The Royal Contract

He almost had one, but somehow, she slipped away from his fingers. Maybe he was destined to be on his own. Still, what was he doing in this bar, long away from his home?

Was he hoping for another chance encounter? Of course not.

“Can I have another bottle?” He told the bartender, ordering another drink.

He had a new client confined in the hospital that he had to see. Afterward, he entered this establishment and stayed for almost thirty minutes. Now, he was in his third beer. Why was he drinking? Because he missed her, the woman who stole his heart.

A friend told him that he should start dating. Now, he was supposed to find a woman in this bar that would appeal to him, but nothing yet caught his eye. He was not saying that the girls around him were not attractive. They were just not his type.

But then again, what was his type?

“I think I remember you.” The bartender stared at his face as he handed him another bottle. “Yeah! You are that guy.” He excitedly announced as if he had discovered some rare specimen.

“What guy?” He curiously asked as he narrowed his eyes at the man behind the counter.

.....

He had no idea what the other guy was talking about since he hardly remembered what had happened the last time he was there. All he knew was that he had met this girl. Suddenly he wondered if he had made a fool of himself while intoxicated.

“The guy who was too wasted to go home. Luckily, Doc Roseann found you. I am Cris, by the way. I helped put you in a cab.” The big bulky tattoed man told him. “Seemingly, you don’t remember.”

He only remembered the man when he served his drinks. Other than that, all was blank. Cris was right. He was too intoxicated to recall anything. But something caught his attention. Doc Roseann. That was her.

R meant Roseann.

The man offered his hand that he took and shook. “Thanks, Cris. I appreciate the help. I am Adam.” Then, he grabbed his wallet and took out a bill and a card. “In case you need representation, just call.”

That was the least he could do to return the favor. Besides, Cris looked like a decent man despite the markings on his body. He would not have second thoughts about helping a man like him.

“Thanks, Adam. I will surely give you a call if I need one.” The guy cheerfully looked at him and returned his money. “This one is on the house, but I hope you don’t intend to get drunk again.”

“Nope. Not this time. I am just passing the time.” Adam assured the bartender. “This is probably my last bottle.” He raised the glass to him.

As the minutes passed, the bar started to pack up as more customers entered the room. He guessed he could have one more round before he called it a night.

“Cris, one more.” He caught the attention of the tattooed man. Then, he immediately walked to his side.

“I do hope you will come by more often. We can use a few lawyers around here.” Cris jokingly said before he served his last beer. “Hearing doctors rave about their patients and diseases is tiring and boring.”

“Hey, Cris. I heard that.” A woman’s voice hollered behind him, chastising the other guy. “I will have whatever he is drinking. Then charge it to him.” She continued as he felt someone occupy the vacant seat next to him.

“I meant for you to hear that.” Cris smiled at the newcomer and saluted before moving away to get her drink.

He did not need to look at who sat beside him. He believed his instinct told him that the girl from the last time was her. She seemed to have this distinctive tone in her voice.

“Hey, you are here.” She greeted him as she glanced his way. “Adam, right? But if you are here to thank me. That was not necessary.” She grabbed the beer from Cris before she continued. “By the way, thanks for this.”

“Why am I again paying for your drink?” He asked as he finally turned to check her face, matching the one from the last time. “If I did not need to thank you.” He inquired as he took another sip of his drink.

“Because I had a bad day, and you wish to help me forget.” She answered him. “What about you? Why are you here?” She stared at him with those analytical eyes as if she was dissecting his thoughts. “You seem a long way away from home.”

“Don’t tell me. Let me guess.” She tapped her fingers on the counter, letting her short nails create a beat on the wooden surface. “You are finally visiting a family member who is seriously sick. That is why you are drinking.”

He shook his head at her first attempt, slightly smiling at her ridiculousness. Then, he watched her look at the ceiling as if she was deciphering a great mystery.

Somehow, his eyes could not help but stare at the long column of her neck. Still, he looked away when she turned to look at him. He did not want her to think that he was checking her out. He was not.

“Don’t tell me the patient is dead.” She solemnly toned down her voice.

“Nope. I am not here because of a family member.” He told her as he took a swig of his almost empty bottle.

“I guess a client then.” She surmised, thinking this time that she guessed it right. “Unless you are here to find me.” She sharpened her eyes at him, staring into his face.

He was in the vicinity because of a client. But was he here because of her? Did he come here to bump into her? And make it appear like it was an accident.

“I am here because of a client and thought of grabbing a drink before going home.” He chose to answer her with what he thought was the truth. The other one was still a little vague.

Was he attracted to her? Maybe. But was that enough to ask her for a date?