia would have asked, but she did not want to look suspicious. Besides, she could see that her friend was more than curious, not seeing Evan around.

“Oh, yes. I almost forgot, seeing the two of you with your lovely smile.” Now! That was a lie because she had a forced smile on her lips. But Angela was an actress. She was good at creating a dramatic entrance and putting everyone at ease.

But still, she wondered what else Angela had planned for today. Maybe she had Evan wrapped in a box and was about to unravel it in front of them. Well, she dreamed about him in that way.

But the nurse carried a box from the hallway, but she doubted Evan would fit in it. It was too small for his size. Did she find a stray cat as she had wished earlier?

She did expect Evan to walk inside the apartment, but no one else followed Bea. After taking the box inside, she closed the door immediately.

“Are you ready for my surprise?” Angela asked when Bea placed the box before her.

She could not tell if it was relief or disappointment she felt, but she did not like it. It was like she should not even be thinking about that man. Not at all.

Suddenly, she believed seeing Evan every week would be torture if this would be an indication. She would admit that she was attracted to him. But she could not accept that it should be enough.

She already failed her romantic fairy tale with Lance. But she was not giving up on her future. She still believed a man was out there to love her unconditionally, with all his heart and mind.

And not just for sex.