The Royal Contract

Dani was surprised to hear what her friend said, noticing the glass box in his hand. She was not even aware that Evan was in a relationship. Now, he was thinking of proposing. That was huge.

“And I am hurt.” Dani finally made her presence known, striding into the room with her big belly protruding before her. “I thought you said I was like your sister, but you never shared this with me.”

It was probably the hormones that were making her emotional, but under a different circumstance, she would not be acting like a child left out of a secret. But at the moment, she could not help the feeling of wanting to smack him in the face.

“Dani!” Evan was a little startled, thinking it was just him and Alex. But more than that, he was not expecting the outburst from Dani. “I just never thought to bother you with my problems.”

True, he had thought of Dani as a little sister. But with her condition, he never wanted to bother her with his dilemma with his love life. He never wanted to share this with his friends, feeling embarrassed by his stupidity.

Of course, he did not want to hear their friends say I told you so. He still had a little pride left in him back then. But now, he was desperate to know how to make things right.

.....

“Well, now tell me everything.” Dani sat beside her husband, ready to listen to his story.

Once, she had heard his story. She did not laugh or comment but stayed quiet, digesting what he narrated to her. She had met Amelia, and she believed she liked her.

She was glad Evan was referring to her and not some bimbo he used to date. Then, she faced her friend, carefully watching him. “Do you want my advice?” She asked him.

“Of course,” Evan answered, knowing he always valued her for always being reasonable and making sound decisions.

“Next time, if you have a woman issue, come to me, Jacky, or Rosella, and not our husbands.” She initially told him. “As much as you think they can help you, they can’t. You will just be burying yourself dipper in the gutter.”

“No offense.” Dani turned to her husband, but she was only speaking the truth.

“None taken.” Alex raised his hands, accepting her opinion as correct. “Honestly, Evan, you should listen to her.” Her husband agreed with her.

“Ok. So, what should I do?” Evan asked, still lost about how to deal with Amelia without driving her away again.

“Be clear about your intentions. Stop beating around the bush and acting like you are just playing around.” Dani explained to him, remembering that the last thing a woman needed was to second guess what the man was feeling about her.

No woman serious about her feelings for a man would like their time wasted. When a woman reached the prime of her life, she needed a committed man who would be determined enough to put a ring on her finger and build a life with her.

“So, you think I should propose to her as soon as possible,” Evan asked, excited and confused.

“If that is what you feel is right. But if not, let Amelia go right now.” Dani advised him. “Now, if she is not ready, ask yourself if you are willing to wait. If not, move on.”

However, she wished that the two would be honest about their feelings, but that would only happen if they would confront them and not keep hiding because of fear.

Evan’s phone ringing broke their serious conversation. He quickly took it out and saw that it was his secretary calling. She was only reminding him about his other appointments.

“I guess I better work on your papers and send the first draft later.” Evan checked his watch and realized he was already late for his next meeting. “But thanks for all you said. I will seriously think about it.”

As much as he wanted to stay and talk more with his friends, his other obligations were waiting for him. But what Dani told him made sense. If he wanted to propose to her, he should do it soon.

As he drove off to his office, he could not help but contemplate the different ways he could propose to her. The last time was almost perfect, but he must make it better. He had to think of a way where she could not say no.

But how?

He could ask her out on a date. But that was a cliche. There was nothing special about going to a restaurant and asking her in front of a bunch of strangers.

Should he kidnap her, bring her to an island where he would keep her until she had agreed? That was stupid and could backfire on him in the end. But it could be his last resort.

He went straight to his office without looking at his secretary, still trying to come up with a grand idea of how he would propose to her. Once inside, his secretary followed him, reminding him he had a client waiting for him at the conference.

“She said she must talk to you urgently.” It was the only thing that he understood from what his secretary said.

“Give me a few seconds, and I will be out.” He pulled out his phone, ordered several dozen flowers, and sent them to her. Then, he sent a message to her, inviting her for dinner on the weekend.

Then, he was out of his office with his client’s files, whistling, glad he talked with Dani. Somehow, he felt that he was on the right track. Suddenly, he could not wait for the weekend to see her again.

He looked at the conference room, slightly confused because it was empty. He checked his file and knew he was in the correct room, but where was the panel of lawyers that was meeting with him?

He was about to turn around and call his secretary, thinking there must be a mistake. But before he could move, one of the swivel chairs at the other side of the room turned to face him.

His eyes had to blink twice, believing that he might be hallucinating.

What he was seeing could not be for real.

It was impossible.