The Royal Contract

She wanted him to be here and be with her, longing to spend and enjoy the night with his company. Would it be nice if he would dance with her, share a few drinks, and laugh with her?

She knew she could not fight her feelings for him anymore. “Evan!” She expressed excitedly, guessing the man who had his hand covering her eyes. But something was wrong when he spoke. She knew it immediately.

She could not help the disappointment that washed over her. “Hello, Amelia. It is nice to see you here.” A familiar voice greeted her, making her realize he was not the man she wished to see.

When she turned around, her eyes confirmed what she had already guessed. The man was not Evan. Her enthusiasm disappeared as quickly as it had come as she forced a smile on her lips when she faced the man.

“Hi, Tony. Nice to see you too.” She greeted an acquaintance whom she met at several charity events. She would not count him as a friend, although he was persistent in getting her attention and pretending they were close.

He once expressed his wish to court her, but when she shut him down years ago, he had accepted it gracefully. From then on, he just pretended that they were close friends.

.....

In truth, he creeped her out a few times, but she did not want to be rude since he had not done anything to warrant it. It was more of just a feeling of being uncomfortable around him.

“I can see that you are busy.” He said, probably noticing a few staff waiting for their instructions before them. “But I only want to greet you. I hope you will be saving me dance for tonight.”

She moved a few steps backward away from him, putting a considerable space between them. Although she was not afraid of him, she did not want to give him any false ideas that she was interested in him.

She admired Tony for all the support he had been giving many charitable institutions. He owned several jewelry businesses in most parts of the world, making him a very wealthy man.

He was handsome and charming, but there was something about him that she did not like. She could not pinpoint it, but her mind was nagging to stay away from a man like him.

“I am busy.” She was not lying since she had tons of things to do. But she welcomed the alibi if that would make him leave her alone. Not that he was bothering her, as she said, she never felt comfortable around his presence. “I probably will be busy the entire night. I might not have time for dancing.”

She hoped that he would take the message that she would not have time to chitchat with him. The last thing she wished for tonight was to spend it with him or dance with him.

Could this night get any worse? She hoped not as she looked at the man before her.

“I am sure we can work something out.” He said before he began to move away, winking at her before disappearing from her sight.

There went her peace of mind. Not only was Evan not here, but now she also had to deal with a man obsessed with being too friendly with her. She only wished he would become busy with the other guests so he would not bother her much.

“Well, I hope you would not mind if I attend to my obligations.” She excused herself with a smile, but before she could turn around away from him.

Tony grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips, planting a kiss on her knuckles. She wanted to snatch her hand away from him. However, she did not want to make a scene.

The place was starting to pack up with guests. A scene like that would cause disturbance and extra attention that she did not want. Instead, she smiled and slowly took her hands away from him.

“Until later then.” He bowed to her with a victorious smile that made her skin crawl. But like before, all she could do was smile as she watched him leave. But after dismissing the staff, her eyes landed on a pair of eyes intently watching her.

This time, she did not want to look away as his eyes locked with her gaze. Then, he moved toward her without breaking their connection. She wished to make a step, but it would seem her feet were unmovable on their spot.

“Who was that guy?” He asked with a voice partly tinged with indifference. As if he wished to look disinterested, but his eyes were telling her otherwise. His eyes continued to narrow on the departing guy, disappearing behind the crowd.

“Nobody. Just someone who loves to donate.” She answered him honestly. She did not want any personal association with that man. Other than as one of the people she dealt with in her profession.

“Well, he seems too cozy to be just a client.” He expressed his concern. Or was that accusation in his voice? “Is that how you treat all your donors? Maybe I should be donating more to get such treatment and attention.”

Was he jealous? That was her only conclusion. But that sounded more incredulous.

Why would he be? They were nothing to each other, although her heart wished they could be something much more than friends. But at the moment, she doubted if they were even friends.

“What are you saying, Evan?” Suddenly, she did not like what was coming out of his mouth. It was like his voice was accusing her of some wrongdoing that she was not aware of doing.

“Nothing.” He suddenly retracted, probably sensing the hostility in her voice too. “I am sorry. I should not have said those things.”

“No, you should not have.” She turned away from him. “What is wrong with you?” Now her voice raised a decibel higher as frustration mixed with anger coursed through her veins.

She turned away from him, having enough of him. Her excitement about seeing him had turned to dismay after what he had said. No amount of apology could take back what he said.

But before she could move away, his grip on her wrist stopped her. Then she felt him yank her back to him. She was out of balance on her heels and landed directly on his chest.

“You.” He uttered in his barely controlled anger. “You are what is wrong with me.” After his declaration, she lost all ability to speak.

She was trapped.

She was lost.

Then, she found herself soaring free.