The Royal Contract

“Thanks, Zeny. I can take it from here. Remember, you will not breathe a word of this to anyone.” She reminded her again as she left her room, giving her privacy to think about her options.

But where was she going where her father would never find her? She had to hide from him until she could guarantee their safety, hers and her baby’s. But she could not think of one.

Her father had so many connections that hiding from him seemed impossible. Then he also had some of the best investigators who could effortlessly locate her whereabouts. One use of her phone, credit cards, and even taking money from her account would alert them of her location.

Oh my! She had to think this through before she decided to leave. Or else she would just be wasting her time. She would only end up back in her room, probably locked up until her wedding day.

“Think.” She had to figure this out, but her time was ticking.

She was sure her father would think of something to force her to marry him. The great Alfred would even use her child against her if he would ever find out she was pregnant.

She could probably hide it for a month or two, but her condition would eventually show. Then, what? She could not stay here to figure out what her father would do to her and her child.

But she could not keep them waiting anymore. She had to show up at the dinner table, or her father would think something was wrong. She did not need him suspecting anything.

.....

“Hi, Dad!” She finally greeted him at the dining hall, where she could see the two guests were already eating with her father. They had their backs turned on her. She could only see a few portions of their faces as they slightly turned.

“Hello, sweetheart. Come on, join us for dinner.” Her father beckoned her to step closer.

She could feel a weight on her feet as she forced herself to move forward. Her heart seemed heavy as she stared at the face she had loved all her life. How could he betray her in this way? How could he have something to do with the death of Gerald?

But she could not let him detect that she knew. So, she walked toward him despite her anger and fear. She finally looked at the men that had been his father’s accomplices.

“Hello, I am sure that you remember my business associates.” Her father pointed at the two men sitting on the opposite side of the table.

The younger man sat right next to her father, who was at the head, and the older one sat next to him. She smiled at them and nodded, acknowledging their presence before her father assisted her on her chair.

“Michael here is interested in expanding his company. He wished you to help him design the new building he intended to build.” Her father said to her, introducing them as clients. But she knew better.

Then, as she looked at the face of the other man opposite her, she finally remembered who he was. Her father introduced them on the morning after Gerald’s death. They were here at their house that morning.

Were they already celebrating his death at that time? She could feel a cold sweat spread through her body, but she controlled herself. She could not risk her baby’s life despite wanting to stab the other man with her fork as he smiled at her.

“I am sure that I can recommend some of our best designers to cater to your specifications.” She offered, not wanting to work with a man like him. Just the thought of him coming near her made her want to puke.

“I am sure they are good at what they do, but your father said you are the best. And I only want the best.” Michael answered her, looking like he wanted more than that as his eyes studied her face and lowered down her body.

She could feel her skin crawling in disgust. The man was not terrible to look at, physically. On the contrary, he had a handsome face and a body to match, but knowing who he was had made a difference.

“Ok. Maybe set up an appointment with my assistant, and I will get back to you.” She said, hoping to end the conversation. Besides, she had no intention of working for her father from now on, so she did not have to see him ever again.

All she needed was a clean getaway where her father would not notice her leave and would never find her until she was ready to reveal herself again.

“Then, I will set it up early in the morning.” He said as a promise, looking at her again as if he intended to do more.

“Why are you not eating?” Her father looked at her untouched food. “Isn’t that your favorite?” He asked as he studied her face. “And I also notice that you look pale.”

“I am just tired from work.” She reasoned. But she did not want to reiterate to her father that she had just lost Gerald. And he did not have to know about her baby.

“Maybe you need some time off work. A vacation, perhaps.” Her father suggested, voicing what she intended to do. But it was a vacation where she was not coming back to him.

“I will try to consider that.” Thinking that maybe it was the opportunity she was looking for, her chance to get away.

“I have a villa in the Canary Islands. I am sure Michael would be more than free to accompany you.” Don offered, which her father seemed to approve.

Of course, it would not be easy for her to escape this horrible nightmare, but she would find a way. She was not giving up until she had her chance. But she was not waiting for tomorrow. That was for sure.

She would never allow her father to set her up with this man, marry him and become his trophy wife.