The Royal Contract

She knew she was a grown woman. At her age, she should be living independently. But she never felt she needed to move out of their house. And despite everything, she still loved her father and did not want to leave him alone in their colossal house.

After her mother, Patricia, died a year ago, she knew her father needed her more than ever. She stayed, hoping to help him with his grief and the business. It was the least she could do after the things he had done for her.

“At least let me drive you home.” Mike insisted as he ushered her out of his mansion. Fortunately, Mike had his driver take her car to his place. Or, she would not have an option but to accept his offer.

“I am fine now, but thank you for all your help.” She refused his offer for her to stay and for him to drive her. She was in a better condition now to go home by herself.

Eventually, she left him by the steps as she drove away on his long driveway. But she knew she was far from being better. Still, she had to learn how to be strong and stop depending on other people how to survive.

The first thing she had to do was to look for a place for her and her child. She finally realized she could not keep living under her father’s roof. Besides, her father seemed perfectly fine now. He might have already moved on from her mother’s death.

But she had to stop by a pharmacy to buy her prescriptions. The doctors said she would need it if she wanted her baby to be healthy. Of course, she could not ask someone else to buy these things for her since she did not wish for anyone else yet to know about her condition.

As she moved around the small store toward the counter, she somehow felt like somebody was watching her. She had noticed it even before she entered the drugstore.

.....

But when she tried to scan her surrounding, nothing seemed to be out of place. Everybody seemed to mind their business. Then, she concluded that she was only being paranoid.

“Thanks.” She said to the old lady on the counter before she returned to her car, still feeling like someone was stalking her.

But who would follow her? She looked behind her, through the rearview mirror. And then the side of her window to check if anyone was looking in her direction. But still, she found nothing out of the ordinary.

“Stop it. No one is after you.” She could not help but think that whoever killed Gerald would want to harm her too. But why? She had no quarrels with anyone. And she never meddled in Gerald’s affairs.

They had barely announced their relationship to the world because Gerald was very private with his personal affairs. Only a few family and friends knew they were even in a relationship.

She drove home to her father’s house, still being cautious. She did not want to end up in an accident because she thought someone was following her.

Once inside the perimeter of their place, she breathed a sigh of relief, believing it was just her imagination. Maybe the lack of sleep was making her crazy. Then, she also had to consider her hormonal imbalance. The doctor also informed her about mood swings.

“Haley, are you alright?” She was not even out of the car when her father came out of the front door, looking worried.

She could only guess that he had finally heard the news about Gerald. He probably tried to contact her, but her phone battery died long ago, and she did not intend to charge it anytime soon.

She did not want to hear from anybody. Not until she could find some semblance of peace and balance in her life. But in the meantime, she knew she could not run away from her father, who stood by her door.

“I heard about Gerald. I hope you are alright.” She could hear the concern in his voice. Finally, he enveloped her in his warm embrace, trying to comfort her with her loss.

“I am ok, Dad. But I do want to rest in my room and be alone.” She looked at her father, who had this faraway look. It reminded her of the time they had learned of her mother’s death.

“Of course, my darling. Let me help you.” His father insisted on walking with her in the hallway.

“I am ok, Dad.” She repeated as they stopped at the foot of the long stairway. “Please, I just need time to be myself.” She tiptoed until her lips touched his cheeks.

“Tell me if you need anything. I am just here for you.” Her father offered as he finally let go of her hand.

“Thanks, Dad.” Then, she climbed the stairs and never looked back.

She quickly marched along the hallway until she reached her room. Once inside, she locked herself and allowed the tears she had been holding onto since she had woken up this morning. And Mike had interrupted her mourning.

She moved along her bed and sat down on its edge, dropping her things beside her feet. Then, she saw the vitamins rolled out of her bag and into the carpeted floor.

She picked it up and thought of their baby. Hers and Gerald. Then, she turned to the frame standing by her nightstand. It was him, holding her in his arms.

“I am supposed to drink this to make our baby stronger. But do they have a cure to take away my pain?” She talked to the image staring back at her, willing him to answer her question.

But she knew that the only remedy to her broken heart was him. She wanted him alive, with her in this room, talking about their baby’s bright future. But that was not going to happen.

Soon, he would be buried six feet below the ground, forever lost, but not in her heart.