The Royal Contract

She discovered that this area was usually very dark at night. She noticed that two outside lamps were not functioning, and the nuns still had to fix them. Luckily, the moon had not shown up tonight, giving the place a bright glow.

But paying for the place’s upkeep was the least of their priorities, as they focused on catering first to the children’s needs. However, that alone was already over their budget, making it hard for them to maintain the place.

“Do you mean to say? You live here.” Doc Sebastian finally concluded as he also stared at the view before them.

She turned to him, staring at his stunned face. She could not blame him for acting surprised. She could afford to stay in a luxury hotel, resort, or prestigious residence. She did not have to sleep in this place.

But the last thing she needed was to attract attention. In here, she could be herself. Of course, the people knew who she was. But after the hype, her new friends finally treated her like them. For the first time, after a long time, she felt normal.

“Bingo,” Serena answered as she moved along the circular path until she stopped on a wooden bench in front of the fountain. “Would you like to join me?” She offered, patting the space beside her as she sat on the other side.

She could hear the steady splash of the flowing water as it cascaded down and landed on the stagnant surface. It was what she discovered on her first night in this place, the beauty of the sound of silence.

All she could hear was the multiple droplets of water that steadily created a calming pattern that soothed her soul. Nothing compared to the chaos in her mind and her real world.

.....

“Sure.” He followed her and sat at a comfortable distance from her as they both stared at the three tiny baby angels blowing water out of their mouths. “That is interesting.” He said, probably wondering what she was doing here.

She guessed many might have an idea or something if they had read the tabloids or watched the gossip news. At least her disappearance from the movie industry did not make it to the headlines.

They were just some sleazy blind items and gossips that she had a nervous breakdown and had to take a break from the limelight. Of course, she could already tell who spread those rumors.

“I guess you want to know why.” She stated as she did not bother to look at him. She had seen the stares from the other people. Only one person knew her story, at least most of it. That was Sister Nenita.

The rest were curious, but they held themselves from asking her. Thankfully, they gave her space and her peace of mind. But no doubt, there would be someone who would try to snoop around for answers eventually.

She would not be surprised if today’s event reached the social media platforms. Many did take pictures of her with the kids and when she performed a solo song for the guests.

“Not really. But if I could help, why not.” He shrugged his shoulder as if that was not that big a deal.

“But let me clarify. Some think just because I am a doctor...” He paused, looking quite serious. “...I can treat everything. But just to be clear. I am a doctor that treats broken bones. Not a shrink.” He finished with emphasis.

The line was not funny, but the way he said it and his facial expression did make her chuckle. “I think you perfectly explained that. Bone doctor, not shrink.”

She nodded in agreement with him, appreciating that he seemed to know something about her but did not try to pry. Instead, he made light of her situation.

“Well, they said laughter is still the best medicine. So, I think I will prescribe that to you.” He ordered as he mimicked the act of writing in thin air, ripping the paper, and handing the imaginary prescription to her. “Besides, you are more beautiful when you laugh.” He added.

“Hey, now Doc, slow down. You might hurt your leg.” She teased him, finding him adorable with his old and corny jokes. “Are you sure you are a doctor and not a comedian?” She finally stared at him.

Doctors were brilliant for a reason. They were usually not funny. But somehow, he made her laugh, which she believed was what she needed. He was right. It did help to laugh, which she had been doing a lot since she came to this place.

“Yeah! I wish I could be funnier. But I am working on it.” He said as he joined her with a chuckle. “But really. My patient said that I have to learn to deliver my punch lines. And maybe work on my jokes.”

For the first time, she finally looked at him. Of course, she had seen him earlier but never noticed his overall appearance. Now, she could see that he was physically attractive, with a handsome face and a nice sculptured body.

“Yeah! Your patient might be correct, but you still have potential.” She told him as she leaned on the bench backrest and looked at the stars. “We all deserve our second chances.” She truly believed that.

She felt him move beside her, and when she glanced his way, she saw in her peripheral vision that he had imitated her action. He was also looking at the stars above them.

“Then, I guess there is still hope for me.” He sighed like he was about to get lost in his thoughts, just like her. “... And you.” He added in a whisper as they temporarily fell into silence.

But at least, in the last few days, she had found some clarity in her life. That not everything was about her. Sometimes, it was also better to think of what she could do for the other people around her.

This time, she would not be thinking of what would only make her happy, but if there was a way she could make other people happy too. Thanks to Sister Nenita, she also learned how to pray.

And she first dedicated her first prayer to his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. She believed that they needed it more than she did. They needed a miracle.

She wished she would have the chance to meet her. She heard that her brother’s fiance was such a great girl. She did not doubt that since Rosella managed to change her brother for the better.

She had seen it firsthand. She could not be happier for David. Now, all she could wish for him was the best wife to stand by his side and give him a family. And she hoped it would be Rosella when she finally recovered and woke up.

“Do you want to ask me on a date?” She finally uttered in the stillness of the night as she returned to reality.

So far, she had not seen people passing by anymore. They could be hiding in the dark corners, or the guests had gone home, and the nuns had retired to their quarters. But at the moment, they seemed to be alone.

But she could not help but ask him. Why else would he insist that he walked her home if not for that reason? Besides, she encountered many men who were intimidated by her status. Therefore, she was only helping him out if that was the case.

He suddenly smiled. “I am still trying to decide on that.” He answered without looking at her. “It will probably depend if you will say yes.” He said, wanting some guarantee.

“But you have to ask first before I can decide,” Serena said with a frown.

But honestly, she never thought of going out on a date again. At least in the foreseeable future.

After what happened with Elliot, she thought she would swear off men from her life. But she met Adam. A sweet man who had shown her that not all men were like Elliot or the past men in her life.

But was she in love with Adam? She knew she was attractive to him, but would she say they had something more than a mere physical attraction? She had no idea. Maybe if they had more time together, she might have fallen hard for him.

But she knew she could not love him, not the way he deserved to be loved, not if she could not even find herself in the middle of the chaos of her life. She knew she had to live and rediscover herself, even if it meant losing him for good.

“I think we should hold on to that thought until we are both ready. For now, do you mind if I offer you my friendship?” Sebastian said as he finally turned to face her and offered his hand.

She also shifted in her seat and shook his hand. “I think that is a great idea.” She accepted his suggestion, liking that she could have friends.

She did not feel a spark when she touched his hand, but she felt comforted. She thought it was nice to have someone she did not have to please so he would like her, where she could finally be herself, with no pressure.