The Royal Contract

When would she ever learn her lesson? Serena thought to herself as she slumped on her living room couch, closing her eyes to get her bearing straight. She gently touched her cheek, which was still throbbing in pain.

She should sue that dumbass for assault and battery charges, but that would lead to another scandal she did not need. Her career had just taken a hit from her previous relationship, and being on the front page again with another disastrous affair would not help her back in the industry.

Then, her eyes caught the stranger in her peripheral vision, staring at her. “Thanks, but he is long gone by now. There is the door.” Serena pointed to the exit of her apartment, hoping the man would take a hint and leave her alone.

But Adam ignored what she said and did not walk towards the door. Instead, he strode to the other side of her apartment. She watched him disappear into her kitchen, wondering what he was doing.

“Who are you again?” She asked when he returned from her kitchen with a frozen vegetable pack in his hand and a hand towel.

She did not have a good look at him while the incident was ongoing. But now, she wondered if she had seen him before. Should she worry about him, thinking he was still a stranger?

.....

Honestly, she did not sense him as a threat in her life. He did save her from another disastrous relationship. If he did not arrive on time, she might be in a worse condition.

“Put this first on your cheeks.” Adam handed her the cold processed food since he did not see any ice in her freezer that she could use. “Then, we can discuss why I am here.” He sat on the lone chair on the other far side.

He did not want her to feel that he was another threat in her life. She already had enough of that in one day. But it seemed she still had not recognized him from earlier as she sat there staring at him.

On the other hand, he could already see the pink finger imprints on her cheeks. He could tell it would badly bruise if she did not put those ice on it. He knew it was not her place to meddle with her affairs, but he could not help himself.

“You can press charges against that man.” He reminded her as the image of her boyfriend hitting her still made his blood boil in anger.

Suddenly, he wished he had beaten the hell out of her boyfriend, taught that son of a bitch a lesson he would never forget. No one deserved to become a human punching bag.

Anyway, he had no business meddling with her affairs. He had already done enough. He was here for one reason, which was to retrieve his files. Now, that was what he should do.

“Wait! I remember who you are.” Her face lit up in recognition as she pressed the cold pack on her cheeks. “You are the jerk from this morning.” Her eyes narrowed at his face. Then, she snapped her finger as if she had solved the mystery of the universe.

Now, she remembered him. He was the man who bumped into her and refused to apologize. She had no doubt, remembering those eyes and that unruly hair. It was him.

But what was he doing in this building? Was he visiting someone on this floor? Then again, what was he doing in her apartment? Was he here by coincidence, or was he stalking her?

“I think we can drop the name calling. After all, I save your ass.” Adam reminded her. “Anyway, I am Adam Mason and a friend of David.” He did not bother to offer his hand as he maintained his distance. “And I know you are wondering what I am doing here.”

He could already see the distrust in her eyes, probably realizing that even if he had come to her rescue, he was still a stranger. And someone she had an unsavory encounter with earlier.

“Fine, but only because you saved me.” She replied, but she still kept her guard up. “What are you doing in my apartment?” She had to determine whether he was up to no good.

She did ask him to leave, but he was still sitting on her couch. As if he was waiting for something. However, unlike any of her stalkers, he seemed to be different. Honestly, she was more curious than afraid of him.

“I am sorry to come here unannounced. But I am here because of what happened earlier.” He explained that he had tried to call her, but she was not picking up her phone.

Then, he told her about the papers that she accidentally took. He asked if he could get it back because those documents were important in his ongoing case. It would jeopardize a man’s life if he did not get those evidence back.

“I am sorry if I was unable to answer your call.” She pointed to the corner where her phone lay in pieces. It was the first casualty of war from the earlier incident.

“Regarding your file, I don’t have it here, but I will ask my assistant to bring it to you first thing in the morning.” She felt slightly relieved to know that he came in peace. “If that is all, you know your way out.”

Honestly, she could not handle another issue today. It had been too much already. All she wanted to do now was lay on her bed and sleep. Then, deal with everything else the next day.

For now, she sat on the sofa, closed her eyes, and let the ice ease her woes. She did not care anymore because her life sucked. Her life was not perfect at all.

“Does your brother know about this?” Suddenly, he could not help but worry about her. She looked so defeated compared to her earlier high and mighty attitude. It looked like all her life had been sucked out of her.

He knew he should leave, but he knew that she needed therapy and a support system if she would get out of an abusive relationship. She could not do it alone, or she would keep ending back right where she started.

“No, and I plan to keep it that way.” It was a direct way of saying he should butt out of her business.

“I strongly advise that you tell your brother about this.” He still insisted as he looked at her. “He could help you.”

“Hey, Mister. Thank you for getting rid of that scumbag. Now, if you don’t mind, can you leave my apartment before I call security and have them drag you out.” Serena irritatedly told him.

She appreciated his help. Granting that he was her brother’s friend, still, it did not give him the right to meddle with her affair. She did not need a lecture from him.

“Ok. I am leaving. It is still nice to meet you, Ms. Anderson.” He walked out of the room without looking back.

He knew not to push when the victim was resistant. But he hoped she would change her mind and seek help about her situation. But damn, he wished there was more he could do.

However, it was out of his hands as he looked back at the building behind him, where a princess cried herself to sleep, locked in her tower. She was the princess with long, golden hair that he could not save from herself.