The Royal Contract

She would have taken a shower, but that would mean staying in this place a minute longer than necessary. A few minutes later, she was ready to bolt through the door, leave everything behind, take the walk of shame and never look back.

“You deserve better.” She mumbled like a mantra that she would not stop saying until her mind and heart agreed that she was better off without him.

However, she caught her reflection in the mirror, her crumpled clothes from last night, her barely fixed hair, and her face bare of any makeup. She looked like a woman who had suffered enough.

He had duped her for the last time. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, unafraid of what the future held for her. She would put this under her experience but would never let it define who she was.

She grabbed her bag that was on the floor nearby the door. It must be where she had dropped it last night in their haste, but she quickly closed her eyes, suppressing the memories from coming back.

“Get your shoes and leave.” She reminded herself. Unfortunately, she only found one as the other pair seemed missing. “Where is it?” She frustratedly asked as she searched the carpeted floor.

.....

It was taking her long, but she did not have a choice, thinking she could not run away from this place with just one shoe on her feet. She was not Cinderella, and her prince charming was not likely to search for the owner of the other pair of shoes to find her again.

That usually only did happen in fairy tales, while in the real world, only bastards, who broke hearts and destroyed happy endings, existed. All the few good men left were rare, hard to find, and mostly taken.

“Stupid shoe!” She breathed exasperatedly just when she was in a hurry. This situation would happen. It was like she was the unluckiest person alive, and whoever had fate in their hands was laughing at her misfortune.

She bent her body low on the carpet, hoping to check under the bed. Maybe her shoes had found their way underneath the sheets when they were busy undressing each other last night. It could happen.

As she peeked underneath the mattress, she heard the door open as the hinges creaked as if someone had entered the room. She felt fear clasp her heart tightly.

She knew she was not expecting anybody else. That could not be the hotel staff since she had not checked out from the room yet, nor ordered any room service.

She prepared herself for whatever could happen, firmly gripping her single stiletto shoe in her hand. Holding her breath, she tried to move when she felt the intruder stand behind her.

She swiftly stood and raised her hand with her shoe and was about to attack the man with it on the head when her hand stopped mid-air. Her shoe never made contact with her assailant.

“Let go of me.” She trashed against the hands that tried to hold her still. “I already called the police.” She had to say something to scare him off. But she could not see him since she unconsciously had closed her eyes.

“I doubted that unless your phone is under the bed or on your shoes.” A recognizable voice responded to her threat with a slight chuckle. “Open your eyes, Amelia. It is me.”

She calmed down, realizing she was not in any form of danger with this man. She gradually blinked her eyes until she could see his familiar face. Honestly, she was not expecting to see him, assuming he should have been long gone.

“What...? Where...?” She seemed unable to come up with a valid question as she felt her tongue a little twisted inside.

“What am I doing here? Where have I been?” He looked at her, still holding her tightly by her arms as if he was afraid she would suddenly run. “Is that what you were about to ask?”

Yes! But no words came out of her mouth, so she only nodded while he smiled, seemingly amused by her discomfort. But he did not laugh, only widened his lips as he pulled her into his body, letting her head rest on his broad hard chest as his hands wrapped around her.

“First, I only left because I bought you those.” He pointed to a bouquet of red roses he placed on the table by the door. “I knew I should never have left without saying a word, but you look so peaceful in your sleep, I could not wake you up.”

Her heart was pounding underneath her chest as a spring of hope came rushing back to her, making her believe that, just this time, it might be different. Still, she had to hear his entire explanation.

“I left you a message, but when you did not respond, I figured you still might be sleeping,” Evan explained, making her recall that she had never checked on her phone.

“Wait!” She suddenly pushed him back. She had to check if he was telling the truth. He had hurt her too many times for her to blindly believed him again.

She hurriedly checked on her bag and pulled her phone out. It was in vibrate mode, so she would not have heard if someone tried to call or text her. When she opened her screen, it was all there, several messages from Evan.

He was not lying about that.

I ONLY WENT OUT TO BUY SOMETHING, BE BACK SOON.

I LOVE YOU, AMELIA... EVAN

“I am sorry. I did not see all this.” She responded with trembling hands as she felt ashamed for not trusting him.

“No need to be sorry. I deserved it. After what I have put you through.” He moved toward the door and grabbed the flowers, giving them to her. “I hope you like them. I still have no idea of what kind of flowers you like.”

“I like this one and anything you will give me in the future.” She pulled the flowers into her body, smelling its fresh, sweet aroma as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

“But why did you take so long if all you did was buy some flowers?” She could not hide her curiosity, wondering if he had fled the scene only to realize that he had to return.

“I was on my way back when I stumbled into something.” He stopped and knelt before her. He took her hand and held it close to his heart. “I was not running away if that was what you were thinking. I will not do that to you again.”

He ran his fingers across her cheek, feeling its softness. Then he buried them in her hair, pulling her closer until their lips touched. “I love you so much, Amelia. I will never hurt you again.”

He was about to say something else when they were interrupted. “That is room service. I also took the liberty of ordering breakfast.” He stood up and grabbed the door.

He took a deep breath, thinking he had almost slipped. Luckily, he had held his tongue.

Cling, cling, cling, and saved by the bell.