The Royal Contract

She had been in and out of this place several times before. But she had never been comfortable staying here for longer than a few days. Maybe because staying in a hotel was not a place she could call home.

“Hey, Amelia. It is so nice to see you again.” Her friend greeted her immediately as soon as her foot touched the solid ground.

Her friend had insisted on fetching her personally at the private airport even when she clearly stated that she could manage to drive herself to her hotel.

However, she was still glad to see a familiar and friendly face in a place where she hardly knew many people. Anyway, it was nice to be back doing what she loved the most, helping people.

“Hi! Haley,” Amelia responded with an enthusiastic smile. “I am also happy to see you.” Hugging her friend. “But you did not have to go through all this trouble.” As she watched the airport personnel load her luggage into her trunk.

She could have taken a car rental or a taxi to the hotel where she would be staying. Honestly, she did not have to fly in a private jet.

.....

She was used to flying economy or business class. She was not picky with food or her mode of transportation. As long as she could reach point B from point A, she was ok with that. But her friend would not have it any other way.

“Of course, I do.” Her friend answered, grabbing her arms to guide her to the passenger seat before going to the other side of the car.

They had met in one of the charity events she had organized and had kept in touch since then. Although not as often as they would like, they still managed to update each other even once in a while.

For the last few weeks, her friend had called her about this event, but she could not say yes back then, knowing that she still had other responsibilities with Eida and Angela.

But Eida learned about this event and convinced her to take it. They insisted that they would be fine without her. Now, here she was.

“It is the least I can do in exchange for your help,” Haley explained as she drove the car out of the tarmac and into the street.

After a while, they entered the city, where Haley had to maneuver her way in the slightly heavy traffic. She remembered this place and the same scene, although she could not say she missed it.

In truth, she did not form any lasting memory in this place that would make her remember being here and wanting to return. She would not say her experience here did not leave a lasting effect on her, neither good nor bad.

Maybe this time, it would be different since this was a charity event that always made history every year. This time, she would be a part of it with her friends. They would be making history.

Thanks to Haley and her friends who had sought out her help. She might finally have something to tell her future kids about how she had been part of history in this place. Not that she had not made any mark in the world. But nothing in this place. Something that would want her to remember and keep coming back for more.

“But I am not asking anything in return for my help.” Amelia countered, not thrilled that her friend was giving her extra special treatment.

She usually volunteered in this event, not asking for anything as payment. She had more than enough to live comfortably in this world. And she did not desire much luxury, so she did not need to earn at all.

All she wanted was change. If she could affect someone positively, it was more than enough achievement for her. If she could make a man a better person, she would die contented with how she had lived her life.

“Precisely. That is why I need to do this.” Her friend blurted out as if that should answer her unspoken question. “But I heard that you took a long vacation.” Haley looked at her, changing the topic of conversation, surprised by this news.

She could not blame her when she hardly took an absence from her charitable work, not even to visit her father. So, a long vacation would sound odd for someone like her.

“I did, and I am still on vacation,” Amelia told her friend, sitting comfortably in the car while waiting for the traffic to ease up.

Her eyes studied the street, figuring out what had changed since she was last here. But she could hardly remember anything. Maybe nothing or everything. She could not tell.

But maybe it was time she explored what this city had to offer than wait for something to happen. Eida was right about her. She was too afraid to try something new that she never knew what she was missing.

“Then, we are lucky that you came to put a hold on your relaxation to help us.” Haley smiled at her but banged her hands on the steering wheel, clearly frustrated with the traffic.

She did not correct her friend about her assumption that she was on a real vacation. But spending time with Angela and Eida had been fun.

In some way, these last few weeks had been relaxing indeed. Maybe except for the part that she had to see him on the weekends.

“One thing I hate about this place is the traffic, but I love this city,” Haley admitted as her eyes searched for another street to avoid the build-up ahead. “You think a wealthy city like this could at least fix their traffic problems.”

She could only agree with that, also not liking that they were in the middle of the street, stuck in traffic, wasting precious time they could have used to do good work.

“I have heard that you are finally good with your brother.” News in the grapevine was fast in their world.

Every tiny detail could suddenly blow up out of proportion once the spotlight focused on a person. Lately, the focus was on his brother, who was about to get wed.

“Well, finally, he acknowledges my presence. Thankfully, he is marrying a wonderful lady and not some bitch. You will like her once you meet her.” Haley expressed her excitement about the event later.

She would dine with the organizers as a meet and greet and discuss the final arrangements. The event was just a couple of nights away. They wished it to be perfect.

She could not blame them since they had large shoes to fill. Their previous predecessor, the great Ethan Hamilton, and his wife had truly set the bar high last year.

“Will Ms. Laura Hamilton be joining us tonight?” She asked, knowing that she was one of the people she idolized.

She had met Laura several times before, but it had been a while since she had talked to her. She would have come to Ethan’s funeral, but she had been busy with the situation between Lance and Eida.

Suddenly, she wondered what was happening to Lance. The last news from what Evan said, Lance had a hard time recovering from losing Eida. But his physical recovery was doing well.

She made a mental note to visit her friend when things slowly settled down. She could not risk him finding Eida in her hiding place because she had been reckless and had led him to her.

She did not want to break her promise to Eida, even if Lance was also her friend. She believed that Lance would survive this, but Eida and her child might not. Eida needed her support more.

“I am not entirely sure. But Laura pops up from now and then to help.” Haley said as she finally turned on more moderate traffic towards their destination.

She asked her friend to drop her off at the hotel, hoping she could rest for a few hours before dinner. It was not easy to travel even if she had been used to it.

“I hope I can see her too.” Amelia could only imagine the pain of losing someone she loved. It must be terrible.

Losing Lance was painful enough for her, and he was not even hers, to begin with, but to let go of someone she loved forever. That must be hard to accept. Then, her mind started thinking of him.

Suddenly, she wondered if she would bump into him, knowing he was staying in this city. She was just not aware of where. Well, she was not interested in every detail of his life. Where he lived was not her business?

She was happy that Evan would not be here during the weekend because he would visit his grandmother. She would not have to constantly worry about bumping into him in this part of the world.

At least that was what she wanted to tell herself.

But honestly, it did not look like she was looking forward to that as her eyes unconsciously started scanning the place. In truth, she hoped to get a glimpse of the man she did not wish to see. Either, on the street, in the hotel lobby, or anywhere her eyes landed.

Unfortunately, the city was too vast, and the world was too big for a rare chance encounter with the man she longed to see.