The Royal Contract

As she said, she was stupid and naive then, so she did, repeatedly, until it was too late. She was already pregnant when she learned that Ryan only used her because he needed to win a wager. She was the pawn that they manipulated to play their betting game.

First, he had been kind to her until he befriended her. She was one of those girls who would concentrate on her studies rather than attend some stupid party. So, she had become a nice challenge for the frat boys.

“Come on, Ria. I need help with this. I will be eternally grateful to you if I pass this exam.” Ryan walked to her after class for the first since she studied at their school.

She thought nobody noticed her except her few friends, so she was surprised he was talking to her. But the naive her still entertained his request and helped him. For a couple of weeks, he had constantly hanged out with her.

Second, he pursued her, sending her flowers and chocolates and taking her out to dinner when she finally accepted a date. She was overwhelmed by the attention he was giving her. After all, he was one of the most popular guys on campus.

“Are you sure you would like to take me out?” Not that she had not been on a date before, but not with a guy like him. He was the guy that every woman in their class wanted. Why would he pick her?

“Why not? You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.” Of course, she would have never believed him if she had been thinking clearly. Unfortunately, she allowed his charms to cloud her judgment.

Third, she remembered it started with a kiss, giggling at the thought that he would want to kiss a girl like her. She was no one but a wallflower. Someone that nobody saw in a crowded place.

.....

“What are you doing, Ryan?” She asked as she stared into his mesmerizing eyes. In her defense, he did have great orbs that seemed to hypnotize her. Still, it should not be enough for her to let him take advantage of her.

“Kissing you if you let me.” He leaned closer until their breath mingled in the small space separating them. But the stupid her, let him.

Then, lastly, taking what she never actually held sacred but still would have chosen to give to a man who deserved it. At that time, she thought it was him. To her, it was the best memory of her life until it became a nightmare.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Ria stopped in her tracks when Ryan pulled her inside his room, away from the others.

He took her to his home, where a party was underway at the poolside of his family’s massive mansion. But everything was getting rowdy, so he suggested showing her around the place.

“Why? I only want some quiet time with you.” He told her as he continued to coerce her until they had reached his bed. Then, he tapped the side of the bed, inviting her to join him as he sat comfortably. “Come on, Ria. I don’t bite.”

The naive her took over, accepting his invitation even if something deep inside her told her to take precautions. But her inexperience was no match against him and his charms.

“You are making me the luckiest man in the world,” Ryan whispered in her ears as he peppered her skin with soft kisses that seemed to immobilize her in her spot.

She gave him what he wanted, believing they had finally consummated their love. All she saw were butterflies and rainbows, thinking it was magical. She was on cloud nine as she stared at the man beside her.

After that night, he began to ignore her. He always had an excuse not to see her.

And then, one day, she was looking for him, and one of his friends pointed to the gym. “Ryan,” She was about to call him but stopped. He had his arms wrapped around another woman.

She recognized her as his ex-girlfriend, who dumped him, the one who broke his heart. Were they back together? She asked herself. Then, she witnessed him kiss her thoroughly and watched his hands roam around her body, making out in the corner of the gym.

She could not believe it, but she had to find out why. What was going on? Were they over since she had no idea if they had broken up? But then again, were they even together in the first place?

“I thought you might have fallen in love with that girl and left me.” The girl pouted as she momentarily pulled away from his kiss.

She knew the other girl saw her as she approached them, but instead of stopping, that girl wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again as if claiming him.

“Of course, that is not possible. You know what the bet was. I can’t lose.” Ryan convinced her to understand. “Besides, do you think I would fall for a girl like her? Ria was a joke.”

She felt like a knife had just gutted her heart as she saw the sly smile on her lips when she glanced her way. His answers had torn her into pieces as she listened to the rest of their conversation.

She would not have believed this if she did not hear it with her ears. She had fallen madly, deeply in love with him that she had imagined a future with him.

What a joke!

But the funny thing was, she was the joke.

Not long after, she heard mild giggling behind her. When she turned around, their pack of friends surrounded her. Then, they started laughing louder and louder.

Eventually, she looked at him, hoping he would say this was a prank. He was only kidding, but the smirk on his lips confirmed what she did not want to believe.

He fooled her. And all she could blame was her stupid heart.